DriversHQ News Feed

Dell website slips up, leaks information on Streak tablet device

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:04:25 GMT

A recent mistake on Dell's website leaked information of its new tablet device previously announced to be released sometime this summer.

The mistake on the website informed users they could pre-order the device earlier this week. The company acted quickly to correct the mix-up.

"It was a mistake, and we took that information down this morning," Dell spokesman Matt Parretta told ComputerWorld. "I can say definitely that the Dell Streak won't go on sale in July."

The mix-up did reveal some details on the Dell Streak, which was announced in February of this year as a five-inch tablet device. The Streak will be compatible with AT&T's 3G network, instead of the previously expected T-Mobile network. Also, the company confirmed the device will run the Android 1.6 operating system, with the option to update to Android 2.2 later this year.

Also, leaked pricing information revealed the full retail price will reach $549, although customers can purchase the device for $299 by signing a new service contract with AT&T.

Dell is stepping into the tablet market at a highly competitive time in the industry. Since the release of Apple's iPad, competitors including HP and Asus have announced plans for tablet devices.

SanDisk unleashes its smallest USB drive

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:02:21 GMT

SanDisk innovated its product offerings for USB flash drives with the recent release of the new Cruzer Blade device, the company's smallest-designed storage device.

The new Cruzer Blade is approximately the size of a standard paper clip and weighs nearly the same as a penny, making it more convenient for transport on a keychain. The small size design did not affect the drive's storage capabilities, as the device is available in capacities ranging from two-GB to 16GB of storage developed for transporting digital media files.

"At half the size of some other USB drives, our compact Cruzer Blade provides consumers with highly portable storage at a great value," said Kent Perry, director of retail product marketing at SanDisk.

The drive was released for sale in the U.S. and Canada, and is expected to have an impact on the storage market for portable computers requiring a solution to increase memory capacity.

"The drive lets users transfer their digital data quickly between computers, and delivers a storage boost to devices such as netbooks that often need additional memory but are difficult to upgrade easily," Perry added.

SanDisk's new product offering is one of the company's recent moves to diversify its presence in the marketplace, as, earlier this month, it announced an agreement with Toshiba to open a new development factory to develop NAND flash memory chips.

Low-cost e-reader designed for underdeveloped markets

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:38:39 GMT

A new device developed to provide e-reading technology to students in underdeveloped areas was designed with 8-bit computing to remain inexpensive for its target market.

Computer consultant Braddock Gaskill designed the Humane Reader with 8-bit microcontrollers and display capabilities to connect to a television. The device is designed without a display of its own to keep the price low. The Humane Reader provides educational content from Wikipedia and stores as many as 5,000 books.

"Everything about it is related to the cost," Gaskill said, Wired relays. "It's meant to be an absolute basic system that can deliver Wikipedia and e-books for educational and non-profit use."

After manufacturers develop 10,000 or more of the devices, the price will not exceed $20. Gaskill left internet connectivity out of the device's design in an effort to appeal to a common dynamic - underdeveloped areas do not have access to the internet, but have more than enough access to televisions.

"Hundreds of millions of households have TVs but no access to the internet," he said. "I wanted to create a device that uses the display on the TV."

Gaskill is introducing underdeveloped areas to technology that has been thriving internationally, as e-book sales generated $313 million in revenues in 2009.

AMD's graphics driver update improves performance from previous models

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:35:53 GMT

At the recent SIGGRAPH 2010 conference, AMD announced the growing certification of its updated graphics drivers, as well as plans for an upcoming beta release.

The company reported the most recent version of its ATI FirePro graphics cards has received 47 application certifications from independent software vendors throughout the industry. With growing endorsements of its latest driver, the company also hinted at releasing a beta version of its ATI graphics card.

The driver's recent success has led to its growing acceptance. "Our latest driver update for ATI FirePro increases performance by as much as 81 percent over the previous generation," said Janet Matsuda, senior director of AMD professional graphics. "In less than four months since the launch of our current generation of ATI FirePro graphics, nearly 50 applications have been certified."

The graphics driver was designed to handle applications for digital content creation and computer aided design. So far, the FirePro V3800 entry-level edition of the driver has proven to offer a 62 percent performance gain compared to previous models, whereas its V8800 high-end has shown an 81 percent performance improvement.

AMD has been busy at the SIGGRAPH 2010 event this week, as it also unveiled its new software driver to allow developers operating on desktops to create 3D graphics for web browsers and portable devices.

Apple rolls out new computers

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:14:36 GMT

Apple is continuing its busy year in the computer market with recently released updated versions of its iMac, Mac Pro and display products.

The company's new Mac Pro line is equipped with quad-core and 6-core Intel Xeon processors that carry a capacity for speeds as high as 3.33GHz, although the computer offers a "turbo boost" feature to increase processor speed to 3.6GHz. The Mac Pro offers options for ATI Radeon HD 5770 or 5870 graphics processors, and can install as many as four solid state drives for performance.

According to company executives, the updated Mac Pro line has been considered a milestone for Apple's development capabilities. Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, said "the new Mac Pro is the most powerful and configurable Mac we've ever made."

Apple's new line of iMac computers, announced along with the Mac Pro, were upgraded to support Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors and offer up to one TB of hard drive storage space.

In addition to the new computer lines, the company had also unveiled a new 27-inch LED cinema display with features such as a digital camera, microphone and a USB-connection hub. The new display is compatible with both new iMac and Mac Pro devices and will be available in September.

AMD software drivers allow for 3D video development

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:39:04 GMT

AMD is bringing new capabilities to the 3D graphics market with the release of a new desktop software driver, enabling developers to create the technology for web browsers.

The AMD OpenGL ES 2.0 driver was designed to adhere to the WebGL standard for 3D graphics on the internet. The industry standard was a top priority in the development of the new drivers.

Manju Hegde, corporate vice president of the company's fusion experience program, said "AMD is a steadfast supporter of industry standards, including those that unlock the power of GPU acceleration."

The drivers are intended to enable developers to create 3D content that can be accessed through internet browsers, allowing for the development of 3D graphics for tablets, smartphones and portable devices.

The driver was equipped with features to coincide with the emerging demands in the 3D graphics market. "At AMD, we see the future of computing as being intensely visual, requiring a variety of rich media 2D and 3D applications," Hegde added. "We aim to deliver the ideal development platform for immersive experiences both online and natively on virtually any PC form factor."

The company released its new drivers at the same recent industry event that a beta version of ATI's new Catalyst drivers are expected to be released.

Windows 7 won't fit with tablets, experts say

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:48:23 GMT

While Microsoft gears up to introduce Windows 7 into the tablet device market, industry analysts have criticized the company for trying to keep up with technology that doesn't adhere to the operating system.

A recent report from Channel Web highlights comments from experts throughout the industry that expect Windows 7 to fail as an operating system choice for tablet computers. The overall consensus is the company will fall short because of its differences from Apple's operating systems.

"For Microsoft to be successful, they need to forgo the idea of trying to force Windows 7 to be touch-driven," Clinton Fitch, a Dallas-based Microsoft Windows Mobile MVP, told Channel Web. "Windows 7 isn't designed to do it, and anything they bolt on top of it will feel clunky. Microsoft has been there and tried that already."

Other experts see the move to integrate Windows 7 onto tablet PCs as a sign of a Microsoft pattern to follow common trends set up by Apple, among other competitors. Dave Meeker, director of emerging technology and co-director of Roundarch Labs, said "it just seems that Microsoft is once again leading a consumer product strategy with a sales and engineering mentality, not the mentality of design."

Device manufacturer Asus recently made a move that indicates a weakness in Windows 7 on tablets, announcing last week it would replace the Microsoft operating system on one of its upcoming tablet devices with an Android based-system.

iPad, other tablets, getting digital reading technology from Adobe

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:16:45 GMT

A recent product update from Adobe is expected to improve the image quality of reading digital magazines on Apple's iPad, which is expected to boost the already-successful tablet device's impact on the market.

Adobe's product manager, Dave Dickson, announced a new set of tools that can produce digital magazines on tablet devices using the company's InDesign software. Dickson cited success with the program when Wired magazine launched its digital edition using the software, outselling its print edition with e-magazine sales. The software is expected to draw more attention to tablet devices by diversifying e-reading capabilities.

"Publishers can add interactivity without writing code via InDesign and create monetizable digital magazines for the Apple iPad - with other platforms and devices expected in the future," Dickson wrote.

The software will impact the tablet device market as it will provide consumers with the option to choose from a variety of viewing formats on different products using the new tools. Adobe has also announced plans to roll out the design software on upcoming tablet devices from HP and Dell.

Developments in the tablet device market will continue to fuel the fire in the growing demand for e-reading technology, as research has found the market for e-books in the U.S. reached $313 million in 2009, a 176 percent increase from the year before.

Driver update certified for Nvidia 3D

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:42:27 GMT

Nvidia has recently announced industry certification of a driver update to provide 3D video support on PCs.

The company's 258.96 range of drivers have received the Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Lab certification, enabling devices operating Nvidia's GeForce GTX 460 GPU to support 3D video playback. Nvidia pushed to meet growing demand within the industry to provide 3D capabilities from multiple media sources.

"It's pretty clear that Hollywood is going 3D," the company declared in a blog post. "So, it makes sense that now 3D movies are making their way to Blu-ray disc thanks to NVIDIA 3D Vision technology."

The driver update is expected to support Blu-ray 3D video for playback on the notebook and desktop PCs running Nvidia technology. In addition to boosting video quality, the drivers will offer support for multiple GPUs in a single system and are designed to offer features for improved video gaming experience. According to Top News, Nvidia's driver update is the only necessary adjustment to improve graphics on video games such as "Alien vs. Predator" and "BattleForge."

The certification is a sign of progress in Nvidia's a 3D video project designed for PCs, as the company had previously presented the drivers and its plans for 3D on PCs at an event in May.

IBM comes after HP with its new mainframe computer

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:58:09 GMT

IBM recently announced a new mainframe computer that offers innovative design expected to compete with enterprise platforms from major competitors such as HP and Dell.

The zEnterprise is the company's first mainframe that functions as a hybrid, designed with virtualized machines that support multiple different forms of servers. Rod Adkins, IBM's head of hardware, told Forbes "rather than manage mainframe and Unix separately, this allows you to manage them more tightly and closely as if they were one."

The company designed the mainframe computers with a cabinet on one side that is twice as large as a standard refrigerator, and space on the other side for server blades. IBM's innovative design is expected to impact on the market.

"We're doing something that hasn't been done in the industry before - the first multi-architecture platform," Adkins said. "We've smashed together a mainframe cabinet and a blade cabinet and connected them through this secure link."

IBM's release of its new mainframe computer shakes up the competition for the technology. The impact of the zEnterprise will push IBM forward to compete with HP, which had recently claimed the sales of its x86 server is at the top of the industry.

HP tablet device surprises industry

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:50:43 GMT

HP has released its HP Slate 500-1002tu line, quelling recent questions and speculation regarding an eventual tablet PC from the company.

HP has recently published information about the tablet device on its website, following a January conference in which Microsoft demonstrated the device as a Windows-based tablet. Alleged pricing numbers for the device had been leaked in April, and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer had referenced the HP when boasting his company's plan to compete with the iPad by developing Windows-based tablets.

HP made it clear the device is still in the production stage. "We are in customer evaluations now and will make a determination soon on the next steps," an HP spokesman said.

The HP Slate line will operate on Windows 7 Premium and will be equipped with a 1.6Ghz processor and an 8.9-inch display screen. The company's announcement emphasized media specifications, two cameras for video and still images, an electronic pen function, an adjustable screen and full internet connectivity.

The company's release refutes previous reports that the product was no longer in development. In April, while the industry was still buzzing about the device's demonstration at a consumer electronics show, a source within the company had hinted that the company was killing its project for a tablet device.

Lenovo to release tablet device by end of this year

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:43:33 GMT

Lenovo recently announced it will release a tablet computer by the end of the year, following the growing trend among mobile device manufacturers.

The Lenovo Lepad will operate on the Android mobile operating system and is expected to focus on a Chinese market the company's officials have claimed Apple has been ignoring.

"If Apple were to spend the same effort on the Chinese consumer as we do, [Lenovo] would be in trouble," company chariman Liu Chuanzhi said.

The company plans to eventually release the Lepad to U.S. markets, but will begin its initial deployment in Lenovo's home country, China. Industry experts recently analyzed the potential effect of the device on the tablet PC market. Bryan Ma, associate vice president for IDC's Asia-Pacific region, said "Lenovo has a strong brand name that resonates with local buyers. That's something that's in their favor."

The recent announcement is a sign of Lenovo's initiative to follow-up Apple's developments and apply them to the Chinese markets. Earlier this year the company revealed its smartphone, the Lephone, which also functions on the Android mobile operating system.

Asus tablet replaces Windows 7 with Android

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:43:01 GMT

Asus has recently changed its plans for developing a new tablet device, dropping the Windows 7 operating system and implementing Google's Android.

The company revealed two new tablet devices for its Eee Pad line. One device will feature a 10-inch display and a 675g chassis on the Android system and the other will have a 12.1-inch display with fully-installed Windows 7 Home Premium. The smaller device will ship with Android 2.2, also known as "Froyo," as well as Android 3.0, known as "Gingerbread." While rumors still surround Asus' release plans, the company is expected to make its Android-based tablet available by this year's holiday season, USA Newsweek reports.

Last month, the company announced two new tablet computers designed to compete in the tablet device market that will operate on Windows 7. The recent announcement to switch the smaller device to the Android operating system makes the larger Eee Pad the only tablet device operating on a Microsoft operating system.

Asus, typically a netbook developer, is making the move to diversify its tablet PC offering as a result of IDC's recent report on the PC production market that revealed laptop shipments had declined in the second quarter.

Panasonic 3D TV records Blu-ray video onto HDD

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:42:33 GMT

Panasonic is pushing the limits in 3D television capabilities after releasing the new all-in-one RT2B product line.

The television's offers hard disk drives that can store recorded television broadcasts and play them back in Blu-ray 3D. The company is releasing 42 and 46-inch models and beginning deployment in Japan. However, the new 3D glasses released with the device are expected to make a sooner introduction into U.S. markets. Panasonic's 3D glasses for the television are the first to offer sealed batteries that can be recharged with a USB connection.

Panasonic's RT2B line is bringing new capabilities into the 3D television market, such as Skype support for free international voice and video calls and the option to stream DLNA-compatible multimedia content from any device connected in a household network. The integrated hard disk drives could potentially start a trend in the overall television market, as other companies will be interested in gaining a foothold with the capabilities to record and playback Blu-ray video without an additional device.

The hype regarding 3D video playback has prompted the industry to develop innovative products to offer the technology. Nvidia recently released a driver update for 3D graphics on PCs it is developing with partners such as Dell, Microsoft and Toshiba.

Dell's acquisition of Ocarina consolidates its deduplication resources

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:43:12 GMT

Dell plans to improve its storage optimization resources by implementing the technology through its recent acquisition of Ocarina Networks.

Ocarina has been known for its offerings for data compression and deduplication that offer cost-reducing data management solutions. Through the acquisition, Dell will apply the storage optimization technology to its EqualLogic solutions designed to radically reduce its customers' data management costs.

Dell's officials recently explained how Ocarina's technology can benefits the company's offerings. Brad Anderson, Dell senior vice president of the enterprise product group, said "content-aware deduplication allows us to provide a true global approach to deduplication across the data center and has a tremendous ripple effect of cost savings that frees up budgets for strategic investments."

The acquisition is expected to be complete by the end of July, and will enable Ocarina's executives to further develop plans for the company.

"We plan to move the Ocarina solution well beyond what you've seen with other deduplication offerings to include 'end-to-end' optimization," said Murli Thirumale, chief executive officer of Ocarina Networks.

The move provides Dell with a solution to consolidate its recent efforts toward data deduplication. Before the acquisition, Dell has partnered with EMC, CommVault and Symantec on the technology, and is now expected to move forward with Ocarina's technology.

Hard drives backup digital media for household networks

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:52:22 GMT

SeaGate recently released a new line of hard drives designed to provide a wireless solution for storing and backing up digital media files.

The GoFlex Home external drive connects to wireless routers and can store data from computers throughout an entire household's network. The company designed the hard drive with compatibility features for Windows and Mac OS X operating systems to appeal to a broader range of home computer users. The device also offers an application to wirelessly stream photos, movies and music to network connected DLNA-certified devices from any room connected to the network.

The household design for the hard drive satisfies a growing consumer demand that coincides with the evolving use of digital media. Darcy Clarkson, Seagate's vice president of retail sales and marketing, said "with broadband and home networks reaching higher levels of penetration and operating at higher speeds, consumers are increasingly downloading and streaming content into their home and wanting to access that content from anywhere."

Regarding the company's approach to designing the hard drive, she added "we spent a lot of time focusing on simplicity with this product and believe people will find it very intuitive to set-up and get started."

SeaGate has been expanding its product offering for different markets, as in late May it released a product line of hybrid solid state drives designed for high-speed performance on thin laptop PCs.

iPad coming to new countries

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:24:49 GMT

Apple recently announced it will extend the availability of its iPad tablet computer to nine additional countries beginning this week.

The device will be released into markets in Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore beginning July 23. The release at the end of this week will be the first time the iPad will be offered through Apple retail stores and authorized resellers to customers in those countries. The device has been available in the U.S. since the company initially released the device in early April, and has subsequently introduced to Canada, the UK, Switzerland, Spain, Japan, Italy, Germany, France and Australia.

When Apple first introduced the iPad to its original markets, only the Wi-Fi model was available, with an eventual release of the 3G model. The company announced the availability of both the Wi-Fi and 3G versions of the iPad to its new markets. As part of the announcement, Apple hinted at its futures plans to "roll out [the iPad] to many more countries later this year."

Apple's success with its tablet device has allowed the company to extend its global offerings. Last month, the company announced more than three million iPad sales in the first 80 days of its availability.

Microsoft releases previews of small business products

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:20:12 GMT

Microsoft recently announced two updated product offerings for small-and medium-sized businesses.

The company released previews of Windows Small Business Server 7 and Windows Small Business Server Aurora. The first preview offers updates of component software to work with the latest versions of Windows Server, SQL Server and Exchange, improving security and management applications for file, print and email services for as many as 75 employees. The Aurora preview is designed to assist in the migration to cloud-based services for small businesses that have yet to adopt the technology.

In a recent small business blog announcement, bloggers expected the previews to generate widespread attraction throughout the industry. In the post, bloggers declared "we are going to create a lot of industry buzz with these offerings," and "we're also getting a lot of partner interest, particularly around SBS Aurora," as HP has already endorsed the preview release at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference as well as through its Facebook page.

Microsoft initially announced the two previews at its recent Worldwide Partner Conference. Also at the event, the company revealed Windows 7's Service Pack 1 beta release as well as plans for installing the operating system on new tablet devices.

Dell servers to integrate Microsoft System Center through OEMs

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:18:11 GMT

Dell recently announced the integration of Microsoft Systems Center software on the servers it ships to OEMs.

Microsoft had released the software for manufacturers in April of this year, and Dell has recently been working more closely with OEMs to integrate different software on its servers. OEMs will now integrate Systems Center 2010 into the R2 plug-on for the Hyper-V hypervisor update for Dell's Virtual Machine Manager 2008. The integration will offer administrators a single management system console for both physical and virtual servers on Dell's product.

The agreement will increase pricing for the Microsoft software, which is supported entirely by Dell. Enrico Bracalente, senior strategist for systems management product marketing at Dell's Enterprise Product Group, recently told the Register pricing "is a bit more aggressive than Microsoft's own pricing." Regarding the integration, he added Dell is the first and only server developer to offer an OEM version of Microsoft Systems Center 2010.

Dell has recently been planning to integrate Microsoft systems on more of its products. Earlier this week, Microsoft announced Dell would integrate its Azure platform on a new tablet PC by January 2011.

Mac sales hit new company heights in market share

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:26:36 GMT

Apple further extended its presence in the laptop computer market in the second quarter, reaching nearly 10 percent of the market share.

Research firm Gartner recently released its preliminary report, coinciding with a similar report from IDC, that found Apple’s Mac computers are outpacing other developers in the industry. The company improved to a 9.8 percent market share in the second quarter, showing a 24.7 percent growth since the second quarter last year. Gartner’s research shows Apple’s second-quarter market share represents a new high for the company during the past 15 years.

Although the research firm left Apple’s iPad out of the study, experts pointed to growing popularity of the tablet device for cannibalization - when a new product consumes existing products’ market share - of laptop PCs. Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner, said the "surging popularity of Apple's iPad temporarily cannibalized mini-notebooks, as well as consumer notebook sales to some degree."

"It is not certain at this stage if the cannibalization will continue with the current price," she added.

Gartner’s report came out at the same time as IDC research that found PCs exceeded laptops in second quarter production because of growth in the enterprise market.

PC shipments rise in 2nd quarter, laptop shipments decline

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:01:47 GMT

The PC market showed significant progress in the second quarter of this year, as a recent study found a growth of more than 22 percent from the previous quarter.

Market research firm IDC’s recently released report on the PC market saw a 22.4 percent increase in shipments in the second quarter, slightly lower than the firm’s 22.9 percent prediction. While PC shipments increased during the quarter, laptop shipments were slowed, which is seen as a result of growth in enterprise markets and decline in consumer markets.

Experts familiar with the study explained recent industry trends that produced these results. IDC analyst Bob O'Donnell said "the surge in consumer activity seen in the past two quarters has started to slow as expected, while commercial replacements continue to grow."

"We expect consumer activity to remain healthy, but gradually slow through the end of the year, while commercial market growth will be more stable, reflecting a planned replacement cycle over the next couple of years," he added.

Among the industry’s major developers, the report found Acer gained ground in the PC shipment market, moving further ahead of Dell with 14.2 percent market growth in the quarter. HP saw its shipment numbers decline, but still retained the top spot in the PC development industry.

Audio drivers boost sound performance on laptop speaker

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:13:40 GMT

Logitech recently released a new line of speakers with updated drivers for high-quality sound on laptop computers.

The Logitech Z205 is a single unit designed to be 1.3-inches thick and 2.5-inches tall, and is equipped with two high performance audio drivers and an embedded amplifier to offer stereo-quality sound while attached to netbook or notebooks. The device operates on both Mac and Windows-based laptop PCs and is designed to avoid mobile flaws or issues while attached to laptop computers. The company developed the device with an acoustically-tuned design for audio playback quality and offered features for a USB cable connection to external power sources.

Company officials recently explained the move to answer customer demand for improved audio on laptop computers. Subrotah Biswas, Logitech’s country manager for the India and Southwest Asia region, said "while people love the portability of their laptop computer, they are often missing out on the immersive listening experience that external speakers provide."

"We wanted to help people get better audio while enjoying their favorite shows or music without sacrificing portability," he added.

Other companies have updated audio drivers on their products to provide an innovative design. Last month, Vizio announced a new device with updated audio drivers to offer wireless high-definition audio to their TVs.

Microsoft mobile OS developers receive training kits

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:06:38 GMT

Microsoft recently released two new educational programs designed to help developers and consumers learn its Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system.

The company released beta versions of both Windows Phone Developer Tools and Windows Phone 7 Training Kit for Developers providing labs designed to offer solutions to common issues with implementing the mobile operating system. The training kit is a move by Microsoft to increasing the product’s educated user-base by helping developers learn how to operate the system on mobile devices. The training kit offers labs designed to teach developers how to write apps on the system that comply with common smartphone tasks as well as a lab that helps in the creation of new programming language.

The company expects the mobile operating system to have a significant impact on the smartphone market. In Microsoft’s statement regarding the release of the training programs, it announced "consumer demand for Windows Phones will be high, and developers will quickly adopt the Windows Phone platform to capitalize on this growing mobile marketplace."

The release of training products for Microsoft’s mobile operating system comes less than a month since the company removed a much-anticipated product from the mobile device market. Earlier this month, Microsoft announced it was cutting off production of its Kin line of smartphones that operated on Windows Phone 7.

Toshiba, SanDisk open new factory to answer flash chip demand

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:27:26 GMT

In response to rising demand in the flash chip market, Toshiba recently announced an agreement with SanDisk to open a new factory to increase its resources for the technology.

The agreement will open a new NAND flash memory chip factory - namd Fab 5 - in Yokkaichi, Japan and will feature equipment provided by both companies and operated by Toshiba. NAND flash chip technology will be the focus of nearly 80 percent of the more than $5.6 billion Toshiba has recently planned to invest in new chip factories and equipment.

The two companies recently released a joint statement addressing the development, pointing to strong recent demand for the technology as a major reason they agreed to invest in a new factory.

"Construction of the new fab reflects expectations for increasing demand for NAND flash memory for existing and emerging applications, such as smartphones and solid-state drives," the companies wrote in their statement.

Other major vendors in the industry have recently expanded their manufacturing resources for flash chips. Last month, Samsung announced it would expand its flash chip factory to add a new section for developing logic chips.

Microsoft addresses operating systems? vulnerabilities with security updates

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:40:10 GMT

Microsoft recently acted to fix critical vulnerabilities within two of its Windows operating systems that also affected Office applications.

The solution included four security updates, three of which were ranked with Microsoft’s highest security threat level "critical." Two of the security threats also exploited Microsoft Office, but were considerably less harmful to the operating system. The company had previously acknowledged the bugs and announced last week that security updates would address the vulnerabilities in its XP and Windows 7 operating systems.

Experts recently explained flaws in Microsoft’s operating system that have led to one of the recent vulnerabilities within the relatively outdated ActiveX controls of Microsoft Access. Oliver Lavery, the director of security and research and development for nCircle, told Computer World "it's a bit shocking, really. ActiveX is practically a dead technology, but people are still finding vulnerabilities in it."

"I've been doing this for 10 years, and even now, Microsoft hasn't managed to kill off all the bugs. It's just silly," he added.

Microsoft had previously addressed the vulnerability after a Google employee published the attack code last month, publicly opening the vulnerabilities to cybercriminals who have exploited it since.

Toshiba updates external drive for Mac users

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:04:57 GMT

Toshiba recently extended the capabilities of its line of portable hard drives by developing a new version available for use on Mac operating systems.

The Canvio for Mac line was designed to offer a simple and secure backup system for Mac operating system users. Toshiba had originally released its Canvio external hard drives for PC use in March of this year. The line of updated drives offers options for 500GB, 750GB or one TB of storage space and comes with Mac backup software pre-installed. The company developed the product to address a customer need for a simpler data backup solution on Mac operating systems.

Company officials recently explained the features integrated into the product that improve their product offering for portable drives. Manuel Camarena, product manager for consumer storage at Toshiba’s storage device division, said "our Canvio for Mac products give Mac users a safe, convenient, and truly portable solution for backing up their digital entertainment, documents, and other content instantly."

The Canvio for Mac product line is a sign of Toshiba’s recent developments in the hard drive market. Last month, the company released a new line of high-capacity 2.5-inch hard disk drives developed for installation in thinly designed laptop PCs.

Major device developers to use Microsoft Azure

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:14:35 GMT

Major device manufacturers throughout the industry are expected to develop new applications that feature Microsoft’s Azure platform.

Microsoft recently announced Dell, Fujitsu, eBay and HP all plan to work with the platform to leverage its cloud-based data center applications. While eBay is planning to use the platform for operational applications on its own data centers, HP is expected to integrate it into new products and Dell announced it would have an appliance on the Azure platform by January 2011. The announcement is one of the first signs of Microsoft’s platform utilizing cloud based services on product developed by manufacturing partners.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer recently addressed the evolving state of the technology industry that has increased the demand for emerging technologies.

"We are at an inflection point in technology history," Ballmer said. "For customers, cloud computing creates tremendous value, which translates to massive opportunity for Microsoft and its partners."

The Windows Azure platform is not the only way Microsoft plans to increase its presence on new appliances through its manufacturing partners. Ballmer also recently announced plans to work with Dell, Toshiba and Sony on a new line of tablet PCs designed to leverage Windows 7.

OEMs given an extra year of downgrade rights for Windows XP, Vista

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:48:49 GMT

A recent Microsoft announcement extends the time OEMs will be allowed to offer older Windows operating systems.

At the recent Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, in which the company announced the first release of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Beta, Microsoft extended the downgrade rights on its Windows XP and Vista operating systems. Prior to the recent announcement, Microsoft had warned OEMs they would not be allowed to sell pre-installed Windows systems after the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 was released. The announcement provides an extra year for OEMs to sell preinstalled copies of Windows XP and Vista on their devices.

Microsoft blogger Brandon LeBlanc recently explained the updated policy will make it easier for customers to upgrade to Windows 7.

"Going forward, businesses can continue to purchase new PCs and utilize end user downgrade rights to Windows XP or Windows Vista until they are ready to use Windows 7," LeBlanc wrote in a blog post. "Enabling such rights throughout the Windows 7 lifecycle will make it easier for customers as they plan deployments to Windows 7."

Along with the extended downgrade rights and the release of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 at MIcrosoft’s recent conference, the company also announced the deployment of Windows 7 onto new tablet PCs.

First Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Beta available for download

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:25:10 GMT

Microsoft recently released the first beta version of its Windows 7 Service Pack 1, but warned against using it for home PCs running the operating system.

At the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, the company announced the availability of the service pack on its website, but warned the initial beta version does not offer Microsoft support for installation and discouraged home users from installing it. Windows 7 Service Pack 1 does not offer any new features and provides a combination of security updates the operating system has already made available through its Windows Update application.

While Microsoft recently issued a warning on its website, as well as at the conference, explaining "the SP1 Beta does not provide new end-user features, and installation is not supported by Microsoft," the company has done little to actually prevent the download of the service pack by home users. On the company’s website, any user is allowed to select a category such as "IT Manager," "IT Worker" or "Developer" from a list that allows them to download the beta version of Service Pack 1.

Microsoft had previously announced Windows 7’s Service Pack 1 would be available in July, but had failed to announce an actual release date.

Microsoft CEO reveals plans for Windows 7 on slate PCs

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:01:48 GMT

In response to Apple's recent success in the slate PC market, Microsoft recently announced plans to work with industry developers for a line of slates that operate on Windows 7.

Steve Ballmer, the company's CEO, recently spoke at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference in Washington, D.C. and revealed the company’s plans to work with device manufacturing partners such as Dell, Toshiba and Sony to provide a full-range of slate PCs running on Windows 7. The company is expected to provide its latest operating system for both consumer and enterprise-designed slate PCs.

At the event, Ballmer stressed the need for the company to enter its operating system into the emerging market for slate PCs. "This is a terribly important area for us," he said at the conference. "We want to give you a consumer-oriented device, but a device that fits and is manageable with today's enterprise IT solutions."

"They'll come with keyboards, they'll come without keyboards, they'll be dockable, there'll be many form factors, many price points, many sizes. But they will run Windows 7," Ballmer added.

While most other Microsoft-affiliated developers are expected to work on the new devices, traditional Microsoft production partner HP is expected to develop its own slate PC that runs on its recently-acquired webOS mobile operating system rather than Windows 7.

Mobile PC market shows unexpected trends in the first quarter

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:18:54 GMT

A recent study on production of mobile PCs in the first quarter found the top developers in the industry saw a reduction in shipments, while an unlikely contender beat out Apple and Sony.

According to iSuppli's research on the mobile PC market, Samsung's 1.9 million mobile PC shipments surpassed Apple and Sony’s production, claiming 3.9 percent of the global market share. Samsung's 15 percent growth went against trends among the rest of the industry, which saw a 5.4 percent drop from last year's fourth quarter. HP and Acer were first and second in mobile PC shipments, but saw a 20.3 and 19 percent drop in market share from the previous quarter, respectively.

Experts recently explained the positive signs of the study for mobile PC developers. Matthew Wilkins, an iSuppli principal analyst, said in a statement "notebook shipments in the first quarter hit their second-highest quarterly level since iSuppli began tracking the market."

"Corporate and consumer demand for notebook PCs remains strong, as user preferences continue to shift away from desktops and toward mobile computers," he added.

The mobile PC market has been flooded with new tablet devices, as Apple, Cisco and Toshiba have all recently introduced new tablet PCs into the growing mobile computing market.

New driver software aimed at helping OEMs

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:17:38 GMT

Ocean Optics recently introduced new driver software designed to allow customization for OEMs.

The SeaBreeze OEM Driver Software offers a basic starting platform with features to allow OEMS to customize it with cost-saving applications and instruments. The software is designed to offer faster processing by eliminating Java run time on typical platforms and creating minimal overhead between requesting and reading out data. Developers can use the software as a starting point for use on Linux or Windows operating systems to add required enhancements for functionality and device compatibility.

The company also created a support program to assist OEMs with development changes that come with adapting to the software. Ocean Optics offers solutions for mechanical, software, optical and electronic integration for the installation and operation of the program. The support team with the company has specified and delivered more than 100,000 custom system spectrometers for OEMs and other clients.

Other companies have devleoped products to get into the market for OEM solutions. Last month, Ocarina Networks developed OEM storage solution software aimed at satisfying a growing need for data deduplication among manufacturers.

Windows 7 users beginning to favor 64-bit

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:12:07 GMT

Trends among Microsoft users indicate the growing popularity of higher-bit formats of Windows 7 compared to the company’s previous operating systems.

Microsoft recently released research that found 46 percent of all Windows 7 users have installed the 64-bit edition of the operating system. In comparison, only 11 percent of Windows Vista users have installed the 64-bit version since its release in 2007 and less than 1 percent of Windows XP users have installed the 64-bit edition since its 2001 release. While the majority of Windows 7 users still prefer the 32-bit edition of the operating system, a Gartner survey predicts 75 percent of business PCs will operate on a 64-bit edition of Windows by 2014.

Officials with Intel explained the capacity and security benefits of implementing 64-bit operating system capabilities on their technology. In a whitepaper about the 64-bit edition of Windows 7, officials with the company wrote "our decision to move to 64-bit computing allows us to take advantage of new systems with higher memory capabilities."

"Moving to this computing model also provides additional security benefits," the statement added.

New trends among Windows 7 users are appearing as the company is selling more copies of the operating system than any other in its history, as it recently announced it has sold more than 150 million licenses since its October 2009 release.

Quanta breaks its own record for laptop shipments in June

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:08:47 GMT

Laptop computer developer Quanta recently broke the record for laptop PC shipments in the month of June, according to a report from Network World.

Quanta is the industry’s largest provider of laptop computers, supplying industry giants such as Sony, Dell and HP. Last month, the company shipped 4.8 million laptops and recorded $3.1 billion in revenue. The company has seen recent growth in demand as the market rebounds from last year’s economic recession, considering its June shipment numbers broke the record the company had held previously with 4.5 million shipments in April of this year. The production numbers from June indicate recovery from the economic recession in 2009, as its shipment numbers in the month were 54 percent higher than the same month last year.

Company officials expect to see its laptop shipments maintain their current rates by the end of the summer. A representative from Quanta told Network World "we expect July to slow down a little bit from June, but [shipments] should come back in August."

Global notebook demand has been rising this year, as a recent survey indicates PC shipments have increased by 22.7 percent since May of 2009.

More Windows 8 info leaked, reveals virtualization plans

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:49:58 GMT

Following up on previously leaked documents regarding Microsoft Windows 8, a French blogger has recently discovered more information revealing the virtualization plans for the operating system.

The Windows 8 hints were posted on the French website blog.me-config.com and unveiled Microsoft’s plans to release its Version 3 Hyper-V virtualization exclusively on workstations and Windows 8. The company is designing its Windows 8 operating system with a microkernel that does not contain any drivers, allowing it to be integrated into virtual machines.

Bernard Ourghanlian, technical and security director at Microsoft France, previously hinted at Windows 8 virtualization technology in an interview. He explained the project to integrate Version 3 Hyper-V through a "modularization" process called MinWin, which is already available on Windows 7.

Ourghanlian explained, in his interview with itrmanager, the objective of MinWin is to disengage features that currently make virtualization on Windows difficult, and allow for Windows 8 to operate as if the features are not even present in the operating system.

The originally leaked information regarding Windows 8 revealed some of the company’s plans to integrate the operating system onto new hardware. The information outlined new technology Windows 8 will bring to in-house PCs, tablets and entertainment systems.

Hitachi's external hard drives work alongside social media

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:36:28 GMT

Hitachi is expanding the capabilities of its storage drives with the release of its new product line of external hard drives.

The Hitachi LifeStudio GST is the first external hard drive to offer features that automatically pull together and organize photos, videos, music documents from PCs and social media outlets. The drive is designed with a 3D navigation display and is secured with both local and online cloud backup in a single-integrated solution. The new line of drives is part of Hitachi's plan to offer external drives that combine reliable storage and data protection with updated design for file organization and management.

Industry experts recently explained the company's effect on the market with its new product line. Liz Conner, senior research analyst at IDC, said "personal storage solutions have become an integral part of a consumer's digital life in terms of providing simple storage and backup."

"Pushing these boundaries, Hitachi's new LifeStudio drive brings an innovative approach to the market," she added.

The new external drives are a sign of Hitachi's recent initiative to offer innovative designs for its products. Last month, the company released a new hard drive designed with the highest capacity of its size.

Samsung's LED monitors go green

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:01:59 GMT

Samsung has recently taken a step toward developing PC monitors with green technology in response to its customers' demands.

The company recently announced its new environmentally friendly 50 and 30 series LED monitors. The monitors consume nearly 40 percent less energy than conventional monitors and offer an LED backlit display that contains few environmentally hazardous substances such as lead or mercury found in traditional monitors. Samsung combined environmentally friendly technology with improved viewing angles in response to recent customer demands. The monitors were developed after consumers responded to a company survey by identifying three areas that would benefit consumer needs - design, eco-friendly materials and enhanced viewing experience.

Company officials explained the company's recent initiative to design products aimed at satisfying consumers' demands. Jin-hwan Kim, vice president of the visual display business for Samsung, said the new LED monitors are part of its new plan to release "top-of-the-line products that are environmentally-friendly and address the needs of consumers."

Samsung has recently developed other products with consumer needs in mind. Last month, the company released a line of solid state drives designed to be less noisy when used.

Semiconductor chip sales in May top record-breaking April

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:43:48 GMT

Global sales of semiconductor chips continued to rise last month to reach record levels, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

The Semiconductor Industry Association recently released its report on May sales that found a 4.5 percent increase from the previous month. The jump from sales in April, which had previously broken the record for monthly sales, showed a total of $24.7 billion in May. The market has increased by 48 percent since last year's economic recession caused international chip sales to plummet. Sales in the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region have each increased by more than 50 percent from the same time last year.

The Semiconductor Industry Association's president, George Scalise, attributed increased demand from information technology and industrial sectors to the consistent rise in chip sales, as well as the expansion of international markets.

"Emerging markets, including China and India, are fueling sales of computation and communications products," he told the Wall Street Journal.

The lucrative semiconductor market has prompted manufacturing giants to improve their resources for the technology and expand their product offerings. IBM recently announced a partnership with semiconductor developer WiSpry to improve the technology on its mobile products.

Mac continues to sell alongside iPad

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:13:11 GMT

Apple is expected to avoid the cannibalization of its iPad sales as recent research shows the Mac is expected to continue to expand its sales numbers, according to Apple Insider.

Recent retail data released by NPD and analyzed by Piper Jaffray researcher Gene Munster coincides with Wall Street's projections of 3.1 million Mac sales in the third quarter. NPD's data also exceeded previous Wall Street expectations of 19 percent year-over-year growth, anticipating the Mac to see up to 23 percent growth. iPad sales, which recently exceeded three million units, were expected to cannibalize Mac sales, meaning users would stop purchasing Macs in favor of the iPad. The data shows the company has avoided any serious cannibalization issues so far in connection with the iPad's release.

Munster recently explained the company will see slight cannibalization, but the data shows a positive outlook for the company's overall device sales.

"We believe in the long run Mac cannibalization will exist, but will be minimal," he said. "Apple has successfully limited the iPad functionality to primarily content consumption vs. content creation on a Mac."

The projected Mac sales for quarter three should exceed the Mac computer's nearly 2.9 million sales in the second quarter of this year.

Study finds reading is slower on tablet PC than on printed page

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:34:10 GMT

Reading e-books on a tablet computer was recently proven to take longer than reading books printed on paper.

Product development consulting firm Nielsen Norman Group recently conducted a study that found reading on a tablet PC takes up to 10.7 percent more time to read than on printed paper. Among the tablets used, the study asked participants to rank which platform they liked most based on a 1-to-7 scale. The iPad ranked an average 5.8, while the Kindle 2 followed closely at an average of 5.7 and the printed page kept up with a rank of 5.6.

While both tablets were proven to take longer to read on, the difference in speed between the two devices was found to be insignificant. Jakob Nielsen of the Nielsen Norman Group wrote in the report "the difference would be so small that it wouldn't be a reason to buy one over the other."

Reading speed hasn't been affecting the e-book market for the growing number of tablet PC users, as U.S. Census data found publishers in the country saw a 1.8 percent sales decrease last year, while e-books jumped 176.6 percent to $313 million in 2009.

Dell uses ATI graphics on new workstation product line

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:20:49 GMT

Dell recently announced an agreement to use ATI graphics drivers on its workstation product line designed for engineers and digital content creation professionals.

Dell's Precision workstations will be equipped with ATI's FirePro graphics cards that perform more than 90 certifications with applications providers. The ATI technology allows the workstation to drive up to three independent 30-inch displays and can adapt to a wide variety of applications. The product is designed to handle high-performance computing and visual applications without negatively impacting performance for engineers and digital content creation professionals using the workstation.

Officials with AMD, developer of ATI graphics technology, recently explained the advancements to Dell's product offering that are available through the agreement. Janet Matsuda, senior director of AMD's professional graphics, said the two companies "are working together to offer workstation users a combined solution designed for reliable performance and demanding application support."

"Our new generation of ATI FirePro professional graphics cards enable Dell to offer workstations that accelerate ATI Stream-enabled software applications and deliver unique features," she added.

The recent workstation project isn't the first time Dell and AMD have collaborated technology on a product line. Last month, Dell released a line of notebooks designed for students that come equipped with an option for ATI graphics cards.

Changes to Chinese labor policy driving manufacturing costs increases

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:23:49 GMT

Device manufacturers that traditionally leveraged China's low-cost policies are looking for alternatives after recent labor changes in the country, according to a report from the New York Times.

Manufacturers have traditionally developed products such as notebook PCs and smartphones in China because of the country's labor environment that kept costs low. Recent labor shortages and unrest among workers in response to poor work conditions and low compensation has led to policy changes in areas that currently handle most manufacturing operations. The sudden rises in labor costs will affect device manufacturing companies such as Dell, HP and Apple, which has already responded by moving workers from one of its major manufacturers to less strict areas of the country, the New York Times reports.

Experts recently explained the cost issues that policy changes in China will present to device manufacturers. Jenny Lai, a technology analyst at Hong Kong-based investment bank CLSA, told the New York Times "electronics companies are trying to figure out how to deal with the higher costs."

"They're already squeezed, so squeezing more costs out of the system won't be easy," she added.

Chinese work conditions are a major focal point for manufacturers, as a recent survey by Riverwood Solutions found the number of OEMs concerned about labor conditions has risen by more than 15 percent since last year.

Windows XP users losing support for Service Pack 2

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:02:19 GMT

Microsoft is trying to get its Windows XP users to update their service packs by cutting off support for the operating system's older applications, according to a report from Incisive Media's technology site V3.

The company will stop offering support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 on July 13, which will make security updates unavailable for users who have not updated to Service Pack 3. A recent report from Net Applications found Windows XP is still the most popular operating system on the market and is launched on more than 62 percent of global computers connected to the internet. Microsoft plans to continue its support of Windows XP Service Pack 3's security updates until April 2014.

In a recent report on Microsoft Windows users, IT security firm Qualys' chief technical officer Wolfgang Kandek explained many companies have been slow to update their operating systems. "We see a large number of machines in enterprise networks still running under Windows XP SP2," he wrote. "Only half of all Windows XP installations have upgraded to SP3 since its release," V3 reports.

Ending support for Windows XP services may be a move by Microsoft to prompt companies to update to its rapidly growing Windows 7 operating system, which has sold more than 150 million copies in the nine months it has been available.

Dell purchases virtualization company

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:58:52 GMT

Dell has recently increased its resources to begin its development of virtualization products as part of its initiative to invest in new technologies.

The company recently announced an agreement to purchase datacenter virtualization provider Scalent at an undisclosed price. Scalent's virtualization technology will be integrated into Dell's advanced infrastructure manager solution. The technology will facilitate the solution's capability for a single administrator to dynamically allocate compute, storage and network resources for both physical and virtual applications. The company expects to complete the acquisition by the end of its second fiscal quarter.

Dell officials recently explained the strategic advantages it will gain from the merger. Brad Anderson, senior vice president of Dell's enterprise product group, said "this acquisition will solidify an important component of our enterprise solution portfolio."

He sees the deal as a sign of "Dell's ongoing commitment to provide customers with solutions that don't lock them into proprietary hardware or gateways."

