With Lenovo set to announce its 12.1-inch IdeaPad S12 netbook on Tuesday, thereby intensifying competition in the netbook arena, some of the specs of the supposedly `extra size' netbook would be worth considering.

Boasting of a reputable 1,280-by-800 resolution and the LED-backlit screen, the ultramobile IdeaPad S12 is an extremely gratifying display, which joins the Samsung NC20 in the exclusive category of netbooks that have both a 12-inch screen as well as a full-size keyboard. The typing experience that goes with Lenovo's new offering is expectedly "sweet", with the touchpad inclusive of multi-touch capabilities.

Among the other specs of the S12, which runs Windows XP Home are: 1GB RAM; 160GB, 5,400-rpm hard drive; 4-in-1 card reader; three-cell battery; and 1.3-megapixel webcam with Veriface face-recognition login security software.

Two versions of the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 netbook - at $449 starting-price, and support full 1080p HD video - will initially be sold in the US markets.

The first model, which will be shipped in June, would combine the almost omnipresent 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 netbook processor with Intel GMA 945 integrated graphics. The second model, expected in August, will combine an Atom N270 with Nvidia Ion integrated graphics.

The S12 netbook, weighing 3 pounds and measuring nearly one inch thick, appears to be literally a "heavyweight" one - a strong contender in the higher-end netbook market!