The acquisition is part of Dell's recent development in the virtualization market. Last month, the company announced a new line of virtual data center solutions to lock-in hardware.

HP purchases Palm for its mobile OS

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:45:46 GMT

HP's recent acquisition of smartphone company Palm introduces it to the growing battle involving smartphones and mobile devices.

The $1.2 billion acquisition enables HP to integrate all of Palm's smartphone technology, resources and intellectual property into the development of its own mobile products. Palm was one of the first competitors in the smartphone market with its Treo line, but had recently fallen behind Apple and Research In Motion. Palm's webOS software will be directed into the development of smartphones and other mobile devices through HP's Personal Systems Group.

The group's executive vice president, Todd Bradley, recently explained the company's benefits in the mobile device market through the acquisition. "This allows us the opportunity to fully engage in growing our smartphone family offering and the footprint of webOS," he said.

"With webOS, HP will deliver its customers a unique and compelling experience across smartphones and other mobility products," he added. "I'm confident that webOS will be able to reach its full potential."

The acquisition is HP's introduction into the smartphone market, as other companies have recently developed new products to answer the growing demand mobile computing. Cisco and Toshiba have both recently released tablet PCs to improve their offering for mobile computing.

OEMs concerned over Chinese work conditions, survey finds

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:48:47 GMT

The relationship between the OEMs across the globe and their electronics manufacturing services is changing as a result of labor policies in China.

Operations consulting firm Riverwood recently surveyed senior operators from OEMs that spent more than $100 billion in electronics last year. The number of respondents who reported concern that under-investment by their EMS providers will hurt their own performance jumped from 25 percent in 2009 to 40.9 percent this year.

Mike McNamara, chief executive officer of Flextronics International, cited a need for labor reform in China as a reason OEMs are concerned about their EMS providers who come from the country.

"For years, the users of EMS services could often obtain very low prices for manufacturing services due to pricing structures and operating practices of some industry participants," he said.

He believes the survey's results "seem to suggest a shift in thinking from purely lowest cost to one of increased social and supply chain responsibility."

Companies have recently worked to improve labor conditions in the country. An electronics plant in Shenzen, China that assembles products for companies such as Dell and Apple recently increased wages and brought in stress-relief techniques after one its employees threw himself off of the factory's roof.

Sony issues burn notice on 539,000 Vaio laptops

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:22:54 GMT

In response to burn hazards from an overheating defect in Sony Vaio laptops, the company recently worked with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to announce a recall of nearly 535,000 of the devices worldwide, according to a report from PC World.

The device has shown a potential overheating defect that could result in burn risks for its users. Sony has already issued a firmware update designed to fix the defect, found in Vaio laptops with model numbers beginning VPCF11 and VPCWW2 sold in the $800 to $1500 price range between January and April of this year. The company estimates nearly 259,000 of the defected Vaio laptops were sold in the U.S.

While the hazard has lead to 30 reported damaged keyboards and casings, no actual injuries from the device have been reported yet. The solution, a BIOS firmware update, is available for download on Sony's website, but PCWorld warns users to take precautions before downloading the update, including plugging the laptop into a power source and backing-up files and folders in case of difficulties.

The recent announcement is Sony's third recall on Vaio products in four years. The company recalled laptops with wiring issues in 2008 and battery packs for the device in 2006.

Intel CTO boasts potential of new research division

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:07:59 GMT

Intel's chief technology officer, Justin Rattner, spoke at a recent company-sponsored event, announcing a new research division that will focus on providing innovation for the company's overall computing offerings.

Intel is creating the Interaction and Experience Research division to study how people use and relate to technology so the company can develop new products aimed at satisfying consumer and enterprise needs. Based on the user experience trends the research division finds, Intel's developers will design new computing platforms. The research division is expected to "reinvent the computing experience in ways we can only begin to imagine," Rattner said at the event.

Regarding the evolving technology envionrment, Rattner said "better technology isn't enough these days. What the individual values today is a deeply personal, information experience. When I look ahead, this is the biggest change in computing I see coming."

"We've recently assembled an outstanding team of researchers consisting of both user interface technologists and social scientists to create the next generation of user experiences," he added.

Intel has been increasing its product range to provide updated technology that meets the evolving technology needs of its market. The company recently unveiled the touchscreen capabilities of its Linux-based operating system designed for use on tablet PCs.

Cisco steps into tablet PC market

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:54:38 GMT

Apple's success with the iPad has generated another competitor, as Cisco recently announced its plans to offer a tablet PC with a focus on video communications, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

The company developed its Cius with Google's Android mobile operating system and Intel's Atom microprocessor chips that are found in most other tablet PCs. The device weighs slightly more than one pound and offers a docking device to support a handset and has speakerphone capabilities. According to the Wall Street Journal, the device will be available in the third quarter of this year and a Cisco spokeswoman hinted at keeping the price lower than $1,000.

Company officials recently explained its plan to promote the Cius as an alternative tablet PC for enterprise use. Tony Bates, senior vice president of Cisco's enterprise, commercial and small business group, said "we don't look at this as a replacement for the laptop. But over time it becomes a choice," the Wall Street Journal reports.

Cisco, typically a network provider, isn't the first company to chase Apple in the tablet PC market this summer. Toshiba also recently released a new tablet PC that competes with the iPad's innovative design.

Nvidia releases drivers for 3D vision surround

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:44:28 GMT

Nvidia recently released new video drivers designed to provide 3D playback for video games.

The updated drivers, version 258.96, were developed to provide triple-screen support for both 2D and 3D video playback. According to PC World, the drivers provide 3D surround by connecting two matching Nvidia graphics cards, three identical 120 Hz refresh rate monitors and a Nividia 3D vision kit that provides a transmitter and shutter glasses.

The company announced the release in a blog post, explaining its recent initiative to innovate 3D gaming technology. Andrew Fear, a blogger for Nvidia, wrote in the blog post "the reason why I love working at Nvidia is because we can make products like this which make gaming better."

Regarding the company's work on 3D gaming, he added "of course, we also support 2D game play across three displays, but playing games in 2D is so… yesterday."

Nvidia has recently been developing its products to answer the growing demand for 3D video. Earlier this month, the company announced its work with partners such as Adobe and Microsoft to develop a 3D PC for gaming and web surfing.

USB modem market expecting growth

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:43:56 GMT

Experts project the market for USB modems to thrive throughout the rest of this year, according to TMCNet.

ABI Research's recent Cellular Modem Product Tracking Database expects nearly 81 million USB modems to be shipped by the end of this year. The research looks to wireless broadband subscribers as major contributors to the increasing USB modem demand, which has consistently replaced the alternative PC card slot since its introduction in 2006. According to the research, more than half of the modem models in the market offer USB interface.

Experts recently analyzed the research and explained the changing needs of the technology market. Jeff Orr, mobile content expert for ABI, said "USB dongles connect the subscriber to a specific network rapidly and without installing drivers."

"As new networks using the latest 3G or 4G protocols emerge, the USB modem is ready to update the installed base of portable and mobile computers," he added.

The demand for wireless connection solutions has grown as mobile computing technology has become more popular. Apple recently announced three million sales of its mobile tablet iPad device since its release three months ago.

First 3TB external hard drive released

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:05:52 GMT

Seagate recently announced the release of the industry's first 3TB hard drive.

The 3TB FreeAgent GoFlex external hard drive was developed to satisfy recent demand for extended digital content storage. The hard drive can store up to 120 HD movies and 1,500 video games. The product is designed with USB 2.0, USB 3.0, or FireWire 800 connections and offers an extended driver to work with Mac operating systems in addition to its compatibility with Windows.

Company officials recently explained the consumer trends that motivated them to develop the largest external hard drive ever produced. Dave Mosley, Seagate executive vice president of sales, marketing and product line management, said "consumer capacity demands are quickly out-pacing the needs of business as people continue to collect high-definition videos, photos and music."

Industry experts see the drive as a sign of emerging storage technologies. Kurt Scherf, vice president and principle analyst of Parks Associates, said "consumers who are active in digital media creation and consumption will witness their digital media storage needs grow nine-fold by 2014."

Innovation in external hard drives is keeping up with evolving technology for hard disk drives recently developed for PCs and laptops. Toshiba recently developed a 2.5-inch hard disk drive with the highest capacity in the industry for drives of that size.

Windows 8 documents leaked, some plans revealed

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:04:45 GMT

Confidential Microsoft documents were recently leaked, revealing some of the company's plans for Windows 8 and the establishment of three broad PC categories, according to PC World.

Bloggers released the sensitive information on an Italian blog about Windows, revealing slides that came with the disclaimer "Windows 8 Discussion, This Is Not A Plan Of Record." The leaked information found the company is looking to release the operating system sometime around 2012.

Among the information revealed is the company's plan to create three new Microsoft categories for PCs. According to PC World, the Workhorse PC is a basic in-home computer with motion sensor and facial recognition technology applied to recognize and power-on when the user enters the room. The Lap PC is a tablet based on the iPad, but with facial recognition features that pause a game being played on the system when the user looks away from the screen. The company also has plans for consolidated media functions with the Family Hub PC, which interacts with televisions and large-screen displays.

Microsoft's plans for an innovative development of Windows 8 are continuing on the momentum its Windows 7 operating system has created. Since its release in October, the operating system has sold more than 150 million licenses.

Intel adapts operating system for tablet PCs

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:04:12 GMT

Intel recently released a video demonstrating the multi-touch and operational functions of its new Linux-based operating system for tablet PCs, according to PC World.

The MeeGo operating system was released to OEMs last month and was designed to operate on netbooks. The company released the video to show its capabilities for touchscreen tablet PCs. In the demonstration video, the operating system is shown with features such as split panels, integrated social networking tools and an application capable of accepting touchscreen input from five fingers at the same time, PC World reports. The company expects to release the operating system for tablets sometime this fall.

Experts recently explained the company's plans to expand upon the capabilities shown in the demonstration. Bob Duffy, an Intel Atom Developer Community manager, wrote in a company blog entry "from the Atom Developer Program side I can tell you we are excited about MeeGo."

"We will be in the middle of this, helping developers get MeeGo apps developed for devices like shown in this video," he added.

Intel is introducing MeeGo to the highly competitive market for mobile operating systems. Research In Motion, the Blackberry creator, currently accounts for 31 percent of the market share with its mobile operating system, while Google's Android is catching up at 28 percent and Apple's iOS has 21 percent of the market share.

Elementary students offered an affordable HP netbook

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:10:20 GMT

HP recently released an affordable netbook designed for users in elementary school, according to a report from eWeek.

The HP Mini 100e Education Edition costs less than $300 and is equipped with an Intel Atom processor. The netbook operates on Windows 7, but offers the option to switch to a Linux system. The laptop, which will be seen in elementary school classrooms this year, comes with a safe-carrying handle, a full-sized, spill-proof keyboard and available WiFI and dial-up connectivity.

The features and the release of the Mini 100e were aimed at back-to-elementary-school shoppers. The netbook will be available worldwide in July, two months before school starts, has customization capabilities and was kept at a low price. Regarding the pricing method, an HP spokesperson recently told eWeek "we started at zero and added what was necessary," adding the netbook's price should not exceed $300.

HP is expanding its product offering for the back-to-school PC market in which it has found recent success. Last year, the company ranked among the top five in CNET's budget laptop offerings for students returning to school.

New HP notebooks available in stores

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:13:50 GMT

HP recently released its new Envy 14 notebooks for sale in U.S. stores, according to a report from Softpedia.

The company unveiled the line of notebooks in May and released it for sale this week at a price $100 higher than was announced at the original display. The new notebook is equipped with options for Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processing units with integrated graphics drivers. Windows 7 comes pre-installed and the company designed it as a lightweight, 1.1 inch thick notebook.

At the company's initial May announcement of the new notebook, officials explained the consumer-targeted design of the Envoy 14. Kevin Frost, vice president and general manager of consumer notebooks for HP, said "each notebook provides a unique experience for the customer and allows customers to express their personality," Softpedia relays.

"With these new designs, we offer customers a broad portfolio of notebook PCs that are innovative on the outside and the inside," he added.

HP's new notebook is released to compete with other companies in the market for individualized notebooks designed for consumer use. Earlier this month, Dell released a new low-price line of Inspiron notebooks with features designed for students.

Intel, Nvidia argue processor speed

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:34:23 GMT

A Intel report has created conflict between the CPU provider and GPU manufacturer Nvidia over which technology actually produces better processor speed, according to a report from Tech News World.

Engineers at Intel released a document last week at the International Symposium on Computer Architecture in France that claims Nvidia had previously embellished the actual GPU processing speed. GPU technology has traditionally been recognized as 10 to 1,000 times faster than CPUs, but the Intel report claims its study found GPUs to be only 2.5 to 14 times faster than CPUs in processing speed, Tech News World reports. Nvidia responded with a company blog post that accuses Intel of using improper code and outdated equipment in its processing speed test.

Industry experts believe the debate is a sign of economic struggle between the two companies, as GPU and CPU makers usually coexist in production efforts. Carl Howe, director of anywhere research at the Yankee Group, told TechNewsWorld "they traditionally don't compete."

"The fact that the GPU and the CPU guys think they're in a competition for garden-variety software code just says that, maybe, their current markets aren't doing all that well," he added.

The two companies have recently collaborated their technology in producing high-performance PCs. Dell announced updates to its 11-inch gaming notebook that leveraged Intel i7 core processors and Nvidia Optimus graphics drivers for better overall performance.

IBM, WiSpry partner to improve mobile technology for OEMs

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:13:12 GMT

IBM recently announced a partnership with semiconductor producer WiSpry to combine resources on tunable matching products for mobile PCs and devices.

The agreement is expected to expedite the production on WiSpry's current generation of matching products designed to increase talk or web-surfing time on mobile devices. The product offers applications for broadband communications, multi-band wireless devices and 3G and 4G connections. IBM will provide its digital - and analog - mixed signal technologies to help WiSpry prepare its products for shipment to OEMs by this fall.

WiSpry officials see the partnership as an opportunity to facilitate OEM processes on their new products. Jeff Hilbert, WiSpry's president and founder said "our joint development will enable handset OEMs to provide broadband tunability today, and provides a future-proof roadmap to monolithic tunable front-end devices."

Regarding the capabilities the agreement will offer, he added "working with IBM provides access to high-volume and high-performance silicon and to a roadmap synergistic with ours."

The partnership will help the two companies compete with the shipment of other mobile products into OEMs this year. Last week, Microsoft announced it will ship two more mobile device operating systems to OEMs by the end of the year.

Dell predicts data center business growth

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:25:38 GMT

Dell recently announced plans to increase its corporate data center resources amidst predictions of revenue growth, according to a report from Bloomberg BusinessWeek.

The company's chief executive officer, Michael Dell, spoke at the annual analyst meeting and announced his objectives to "double the size" of its data center and technology services business during the next three years, BusinessWeek reports. Dell's data center and technology services are currently worth nearly $16 billion and have grown to include 65 percent of the company's employees, compared to 49 percent in 2008. The plans to expand the company's resources into technology services for corporate data centers come as executives project Dell's enterprise business to reach $30 billion by 2014, according to BusinessWeek.

The company is expecting growth in its business production as a result of the overall economic rebound from last year's recession. According to ABCNews, Michael Dell said at the analyst meeting "we're on a growth strategy."

He admitted "last year was a challenging one for the global economy," but is now looking forward, adding "this year we see the growth really coming back."

The company has recently been improving its data center offerings. Earlier this month, Dell released a new solution to virtualization for enterprise data center management.

Microsoft boasts 'fastest selling OS in history'

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:42:25 GMT

In response to Apple's recent announcement that it sells an iPad every two seconds, Microsoft released sales numbers showing it sells seven copies of its new operating system per second, according to InformationWeek.

Microsoft has sold more than 150 million licenses since Windows 7 debuted in October 2009. The company also highlighted the young operating system's presence in the business market, as it found that 75 percent of enterprises are actively deploying or evaluating Windows 7, InformationWeek relays. Microsoft has recently boosted enterprise attraction to Windows 7 by offering a compatibility mode to the outdated Windows XP system and announcing plans to release the operating system's first service pack next month.

The company released the statement on a company blog, allowing its media professionals to announce the historic milestone the operating system had reached. In a recent post, Microsoft's in-house Windows blogger, Brandon LeBlanc, declared "Windows 7 is the fastest selling operating system in history."

Although the report boasts more frequent sales than the iPad, it is still behind competitors Apple and Google in the mobile market, each of which has been selling close to 20 million copies of their mobile operating systems each quarter.

Storage solution designed for OEMs

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:28:43 GMT

Online storage company Ocarina Networks recently released an embedded version of its storage solution designed to reduce network costs for OEMs.

The embedded version of ECOsystem for OEMs is designed specifically for embedding in OEM storage products and can improve workflow operations like backup and replication for manufacturers who design, build and sell storage products. The data reduction technology allows OEMs to transparently integrate software as a set of features in their storage products and present them as in-band, post, or hybrid processes.

Officials in the industry recently explained how this technology can help satisfy a demand in the OEM storage market. Praveen Asthana, vice president of enterprise solutions and strategy for Dell, said "customers tell us they are looking to get greater utilization out of their full range of storage assets."

He added the "technology enables customers to get the benefits of data de-duplication across a wide range of data types and storage environments."

Other companies have recently gotten involved in the storage solution market for OEMs. Earlier this month, Permabit Technology Corporation announced new high-performance data optimization software to be available to OEMs by the end of this year.

OEM agreement focuses on embedded Microsoft systems

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:40:08 GMT

Bsquare Corporation recently renewed its OEM agreement with Microsoft to implement the company's new embedded Windows products into handheld devices.

The agreement allows Bsquare to help OEMs license Microsoft's operating systems for handheld products. The company agreed to continue distributing embedded handheld Microsoft products in response to growing demand for the shipment of enterprise handheld devices, which reached 2.3 million last year and is projected to exceed 4.3 million by 2014. Bsquare pursued the agreement to retain its position as the only North American company that focuses nearly 100 percent of its distribution on Windows embedded products.

Microsoft officials recently explained the opportunity the agreement will present for both companies' position in the embedded device market. Doug Follett, Microsoft's director of OED for the Americas, said "it's an exciting time to be a part of the embedded device market and we are pleased to continue building on the successful relationship that Microsoft has with Bsquare."

"Device makers will benefit from Microsoft's investments in the enterprise handheld device market and new products based on the Windows 7 platform," he added.

The agreement comes as Microsoft is developing its handheld operating system offerings. Last week, the company announced it will begin shipping Windows Embedded CE and Windows Mobile to OEMs for use in handheld devices.

iPad sales grow rapidly, generate competition

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:27:15 GMT

Apple has sold one iPad every two seconds since it released the tablet device less than three months ago, according to a report from InformationWeek.

The company recently announced its iPad reached the three million milestone for sales since its release. Demand for the product has generated a seven-to-10 day wait time for customers who order the product. Apple has already developed more than 11,000 applications specifically designed for the iPad, and plan to introduce it to markets in nine countries during the next month alone.

Officials with the company recently explained their plans to ride the popularity of the product toward further market growth. Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in a statement "people are loving the iPad as it becomes part of their daily lives."

Speaking about the company's international plans, he added,"we're working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more people around the world."

The rapid growth of iPad users has prompted other device manufacturers to develop products to cut into Apple's market. Toshiba recently announced the release of a tablet PC with an innovative book-style design to compete with products like the iPad.

New Dell notebooks designed for students

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:14:20 GMT

Dell recently released a new line of inexpensive notebooks aimed at students, according to a report from eWeek.

The Inspiron R notebooks start at $499 on the company's website, and offer 14-inch to 17-inch screen options as well as features like a built-in web cam, smudge-resistant palm rests, and a full-size keyboard. Inside, the notebooks come with Intel Core i3 and i5 mobile processors and optional 1 GB ATI graphics drivers.

Officials with the company recently explained the combination of reliable components with entertaining features as an effort to appeal to students in the notebook market. Glen Robson, vice president of product marketing for Dell, told eWeek "this is a laptop that moms will love and youths will ask for."

"The Inspiron R takes the rock-solid Inspiron line and amps up the cool factor with a sexy and practical machine for entertainment and social networking, along with all the usual home, school and work functions," he added.

The release of the new line of mobile notebooks will help Dell compete with other emerging mobile PC products. Earlier this week, Toshiba announced the release of its new book-style tablet PCs designed with features for mobile use.

Linux platform handles operating systems for device drivers

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:06:24 GMT

Mentor Graphics Corporation recently announced the release of its new Linux platform that improves the multiple operating system debug experience for device drivers.

The Mentor Embedded Linux platform was developed through a strategic partnership between Mentor Graphics and Freescale, combining their technology to create comprehensive open source Linux software and tools. The platform is designed to facilitate the switch from prototyping on reference hardware to custom-designed products on Linux operating systems. The updated platform also comes with features that provide simple, immediate integration, as well as a wide variety of platform customization options for device drivers.

Officials with Mentor Graphics recently explained how the partnership impacted their product offerings. Glenn Perry, general manager of Mentor Graphics' Embedded Software Division, said "our strategic collaboration with Freescale has created a unified engineering methodology that provides great value to our mutual customers."

He added that the two companies' "unified workflow methodology will help our customers develop better products under aggressive time-to-market schedules."

With the growing popularity of Linux-based operating systems, other companies have developed solutions to leverage the system to improve time-to-market for device production. Earlier this month, large device manufacturers teamed up to form Linaro, a company designed to facilitate innovation within the community of developers using Linux.

Updated audio drivers improve sound quality for HDTV surround sound

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:22:12 GMT

HDTV and electronics company Vizio recently announced the expansion of its surround sound system that offers updated audio drivers to improve surround sound experience on its televisions.

The Home Theater Soundbar is equipped with wireless connection to allow full surround sound, without disturbing audio in other rooms. The wireless features also allow subwoofers and speakers to be placed anywhere around a room without the need for extending cords to the television. The Soundbar uses 2.75-inch audio drivers designed to improve sound quality, while offering features like TruVolume technology that prevents sharp jumps in volume when channels or programs are changed.

Officials with the company recently explained the audio features customers in the HDTV market are becoming attracted to. John Schindler, vice president of product planning for Vizio, said "more and more consumers are buying Soundbars instead of typical home theater systems to use with their flat-panel TVs."

"For the first time, consumers can now enjoy true 5.1 channel audio performance in a flat panel friendly Soundbar with multi-point wireless audio technology," he added.

The company improved its audio resources to compete with other new products in the HDTV audio market, as audio company Wise Buddah recently released its own surround sound system for HDTVs.

Toshiba releases new book-style tablet PC

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:52:01 GMT

Toshiba recently announced its new mobile tablet PC with an innovative book-style design, according to a report from eWeek.

The Libretto W100 has two 7-inch touch screen displays designed to fold in together like the covers of a book. The new tablet comes with Microsoft Windows 7 and is equipped with a 1.2 GHz Intel Pentium U5400 processor, as well as a 62 GB solid state drive. Considering its measurements - 7.95 inches by 4.84 inches by 1.2 inches - and connections to WiFi and Bluetooth, the product was designed mainly for mobile use.

Officials with the company recently explained that the product was developed to answer the growing demands of its customers. Carl Pinto, Toshiba America's vice president of product development, said in a statement "we design our products around the way people actually want to use them."

"Getting this concept PC out into the hands of early technology adopters will allow us to gather invaluable feedback that we can filter into future product developments," he added.

The new tablet PC is a sign of Toshiba's recent initiative to offer new products to growing markets. Last week, the company released a notebook with 3D video playback as part of its addition of three new products to its Satellite laptop line.

Virtual solution allows for multiple operating systems

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:38:36 GMT

Embedded software company Wind River recently announced support for Microsoft Windows XP on its Intel-based platforms.

Wind River Hypervisor allows device and systems manufacturers to reduce costs on materials, energy consumption and maintenance by running Windows XP simultaneously with other operating systems on a single piece of silicon. The application supports real-time system requirements and virtualization on both single and multi-core processors, offering a broader set of capabilities for device and systems manufacturers.

Experts recently pointed out the trends in the device manufacturing industry that opened an opportunity for the new product. Larry O'Brien, ARC research director, said "virtualization is finding many adherents in the world of automation today because it has great potential to reduce total cost of ownership."

He added "Wind River is bringing the world of virtualization into a realm where it can exist side by side with real-time control applications. In many ways, this is unexplored territory with many new possibilities to generate business value."

Other companies have introduced new technology for virtual infrastructures in device manufacturers. Earlier this month, Toshiba announced a new product line of hard disk drives designed to appeal to virtualized infrastructures.

Microsoft to send new mobile software to OEMs this year

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:49:53 GMT

Microsoft recently announced plans to begin shipping its new mobile software platform to OEMs later this year, according to a report form InformationWeek.

The Windows Embedded Handheld platform consists of two products for handheld devices - Windows Embedded CE and Windows Mobile. The software will be installed onto handheld products by OEMs, and will offer business applications that provide enhanced protection for enterprise investments, InformationWeek reports. The software is designed for devices commonly used in transportation, supply chain, and public safety industries.

Experts recently explained that Microsoft's new software is a sign the company is expanding its current offerings into new markets. David Krebs, director of the mobile and wireless practice at VDC Research, told InformationWeek that Microsoft is "doing a branding and creating a separate SKU for this specialized class of device."

"They're not going to rip and replace everything they've installed and start fresh," he added.

Microsoft's new software targets a different branch of the mobile device market, as Apple continues its control over mobile phones. A recent survey by AlphaWise found that 30 million people used Apple's iPhone by the end of last year, and the device is expected to reach 100 million users by the end of 2011.

Device server connects Ethernet for OEMs

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:47:51 GMT

Latronix recently announced the availability of a new device server designed to assist OEMs in releasing their products to the market.

MatchPoint NR is an updated server that allows users to simply swap a module to configure connectivity within certain devices. The technology is expected to enable OEMs to implement Ethernet networking solutions that match their product's price and performance requirements. Improved Ethernet connection capabilities can cut down on design costs and allow OEMs to move their products out of manufacturing and into the market more easily.

Officials with the company recently pointed out the needs the new product can satisfy for OEMs. Paul Pishal, vice president of product marketing at Lantronix, said "OEMs need a solution enabling easy design, guaranteed to be compatible with industry standards and affordable."

He added the new technology "allows our customers to easily interchange a wired or wireless solution that significantly shortens development time and reduces risk of developing robust and secure Ethernet connectivity."

Ethernet is becoming a priority for manufacturers as the demand for the connectivity is expected to grow. A recent report from research firm Frost and Sullivan showed that the Ethernet market produced $595 million in revenues in 2009 and is projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2014.

Intel netbook chips used for cloud computing

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:42:29 GMT

SeaMicro recently released its new server architecture that leverages the benefits of Intel chips originally designed for netbooks and embedded devices, according to a report from eWeek.

The SM10000 has the capacity to scale 512 Intel Atom chips for its cloud-based storage solution. Intel had initially designed the chips to work with netbooks and was recently moving toward using them in mobile devices when SeaMicro saw an opportunity to use them for cloud computing and internet workload storage in their servers.

Officials with the company recently explained the benefits of using Intel Atom chips in their server because of the workloads they are designed to handle. Andrew Feldman, SeaMicro CEO, said in an interview with eWeek "on the internet, the problems that need to be solved are much smaller problems."

"Atom is really good at these ordinary problems, but doesn't do as well with the harder problems," he added.

Intel is exploring different uses for its resources in an attempt to diversify its offering for processor chips. The company recently announced it was using technology originally designed to develop a graphics chip to develop its technology for supercomputers.

Apple improves driver to compete with PCs in gaming market

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:22:08 GMT

Apple recently announced it is planning to update drivers on its Mac computers in a recent effort to improve gaming performance, according to Apple Insider.

Recent feedback and studies have shown that Mac operating systems are falling behind its PC competitors in gaming capabilites, losing ground to customers using similar hardware on Windows 7. The company recently announced improvements to its gaming capabilities through work with gaming company Valve, which has implemented its Steam gaming platform on Mac operating systems.

Developers familiar with the integration of Steam onto Mac computers recently expressed the impact that a driver update will have on Mac's gaming capabilities. Rob Barris, a Valve employee who worked on the Steam client for Mac, told Apple Insider "performance is going to improve as drivers are updated."

"We are making a lot of progress in identifying specific issues that need work inside the game and inside OpenGL and drivers. Apple, ATI and NVIDIA are all involved," he added.

Apple has made the partnership to compete with evolving gaming technology in the PC market. Earlier this month, Dell announced a new laptop with enhanced technology for high-definition gaming.

Israeli company sends its first solid state drive to OEMs

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:59:04 GMT

Israeli technology company Anobit recently announced it has begun shipping its first solid state drive storage solution to OEMs, according to a report from TechConnect magazine.

The Genesis series solid state drives are available with 200 and 400 GB storage capacities, and are equipped with Anobit's controller and memory signal processing technology. The technology allows the solid state drives to extend their multi-level cell endurance from 3,000 to 50,000 read/write cycles for storing data. The increased amount of read/write cycles is typically available only on more expensive single-level cell storage solutions.

Officials with the company recently explained that the new product offers a solution to cost issues within the solid state drive market. Ehud Weinstein, Anobit CEO, told TechConnect magazine "for too long, the high prices of SLC SSDs and concerns about MLC SSD endurance have slowed the adoption of flash memory storage in the enterprise."

"By delivering true enterprise-class SSD reliability at affordable MLC SSD prices, Anobit Genesis SSDs unlock the full promise of solid-state enterprise storage," he added.

Other companies have upgraded their technology to improve their product offers for the solid state drive market. Earlier this month, SanDisk announced that it has doubled its solid state drive capacity in its new product line.

New line of notebooks announced by Toshiba

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:31:35 GMT

Toshiba recently announced new notebooks added to its Satellite product line, according to a report from PC World.

The new Satellite A665 has a 16-inch screen and is equipped with features focusing on entertainment with the inclusion of Nvidia's Optimus graphics system. The Nvidia technology automatically switches the type of graphics driver used to conserve power when playing video that doesn't require high quality, or boost performance for high-definition video playback.

The company also announced its 3D-capable notebook, the Satellite A665 3D edition, as well as its economic notebooks - the Satellite T215 and T235 - which are seen as comparable products to the company's line of netbooks, PC World reports. Toshiba's additions to its Satellite product line is a move to offer more capable notebooks, following the company's recent success in developing small, economic netbooks. The new Satellite notebook line is expected to be available June 20.

The company is introducing its new products at a time when the market for PCs is growing. The release of a new line of notebooks comes just weeks after the announcement of a jump in PC shipments worldwide. A recent report by iSuppli found that PC shipments increased by about 23 percent during the past year.

Updated video drivers boost gaming video playback

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:28:28 GMT

AMD is expected to release a new line of drivers designed for improved video playback and game performance, according to a report from Hot Hardware.

The Catalyst v10.6 drivers offer new video playback features like acceleration of video content using Adobe Flash player 10.1 and video deblocking that reduces blocking artifacts during playback. The updated driver offers enhanced playback through video post-processing features that weren't available on previous drivers. Hot Hardwire expects the updated drivers to be available on AMD's website "very soon."

The driver was designed to answer the demand for enhanced HD video playback for video games. It is equipped with new Radeon HD video cards, which provide improved cadence detection, dynamic contrast and skin tone correction. Radeon HD video cards were found to provide a better HD performance for video playback when compared in a test with another leading video card, the popular Nvidia GeForce GTX 470, Hot Hardware reports.

The development of video drivers has become a common method for penetrating the enhanced video gaming market. Other companies have been incorporating more sophisticated HD technology into their products to offer improved gaming. Dell, for example, recently released an 11-inch gaming laptop equipped with Nvidia HD video technology.

New hard disk drive available from Samsung

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:52:14 GMT

Samsung recently released a new hard disk drive designed to be more reliable and less noisy than its previous models, according to a report from Softpedia.

At a company event to highlight its 3D resources, Samsung announced it has begun shipping the 320 GB Spinpoint F4 to its OEM partners. The updated drive's new "one-head platform" is designed to have fewer moving parts than its older models. The new product also has better read and write performance as well as features that reduce power consumption.

Officials with the company recently explained why it is developing products for the hard disk drive market. In-Chul Park, vice president of sales for Samsung's storage systems division, said "higher performance combined with increasing capacities continues to accelerate demand for 3.5 [inch] drives in desktop storage," Softpedia reports.

He added that the design of the new product is targeting certain needs within the market, as the one-head platform "delivers added reliability" to answer the demand for secure, quiet hard disk drives.

The release of the new product is a sign of Samsung's current initiative to maximize its markets. The company recently opened a new manufacturing plant to develop new computer chips with microprocessor technology.

Intel investing unused technology in supercomputing

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:42:27 GMT

Intel will be using its resources from a canceled graphics driver project to further develop its supercomputer capabilities, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

After cancelling the Larrabee project, Intel aligned itself with companies like Nvidia and AMD, because of their success in the graphics card industry, and decided to use the technology from the canceled project to focus on expediting its supercomputer products. Researchers from Top500 have found that Intel already runs about 80 percent of the world's top 500 supercomputers.

Intel recently announced that the products coming from the Larrabee technology are designed to offer more than 50 processor cores and will not be available until the second half of next year.

Officials with the company recently explained their position in developing new products for the supercomputer market. John Hengeveld, marketing director for Intel's high-performance computing business, told the Wall Street Journal that "we create systems that are economically feasible for the broad market."

"We don't want to be the biggest and baddest," he added.

Other companies are focusing much of their efforts on tapping into the supercomputer market. Fujitsu, for example, recently announced that it expects to generate $1 billion in supercomputer sales during the next five years.

Google OS 'Chromoting' process based on Microsoft operating systems

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:26:29 GMT

Google's new web-based operating system is using technology originally developed for virtual access to PCs on Microsoft operating systems, according to a report from the Register.

Google Chrome OS is the company's first operating system and is designed to avoid storage and hardware issues by making all of the system's data and applications available on a web browser. The operating system comes equipped with a process Google calls "chromoting," which will will allow the web-based operating system to access applications stored on the PC using it. The process has similar attributes to remote desktop connection traditionally found on Microsoft Windows, the Register reports.

Officials with Google admitted that the chromoting process is "something like" the Windows equivalent, but explained that the ability to connect to remote PC applications is essential to the web-based operating system.

The Register reported that Google software engineer Gary Kacmarcik said in an official email statement that "with this functionality (unofficially named 'chromoting'), Chrome OS will not only be [a] great platform for running modern web apps, but will also enable you to access legacy PC applications right within the browser."

The Microsoft operating system's remote desktop services was initially developed to enable Windows customers to virtually access files within applications like Word and Excel stored on distant computers.

United Nations standard for global networks draws support from the industry

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:14:03 GMT

Major vendors in the semiconductor manufacturing industry have expressed support for a recently approved United Nations standard for global networking.

The International Telecommunication Union's G.hn and G.hnem technologies are a step toward globally supported systems designed to create networks across all physical media. Major vendors Intel, Sigma Designs, and Texas Instruments, among others, have aligned as supporters of the recently approved standard as each company can benefit from globally connected networks.

Officials with Intel pointed out the effect that the technology can have on the industry as a whole. Matt Theall, technology strategist at Intel, said that companies are supporting the initiative "because they see the advantage and opportunity made available through one truly global standard technology for multimedia networking in the home."

He added that the worldwide standard will bring advantages to companies trying to implement "future-generation products that are efficient, simpler to deploy, and work over all three wires - co-ax, phone, and power lines."

The international standard from the United Nations facilitates Intel's recent approach to take advantage of opportunities in the market for new networks. The company has recently invested in smart grid companies like CPower to expand its network resources.

VMware and Novell reach OEM agreement

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:51:40 GMT

VMware recently announced that it will form a partnership with Novell to distribute the new SUSE Linux Enterprise Server operating system to original equipment manufacturers.

The partnership is expected to offer cloud computing features to the companies' customers implementing SUSE Linux-based operating systems. As part of a recent platform by VMware to produce more virtualized products, the agreement to distribute the operating system through an OEM will allow the company to integrate technical support for the server.

Officials with the company explained that the options made available through the agreement allow its customers to "accelerate their evolution to a fully virtualized datacenter and simplify portability of their applications to cloud environments," said Raghu Raghuram, senior vice president and general manager for VMware's virtualization and cloud platforms.

Joe Wagner, senior vice president and general manager at Novell, said the company is getting into the market by giving "VMware and Novell customers a simplified and lower-cost way to virtualize and manage their IT environments."

Novell is getting into a growing market by collaborating with a company it previously competed with in virtualization software. The move is seen as an effort to boost profits on its operating software that had also been previously distributed by Microsoft.

New smaller hard disk drives offer larger capacity

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:03:11 GMT

Toshiba recently announced that it has begun shipping a new 2.5-inch hard disk drive designed to offer enterprise-class storage solutions.

The MBF family of enterprise hard disk drives are a new development in Toshiba's platform to answer the consumer demand for smaller storage systems that reduce infrastructure costs and take up less datacenter space. The updated drivers were designed to match the highest capacity available in the market for 2.5-and 3.5-inch hard disk drives. The new features are offered as storage solutions for mid-range volume servers as well as blade and rack-mounted servers.

Experts have recently pointed out the growing need for solutions to storage on updated server infrastructures. Chuck Orcutt, server product manager for system manufacturer Seneca, said "nearly all organizations with server infrastructure are exploring or implementing virtualization technologies."

He added that these new products are an important innovation because "virtualized infrastructures draw on consolidated applications and resources to serve multiple users, meaning hard disk reliability and performance is absolutely critical."

Other companies have released new products to answer the growing demand for space-saving hard disk drives. Hitachi recently released a new hard disk drive designed to fit the thinnest laptops on the market.

Samsung expanding resources to develop logic chips

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:13:24 GMT

Samsung recently announced that it is expanding its manufacturing capacity for a new line of logic chips, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

Logic chips include microprocessers and microcontrollers that are capable of a number of functions for calculating and storing data. The company plans to add a $36 billion production line in Austin, Texas, expanding on a manufacturing plant for flash memory chips that it already owns in the city.

Experts believe the company is trying to position itself to compete with Intel, the only company that produces more revenue off of memory chips than Samsung. So far, the two companies have attracted separate markets for their products. However, rapidly growing demand for microprocessors in cellphones could create a field for competition between the two.

Risto Puhakka, an analyst at VLSI Research, told the Wall Street journal that "my bet is that Intel and Samsung will meet as competitors one of these days, and that day is not too far away."

The move to expand manufacturing resources for logic chips comes after Samsung's recent success providing technology for Apple. The company manufactured Apple's A4 chip, which was designed for the iPad and the latest model of the iPhone.

Dell upgrades laptop for better gaming

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:49:48 GMT

Dell recently announced enhancements made to boost performance on its 11-inch laptop that is already designed as the world's most powerful laptop of its size.

The Alienware M11x has been updated to include new Intel processor options, along with Nvidia Optimus graphics drivers that improve the device's high-definition graphics. The enhancements enable the laptop to accelerate processor performance when needed, and help extend battery life by switching graphics drivers to save power on applications that require less-detailed graphics. The specifications were designed to enhance gaming experience on a small, mobile computer.

Dell officials explained that the company updated the product in an effort to appeal to the mobile gaming market. Arthur Lewis, general manager of Dell gaming products said that the objective of the upgrade was to design "the perfect go-anywhere laptop for people who want to play today's most popular and demanding games in high definition."

He added that "it's a challenge to make the world's most powerful 11-inch gaming laptop even better, but we've done it."

Other companies have tried to get in on the gaming market by enhancing the graphics drivers in their products. Nvidia, for example, has recently developed a graphics driver with 3D capabilities for gaming.

Research expects audio device market to reach $10 billion by 2015

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:48:08 GMT

New research on the networked home audio device market expects the technology to produce revenues of more than $10 billion by 2015.

The study, conducted by ABI, researched the market prospects for home network distribution of audio content. It came in response to the growing market for distributing video through a network, making it available on different PCs and televisions within the same home. The study involved vendors like D-Link, Sonos, and Philips to produce research on the audio device industry as well as the home network industry.

Experts believe the implementation of new audio technology will create a demand among consumers for the ability to distribute audio content to different devices within their homes. ABI research practice director Jason Blackwell said that "so many people have music on their PCs, as well as on MP3 players and other portable devices, that it's just a small step to using the PC or a dedicated device as a server to send that content to other locations in the home."

The research shows that wireless internet solutions should boost the consumer demand for networked audio devices, and expects retailers to offer networked audio solutions to the growing market soon.

Dell releases new virtualization solutions

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:47:41 GMT

Dell recently announced the release of new data center configuration solutions designed to speed up virtualization projects for government, healthcare, and education organizations.

The new Dell Business Ready Configurations include the technology for server, storage, networking, and virtualization that is meant to reduce the number errors that typically occur during virtualization projects. These features facilitate the transition to virtualization solutions by automatically integrating the technology into the customer's existing infrastructure.

Officials with Dell explained that the new solutions are part of their platform to get into the virtualization market. Brad Anderson, senior vice president of Dell's enterprise product group, said the company has been focusing on "technologies that preserve choice and free up budgets for innovation."

Experts believe virtualization technology will grow in the future of the data center storage market. Speaking about Dell's new product, IDC analyst Matt Eastwood said that his company "expects that it will resonate well in the market as customers evaluate their IT infrastructure options in the months to come."

Other companies have developed new products to improve their data storage capabilities. SGI recently announced that it upgraded its platform to offer customers more storage capacity and higher performance.

Study finds highest-ever increase in PC shipments this year

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:50:10 GMT

A recent study found that PC shipments worldwide have increased by 22.7 percent over the past year, according a report from CNET.

The increase in PC shipments is the highest market surge ever recorded by iSuppli, which conducted the study and has been tracking the market since 2003. Although a recent rebound from last year's weak economy may have been a factor, experts believe that a rise in demand from OEMs involved in the Asian markets is responsible for the recent production growth.

Matthew Wilkins, principal analyst for computer platforms at iSuppli, said in a statement that "the rise of Asian OEMs at the expense of longtime U.S. leaders like Hewlett-Packard and Dell represents a historic shift in the PC market."

He believes that the new demands in Asia will change the face of the PC market for OEMs.

"Asia's increasing dominance in electronics manufacturing is spurring a fundamental shift in the regional balance of power in the PC market," he added.

ASUS saw the largest jump in PC shipments during the past year, with a 136 percent increase. Lenovo, Acer, and Apple also saw impressive growth in their shipment numbers this year.

Windows 7 service pack to be released next month

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:48:41 GMT

Microsoft recently announced that it will release an updated service pack for Windows 7 next month, but added that the updates are already available on the current operating system, according to a report from eWeek.

Microsoft officials made it clear that its new update pack, Service Pack 1, will not contain anything more than the updates that are already available through the current Windows 7 update application. The updated service pack was developed in an effort to comfort customers apprehensive about purchasing the first installment because of potential glitches in the new operating system.

Because the same updates are already available on Windows 7, the company has been pushing businesses to purchase it now, rather than wait for the service pack. Gavriella Schuster, a general manager for Windows PMG, said the new features "will simply be the combination of updates already available through Windows Update and additional hotfixes based on feedback by our customers and partners."

"In other words, customers can feel confident about deploying Windows 7 now," she added.

Although Microsoft has already sold more than 100 million licenses for Windows 7, analysts expect the company to see an increase in sales for the operating system when the update is released next month.

New software brings new capabilities to OEMs

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:48:53 GMT

Permabit Technology recently released the data backup industry's first high-performance data optimization software embedded by original equipment manufacturers.

The new software, Albireo, was designed to expand solutions for next generation data optimization by combining accessibilities that had never been available on the same platform before. The new features enable OEMs to deploy their full feature set without affecting data integrity, while protecting against a negative impact on storage performance. OEMs are expected to begin delivering the new software by the end of this year.

The company developed the software in response to surveys that predict the technology to have the biggest impact on storage infrastructure during the next three years. Tom Cook, president and CEO of Permabit, said that "data deduplication has far and away become the number one concern in terms of technology for data center managers."

He added that "any data storage solution moving forward that does not include primary storage data deduplication is a non-starter."

The growing market for data optimization solutions has prompted other companies to develop new products. Last month, Quantum made new backup solutions for data deduplication available to OEMs.

Hitachi leads the way in thin disk drives

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:50:44 GMT

Hitachi recently announced the release of its Z-series drives for portable computers, which are the industry's fastest-and highest-capacity drives of their size.

The Travelstar and CinemaStar drives are the only 7 mm drives to offer capacities up to 320 GB. Because of their thin design and low-power consumption, the portable drives are also the industry's most inexpensive. The size and function is expected to develop a trend in the industry of developing light weight, high-capacity drives for portable devices.

Other companies are looking to expand on Hitachi's new products. Vice president of global procurement Wentao Yang said that the development "represents important advancements for the industry," and that the product will "innovate and take the computing landscape to newer, smaller heights."

John Rydning, research director at IDC, said that Hitachi is affecting the portable drive market because "the relentless pursuit for thinner, lighter and lower cost notebook PCs is impacting the design requirements of all PC components, including hard disk drives."

Other companies have created thinner designs for solid state drives in an effort to compete. SanDisk, for example, recently released a thin-designed hard disk drive with double the capacity of its old hard disks.

New operating system released for thinner netbooks

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:50:26 GMT

Novell recently announced the release of a new operating system for netbooks to be installed by original equipment manufacturers during the next year.

The new operating system, Suse Meego, comes from the Linux-based Meego Project for operating systems, and was designed to serve the growing market looking for an effective alternative to desktop computing environments. It comes after Novell collaborated with Intel to create a new operating system that could be available on a variety of products handled and distributed by OEMs. The company recently established new labs in Taiwan in preparation for immediate productive results from its involvement in operating systems.

Novell looks to increase its capabilities with manufacturers as OEMs have already begun installing the new system on a variety of different products. Guy Lunardi, director of client preloads at Novell, said that becoming a "provider of desktop Linux environments - from thin clients, to workstations, through netbooks, notebooks and desktop devices - puts us in a great position to deliver Suse MeeGo to a broad base of original equipment and device manufacturers."

OEMs are seeing more products pertaining to thinner designs for netbooks. Hitachi recently released a new product line of ultra-thin solid state drives designed to fit smaller products.

New solid state drive designed for high-speed servers

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:49:21 GMT

Original equipment manufacturer Foremay recently announced the release of its new solid state drive.

The new drive-the EC188 D series-is designed to provide high speeds for reading and writing data, as well as accessing workstations and servers. It offers applications that are capable to work with with cloud computing systems and database storage on SQL servers. Because of their high speed capabilities, the updated drivers have been used on server systems in banks, stock exchanges, and wireless multimedia centers.

Officials with the company explained that the drives were designed to fit servers with that required high speed reading for large amounts of files. Foremay's vice president of marketing Jason Hoover said the new product "helps break the bottleneck in these areas which require high random read and write performance to secure transactions of millions of small files every second."

Other original equipment manufacturers have developed high speed solid state drives in an effort to appeal to the current demand. Seagate, a company that typically produces only hard drives, recently announced the release of a hybrid solid state drive in order to "fight off the onslaught" of solid state drives.

Graphics driver update brings 3D to PCs

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:50:59 GMT

A new graphics processor recently released by Nvidia is getting the PC market in on the increasing demand for 3D graphics.

The Nvidia GeForce GTX 465 graphics processor delivers high-definition imagery to 3D display on PCs, including notebooks and desktops. The graphics driver will be available both as an application on a new PC and as an upgrade to existing PCs.

Officials familiar with 3D technology on PCs see the new graphics driver as an opportunity to get involved in a market with promise for the future. Jerry Shen, CEO of PC developer ASUS, said that his company plans on developing "notebooks, desktops and an all-in-one PC equipped with NVIDIA 3D Vision" and speculated that "all entertainment-based PCs will become 3D capable within a few years."

Hidehito Murato, chief marketing executive at Toshiba, called the new product "by far, one of the most captivating technologies ever introduced on the PC" because of its availability on notebooks and netbooks "allows users to go 3D on-the-go."

The recent demand for 3D graphics has been prompting other businesses like Nvidia to develop more 3D products. Panasonic Corporation, for example, recently announced a new 3D innovation center to accelerate its 3D resources.

Microsoft's Ozzie says the PC is still playing its part

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:11:37 GMT

In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Microsoft's chief software architect, Ray Ozzie, argued that the PC is still playing a vital role in the computer world, despite the growing popularity of tablets, smartphones and other devices.

Ozzie, who inherited his current job title from Bill Gates four years ago, said that the PC is a "growing part" of the way people use computers. He acknowledged the strong presence of phones, tablets and smart TVs, but he said "it's not a shift from the PC to these other things - rather, there's an increase in the number of screens we connect with."

Instead of it being a dangerous time for the traditional PC, Ozzie said there is currently greater opportunity because of the ability to deliver services across a number of devices.

When asked about how Microsoft will have to adapt to stay ahead of the curve, Ozzie mentioned the "big question" of what life will be like and how it will change when everything is connected. Because of this, he said, there will have to be a direct connection between business leaders and their customers and consumers.

Ozzie will be a guest speaker at this week's D: All Things Digital conference in California. The event also features an appearance by Apple CEO Steve Jobs and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Different definitions to what makes a tablet

Fri, 28 May 2010 23:50:21 GMT

While nearly every computer manufacturer has announced plans for some kind of tablet PC in the near future, many of them blur the line between what separates tablet PCs from smartphones and other media devices.

CNET says Gartner defines a table as a slate with at least a five-inch screen and a full operating system, like Windows, Linux or Google's Android. Meanwhile, IDC has a completely different definition. It says that a tablet can have a screen from five to 21 inches, run a desktop operating system, and use a more powerful x86 processor.

Many new releases, like the five-inch Dell Streak, seem much more like a large smartphone than a tablet. But with its weaker ARM-based processer, not even the iPad fits both of these definitions.

Based on its definition, IDC says tablets will continue to sell quickly. A recent study predicted that more than 7 million tablets will be sold this year, and that number will grow to 46 million by 2014.

Some predictions top even that. After selling one million units in its first month, the Royal Bank of Canada now says Apple's iPad may sell as many as 8 million of the devices this year alone.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Intel dropping graphics cards plans

Fri, 28 May 2010 23:48:41 GMT

Intel has announced that it will no longer try to make inroads into the computer graphics card world, leaving AMD and Nvidia as the only major manufacturers in the the high-profit market.

In 2008, Intel announced that it would be releasing a discrete graphics chip - codenamed Larrabee - sometime in 2010. An Intel blog post earlier this week said the company wanted to focus on other areas, such as HD video and mobile computing. "We will not bring a discrete graphics product to market, at least in the short-term," Intel's Bill Kircos wrote on the blog.

Intel first started backing off of the project late last year, saying it was transitioning the project into software. But as recently as two weeks ago, Intel CEO Paul Otellini said that the hardware aspect of the project was still very much a reality.

Intel's announcement will narrow the competition for market powers AMD and Nvidia. Investment site Fool.com says that the news gives added momentum to AMD, whose recent product launches have received strong reviews, and are generally cheaper than Nvidia's.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Microsoft warns virtualization program violates Windows licenses

Fri, 28 May 2010 22:43:31 GMT

Microsoft says a Parallels virtualization product, aimed to help users upgrade their systems to Windows 7, will cause users to violate their software licenses in most cases, according to CNET.

CNET says for many users, backing up programs, software and drivers for a Windows 7 upgrade - or any software upgrade - can be a headache. The Parallels program was designed to ease that transition by running a virtual copy of the older operating system.

Microsoft told CNET that moving an installed operating system onto a virtual machine would violate more than 90 percent of its software licenses. Many business customers who have Software Assurance contracts would legally be allowed to use the product, but many users would have to purchase a full retail boxed copy of Windows 7.

Parallels told CNET that it's up to computer users to decide whether or not to use the product, and it would continue to be sold. Microsoft has said it will work with the company to make sure that users understand the license issues.

Many desktop users have already made the switch to Windows 7. A recent study found that the operating system was running on more than 7 percent of systems only six months after its release - much quicker than frequently criticized Windows Vista.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Internet Explorer still dominates competitors in enterprises

Fri, 28 May 2010 22:40:38 GMT

While many consumers are moving away from Microsoft's Internet Explorer, the browser is still holding its own in the business world.

A recent Zscaler report found that although IE's overall market share continues to shrink, it still accounts for nearly 75 percent of all business web traffic. The company's IE6, which debuted in 2001, accounted for 25 percent of traffic because many enterprise applications won't work with any other browser.

When an unpatched vulnerability in IE6 left many people exposed for three weeks earlier this year, more than 20 percent of users switched away from IE6. But instead of choosing Google's Chrome or Mozilla's Firefox, the majority of users upgraded to IE8 instead.

"Both Firefox and Chrome appear to have benefited somewhat from the ground lost by Microsoft, though both have a long way to go," Zscaler said in its report.

Microsoft has repeatedly tried to shift its users away from the older IE6, holding a mock funeral for the aging browser last year, and comparing it to a carton of spoiled milk in a recent marketing campaign in Australia. A release date for the company's new IE9 browser has not yet been announced.

Written by Mark Hobbs

One Laptop Per Child project to produce $100 tablet PC

Fri, 28 May 2010 13:05:00 GMT

The One Laptop One Child project will partner with Marvell and Google to produce a $100 tablet PC by early next year.

The computer - which will debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in January - will be based on Marvell's Moby platform, and will include full-HD video capabilities, a built-in camera, and a soft keyboard similar to Apples iPad.

The New York Times says that the partnership will allow Marvell to make inroads into the education and healthcare markets in the U.S. with an inexpensive product.

Marvell's founder told the Times that the first round of devices would feature Google's Android operating system, but that in the future could also work with Windows Mobile or Ubuntu.

The One Laptop One Child project was started in 2002 by MIT professor Nicolas Negroponte, with the goal of fostering childhood learning in developing countries by providing a connected laptop to every school age child. Techradar.com says that governments in 21 developing countries have purchased the project's original laptop model and given them to more than 1.2 million children.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Analysts: Microsoft needs a Windows 7 tablet

Fri, 28 May 2010 12:58:56 GMT

A new report from Forrester Research says that it's "imperative" for Microsoft to find an OEM partner for a Windows 7 tablet PC, in order to compete with Apple's iPad.

"Tablets are the next important computing form factor. To keep its products front and center, Microsoft needs a partner to produce a successful Windows tablet that competes with the Apple iPad," Forrester analysts J.P. Gownder and Sarah Rotman Epps wrote in the report.

Microsoft had been working on a Windows 7 tablet with Hewlett-Packard, but that project was rumored to be cancelled after HP's purchase of Palm. HP now plans to replace Windows 7 with Palm's webOS operating system. Microsoft also cancelled its Courier tablet project last month.

The Forrester report suggested that Microsoft could create a highly successful tablet by integrating its popular Xbox 360 gaming system.

The report comes one day after Apple passed Microsoft in total market capitalization for the first time ever. Just one month ago Microsoft had a $25 billion dollar lead, but its shares have dipped more than 15 percent over the past few weeks due to a lack of consumer product success.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Dell launches line of enhanced printers

Fri, 28 May 2010 12:57:54 GMT

Dell has launched a line of multifunction printers with document management features that will automate many printing procedures to help teachers, lawyers and healthcare workers.

"As customers consolidate their printing resources and optimize their document workflow processes, it becomes very important to have software and integration tools to allow organizations ... to become more efficient," Orlando Lacayo, product manager at Dell's printing and imaging division, told IDG.

For example, the new healthcare system will allow nurses to scan documents directly into a patient's medical records, and send prescriptions directly to the hospital pharmacy, reducing errors. The classroom models will have the capabilities to scan multiple choice tests, instantly grade them, and transfer the test results into the teacher's online grade book.

The company also unveiled its new proximity printing software - which will be available June 8 - which allows users to map out the closest printer without having to install different printer drivers..

IDG says the company will face tough competition in a market dominated by Hewlett-Packard and Xerox.

The Wall Street Journal says that Dell felt the effects of the economic recession more than many other companies because of its large base of corporate customers. But the company recently said its latest fiscal quarter showed a 52 percent growth in profits compared with 2009.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Red Hat releases Fedora 13 OS

Fri, 28 May 2010 04:34:44 GMT

The newest release of the Fedora operating system - codenamed Goddard - includes several enhancements including automatic printing and open source drivers.

The new release comes just six months after the release of Fedora 12. Paul Frields, Red Hat's fedora project leader, told Computer Business Review that the new open source system "incorporates technologies built by free software developers around the globe."

The creation of the open source graphics card drivers, a source of difficulty, will allow users to get accelerated 3D graphics without relying on proprietary drivers from Nvidia, Intel and ATI.

Red Hat says that the new system also comes with a number of desktop productivity tools that will help in software development and improve virtualization. Other new tools in the release will allow for automatic installation of printer drivers and better color management.

Ars Technica says the new system also includes significant improvements in simplifying the operating system's installer. The site says Red hat's installation program for its Fedora 11 release had very serious problems, and often crashed, requiring a system restart and re-installation.

Written by Mark Hobbs

AMD releases Catalyst 10.5 drivers

Thu, 27 May 2010 23:06:29 GMT

Advanced Micro Devices has now rolled out its latest ATI Catalyst 10.5 graphics card drivers, which have several new features and fixes, but don't offer any performance increases.

The new drivers offer support for 120Hz displays on some older GPUs, continuing an AMD trend from past versions.

The 10.5 driver also enhances the ATI overdrive function, allowing easy access to overclocking controls for computers utilizing multiple displays.

The release also addresses a number of bug issues, including one which caused some screens to go black when alt-tabbing between the desktop and Mass Effect 2.

Thinq.co.uk says the company is still working on a number of other bugs with the driver that have been reported, which they expect to address in the next release.

The company has released versions of the driver for Windows 7, Vista and XP, along with Linux.

AMD released its completed 10.4 Catalyst drivers at the end of last month, offering a number of video enhancements and bug fixes. Delays in finishing the 10.4 version prompted the company to issue a beta version before the full release.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Windows 7 spurs increase in PC sales

Thu, 27 May 2010 13:17:52 GMT

Research firm Gartner has now raised its estimate for global PC sales, led by many companies moving to replace aging computers and operating systems.

"In the professional PC market, the aging life of PCs will drive replacements. Organizations will find it tougher to further extend PC life cycles without incurring more costs," said Ranjit Atwal, principal research analyst at Gartner.

Gartner now estimates 22 percent growth in the PC market this year, as the industry continues its rebound. The company's previous prediction was for a 20 percent increase.

Home computer upgrades are expected to show much stronger growth than enterprise purchases. Gartner says home computer shipments will grow nearly 30 percent, while corporate purchases are forecast to have more modest 13 percent growth compared with last year.

"Consumers are now viewing PCs as necessities rather than luxury items," Atwal said.

PC World says the revised estimates reflect on the strong success of Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system. A recent report by Forrester Research found that Windows 7 was being adopted very quickly, and that many corporations would be switching their systems from Windows XP to 7 over the next 12 to 18 months.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Apple passes Microsoft as most valuable tech company

Thu, 27 May 2010 13:16:03 GMT

For the first time ever, Apple has passed Microsoft as the most valuable technology company, and is now the second-biggest publicly owned U.S. corporation.

Apple's market capitalization, measured by the total value of all of its shares, rose to just over $222 billion, against $219 billion for Microsoft.

Just one month ago Microsoft had a $25 billion dollar lead, but its shares have dipped more than 15 percent over the past few weeks. Analysts said that the company has been hurt by a lack of consumer product success.

"Zune hasn't gone anywhere, their tablet is dead, their phones are having trouble establishing a market position - but consumers still use Office and Windows," Roger Kay, president of analyst firm Endpoint Technologies, told CNNMoney.

Google, a mutual competitor for both Apple and Microsoft, finished Wednesday with a market cap of $152 billion.

The news adds to a tumultuous week for Microsoft. Earlier in the week, two senior executives, Robbie Bach and J Allard, both announced they were leaving their positions. Bach will retire later this year, while Allard will stay on in an advisory capacity to CEO Steve Ballmer.

Written by Mark Hobbs

HP could use webOS for web-connected printers

Wed, 26 May 2010 19:45:38 GMT

Hewlett-Packard's president and CEO says that in addition to tablet and phone technology, the company also plans to integrate Palm's webOS into a new range of web-connected printers and other peripheral devices.

The printers would allow users to print maps, theater tickets, and other things without having to connect through a computer. The connection could also allow people to print to web-connected printers from smartphones or tablets. Using webOS throughout the entire series of products would help ensure that the devices are compatible.

Printers, along with printer software and drivers, remain a significant part of HP's business. CNET reports that last quarter, HP's printing and imaging division brought in $6.4 billion dollars in revenue.

HP initially announced its plans to buy Palm last month in a $1.2 billion dollar deal. An HP executive in Taiwan has now confirmed to Digitimes.com that the company will soon be producing a tablet PC based on Palm's webOS. Previous reports said that the rumored device - codenamed the HP Hurricane - could be available by the third quarter of this year.

Written by Mark Hobbs

HP tops IBM as server sales rise

Wed, 26 May 2010 19:44:14 GMT

Double-digit growth allowed Hewlett-Packard to pass IBM in worldwide server sales revenue for the first quarter of 2010, according to Gartner.

Total revenue from server sales was $10.8 billion, a 6 percent increase as compared with last year. The number of server sales, however, grew 23 percent, signifying that selling prices were lower. Gartner found that revenues from higher-priced servers using RISC or Itanium-based chips fell 27 percent, while servers using Intel's new, but less expensive x86 chips rose 32 percent.

HP's server revenues grew nearly 16 percent year over year to $3.4 billion, while IBM's revenues fell 2 percent to just over $3 billion. Dell showed the strongest gains among server companies, growing 36 percent to $1.7 billion. It was the first time IBM did not hold the top spot in server sales in more than a decade.

Oracle's sales saw significant losses in the first part of the year. It's shipments fell nearly 30 percent, and its revenues dropped by an even steeper 39 percent.

The Register reports that Oracle's drop in sales was somewhat expected after its acquisition of Sun Microsystems in January. Oracle's CEO told Reuters after the sale that the company was cutting back on its servers, because Sun had regularly sold products at a loss.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Windows 7 less vulnerable to persistent Alureon rootkit

Wed, 26 May 2010 13:26:26 GMT

Microsoft's Malware Prevention Center says that its Windows 7 operating system is less vulnerable to the Alureon malware rootkit which has continued to affect hundreds of thousands of PCs.

The company says that more than 96 percent of the affected systems have been running Windows XP or Vista, while just 3.5 percent were running Windows 7. Windows 7 is currently installed on more than 7 percent of computers.

Microsoft says that its Malicious Software Removal Tool update has removed the rootkit from more than 360,000 computers since its release earlier this month. Last month, Microsoft removed the rootkit from more than 260,000 systems.

The issue was originally identified in October 2008. Officials told Computerworld that its continued spread means the malware is still being actively developed and distributed.

Computerworld says the rootkit can cause systems multiple types of issues by infecting arbitrary system drivers. The site says some PC keyboards have simply stopped working after the computer was infected, while some Windows XP systems needed to be reactivated because the malware tricked the operating system into thinking it was on a new computer.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Laptop sales up 42 percent

Tue, 25 May 2010 23:58:14 GMT

Gartner says that sales of laptops rose more than 43 percent in the first quarter of this year compared with the same time last year, buoyed by growth in sales of netbooks.

The increase in netbook sales - which accounted for about 20 percent of laptop sales last quarter - also accounted for a 16 percent drop in the average price. Gartner predicts that the average would rebound later in the year as many companies release new notebook product lines.

Hewlett-Packard remained the top laptop vendor with 19.2 percent of the market, but second-place finisher Acer saw shipments jump by 48 percent for 18.5 percent of the market.

But the biggest jump was seen by Asus. Its laptop sales numbers rose by 113 percent, rising to fifth place.

Gartner's figures do not account for the sale of tablet PCs, which the research company views as a completely different segment. But the company's researchers told IDG that they would continue to monitor the segment to see if it displaced laptop sales in the future.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Seagate releases 500GB hybrid laptop drive

Tue, 25 May 2010 23:56:19 GMT

Seagate has unveiled its new Momentus XT line of high-performance hybrid laptop drives, combining both solid-state and hard-disk technology, in what it calls the "world's fastest drive for laptops."

The company says the drives can come with as much as 500 gigabytes of capacity, and a smaller 250GB model starts at just $113.

Solid-state flash memory is much quicker and quieter than traditional, spinning hard drives, but generally offers much less storage space compared with a similarly priced hard drive.

The company says a special software measures a person's usage trends, and uses the solid-state component of the drive to optimize performance. While Seagate didn't give specific read or write speeds for the drives, the company said it performed well compared with solid state drives.

"For notebook PC users looking forward to faster PC performance without sacrificing storage capacity or affordability, now there's an option," according to John Rydning, IDC's research director for hard disk drives.

Asus has already announced that it will make the Momentus XT drives an upgrade option for one of its notebooks later this year.

Seagate's first hybrid drive, which focused on power savings, failed to sell well when it was released in 2007. Eweek.com says that the Momentus drives also fix a driver issue that plagued the previous model.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Dell unveils Streak tablet PC

Tue, 25 May 2010 20:45:28 GMT

Texas-based Dell has officially unveiled its new Streak tablet computer in an effort to compete with Apple's extremely popular iPad.

The device runs on Google's Android operating system, and includes a five-inch screen, a 1 gigahertz processor, Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity and a five-megapixel camera.

Dell says an upcoming upgrade to the device's operating system will also allow the device to run Flash, which is not compatible with the iPad.

The Streak will be available in the United Kingdom starting next month, and will be released in the U.S. later in the summer. Prices and internet data plans were not announced.

PC World noted that Dell's announcement also did not mention its rumored Dell Looking Glass model, which reportedly had a larger seven-inch screen, Bluetooth 3.0 and an optional TV tuner.

The Wall Street Journal says that Dell felt the effects of the economic recession harder than many other companies because of its large base of corporate customers. But the company recently said its latest fiscal quarter showed a 52 percent growth in profits compared with 2009.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Nvidia releases Beta 256 Verde drivers

Tue, 25 May 2010 13:04:13 GMT

Nvidia has now released the beta version of its new 256 series of Verde graphics card drivers, which the company says gives as much as a 25 percent boost in graphics capabilities for some games.

The new drivers will be the first to incorporate Blu-ray 3D acceleration for computers. Nvidia says the first 3D Blu-ray movie is due out next week, although users would still need a 3D display for any effect.

The new drivers also include new setup controls and visual quality modes, designed to give users additional control in how their graphics processing units are configured, and officially support CUDA 3.1 and OpenGL 4.0.

The 256 is also the first Nvidia series to launch all of its notebook and desktop drivers in tandem, a policy the company reported last month.

The new beta release does not, however, include support for Nvidia's 3D vision surround, as the company had originally announced. The company says that that driver still needs some additional testing, and should be ready for the second release next month.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Intel announces new line of ultra-thin chips

Mon, 24 May 2010 22:47:38 GMT

Intel has introduced a new line of low-voltage Core processors for use in ultra-thin laptops manufactured using its advanced 32-nanometer process, which the company says adds both performance and power savings.

Computerworld says the new chips offer 32 percent faster performance than their predecessors.

While the ultra-thin market has been dominated by pricier models like the Dell Adamo and Apple's MacBook Air, Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager of the PC Client Group at Intel, said that the new models would be "very affordable."

Intel declined to give specific pricing guidelines for the new systems, which are expected to be announced by many companies over the next two weeks.

Ultra-thins do not match the performance of traditional laptops, but are generally less than an inch thick and weigh as little as two pounds.

Intel competitor AMD also recently released a line of chips for use in ultra-thin laptop designs, a segment where Intel has traditionally dominated. Its new Athlon II Neo and Turion II processors are set to be available in 26 ultra-thin models.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Ubuntu 10.4 offers many new options

Fri, 21 May 2010 23:03:30 GMT

Ubuntu's latest 10.4 release offers many new and improved features that are worth upgrading for, according to TechRepublic blogger Jack Wallen.

One major addition he highlights is Ubuntu's MeMenu, which connects the computer to social networking sites. Its new multi-column view option also allows users to monitor more than one social network at the same time.

Another added feature for some Ubuntu users is that the system now uses a fully open-source NVidia graphics card driver. The open-source driver, according to Wallen, eliminates the issues that some users experienced when they were forced to use proprietary drivers.

The new operating system also incorporates what Wallen calls "much better" sound control options, which used to be "hit or miss." He says the redesign allows users to control the volume, attached devices, and hardware from one user-friendly location.

Earlier this month, Ubuntu released a "light" operating linux operating system for netbook computers and other OEMs. The company says while the toned-down system does eliminate some applications, it uses less power and can load and connect to the web in less than 10 seconds.

Written by Mark Hobbs

HP expands notebook battery recall

Fri, 21 May 2010 23:01:22 GMT

Hewlett-Packard has now extended a worldwide recall of laptop batteries for the second time, saying that the batteries may cause computers to overheat and pose a significant fire hazard.

HP says any affected batteries will be replaced for free.

"We are taking this action as part of our commitment to provide the highest quality of service to our notebook customers," said an HP spokesperson.

The lithium-ion batteries were used in more than 30 laptop models worldwide sold under various HP brands including Compaq Presario, Pavillion, HP and HP Compaq between August 2007 and May 2008.

HP has said they believe that less than 3 percent of laptops made during that period actually contain the affected batteries.

The battery recall program was first announced more than a year ago, and expanded to include more computer models last October.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision says that since the original recall last May, the company has received 38 reports of batteries which have overheated and ruptured. Those incidents resulted in 11 minor injuries and 31 instances of minor property damage.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Intel, Sony and Logitech help unveil Google TV

Fri, 21 May 2010 21:45:23 GMT

Google and its partners have now officially unveiled their new Google TV service, which will allow viewers to both search the web and watch TV at the same time.

"Over the past decade, the internet has created unprecedented opportunity for innovation and development across the world, but so far the web has largely been absent from living rooms," Google told the Guardian.

The system, powered by an Intel Atom chip, will let users search for what they want to watch, and point them to various places it can be found, whether on television or the web.

Sony will release TVs and Blu-ray players incorporating the new system starting this fall. A Logitech set top box, allowing the system to work on any existing entertainment system that uses an HD TV, is also expected later this year.

Google also says it will open source the platform to encourage future development.

Google's has introduced its Android OS into a variety of OEMs with different companies over the past few months. Those products include a tablet PC project with Verizon, smartphones from Samsung, Motorola and LG, and a rumored automobile project with General Motors.

Written by Mark Hobbs

HP profits grow for third straight quarter

Thu, 20 May 2010 23:08:26 GMT

Hewlett-Packard says its profits jumped 28 percent in the fiscal second quarter, leading the company to raise its expectations for the year.

The Associated Press says that even though the company had shown positive returns in the height of the recession, its income had been decreasing every quarter. This latest report marks the third straight quarter in which profits have grown.

HP's biggest revenue growth was found from PC sales, which showed a 21 percent increase in revenues. Its services sector showed just 2 percent growth, but still brought in $1.4 billion in profits - more than any other other division of the company.

Recent acquisitions of 3Com and Palm also also expected to improve the company's reach in the networking and tablet PC markets.

Analysts say HP's continued growth is yet another sign of a rebound by the computer industry. The New York Times recently reported that Wall Street analysts were predicting a 25 percent growth in the PC market in 2010. Research firm Gartner also said that worldwide shipments of PCs climbed more than 27 percent in the first quarter, beating industry expectations by more than 5 percent.

Written by Mark Hobbs

A clean install may help Vista users

Thu, 20 May 2010 23:03:36 GMT

While Windows 7 has helped to rebuild Microsoft's reputation, damaged by poor reviews of Windows Vista, millions of users are still using Vista, and don't want to pay to upgrade their operating system. CNET's Dennis O'Reilly says that a clean install may help many Vista users clean up their PCs.

After backing up all the necessary device drivers and files, he recommends re-installing Vista on its default configuration. Users will have to reinstall all of their programs, but resetting the system will clear out all the system's unneeded programs, and help stop performance issues.

He says the process can be even easier by using a cloud-based storage system to store personal files. Storing less information on the computer will allow it to run quicker and more efficiently, and makes it less likely that the re-install, or any other computer issue, will delete family photos or important data.

Windows Vista users have long complained of multiple issues. The American Consumer Satisfaction Index says that when Microsoft released it in early 2007, the company's customer satisfaction score "plunged" to 70 out of 100, well below the industry average. Since the release of Windows 7 the company's rating has risen to 76, its highest score ever.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Microsoft warns graphics driver flaw could affect system security

Wed, 19 May 2010 22:01:31 GMT

Microsoft says hackers could exploit a flaw in a graphics driver for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 to affect the security of computer systems, but says such an attack would be "very difficult" to execute.

The vulnerability is found in the Canonical Display Driver for the systems, but only exists if the systems have the Windows Aero user interface installed.

Jerry Bryant, group manager of Response Communications at Microsoft's Security Response Center, wrote on his blog that while exploiting the issue could be "possible in theory," memory randomization would make it very difficult.

Because it says the execution of the code is so unlikely, the company has rated the vulnerability a 3 on a scale of 1 to 3, where 3 means a hack is least likely.

Microsoft's security advisory adds that the company is currently developing a security update that will address the problem, but in the meantime, users can disable Windows Aero to eliminate the vulnerability.

ZDnet says that users can disable Aero under the Appearance and Personalization menu in the computer's control panel.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Seagate 3TB drives won't work on XP, 32-bit Vista

Wed, 19 May 2010 21:59:55 GMT

Seagate has confirmed to Thinq that it will introduce hard drives with 3 terabytes of memory this year, but warns that they won't work properly with all operating systems.

The problem exists in the original logical block addressing standard, created back in 1980, which can't assign addresses to any capacities over 2.1TB. That programming is now embedded in motherboards, drivers, and many operating systems.

Officials said that the company plans to use long LBA addressing, which will work in 64-bit Windows 7, Vista, and Linux, but won't work with 32-bit Windows Vista or any version of XP.

Seagate also told Thinq that its own tests found that less than 1TB of the drive could be available on systems using XP.

Ars Technica says that in 1980, when the LBA standard was written, IBM created the world's first gigabyte drive - which cost $40,000 and weighed 550 pounds. The site says that looking back, "it's easy to see how 2.1TB was essentially just an arbitrarily large number of bytes, sort of like 'a gazillion.'"

The new hard drives are the latest technology that won't be available on Windows XP, as Microsoft urges users to switch to Windows 7. The company recently announced that its latest version of Internet Explorer wouldn't be compatible with XP, and that it was dropping the operating system into its reduced support phase.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Google continues Android expansion with Smart TV

Tue, 18 May 2010 21:32:22 GMT

Google is set to announce internet TV software called Smart TV this Thursday in a joint initiative with Sony, Intel and Logitech.

The announcement will be made at Google's I/O developer conference in San Francisco, where the fast-growing internet giant is also set to unveil the newest version of its Android operating system.

Analysts say the backing of Sony and Intel automatically gives the project added credibility. "Google making an announcement on its own is one thing," James McQuivey, Forrester media analyst, told the LA News Monitor. "Making it with Sony is considerably different."

ZDNet says the new platform, which is widely expected to come built into TVs, Blu-ray players, and other devices, will also run on Google's Android operating system.

Analysts anticipate that the new device will allow users to easily flip between TV shows, movies, YouTube, and other video or music formats.

"The revolution we're about to go through is the biggest single change in television since it went color," Intel CEO Paul Otellini told analysts last week.

Google's has introduced its Google OS in a variety of OEMs with different companies, including a tablet PC with Verizon, smartphones with Samsung, Motorola and LG, and a rumored automobile project with General Motors.

There is as of yet no word on when the Smart TV platform will be available to consumers.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Microsoft compares IE6 to spoiled milk

Tue, 18 May 2010 12:57:07 GMT

Microsoft officials in Australia have started an online marketing campaign, comparing "outdated" Internet Explorer 6 - which debuted in 2001 - to a 9-year-old carton of milk.

The Microsoft Australia website asks "You wouldn't drink nine-year-old milk, so why use a nine-year-old browser?" and provides a link to upgrade to IE8.

ComputerWorld says IE6 has experienced multiple security issues. The site says that last year, hackers were able to steal corporate information from Google and other technical companies by exploiting a vulnerability in the browser.

Many websites like Gmail, YouYube and Facebook have all announced that they will soon no longer offer support for IE6. Microsoft even held a mock funeral for it back in March.

Ars Technica says that IE6 still accounts for roughly 18 percent of Internet Explorer usage, and that corporations are likely the "biggest culprit."

The site says that while many companies may have specific applications that only work with IE6, other corporations are trying to save money because upgrading their browsers would require using resources to upgrade and re-test their applications.

Written by Mark Hobbs

AMD announces triple- and quad-core laptop chips

Tue, 18 May 2010 12:54:47 GMT

Advanced Micro Devices has announced a new line of triple- and quad-core laptop processors as it works to better compete with market leader Intel.

The introduction of the company's new Phenom II line will be the first time AMD has put more than two processor cores in a laptop, helping to boost application performance and reduce power consumption while still maintaining the company's lower price image, according to PC World.

AMD also announced new, low-voltage Athlon II Neo and Turion II processors for popular ultra-thin laptops, a segment where Intel has traditionally dominated the market to an even greater degree.

PC Magazine says the new processors will appear in a record 135 laptops starting next month, including 26 ultra-thin models.

PC World says the new releases are an effort to help the company gain against Intel. Research firm IDC says AMD has lost roughly 3 percent of its market share in the last year.

But CNNMoney says that the new releases are part of a solid comeback under new CEO Dirk Meyer. CNN says Meyer has revived the company by focusing on product development instead of AMD's natural rivalry with Intel.

Written by Mark Hobbs

HP beat out four other bidders for Palm

Mon, 17 May 2010 23:05:15 GMT

A new proxy filing by Palm shows that Hewlett-Packard's $1.2-billion acquisition of Palm almost didn't happen, and HP had to outbid four other suitors to purchase the company.

In the statement, Palm discusses how the company first began discussing its options back in February, when it realized it was running out of money after its partnership with Verizon Wireless didn't deliver as expected.

After the company asked a number of companies about their interests, five companies submitted bids. Three were eliminated, but bidding between HP and another company, named as Company C, was very competitive.

Company C's original bid of $6 to $7 a share was actually much higher that HP's original bid of $4.75. But Company C later reduced its bid, and the two sides eventually failed to reach a deal, opening the door for HP.

ZDnet says Company C could logically be Lenovo, Dell, or a few companies eager to obtain a mobile operating system.

HP's acquisition of Palm has led the company to develop a tablet PC using Palm's webOS operating system instead of Microsoft's Windows 7. Last week an HP insider told the Examiner that the tablet, code-named the HP Hurricane, could be released in the third quarter of this year, well ahead of the timeline predicted by many analysts.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Google's Android hitting the road?

Mon, 17 May 2010 13:38:39 GMT

According to multiple reports, General Motors and Google are working on a partnership that would join OnStar-enabled vehicles with smartphones based on Google's Android operating system.

The Wall Street Journal said that the joint venture would "add features to OnStar that consumers could control" through their phones.

Meanwhile, Motor Trend reported that the partnership would incorporate some features of Ford's MyFord Touch system like music and navigation, but would go a step further by allowing drivers to adjust some vehicle settings remotely, like unlocking the doors or starting the engine.

The Wall Street Journal says that GM-owned OnStar will reveal "significant news" as soon as next week, while Motor Trend doesn't expect an announcement about the partnership until 2011.

Google has been exploring multiple options to expand its Android OS into other areas. Betanews says three of the top five worldwide phone manufacturers - Samsung, Motorola and LG - have all announced Android-based smartphones. Verizon officials have said they are also working with Google on a tablet computer to compete with Apple's iPad.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Intel chip shortage continues

Mon, 17 May 2010 13:37:08 GMT

Strong, continuing demand has caused a significant shortage in Intel's supply of laptop chips, although the company says it will meet demand by the end of the quarter.

The shortage affects Intel's new Arrandale and Core i3 and i5 chips.

Vendors say the shortage comes at a bad time, because their sales have been strong so far this year. Quanta Computer, the world's biggest contract laptop maker, reported its best revenue numbers ever last month.

Chip distributor Converge says one factor in the unusually strong chip demand is that many OEMs are moving away from Intel's Montevina family of processors, which is reaching its end-of-life stage.

PC vendors have dealt with a number of shortages already this year, including laptop LCD screens, and memory chips. But Computerworld says that smaller companies with less buying power are struggling much more than larger vendors.

Xbitlabs says the chip shortage will make the chips more expensive, which could force some manufacturers to adopt more chips from Intel's rival AMD. IDC says after the first quarter of this year, Intel owned nearly 88 percent of the market.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Analysts say Office 2010 will maintain Microsoft's dominance

Mon, 17 May 2010 13:32:15 GMT

Industry analysts say Microsoft's Office 2010 will be more than enough to sustain challenges by Google in the office software market.

The Seattle Times says Office 2010 offers a number of new features for programs like Outlook and Excel, but also includes completely new programs like Social Connector.

Social Connector will allow users to highlight a contact, and then access a variety of data about them like past emails, meetings, and even information from social networking sites like Facebook.

PC Magazine says Office 2010 also takes advantage of major advancements in computer hardware to offer multi-threading technology to open programs and save documents faster.

Competing directly with Google Apps, Microsoft has also integrated scaled-down versions of its Office programs into a free, cloud-based system called Office Apps, and combined it with its SkyDrive cloud-based file-storage system.

PC World says that Google Apps will still be an option for some businesses looking to cut costs, but adds that few major companies were ditching Microsoft even before the release of Office 2010.

Office 2010 becomes available at retail locations next month.

Written by Mark Hobbs

DNA computer chips could replace silicon

Mon, 17 May 2010 13:15:03 GMT

Researchers at Duke University say their new research is the next step in the development of DNA-based computer chips, which would herald the end of using materials like silicon in chip production.

Chris Dwyer, an assistant engineering professor at Duke, says by using parts of DNA and light-sensitive molecules called chromophores, he can create more simple logic circuits in a day than the entire world can make in a month.

"Conventional technology has reached its physical limits. The ability to cheaply produce virtually unlimited supplies of these tiny circuits seems to me to be the next logical step," Dwyer told TG Daily.

DNA computer chips would offer significant advantages in both speed and price compared with current technology. They would use light to transmit signals instead of electricity, and also eliminate the use of expensive semi-conductors like silicon.

PC World says that another group, a partnership between IBM and the California Institute of Technology, has taken another route in developing DNA computer technology. It has used DNA as a mini-circuit board, making it easier to produce smaller, faster chips. PC World says that either technology would greatly reduce costs and increase processing speeds.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Fujitsu unveils 3D PC with built-in camera

Mon, 17 May 2010 13:00:11 GMT

Japanese computer manufacturer Fujitsu has unveiled a new 3D desktop computer with a built-in 3D camera and dedicated passive 3D glasses.

The company displayed the product at the two-day Fujitsu Forum in Tokyo, and said it will be available in Japan later this year.

Fujitsu says the 3D camera can take both still pictures and video. The Inquirer also says that the company is developing software so the cameras can be used for a 3D chat when linked to another compatible system.

CrunchGear reports that developers are working to make the system as simple as possible to use, and that even small children will be able to use it.

The company hasn't revealed many of the computer's technical specifications or its price, but says the system is out of the design phase and is now in production.

Fujitsu becomes the second Japanese manufacturer to show off a 3D computer. Last month, NEC announced it planned to ship 3D desktop computers later this year. NEC estimated that the 3D models would cost about $150 to $200 more than similar conventional models.

Written by Mark Hobbs

OEMs to pay less for preloaded Office 2010

Thu, 13 May 2010 17:08:15 GMT

ZDnet blogger Mary-Jo Foley says that Microsoft will charge OEM manufacturers less if they install Office Starter 2010 preloaded with certain add-ons.

Foley said a Microsoft reseller told her that the company will charge device manufacturers $5 a copy for Office 2010, but will charge only $2 if the manufacturer also preloads Microsoft's Bing Bar, Windows Live Essentials, and sets the browser defaults to Bing searching and the MSN home page.

Foley says Microsoft is calling the $2 OEM version "PC Essentials." When asked for comment Microsoft told Foley they wouldn't discuss specific arrangements with its partners.

The Office 2010 Starter is only available preloaded on new PCs, and includes just basic functions with ad-supported versions of Microsoft Word and Excel.

Customers can then upgrade to a full Office 2010 by purchasing a Product Key Card, which will unlock the rest of the of the Office programs and abilities.

Bloomberg says that Microsoft expects Office 2010 to be adopted faster than any other version of Office ever. Microsoft said widespread testing by more than 8 million people signals that adoption will be quick.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Wi-Fi endorses WiGig standard

Thu, 13 May 2010 17:07:24 GMT

The Wi-Fi Alliance has endorsed a specification by the WiGig Alliance for high-speed wireless networks that could be up to 10 times faster than current connections.

Traditional wireless connections operate at frequencies of 2.4 and 5 gigahertz, and are able to reach speeds of about 100 megabytes-per-second.

Using a higher frequency of 60GHz, WiGig is able to transmit data at speeds of up to 7 gigabytes. But the higher frequency means that the distance the information can travel is greatly reduced - less than the range needed to cover an average home.

Because of that reduced transmission range, ZDnet says WIGig technology would not replace Wi-Fi in settings like internet cafes, but would offer a high-speed alternative to other local area networks.

ZDnet says one large potential application would be in hospitals. For example, an MRI test could be sent to a nearby PC for processing, and then the computer could send it to doctors for analysis.

Many manufacturers have also examined using the 60GHz band for applications such as streaming high-definition video to wireless capable television.

A recent In-stat report said that the market for devices with built-in wireless access will rapidly increase over the next four years.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Verizon, Google in talks to develop tablet PC

Wed, 12 May 2010 21:34:07 GMT

Verizon Wireless is now in talks with Google to develop a new tablet PC intended to rival Apple's iPad

A Verizon spokesman told Bloomberg that the new tablet would run on Google's Android operating system, and said that more details would be released later this week.

Verizon chief executive Lowell McAdam told the Wall Street Journal that tablet computers are part of the "next big wave of opportunities."

McAdam also told the Journal that the the project showed the deepening relationship between the two companies. Many of Verizon's smartphones already run on the Android OS.

Bloomberg says that Verizon has recently started offering service for many devices such as laptop computers and e-readers, because the saturation of the U.S. cell phone market has limited its growth.

Tablets are expected to be one of the strongest growth sectors in the PC industry. In a speech to investors on Tuesday, Intel CEO Paul Otellini said the company was predicting at least 73 percent annual growth for tablets over the next few years.

Last week, Apple announced that it had sold one million of its iPad tablets in just four weeks. Other companies have also announced tablet PC plans.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Intel CEO predicts widespread growth for all PCs

Wed, 12 May 2010 13:16:26 GMT

Speaking at Intel's investor meeting, Intel CEO Paul Otellini said the company was forecasting double-digit revenue growth over the next few years.

During his presentation, Otellini said that the company's growth would be fueled by the rapid expansion of tablet PCs, laptops, and netbooks.

He said Intel was projecting tablet PC revenues to grow at least 73 percent a year through 2014, laptops to grow 22 percent annually, and netbooks to grow roughly 15 percent a year.

Otellini also disagreed with analysts who say that tablet PCs will take away from laptop and desktop sales.

"You do different things with a tablet than you do with a notebook or a desktop, or even a netbook for that matter. A tablet is fundamentally a consumption device," he said.

He added that by 2014, Intel expects to shop 5 billion chips a year for use in PCs, smartphones and other devices.

IDC recently said that processor shipments early this year showed 39 percent gains compared with 2009. According to IDC, IBM controls approximately 87 percent of the processor market.

Ubuntu launches "light" operating system

Wed, 12 May 2010 13:08:20 GMT

Ubuntu is now releasing a new "light" Linux operating system made for netbook computers and other OEMs. Its creator, Canonical, says it can completely load and connect to the web in less than 10 seconds.

This light version eliminates many of the operating system's applications, and only comes with chat, IM, browser and media player applications.

A company official told InternetNews.com that OEMs can also request the inclusion of other applications based on their needs.

The new version is based on Canonical's new Unity desktop, which won't be fully released until the company unveils its newest system later this year.

The Unity desktop aims to better use the space on wide-screen monitors by moving its launcher panel from the bottom of the screen to the left-hand side, and reducing the number of menus at the top of the screen.

The new OS should also require less power, which was one of Ubuntu's shortfalls when compared with Windows 7.

The Inquirer recently reported that Ubuntu's recent 10.4 OS used roughly 9 percent more power than equivalent systems using Windows 7.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Apple's Safari contains critical bug

Tue, 11 May 2010 13:17:12 GMT

Officials say Apple's Safari internet browser contains a "critical, unpatched bug" which can allow attackers to infect Windows PCs.

The flaw was first reported by Secunia, a Danish vulnerability tracking company, and later confirmed by the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team.

The problem is caused by "an error in the handling of the browser's parent issues."

An advisory from US-CERT says that hackers trying to exploit the flaw would likely try to trick users into opening misleading email messages which, when opened, would open a series of pop-up windows.

Officials say users of the Windows version of Safari should disable JavaScript until a patch can be created.

It's unknown if the bug also exists in the much more widely used version of Safari found in Apple's Mac OS X operating system, but officials cautioned that other versions "may also be affected."

Computerworld says that Apple issued a patch for the program back in March that repaired 16 flaws, including six for just the Windows version.

The site says Apple frequently patches Windows-only vulnerabilities when it issues Safari updates.

Written by Mark Hobbs

"Memory explosion" on the way?

Tue, 11 May 2010 13:15:55 GMT

New research into the way hard drives record data could pave the way for hard drive capacities to rapidly expand into the multi-terabytes in the near future, according to Ars Technica.

Ars Technica says that manufacturers can currently obtain densities of a few hundred gigabytes-per-square inch using one of two manufacturing methods. One of these methods heats tiny particles in order to write to the disk, while the other uses magnetism.

The site says that over the last few years, companies have packed data closer together to increase capacity. But recently, manufacturers had hit a point where they could no longer bunch data any tighter without distorting the rest of the information.

The new paper, published in Nature Photonics this week, says that by combining the two methods, researchers were "easily" able to get to a density of 1 terabyte-per-square-inch, and felt that densities as high as 10 terabytes-per-square-inch were possible.

10-terabyte density would mean packing approximately 50 times as much data onto a hard drive.

The hard drive industry has continued to post strong sales. According to ExtremeTech, IDC says that the hard drive manufacturers are expected to sell 300,000 petabytes worth of memory over the next five years, according to ExtremeTech.

Written by Mark Hobbs

HP/Palm's Hurricane tablet could be ready by third quarter

Mon, 10 May 2010 14:21:33 GMT

A Hewlett-Packard insider tells the Examiner that an HP tablet computer using a Palm webOS operating system, code-named the HP Hurricane, could be ready by the third quarter of this year, well ahead of the timeline many analysts predicted.

TabletPCReview.com says that creating a market-ready product so fast would be a "remarkable feat of product development," since HP only agreed to buy the struggling Palm a few weeks ago.

Los Angeles industry analyst Paul Mueller told the Examiner that the project could be a threat to the iPad market.

"If rumors of this tablet are true, this can be a killer device - webOS is an outstanding operating system for a tablet," he said.

The site says that many believe HP can't have a webOS-powered tablet ready for sale before 2011.

HP had been working with Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system, but said it wasn't with its performance.

PCWorld says Mexico City-based Conecti.ca did a quick review of the proposed product. They said it had some interesting features, but had a "long and annoying" load time, and gave it mediocre reviews.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Printer users seeing widespread driver problems with Windows 7

Mon, 10 May 2010 13:11:53 GMT

PcPro editor Jon Honeyball says that many printer manufacturers should be "hung, drawn and quartered" for releasing poor-quality printer drivers for Microsoft's new Windows 7 operating system.

He called the installation instructions for many printers and scanners "scary."

Honeyball says some instruction manuals tell users to unnecessarily install several drivers, when Windows 7 came with those drivers built-in. Other printer companies told customers to find and download an additional installation program.

He heavily criticized Dymo, a company that specializes in label printers. He says that for his printer, the company's website lists drivers to run the printer on Windows XP, Vista and even Windows 2000, but lists nothing for Windows 7.

"It's almost as if these vendors had no idea that Windows 7 was going to be released, and the whole thing had come as a huge shock," he says.

Honeyball says that many PC vendors have recently announced they will no longer support computers using older operating systems, like Windows XP, as a way to get consumers to upgrade.

For example, Microsoft's new Internet Explorer 9 will only run on Windows 7 or Vista.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Analyst says Microsoft pushing XP users to upgrade

Mon, 10 May 2010 13:01:58 GMT

Forrester Research analyst Sheri McLeish told Computerworld that Microsoft's decision not to allow its new Internet Explorer 9 browser to run on Windows XP is meant to push people into upgrading their operating system to Windows 7.

Computerworld says Windows XP won't support IE9 because the company has added "graphics processor-based acceleration" to the new browser. That addition requires special applications programming interfaces (APIs) which are built into Windows 7, and were added to Vista last year.

McLeish told ComputerWorld that the move was a simple business decision. "XP is in that same world as Office 2003 and IE6," said McLeish. "Microsoft doesn't want to prolong the life of those products."

McLeish also told the site that the decision leaves a clear opportunity for other internet browsers, like Mozilla's Firefox and Google's Chrome, to become the primary browser for those who stick with XP.

Microsoft dropped Windows XP into its reduced support phase last month, meaning it would provide only paid support, and only offer non-security and driver fixes for a fee.

The company said the system stayed on Microsoft's mainstream support phase longer than usual because of an extended lag time between XP and Vista.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Feds evaluating cloud computing security

Mon, 10 May 2010 12:58:30 GMT

Government Computing News says that federal officials are getting much closer to completely embracing cloud technology to help reduce costs, and will soon be implementing overall security requirements for agencies to meet.

Peter Mell, vice president of the government's Interagency Cloud Computing Advisory Council, says that the security requirements drawn up by his group are tough, because they need to meet the requirements of every agency involved, including the Homeland Security and Defense departments.

GCN says that once those requirements are in place, a new program called FedRAMP will assist in "streamlining the certification process" so that applications will only have to be approved once to be cleared for use in every federal agency.

While those security solutions are still being developed by various providers, Mell told GCN that the current plan is for service providers to create an overall security plan, and for FedRAMP to provide oversight to ensure that plan is being carried out.

CloudSecurity.org says that despite the innate security problems posed by storing information off-site, cloud technology also adds layers of security, by making data easier to monitor and reducing the risk that a lost laptop will become a security risk.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Seagate introduces "adaptable" external hard drives

Fri, 07 May 2010 13:11:39 GMT

Seagate has now introduced its GoFlex system of "adaptable" hard drives that offer added flexibility for both PC and Mac users.

The drives come with plug-in adaptor docks which feature connections for traditional USB 2.0 cables, and also accept USB 3.0, plus eSata and FireWire 800.

The New York Times says that this feature means consumers will no longer need to buy separate drives for devices that have specific ports.

An additional GoFlex Net dock, which costs $100, also allows the drive to work over a wireless network and be accessed by an another online computer.

The Times adds that the drives also include new New Technology File System drivers, which allow the drive to work with both PC and Mac computers.

Prices on the new drives start at $90 for 320-gigabytes, and go all the way up to 2 terabyte models starting at $190.

Forbes says the drives could give Seagate a jump in sales at retail stores like Best Buy, because consumers won't have to worry about needing the proper connection.

Last January, The New York Times says the company laid off 4,100 workers because of declining sales.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Power drain: Windows 7 easier on batteries than Ubuntu

Thu, 06 May 2010 22:10:50 GMT

Testing carried out by Phoronix.com says that Ubuntu's new 10.4 Linux operating system used 56 percent more power than an identical system using Windows 7 Professional.

The site says that both systems were configured using their default settings on a ASUS Eee PC 1201N netbook.

The Phoronix researchers admitted that their testing procedures were much simpler than industry tests that will set the system's benchmarks, but were surprised that they saw such a dramatic difference.

Phoronix then carried out another test on both systems, using new Nvidia graphics drivers that offer better power management. In that test, Windows 7 held an even clearer edge, with 65 percent better power consumption.

The Inquirer reports that the differences were not quite as drastic after being measured on several other systems. But on average, Ubuntu 10.4 used roughly 9 percent more power.

Liliputing.com says that Ubuntu's poor power consumption numbers in netbooks may persuade some people to use Windows 7 instead.

Notebookreview.com says that battery life is one of the main reasons that consumers may buy a netbook in the first place.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Software distribution helps Akamai show big revenue gains in 2010

Thu, 06 May 2010 13:16:08 GMT

Internet services company Akamai has announced that the first quarter of 2010 was the biggest revenue quarter in the company's history.

A quarterly report shows that the company earned $240 million dollars in the first part of this year, outpacing its own expectations of $233 million and showing growth of more than 14 percent compared with the first quarter of last year.

"We are very pleased with our strong start to the year," said Akamai's president and CEO Paul Sagan.

Zack's Investment Research says much of the company's growth was fueled by its media and entertainment products, and several high-margin "value-added solutions," but that the company also showed growth in software distribution, and cloud computing.

The strong numbers have led the company to raise its previous expectations for the second quarter, and it now expects to see double-digit growth in 2010.

Over the last year, the company has also added more than 300 customers, and more than 250 new employees.

ABC News says that the high-tech jobs have "excellent" growth potential, and that software engineers and systems and data analysts are expected to be two of the hottest occupations over the next decade.

Written by Mark Hobbs

PC graphics vendors showed gains during industry recession

Thu, 06 May 2010 13:14:20 GMT

Despite poor sales numbers throughout the computer industry in 2009, new figures from Jon Peddie Research show that graphics processing unit vendors actually showed growth during last year, and have continued to do well in 2010.

JPR's report says that 414.2 million GPU chips were sold in 2009, which represents an 11 percent jump from 2008.

For the first quarter of 2010, sales were up more than 44 percent compared with the same period last year.

JPR president Jon Peddie told Hardware Central that he expects strong sales figures to continue, because major chip manufacturers AMD and Intel have both introduced new product lines and "there's a lot of junk out there that needs to be upgraded."

AMD enjoyed tremendous growth last year, according to JPR, with sales growing more than 96 percent.

The International Data Corporation recently reported that CPU sales have also rebounded, showing a 39 percent gain over last year's numbers.

Positive sales figures have led Reuters to forecast a strong outlook for the entire tech sector in 2010.

Written by Mark Hobbs

HP-Windows tablet not quite dead?

Wed, 05 May 2010 18:47:55 GMT

CNET blogger Brooke Crothers says that despite headlines saying that Hewlett-Packard would not market a Windows tablet computer after its acquisition of Palm, some analysts say that the project may still be alive.

He says that in an HP promotional video from January, Phil McKinney, the company's vice president, announces that HP is committed to delivering a tablet PC using Windows 7 during 2010.

An Adobe testimonial from March said that the tablet would be available in the market later this year.

Ezra Gottheil, an analyst at Technology Business Research, told Crothers that he believes HP will introduce several options, including operating system options from both Windows and Palm.

Creative Strategies' Ben Bakarin told Crothers he agreed, saying "I don't think the Slate has been canceled. This is a delay, if anything."

Crothers points to HP's product history with netbooks, where they introduced a number of different models using different processors and operating systems.

Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney told Reuters that he doesn't expect an HP tablet using Palm's OS to hit the market until sometime in 2011, even as the market continues to take off in 2010.

Reuters said many analysts are predicting sales of Apple's iPad to top 5 million this year.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Devices with built-in Wi-Fi on the rise

Wed, 05 May 2010 13:17:40 GMT

As devices from televisions and video game consoles become more networked, a new report by In-Stat says that the market for devices with built-in Wi-Fi will rapidly increase over the next four years.

"The ubiquitous adoption of Wi-Fi in consumer electronics is Wi-Fi's manifest destiny," says Frank Dickson, In-Stat's vice president of research.

According to CNET blogger Lance Whitney, the report says that shipments of Wi-Fi enabled TVs is projected to hit 65 million in 2014, when just million were sold in 2009.

Mobile phones continue to dominate Wi-Fi sales, and In-Stat says 515 million will be shipped worldwide by 2014.

The report predicts that sales of tablet computers such as Apple's iPad will reach 46 million, while notebook PC sales will top 265 million.

Other devices, such as Wi-Fi enabled Blu-ray players, game consoles, set-top boxes, and even digital photo frames will continue to see a growing, and more connected marketplace.

Adding it all up, In-Stat says overall shipments of Wi-Fi enabled devices could reach 3.5 billion by 2014.

Seizing on the growing need for Wi-Fi connectivity, cable comapanies Comcast, Cablevision and Time Warner cable recently announced they would include free Wi-Fi as part of their internet pricing for customers in New York City.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Still no timeline for OEM's to get Windows 7 Embedded

Wed, 05 May 2010 13:16:15 GMT

Microsoft is now giving original equipment manufacturers the ability to use its latest operating system for use in all kinds of devices, including TVs, entertainment centers, and video game consoles, but so far no companies have said when those devices could reach the market.

What Microsoft described as a fully "componentized and customizable" version of the OS would allow OEMs to pick and choose what applications they wanted.

Microsoft Embedded general manager Kevin Dallas told TechNewsWorld that some companies, including cable and satellite TV providers, are focusing their development on "a central media hub," which would combine music, television, movies, and the internet.

The site says that line of devices would feed into a quickly growing market of devices that connect to multiple content areas.

ABI Research says that in 2009, U.S. consumers spent $74 billion dollars on connected media devices. That figure is expected to swell to $94 billion in 2010.

Hardware Central says that most OEMs, including everything from smart refrigerators to ATMs, currently use Windows XP as their operating system. That makes the introduction of Windows 7 the first overhaul of the process in nine years.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Worldwide rise in computer sales set for 2010

Tue, 04 May 2010 21:33:42 GMT

The New York Times reports that many Wall Street analysts are predicting the PC market could grow as much as 25 percent in 2010.

The Times says many were encouraged when chip-maker Intel reported $10.3 billion in sales and $2.4 billion in profits. Both were the highest ever.

The paper says that because Intel is a major supplier, its sales numbers tend to provide an early glimpse into the "overall health of the sector."

Research firm Gartner also reported that worldwide shipments of PCs climbed more than 27 percent in the first quarter, beating industry expectations by more than 5 percent.

Analysts say the recovery of the industry has been partially fueled by consumers buying an increasing number of netbooks.

The Times says that according to a recent Intel customer survey, about 95 percent of people buy netbooks as an additional computer and not a replacement.

Intel officials say many large corporations operating with older computers are also starting to upgrade their machines as the economy picks up.

Last month, IDC reported that the shipments of microchips during the first quarter of 2010 had risen 39 percent compared with the recession-filled first quarter of 2009.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Gates says Microsoft still developing tablets

Tue, 04 May 2010 13:06:13 GMT

Appearing on the Fox Business Channel, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates says that his company is still committed to creating a tablet computer in the near future, TechFlash reported.

Gates' statement comes just a few days after Microsoft announced it was stopping development of its two-screen Courier project, which, according to leaked videos, featured the use of pen technology.

Sitting alongside Berkshire Hathaway executives Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger, Gates implied that the Courier pen technology would be used in future projects.

"It can give you a device that can not only read, but also create documents at the same time," he said.

TechFlash says Gates was one of the biggest supporters of pen-based tablets at the turn of the century.

Both Gates and Buffet also praised what Steve Jobs and Apple did in their production of the iPad, calling it "terrific" and "a great job."

Hewlett-Packard had been working with Microsoft to develop its new tablet computer before its acquisition of Palm last week.

The move had led many analysts to speculate that HP will move forward with its tablet using Palm software instead of Microsoft's Windows 7.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Asus finally launches EeeKeyboard PC

Mon, 03 May 2010 20:05:17 GMT

Asus has now officially released its new EeeKeyboard PC, which the company says is the next step in mobile computing.

After first being shown at the 2009 Consumer Electronics show, it won first place at the CEBit-Preview Awards.

ZD.net's Rachel King says the device was supposed to launch back in February, but the company wanted to take some more time to work on some details.

The company says the ultra-wide-band capable keyboard, which comes with Windows XP, 16 GB of SSD memory, and a 5-inch LED touch display, can turn any monitor into a high-definition computer.

The EeeKeyboard PC's strengths are in its connectivity, supporting multiple displays through wired and wireless connection.

It's also Blue-tooth capable, and boasts three USB ports, and VDA and HDMI outputs.

It's even able to stream HD videos to monitors up to five feet away.

The device also weighs just 2.4 pounds, and has a battery life of about four hours.

While the device has been available for pre-order online for months, no shipping date is available yet.

Amazon.com lists the EeeKeyboard PC at $599.

Microsoft won't bid against HP for Palm

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:27:07 GMT

Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer says his company won't try and top Hewlett-Packard's $1.2-billion offer to buy struggling Palm, despite what some analysts had predicted.

According to Bloomberg, Ballmer gave a simple, "No we won't" answer when asked about a possible counteroffer, but added that the company would continue to work on tablet devices in the future.

Microsoft's Windows operating system is currently used in HP's tablet computer and smartphone designs.

Earlier this week, TechCrunch cited an unnamed source, saying that HP had cancelled plans for a tablet using Windows, because it wasn't happy with the operating system.

The site felt that that the company would try and use newly acquired Palm's operating system instead.

Bloomberg analysts say that the move away from Windows would be a blow to Microsoft.

Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney told Reuters that he doesn't expect an HP tablet using Palm's OS to hit the market until sometime in 2011, even as the market continues to take off in 2010.

Reuters said many analysts are predicting Apple's iPad sales to top 5 million this year.

Written by Mark Hobbs

CNET: Asus G73JH-A1 not superior, but solid gaming notebook

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:23:12 GMT

With a 17-inch HD screen and an Intel Core i7 processor to support 8 GB of memory, the G73JH-A1 is the latest gaming laptop release from Asus, according to a recent review by CNET.

The unit is all black and comes with a Blu-Ray combo drive and a 1 GB ATI Radeon HD5870 graphics card.

The model was originally launched at CES 2010.

While the G73JH-A1 may not suit hardcore gaming enthusiasts, laptop expert Joshua Goldman writes for CNET that it does get the job done, keeping up with the demands of the latest gaming releases.

"If you need or want the fastest mobile processor and graphics performance available, the G73JH-A1 is a step behind gaming laptops we've tested featuring Intel's 2.0GHz Core i7-920XM," says Goldman. "However, its component combination is definitely strong enough to handle current games at medium to high graphics settings as well as other demanding tasks."

The G73JH-A1 costs $1,700 at retail.

Earlier in 2010, Asus released a similar model - the G73JH-XI - that costs $1,450. The model also comes with an Intel Core i7 720QM quad-core processor and an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 graphics card as drivers of high-end performance, but has a lower display resolution and no Blu-ray.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Tech Crunch: HP kills plans for tablet

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 21:37:13 GMT

Computer maker Hewlett-Packard recently scrapped plans for its upcoming release of a tablet PC to compete with the Apple iPad, according to a report by Tech Crunch.

Tech Crunch reporter Michael Arlington says that an inside source told the publication that HP was unhappy with the way Windows 7 worked as a mobile platform.

"Our source tells us that HP is not satisfied with Windows 7 as a tablet operating system and has terminated the project," says Arlington. "HP may also be abandoning Intel-based hardware for its slate lineup simply because it's too power hungry. That would also rule out Windows 7 as an operating system."

Tech Crunch speculates that HP will look to its newly acquired WebOS platform, which the company took on when it bought smartphone maker Palm. The publication says that HP may also turn to Google for a mobile operating system instead.

HP's slate prototype was originally unveiled in January 2010 by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, according to Gizmodo. Ballmer told the crowd that slates are more powerful than a smartphone and almost as powerful as a PC.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Samsung CLP-670ND offers quality prints, bad design, experts say

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:09:33 GMT

Korean electronics company Samsung recently released the CLP-670ND, a scaled-down version of the company's $899 top-of-the-line color laser printer, the CLP-770DN, according to a recent review by Computer Shopper.

The publication complains that a feature on the printer allows users to directly import a JPEG image into the printer driver to help users manipulate advanced color setting, but it is not apparent how it selects a portion of it for printing.

The review, penned by printer experts Sally Wiener Grotta and Daniel Grotta, says that although many manufacturers are successful at providing a budget-minded version of its luxury lines, Samsung's printer drivers that are included with the printer are complicated.

"Samsung's CLP-670ND offers some impressive features, such as a high duty cycle and very good print quality," the two wrote. "But its design flaws and operational glitches make us suggest looking elsewhere for a color laser in this price range, such as the Lexmark X543dn or Xerox Phaser 6128MFP. Otherwise, be prepared to pony up an additional $300 for the much superior Samsung CLP-770DN."

The printer hit the market as Samsung also rolled out a durable, inexpensive laptop. The NB30 mini laptop is $379 and comes with hard drive protection and drop-resistance features, according to a recent review by PC World.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Migrating to Windows 7 without headaches

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:47:28 GMT

The success of Microsoft's Windows 7 means that many users still using XP or Vista may soon need to upgrade, as Microsoft phases away support for the older operating systems.

InformationWeek says that despite a bad economy making money tight, Windows 7 already accounts for about 7 percent of PC operating systems, with many of those switches coming from old Windows 2000 or XP users.

The magazine's Randy George found that business professionals are much more positive about Windows 7 than they were just a year ago, when issues with Vista were fresh in their mind.

An InformationWeek survey about redeployment plans last July received responses like "Stop being so greedy" and "Be more like Apple."

Now, 55 percent of respondents called Windows 7 an "excellent" operating system- a 21 percent jump from six months ago.

Application testing company ChangeBASE says that 80 percent of its customers plan to switch to Windows 7 in 2010.

George says that within the next 18 months, the newest versions of vital programs such as anti-virus software will begin dropping, or at least offering "sub-par support for XP."

Microsoft, who recently announced it had earned record revenues in the third quarter least year, called Windows 7 the fastest-selling OS in history.

Written by Mark Hobbs

AMD releases Catalyst 10.4 Drivers

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:46:24 GMT

Advanced Micro Devices has released its latest update of its Catalyst drivers, containing both video enhancements and coding changes in an effort to resolve a number of issues reported since its last release.

Some users experiencing issues had actually already downloaded a portion of the update when AMD released a preview version earlier this month.

The company's report on the fix says it has resolved a number of issues, including a bug that occasionally caused the mouse cursor to appear larger than normal on various Windows operating systems.

AMD also says it has repaired many glitches, including long load times, that some online gamers had reported.

The update also resolves errors with the driver's support center, and Adobe Flash Player.

The update is only designed to be supported by PCs running Windows XP, Vista, and 7, and also doesn't cover notebooks made by Sony, Toshiba and Panasonic.

The company says owners of those notebooks should contact the notebook OEM instead.

IGN says AMD's Catalyst 10.3 received positive reviews when it was originally released last month.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Microprocessor shipments decline, but show big boost compared with 2009

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:45:02 GMT

A new study from International Data Corporation says that worldwide shipments of microprocessors dropped 5.6 percent since the last quarter of 2009, but were much improved compared with a full year ago.

Shipments showed gains of 39 percent compared with the recession-filled first quarter of 2009.

IDC says that a seasonal decline at the beginning of the new year is common, and that the 5.6 percent drop-off is actually a low number compared with what the industry generally sees.

"PC processor shipments typically decline around 7 to 8 percent going from fourth quarter to first quarter," said IDC's Shane Rau.

Mobile PC processors saw the biggest drop in demand, with shipments falling 6.3 percent.

During the first quarter of this year, Intel increased its already dominant market share to 87.8 percent.

AMD fell slightly to 12.1 percent, while VIA earned just 0.2 percent of the market.

The increased shipments, along with strong earnings from companies like Apple, has led Reuters to forecast a strong outlook for the entire tech sector in 2010.

Written by Mark Hobbs

PC World: Samsung releases a 'rough-and-tumble' netbook

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:59:07 GMT

In an attempt at a durable and inexpensive portable computer, Samsung recently released the NB30 mini laptop, according to a recent report in PC World.

At a price of $379, the 10-inch NB30 comes with hard drive protection, drop-resistance, scratch-proofing and water resistance features. The machine has a 160-GB hard drive and supports 1 GB of RAM.

It does not have Bluetooth capabilities, but comes with built-in WiFi, an ethernet port and three USB ports.

PC World contributor Patrick Joynt says that despite Samsung's attempt to make a rugged laptop, the NB30 feel flimsy, like most inexpensive netbooks do, with a lot of flex in the keyboard.

"Pressing against the textured, matte black ribs of the display's backing causes distortion of the image almost immediately, even before the significant flex occurs," writes Joynt. "The NB30 seems reasonably tough for a netbook, but that doesn't mean it can handle punishment the way a sturdy, full-scale business laptop can."

However, Samsung reports that the netbook successfully repelled up to 50 cubic centimeters of liquid, removed within 10 seconds, the publication says.

The NB30 comes on the heels of the release of the Samsung R580. The 15.6-inch multimedia laptop comes with an Intel Core i5 and a Nvidia GeForce 310M graphics card for $829, according to Hot Hardware.

MSI releases GE600 to American market

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:51:46 GMT

After launching earlier this year at the CES convention, Taiwan-based computer maker has now released its MSI GE600 gaming notebook to North America, according to a recent report by Maximum PC.

The 16-inch laptop costs $900, the publication says.

The GE600 comes with an Intel Core i5 420M processor and supports 4 GB of RAM. The model comes with an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 graphics card, a DVD burner, Wi-Fi, a webcam, runs on Windows 7 and has 320 GB of storage.

Writing for Device Magazine, Radimir Bobev says that the GE600's components may lead experts to believe that it's not gaming notebook material but the contributor says that the computer gets the job done.

"It's hardware makes the 'gaming' title a bit questionable, especially when you compare it to other laptops by MSI, but it still holds its own ground nicely," says Bobev.

Maximum PC also says that the GE600 comes with a scratch-resistant chassis, an elevated chiclet keyboard, a wide touchpad, a glossy exterior and illuminated touch sensitive hotkeys.

The release comes shortly after MSI started selling a new on-the-go business notebook. The MSI P600 has a fingerprint reader and also has an Intel Core i5 processor.

Acer outpaced Hewlett-Packard in first quarter

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:50:16 GMT

Acer, the world's number two PC maker, posted its strongest profit growth in nine quarters, overtaking Hewlett-Packard for the top spot in the laptop market, according to a recent report by Business Week.

Net income in the first quarter grew 63 percent to $3.29 billion, as the company laptop business experienced a 50 percent unit increase during the period, the article says. Acer also outpaced computer maker Dell.

Calvin Huang, who rates the stocks for the Daiwa Securities Group, told Business Week that Acer's success can be attributed to its speed in delivering the latest cutting-edge laptops.

"Acer keeps being faster with new products, which is why they can outgrow competitors," says Huang. "Notebooks remain the strongest area of growth, and that’s Acer's key product."

The company had a 19.4 percent share of the world's notebook market in the first quarter, the report adds.

Acer plans to unveil a line of internet devices at the end of May 2010, the company says. Acer is not providing details on the release.

In March 2010, Acer said it would use processors from Advanced Micro Devices in new servers. The move was considered a bid to offer inexpensive models of the company's high-end machines used to power corporate websites and databases.

HP to acquire smartphone provider Palm for $1.2 billion

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:40:49 GMT

Computer giant Hewlett-Packard recently announced that it is buying Palm, a maker of smartphones, in a deal that the company values at $1.2 billion.

HP attributed its decision to Palm's "unparalleled" web operating system platform, allowing HP to incorporate features like multitasking and information sharing between applications that run on its mobile products.

Todd Bradley, executive vice president for the personal systems group at HP, says that the deal will help HP gain an edge in the more than $100-billion mobile device market.

"Palm's innovative operating system provides an ideal platform to expand HP’s mobility strategy and create a unique HP experience spanning multiple mobile connected devices," says Bradley. "And, Palm possesses significant IP assets and has a highly skilled team. The smartphone market is large, profitable and rapidly growing, and companies that can provide an integrated device and experience command a higher share. Advances in mobility are offering significant opportunities, and HP intends to be a leader in this market."

The announcement comes as HP has shown signs that it will compete with Apple in the mobile market. As Apple released the iPad tablet computer, a leaked memo has shown that HP is producing a similar tablet that is going by the name Slate, according to recent report by Wired.

Written by Mark Hobbs

OKI Data announces two new series of digital color printers

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:40:01 GMT

OKI Data, a Japanese-based maker of info-telecom and printer products, launched two new series of printers that are designed for small- to medium-sized businesses, the company announced recently.

The C610 Series and C711 Series allow users to produce high-quality color documents in-house to reduce turn-around time, cost and potential waste associated with outsourcing, OKI Data says.

Mike Garofola, senior marketing manager of color products for OKI Data, says that new applications included with the new printers will allow SMBs to control the vibrancy of color output.

"OKI Data Americas understands and anticipates the needs of today's SMB market," says Garofola. "Not only do both of these feature-rich printer series provide professional quality and functionality, they also include color quality control with Color Swatch and Color Correct, which allows users to easily adjust and match custom colors."

Another utility that comes with the machines - Color Access Policy Manager - allows access levels to be assigned to users, so company administrators can control costs of color ink.

Cheap ink is also the main highlight of a recent release by Hewlett-Packard. The computer maker's Officejet 6000 wireless has ink cartridges that sell for $31.99, or 2.7 cents per page, according to a review by PC World.

Lexmark releases multifunction laser printer in x264dn

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:37:33 GMT

Lexmark released the x264dn, a multifunction laser printer that offers printing at 30 pages per minute, according to a recent report by Maximum PC.

The publication's main criticism of the x264dn is that, even though it is called a multifunction printer, the scanning software that it comes with is "nearly useless."

Printer expert Loyd Case says that although he had to go online for a printer driver that is compatible with Windows 7, the printer installation disc that comes with it offers support for an array of operating systems.

"With the exception of 64-bit Windows 7 drivers, which we had to find and download from Lexmark’s website, the printer’s installation disc provides robust operating-system support, including most other flavors of Windows, various versions of Linux, MacOS, Solaris, and more," wrote Case.

The x264dn is priced at $400, but was seen online selling for $300, says Maximum PC.

The high-capacity printing cartridges that are made for the model allow 9,000 pages to be printed and cost about $234, which amounts to 2.6 cents per page.

Lexmark recently made gains in the first quarter of 2010, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The printer maker's profits jumped 61 percent, with company leaders citing a stronger product line and a lower cost structure, the report says.

Written by Mark Hobbs

AMD unveils newest ATI FirePro graphics cards

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:09:20 GMT

Advanced Micro Devices has introduced five new graphics cards to its next generation ATI FirePro line.

AMD says that the ATI FirePro V7800, ATI FirePro V5800, ATI FirePro V4800, and ATI FirePro V3800 will offer increased performance for users working with computer-aided drafting and digital content creation, while the ATI FirePro 2460 Multi-View
is aimed at people working at financial institutions.

The company says each of the cards comes with a new ATI OpenGl graphics card driver, which it says will provide a new level of reliability and performance, while providing the ability to run four monitors using just one graphics card.

Each card supports Microsoft DirectX11, OpenGL 4.0 and OpenCL along with ATI Eyefinity technology.

Janet Matsuda, AMD's senior director of Professional Graphics says, "Our new ATI FirePro family delivers new value at every price point."

The high-end ATI FirePro V7800 comes with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory, allowing it to handle visually challenging programs without issue, while even the mid-range ATI FirePro V5800 delivers double the performance of AMD's previous generation of graphics cards.

In addition to improving performance, the low-profile ATI FirePro 2460 Multi-View helps reduce power use and cooling costs.

Each of the new cards is a step down from the top-of-the-line V8800 model introduced earlier this month, which costs $1,499.

Written by Mark Hobbs

NVIDIA plans to unify desktop and laptop drivers

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:29:13 GMT

While laptop users have traditionally been at the mercy of original equipment manufacturers for mobile graphics driver updates as desktop users were treated to timely compatibility updates, NVIDIA is now planning to end all of that.

Chip maker NVIDIA recently announced the goal of unifying desktop and mobile GPU drivers with its new Verde GPU drivers, according to a recent report by Hot Hardware. The Verde GPU drivers will sync with desktop GeGorce drivers.

Driver expert Marco Chiappetta says that despite the NVIDIA's aim to unify mobile and desktop GPU drivers, the Verde drivers will not be universally compatible.

"Notebooks with multi-vendor hybrid solutions - those with integrated Intel graphics and discrete NVIDIA graphics - will not be supported," Chiappetta told Hot Hardware. "That's somewhat of a letdown, when you consider how many really popular notebooks have been released which feature multi-vendor hybrid graphics - the Alienware M11x comes to mind - but NVIDIA is still moving in the right direction and should be commended for making the effort to better support mobile users, when the OEMs won't."

The announcement comes after Nvidia was recently the target of Chinese demands for extended laptop warranties. NVIDIA graphics cards that were included in Hewlett-Packard laptops sold in China were said to overheat, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Acer releases an ultraportable in the Aspire 1810TZ

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 14:21:15 GMT

The Taiwan-based computer manufacturer Acer recently released the Aspire 1810TZ, a distant relative to the 1810, which went on the market in the summer of 2009.

The computer is a 11-inch ultraportable, with an Intel Pentium SU4100 processor, to support 4 GB of RAM, and a display with a 1366 x 768-pixel resolution, according to a report by Laptop magazine. The 1810TZ comes installed with Windows 7.

The publication says that unit has a glossy black lid with Acer’s logo impressed in metal in the upper corner. The 1810TZ has a matte black keyboard that offsets a silver plastic deck.

The laptop is selling for $579.

Computer expert Michael A. Prospero writes for Laptop magazine that although the appearance of the 1810TZ is not impressive, the unit has outstanding battery life, making it worth the cost.

"The Acer Aspire Timeline 1810TZ offers nearly double the power of netbooks while still delivering all-day battery life," says Prospero. "The 1810TZ lasts nearly 9 hours on a charge. While we’re not fans of the overly glossy lid, this is one compelling ultraportable."

The release comes as Asus announced that it will make a new keyboard available after much anticipation, according to a recent ZDNet report. The Eee Keyboard was first launched in January 2009 but its release was stalled.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Intel releases 2go Convertible Classmate PC NL2

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:26:51 GMT

With the release of the 2go Convertible Classmate PC NL2, Intel learned from some of its mistakes in making computers for children, experts say.

The education-friendly model is a convertible tablet that has sturdy frame, comes installed with Windows 7, and has an Intel Atom N450 processor but only 160 GB of storage, according to a recent review by Laptop magazine.

In order to kid-proof the 2go Convertible Classmate PC NL2, the manufacturers made sure that it could survive drops from about 4 feet, no matter if it lands flat or on its edges.

Laptop expert K.T. Bradford writes for Laptop magazine that the style of the computer is catering to childrens' desire to not to be treated like little kids, something that previous models of the computer have failed to do.

"Though the focus remains on durability instead of style, the newest generation of Intel’s Classmate line - the 2go Convertible Classmate PC NL2 - looks more like a netbook and less like a toy than previous models," says Bradford. "And that's a good thing, since even kids want to look more grown up."

The model costs $599.

The release comes as Intel recently reported gains in its laptop chip sales. The U.S. chip maker says the fourth quarter of 2010 saw its best returns ever.

Written by Mark Hobbs

ZDNet: MSI offers affordable gaming notebook in GX640

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:47:42 GMT

Taiwanese computer manufacturer MSI has released a gaming laptop that falls on the lower end of the price spectrum when compared to offerings from companies like Maingear, according to a recent report by ZDNet.

Unlike the Maingear ex-L model, the MSI GX640 comes in a single configuration. For $1,099, it includes a Intel Core i5-430M processor, support for 4 GB of RAM, 500 GB of hard drive storage, a DVD burner and a 15.4-inch display with a 1,680 x 1,050-pixel resolution.

The publication says the most important feature is the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 graphics card, which supports DirectX 11 and 1 GB of RAM.

Laptop expert Brandon Hill writes for DailyTech that the model also has a design that caters to a gamer's need to find the keys that are familiar for first-person shooters.

"As a nice touch for gamers, MSI has made the W, S, A, and D keys more pronounced for those looking to run around in first-person shooter titles," says Hill.

Maingear released the ex-L 18 in summer 2009. The company called the model - with a base price of $2,999 - the "world's most powerful desktop replacement notebook," with dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M graphics processing units.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Computerworld: Intel has shortage in PC microprocessors

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:56:20 GMT

The release of several new laptop computers may be delayed because of a shortage in Intel's latest PC microprocessors, according to a recent report by Computerworld.

The publication says the shortfall is in a new laptop microprocessors with the code name Arrandale.

The shortage in microchips may cause delays in the release of trim, cutting-edge laptops that they were designed for by three months or more, says Computer.

The Arrandales come in a two-chip package with an Arrandale processing core created using 32-nanometer production technology and a graphics processor made using 45- nonometer production technology.

Computerworld says that Paul Otellini, Intel's CEO, told participants in a conference call about the problem.

"We were slightly behind, quite frankly, satisfying all the demand our customers wanted on 32 nanometer in the first quarter even though we were producing much more than we first thought," says Otellini. "We expect to catch up to that demand in the second quarter on 32 nanometer over the course of the quarter."

Despite the dearth of Arrandale chips, Intel recently reported strong first quarter earnings for 2010. A report by IDG News says the chip maker believes it was the "best first quarter ever."

Written by Mark Hobbs

Asus makes keyboard available for pre-order after long wait

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:34:12 GMT

Asus recently announced that the Eee Keyboard will soon be available after it was launched in January 2009 at the CES convention, according to a recent report by ZDNet.

The keyboard has kept IT enthusiasts waiting impatiently for its innovative keyboard-netbook hybrid design, the publication says. The product features a 5-inch LED multi-touch display screen - with a 800 x 480-pixel resolution - where the number pad is typically located on keyboards.

The machine supports 1 GB of RAM and comes loaded with Windows XP. It comes with three USB 2.0 ports, is WiFi ready and also is enabled for Bluetooth.

Writing for ZDNet, IT expert Rachel King says that the keyboard is really neat but the price has escalated during the launch.

"This fancy accessory won't be cheap, and unfortunately, there seems to have been a hike in the price since it was first announced," says King. "It was expected to sell around $499."

The company is now taking payments for pre-order for the $549 version with 16 GB of data storage and the 32 GB version for $599. The Eee Keyboard will ship on April 23, 2010.

Asus also recently released a new netbook, according to CNET. The appearance of the Eee PC 1008P is attributed to Karim Rashid, a major industrial designer.

Written by Mark Hobbs

PC World: HP has printer driver problems

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:31:49 GMT

Computer users looking for a simple setup for their printers may not want to buy a Hewlett Packard printer, experts say.

A large number of HP printer users have complained recently about problems with printer drivers when running on the Microsoft Windows operating system, according to a recent report by PC World.

The publication highlighted the complaint of one of their readers named Dave, who said that he has had problems with installing printer drivers for his HP computer when using Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows 7.

"So now I have a very expensive boat anchor, and nobody at HP can tell me if or when the software I need to make it work is coming," Dave told the PC World. "This is the umpteenth time I've been bitten by driver issues with HP. From now on I'm probably going to buy Lexmark."

The report cites statements by HP from the fall of 2009, when the computer company said that they would release printer drivers for Windows 7 soon after users griped about the lack of comparability in online forums.

The PC World report comes as HP recently settled patent infringement lawsuits that it filed against inkjet cartridge vendors. HP says InkPlusToner and CompTree Ink were importing and selling inkjet supplies in the U.S.

Maingear eX-L delivers on portable gaming power with update

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:34:04 GMT

With a new update to its eX-L 15, boutique computer Maingear shows that it understands that laptop users want to be able to play high-end gaming titles without the trouble of lugging around a full-on desktop-replacement notebook with a 17-inch or larger display, according to a recent report by Digital Trends.

The 15-inch HD gaming notebook now has a Intel Core i5 processor for the base unit to support 4 GB of RAM and 250 GB hard drive, has a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution, and has 1 GB of video memory, according to the publication.

Writing for Crunch Gear, computer expert Matt Burns says that the DirectX 11 support courtesy of the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 graphics card really takes the cake for the computer even though the new processor is a nice addition as well.

"Maingear's eX-L has long been a staple in the gaming notebook scene. The latest update should keep it there, too," writes Burns. "It's the 5870 that we would wine and dine and take home to momma."

Prices start at $1,599. For $2,322 users can get Intel's quad-core i7-820QM processor to support 8 GB of RAM.

Maingear originally released the computer in the summer of 2009. It then came with a nVIDIA GeForce graphics card.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Asus releases Eee PC 1008P netbook

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:24:30 GMT

With a body attributed to Karim Rashid, a major industrial designer, Asus is trying to attract budget conscious consumers to its latest Eee PC 1008P netbook, according to a recent report by CNET.

The 1008P supports 2 GB of RAM with a Intel Atom N450 processor, has a hard drive with 1 GB of storage, and an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150. The machine comes installed with Windows 7 and is priced at $499.

Although the computer is a good attempt at escaping the paradigm that netbooks usually follow by putting a standard set of low-power components into a cheap plastic shell for low prices, laptop expert Dan Ackerman writes that the Eee PC 1008P lacks a decent video output.

"Missing options that might have helped it across the line include Nvidia's Ion GPU, Broadcom's HD video accelerator chip, or - most importantly - a higher-resolution 1,366x768-pixel display," says Ackerman. "At 1,024x600 pixels, it's hard to see this as a premium netbook."

The release comes as Asus is attempting to ship 20 million units in 2010, according to recent reports. An article at Digitimes says that the electronics manufacturer aims to supplant PC makers Toshiba and Lenovo.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Fujitsu adds MH380 to the LifeBook line

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:13:17 GMT

Japanese computer company Fujitsu recently released the latest in its line of LifeBook computers with the MH380 netbook.

The computer comes with an Intel Atom N450 processor, 250 GB of storage, an Intel GMA 3150 graphics card and supports 1 GB of RAM.

The publication says the 11.6-inch model has interesting curves and a funky touchpad, making it a racier-looking netbook. However, CNET adds that its bulky battery may be a negative for those seeking for a laptop on the slim side.

The MH380 costs $449.

CNET writer Scott Stein says the computer doesn't offer anything unique and its look wears out fast, adding that consumers can get better deals for less on netbooks elsewhere.

"Yet another Atom N450 Netbook in a sea of me-too competitors, the awkwardly designed Fujitsu Lifebook MH380 doesn't perform well enough or include anything unique to justify its higher price," writes Stein. "The more time we spend with this Lifebook, the less we like its design. What starts out as an eye-catching, slick and a bit futuristic look devolves into a clunky, cramped and bulky experience."

The release comes after Fujitsu launched a pocket-size computer with the same capabilities as a full-size laptop. PC Launches reports that the Loox U will support 2 GB of RAM.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Expert: Gateway laptop with good performance is outdated in design

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:11:06 GMT

Although it may not dazzle consumers, one of Gateway's latest laptops keeps up with the company's reputation for producing quality - yet affordable - computers, experts say.

Gateway recently released the NV5934U, a 15.6-inch laptop with an Intel Core i3 along to support 4 GB of RAM and 320 GB of hard drive storage space, according to a review by Laptop magazine. The computer costs $600 and comes standard with Windows 7 Home Premium.

Although it is impressed by the overall specifications, the publication complains about a stiff, narrow mouse button and a keyboard that could be more comfortable.

IT expert Dana Wollman writes that Gateway is losing traction with its laptops to other device manufacturers, even though the NV5934u is a quality computer.

"Gateway’s NV series has been a staple on our ever-changing hot list of budget notebooks, thanks to its reliable performance, strong wireless range, and middle-of-the-road battery life and graphics performance," says Wollman. "Now, other budget notebook makers have caught up to - and even surpassed - Gateway in terms of design. Nevertheless, this machine brings plenty to the table."

Gateway also recently released the NV7915u, which is a bit more beefed up than the NV5934U. CNET reports that the NV7915u notebook comes with 500 GB of storage capacity.

Written by Mark Hobbs

HP delivers single-button notebook in G62t

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:59:29 GMT

With an attractive matte finish and a fast hard drive, Hewlett-Packard has created a notebook that may be the best laptop available for a budget buyer, according to a recent review in Laptop magazine.

The publication says that the G62t, which was just released by HP, has all the power that a conventional PC user needs and looks that keep up with competitors. The computer has one button for the touchpad, making it resemble a Mac-style notebook.

The computer comes with an Intel Core i3-330M processor and supports 4 GB of RAM, but this can be expanded up to 8 GB. The hard drive holds 500 GB.

The model also has a Intel GMA HD graphics drive to help it spin out images on a 15.6-inch display with 1366 x 768-pixel resolution.

Laptop expert Dana Wollman writes for the publication that solid performance, a battery life that beats the competition, an "understated design" and a good price make the G62t unbeatable.

"We’re not fans of the single touch button, but overall, the G62t is far and away the best laptop you can get for less than $600," says Wollman.

HP also recently released a printer with a so-called smart install feature. CNET says the product eliminates the need for CDs when installing a printer driver.

Written by Mark Hobbs

MSI A6200 offers good price for a passing performance

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:23:58 GMT

The MSI A6200, 15.6-inch laptop recently released by the Taiwan-based computer manufacturer, has a dash of style and strong performance, all for a good price, according to a recent review by Laptop magazine.

Operating on Windows 7, the computer offers a Intel Core i3 M330 to support 4 GB of RAM. It also has a 320-GB hard drive and a 1366x768-pixel resolution.

Laptop reviewer Avram Piltch says that the main advantage of the A6200 is its price and a decent set of speakers. The A6200 costs $599.

"Combining stylish looks, light weight for its class, and strong battery life, the A6200 is a compelling choice for families and students on a budget," says Piltch. "The sound quality of the speakers was surprisingly good for a budget system. The sound was free from distortion through volume was low and the bass was a bit muted. However, when we started listening to louder tunes from rap artists like Ghost Face Killah and the Wu Tang Clan, the volume seemed much higher."

The release comes after MSI recently rolled out the GT series of gaming laptops. Electronista says that with the launch MSI is boasting better speakers than the usual notebook.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Toshiba announces four more laptops for Satellite line

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:54:19 GMT

Toshiba recently announced four new laptops for its Satellite line, according to a recent report in IT Pro.

The publication says that the Satellite A660 is the top dog, with a Nvidia graphics card, 640 GB of storage space, and configuration options that allow a Intel Core i7 processor.

It is also the first laptop to support Intel's Wireless Display technology, a solution that allows music and video to be streamed wirelessly to televisions.

Laptop expert Martin James writes that while the A660 is beefed up for intensive computing, its brethren are toned down a bit, making them suitable for less serious users.

"The other three models are aimed at more mainstream consumers," says James. "Processor options are a choice between Intel's i3 or i5 chips, or more affordable AMD chips, while memory can be configured up to 4GB and hard drive storage up to 500GB."

The new models - except for the A660 - will go on sale in May 2010. The A660 will hit the markets in June.

No prices for the computers have been announced.

The upcoming Satellite releases come after Toshiba recently put out a touch screen laptop for the series. The Japanese electronics giant released the 14-inch Satellite-S4020, which is packed with several touch-enabled applications.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Expert: Oki C610dtn is fast but printer's drivers are difficult

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:19:17 GMT

Japanese electronics maker Oki recently released the C610dtn color LED printer, a machine that offers fast performance and cheap toner, according to a report by PC World.

In tests run by the publication, the model printed 2.7 pages per minute for color and 19.1 for plain text.

Oki provides color-management utilities with the printer. PC World says this is key to counteract grainy and fuzzy aspects to color printing.

Black toner drums for the printer cost $90.45 but last 8,000 pages, while color cartridges cost $158 and last for 6,000 pages each.

Tech reviewer Melissa Riofrio says that another one of the biggest problems with the machine is the difficulty that is presented by its printer drivers.

"Parts of the process are tedious," says Riofrio. "You have to install each driver and utility separately, and you have to 'activate' installed accessories, such as the automatic duplexer. Other parts are confusing: The default installation loads drivers for a related product, the C711, and you have to manually deselect that item."

The unit is selling for $699.

For those who want a simple printer driver installation, Hewlett-Packard recently unveiled three new LaserJet Pro printers. It's the first batch of HP devices to include a smart install feature that eliminates the need for CDs to install printer drivers.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Dell delivers affordable laptop with the Inspiron 14

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:10:50 GMT

When it comes to Dell's latest release for the Inspiron series of laptops, users may find a good price for an attractive design and a CPU that gets the job done, experts say.

Dell recently released the 14-inch Inspiron 14 for $599, according to Laptop magazine.

Among its advantages, the publication lists a strong performance with an Intel Core i3 processor, a slick appearance, loud speakers and a sharp webcam. Laptop magazine says the best part of the design is a brushed-metal style palm rest.

However, the publication adds that the keyboard is awkward and the touchpad buttons are too small.

IT reviewer Mark Spoonauer says that the computer is suitable for those that require some mobility with their machine and some power, but it is not for the serious laptop user.

"Despite a few weaknesses, this 14-inch notebook is a good fit for students or anyone else looking for a system that’s powerful enough to keep obsolescence at bay and portable enough to take out of the house," writes Spoonauer.

For those that may want to spend a bit more, Dell has another recent offering. The Adamo XPS ultra-thin 13-inch laptop comes with a Intel Core Duo 2 processor for about $2,000.

Written by Mark Hobbs

NYT: PC sales up with help of netbooks

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 22:40:19 GMT

While it seemed like the laptop would be a thing of the past - as new technology like smartphones, e-readers and the Apple iPad were spawned - personal computers may continue to stay strong, experts say.

Despite the economic recession, the PC industry posted a rise in computer sales in 2009, according to a recent report in the New York Times.

Writer Ashlee Vance says the inception of netbooks, inexpensive small-scale laptops, created a new computer category to help increase overall PC sales despite the economic recession, the report says.

"Even on tight budgets, consumers continued to buy laptops in large quantities and flocked to netbooks, which accounted for more than one-fifth of laptop sales in regions like Europe," says Vance.

The Times added that a sign of PC strength is that mobile phone company Nokia, not a traditional maker of PCs, started selling a laptop.

The newspaper reports that early indicators show that 2010 will see surging PC sales. One Wall Street analyst told the Times that the PC market could grow as much as 25 percent this year.

Another positive sign for the industry recently came with an announcement from Intel. The chip making giant said the first financial period of 2010 was the "best first quarter ever."

Laptop chip maker Intel reports 'best first quarter ever'

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:19:24 GMT

Intel recently reported strong earnings for its first quarter of 2010, according to a recent report by IDG News. The laptop chip maker says the returns made the earning period the "best first quarter ever."

The company had a net income of $2.4 billion in the quarter, which is an increase of 288 percent compared to the first quarter in 2009.

Intel saw microprocessor and chipset revenue increase during the quarter as the company launched new Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 chips for laptops and desktops at the beginning of the year.

Intel CEO Paul Otellini says that the company will invest $7 billion over the following two years overhauling manufacturing plants to lower chip-manufacturing costs and increase production.

"The investments we're making in leading edge technology are delivering the most compelling product line-up in our history," Otellini told IDG. "Looking forward, we're optimistic about our business as Intel products are designed into a variety of new and exciting segments."

Intel adds that netbooks accounted for 20 percent of all consumer laptop purchases during the quarter.

The earnings report comes as Intel recently announced it will release new netbook chips in the second quarter of 2010. According to PC World, the chips will be low-power and inexpensive.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Toshiba designs Tecra M11 for energetic business professionals

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:54:38 GMT

Toshiba recently announced the release of a new laptop to its Tecra series that is aimed at business users who are on the move.

The model comes in charcoal black with 2010 Intel Core processors, a 14-inch LED backlit anti-glare screen, and the Windows 7 Professional operating system.

The Tecra M11 includes a combo eSATA/USB port that provides what Toshiba calls its Sleep and Charge system, which allows five times faster transfers than a standard USB and provides the ability for users to charge a smartphone or other USB device through the computer when it is shut down.

Carl Pinto, vice president of product development for Toshiba, says that the computer is ideal for workers in the field.

“The Tecra M11 Series represents our ability to provide the latest mobile technologies, smart features and comprehensive security in a highly portable and affordable package," says Pinto.

The Tecra M11 laptops start at $899.

The computer also has security features - including high-level data encryption, multi-level passwords and a fingerprint reader - to help safeguard sensitive business data.

The release comes right after Toshiba launched laptop hard drives that the company says have the largest storage in their class. The 9.5-millimeter thick hard drives hold 750 GB while the 12.5-mililmeter hard drives provide 1 TB of memory.

Written by Mark Hobbs

HP unveils three laser jets with easy printer driver installation

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:14:33 GMT

Hewlett-Packard recently released the latest in its series of LaserJet printers for small businesses, according to a CNET report. The three new printers include the LaserJet Pro P1606dn, the LaserJet Pro P1102W and the LaserJet Pro M1212nf MFP.

The tech publication says that it is the first batch of HP devices to include the company's so-called smart install feature that eliminates the need for a separate CD to install a printer driver.

With the smart install, the installation process for printer drivers has been streamlined into one step: plugging in the USB cable to the host computer. The printer drivers are embedded within the machine's memory bank, says CNET.

The printers range in price from $149 to $229.

In a review of the LaserJet Pro P1606dn, PC Magazine says the model prints well when it comes to text and is fast but it won't satisfy needs for graphics.

"It's a little weak on graphics and photo quality, but if you really care about graphics and photos, you probably aren't all that interested in a mono laser in any case," writes tech reviewer M. David Stone.

The printers are released as HP recently settled lawsuits regarding its printer cartridges. According to IDG News, the suits were against InkPlusToner and CompTreeInk for infringing on HP patents.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Dell adds three notebooks to the Latitude laptop line

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 01:01:39 GMT

PC maker Dell recently added three new notebooks in its line of Latitude computers, all with Intel's Core i5 and Core i7 processors and energy-saving features, according to eWeek.

The new laptops - models named the E6410, E6510, and the E6410 ATG - were released on April 8, 2010.

Michelle Maisto, a contributor for eWeek, writes that there was a lot of work that went into making the new Latitude laptops into forward-thinking machines.

"One semi-rugged and two professional, the laptops are the result of a year's worth of design tinkering and taking to heart to client feedback," says Maisto. "Dell no doubt hopes they'll encourage enterprises made timid by the global recession to finally refresh older machines."

While the E6410 and the so-called semi-rugged E6410 ATG have 14.1-inch displays, the E6510 has a 15.6-inch display. They include a feature called Fast Response Free Fall Sensor to prevent a laptop from losing data if it is dropped.

The starting price for the ATG is $2,114 and the E6410 and E6510 are $1,129 and $1,164, respectively.

The release comes after reports of problems appeared in previous models of the Latitude. According to the Examiner, overheating CPUs and GPUs were the drivers of reduced performance in the E6400 and E6500 models.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Acer Aspire 5740G offers dated look but reliable performance

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:33:20 GMT

Acer recently added the 5740G to its line of Aspire notebooks, according to a recent report by Laptop magazine.

The 15-inch computer comes with a Intel Core i5 processor and an ATI Radeon HD graphics card for a total of $749.

Laptop writer Michael Prospero says that his verdict is the laptop is a good deal for graphics although it doesn't offer much excitement.

"Gamers on a budget would do well to consider the Aspire 5740G-6979," Prospero says. "While the design of this notebook doesn’t thrill, multimedia aficionados and impoverished fraggers looking for an affordable mainstream system with powerful graphics can’t do much better than this."

One concern for the computer that Laptop magazine mentioned was the heat it generated. The publication performed tests that found it produced more heat than its predecessor, the Aspire 5740-6838. During a 15-minute screening of a Hulu video, the touchpad was 99 degree Fahrenheit and the keyboard reached 100 degrees while the bottom of the machine registered at 105 degrees.

The release comes as the Taiwanese PC maker has closed the gap on rival Dell, according to recent reports. Tech research firm iSuppli published a study that shows a 21 percent expansion in Acer sales in 2009, while Texas-based Dell saw its sales drop 10 percent.

Written by Mark Hobbs

HP settles inkjet patent infringement cases with vendors

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:29:42 GMT

Hewlett-Packard, a leading information technology corporation, recently settled patent infringement complaints that it filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission against inkjet cartridge vendors, according to IDG News.

HP filed the complaint in September 2009 with the ITC alleging that the companies InkPlusToner and CompTree Ink were importing and selling inkjet supplies in the U.S. that infringed on patents held by the computer company. The companies reached settlement agreements to pay damages and will stop selling the cartridges.

HP representatives say the company is happy with the settlements although there are eight more companies that it alleges to have violated its patents.

"HP is pleased with the outcome on these matters and remains committed to vigorously pursuing legal enforcement against practices that do not respect HP's IP rights," says Stephen Nigro, senior vice president at HP's imaging and printing wing.

The violated patents related to cartridge design, ink level and delivery methods, according to IDG. The lawsuits come after several others filed with companies MicroJet, Mipo Technology and Mipo America, among others.

HP has also recently been in the news for angering its Chinese customers over faulty laptops. According to Xinhua, HP apologized to its Chinese customers and extended the warranty period for laptops with faulty Nvidia chipsets.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Expert: HP OfficeJet Pro L7780 delivers speed, sharpness

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 22:31:12 GMT

Businesses that want to increase office productivity may want to check out one of the latest printers by Hewlett-Packard.

The HP OfficeJet Pro L7780 was recently released and offers printing at a rate of 35 pages per minute in black and 34 pages in full color, according to a recent review by Print Country.

The unit supports Wi-Fi to make it neater - no cables. Print Country says that the 250-sheet paper tray provides seamless printing throughout the work week at 4800 x 1200 dots per inch.

The review says that while the HP OfficeJet Pro L7780 prints well at a speedy pace, it also delivers on its multi-use promise.

"The Pro L7780 may print sharp, vivid documents and crisp, laser-like text but its copy, scan and fax features are laudable as well," the article says. "Documents can be scanned as close to the original as possible, while this printer's copier replicates at up to 34 copies per minute for full-color documents. You can even fax full-colored presentations or reports to clients at an amazing resolution at an amazing 300 x 300 dot per inch resolution."

HP also recently released the OfficeJet 6000 wireless printer, but one review says it prints at a far slower pace. PC World says the printer averages 7.4 pages per minute in black.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Sony ships Vaio F series after manufacturing adjustment

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 21:23:06 GMT

With the release of the Sony Vaio F Series VPC-F115FM/B, users may not be able to bring the laptop along conveniently for a ride on the subway but use at home may make up for that, experts say.

The Sony Vaio VPCF115FM/B has a 16.4-inch screen, weighs about eight pounds with an AC adapter and only lasts for two hours on battery life, according to a recent review in CNET. However, the computer is packed with Intel Core i7 processor, GeForce 330M graphics card and a Blu-ray drive to make it a media-friendly heavyweight, the publication says.

The model is priced at $1,349.

Computer reviewer Scott Stein writes that the Vaio F isn't good for the computer user on the run.

"Depending on who you are, you'll either want this laptop to sit on your desk and replace your bedroom home entertainment center, or you'll want it to be a sleek, ultraportable work of art," says Stein. "The Sony Vaio VPCF115FM/B is most certainly the former."

Sony has resumed shipments of the Vaio F series after a break in distribution to address consumer complaints, according to a report by Sony Insider. The publication says Sony halted shipments after many users reported that the laptop was generating a high-pitched whirring noise.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Leaked memo reveals HP Slate

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:56:03 GMT

As excitement surrounding the recent release of Apple's iPad reached a groundswell, a new development from PC producer Hewlett-Packard may have consumers reconsidering their choice of tablet.

An internal memo was leaked recently from HP that shows product specifications for the computer company's upcoming release of the Slate, a no-keyboard tablet to compete with the iPad, according to Wired.

The memo says the Slate will come in a 32 GB model for $550 and a 64 GB version for $600, says the tech magazine. This is roughly equivalent to the iPad, which is being sold for $600.

Wired says the memo details the tablet as coming with a 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor, SD card reader, a USB port, HDMI-out, a VGA webcam, and a conventional SIM card tray. The iPad has no webcam.

The Slate will support 1 GB of RAM and weighs the same as the iPad 1.5.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says the Slate is nearly as strong as a desktop computer.

"They're more powerful than a phone and almost as powerful as a PC," says Ballmer. "Perfect for reading, surfing the web and taking entertainment on the go."

While there is no release date set for the Slate, the Apple sold 300,000 iPads on day one. Research firm iSuppli forecasts that the Apple will sell 7.1 million units in 2010.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Toshiba releases a mini with NB305-N310

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:38:29 GMT

Coming only in one color - black onyx - the Toshiba Mini NB305-N310 has a professional look as well as an Intel Atom N450 processor, according to PC Magazine.

The NB305-N310 costs $349 and features an integrated GMA3150 graphics card and a 160 GB hard drive. It comes with a webcam built in and has a one-year limited warranty.

PC World tested the notebook for battery life, clocking it in at 9.5 hours.

But the computer falls short in its video quality, according to PC World.

Tech reviewer Sarah Jacobsson writes that when she experienced problems with Flash video when it comes to streaming high definition clips.

"A standard-definition episode of House on Hulu flew by without problems, but when I switched to full screen or high def, I immediately encountered significant stuttering," says Jacobsson. "If you're looking for a netbook that can play full-screen Flash video, this is not the model for you."

The publication says that the notebook is a "slightly lower-end" version of the Mini NB305-N410 netbook. It has the same weight and dimensions - 2.9 pounds, 10.5 inches wide - but the NB305-310 can run Windows XP while its fellow Toshiba unit can not.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Asus releases '13 inches of pure muscle' in U30Jc-1A

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 23:04:00 GMT

Asus recently released the U30Jc-1A, a laptop with a 13.3-inch widescreen that lasts for eight hours on battery life, according to PC Magazine.

The publication comments that the laptop is the first that it has seen to use a new Intel Core processor and can perform for this long on batteries alone. The U30Jc-1A comes with a Core i3 processor and an Intel integrated chipset as well as a Nvidia GeForce 310 M graphics card.

Calling it "13 inches of pure muscle," PC Magazine goes on to say that, at $899, the computer is selling at an attractive price.

Hot Hardware also reviewed the machine, saying that its design isn't too flashy but has a professional-looking metal casing, making it ideal for salesmen and traveling employees.

"The brushed aluminum finish is striking, and it's a definite departure for Asus," says Ray Willington, for Hot Hardware. "This machine is extremely understated, which is perfect for the modern business user or the on-the-go traveler who just wants a portable machine with brawn and brains."

Asus is now competing to replace Hewlett-Packard as the top provider of laptops, according to recent reports. TechSpot says that Asus plans to do that by shipping 20 million units in 2010.

PeeWee PC ships new netbook for kids

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 22:12:02 GMT

Although some experts say it may not be worth the price, PeeWee PC is now offering a netbook made for children, according to ZDNet.

The ZDNet article says that the netbook computer is preloaded with educational software and is customized for kids with features like a spill-proof keyboard.

The unit comes with 15 educational applications, but also is equipped with security software called PeeWee Patrol to protect children from websites with inappropriate content. The computer also comes with PeeWee Privacy, a program that allows computer owners to set a time limit on their child's use of the netbook and to prevent their from children from accessing certain files.

The computer is supported by a Intel Atom N450 processor and has a 160 GB hard drive.

Computer expert Sean Portnoy says that at about $500, the price for the laptop seems a bit objectionable.

"The PeeWee Power Laptop is a pretty pricey babysitter for its $499.99 suggested price," says Portnoy. "Will parents really pony up that amount just so their kids have a child-friendly netbook? Consider me skeptical."

In addition to its new netbook, the company also offers a convertible tablet. The PeeWee Pivot Tablet Laptop, released in 2009, features at Intel Atom N270 and costs $600.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Acer launches two-hand touch laptop

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:12:14 GMT

As many major newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal publish stories declaring an end to laptops because of the advent of the iPad, one company has released a multimedia-friendly notebook that has all the touch capabilities of the Apple tablet.

A new line of laptops by Acer by the name Ethos features a touchscreen and a touchpad that projects icons to help users navigate multimedia content, the company announced. IDG News is calling the touchpad a "touchscreen trackpad."

Although pricing and a release date were not immediately available, Acer tells IDG News that the computers will run on Intel's Core i5 and Core i7 processors. The Ethos laptops will also include an Advanced Micro Devices ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5000 series graphics card to play high-definition DVDs.

Acer says that putting the extra touchscreen below the keyboard and displaying navigation icons on it allows users a much more convenient approach to enjoying their movies and music.

"The media console is now combined with the touchpad, providing a set of commands all managed by a single key and a completely new approach to entertainment control," the company told IDC News.

According to PC World, other companies are experimenting with similar setups. Intel suggests that touchpads can be replaced with auxiliary screens for widget shortcuts.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Canon releases color inkjet for $100

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:43:29 GMT

Canon recently released the Pixma iP4700, which at $100 provides a reasonable price for users that only require basic printer functions, according to PC World.

The publication performed speed tests on the Pixma iP4700 and discovered that the speed of the machine was 7.4 pages per minute of text and 1.4 pages per minute when printing photos. Although the text prints turn out in a dark black, the printer creates a slight fuzziness near character borders and lines, says PC World.

Tech reviewers Susan Silvius and Melissa Riofrio say that the machine also poses some control panel problems in in terms of obscure error codes.

"The iP4700's most frustrating feature is its uncommunicative control panel - if that's what you want to call the two mute front LEDs," say Silvius and Riofrio. "When the printer status changes or an error occurs, you have to count the number of flashes of different colors in different sequences, and then consult the manual."

The overall performance of the the model is good, however, which makes it a worthwhile purchase for a student or a busy family, the publication says.

As Canon released the inkjet, Hewlett-Packard just released a wireless printer that costs $30 more dollars than the iP4700. The HP Officejet 6000 Wireless peforms at similar speeds, according to PC World.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Expert: Inspiron 1564 features new hardware but old appearance

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:09:25 GMT

Dell recently released the Inspiron 1564, another model in its line of laptops that work well for general use and light gaming, according to PC Magazine.

The product comes with an Intel Core i5 520M processor and an ATI Mobility Radeon 4330 graphics card. The publication says the Inspiron 1564 has a short battery life, lasting 3 hours and 29 minutes.

Tech reviewer Cisco Cheng says that while the hardware of the Inspiron 1564 has been upgraded from previous models, its appearance remains too similar to that of its predecessors.

"The recurring theme for mainstream laptops, especially if they're Intel based, is the guts from last year are being replaced with new ones this year," says Cheng. "Looking at the Dell Inspiron seems like deja vu all over again, since nothing has really changed on the outside. Internally, it's renewed with faster parts that will future-proof, say, a family living room for at least another three years."

The Inspiron 1564 costs $879 directly from the company.

For those that willing to spend a bit more, Dell recently released the Adamo XPS. The ultra-thin 13-inch laptop comes with a Intel Core Duo 2 processor.

Written by Mark Hobbs

AT&T announces 3G coverage for the OpenPeak tablet

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:51:39 GMT

While Apple is set to release the iPad with telecom companies AT&T providing mobile coverage, OpenPeak is also trying to score some of that tablet excitement.

AT&T announced that it will provide 3G mobile coverage for the OpenTablet created by OpenPeak at the recent CTIA trade show in Las Vegas.

Based in Florida, OpenPeak develops and customizes products for major telecom companies. The company is creating an OpenTablet unit for AT&T that is based on its OpenTablet 7 model, according to Mobile Burn.

The product runs on a Intel Atom chip set, measures 9 by 5 inches, and weighs 1.15 pounds. Dan Gittleman, CEO of OpenPeak, says the tablet is can keep up with competition.

"We strongly believe that people are ready for a thin, easy to use device that brings together communications and management functions anyone could want," says Gittleman. "Our agreement with AT&T unites a number of powerful technologies, resulting in a product that will provide a variety of exciting uses, for many different types of consumers."

While the AT&T OpenTablet is expected to appear in late 2010, the iPad is going to be released in April.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Study: 51 percent say they will opt for notebook instead of iPad

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:48:30 GMT

Despite the hype surrounding the release of Apple's iPad tablet, many people are finding themselves disillusioned by the new device and think their laptop will suffice, a recent study suggests.

Fifty-one percent of computer users from ages 18 to 34 say they don't want to buy the new iPad tablet because they would "rather use a notebook or netbook instead," according to a new report by market research firm the NPD Group.

Only 18 percent of the 2000 consumers surveyed by NPD say that are interested in owning an iPad.

Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at NPD, says that the iPad hasn't done enough to prove that it can do more than the products people already own.

"Considering what people are planning to use the iPad for, it’s not hard to understand why people who have these capabilities on other devices, such as a notebook or netbook, may not want to spend $500 or more on a similar device," says Baker.

The iPad will be released in April 2010. Apple sales analysts at the website Deagol AAPL Model project that the tablet will sell 120,000 on the first day.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Western Digital releases 750 GB hard drive with 9.5 millimeter thickness

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:46:18 GMT

While Western Digital has sold 12.5 millimeter-thick laptop hard drives that hold a terabyte of data for quite some while, it has now produced a smaller laptop drive at the standard height of 9.5 millimeters.

The WD Scorpio Blue is now available for $149 in the 9.5 millimeter format. It holds 750 GB of storage, just as much as previous models of the Scorpio Blue that were of the 12.5 millimeter height, according to CNET.

WD says the drive allows formatting using a sector size of 4096 bytes instead of the traditional 512 bite size, an adjustment that reduces space being wasted, the tech publication says. The units also feature WhisperDrive, which uses advanced seeking algorithms to make the drive quieter.

The company says that in the future it will produce a 1 TB version of the Scorpio Blue in the 9.5 millimeter format.

"WD continues to lead the market with capacity points that enable consumers and business professionals to store large quantities of data and rich media content," says Jim Morris, WD's senior vice president.

The WD release comes just as Toshiba recently launched a hard drive in the same size. The Toshiba MK7559GSXP is also a 9.5 millimeter thick drive with a maximum capacity of 750 GB.

Written by Mark Hobbs

With the Officejet 6000 Wireless, HP brings cheap ink

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:43:40 GMT

Hewlett-Packard recently released the latest edition to its Officejet line with the HP Officejet 6000 Wireless color inkjet printer.

PC World performed quality tests on the printer, finding that text averaged 7.4 pages per minute. But when it prints photos using HP's specialized paper, the machine works at 1.9 pages per minute.

The publication says that the Officejet 6000 being slower is the only difference between its more expensive cousin, the Officejet Pro 8000 Wireless.

PC World says the color prints from the machines come out with a natural look but the text quality was just "a hair shy of crisp."

Despite these setbacks, high-yield ink cartridges selling at $31.99 for the printer will amount to a cost of only 2.7 cents per page.

With a price of $120, the publication recommends the machine for small and midsized businesses that need to spend less.

"A full-featured, fairly sturdy design distinguishes the Officejet 6000 Wireless," the review says. "It would be a good inkjet printer deal for many small, low- to mid-volume offices on a budget."

Kodak recently released a printer with Wi-Fi as well. The $150 Kodak ESP 5250 also faxes and copies, the company announced.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Lexmark Interact S605 performs with professional quality, expert says

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:28:59 GMT

Lexmark recently released the Interact S605 multifunction printer, which comes with Wi-Fi capabilities and touch-screen navigation.

The printer features Lexmark's Vizix ink cartridges. A review in CNET found that the using the company's XL capacity cartridges, black printouts cost 5 cents per page while color prints amount to 3 cents per page.

The unit is selling for $200. Printer drivers are included to support Windows XP, 7, Vista, and Mac OS X.

CNET tech reviewer Justin Yu says that the machine inspires electronics enthusiasts that touch screens fit well on a printer, and that although the machine doesn't produce photo kiosk-quality prints, it's being sold for a good price.

"Even if we're not fully convinced that touch screens belong on printers, the Lexmark Interact S605 is the most convincing printer we've tested to include a functional, easy-to-use interactive LCD," says Yu. "Home users and small businesses will also appreciate its ability to churn out professional quality graphic and text documents with speeds rivaling pro laser printers that cost much more than the $200 Interact."

The release of the Interact S605 comes as another Lexmark printer was recognized its ink-efficiency. The Lexmark Pinnacle Pro901 won the 2010 Hot Tech Demo award for the printer's ability to yield 500 pages from one $5 ink cartridge.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Samsung puts the R580 laptop on the market

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:28:08 GMT

Samsung, which has not traditionally played a role in the world of notebooks, recently released the R580, a 15.6-inch multimedia laptop, according to Hot Hardware.

Weighing in at just under 6 pounds, the R580 packs a lot of power into a system that can support 4 GB of RAM.

The model comes equipped with an Intel Core i5-430M processor, a Nvidia GeForce 310M graphics card and 500 GB hard drive. The machine has an optical drive for Blu-ray and DVD burning, and its 15.6 inch screen has a sharp 1,366 x 768-pixel resolution.

The computer comes in a glossy plastic with a dark red-to-black color gradient.

Hot Hardware tech reviewer Ray Willington says the move by Samsung into the laptop market is daring.

"Samsung's making quite a bold move here," says Willington. "This is one of the first mobile Core i5 machines out there, particularly when you're looking for a Core i5 machine with both style and a full number pad."

The price of the R580 is $829 at retail.

The R580 comes after Toshiba recently released its newest touchscreen laptop. The Satellite M505-S4020 costs $30 less than the R580 and comes with an Intel Core i3-330M processor, according to CNET.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Gateway releases affordable laptop with Core i3 processor

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:27:20 GMT

In an attempt to offer a replacement computer desktop that gives the most best bang for the user's buck, Gateway recently released the NV7915u laptop, according to CNET.

The NV7915u comes with an Intel Core i3 processor and costs $599. While the system can support 4 GB of RAM, the hard drive holds 500 GB of memory.

The laptop has a built-in low-end webcam, comes with a DVD burner and has a monitor with 1,600 x 900-pixel resolution, CNET says.

The model weighs less than 7 pounds without the AC adapter and is 1.4 inches thick.

Tech reviewer Matthew Elliot says that the only thing from preventing the NV7915u from getting a perfect review was the battery life and the mouse.

"The laptop offers clearly superior performance to similarly priced laptops that use older Intel and AMD processors, particularly when multitasking," says Elliot. "Plus, its large 17.3-inch display works well for juggling multiple windows or sitting back and watching a movie. Only minor nits like poor battery life - most desktop replacements are anchored near an outlet anyway - and an awkward mouse-button bar temper our enthusiasm for the otherwise stellar Gateway NV7915u."

Gateway also recently released a 11.6-inch laptop. The small EC14D01h also comes with a DVD drive but has an Intel Pentium ULV Processor.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Dell releases the Adamo XPS

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:26:41 GMT

Dell recently released the Adamo XPS, a thin 13-inch laptop with a Intel Core Duo 2 processor. The system can support 4 GB of RAM.

The screen offers 1,366 x 768-pixel resolution. The 3.4-pound computer is equipped with Windows 7 and is Bluetooth-ready.

Tech reviewer Dan Ackerman of CNET says that the Adamo XPS is fine for conventional use but doesn't pass the test when it comes to battery life and lack of optical drive.

"As a work of technological art, the Adamo XPS is a real conversation-starter," says Ackerman. "It works fine as an everyday laptop as well, as long as you don't need an optical drive or lots of ports and connections. Our main complaint was the weak battery life, something so clearly designed for portability should last longer than a typical rush hour cab ride to the airport."

The model costs $1,999 at retail.

The release comes as Dell is in the midst of intense competition with Taiwanese PC maker Acer.

Acer saw a 21 percent annual expansion in sales for 2009, with the company selling 38.5 million units that year, according to tech research firm iSuppli. Dell, on the other hand, saw its sales drop from 43.3 million in 2008 to 38.96 million the following year, for a decline of about 10 percent.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Roccat introduces the Arvo compact gaming keyboard

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:15:01 GMT

While Roccat has only released two keyboards, its latest model comes in a compact size that the company says is perfect for gaming.

The keyboard is all black but comes with six blue keys that are lit from behind, including the directional keys on the number pad. The number pad comes with a special option to be switched into gaming mode, in which the number buttons become delete and insert keys.

Keyboard drivers included with the model allow users to adjust the thumb buttons and 2 macro keys, according to Hexus. The keyboard drivers also allow users to set and change typing profiles and also allow users to disable keys.

Writing for Hexus, tech reviewer Matty Hodgson says that overall the keyboard provides convenience for the fingers and is well priced at about $90.

"This Roccat Arvo keyboard is a brilliant keyboard, it's easy to type on, has very well-placed thumb buttons and they've found a very good way to save keyboard space," says Hodgson. "The build quality is also good, with the keyboard being very sturdy. The illuminated keys are good and not too bright."

Logitech also came out with a gaming keyboard. The Logitech G110 keyboard comes with a button that lets users turn off the Windows key during gaming.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Logitech introduces the G110 keyboard and G500 mouse

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:14:55 GMT

The G110 keyboard and the G500 mouse by Logitech are the latest successors to a popular gaming line-up produced by the company, according to an article in Geek Smack.

The G110 is less bulky than its predecessor, the G11, and comes with unique buttons, including a so-called game switch, which when activated disables the Windows button on the keyboard to prevent a mid-game start menu accident. The keyboard also comes with detachable wrist rest, a 3.5 mm headset-microphone jack and a USB port for headset and USB key use.

The mouse comes with a braided cable to reduce friction, has 10 programmable buttons and can be customized for input rate.

Tech reviewer Stephen Bennett says that although the product has a steep price it might make good value for a gamer.

"To conclude, both of these products are a very good choice for a gamer who cares about the hardware they use," says Bennett. "The G500 is comfortable, the buttons aren't placed in hard to reach places and the pattern looks great."

Another recent development by Logitech was the creation of device drivers to control desktop PCs using an iPhone as a trackpad.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Toshiba announces new 2.5-inch laptop hard drives

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:56:53 GMT

Toshiba recently launched two new hard drives that the company says have the largest amount of storage in their class.

The first is a 9.5 millimeter-thick, two-platter hard drive model MK7559GSXP with the maximum capacity of 750GB. The company says the model can fit into any laptop computer.

The second drive, the MKxx59GSM, is a three-platter model with a 12.5-millimeter thick platform that holds 1 TB of memory.

The second model, however, can only fit in later editions of laptops that are designed to hold 2.5-inch hard drives.

CNET says the new drive uses next-generation storage capabilities with advanced sector format technologies and also has "silent seek" technology to make the models run quieter. The models also comes with technology that make the hard drive more efficient.

"This technology uses 4K byte-per-sector formatting and improved error-correcting code functions, hence providing maximum data integrity and making efficient use of the storage surface area," writes CNET tech reviewer Dong Ngo. "Traditional hard drives use the legacy 512 byte-per-sector configuration, which leave gaps between sectors and therefore waste the storage space."

The new Toshiba hard drives spin at a faster 5400 rpm speed.

The Scorpio Blue was released by Western Digital as the first 12.5-millimeter, 1 TB hard drive and only spins at 5200 rpm.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Pandigital's Portable Printer uses heat to print photos

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:35:28 GMT

Pandigital recently released its Portable Printer, a snapshot printer that does not use ink but thermal technology to produce color photos.

The technology is similar to that used in fax machines and receipt printers, according to PC World. The Portable Printer, however, needs specialized 10-sheet paper cartridges to produce print outs.

The unit is a small white box and prints exit the machine's left side. Bur loading the paper is difficult, according to PC World, and printing a picture takes an average of 78 seconds.

Tech reviewer Melissa Riofrio writes that overall the printer is disappointing but it does provide an interesting concept for the future of color printing.

"The prints themselves showed certain, consistent flaws regardless of the subject matter: a washed-out look, a lack of subtlety in very dark areas, and an odd blue-green tinge around the edges, which was especially noticeable in photos with lighter backgrounds," says Riofrio. "The prospect of ink-free color printing is intriguing, but this compact printer is otherwise unremarkable."

The listed price for the model is $130.

Other zero-ink printers are available as well for similar prices. The Epson PictureMate Charm and PictureMate show use similar technologies and were included in PC Magazine's recent list of the best portable printers.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Qualcomm adds 4G technology to laptop modems

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:24:33 GMT

Qualcomm, a San Diego-based computer firm, is upgrading its Gobi laptop modems to support 4G mobile internet access.

The company announced that 4G is its new focus because the long-term evolution technology provides greater data throughput than the current 3G technologies it offers in its modems. The company is also expanding its 3G chip offerings, according to CNET.

CNET reported that the Gobi modem advancement is important because it allows users to switch the providers of mobile internet with ease. Previously, a Gobi laptop user had to replace the modem to switch providers.

However, Qualcomm senior vice president Michael Concannon says that users of the the new modems will have to wait for telecoms to start providing 4G coverage.

"I can only go by what the carriers tell us," says Concannon. "The carriers are driving to get devices out by the fourth quarter of this year. But like any network it will take time to get a footprint countrywide. The big metropolises will come first."

Several PC makers have turned to Qualcomm for their mobile modem needs. Lenovo's new line of HP EliteBook business laptops come with a mobile internet modem from the company.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Origin PC releases 'powerful' EON 15 gaming laptop

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:09:43 GMT

Origin PC recently released the EON 15, a 15-inch gaming laptop that it touts as a computer that doesn't make compromises.

The computer comes with an Intel Core i7 processor and can handle up to 8 GB of RAM.

The gaming notebook features a Nvidia GeForce GTX 285M graphics card with 1 GB devoted to video memory.

Origin PC representatives say that the customized exteriors painted by an airbrush studio called Killer Paint that are optional with the product will make EON 15 users recognized in the gaming crowd.

"In the sea of bland gray and black laptops your system can stand out as a unique masterpiece," says the company. "Let ORIGIN and Killer Paint customize your rig with personalized logos and Top Cover Painting. When you step away from the table victorious they will remember you, your EON15 and the beating you just gave them."

The price for basic configuration is $1,723. But optional add-ons can run up a bill of $4,000, according to Maximum PC.

The release of the EON 15 comes on the heels of another high-powered gaming notebook launch. Asus recently launched its G73Jh, which also comes with the Intel Core i7 but has a DirectX 11-capable ATI Radeon HD5870 card.

Written by Mark Hobbs

MEDL launches portable secondary monitor

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:48:50 GMT

Bringing dual computer screens on the road may have just become easier.

Simply called The Panel, the latest product launched by MEDL Tech gives users a portable option for a secondary monitor for their laptops.

The model has a 13-inch screen with a 1200 x 800-pixel resolution. It can connect to a PC or a Mac through a USB cable.

Weighing only 2.2 pounds, The Panel can last up to five hours on internal battery life alone.

"Equipped with internal rechargeable Li-ion batteries, The Panel can be used while on the road or at your favorite coffee shop," says MEDL Tech. "The 5-hour battery life makes it perfect for those long meetings or those days when you need to take work home with you. Large enough to increase productivity, yet small enough to be carried everywhere. The Panel is perfect for those small group meetings with clients or co-workers."

The device can also be used as a screen for DVD players, iPods, XBOx, PS3 and other gaming systems.

MEDL Tech has not released pricing for the product or a sales date.

Another portable monitor that has been available is the Nanovision MIMO. The MIMO UM-710 has 800 x 480-pixel resolution and costs $129.99.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Asus to launch G73Jh laptop for serious gamers

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:51:59 GMT

Asus, a Taiwanese computer company, announced that it will release a powerful new gaming laptop called the G73Jh in April 2010.

Powering the gaming notebook's graphics is a DirectX 11-capable ATI Radeon HD5870 card. The model comes equipped with an Intel Core i7 processor and can support 16 GB of RAM.

The heat and noise-making parts of the laptop are at the rear of the machine, which comes with a twin venting system to keep unwanted sounds and heat away from the user, according to Asus.

The company says that the model was created with an angular design and was inspired by a U.S. military fighter jet.

"The G73Jh offers an aggressive specification that will exceed the needs of gamers for a long time to come," says the company. "The G73Jh is like no other gaming notebook, boasting an understated, subtly aggressive design inspired by the iconic and unsurpassed stealth fighter itself, the F-117 Nighthawk."

The model has a 17.3-inch screen with a 1920x1080-pixel resolution.

The computer will cost about $2,800.

Another company that is launching a new gaming laptop is MSI. The MSI GE700 comes with a ATI Radeon HD5730 graphics card and an Intel Core i5 processor.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Panasonic produces heavy-duty convertible tablet

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:30:57 GMT

Japanese electronics manufacturer Panasonic recently released the Toughbook C1, which the company says is the lightest 12.1-inch convertible tablet PC.

Weighing 3.2 pounds, the computer "is ideal for road warriors and mobile workers in a variety of markets," says Panasonic.

The company says that the computer's convertible design can stand the test of time because they built it in preparation for heavy duty use.

"The Toughbook C1 is the first convertible to employ a unique triple hinge design - one set of hinges for opening and closing the screen and another hinge for rotating the screen to tablet mode," says Panasonic. "The Toughbook C1's triple hinge design significantly reduces hinge failures, a common problem with current generation convertible tablets, by separating the two actions normally required of a single hinge.

The computer is powered by the Intel Core i5 520M vPro.

The convertible tablet comes with embedded Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies, and it is also designed for a 3G mobile broadband module to be installed. Panasonic says that it expects Sprint and Verizon Wireless networks to certify the Toughbook C1 for mobile web use.

The Toughbook comes out during the run-up to the release of another tablet computer. The Apple iPad will be available on April 3.

Written by Mark Hobbs

HP releases high-performing EliteBook 8540p laptop

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:49:27 GMT

With a new Intel Core i5 mobile processor, the new HP EliteBook 8540p business notebook combines power and grace, according to Geek.com.

Running on Windows 7 Professional, the processor can handle 2 GB of RAM and comes equipped with a Nvidia NVS 5100M graphics card and a 320 GB hard disk, the Geek.com review says. The 15.6-inch screen is LED backlit and features 1600x900-pixel resolution.

Also featured in the laptop are so-called SuperSpeed ports that work with USB 3.0 external hard drives, a smart card reader and an optical drive.

Tech writer Sal Cangeloso says that while the 8540p may have short battery life - running less than five hours with the screen's backlight at 50 percent - the computer performs well overall.

"You can’t go wrong with the EliteBook 8540p," says Cangeloso. "With this flagship business line, HP has combined good looks, ruggedness, high performance, and tons of features into one extremely attractive package. The performance beat most of what we’ve seen in this size and price class."

The model currently costs $1,299.

The release comes as HP is handling a public relations problem in China. HP apologized to Chinese users of faulty HP laptops that were recently denied extend warranties.

Satellite M505-S4020 is the newest touchscreen laptop by Toshiba

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:21:15 GMT

Japanese electronics giant Toshiba recently released the Satellite M505-S4020, a media-friendly laptop with a glossy look.

The M505 comes with an Intel Core i3-330M processor and can handle 4 GB of RAM. The model has a 14-inch touchscreen and solid speakers that are complimented by the computer's slick, black design.

But a tech review at Business Week pointed out that Toshiba engineers must have expected users to focus on the touchscreen because the small trackpad provides some difficulties. Writer Zack Stern says that the mouse regularly stopped moving before his fingers did.

Toshiba packaged several touch-enabled applications with the laptop, Stern says. These, too, were not without their difficulties, the writer adds.

"Overall, the Toshiba Satellite M505-S4020 almost always needs a caveat to go along with its overdesigned features," says Stern. "The touchscreen can be handy, but it's rarely practical. In some situations, it can trump any trackpad, such as tapping buttons on a media player or even swapping to different applications in the taskbar. But it never felt right as the primary input device. My fingers dragged with too much friction."

The optical drive of the unit can handle DVDs but not Blu-Ray, the reviewer adds.

The touchscreen computer's release comes during the run-up to Apple's release of the touch-powered iPad tablet.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Commodore makes a comeback with modernized model

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:00:23 GMT

Commodore USA, which plans to open its online store in summer 2010, recently unveiled its retake on its pioneering computer, the Commodore 64.

Going beyond a simple homage to the computing days of yesteryear, the new keyboard PC model is equipped with a G31 Express chip set by Intel and can support up to 4 GB of RAM, according to Tech Shout. The technology publication says that the keyboard computer supports several computing variations, such as Intel Core 2 Duo and Intel Pentium D processors with hyper-threading technology.

But out of the box, the model is bare bones, meaning that it only includes the chassis casing, the motherboard and a power supply, according to the company. It does not include the aforementioned CPU, or the optical drive, memory, hard drive or Bluetooth.

Also, the model comes with a Serial ATA controller that allows users to transfer data at high speeds, at 3 GB per second on each port, according to Tech Shout.

The new Commodore also comes with a built-in DVD burner.

However, according to ZDNet, the seller of this new model doesn't bare any real connection to its vintage PC namesake.

Several other keyboard PCs are currently available. The Asus keyboard computer was released late 2009 comes with a small digital display.

Written by Mark Hobbs

MSI releases on-the-go business notebook

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:58:59 GMT

MSI has recently unveiled its new P600 notebook, which the company called a laptop for businesspeople on the go.

To ensure important business data remains confidential while employees are in the field, MSI included a fingerprint reader located in between the two touchpad buttons on the laptop. With the biometric fingerprint system, employees no longer have to memorize user account names and passwords.

Like its security features, the P600 doesn't cut any corners when it comes to performance. The model is powered by an Intel Core i5 processing technology and has 4 GB of RAM.

MSI says that the model's minimalist design proves that less can be more.

"The P600 is characterized by its flowing feather pattern lines and lustrous rhombic color film print which accentuate its light, minimalist grace," the company says. "The P600 only weighs 2.4kg - the perfect blend of lightness, beauty, and performance. With MSI's own Chiclet keyboard, typing is more comfortable and quieter and the design helps keep you from hitting the wrong keys as you type more naturally in any program."

There is no price set yet.

The release of MSI P600 coincides with that of another business optimized laptop. Lenovo's ThinkPad Edge comes with spill-resistant keyboards and recovery technologies designed to protect itself in case of a coffee-spill emergency.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Lenovo puts out new line of business-friendly laptops

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:58:04 GMT

A new series of Lenovo's ThinkPad laptops called ThinkPad Edge are designed for business settings with spill-resistant keyboards and rescue and recovery technologies, according to the Philippine Star.

The laptops' keyboards are the highlight of the new release, with the 14-inch and 15-inch versions coming with keyboards illuminated for visibility in low-light environments.

The keyboard is space-efficient, notably eliminating the number pad and "system request" key. The touchpad features a large landing pad to optimize pinch, zooming, scrolling and stretching.

As for performance, the models come with the choice of dual-core processor technology by AMD or Intel Core 2 Duo low-voltage dual-core processors.

Vicky Agorilla, a country general manager for Lenovo, says that small- and medium-sized businesses and will be struck by the balance of the high-end design offered by the new computers and their price.

"Small to medium business customers tell us they want PCs with bold yet professional designs, uncompromising durability and reliability with the latest technologies that meet their budgets," says Agorrilla. "Our answer is the new ThinkPad Edge family of laptops. They deliver stunning technology and powerful performance at an unprecedented value."

The ThinkPad Edge comes out after Lenovo released what it says was the "world's fastest portable," in the X201 ThinkPad. The model runs on an Intel Core i7 processor.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Kodak releases ink-efficient all-in-one printer

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:29:19 GMT

Kodak recently released the ESP 5250, a printer that faxes and copies, the company announced.

The article prints photos quickly and keeps ink costs down with inexpensive cartridges, according to PC Magazine.

The 12.5 pound printer supports WiFi and comes with a set of drivers and software for Windows 7 and Windows XP, as well as Mac OS X. Kodak also mentioned that the printer drivers were available on their website. Black cartridges are $9.99 while five-ink color cartridges cost $14.99.

Yet some computer experts say that the printer lacks the ability to efficiently scan and copy multi-page documents.

Tech reviewer M. David Stone says that the printer's excellent text output puts that of home-office multi-use printers to shame, but the Kodak printer lacks the advanced faxing capabilities of most inkjets aimed at office use.

"The difference between home and home office multi-function printers keeps getting less and less clear," says Stone. "Where there was once a bright line - as lawyers like to call it - between the two, there's now a wide fuzzy gray area. Few printers make that point as well as the Kodak ESP 5250."

The printer is available for $149.99 directly from Kodak and comes with a one-year warranty.

Fujitsu displays proGreen laptops with 18-hour battery

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:17:15 GMT

Computer users who are troubled by global warming may find satisfaction in a new line of eco-friendly laptops by Fujitsu.

The company recently released its proGreen series, which consists of six computers that are Energy Star 5.0-compliant, including two notebooks, according to Top Tech Reviews.

The so-called green notebooks, the LifeBook E780 and the LifeBook S710, come equiped with Intel's Core i5 and Core i7 vPro power optimized processors. Fujitsu claims the laptops are 25 percent more energy efficient than their previous LifeBook models.

Fujitsu says the notebooks will also come with an 87 percent energy efficient AC adapter. The computers can run for up to 18 hours on their two batteries.

The models have a green casing, reflect its environmental concerns.

"We are the first IT vendor to offer a complete range of environmentally-sound products," says Rajat Kakar, vice president of the clients group at Fujitsu. "This product line offers all the environmental benefits along with maximum performance, but without a high price tag. Furthermore, businesses can achieve additional cost-savings with the resulting energy-savings."

A release date has not been reported yet and Fujistu has not disclosed a pricing scheme for the computers. But right now other environmentally friendly notebooks are available, such as the Toshiba Portege A600, which is Energy Star 4.0-compliant.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Industry analysts distort figures for first day of iPad sales, newspaper says

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:16:04 GMT

As hype surrounding the latest Apple product grows, industry analysts have been accused by a major Canadian newspaper of misconstruing the facts about their prediction of first-day sales.

According to the Globe and Mail of Toronto, one of the most closely authoritative Apple sales analysts estimated that 120,000 iPads will be sold on its first day in the market. The analyst, who writes for Deagol's AAPL Model, added that sales would slow down to reach a total of 152,000 by the end of the following day.

Scott Moritz writes in the Globe and Mail article that the analyst did not account for in-store sales, a blunder that could create a false image that Apple sold beyond the leading predictions.

"It's worth noting that the Deagol numbers are based on an order number sequence provided by iPad buyers," says Scott Moritz. "The count only includes pre-orders for delivery and does not include pre-sales for store pickup."

Apple announced recently that the iPad would be for sale on April 3. Moritz stressed that Apple stock depends on its ability to live up to expectations.

Apple executives say that the iPad is more effective than its closest competitor, the netbook. Yet the Bradenton Herald asserts that netbooks are more powerful, with 1.6 GHz of processing power compared to the iPad's 1 GHz.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Ink-efficient Lexmark printer quickly wins award after recent demo

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:33:46 GMT

Lexmark International unveiled the Pinnacle as the newest addition to its line of printers at the recent fifth annual Small Business Summit.

After the event, the model, with the full title Pinnacle Pro901, quickly won the 2010 Hot Tech Demo Award. Judges at the summit cited the printer's unique ability to yield 500 pages of printing from one $4.99 ink cartridge.

The printer comes with touch-screen navigation and is web-connected. It is designed for use by small- and medium-sized businesses to fax, scan, copy and print.

Ramon Ray, editor of Smallbiztechnology.com, approved of the product, noting that the Pinnacle offers efficiency solutions that businesses can actually grasp.

"There are so many new technologies in today’s market that small businesses have a hard time knowing which to buy and how to use them most effectively to maximize productivity," says Ray. "It’s refreshing to see a real AIO tool with Web solutions that add a much-desired layer of simplicity to business processes."

The ink-efficient printer will be available in April 2010.

The cost savings of ink efficiency aren't the only thing consumers should consider when buying a printer, according to Lexmark. The company released a study in 2009 that both laser and inkjet printers significantly contribute to carbon footprints that cause global warming.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Acer offers maneuverability in tablet model Aspire 1820PT

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:21:19 GMT

Acer, a Taiwan-based computer hardware company, has recently released its first convertible-style tablet PC, which allows for touchscreen capabilities and features a swiveling screen.

The model comes with an ultra-low-voltage Core 2 Duo processor by Intel, 4 GB of double data rate RAM that can expand to 8 GB, a 320 GB hard drive and a 1,366 x 768-pixel screen that can play HD video.

The company says that the maneuverable monitor design and the touchscreen of the Aspire 1820PT allows for cooperative use of the computer, or for less serious users simply "multi-touch infotainment." With the model's energy efficient processor, it can stay powered for 8 hours using one full battery charge.

But reviewers of the model at Tech Radar criticize the Acer for the Aspire 1820 touchscreen, saying it doesn't respond correctly to commands.

"The onscreen keyboard is next to useless, as you're permanently hitting the key next to the one you wanted to press," writes tech reviewer Henry Winchester. "Windows 7 is an impressive touchscreen operating system, but here it feels fudged by the lack of a decent touchscreen."

Many companies have released their own convertible tablets. Panasonic recently released the Toughbook C1, which it touts as a business rugged laptop.

Written by Mark Hobbs

HP accepts Chinese demand for extended warranty

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:00:20 GMT

Sony releases new Vaio M notebook to replace the W

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:49:22 GMT

Although it may bare a striking resemblance to its predecessor, the Sony Vaio M notebook has a more solid keyboard than the Vaio W, experts say.

Sony is set to release the Vaio M to the general public in April, but has provided models to computer publications, according to Stuff.tv. Although specifications have not been published by Sony, Stuff.tv reports that the Vaio M comes equipped with a Intel Atom N450 processor, with 1 GB of RAM, 250 GB of hard drive space and a built-in webcam with Bluetooth capabilities.

While the memory capabilities are the same, the new Vaio M will have a more conventional keyboard than the so-called chiclet-style keyboard that the Vaio W held. But the Vaio M has a lower screen resolution, with a 1024 by 600-pixel display.

According to Sony Insider, the new laptop, which comes in a matte black casing, may take center stage to the Vaio W.

"My guess is, it will replace the W, judging by how similar Vaio M is looks-wise," says Sony Insider. "Not too shabby. But it will be pretty affordable and portable."

Although the M might be an attempt to replace the W, its model name is a repeat, according to one industry expert. Electronista reports that with the Vaio M, Sony is reviving its title for a 6-year-old PC from its all-in-one desktops from 2004, called the VPC-M111AX/B and the VPC-M111AX/W.

Written by Mark Hobbs

MSI announces release of GE700 gaming notebook

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:49:17 GMT

Micro-Star International, a Taiwan-based computer hardware manufacturer, recently unveiled the GE700 notebook, which is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor that will optimize the computer for gaming and entertainment.

MSI representatives say that the new Intel processors will support DirectX 11 for 3D graphics and will improve computer performance by at least 30 percent. To increase its capabilities to store gaming applications, the model comes with two hard drives with 500 GB each.

With a 17.3-inch screen, the laptop weighs more than 7 pounds. MSI representatives say that the model looks sleek, with specialized highlighted W, A, S and D keys to please gamers who rely on the controls to conquer foes as quickly as possible.

"The exterior incorporates touch panel keys that have undergone special color processing and a glossy decorative panel along the front edge to give them a futuristic and minimalist feel," the company announced.

The price and release date have not been disclosed.

The announcement comes weeks after MSI unveiled the GE600, which like the GE700 comes with an ATI Radeon HD 5730 graphics card. Although the GE600 comes with half the storage memory of the GE700, it weighs about a pound less.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Chinese hold HP's feet to the fire for faulty graphics chips in laptops

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:38:19 GMT

A group of Chinese laptop users are enraged after Hewlett-Packard failed to offer them extended warranties for its laptops that were equipped with faulty graphics chips two years ago, according to a new a report in the Wall Street Journal. The article says that while a quality assurance extension was granted to others across the world, Chinese consumers say they were snubbed.

Although a global program extended one-year warranties for users of HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario laptops, Chinese consumers say they were never offered the deal, which was made to others in response to a problem with Nvidia graphics chips in the models that were prone to overheat.

Luo Qian, one of the 170 customers who submitted a complaint to the Chinese government, said that HP has sacrificed its reputation with its slow response to the problem.

"We don't trust the H-P brand anymore," she says. "The only thing I want is to return the laptop and get back my 5,800 yuan," which is equal to about $850.

HP has sold 1.9 million PCs in China during the last quarter of 2009, which was a 3.4 percent increase from the year before. It is second in the Chinese market, which is led by the domestic Lenovo.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Lenovo releasing mobile cellphone-laptop that 'could replace the major function of computers'

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:24:37 GMT

Lenovo announced that it will soon release a mobile device that will use both smartphone technology and the function of a laptop to transform the way people use computers, according to a recent press report.

Representatives from Lenovo, which is the fourth-largest PC maker, according to the Local Tech Wire article, told reporters that the mobile device "could replace the major function of computers." The new product, being called a "smartbook" by some, according to the report, will have the ability to search out internet connectivity through both WiFi and cellular networks.

Although he would not describe the unit in specifics, Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing told reporters the release will contribute to the company's strategy to focus on the mobile web market.

"We launched a number of mobile Internet products to be more productive in the segment," Yuanqing told Reuters. "I'm confident we can grow our market share."

The company also recently announced that it will put a new tablet PC on the market, the article said.

Dell has also entered the smartphone market with its Mini 3 and also debuted a tablet PC at the beginning of the year, according to Local Tech Wire.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Acer closes gap on Dell, setting up struggle for second place in PC manufacturing sector

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:44:09 GMT

Taiwanese PC maker Acer has closed the gap on rival Dell, prompting speculation that Acer would soon take over that company's role as the number two computer manufacturer worldwide.

Tech research firm iSuppli, in a study released Tuesday, said that 2009 saw a 21 percent expansion in Acer's sales, and that the company sold 38.5 million units that year. Acer sold 31.5 million units in 2008, by comparison.

The news was less rosy for Texas-based PC manufacturer Dell, according to the study. That company saw its sales drop from 43.3 million in 2008 to 38.96 million in 2009, representing a decline of roughly 10 percent.

Principal analyst Matthew Wilkins said that "Acer's 2009 success was driven by the notebook PC market," and that "notebooks accounted for 80 percent of Acer's shipments in 2009. This allowed the company to capitalize on the fast-growing mobile computing segment while limiting its exposure to the moribund desktop segment."

Hewlett-Packard, the market leader, remained solidly in control, posting steady year-on-year growth of 7.4 percent.

Written by James Arndale

Buckle up, Macs: Steam distribution and Valve software heading to your platform

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:42:39 GMT

PC game maker Valve Software has announced that its Steam distribution portal and selected Valve games will be available on the Mac sometime next month.

The Steamworks for Mac software will support all of the standard Steamworks APIs, according to CNET. The tech news site also says that the first games to be made available on the platform will be Left 4 Dead 2, Team Fortress 2, Portal, Counter-Strike, and the Half-Life games, all of which were developed by Valve.

The story originally broke when Valve marketing vice president Doug Lombardi confirmed the long-standing rumors to Mac News Network. Reports indicate that many of the display drivers and other firmware necessary to play the games are interoperable, and will be available on a new service called Steam Play. Users of this service can purchase either the PC or Mac versions of a program and download and play it on the other platform at no extra charge, CNET reports.

Macs have traditionally lagged behind their PC counterparts in the area of gaming, due in part to a lack of market share and the dominance of Microsoft's DirectX driver framework as a 3D accelerator protocol.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

School district in laptop spying case suspends two IT employees

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:42:04 GMT

The Lower Merion school district, which is being sued by the parents of a student who alleges that administrators spied on him via a laptop webcam, recently stated that two IT employees had been suspended with pay.

District spokesman Doug Young told Main Line Media News that "the district generally does not comment on personnel matters, but we feel compelled to do so in the interest of two longtime staff members. Placing them on administrative leave with pay is not a reflection of any wrongdoing on their part. It is a standard, prudent step in an investigation such as this one and it occurred in conjunction with the start of the review process nearly two weeks ago."

CNET's Larry Magid wrote that the software used to allegedly spy on students, called LANRev, has since been acquired by Absolute Software. That company has removed the drivers that enable the ability to spy on users remotely, Magid said.

Experts say that the increasing prevalence of mobile devices could make laptop privacy a more important issue in the future.

Written by Mark Hobbs

New laptop pushes the limits of portable power

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:12:30 GMT

The new MainGear mX-L 15, experts agree, is one of the most potent mobile computers ever released for mainstream consumers. The 15-inch machine manages to incorporate high-end hardware into a surprisingly unremarkable looking package.

Tech news site i4u asks rhetorically "how much power do you really need in a 15.6" laptop?" The mX-L 15 packs either an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, up to 8 GB of RAM, a 512 MB ATI Mobility Radeon graphics card, and a 512 GB solid-state hard drive. This last is among the first of its kind to be deployed on a commercial laptop.

In addition, reports tech website UGO.com, the mX-L 15 is just under two inches thick when closed. That site also praises the machine's lack of pre-installed programs (often referred to as "bloatware").

However, experts say, the device will probably suffer from the same flaws that have been plaguing powerful laptops for years: First, the battery life is unlikely to be stellar when all of that high-end hardware is draining the juice, and second, the price tag starts at $999 - but goes rapidly up for all but the most basic variations.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Wireless dock makes interconnectivity between laptops and desktops a breeze

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:11:39 GMT

A new wireless laptop docking system from Source R&D - dubbed "Warpia" - can connect a desktop to a laptop via a USB dongle on the laptop and a USB receiver on the larger machine.

The effect, according to tech blog Slashgear, is impressive: "Yes, there are other options for wirelessly syncing your laptop to your PC, but Source R&D is ahead of the game with their level of wireless technology. Above all, you're able to wirelessly sync between a Mac-based platform to a Windows-based one without any trouble or extra cables. It just works."

Warpia connects the larger computer's mouse and keyboard to the laptop using sophisticated wireless control drivers and a proprietary radio technology, Slashgear reports, and provides real-time screen synchronization between the two systems. Additionally, the blog says, the $150 price tag is relatively reasonable for the technology involved.

Experts say that device convergence - the blurring of the lines between various types of device - is already well underway, but that solutions like Warpia are necessary until users are only working on a single type of machine.

Written by James Arndale

Rumors say that Acer could be planning a next-gen laptop

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:09:56 GMT

Tech writers have speculated that Taiwanese PC manufacturer Acer is preparing a revolutionary new laptop design, and will release the new device sometime before the end of 2010.

DigiTimes, a tech news website, reports that "Acer is expected to adopt Corning's reinforced glass substrate and simply print color on its back to allow the substrate to function like a notebook cover for a frameless design. The design will help reduce the thickness of the ultra-thin notebook and can also reduce material costs," according to anonymous sources.

In addition to the advanced display, the Acer device is expected to sport a touchscreen keyboard, which will allow for a further saving in material costs and form factor, according to Dvice.

Like all rumors, however, this one has its share of skeptics. ZDNet's Rachel King, for one, describes it as a "crazy rumor," but also admits that it's certainly possible. "I would have assumed this laptop would be pricey for being the first of its kind, but Digitimes reports this will all make the model[s] cheaper," King writes.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

New Nvidia drivers causing problems for graphics card users

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:18:42 GMT

A fan control problem can cause Nvidia graphics cards using the company's new ForceWare 196.75 display drivers to overheat, resulting in performance problems and possibly even physical damage to the card or the computer in which it is installed.

ZDNet's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes reports that "the problem seems to be related to the fan controller, causing the fans to slow down, and even stop. This happening while the card is in use is a very bad thing indeed, and can cause poor performance (as the GPU tries to cool itself down by reducing power)" and, also, he notes, cause the aforementioned damage.

Kingsley-Hughes and many other hardware experts recommend that users who have updated their Nvidia graphics firmware since the first of the month immediately roll back their drivers to the previous 196.21 standard in order to avoid potentially catastrophic system failures.

Most driver errors result in nothing more than simple glitches or bugs, experts say, but occasionally a serious problem like this one crops up. Nvidia, naturally, has pulled the offending update from its servers and warned users about the potential problems.

Written by Mark Hobbs

New Nvidia technology allows hot swap of GPUs

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:20:59 GMT

Nvidia's Optimus graphics card technology - a GPU scaling and power-saving suite of hardware and software - boasts some impressive capabilities, including the ability to be physically removed from an active computer and re-attached without any damage to the system.

The company recently posted a video to YouTube detailing the capability. Although the demonstration was carried out on a specialized engineering rig - that is, the components were plugged into an open motherboard for easy access - it was undeniably eye-opening. The Optimus-enabled GPU switches off entirely when it is not needed, in contrast to most other power-saving systems, which merely enter a low-power "sleep" mode.

This complete power-down capability means that the device can simply be popped out of the motherboard without damage to either card or board. It can even be re-inserted in its mounting and instantly start working normally.

Some skeptics have pointed out, however, that given the cramped physical architecture and design of modern notebooks, the capability could have relatively few real-world applications. The power-saving aspects of the design, on the other hand, are inarguably useful.

Written by James Arndale

Android ported to China on Loongson chips

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:20:24 GMT

Lemote Technology, a Chinese firm, has taken the first steps toward bringing Google's smartphone OS to that country - but it will be netbook computers, not phones, running the OS.

The device is called the YeeLoong8089, and it is small even for a netbook with just an 8.9-inch screen. Russian tech website iToday reports that the Chinese government is attempting to stimulate the country's tech sector to produce home-grown devices, and that the YeeLoong8089 is the type of result that they were hoping for. Lenovo has been another Chinese tech success story, experts say.

The move, according to Computer World, demonstrates that there is indeed interest in the operating system, but also shows that it is possible to circumnavigate the Chinese government's increasingly harsh stance against Google, which has said that it would stop censoring search results from Google.cn in response to what it described as a government-backed hacking attempt on its servers.

However, Android's future, should Google be forced to cease its operations in the country, could be uncertain. Whether possible government sanctions against the search giant would affect all of its products remains to be seen.

Written by James Arndale

Security expert says that laptop users should disable Wi-Fi to avoid unwanted discovery

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:19:08 GMT

Computers with active Wi-Fi connections are vulnerable to detection and theft by criminals with the appropriate scanning technology, according to the vice president of marketing for Credant Technologies, Sean Glynn.

According to British IT news site Security Watch, Glynn says that "BT Openzone recently announced it had passed the million Wi-Fi access point mark in the UK and cellular carriers are also boosting their Wi-Fi coverage areas to take the load off their hard-pressed 3G networks, which all adds up to something of a Wi-Fi explosion in the UK."

This explosion, he says, has led to a similar rise in the use of cheap Wi-Fi detectors, which can detect the radio signals used by wireless modems. This means that a laptop computer, even if stored in the trunk of a car, could be found by tech-savvy thieves.

Radio Jamaica reports that a rash of laptop thefts has been attributed to a similar tactic being used in that country, according to an official at Jamaica's University of Technology.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Asus shows off bamboo-coated notebook PC at trade show, but draws fire from environmentalists

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:22:20 GMT

While Asus CEO Jonney Shih asserted that his company's new G73 laptop would be a boon to the environment - since it uses EPA-certified motherboards - the bamboo finish on the machine led many to question Asus's commitment to environmental issues.

The G73, UK-based tech website Thinq reported, is a feature-laden beast of a laptop, powered by "[an Intel] Core i7 processor no less and more RAM and storage than you could shake a stick at. It also sports two mouse pads - one each side of the keyboard."

Shih, speaking at trade show CeBIT, described the G73 as having most powerful hardware and device drivers that can be packed into a notebook PC. ZDNet reported that the device would sport an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 graphics card, 8 GB of RAM, a 500 GB hard drive and generous 17.3-inch display.

Experts say that laptops and netbooks are gradually cutting into the PC market share of the desktop, and that new form factors like the tablet could fracture the industry even more.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Stolen laptop traced ingeniously - with a little help from the webcam

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:21:36 GMT

The next time any would-be thieves break into a car to steal a laptop, they should make sure that it doesn't belong to an internet entrepreneur. One Boston-area thief learned this the hard way recently.

The thief, unnamed, broke into Josh Bob's car near Fenway Park, according to ABC affiliate WCBV. The TV station reported that Bob used remote login drivers installed on the laptop to contact the device via his desktop PC. Using the laptop's IP address, Bob tracked the computer to Stoughton, Massachusetts.

When he remotely activated the webcam, Bob saw a number of people using the webcam, including an "older man" who appeared alarmed at being viewed. The internet entrepreneur eventually obtained an exact address through Facebook and recovered his computer, though no charges were filed.

The flip side of this technology is on prominent display in a suburban Philadelphia school district, however. A class-action lawsuit has been filed which claims that school administrators used their remote access to webcams on school-issued laptop to spy on students in their homes.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Analyst: Apple's iPad launch could be delayed by production problems

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:47:46 GMT

Peter Misek, an analyst with Canaccord Adams, is quoted at Apple Insider as saying that a problem at one of the manufacturers of hardware for the company's vaunted iPad tablet could push back the device's launch date by as much as a month and limit the initial release area to the U.S.

Apple Insider says that Misek estimates that "an unspecified production problem at the iPad's manufacturer, Hon Hai Precision, will likely limit the launch region to the U.S. and the number of units available to roughly 300K in the month of March, far lower than the company's initial estimate of 1,000K units."

Still, Misek says, the delay is unlikely to prove fatal to the iPad's commercial prospects, adding that he still expects 1.2 million units of the device to be sold during fiscal 2010.

While Apple has not confirmed the supply problems and maintains that the device will be released in late March, the controversy is the latest in a series for the iPad, which has been plagued by incident since its unveiling earlier this year.

Written by James Arndale

Speak up: USB speaker could be the answer to crummy laptop sound

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:47:42 GMT

While laptops have evolved rapidly over the course of the past several years, gaining capabilities much closer to those of their desktop cousins, one problem has remained intractable for all but the rarest portable: Bad speakers.

"I can't really think of a notebook or netbook off hand that I have ever used that actually had a sound system that sounded good. The speakers are usually tiny things with no bass and flat sound," writes Shane McGlaun at tech blog Slippery Brick. However, Logitech's new Z205 speaker system can clip on to the top of a portable PC, connect via USB (presumably installing its own device drivers in the process), and provide high-quality sound on the go.

Logitech says that the speaker contains "two high-performance drivers [and] a built-in amplifier," does not require an external power supply, and sports volume and power controls on its case for easy adjustments.

The Z205 will be released to retailers sometime this month, and Logitech suggests a retail price of $40 for the innovative new speaker.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Intel debuts new Classmate PC with Pineview chip

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:46:10 GMT

Microchip maker Intel has released the latest version of its Classmate line of school PCs, a convertible tablet design made to offer improved battery life and survivability in a grade school environment.

The device, writes ZDNet's Christopher Dawson, "will only see a nominal performance increase, but users should expect significant boosts in battery life and evolutionary improvements in design and software," thanks to the company's new Pineview low-voltage processor with onboard integrated graphics drivers.

Gadget blog Slashgear reports that the new Classmate will have an anti-microbial coating on its keyboard, which will also be water-resistant like the device's screen and touchpad. The Classmate will feature 3G, WiMAX and GPS as extras, with Wi-Fi as a default option. Pricing and availability details were not available.

Increasing attention has been paid in recent years by laptop designers to the needs of school-use portables, both for school districts in the U.S. and abroad. The One Laptop Per Child program is dedicated to providing affordable computers for children across the globe, but has competition from Intel and others in the private sector.

Written by Mark Hobbs

HP rolls out touchscreen support for laptops, but only for a few

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:32:54 GMT

Citing differences between the business user and the consumer user base, Hewlett-Packard said that touchscreen capability is less in demand among enterprise users, though it did launch the EliteBook 2740p convertible tablet with touchscreen drivers this week.

CNET wrote that the EliteBook will be able to switch between laptop and tablet functionality via a sliding screen. The device will cost $1599 when it goes on sale next month, according to the tech news website.

PC World noted that the company was "among the earliest vendors to launch PCs with touchscreens through its TouchSmart line of all-in-one desktops. Today the company offers touchscreens in the consumer line of Envy laptops and the 5102 Mini business netbook, but held off bringing touch technology to business laptops until the EliteBook 2740p's launch."

Competitors like Acer have been more inclined to include touchscreen functionality on more models, experts say. However, HP has some novel features, including touch-enabled video apps that enable quick viewing from sites like Netflix and others, PC World said.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Some experts say computer drivers at fault in Toyota recall hubbub

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:03:35 GMT

While the traditional area of expertise for auto mechanics is generally thought to encompass things like oil filters, alternators, and check engine lights, the modern car relies heavily on computerized equipment to keep the vehicle running smoothly. Some say that it could be these components that were to blame for the massive recall of Toyota cars seen this month.

AP tech reporter Tom Krishner writes that "the auto industry has been moving at Pentium speed since the late 1990s to replace mechanical cables and other devices with computers to control everything from brakes to throttles to power steering. Automakers say electronics have made vehicles safer with devices such as air bags and antilock brakes. It's also made cars more fuel efficient, cleaner and, usually, more reliable."

However, Krishner writes, there are also disturbing downsides to such systems. Numerous factors, like short circuits, programming errors, or simple age can cause sophisticated computerized components on cars to fail, possibly causing serious safety hazards.

Toyota boss Akio Toyoda recently appeared before a Congressional panel to answer questions about his company's behavior during the scandal. Critics allege that faulty accelerators caused several deaths in unexpected runaway vehicles.

Written by James Arndale

Analyst: MacBook Pro update could be in the works

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:02:53 GMT

An analyst for Kaufman Brothers said Wednesday in a client note that Apple could be planning to release an updated version of its popular MacBook Pro line of portable PCs.

According to the Associated Press, Shaw Wu wrote that the dwindling supplies of the MacBook Pro could indicate that the company was drawing down inventories of the device ahead of the release of a new version. The AP also quoted Wu as saying that new drivers could be present on the device to improve battery life and performance.

Stock market website Onn.tv wrote that Wu's prediction would see the release of any possible update by the end of the company's second or third fiscal quarter, meaning the end of either March or June.

However, Apple was not expected to unveil any new high-profile products at the upcoming CeBIT conference, instead ceding the floor to its rivals. Many companies will release computing products at the trade show, experts say, but Apple's dramatic roll-out earlier this month of the new iPad tablet PC is probably the extent of the company's immediate plans.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

When is a smartbook not a smartbook?

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:00:33 GMT

Despite German firm Smartbook AG's relative openness about the details of its upcoming portable PC, many tech pundits are confused at the name: The Smartbook Logo is not, in fact, a smartbook.

It is, in actuality, more of a netbook than anything else, packing an Intel ultra-low-voltage processor, 1 GB of RAM, and an advertised eight hours of battery life. The Logo also features an HDMI output - not a particularly common netbook feature - and runs Windows 7 Home Premium edition. The display drivers will not be a central focus of the design, as the Logo will have an 11.6-inch screen capable of displaying images at a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.

The company has dealt with the naming controversy in its native Germany by filing an injunction against Qualcomm, which also manufactures a line of smartbook-labeled PCs, preventing that company from using the term in its marketing.

Smartbook is expected to officially unveil the Logo as part of the CeBIT electronics trade show, which will be held next week in Hanover.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Old drivers can be cause of glitches and performance drag in Windows 7

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:05:55 GMT

Microsoft has released a series of unscheduled patches for Windows over the past several days, fixing issues with legacy software and, as tech website The Inquirer writes, "plugging holes."

ZDNet's Mary-Jo Foley reports that "the promised Windows 7 anti-piracy updates that Microsoft officials said to expect before the end of February also are starting to arrive. Those updates - known officially as Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows 7 - are designed to detect more than 70 known activation hacks, according to the Softies."

The Inquirer adds that many of the other fixes target games, which can potentially install incorrectly on unpatched systems. Backward compatibility issues, the Inquirer says, are particularly targeted by the out-of-band patches.

Foley says that "there are a lot of other udpates for XP, Vista and Windows 7 that Microsoft released this week, too. Some are fairly obscure - unless you are … on a Czech Windows 7 computer, where some notification messages are displayed in Romanian instead of Czech. (Yes, there's now a fix for that.) There are also new compatibility updates for Vista and Windows 7."

Written by Jennifer Greggson

ATI Radeon HD 5830: A graphics card for the rest of us?

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:05:06 GMT

ATI this week released the latest in its Radeon line of graphics cards, the HD 5830. Digital Trends writer Jeff Duncan said that the device is targeted at the high end of the middle of the graphics card market.

By this, Duncan meant that while the HD 5830 offers strong performance, ATI's 40 nm graphics technology and support for DirectX 11 drivers, its price remains below $240. This makes it more accessible to those who might not be able to afford ATI's truly high-performance offerings like the HD 5850 and 5870.

HardOCP's review praised the HD 5830 as "a great value," and "the video card gamers have been waiting for, an answer to the gap that exists between the Radeon HD 5770 and Radeon HD 5850."

ATI has inarguably been the rising star in the graphics card market for some time now, as both Intel and Nvidia - its main competitors - have suffered recent legal and technical setbacks that have affected their bottom lines and hurt their market shares.

Written by James Arndale

Plot thickens in Pennsylvania webcam spying scandal

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:04:30 GMT

The FBI and U.S. attorneys have opened their own investigation into the incident in which administrators at a suburban Philadelphia high school allegedly used specialized webcam software to spy on students in their homes.

Reuters reports that "the U.S. Attorney's office said it does not normally announce investigations before they are complete but is making an exception in this case because the community needs to be assured that law enforcement is investigating the incident."

The FBI and U.S. attorney involvement adds a criminal law element to what had previously been a civil proceeding, with the parents of one student who was allegedly disciplined using information captured from his webcam suing the school district.

Reuters also says that the American Civil Liberties Union has filed an amicus brief on behalf of the parents, saying that the school violated the student's fourth amendment right to privacy by using undisclosed device drivers on the school-issued laptop to spy on him.

A vice principal at the high school angrily denied the accusations in a public statement issued earlier this week.

Written by James Arndale

Expert pits Dell Mini 5 tablet against iPad

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:46:02 GMT

While the iPad has inarguably grabbed the lion's share of the attention being paid to tablet PCs this year, there are other options out there. TGDaily's Rob Enderle compares one such alternative, Dell's Mini 5 to the vaunted Apple product.

Enderle asserts that the Mini 5 "is vastly better than an iPhone (thanks to its larger screen) for browsing, watching video, gaming (assuming you can find good games) and typing," which may be due in part to the iPad's lack of drivers for Flash, which is the outcome of ongoing controversy between Apple and Flash.

And while he says that the iPad is a handy device, he also seems to feel that it has tried to bridge the gap between smartphones and netbooks but succeeded only in falling in. "Without a keyboard or flash it can't be a better laptop for typing, browsing and real work, without phone features it can't be a better smartphone. And at 10 inches if it had phone features you'd better love headsets or speakerphone use," he writes.

The iPad is due to be released to retailers later this year, and the Mini 5 is not yet in stores either.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Lenovo says its new X201 ThinkPad is "world's fastest ultraportable"

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:33:05 GMT

Trading performance for form factor and battery life may become a thing of the past, as Chinese PC manufacturer Lenovo announces a set of three new ThinkPads featuring abnormally powerful CPUs while, the company says, maintaining low weight and long battery life.

The base X201 will use an Intel Core i7 processor running at 2.66 GHz to deliver speedy performance, and Digital Trends reports that specialized device drivers can be used to overclock the machine even further. The tech news website says that "Lenovo gleefully points out [that this] is 25 percent faster than the 2.13 GHz ceiling on other 12-inch enterprise ultraportables."

The X201s will downgrade the processor to a Core i5 - which isn't a serious slowdown - but improve the form factor and battery life, weighing less than 2.5 pounds and pushing the time between recharges to 12 hours of use.

Those two machines and their tablet PC cousin (which features a touchscreen) will see further particulars revealed this month. The devices are expected to range in cost from about $1,200 to $1,600, depending on model and options.

Written by James Arndale

MSI rolls out GT series of gaming laptops

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:33:01 GMT

Taiwanese PC maker MSI announced a new series of gaming laptops, days before the CeBIT electronics trade show is due to begin in Germany.

Electronista says that the GT660 "is intended as a desktop replacement and pays unusual attention to sound: MSI claims to have worked with a 'leader in sound system design' to tune the enclosure and speakers to provide better than usual notebook audio." The computer will feature the type of high-end systems expected in a modern gaming notebook, including an Intel Core i7 processor, three RAM slots (Electronista says this should provide for up to 12 GB of memory), and a GeForce GTX 285 display adapter, which will run the latest graphics drivers smoothly.

ZDNet's Rachel King writes that the GT660 will also feature USB 3.0 ports for easy connectivity and high data transfer rates for externally linked devices.

Details about the machine's internal hard drive, pricing, and availability have not been forthcoming, but experts say that the company will probably reveal some of that information at CeBIT next week.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Embattled assistant principal denies using webcam drivers to spy on students

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:32:30 GMT

Lindy Matsko angrily denied allegations made by a student that she used specialized software to spy on him via a school-issued laptop while he was at home. Matsko issued a statement today in which she said that she had not and would not authorize such intrusive acts.

"At no point in time did I have the ability to access any webcam through security-tracking software," said a visibly agitated Matsko, adding that "I have never disciplined a student for conduct he or she engaged in outside of school property that is not in connection with school or a school-related event. That is not, has never been and never should be my role."

However, the plaintiffs - parents of a student who alleges that he received a disciplinary notice based on images captured from his laptop's webcam - insist that Matsko or other school officials used a security program designed to capture pictures of laptop thieves to take pictures of their son, whom the school believed had a drug problem and was taking pills. (These, the student says, were actually Mike and Ikes.)

Written by Mark Hobbs

Apple confirms rumors around iPad's graphics drivers, hardware

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:05:54 GMT

Cupertino, California-based Apple has indirectly confirmed that its iPad tablet PC uses the same family of graphics hardware and drivers as the iPhone and iPod touch, according to Mac Rumors.

While the documentation for the iPad system developer's kit version beta 3 was not supposed to become public under the terms of a non-disclosure agreement from the company, a leak has apparently occurred. Mac Rumors says that the document contains a passage saying that "using OpenGL ES on iPad is identical to using OpenGL ES on other iPhone OS devices. An iPad is a PowerVR SGX device and supports the same basic capabilities as other SGX devices."

The Apple news site says that there had been some confusion about the announced but not-yet-released tablet PC due to another report that indicated that the iPad's graphics might actually be provided by a less powerful ARM processor.

The iPad's display capabilities have been the center of much of the post-launch controversy around the device, which does not support Flash. Thus, the iPad cannot be used to watch videos on many Flash-based streaming websites.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Intel alliance will donate $3.5 billion toward making U.S. tech sector more competitive

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:05:18 GMT

Speaking today at the Brookings Institution, a think-tank in Washington, D.C., Intel CEO Paul Otellini said that he would pledge $3.5 billion to help create new U.S. tech jobs for recent college graduates.

Otellini said that "strong, enduring economies grow out of a culture of investment and a commitment to innovation. It would be a long-term mistake to let our future scientists and engineers sit idle after graduation." Seventeen companies will join Intel's Invest in America Alliance, including Google, Microsoft, General Electric, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard.

Many of those companies have pledged to increase the rate at which they hire fresh college graduates, with some even agreeing to double it. Intel says that this could create up to 10,500 new jobs. In addition to this initiative, the Alliance will invest hundreds of millions in what it sees as growth sectors like biotech, IT and clean technology.

The company's recent court losses to competitor Advanced Micro Devices have apparently not acted as drivers for lower charitable spending at the company, experts say.

Written by James Arndale

Wal-Mart to purchase own video streaming service

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:04:47 GMT

Retail giant Wal-Mart confirmed reports that it planned to buy out online movie provider Vudu, with PC Magazine reporting that the deal was "expected to close in the next several weeks."

While the financial terms of the proposed deal were not disclosed, Wal-Mart vice-chairman Eduardo Castro-Wright said that "the real winner here is the customer. Combining VUDU's unique digital technology and service with Walmart's retail expertise and scale will provide customers with unprecedented access to home entertainment options as they migrate to a digital environment."

The company touted Vudu's licenses from "almost every major movie studio" and numerous others to suggest that the new hybrid company could have advantages over existing video streaming services such as Hulu or iTunes. PC Magazine said that Vudu recently abandoned its hardware business - the company used to provide set-top boxes for easy access to its content - in order to focus on its streaming services.

Wal-Mart had tried to incorporate an online video service in 2007 but failed. Skyrocketing use rates in recent months, however, may have been the drivers behind the company's decision to try again, according to experts.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Barnes and Noble's Nook e-reader to get firmware update this week

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:22:14 GMT

An internal memo leaked from Barnes and Noble indicates that their just-shipped Nook e-reader will be getting an update to its drivers sometime this week, according to Engadget.

The update is available for direct download at the Barnes and Noble support site for the device, and the company should push out the firmware upgrade over the air sometime this week, Engadget says.

Barnes and Noble says that the changes to the device's drivers center on making the Nook more responsive, and that the system that saves bookmarks and page numbers when the device is turned off should work better now. Users will also be able to sort files loaded into the Nook's My Documents folder by author and title.

Experts say that the Nook may be a little late to the tablet party, as the iPad begins to make its presence felt and Apple's competitors rush to release their own devices. Amazon's Kindle is the closest analogue to the Nook, and it too may feel the pressure of less specialized devices as its design begins to age.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Tough-as-nails notebooks hitting the market hard (and not getting a scratch)

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:20:42 GMT

The problem, for clumsy people, with having all that expensive hardware crammed into a device the size of the average laptop computer is that a three-foot drop or spilled glass of water could make for a thousand-dollar replacement or repair. However, the klutzy appear to be one of the drivers of new laptop design, as more companies release PCs specially hardened against such damage.

One example, the GammaTech Durabook D14RM, is "designed to withstand reasonable spills and jolts," according to Toronto Star staff writer Robert Cribb. Cribb says that the Durabook D14RM features a spill-resistant keyboard, which simply channels liquid spilled onto it away "through a kind of laptop aqueduct system."

Another hardened laptop, the Notino R5500, features a shock-mounted screen designed to reduce the risk of suffering damage in a fall, according to Tech Radar. The tech news site says that device's 160-GB hard drive is also shock-mounted "to protect your data in the event of a drop or bang," and even features its own connector cable "designed to absorb the shock of a drop."

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Alienware rebels launch their own high-end gaming laptop

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:20:12 GMT

Since the company's takeover by Dell in 2006, Alienware has lost its status as one of the drivers of innovation in the premium PC marketplace. However, a group of former employees has teamed up to release the Origin Eon 18, a maxed-out laptop firmly in the vein of old-school Alienware releases.

Describing the Eon 18's specs as "topped-out," as Nexus 404 does, is something of an understatement: The Eon 18 features a Core i7 Extreme processor, 8 GB of RAM, up to 1.5 TB of storage, and dual GeForce GTX 285M graphics cards.

The output from these hefty internal systems will be displayed on an 18.4-inch monitor with full HD capability. The Eon 18 will also sport a dual-layer Blu-ray burner as its optical drive and programmable chassis buttons for improved gaming functionality said.

The general reaction to the device is best summed up by i4u's Robert Evans. "Sexy. And, if I'm honest, a little bit terrifying. This monster is slightly better than my desktop rig, and I didn't skimp on much." Prices, unsurprisingly, will begin above the $2,000 mark.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Sneak peek seen of Dell Mini 5: Smartphone or mobile internet device?

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:59:26 GMT

A prototype of Dell's Mini 5 smartphone was recently obtained by Engadget, and the tech blog writes that the hybrid device has a number of exciting features.

The Mini 5 is powered by a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, and the OS and device drivers were Android 1.6, which Engadget says will almost certainly change by the time the device is ready for retail.

Engadget, overall, seemed to think that the Mini 5 had a great deal of potential, but that its prototype status was very apparent in the multitude of rough edges. The Mini 5 had holes in its multitouch support, digital keyboard, and video display drivers, but the form factor was apparently squarely in the reviewer's sweet spot and the possible uses of the device ranged from GPS to mobile video and beyond.

Devices attempting to fill the void between netbooks and smartphones have taken many forms, most notably the tablet, which some analysts believe will yet be the dominant design. The recent launch of the iPad tablet will be a test case for this hypothesis, experts say.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Digital rights management issues become drivers of controversy for Ubisoft

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:58:36 GMT

Award-winning video game maker Ubisoft is embroiled in a controversy over its use of what critics say is overly intrusive digital rights management technology. Many tech pundits say that the requirement that players of Ubisoft's most recent releases remain connected to the internet at all times is an undue imposition.

Gaming news site Neoseeker reports that a central concern is the ability to play on laptop computers, which may not have wired or wireless internet access at all times. "In a sense, this puts upcoming titles like Assassin's Creed II and Silent Hunter 5 in the MMO category, in that you always need to be online," Neoseeker writes.

While most acknowledge that piracy is a problem in the PC gaming market, many pundits point to the success of many games that skip DRM altogether and focus on providing numerous advantages to legitimate purchasers of their games.

Experts say that DRM has long been a contentious topic, with game makers trying to make piracy difficult and many gamers saying that they're tired of being treated with suspicion.

Written by James Arndale

Pennsylvania school district in spy case admits use of remote-activation webcam drivers 42 times

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:58:04 GMT

A school district in an upscale suburb of Philadelphia, accused of spying on its students via remotely-activated webcams installed on their school-issued laptops, has admitted to the Washington Post that it used the remote-activation functionality 42 times, but insists that it was only done to help find stolen laptops.

A spokesman for the Lower Merion school district, Doug Young, also admitted to the Post that the documentation students sign when obtaining the computers did not disclose the possibility of the laptops' webcams being remotely activated: "It's clear what was in place was insufficient, and that's unacceptable."

CNET blogger Chris Matyszczyk asserted that, with each new revelation, "it becomes increasingly difficult to see how [the school district] will defend its actions." Matyszczyk also reported that another Lower Merion student, Savannah Williams, said that she had used the laptop to listen to music while in the shower. Williams told the CBS Early Show that "everyone was really worried about 'what are they watching me doing.'"

The school district said that it is in the process of reviewing the 42 activations on the advice of legal counsel.

Written by James Arndale

Laptop goes where no Linux computer has gone before

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:13:03 GMT

Using simplified software and drivers written in-house, a Newcastle-based tech firm has built the first Linux computer aimed at user-friendliness. The support package and operating system - called Alex - was created by the Broadband Company.

Harry Drnec, Broadband's marketing manager, told PC Pro that "12.2 million people don't have a PC and 24 percent [of the UK population] have a computer and they just don't get it. Apple and Microsoft have left 40 percent of the population behind and made it too complicated."

The Alex laptop's customized OS is based on Ubuntu Linux, which is the most widely distributed version of the open-source operating system. The system automatically saves documents after every keystroke so that users don't have to remember the "save" command. The computer comes with a USB "latchkey," which is used to log into the machine in lieu of a password.

The Alex laptop will require a monthly fee for access and support, "but in return the company promises you will never see pop-up boxes, they will provide security so users don't need to worry about viruses, and they will get 10 GB of online storage," according to ZDNet.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Taiwanese PC maker: Labor shortages could affect manufacturing

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:24:14 GMT

Ray Chen, the president of Compal Electronics, told Business Week that a shortage of skilled workers in Chinese coastal cities could cause serious issues with the supply of laptop PCs in the face of growing demand.

Business Week reports that Compal and a fellow Taiwanese firm, Quanta, are the two biggest contract laptop manufacturers in the world, and their business is booming. The introduction of Windows 7 and the boom in the netbook market as the global economy slowly recovers from the recession were the primary drivers of their growth.

Experts say that the Chinese electronics manufacturing sector has a generally bright outlook, as Business Week reports that several firms are building facilities in inland areas, following the labor market.

Compal is also the manufacturer of what Australia's News.com website called "Google's answer to the Apple iPad tablet," an Android-powered touchscreen device that was unveiled at this week's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. That device capitalizes on some of the perceived weaknesses of the iPad, adding Flash support and full HD video.

Written by James Arndale

Pennsylvania school district in hot water over laptop spying scandal

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:23:26 GMT

A lawsuit filed in federal court this week alleges that a suburban Philadelphia school district used an application and device drivers to activate the webcams installed on laptops they provided to students in order to spy on them.

Computer World reports that "approximately 1,800 students at the district's two high schools have been given laptops as part of a state- and federally-funded 'one-to-one' student-to-laptop initiative." The tech news site also says that the plaintiffs, Michael and Holly Robbins, brought the suit after their son was disciplined for "improper behavior in his home" and shown a picture taken with the laptop's webcam.

Yahoo tech blogger Christopher Null's response to the news was broadly representative of the tech punditry at large: "If [the charges are] legit, it's hard to describe just how wrong this entire situation is. Imagine the things you do while your laptop is idling on your desk or table. One has to assume that, at some point, an image of an underage student in some stage of undress was captured on the webcam. Could the school district actually be liable under child pornography laws?"

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Avoid laptop crashing and burning with DIY modification for power cables

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:30:40 GMT

A user at community website Instructables has posted a solution to the problem of laptop power connections breaking, using commonly available equipment.

The connection between the power cable and the battery is one of the most failure-prone areas on a laptop PC, since it is subject to heat buildup from the battery itself and the mechanical forces involved when someone trips over the cord and yanks the connector from its socket, not infrequently dragging the laptop off whatever surface it was resting on in the process.

Freeload, as the Instructables author is called, duplicates the functionality of Apple's patented MagSafe system, which holds power cables into the appropriate socket but releases easily if stressed. Since the company's patent does not allow other PC makers to manufacture similar safety systems, a DIY workaround is probably the way to go, experts say.

The technique doesn't require any tinkering with the software or drivers on the laptop, just a few simple hardware modifications, which can be accomplished for less than $30.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Laptops proving a big help to San Jose educators

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:30:08 GMT

From principals to school bus drivers, the teachers of San Jose have laptops to thank for making their days just a little bit easier, according to a series of stories in the San Jose Mercury News.

The paper has written several articles about laptop computers being used in the area's public schools, including one detailing how the simple installation of a wireless router into a school bus turned the route from a rowdy, hyperactive one into a quiet, relaxed study hall. Bus driver J.J. Johnson told the Mercury News that "it's made a big difference. Boys aren't hitting each other, girls are busy and there's not so much jumping around."

A laptop program has proved to be a boon for younger classes as well, the Mercury News writes. Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age, as the program is called, provides about 400 laptops to the students at four Silicon Valley schools, in an attempt to familiarize youngsters with the type of technology that they will be required to use in higher education and their future careers.

Written by James Arndale

HP to see rebound, stock price uptick

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:29:29 GMT

Hewlett-Packard is expected to post a strong fourth quarter of 2009 when it announces its financial results next week. The country's largest computer maker, experts say, weathered the recent economic downturn acceptably, and the company has numerous revenue streams to act as drivers of continued growth.

Financial website Market Watch reports that "analysts are currently expecting HP to report earnings of $1.06 a share, on revenue of $30 billion, according to a consensus survey by Thomson Reuters." Market Watch also says that those numbers would be stronger than those the company posted in the same time period last year, which were lower by 13 cents per share and $1.2 billion.

Analysts, according to The Street, are rating HP as a "buy" on the strength of those and similar predictions, particularly in light of the company's slight downturn last month, which has pushed the share price into a more attractive area.

Experts say that the company's expected HP Slate tablet computer could make all the difference in making 2010 either a good or a bad year.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Still more new device drivers for Nexus One to be pushed out soon

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:08:41 GMT

While Google's Nexus One smartphone impressed reviewers with its capabilities at its release, the implementation of the device's touchscreen and 3G connection were less well-received. Users complained immediately of difficulties in connecting to T-Mobile's 3G network and the strange absence of multitouch support.

Google made great strides with a recent firmware update, which added multitouch support and made some progress on the 3G connectivity issue. Nevertheless, some network issues remain uncorrected and consumers have expressed irritation that network performance remains problematic on some devices.

PC hardware website Tom's Guide reports that Google could be planning to release another firmware update in the near future, which will be aimed at further improving 3G performance and adding a new level of support for Google Maps. Google's new social networking tool, Buzz, will also be implemented in the new update.

Experts say that the problems are due to spotty radio performance, which makes the Nexus One less able to connect to advanced wireless networks that provide the data rates necessary for smooth smartphone functionality.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Philadelphia T-Mobile users will be offered mobile internet rocketship

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:08:06 GMT

Telecom service provider T-Mobile will provide options for high-speed mobile internet access to its customers in the Philadelphia area, using specialized network card drivers provided by a new USB device.

The company made the announcement at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, and said that the webConnect Rocket - as the new device is called - will take advantage of T-Mobile's high-speed packet access evolved network already in place in Philadelphia, and will also provide data access over the company's existing 3G networks.

The HSPA+ network is in direct competition with Sprint and Clearwire's 4G wireless network, called WiMAX, which is currently operational in more markets than T-Mobile's offering. However, tech blogger JK on the Run reports that HSPA+ appears to provide higher speeds than its competitor.

Mobile news website FierceWireless reports that the timing of the announcement is important, given the company's plans to announce its fourth quarter financial results for 2009 next week. T-Mobile was plagued by connectivity issues and user dissatisfaction, and the results are not expected to provide much good news for the smallest of the "big four" wireless networks in the U.S.

Written by James Arndale

New survey says that netbooks aren't viewed as laptop replacements

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:07:34 GMT

The results of a study conducted by Experian subsidiary Pricegrabber seem to indicate that more than half of American consumers do not regard netbooks as a feasible replacement for standard-size laptop PCs, and that almost two-thirds view the role of the netbook as a complementary device to other computers.

However, netbook ownership is on the rise, according to the study, rising to 15 percent of those surveyed from 10 percent in a similar study done the previous year. Pricegrabber reports that 11 percent of online consumers said they planned to purchase a netbook in the coming year.

Netbooks have also exerted an influence on the mobile computing world overall, acting as drivers of lower prices across the board, the study showed. "Survey data reveals a significant difference between the dollar amount consumers are willing to pay for their next computing device and the amount they paid for their last device," the company reported.

Experts say that new form factors and increased capabilities could yet see wider adoption of the netbook model.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Gates says iPad isn't all its cracked up to be

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:15:28 GMT

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has offered measured criticism of Apple's new iPad tablet PC, telling BNet's Brent Schlender that "it's not like I sit there and feel the same way I did with iPhone where I say, 'Oh my God, Microsoft didn't aim high enough.' It's a nice reader, but there's nothing on the iPad I look at and say, 'Oh, I wish Microsoft had done it.'"

Schlender's own analysis runs along similar lines. He writes that the iPad gives the distinct impression of having been pushed out too soon, questioning the lack of digital magazine support, 3G connectivity, and mobile TV services at the device's launch.

Schlender says that "so I can't help but wonder: Does the iPad unveiling mark a pivotal point after which Apple is perceived as too cocksure for its own good?" May experts agree that, while fanfare for the device's launch hit its usual deafening pitch, the product itself was more than a little underwhelming.

Others, however, like CNET's Brooke Crothers, say that Gates and other critics could be singing a different tune if the iPad takes off after a few tweaks.

Written by James Arndale

Intel Core i5 chips pushing laptop speeds higher

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:14:13 GMT

The recent release of a new set of Core i-series chips by Intel has drawn rave reviews from tech experts, who say that the Core i5 represents an excellent balance between portable energy efficiency and processing muscle.

Hardware website AnandTech reports that "hyper-threading brings the many of the benefits of having a quad-core processor without the added power consumption. Turbo is also extremely useful in mobile since it's one of the most TDP-constrained environments you can imagine." AnandTech also points out that the integrated graphics processing hardware in the Core i5 is a significant step up from previous efforts.

Brooke Crothers, writing at CNET, says that Apple's failure - so far - to produce computers based on the new hardware and drivers could be a serious problem, as the Core 2 Duo chips powering the company's current top designs are beginning to show their age.

The early success of the Core i5, analysts say, could be a sign that Intel is beginning to reassert its dominance in the microchip market, after having lost several costly legal battles and minor amounts of market share to rival AMD.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

HP jumps into smartbook market with announcement of AirLife

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:13:38 GMT

Nestled between the smartphone and the netbook on the spectrum of portable computing devices, the smartbook is a hybrid device type only beginning to be recognized by electronics makers. Hewlett-Packard continued that progress with this weekend's roll-out of the Compaq AirLife 100.

Instead of Windows or Linux, the AirLife uses the same operating system and device drivers as many smartphones, Google Android. The AirLife's screen will measure 10.1 inches, be touch-sensitive, and be able to display images at a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. The keyboard will be 92 percent as large as a standard-size, and will include a touch pad.

Internally, the AirLife will be powered by the same 1 GHz Snapdragon processor that run's Google's Nexus One smartphone. The AirLife will contain 16 GB of storage space, the ability to connect to both cellular data networks and Wi-Fi, and be capable of running for 10 hours on battery power.

Different device configurations have been seen at the smartbook scale of electronics design, including high-profile efforts like Apple's iPad tablet PC.

Written by James Arndale

Camera device drivers nab suspected laptop thief

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:35:30 GMT

When schools in the Portland, Oregon area were fed up with a string of laptop thefts over the course of recent months, they tried a creative solution.

Gadget Trak software - which costs $25 per year - uses Wi-Fi to triangulate the location of a computer on which it is installed, not GPS as some might assume. The system is accurate to within roughly 10 feet, making it easy for Gadget Trak to narrow down the possible location of a stolen laptop to a single domicile.

A machine left unattended - but with Gadget Trak installed - was stolen from Gabriel Park Elementary in Portland last month, but was tracked immediately to a house in Vancouver after it was reported missing. The particular computer taken had an onboard webcam, which Gadget Trak was able to use to capture a mug shot of the suspected thief.

Experts say that laptop theft is a constant problem due to confluence of two main factors: Laptops are both easy to steal and highly valuable, with many expensive electronic components in a portable package.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Nvidia releases on-the-fly switching drivers for laptop graphics

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:20:42 GMT

Graphics card maker Nvidia has rolled out Optimus technology, which allows for fluid, automatic switching between graphics modes on laptops with both integrated and discrete graphics processors.

The basic idea behind dual-mode graphics for a laptop is a simple one: The computer uses integrated graphics while running applications that aren't particularly graphics-intensive, like web browsers or word processors. The user can then turn on the power-gulping discrete graphics processor when playing games or doing other GPU-intensive tasks.

The problem, reports CNET, is in the application. Until the Optimus system, dual-mode graphical options required a user to manually switch between integrated and discrete graphics options, which lessened the overall power saving realized from the system.

Asus was the first PC maker to announce new laptops using the Optimus system, rolling out five models earlier this week that ranged from ultrathins to high-end desktop replacements, according to PC World. The magazine also says that the Optimus system worked as advertised in their tests, running high-end applications efficiently while still maintaining extensive battery life in endurance trials.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

We wish to welcome you to UMID land - new micro-netbook now for sale

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:21:39 GMT

Hardware manufacturer Dynamism is selling possibly the smallest netbook of them all: the UMID mBook, which weighs in at 0.8 pounds, measures roughly 6 by 4 by 1 inches and sports a 1024 x 600-resolution screen measuring just 4.8 inches.

Mobile tech blog JK on the Run says that "I have only been using the mBook for a few hours and I must admit I am finding it more useful than I thought I would. It is so small that I didn’t think the keyboard would be useful. I am finding that is not the case, and I have gotten a lot of good use out of the keyboard."

The mBook uses an Intel Atom low-power processor, 512 MB of RAM, a 16 GB solid-state hard drive, and an onboard 1.2-megapixel webcam, making it, analysts say, at least comparable to much larger netbooks.

However, the extreme form factor comes at a cost: Dynamism sells the mBook for around $550, which is far more than a larger netbook of similar capabilities would go for. While the touch-sensitive nature of the mBook's screen partially accounts for this, the small size is clearly the premium item on sale here.

Written by James Arndale

Asus releases high-powered gaming laptop

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:21:01 GMT

PC maker Asus has released its G73JH-X1 gaming laptop to retailers in the U.S., which packs high performance, sleek styling, and a 17.3-inch display - but be prepared to pay more than $1,400 for the privilege.

The G73JH-X1's stats are impressive, experts say. It uses an Intel Core i7 720QM quad-core processor and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 graphics card as drivers of top-end performance. The machine also contains up to 8 GB of DDR3 RAM, a 500 GB hard drive, and a DVD burner, completing the potent hardware suite.

The large display, according to tech blog Laptoping, will be fully HD capable, at 1920 x 1080 pixels of resolution. While the device does not include a Blu-Ray player, it does come equipped with a 2.0-megapixel webcam, 802.11b/g/n wireless internet connectivity, and a robust array of ports and connectors.

The portable gaming market has been a hot one in recent months, as other companies have launched their own products. Alienware's M11X gaming netbook was one of the most noteworthy of the newcomers, combining power with energy efficiency and a small form factor.

Written by James Arndale

Drivers, start your cooling pads: Belkin trots out lap-saving laptop device

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:08:27 GMT

Appliance maker Belkin has announced plans to release a sleek new single-fan laptop cooling pad powered by USB. The new accessory will be available at retailers in April, but Amazon.com is already taking pre-orders.

Uncomfortable heat buildup has long been balanced against the portability of the laptop computer. The internal workings of a computer with even modest capabilities generate significant quantities of waste heat, which the machine attempts to vent via a fan. Unfortunately, this means users without a handy desk or table are forced to work with a red-hot computer on their laps.

Belkin says that the newly-added Airflow Wing's design is intended to allow hot air to float up and away from the laptop, thusly improving the user's experience with his or her laptop.

However, comfort is not the only problem that the Belkin and other laptop cooling pads attempt to solve: Experts say that excessive heat buildup can damage the delicate internal components of a PC, resulting in shutdowns or even permanent harm to the computer.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Microsoft says that Windows 7 isn't to blame for battery woes

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:07:59 GMT

Computing giant Microsoft says that a notification to laptop users that their battery might need replacing is not the fault of its drivers, but rather a simple indication that the batteries themselves are ready to fail.

"This data would confirm our point of view that we are seeing nothing more than the normal course of battery degradation over time. The transparency provided in this new Windows 7 feature produced a notice that previously was not available to customers and did so shortly after upgrade," writes Steven Sinofsky, Windows Live president.

Microsoft, essentially, says that the new version of Windows measures battery conditions in more detail than previous ones, and that the notifications are accurate.

Windows 7 users have been flooding online forums in recent weeks, with many making claims that the new OS has drastically curtailed their computer's battery life. But the company says that laptop batteries are less able to hold a full charge after just 12 months of use, implying that it was the hardware, rather than their software, that is to blame.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Lawsuit against Dell over allegedly defective laptop parts reinstated

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:04:41 GMT

A 2006 lawsuit against PC maker Dell, alleging that the company knowingly shipped defective laptops and drivers to paying customers - and which had been dismissed in 2008 - is back on track as of this week, with the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the original judge should not have dismissed the case.

Tech news website Channel Register says that "three [Dell] Inspiron owners … complained that their laptops' cooling systems were inadequate, that their power supplies and cooling systems failed prematurely under normal use, and that their batteries either failed to charge or would only hold a charge for a short time."

The case was originally dismissed because the original judge chose to enforce a provision in Dell's sales agreement mandating arbitration in such a case. However, this judgement was overturned this week, with Judge Lyle Strom calling the lower court's actions "unconscionable."

Experts say that Dell generally placed around the middle of the pack in several recent laptop reliability studies, the results of which have been occasionally questioned by companies on the low end.

Written by Mark Hobbs

More than a pipe dream: Transparent-screened Samsung portable could retail this year

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:37:15 GMT

When South Korean electronics giant Samsung debuted a laptop with a transparent monitor at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, most tech pundits assumed that the device was a showcase for the advanced display drivers required to accomplish such a feat, not a product nearly ready for market.

It seems, however, that they were wrong: PlusPlasticeElectronics, an industry publication, reports that the exotic device could hit the shelves within 12 months. No pricing information is available, but the OLED-screened machines will likely not come cheap, experts say.

The company is also planning to release a series of digital music players that incorporate the technology - dubbed IceTouch - in the U.S., which will retail for more than $330 and is due to be released before mid-2010.

Engadget's Vladislav Savov speculates that car satellite navigation units could be next on the agenda, taking advantage of the translucent screens to improve visibility while providing legible directions for drivers. Other experts, however, question the device's utility in some applications, asking what is actually accomplished by a transparent screen.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Logitech wireless app uses device drivers to turn Apple smartphones into mouse and keyboard

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:27:21 GMT

A new wireless application for the iPhone or iPod touch can turn those devices into a type of wireless trackpad, using them to replace both keyboard and mouse for a desktop computer.

Mobile applications blog Appmodo writes that the app can be used from "anywhere in the house" to control a desktop PC. Appmodo also reports that the app provides multitouch capability for simulating a mouse with up to three buttons and the ability to show or hide the keyboard via a simple command. The app will run on Windows XP, Vista, and 7, along with Mac OS X.

Lifehacker comments that "while such an arrangement isn't a practical replacement for a full-out wireless keyboard, it is a great tool for presentations or for pairing with one of the awesome media centers we've highlighted."

Analysts say that apps like the new one from Logitech are part of a shift towards greater interoperability for digital devices, a trend which began with Bluetooth connections for computers and appliances.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Asus looks to supplant Toshiba and Lenovo in portable PCs

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:26:43 GMT

Electronics manufacturer Asus is attempting to shake up the laptop landscape: Shien-yueh Hsu, the head of the company's notebook division, told Digitimes that Asus would be aiming for 20 million units to be shipped 2010.

Digitimes reports that, of the 20 million projected sales, the company said that 12 million would be standard-size notebooks and the rest would be Eee PC netbooks. The latter devices contributed to the nearly 80 percent rise in netbook sales worldwide in 2009, according to Strategy Analytics.

Matthew DeCarlo, writing at TechSpot, asserts that Asus will have more than a little competition in trying to climb the pecking order of laptop vendors, "considering Acer's determination to oust HP from the number one position."

Experts say that Asus' quick rollout of USB 3.0-capable devices, coupled with the aforementioned strong growth in the netbook market over the course of the past year, could prove decisive in the company's race to the top. A shift towards the use of proprietary technology could help as well, as Digitimes notes that the company is planning a shift to equipment made by its own subsidiaries from those made by third-party OEM NEC.

Written by James Arndale

HP to glam up budget laptop line with slick new G62t

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:26:00 GMT

PC maker Hewlett-Packard announced this week that it would add a new model to its G60 line of laptops, albeit one with more style than the average budget laptop. The G62t will feature refined styling, as well as hardware and drivers more in line with the company's Envy line of luxury portables.

The base-price G62t will feature an Intel Core i3 processor, and will have the option to upgrade to a Core i5 or i7 for increased performance. Other standard features will include 3 GB of DDR3 RAM and up to 500 GB of storage space, according to tech blog Nexus 404.

Engadget comments that the G62t looks less like its siblings in the relatively staid G60 family and more like HP's high-end Envy machines, but retains the price point of the former: The G62t will start at $599, the company says.

While it's clearly not a perfect device - Engadget points out the non-upgradeable Intel HD integrated graphics - experts like those at Nexus 404 say that adding a touch of class to the G60 family "could pay dividends for HP."

Written by Mark Hobbs

ATI releases open-source graphics drivers for Evergreen hardware

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:24:15 GMT

Although the high-end graphics cards were released months ago, ATI just this week announced the availability of open-source drivers for the Evergreen family of devices.

The current generation of ATI open-source drivers offers no EXA acceleration support, and does not work with either Mesa or Gallium 3D, according to a report from Michael Larabel posted on hardware news site Phoronix. However, that site also reports that Alex Deucher - the programmer who wrote most of the code - has said that some functionality is still not working correctly.

Evergreen - also known as the ATI Radeon 5000 series of graphics cards - has been commercially available since September, according to the Inquirer, which also says that the new DDX firmware works correctly with mode setting on the Radeon 5000-series GPUs.

DirectX 11 support is still an issue for many hardware providers, but the increasing prevalence of and strong sales numbers for Windows 7 means that there should be greater impetus to integrate the driver functionality in all new GPU platforms, experts say.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Silverlight driver framework might have to save WinMo: Expert

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:12:15 GMT

Microsoft's Silverlight application platform could be the critical factor in the continued viability of the company's Windows Mobile OS, according to Emil Protalinski, writing at Ars Technica.

Protalinksi writes that there are factors militating against widespread Silverlight acceptance: "From the little that we've seen Silverlight used, we have to say it's very powerful. Some may think it's too resource-intensive for the mobile world, at least in its current form, and we would have to agree."

However, Protalinski also points out that, since Flash - a similar type of driver framework and app platform - has been ported to everything but the iPhone, it's surely not impossible for Silverlight on mobile devices to be viable. Since the iPhone has some of the most high-end computing hardware on the market, it's surely not a matter of processing capacity.

There is still little to no information on when any possible mobile implementation of Silverlight could appear on smartphones, since the most recent information from Microsoft states that the company plans "to release the final version in 2009," according to FAQ information posted on the website.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Google's tablet offerings will be very different from the iPad, expert says

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:05:07 GMT

While Apple's iPad attempts to fill the gap between laptops and cell phones with the perfect hardware, Google will rely instead on a creative framework with its Chrome OS, according to CNET's Stephen Shankland.

Shankland writes that "instead of programs running straight on the computer's hardware and its underlying Linux operating system, Chrome OS applications run directly in the browser." Google's emphasis on remote processing and data storage makes Chrome OS, in effect, the first cloud computing operating system.

TechCrunch's MG Siegler writes that "whereas Apple is anti-netbook, Google is very pro-netbook - they just want to make them better." Hence, Siegler says, Chrome OS. While the companies' approaches to the in-between market are radically different, both of them represent a highly novel approach to computing that consumers could take some time to get used to.

Google and Apple have been increasingly at odds of late, as Apple switches the iPhone's default search provider to Bing and the companies engage in a mostly behind-the-scenes feud over multitouch device drivers.

Written by James Arndale

Advanced display drivers enable Microsoft's Tag smartphone app

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:03:52 GMT

One of Microsoft's latest new technologies is a bold attempt to connect the web with print media: An application that transforms a cell phone camera into effectively a bar code reader, which scans specially crafted tags in print media to call up specified web content on the phone.

Microsoft's Brent Ingraham recently demonstrated the technology in a video recorded for CNET. Tag recognition doesn't require any specialized hardware, he says, and the app that enables the function is capable of running on anything from a stripped-down feature phone to the latest feature-packed smartphone.

The technology is currently available at no cost, CNET reports, and publishers interested in trying the system out are free to simply log into Microsoft's Tag web portal and begin creating tags at their leisure. The necessary software is also free to download via push or mobile download.

Microsoft marketing director of online services Marja Koopmans told CNET that "it's the hyperlink in the real world." Experts say that there is no shortage of potential applications for the system.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

If at first you don't succeed: Apple tries again to patch flicker issues for iMac

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:02:37 GMT

Apple has released another set of updated display drivers in the hopes of repairing the issues experienced by users of 27-inch all-in-one iMac desktop PCs.

The electronics manufacturer had previously attempted a fix for the problems, which manifest as screen flickering and random changes in display brightness levels. Apple blamed the issue on buggy firmware for the ATI Radeon HD 4670 and 4850 display adapters fitted to the iMacs, according to PC World.

The previous fix did not appear to have the desired effect, users said, complaining that the flickering and brightness problems remained after the patch was applied. PC World also reported that another display problem - a strange yellowish color seeping into the display from either the sides or bottom - remained unresolved by even the updated patch, and that Apple had yet to even acknowledge the problem.

ZDNet's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes accuses Apple of trying to "bury the problem," citing a leaked customer service memo that instructed the company's tech support staff not to admit the problem's existence.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Dell slashes laptop prices for high-end offerings

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:21:35 GMT

PC manufacturer Dell has sharply reduced its prices for its exclusive Adamo laptop line, with the Desire down to $1,800 from over $2,500 and the Aspire down to $1,000 from nearly $2,000.

The Aspire incorporates an Intel Core 2 Duo processor running at 1.4 GHz, 2 GB of memory, a 128 GB solid-state hard drive, and integrated graphics drivers. The Desire packs more muscle: 2.1 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, maximum 4 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD hard drive.

Softpedia speculates that the Adamo line will now be in direct competition with rival HP's Envy series of laptops. The tech news website says that Dell's machines will be cheaper, but that the Envys are equipped with high-end graphics cards, making them the better choice for gaming.

Laptop prices have plummeted in recent months, but PC makers have adjusted, offering a wide variety of less-expensive devices that have seen high sales volumes. The market for high-end devices like the Adamo is less certain, experts say, though recent releases from Alienware suggest that there may still be demand for high-powered laptops.

New line of ULV processors to be drivers of higher laptop power efficiency

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:21:04 GMT

CNET reports that microchip maker Intel is slated to release a new line of ultra-low-voltage processors that will significantly reduce power usage in laptop computers.

Brooke Crothers, writing for the tech news site, says that Intel will roll out the Core i5-520UM and i7-640UM chips early this month. Intel had already introduced the standard-power versions of the Core i3, i5, and i7 laptop processors at the Consumer Electronics Show last month, Crothers says.

"A Core i chip rated at 18 watts will now be considered a ULV processor, compared with the 10-watt rating of the older Core 2 technology. This is done to account for the additional power load of the graphics circuits that, before, were in a separate chip package called the chipset," according to Crothers. He further reports that PC makers using older versions of Intel's ULV hardware are being reduced sharply in price.

Intel maintains its dominant position in the microchip manufacturing sector, but legal issues and resurgent competition from Advanced Micro Devices could eat into the company's lead, analysts say.

Battery life takes a hit from Windows upgrade

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:36:08 GMT

Numerous users who upgraded their laptop PCs to Windows 7 from Vista have reported drastically reduced battery life when using the new OS, according to UK-based tech news website Channel Register.

That website reports that the issue seems to come from a set of drivers that is designed to alert users when their battery requires replacement. The alert, users say, sometimes appears time and again, even when there is nothing wrong with the battery, and can even cause the computer to shut down due to a perceived lack of battery life.

Some users have said that the problem has been present since early beta versions of the operating system. However, other users insist that nothing was wrong until they installed the released-to-manufacturers version.

Microsoft told Channel Register in a statement that "the warning received in Windows 7 uses firmware information to determine if battery replacement is needed. We are working with our partners to determine the root cause and will update the [Technet] forum with information and guidance as it becomes available."

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Windows 7, cost-cutting drivers of record quarter for Microsoft

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:35:25 GMT

Sales of Windows 7 and the aftereffects of streamlining done during the recent economic downturn propelled Microsoft's revenues to a new record high of more than $19 billion.

Microsoft CFO Peter Klein told Ars Technica that "exceptional demand for Windows 7 led to the positive top-line growth for the company," and that "our continuing commitment to managing costs allowed us to drive earnings performance ahead of the revenue growth."

The company said that it had already sold more than 60 million licenses for its new Windows 7 operating system, which was released in late November 2009. The OS has garnered generally positive reviews, which stand in stark contrast to those given to the company's previous OS offering, Windows Vista.

Microsoft's reported net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 was $6.66 billion, with those profits driven mostly by Windows 7 sales and deferred revenue from pre-sales of Windows 7-powered PCs. Experts say that the company's planned forays into cloud computing could make the Redmond giant even more profitable in the coming months.

Written by Mark Hobbs

World's beefiest netbook to cost $799

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:34:46 GMT

It should come as no surprise to those familiar with the company that Alienware's entry into the netbook market packs dedicated graphics drivers and a powerful CPU into a small package. What may be more surprising, however, is that users won't have to sell a kidney to afford one - the M11x netbook that Alienware unveiled at CES will cost $799.

Maximum PC describes the M11x as "a sorta netbook," apparently feeling that the term rests lightly upon a device that features an Nvidia GT335M graphics chipset and an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. That website also says that the M11x is "in the upper realm of netbook size with an 11.6-inch screen, and [weighing] in at a rather hefty 4.5 lbs."

However, the device does have some undeniably netbook-esque features, including strong battery life provided by a set of scalable graphics drivers. When not being used for graphically intensive tasks, the M11x switches to much lower-power integrated systems to extend the battery's charge.

Tech blog UberGizmo reports that the M11x was five years in development, but that the end results have not disappointed.

Written by Mark Hobbs

iPad display more like iTube, experts say

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:32:58 GMT

Apple's new iPad tablet PC has a display that shares more technology with flatscreen TVs than with traditional PC displays.

Principal iSuppli analyst Vinita Jakhanwal told Wired that "the iPad's display uses the same capacitive touchscreen technology as the iPhone and iPod Touch, At the same time, it offers a better picture quality than conventional LCDs."

Wired reports that the iPad's screen uses advanced display drivers to implement a technology called in-plane switching, which makes the screen viewable from a much broader range of angles than common computer or smartphone displays. "In IPS LCD screens, the crystal molecules are oriented so their motion is parallel to the panel, instead of perpendicular to it. For viewers, the result is a very wide viewing angle - up to 180 degrees - with brilliant color," Wired writes.

The iPad's display capabilities have won mixed reviews, with many praising its sharp resolution and what Gather.com called its "vivid color," but others lamented the device's lack of support for Flash video and the lack of an OLED option due to a shortage of production capability.

Written by James Arndale

New report shows that UK laptop complaints shot up sharply in 2009

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:47:42 GMT

A report released by the UK's Office of Fair Trading's Consumer Direct division shows that complaints about laptop computers jumped 42 percent over the past year.

The data show that 12,395 complaints about laptops were fielded by Consumer Direct in 2009. Consumer Direct director David Fisher told V3.co.uk that "while total complaint levels dropped slightly in 2009, complaints about some goods such as laptops and TVs rose significantly." But Fisher added that "in some cases this may reflect growing sales for particular products rather than a higher percentage of faulty goods or services."

Nevertheless, other data show that some PC makers may well have been drivers of this consumer discontent. PC World reports that "laptop PCs were one of the most trouble-prone sectors of the high-tech world, with 30.9 percent of respondents reporting that they had encountered at least one significant problem with their laptop." Hewlett-Packard and Dell were among the worst offenders, with Apple and Toshiba causing the fewest problems.

Ensuring that computers are free from driver compatibility issues can help improve functionality and avoid problems down the road, experts say.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Competition for the iPad already - MSI prepares second-half release of tablet PC

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:46:57 GMT

Electronics manufacturer MSI company sales director told Asian tech publication DigiTimes that the company would release a $500 tablet PC in the second half of 2010, the first known direct competition for Apple's recently launched iPad tablet.

The iPad's lack of multitasking capability, some pundits speculated, could be its Achilles' heel. Two of the industries where tablet PCs have been the most popular, construction and medicine, require multitasking capability and customizability, writes Ann All at IT Business Edge.

Therefore, the MSI device's rumored use of the Android OS - well-known for its multitasking and open-source structure - could be a sign that the device is aimed squarely at one of the iPad's few apparent weak points. Ars Technica reports, as well, that the MSI tablet should be at least the equal of the iPad for raw computing ability.

Experts say that Apple devices have always had the reputation of being poorly designed to succeed in the enterprise market, though the iPhone has recently been one of the drivers of increased smartphone adoption. The iPad may not see the same level of success, however.

Written by James Arndale

Microsoft edges closer to confirming Zune phone

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:45:47 GMT

New device drivers released for Microsoft's Zune HD flew more or less under the radar of the major tech news websites - especially given the perfect storm of publicity surrounding Apple's iPad - but some analysts say that the company may have given away hints about its own rumored device, the Zune phone.

UK-based tech news website The Register writes that the Zune.inf file for the update contains a registry entry for something called "phone.device," in addition to the various other updates to the Zune's drivers.

As if this were not enough - possibly the entry was made on behalf of a partner OEM - Long Zheng at tech blog istartedsomething says that the associated hardware IDs clearly mark the device as being made by Microsoft itself.

Gizmodo reports that Microsoft called the recent release a "maintenance update," which included updated video drivers for the Zune HD and improved codec support for video playback, in addition to the tantalizing hints at the new device. The Zune HD will now be able to play back Xvid, Divx and AVI videos.

Apple's iPad further blurs the lines between device types

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:45:05 GMT

As Apple CEO Steve Jobs asked his audience at yesterday's launch of the long-awaited iPad tablet PC, "is there room for a third device, something between the phone and the laptop?" There is, as yet, no definitive answer, but the question has certainly touched off a debate within the tech punditry.

Jobs asserted that, to differentiate itself from the pack, such a device would have to be able to perform seven key tasks much better than its competition: browsing, photos, email, music, video, ebooks, and games.

In response, Michael J. Miller wrote a point-by-point review of the iPad in PC Magazine. He found that, in his opinion, the iPad only represented a revolutionary improvement in two of the seven areas, photos and ebooks, with strong possibilities for web browsing. (The iPad's display drivers do not support Flash video, which colored Miller's review.)

Experts say that the new device could struggle with this issue, as Apple tries to find a space between the smartphone and netbook form factors for the consumer marketplace.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Bug in graphics card drivers throws wrench into overclocking, but Nvidia rolls out quick fix

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:16:34 GMT

A flaw in Nvidia's GeForce graphics card drivers that caused users to be unable to overclock their devices has been fixed with the release of a 196.34 beta version of the necessary firmware, Maximum PC reports.

The computing news website says that "other than the overclocking fix, the beta driver doesn't appear to bring anything else new to the table, or at least Nvidia hasn't listed any other improvements."

Version 196.21 of the company's GeForce drivers were released earlier this week, according to Tom's Hardware, which also reported that the new drivers offer some new features, including "SLI and multi-GPU support for many new gaming titles as well as upgraded PhysX System Software to version 9.09.1112." The site sagely added that "as with any new software, there's always the chance of a bug that'll cause some unintended results."

Increasingly advanced graphics processing technology has made for a more competitive GPU marketplace, experts say, though there is as yet no word on how the driver issues will affect Nvidia's sales.

PlayStation 3 hacked - finally

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:52:08 GMT

Hacker George Hotz - well-known for his successful hacks of the iPhone's OS - has cracked the PlayStation 3's drivers and operating system, a feat of programming that had never before been accomplished.

Hotz announced his exploit late last week on his personal blog, in an entry that has accumulated 632 comments as of Tuesday evening. "I have read/write access to the entire system memory, and HV level access to the processor. In other words, I have hacked the PS3," Hotz wrote.

The hack took Hotz - who goes by the online handle "GeoHot" - five weeks of dedicated work, during which he kept followers updated by means of a Twitter feed and frequent blog updates. He has not, as yet, released full technical details of the hack.

The Escapist Magazine reports that one of the PS3's selling points in the competitive video game console market was that it was "effectively immune to piracy." That no longer being the case, it seems, time will tell how Hotz's latest hack will affect Sony's share of the video game console market.

Written by James Arndale

Hibernating machines can wake up easier than sleeping ones

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:51:41 GMT

Power settings for laptop PCs can be confusing to non-expert users, and using the incorrect ones frequently leads to an unwanted diminution of battery life. By contrast, writes PC World blogger Rick Broida, correct power settings can be the drivers of extended use time for laptops - and of fewer headaches for their users.

Broida says that most users should set their computers to hibernate instead of sleep when the lid is closed. A sleeping computer, he writes, is in a low-power state, but "continues to consume battery power, so it's not uncommon to return to a 'sleeping' PC to find that it's just plain dead."

On the other hand, Broida writes, hibernating PCs are actually shut down, with the current system state saved to a temporary file on the device's hard drive. As a consequence, the hibernating computer doesn't use power and can rapidly reload the previous state without attendant irritations of sleep mode.

PC manufacturers are constantly trying to upgrade battery performance in their netbooks and notebooks, as well their reliability: Almost all of the recent product recalls in the industry have been related to battery problems.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Reports: Microchip market roaring back as AMD takes market share from Intel

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:50:44 GMT

Tech researcher IDC has released the results of a study showing that PC processor shipments rose in the fourth quarter of 2009, reaching record levels of demand over 30 percent above those seen in the equivalent period of 2008.

The report says that Advanced Micro Devices, long the second fiddle in the microprocessor market to rival Intel, went from having 17.7 percent of the CPU market in the fourth quarter of 2008 to 19.7 percent over the same time period last year. IDC also says that the drivers of AMD's market share gain in the first quarter of 2009 were severe slumps in sales of Intel's Atom processor.

Intel is still very much the dominant player in the microprocessor manufacturing sector, responsible for roughly 80 percent of the chips sold in the global marketplace, the report stated. IDC also reported that it had raised its target for microprocessor sales gains to 15.1 percent in 2010 compared to 2009.

Experts say that legal issues played a role in the chip market in 2009, as lawsuits flew between Intel and AMD.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

$100k laptop prototype stolen from Apple?

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Community information website Zirana reported that a prototype laptop computer worth about $100,000 was stolen from Apple's labs in Cupertino, California at some point last year, and that the suspect was quickly apprehended.

No information was available about the prototype device that was alleged to have been stolen, nor a more exact date for the alleged incident. The obvious inference that some tech pundits have made - that the purported theft was of a prototype of the tablet PC that Apple is widely expected to announce this week - has as yet, no evidence but that of Zirana's report.

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) calls the veracity of the report into question, saying that the content on Zirana's website did not draw on official police reports and could not be verified. Apple, for its part, has issued neither a confirmation nor a denial of the incident.

Apple is, however, notorious for its code of silence about upcoming product releases, and the company strictly controls information about prospective products - allowing rumors of all sorts to swirl and become drivers of considerable online buzz.

Written by James Arndale

Laptop programs can be drivers of higher test scores: Report

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:55:23 GMT

One -to-one computing programs - those which ensure a ratio of one laptop for each student - can significantly boost academic achievement, according to a study in the Journal of Technology, Learning, and Assessment. The Journal cautions, however, that the path to success for such programs is not a simple one.

Among the findings of the study were that little research has been done on the effectiveness of laptop purchasing programs for schools, despite the increasing prevalence of such programs. Difficulties in studying the problem - finding control groups is particularly problematic - have contributed to the dearth of data available.

Nevertheless, write Boston College professors and study authors Damian Bebell and Laura O'Dwyer, one-to-one computing models are a revolutionary possibility for education. They say, though, ratios like one-to-one describe only the amount of computing power in educators' hands, not the uses to which it is being put.

Student laptop programs are becoming increasingly common across the country, and some PC makers have attacked the problem of cost from their end, attempting to design economical laptops that cash-strapped school boards can afford to purchase.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Microsoft CEO to Macbook-toting fan: 'Need a new one?'

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:53:46 GMT

Steve Ballmer, the hyper-demonstrative CEO of Microsoft who took over for company founder Bill Gates a decade ago, acquiesced to a tongue-in-cheek request from a fan to sign a Macbook Pro laptop. Ballmer signed his name and added the sarcastic quip, "need a new one?"

The incident occurred late last week at an event Ballmer attended at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee, which was part of a series in which Ballmer discusses how Microsoft can solve problems for specific industries.

Austrialia's Sydney Morning Herald writes that "Ballmer's craziness has morphed from bizarre to almost endearing, with tech fans expecting him to go wild whenever he gets on stage." A Twitter post from a Microsoft employee about the incident said that "you just don't pick up the CEO of Chevy in a BMW."

Ballmer is widely known in the tech industry for his constantly sky-high energy level and frequently choleric temper, and the incident with the Macbook Pro is just one in the series of stories that have become drivers of his larger-than-life public persona. Video of Ballmer at company events frequently captures the large man traipsing around the stage and shouting.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Fujitsu demos Windows 7 laptop that fits in your pocket

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:48:36 GMT

Japanese PC maker Fujitsu announced that it will release the Loox U next month in Japan, Asia, and the U.S. The tiny Loox U will fit in a pocket but still have many of the same capabilities as a full-sized laptop.

Most versions of the device will run Windows 7 Home Premium, and will be powered by an Intel Atom processor running at 1.3, 1.6, or 2.0 GHz, depending on the model. The Loox U will contain 2 GB RAM as a standard for the Windows 7 models, though a lone model running Windows XP will ship with just 1 GB.

Storage will be available in either 32 GB or 64 GB solid-state hard drives, and the Loox U will sport a 5.6-inch touchscreen with drivers capable of displaying 1280 x 800-resolution images.

The Loox U is already on sale in Hong Kong, though the prices are even higher than the premium that U.S. users will be expected to pay - the tiny device will weigh a little less than half a kilogram, but will lighten wallets to the tune of $1,100 for the Windows 7 models and $988 for the Windows XP model.

Written by James Arndale

Unreleased Apple tablet nonetheless strangling laptop sales

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:47:41 GMT

The many rumors surrounding the impending release of Apple's tablet PC have been the primary drivers of slumping laptop PC sales, as consumers wait to see whether the much-discussed hybrid device will fit their needs.

Marketing researcher ChangeWave recently released the results of a survey in which they asked about the buying behavior of more than 3,300 prospective electronics consumers. Almost 20 percent of respondents said that they would be either "somewhat" or "very" likely to buy the device after it is released.

UK-based tech news site IT Pro Portal reported that the study demonstrated a marked decrease in the number of people looking to buy other types of PCs, since numerous potential buyers are waiting for the release of Apple's tablet.

Experts have warned that, in the enterprise market at least, Apple's tablet might not be the game-changer that it is expected to be, as the device is not expected to feature a physical keyboard and looks to be primarily designed for media and web use. However, the speculation and hype should make for at least an initial honeymoon for the device, analysts say.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Toshiba adds new 15.6-inch laptop to Tecra business line

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:57:56 GMT

PC maker Toshiba has released five new laptops designed for enterprise use, including a Tecra A11 that packs a number of upgraded features over the previous iterations of the model.

The Tecra A11's base configuration - which will retail for $879 - features an Intel Core i3 processor, 2 GB of DDR3 RAM, and 320 GB of hard drive space. Available upgrades include a Core i7 processor, 4 GB of RAM, and improved graphics drivers running on an Nvidia GeForce 210M GPU.

In addition to the Tecra A11, Toshiba also added a powerful new mobile workstation, which ZDNet says is targeted at engineers and designers. The Qosimo X500 will boast Intel Core i7 quad-core processing power, up to 8 GB of RAM and a potent Nvidia GeForce GTS 360M graphics processor sporting 1 GB of DDR5 memory. The starting price of the X500 will be $1,549, according to Information Week.

The other laptops - mostly smaller and less feature-heavy - will cost less than these two powerful machines, and will offer smaller form factors and longer battery life.

Deadlines missed, but Apple releases new Boot Camp version with Windows 7 drivers

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:58:41 GMT

Apple has released the new version of its Boot Camp utility, allowing users of Intel-powered Macs to run Windows on a separate hard disk partition for added utility and incorporating Windows 7 support for the first time.

Computer World reports that the company was originally scheduled to release Boot Camp 3.1 before the end of 2009, but the three-week delay went unexplained in Apple's official statement. The new version, along with Windows 7 support, adds a display driver upgrade for some Mac models and a utility which can be used to upgrade Vista installations to Windows 7 on machines already running Boot Camp.

However, Tech Spot reports that "some posters on Apple's Boot Camp discussion forum are reporting problems with the new version" of the software, which Computer World confirms. Issues are said to exist, with display drivers for ATI graphics cards a particular source of frustration.

Unlike some other Windows emulation options for the Mac, Boot Camp does not run both Windows and OS X simultaneously. Experts say that, while this inhibits easy switching, performance tends to be higher when running one OS at a time.

Written by Mark Hobbs

One Laptop Per Child program sending PCs to Haiti

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:58:08 GMT

A nonprofit organization that works to provide laptop computers to underprivileged children around the world as drivers of education and mobility is sending ruggedized versions of its XO netbook to Haiti as part of the relief effort.

Experts say that the Wi-Fi-enabled devices could prove a great help to the country, whose IT infrastructure was among many sectors brought to its knees by the powerful earthquake last week that is estimated to have killed at least 100,000. Tech news site eWeek Europe reports that OLPC will be joined in its efforts by cellular network Digicel, which plans to give $10 million worth of call credit to Haitians and aid workers at no charge.

However, OLPC's efforts were criticized by OLPC News - an unaffiliated site - which said that, while laptops were undoubtedly a generous item to donate, the people of Haiti desperately need more basic items than PCs.

OLPC News' Wayan Vota writes that "[in Haiti] internet access was minimal, even before the earthquake, and now it's almost non-existent. Haitians may not even have an email address or be literate. Add in that mobile phone networks will be up faster, and easier for people to use - the XO becomes a poor substitute."

Written by Mark Hobbs

Monkey installs ATI graphics card in desktop without MSCE certification

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:23:56 GMT

Graphics card maker ATI has released a video showing Louie - who appears to be a Capuchin monkey - removing the side panel of a tower PC, inserting a prominently branded ATI graphics card into the appropriate slot, and replacing the cover. (Presumably, someone helped Louie update his drivers afterwards.) As demonstrations go, this one was certainly memorable.

ATI has said that the idea was to show consumers how easy installing a new graphics card can be with modern technology, and PC World's Alessondra Springmann says that the video succeeded: "While most of GeekTech's readership could probably install graphics cards in their sleep, I'm sure that an ad like this one will appeal to consumers who are scared of opening their PC's case with a screwdriver."

Springmann writes that it took roughly a month to train Louie for his big moment, and that the footage was cut together from multiple takes. Nevertheless, she says, shooting was completed in a day.

ATI's parent company, Advanced Micro Devices, is hoping that Louie will be the latest in a string of boosts to its position in both the graphics card and CPU market.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

All that and a bag of microchips: Sony's Vaio Z wows the crowd

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:21:01 GMT

Laptop design, as a rule, requires trade-offs. Where desktop replacements sacrifice portability and battery life for powerful features, netbooks trade those features to maintain a small form factor. However, some tech pundits have stated that Sony has seemingly squared the circle with its new Vaio Z.

The laptop features a powerful Core i7 processor, up to 6 GB of DDR3 RAM, and a brawny 1 GB GeForce GT 330M graphics card, whose drivers can be manually or automatically set to power down and let the machine's integrated Intel graphics chipset take over for battery conservation.

PC Magazine reports that the new Vaio Z also features 1600 x 900-pixel resolution on a 13.3-inch screen, which is higher than most devices of that size. Additionally, the laptop will use up to four solid-state hard drives - synched into something similar to a RAID array - to provide as much as 256 GB of high data-rate storage.

However, experts say that the device does make one significant trade-off for its sleek form factor and high-end features: Trusted Reviews writes that the device will cost "a lot."

Written by James Arndale

PlayStation 3 device drivers crashing Blu-Ray drives

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:21:28 GMT

A firmware upgrade for Sony's PlayStation 3 gaming system has apparently caused problems for users, as numerous complaints have surfaced in recent days about the gaming system's Blu-Ray drive ceasing to function.

Version 3.10 of the PS3's firmware is said to be the problem, as long threads in online forums detail the dozens of users with what seem to be similar problems: Issues with the Blu-Ray drive leading to stuttering and freezing while playing games, particularly the recently released Modern Warfare 2.

While version 3.15 is the most recent version of the PS3 firmware, European gaming site The Sixth Axis says that upgrading to the latest firmware does not correct the problem, but Sony says that the firmware is "not to blame" for the performance issues.

Gizmodo speculates that the problems could stem from a number of issues, including anything from worn-out Blu-Ray diodes to firmware to a simple coincidence. A poster on the PlayStation forums guesses that the newer firmware runs the Blu-Ray drives faster than before and causes them to overheat, similar to the infamous "red ring of death" suffered by Xbox 360 users.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Report: Apple tablet PC already in production

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:20:59 GMT

Tech news website CNET says that Apple's rumored tablet PC is already being manufactured, citing sources at one of the firms making components for the device, which has still not been officially confirmed by Apple.

CNET also pointed to a research note from AVI Securities that came to light last week, which made specific assertions about the production quantities and projected sales of the widely hyped device. The researcher whose sources at the ostensible OEMs of the Apple tablet is also an employee of AVI Securities.

Tech blog Valleywag has offered $100,000 for proof of the device, which led to an angry letter from Apple lawyers, who claimed that the blog was incentivizing the "theft of Apple's trade secrets" and was "illegal." Valleywag responded by claiming that the cease-and-desist letter was, in and of itself, a strong indication that the device existed, and sent a tongue-in-cheek gag prize to the law firm that sent it.

The Cupertino, California-based computing company is notorious for the amount of secrecy surrounding its product launches, but experts say that Apple astutely exploits this tendency to provide drivers for internet buzz.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Pundits bemoan lack of 3G connectivity for MacBooks

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:20:07 GMT

While the sleekly designed MacBook occupies a distinct niche in the larger laptop market, some critics say that the lack of network card drivers for 3G access is a serious drawback in the design.

Peter Chubb, writing at Product Review News, says that competing PC manufacturers Hewlett-Packard and Dell include 3G as a standard option in notebooks in a similar price bracket, and that this has the potential to cut into sales of the MacBook. Chubb also expresses confusion that the high-end MacBook could lack a feature that many "cheap" notebooks possess.

CNET's Brooke Crothers concurs with Chubb, saying that the absence of 3G connectivity is "strange," but pointing out that rumors have indicated that the upcoming Apple tablet PC will include 3G. He calls the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro "take-with-you-anywhere laptops that cry out for 3G."

Cellular providers have struggled to cope with the rapid rise in demand for wireless data, and an influx of notebook PCs using the services as well could further strain the already taxed broadband pipelines.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Designer of laptops to take over as director of Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:50:52 GMT

Bill Moggridge, the design guru who created the modern form of the laptop computer, will take the reins at New York's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum as the institution goes through a retooling phase.

According to Media Bistro, Moggridge accepted the position "fresh off his 2009 National Design Award win for lifetime achievement." Moggridge is the founder of design firm IDEO, and will replace interim director Caroline Baumann, who has been in charge since the departure of Paul Warwick Thompson to head the UK's Royal College of Art, Media Bistro writes.

The Washington Post reports that Moggridge's Grid Compass - the first laptop to assume the now-universal form of a screen folding over the processing unit - was the designer's best-known achievement. Experts say that it was one of several drivers of the computing revolution that took place in the 1980s.

Media Bistro characterizes Moggridge as an ardent advocate of the idea that design is a valuable and important characteristic of everyday life, and the author of several books on design.

Expert: Device drivers can cause compatibility issues for Windows 7

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:47:54 GMT

The new version of Microsoft's ubiquitous Windows OS is widely regarded as a step up from its predecessor, the largely unsuccessful Windows Vista. And while Windows 7 can suffer from the same type of compatibility problems that plagued Vista, Loyd Case at tech website Tom's Hardware shows that the fix can be made more simply.

Case writes that Windows 7 provides a more "robust" array of troubleshooting options than Windows Vista did, and that this provides a less stressful user experience for maintaining the system. While the action center where Windows 7 collects potential alerts for the user is far less intrusive than Windows Vista's infamous user account control system, Case says that it should be customized to display alerts relevant to a particular user.

Using the example of a problem with a Firefox extension for VoIP service Skype, Case walks users through a typical troubleshooting process, all the while comparing it to the previous version.

Other experts say that Windows 7 is still as flawed a product as Vista, saying that the removal of user account control made the system less annoying, but also less safe.

Motorola boss says that multi-touch capability is on the way

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:22:15 GMT

Sanjay Jha, the CEO of mobile device maker Motorola, told Laptop magazine this week that display drivers that would enable multi-touch support for the company's devices were on their way.

Jha told the magazine that "there's a complex set of factors, not all of them technical. But I think you’ll see us being proactive on multitouch because the user feedback on multitouch is very good." Tech blog Phandroid says that the word "proactive" should give Android fans the most hope.

Phandroid writes that the "non-technical" reasons alluded to by Jha in the interview with Laptop magazine are not well understood. Some experts say that a recent flurry of patent lawsuits filed between tech companies might have something to do with the presence of multi-touch in the European versions of a number of Android-powered devices.

Engadget reports that Google Android boss Andy Rubin was disinclined to shed much light on the subject, responding to a query about future multi-touch support for Google's Nexus One smartphone with a brief "we'll consider it."

Written by Mark Hobbs

New wireless display drivers enable laptop-to-HDTV connectivity

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:05:10 GMT

OEM Netgear, at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, showed off its Push2TV wireless display adapter, which enables laptop users to stream 720p content directly to a properly equipped HDTV.

ZDNet writer Sean Portnoy says that the device "combines the streaming capabilities of similar home theater devices with the ability to see anything on your laptop screen without needing to plug it into your set." Hulu and Netflix, writes Portnoy, will be widely used by early adopters of the Push2TV system.

Portnoy, however, also gives several caveats to readers. Although the device is attractively priced at approximately $100, it is only available from big-box retailer Best Buy. Push2TV cannot process with full 1080p HD signals, nor can it function with any but the most recently released Intel processors. All in all, though, Portnoy says that the device is an intriguing prospect and will be bundled with some Best Buy laptops in the coming months.

Mobile HDTV, experts say, saw several significant improvements at this year's CES - including the news that Qualcomm would, later this year, debut a dual-core mobile processor capable of handling 1080p signals.

Written by James Arndale

OpenGL 3.0 support added for new OS X beta

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:52:03 GMT

The beta version of Apple's Mac OS X 10.6.3 will support the newer versions of the OpenGL 3.0 graphics drivers and API, allowing for more robust graphics processing functionality on upcoming Macs.

Apple Insider reports that support for the OpenGL 3.0 architecture is 95 percent complete, lacking only the capability to use "shading language version 1.30." Support for more advanced versions of OpenGL is said to be at 12 percent and 33 percent, for versions 3.1 and 3.2 respectively.

According to Ars Technica, version differences between the 3.x series and earlier versions of OpenGL have hindered efforts to produce updated drivers for Macs, as the attempts to "modernize and simplify the API" have resulted in older functions being deactivated and overwritten as they are superseded.

Additionally, Ars Technica reports, the newest versions of OpenGL require the Apple engineers to open their code up to outside sources, something that they are not generally eager to do. The necessary cooperation between GPU programmers and Apple's own coders has taken time, says Ars Technica.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Nexus One device drivers continue to experience problems

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:51:41 GMT

While reviewers have praised the quicksilver speed and wow-inducing display of Google's Nexus One smartphone, some customers have been less than impressed with the problems that the high-end device has had connecting to T-Mobile's 3G network.

Tony Bradley, writing for PC World, says that the search giant "may have underestimated what it takes to compete in the smartphone arena." Bradley questions Google's judgment in selecting T-Mobile as a telecom partner in the first place, and speculates that the fourth-place wireless company was simply easier to negotiate with than the others due to its weak market position.

Product Review News, however, says that the 3G connectivity issues could be solved by updating the Nexus One's Android device drivers, since the fact that other T-Mobile smartphones are not experiencing similar problems suggests that the issue is in the firmware, rather than the network.

The Nexus One launched this month, a move that some mobile phone experts said may have been unwise for Google, which partners with numerous smartphone makers that use its Android mobile OS.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Sony debuts green laptop at CES

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:19:42 GMT

PC manufacturer Sony rolled out four new models of its Vaio laptop at the Consumer Electronics Show, including an environmentally friendly netbook.

The Vaio W, as the green netbook is called, uses numerous recycled products in its construction and design - including 23 percent recycled CDs - and its carrying case is made from recycled plastic bottles, according to the New York Times. That paper also notes that the Vaio W's screen is green-tinted, as if to enhance the effect, though its internal features are more or less standard.

Sony's other new Vaio models, released at the same time, include the F series - which sports advanced display drivers and a large screen for multimedia enthusiasts - Z series high-end laptop, and Y series budget PC, according to Information Week. Additionally, says that website, both the Z and F series will be available with Intel's new Core i5 and Core i7 line of processors.

Experts say that numerous innovative laptops were debuted at CES this year, including Lenovo's dual-mode netbook-tablet PC and a Samsung laptop with a transparent OLED screen, among many others.

Written by James Arndale

Surprised it took them this long: AMD offering tri-core laptop CPUs

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:18:23 GMT

Microchip maker and chief Intel rival Advanced Micro Devices announced during the recent Consumer Electronics Show that it would release triple-core laptop processors in order to fill the gap between dual- and quad-core chips.

PC World writes that the triple-core computer chips would offer a middle ground between dual-core processors, which can suffer from performance shortfalls, and quad-core processors, which are less power-efficient. Until now, there were no triple-core chips available for laptop PCs.

The triple-core devices are to be part of AMD's new Danube laptop architecture, which is said to be able to increase battery life by "more than an hour" according to Netbook Boards. PC World says that one processing core could handle processing-intensive tasks and leave the other two processing cores idle, becoming drivers of increased power efficiency.

Innovative CPU applications were a feature of this year's CES, as Asus took advantage of the opportunity to show off a scalable-clocking processor in its UL80JT laptop, which was optimized to provide both high-end capability and extensive battery life.

Written by Mark Hobbs

'Flaky' device drivers plague initial launch of Nexus One smartphone

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:24:22 GMT

A problem with 3G connectivity has affected some users of Google's new Nexus One smartphone, which runs on T-Mobile's cellular network. A post on T-Mobile's forums says that both Google and T-Mobile are investigating the problem and "hope to have more information … soon."

Gadget blog Electronista reports that the problem seems to involve the Nexus One having difficulty connecting to T-Mobile's 3G network, either bouncing between 3G and EDGE (an older, slower network protocol) connectivity or failing to connect to the telecom's 3G network at all.

Information Week reports that T-Mobile has recently purchased $4 billion worth of advanced wireless spectrum from the federal government but that it is apparently not enough to handle the demand caused by its new customers.

Similar data rate problems are not confined to T-Mobile's network. Information Week says that a problem like this made Apple and AT&T "victims of the success of the iPhone" when users flooded the telecom's networks with data flowing to and from the devices, such as video streaming and GPS-based mobile device tracking.

Written by Jon Gold

USB 3.0 drivers appear in HP laptop

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:23:55 GMT

Among the myriad of new products to appear on the floor of this year's Consumer Electronics Show, the latest incarnation of the Universal Signal Bus - used, as the name implies, almost everywhere in consumer electronics - represents a significant increase in data transfer performance, according to experts.

CNET reports that HP and Asus have confirmed that they have USB 3.0 capability available in some of their laptop lines, and that the data transfer capacity is roughly double that of the previous USB 2.0 drivers.

CNET also quotes the president of the USB Implementer's forum, Jeff Ravencraft, as saying that "[USB 3.0] uses one-third of the power it would take on USB 2.0, and it's backward compatible."

Other OEMs are getting into the USB 3.0 act as well. Storage device maker Seagate recently released its new Black Armor backup drive, which uses the new device drivers to provide faster file transfers to its protected drive space. The PS110 can hold 500 GB of data on its 2-platter, 2.5-inch, 7,200 RPM SATA hard drive, according to Channel Register.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Advanced new power cells could be drivers of 12-hour battery life for high-end laptop

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:23:31 GMT

PC maker Asus displayed a laptop with advanced battery capacities at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, which uses intelligent hardware to conserve power and extend its unplugged life.

The Asus UL80JT constantly monitors the tasks that the computer is performing, and switches various hardware components on and off as necessary. While the UL80JT contains a powerful Core i7 CPU and Nvidia GeForce 310 GPU, it also uses a much more modest Intel GMA to perform non-graphics intensive tasks, as well as scaling back the amount of power taken by the CPU proportionally.

Ars Technica reports that Asus' latest laptop consumed less than 50 percent of the power that the MacBook Pro did while browsing the internet.

Geeky Gadgets writes that other laptops offer power conservation features, but none as robust and as automated as those of the UL80JT. Other PCs require the user to manually set graphics and processing options, along with screen brightness, to conserve power, but the Asus machine goes well beyond that functionality.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

New display drivers for PS3 will bring 3D capabilities to video gamers

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:00:20 GMT

In an address to the Consumer Electronics Show currently being held in Las Vegas, Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer said that his company would be releasing new firmware for the PlayStation 3 - enabling three-dimensional gaming - sometime in the second half of 2010.

Stringer told the audience that "our goal is to become an undisputed global leader in 3D," according to reports from Softpedia. GamePro said that Stringer's announcement was preceded by a musical number from country music starlet Taylor Swift.

Softpedia also said that Sony execs like Kaz Hirai discussed plans for a partnership with the Discovery Channel and IMAX to create a 3D-only TV network, in addition to a separate 3D sports network with ESPN. The company's Bravia HD line of HDTVs will be important in the push toward universal 3D , according to experts, and Sony confirmed that the TVs will be fully compatible with the company's 3D Blu-ray and gaming technology.

Project Natal, Microsoft's prototype gesture-based gaming system, also made headlines at this year's CES, though the full realization of that project is said to still be months away, according to CNN.

Written by James Arndale

LG's LTE laptop modem could deliver lightning-quick data access

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:58:38 GMT

LG Electronics is set to demonstrate a next-generation laptop modem that will connect to both LTE and CDMA networks to provide a quantum leap in wireless data access speed and seamless interconnectivity between the two data protocols.

The company says that its new modem - which connects to a laptop via USB - uses LTE and CDMA technology as drivers of download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 50 Mbps, far outstripping those offered by conventional Wi-Fi connections.

Seattle Times tech blogger Brier Dudley says that the modem - and the LTE technology on which it is based - will compete directly with Sprint's Clearwire WiMAX network, another type of 4G wireless internet protocol. That company released a 4G wireless modem at the same trade show earlier this week, aimed at broadening the lackluster use statistics WiMAX has posted so far.

Experts say that mobile data use could be set to explode over the next several years, as more and more users move away from wired connections and go online with netbooks and smartphones.

Written by Jon Gold

Alienware debuts inexpensive gaming laptop at CES

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:57:09 GMT

Yes, you read the headline correctly - specialty PC maker Alienware, known for its overpowered, tricked-out gaming rigs has released what amounts to a gaming netbook at this year's Consumer Electronics Show.

The M11x, as the new PC is known, is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and 1 GB Nvidia 335M graphics card and drivers - which Gizmodo describes as "slightly insane for its size" - and uses an 11.6-inch, 720p display to deliver far and away the highest performance graphics yet seen on a netbook-sized PC.

Alienware says that their M11x is the "most powerful 11-inch gaming laptop in the universe," and pundits say that they may very well be correct. The netbook uses an eight-cell, lithium ion polymer battery to deliver 6.5 hours of standard use or two hours of "intense gaming," according to Gizmodo.

Blast Magazine points out that there is, as yet, no firm release date for the M11x, but it is expected to be released to the public within a year, and cost less than $1,000 fully equipped.

Written by Jon Gold

Transparent OLED screen demonstrated by Samsung

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:57:44 GMT

An experimental laptop with a partially transparent monitor debuted this week at the Consumer Electronics Show. Samsung released few details of the 14-inch laptop's exotic screen or the drivers that give it its advanced capabilities.

Mashable reports that the screen is about 40 percent transparent when powered down, compared to the usual 25 percent. The blog jokingly suggests that one of the primary uses for the new technology would be for watching others while they believe the user is looking at the device's screen.

Computer World says that Samsung also showed off a cell phone and portable media player that use the new technology. The media player - known as the IceTouch - will hold 16 GB of music or movies, and will be able to use custom-downloaded skins to change its appearance.

Not all transparent OLED technology was received so well, however. Computer World notes that Sony Ericsson's Xperia Pureness smartphone, which was released last month, was roundly criticized as "gimmicky" and "overpriced" by reviewers, who said it lacked key smartphone features like a camera and hi-def display.

Written by James Arndale

AMD unveils DirectX 11-capable video cards at CES

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:56:56 GMT

Chip maker Advanced Micro Devices released its first series of graphics cards capable of running Microsoft's DirectX 11 video card driver framework, saying that the Mobility Radeon HD 5000 series laptop cards will be able to display two Blu-ray-quality video streams at the same time.

PC Magazine said that the new series of graphics cards will be able to fully support ATI's Eyefinity technology, which allows graphics cards to spread a single display image across up to six monitors at once, and that the newer cards will be more energy efficient, into the bargain.

PC World reports that DirectX 11 will include numerous tools for "realistic images and sounds when playing games or watching movies." The new version of DirectX could be used, PC World says, to move Flash processing from the CPU to the GPU, improving performance.

AMD is a rival of both Intel and Nvidia in the graphics processor market, and has seen its position improve steadily over recent months. Legal victories over Intel - the giant chipmaker recently paid AMD $1 billion to settle a lawsuit and a large fine to the FTC over anti-competitive business practices - have analysts saying that AMD is well-positioned entering 2010.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Asus' new luxury laptop packs Bang and Olufsen hardware

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:56:32 GMT

Two speakers from high-end audio firm Bang and Olufsen are the drivers of the new Asus NX90 laptop's appeal to PC buyers - but the starting price of $1,800 could keep the NX90 out of the hands of more frugal audiophiles.

The NX90 will cram a large quantity of state-of-the-art equipment into a sleek, brushed-aluminum body - an Intel Core i7 quad-core processor, anywhere from four to 12 GB of DDR3 RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce GT335M GPU. The NX90 will also contain a Blu-ray drive and an HDMI output, though the big 18.1-inch, 1080p screen should mean that the latter doesn't need to be used very often.

Information Week reports that the NX90 will also feature a pair of touchpads, mounted on either side of the keyboard, to provide what Asus called "intuitive DJ-like control."

The NX90 was not the only Asus debutante to appear at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. Other releases from the PC maker included a gaming laptop, a videophone, and even a prototype wrist-mounted computer, according to Information Week.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

GPS navigator add-on could turn dashboards digital

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:12:32 GMT

Garmin, the maker of GPS navigation devices, has revealed that it will offer a sophisticated plug-in for its products that will boost their capabilities well beyond simply giving directions to muddled drivers.

The ecoRoute HD, as Garmin has dubbed the device, plugs into the OBD II port that most modern cars possess to allow mechanics to access the car's computer system and diagnose any problems. When connected, the ecoRoute HD can display detailed, real-time information about the car's operations - including precise RPM, manifold pressure, coolant temperature and a myriad of other data.

The device will even allow drivers to reset their own check engine lights, rather than resorting to physical repair shops or placing black tape over the offending display. Should the check engine light indicate a serious problem, however, the ecoRoute HD will display a trouble code to help diagnose the issue.

Industry experts say that Garmin's position in the mobile device market could be precarious, as smartphones begin to eclipse their specialized functions. The company's own foray into the smartphone market was poorly received by reviewers, though rumors have it that Garmin will try again with an Android-powered device.

Written by Jon Gold

Alereon unveils kit to beam HD video from laptop to TV set

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:12:12 GMT

The 2010 Consumer Electronics Show has already produced a number of noteworthy devices, but some, like Alereon's HDTV extender for laptops, are among the first of their classes.

The Alereon NoWire adapter uses two pieces of hardware: One is a USB dongle that plugs into the laptop from which online video is to be streamed, and the other is a receiver that plugs into a TV's HDMI adapter. Slashgear reports that the NoWire uses UWB connectivity to stream up to 1680 x 1050-resolution images and 720p HD video at a range of up to 30 feet.

Additionally, says Slashgear, the NoWire system will support band groups 1, 3 and 6, which should make it able to operate on PCs and HDTVs worldwide. The system will also support both Windows and Mac operating systems. The company says that users will be able to install and run NoWire in less than five minutes.

Experts say that CES is a popular platform for many electronics manufacturers to launch their new products, as the tech-savvy crowds gathered there can be drivers of intense online buzz.

Written by Mark Hobbs

Two-headed Lenovo laptop rolled out at CES

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:11:49 GMT

Chinese computer maker Lenovo debuted a unique new notebook PC at the Consumer Electronics Show, whose design was seemingly inspired by the starship Enterprise: The screen of the IdeaPad U1 can be detached and used as a separate tablet PC.

Advanced device drivers - called the Hybrid Switch - enable the IdeaPad U1 to perform this trick more or less seamlessly. When unified, the U1 functions as a conventional laptop, with a Core 2 Duo processor running Windows 7 and 128 GB solid-state hard drive, according to Computer World. The top half, when detached, uses an Intel Snapdragon processor to run a touch-enabled form of Linux on a reported 16 GB of flash memory.

The company says that users will be able to browse the web with the device in one mode, and continue to do so from the same place after switching to the other one. Eweek reports that the IdeaPad U1 will retail for about $1000, and will be available for sale June 1.

Lenovo debuted numerous new PC models at this year's CES, like the $500 "smartbook" that uses the same Snapdragon processor as the U1's top half.

Written by Jon Gold

Report: In-store 'optimization' for laptops rarely worth the cost

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:52:13 GMT

Tests performed by the Consumerist blog show that the in-store optimization offered by Best Buy subsidiary Geek Squad is "not a good deal for most customers," and that many of the optimization services could easily be accomplished by the user for free.

Ostensibly, the optimization services cover things like setting up Windows, removing trial software, and providing subscription antivirus products. However, Consumerist says that Best Buy's tactics - frequent up-sell attempts for optimization services and failing to offer laptops at advertised prices due to optimization - are off-putting, and have led to numerous complaints from shoppers.

The Consumerist says that Best Buy appears to be banking on service fees and optimizations to be the drivers of big profits as both online and brick-and-mortar threats to the company's business model continue to proliferate. Wal-Mart, among others, could become more serious competition to Best Buy in the future.

The complaints about optimization costs were heard most loudly during the recent holiday season, as many shoppers were unable to take advantage of the company's December deals due to a lack of "unoptimized" units.

Written by Jennifer Greggson

Lenovo rolls out new Skylight smartbook

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:51:51 GMT

Still another new category has appeared in the space between the smartphone and the laptop: the smartbook. Smaller even than a netbook, the smartbook is said to offer functionality similar to that of an expanded smartphone. PC maker Lenovo's latest release, the Skylight, was announced today and is set to go on sale in April.

Experts say that the improved capabilities of low-voltage processors have been the drivers of growth in the smartbook. The Skylight will be powered by a 1 GHz Snapdragon CPU, offer 10 hours of battery life, and be able to connect to the internet via either 3G mobile broadband or Wi-Fi access points, according to PC World.

PC World also says that the Skylight will retail for $499, but that price could drop with a subsidy provided by AT&T, if buyers purchase a data plan from the telecom at the same time they purchase the Skylight.

Douglas McIntyre, writing for 24/7 Wall Street, says that profit margins for makers of netbooks and smartbooks could drop in the near future as the competition for market share heats up.

Written by James Arndale

New netbook to feature what most netbooks don't: An optical drive

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:58:49 GMT

Japanese PC maker Frontier has introduced a new netbook computer with a built-in optical drive, one of the standard features on full-sized PCs that netbooks routinely sacrifice to improve battery performance and form factor.

The Frontier UX will be more or less netbook standard in other respects, sporting a 1.66 GHz Atom processor, 10.1-inch, 1024 x 600 display, 2 GB of RAM, and 320 GB hard drive. The drivers for all of this hardware, which will run Windows 7 Home Premium off-the-shelf, are said to be typical equipment for a netbook PC.

The price for that typical hardware, however, will be substantially larger, to reflect the inclusion of the optical drive: The Frontier UX will retail for $644, roughly twice the price of non-DVD equipped netbooks.

Most netbooks require users to connect an external device if they want the computer to read DVDs or CDs. Liliputing remarks that, although many netbooks are second PCs and not generally used for playing DVDs, the interior drive could be a boon to some frequent travelers.

Design expert says "iSlate" could rival iPhone in terms of impact

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:58:06 GMT

Writing in the New York Times, design expert Alice Rawsthorn asserts that the rumored Apple tablet PC could have an impact on design all out of proportion to its modest physical size.

"We've been here before," says Rawsthorn, citing the example of Apple's iPhone, which was released after a similarly long-running rumor campaign had the tech world properly excited for its launch. Although Apple has still not officially confirmed the device's existence, it is now an open secret.

The tech punditry is all but certain that the "iSlate," as it is rumored to be called, will be released sometime this week, and should make a huge splash in the smartphone and laptop worlds, both of which could use drivers for some new innovation. The general consensus is that the device will cost around $800 and provide roughly the functionality of what Rawsthorn calls an "iPhone on steroids."

This is Rawsthorn's point: That Apple's design will lead the way, with easy usability, clean lines, and large amounts of easily available high-end content. Both the iSlate and a powerful new Dell laptop are expected before the Consumer Electronics show later this month.

Intel Core i3 chips could be drivers of big laptop performance gains

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:57:40 GMT

In the initial run-up to the Consumer Electronics Show, which will happen later this month, details about an upcoming Dell laptop have come to light - including the fact that the computer will feature Intel's new Core i3 processors.

Geek.com reports that the laptop will be called the Inspiron 15 English Future, a sobriquet that the website describes as "grand." It will feature 4 GB of DDR2 RAM standard, and an Intel GMA X4500 GPU unit powering a 15.6-inch, 1366 x 768 display. Dell's new entrant will also boast a 320GB hard drive and numerous other standard laptop features, like a built-in webcam and DVD burner.

Tech Digest reports that the Core i3 is the first Intel processor designed to use that company's Nehalem processor architecture in a mainstream laptop. Previous Nehalem laptops have been designed as graphics-heavy gaming rigs or desktop replacements.

Dell is not the only company that has seemingly decided not to wait for CES before giving word of their new hardware. Apple is expected to announce their long-awaited tablet PC this week.

Taiwanese firm releases beefy new graphics card

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:45:17 GMT

Manli, a Taiwanese electronics maker, released the ATI HD5970 graphics card earlier this week, packing a pair of HD5870 GPUs and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory onto a single device, according to Vizworld. The high-end hardware components should be the drivers of very high graphical performance.

The press release that accompanied the device's launch said that the device would support Microsoft's DirectX 11 graphics card drivers, as well as the latest version of the OpenGL display framework, 3.2. Vizworld comments that the HD5970 blurs the definition of MultiGPU.

MultiGPU capability has been a central issue in the world of OEMs for some time, but with the slowdown in CPU speed growth, multiGPU has taken on new importance to the future of computing, writes Vizworld author Randall Hand in an earlier piece on that website.

Others, however, are less convinced of multiGPU's utility: Ars Technica argues that most desktop PC users - beyond serious gamers and 3D simulation users - are unlikely to need the level of performance offered by multiGPU technologies, and its adoption rate will be much slower than pundits like Hand believe.

Gamers unite! Xbox Live to integrate with Windows Mobile devices

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:44:53 GMT

Fans of Microsoft's Xbox Live gaming service could soon use their favored network on smartphones and other devices powered by Windows Mobile, according to a pair of job advertisements recently posted by the Redmond giant.

Microsoft would not confirm the plans officially, telling the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that their "focus is on Windows phones and experiences in market today, and we're not discussing future versions." Nevertheless, a job advertisement for a Principal Program Manager seems to indicate quite clearly the company's plans to go ahead with the integration of the two platforms, as does a similar post for a software tester.

Antone Gonsalves, writing for Information Week, says that the move would be a sensible one, in that Xbox Live would help Windows Mobile enormously in a mobile gaming market currently dominated by Apple's iPhone.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer writes that Windows Mobile is in serious need of a boost, having seen its market share drop precipitously over the course of the last several years, and that the 20 million users of Xbox Live could be the answer to Windows Mobile's prayers.

DirecTV launches new satellite, will offer expanded programming to customers

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:44:32 GMT

Satellite TV provider DirecTV placed DIRECTV 12, a Boeing 702 satellite, into orbit earlier this week, according to TMCNet.

According to the company, the new satellite will allow DirecTV to "deliver a new range of programs" to U.S. consumers, who could require additional device drivers for their DirecTV setups, experts say. The new satellite should allow the company to offer more than 200 HD channels, representing an increase of 50 percent.

DIRECTV 12 is the 11th satellite in use by the company - the fleet periodically suffers casualties from solar flares or simple old age - and is due to begin operations late in the first half of 2010, after it is positioned in its assigned orbit.

Satellite technology has increasingly been linked to both TV and internet service, as PC streaming video technology slowly supplants traditional separate TV models. Experts say that, while HD bandwidth provides a challenge to existing networks, satellite technology could help ease the data load expected to hit terrestrial networks over the next several years.

Entry-level MacBooks take quick price dip to $728

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:43:25 GMT

For a brief period earlier this week, students and teachers could purchase Apple's entry-level MacBook for $728, the lowest price since the device was released in May 2006, according to Computer World.

That website reports that the MacBook was re-released with a number of new design features in late October of this year, adding unibody construction to make the laptop look more like the company's pricier MacBook Pro.

The current iteration of the regular MacBook packs a 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB memory, 250 GB of hard drive space, and Nvidia GeForce 9400M integrated chips as the drivers of its graphics processing. Engadget says that these specs were not particularly impressive for a laptop costing $999, but said that the price was right at $728.

Unfortunately for would-be student bargain hunters, the price returned to its previous level, making the educational price of the MacBook $899. The nearly 20 percent discount lasted just a day or so, prompting some online pundits to question whether or not the discount was a mistake to begin with on Apple's part.

'Driver reviver' utility offers imperfect solution for computer drivers: Report

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:42:56 GMT

PC World says that Reviversoft's Driver Reviver utility provides handy functionality for updating aging driver software, but fails to correctly identify when some applications and firmware require new patches.

Erik Larkin, who wrote the product's review for PC World earlier this month, said that, although the program's interface and visual design were generally good, Driver Reviver's core functions "still needed some work. For one thing, although it finds many programs and drivers, it by no means finds them all."

Larkin points out, as well, that the program erroneously identifies several commonly used programs as needing updates when they are, in fact, already patched to their latest version. These included Firefox, Opera, and Norton Antivirus, among others, and Larkin characterized the error rate as higher than most similar utilities.

While Driver Reviver undeniably makes some patching tasks more convenient, expert say that most users with more than a rudimentary level of computer literacy could find it easier to simply update their software and hardware manually, by downloading any appropriate updates from the manufacturers' or distributors' websites.

Laptop users could be squeezed by security in wake of attempted terror attack

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:24:38 GMT

Last week's abortive suicide bombing of a Northwest Airlines flight has caused understandable consternation among airline security experts, who say that this and similar acts may become the drivers behind the enactment of ever more draconian security measures.

The New York Times reports that security has been increased dramatically at many airports in the U.S. and elsewhere, but rarely in any kind of concerted or well-organized pattern. Jennifer Steinhauer's report talks of strict pat-downs at some security checkpoints and a certain level of disinterest at others.

Those who travel with laptop computers - already subject to an extra level of scrutiny - could be in for some long waits in the security line, according to a leaked TSA memo published by Gizmodo, in which officials say that no consumer electronic devices of any kind should be used on flights.

The Wall Street Journal reports that some airlines have warned their passengers that they may face additional levels of security screening, particularly if entering the U.S. from abroad.

Apple tablet rumors gathering steam

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:24:14 GMT

As Christmas day neared, Apple fanatics received a gift that would have to wait until after the New Year, if it happened at all: Reports indicate that Apple may be planning to release a long-rumored tablet PC in late January 2010.

The Financial Times reports that the company has rented out a stage at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the same venue where Steve Jobs, fresh from medical leave, released new versions of Apple's iPod - still the driver of a considerable amount of the company's sales - earlier this year. Apple's rental agreement gives them several days in late January to hold an event, though the company has been officially silent on what that event might be.

Speculation only heightened when it was revealed that Apple had also quietly been lining up website domain names like "iSlate.com," possibly indicating that the tablet PC - which the company still has not officially confirmed the existence of - will be named iSlate.

The Boy Genius Report also says that "very connected sources" say that there is a seven-inch version of the tablet PC in the works, in addition to the 10-inch version already being widely discussed.

OLPC program still afloat, aiming for advanced flexible laptop launch in 2012

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:23:34 GMT

The One Laptop Per Child program, though buffeted by recent turmoil, announced just before the holiday that it was on track to release several new devices in the coming years, including an ambitious flexible plastic design due out in 2012, according to eWeek.com.

Before this radical new design hits the market, however, OLPC will release version 1.75 of its XO line of budget portables, which will contain some of the hardware originally designed for the company's ill-fated 2.0 model. The 2.0 was scheduled for release in March 2010, but has since been canceled. The XO 1.75 will be released next month.

eWeek reports that the XO 3.0 will be built out of a unified piece of flexible plastic, with an attached ring for easy carrying. The website says that the XO 3.0 will be designed to be unbreakable.

OLPC has struggled in recent months, as competitors have bettered its hardware achievements after the program's split with Apple last year. The Cherrypal Africa was released earlier this month, having reached OLPC's goal of a sub-$100-priced netbook.

Pint-sized laptop charger could be a boon to long-haul business travelers

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:23:11 GMT

Whether they are drivers on the road or passengers in the air, frequent business travelers know that maintaining a laptop's battery can be a tiresome chore. However, a new laptop charger could help keep on-the-go users up and running.

Device manufacturer Innergie announced the release of its mCube Mini car and airplane adapter, a tiny device that both fits in the palm of a hand and provides up to 65W of energy at anywhere from 15-21V. The mCube Mini will be compatible with both 12V and 15V electrical outlets, including those found in car cigarette lighters.

Innergie says that the mCube Mini will also be able to charge using EmPower aviatic power outlets and will use standard USB cabling to transfer energy to laptop batteries more quickly, in addition to being able to charge other USB-compatible devices.

Battery life has been an increasingly important consideration for portable PC users, and this trend has helped to fuel the rise of ultrathin notebooks and budget-priced netbook PCs, which trade high-end features for battery life and a compact form factor.

Analyst says Ubuntu could dominate consumer market for Linux

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:57:29 GMT

Ubuntu, by general consensus, is thought to be the most user-friendly version of the open-source Linux operating system, which has long had a reputation for a distinct lack of this quality. CNET's Matt Asay says that Canonical, makers of Ubuntu, could be poised to dominate the consumer Linux market.

While Red Hat is the variant that currently prevails in the enterprise Linux market, Asay says that there is currently no comparable frontrunner in the consumer space. While Ubuntu has made great strides in popularity since its release, Linux remains a distinctly third-choice operating system, trailing Windows and Mac OS by orders of magnitude.

This, however, belies the popularity of the OS for specialized devices, notes Asay, pointing out that popular items like the TiVo and Amazon's Kindle run on Linux. The challenge, he says, is translating this seamless performance into a general-use device.

Compatibility has been another traditional Achilles' heel of Linux, though Windows emulators like Wine have partially corrected this flaw. Dong Ngo, writing at CNET, reports that it is possible to run World of Warcraft on Linux.

Asus to release netbook with 10-hour battery life

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:55:54 GMT

Taiwanese PC maker Asus is set to release an updated version of its Eee PC netbook line, which will contain several power-saving features designed to extend its battery life past the 10-hour mark.

The Eee PC 1005PE, which is already garnering strong preliminary reviews, uses a new version of Intel's low-voltage Atom processor, codenamed Pinetrail. Pinetrail alone offers a 20 percent decrease in power use over its immediate predecessor, according to Laptop Mag, and battery upgrades offer increased energy storage, providing the two main drivers of the Eee PC 1005PE's marathon endurance.

Laptop Mag also praised the 1005PE's 10.1-inch display, which sports a maximum resolution of 1064 x 600 pixels. While the reviewer commented on flaws in the new netbook's design and keyboard layout, these were minor quibbles and the 1005PE was generally well-received.

Less clear, however, is the computer's long-term reliability, which was called into question by a controversial study released earlier this year by SquareTrade, a third-party vendor of PC warranties. The results were called into question by many companies discussed in the study, including Asus.

Netbook market continues to swell as prices drop and feature lists stretch

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:55:30 GMT

PC makers are moving to more fully engage with netbook consumers, as the market for lightweight, low-budget computers ripens and matures. Tech News World reports that Intel has released a system developer's kit for its Atom processor, which is used primarily to power netbooks, and that Google has stated that it will release a new netbook OS by 2010's holiday season.

The website says that "new features will be driven by consumer demand - once a platform sells well, vendors will do what it takes to make it even more attractive, a cycle clearly seen in the smartphone market." The recession has forced a certain quantity of belt-tightening among American consumers, and this is thought to be one of the drivers of demand for netbooks.

DisplaySearch, an online market analysis firm, reports that netbook sales have leapt by 72 percent in 2009, even as the laptop market as a whole was in decline.

Analysts, however, are split on the issue of netbook growth's sustainability. Some argue that economic recovery will dampen the demand for budget-priced devices, while others say that the option of a netbook as a second PC will continue to be attractive.

Apple could include new Intel processors in upcoming Mac Pro

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:55:05 GMT

Rumors are circulating that Intel's upcoming six-core "Extreme Edition" processors will feature in new Mac Pro computers to be released in early 2010, according to Apple Insider.

That website says that the drivers behind the Core i7-980X's 3.33 GHz processing speed will be six 32 nm "Gulftown" processors providing a total of 12 processing threads simultaneously. The current top performing processor for the Mac Pro offers four cores, eight threads, and 4 MB less L3 cache space than the Core i7-980X's 12 MB, according to Ars Technica.

Ars Technica also notes that Intel has turned to Apple in the past to debut its latest and greatest hardware. The website says that, in addition to the performance boost offered by the new line of Intel chips, technological advances could allow the six-core powerhouse to use less energy than its predecessors.

Intel will approach the end of 2009 with a sense of relief, according to analysts, who say that the company has been roundly battered by legal difficulties and the failure of its Larrabee integrated CPU/GPU chip.

Rumored Apple tablet gets a rumored name

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:20:46 GMT

Recent reports that Apple has acquired the domain name "islate.com" have been the drivers of the latest round of wild speculation that the tablet PC reputed to be under development by the company will bear that name.

TechCrunch reports that the "islate" domain name has been registered across multiple top-level domains, including .com, .co.uk, .fr, and .cn, among many others. Many of those domain names are being held by Mark Monitor, a firm specializing in brand protection. TechCrunch further speculates that Apple may have had to make several careful deals to obtain the domain names.

In keeping with the company's tradition of secrecy about upcoming products, little is known about the device, but rather than damping down expectation, Apple's silence has created additional buzz. The Washington Post reports that the company's stock is at a record high in anticipation of the device's release.

If the device is, in fact, named the iSlate, as the website purchase could potentially indicate, it will fit right into the standard naming convention that Apple uses for its consumer products, along with the iPhone and iPod.

Users say new Apple display drivers don't fix flickering screens

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:20:21 GMT

Some users of Macintosh's all-in-one iMac PCs have posted on internet forums, saying that a recent firmware update designed to correct a problem with the video card drivers that caused the display to flicker does not perform as advertised.

Computer World's Gregg Keizer reported that a thread on the official Apple support forum had ballooned to 1,600 messages and 230,000 views last week. Keizer also quotes Scott Pronych - a Canadian web developer - as saying that the problem may be in the iMac's hardware, since the firmware update failed to completely resolve the issue.

The Examiner reports that the affected iMacs are those that use ATI 4600/4800 models of graphics card, and that many users have speculated that the update was designed to slow down those cards to prevent overheating.

Apple, for its part, has not officially acknowledged the problem, but has imposed a two-week shipping delay on all new iMac purchases and apologized for the availability problems. The company says that the new iMac, available since early this fall, has been a "huge hit."

Sound card drivers could be to blame for silent Windows 7 bug

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:19:55 GMT

Users reporting a mysterious inability to hear sounds played by their Windows 7 PCs might now have a solution, according to Ghacks.net.

The problem is a confusing one, according to the post at Ghacks. The configuration of the sound devices appears to be normal in every way, every applicable volume slider was set to an appropriate level and the drivers for the devices were verified as up to date, yet users were still unable to hear any sounds at all.

Ghacks says, though, that the solution is to ensure that Windows 7 has recognized the correct device as the default audio player, and not a generic entry in the devices list. Right-clicking and selecting the appropriate output device - Ghacks' example used a Creative X-Fi sound card - as the default should remove the problem.

Experts say that this is one of a comparative few bugs found in Windows 7, which is a marked improvement over its predecessor, Windows Vista. Vista suffered from numerous issues of compatibility with older drivers and other software.

Nvidia: No new video cards until March

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:19:27 GMT

The first series of graphics cards to utilize the new DirectX 11 display drivers will not be released by Nvidia until March 2010, according to DigiTimes.

The company's Fermi line of graphics cards was originally set for launch this November, but rumored problems with the new chip architecture to be used in the product has repeatedly pushed back the release date. Geek.com's Matthew Humphries speculates that those problems are still the cause of Fermi's delays.

Humphries also suggests that the delay is good news for Nvidia's competitor AMD, which manufactures the ATI line of graphics cards. AMD, according to Humphries, will now have a clear advantage over Nvidia in the realm of DirectX 11-enabled display adapters.

Fermi's delay is evidence of a further shake-up in the graphics card industry, as market leader Intel continues to reel from both the news that the FTC will investigate it for anti-competitive business practices and the cancellation of its potentially groundbreaking all-in-one Larrabee project, which would combine graphics processing and CPU into a single chipset.

FTC sues Intel, alleges anti-competitive practices

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against microchip maker Intel, alleging that the dominant maker of PC CPUs and GPUs "engaged in a deliberate campaign to hamstring competitive threats to its monopoly," in the words of Richard A. Feinstein, the head of the FTC's Bureau of Competition.

The FTC says that Intel used a system of carrot-and-stick incentives to bully major PC makers like Dell, HP, and IBM into using its products and excluding those of its competitors. In addition, Intel is accused of secretly redesigning important software - called a compiler - in order to decrease the performance of rival hardware and drivers.

CNET reports that Intel has responded forcefully to the accusations, saying that "Intel has competed fairly and lawfully. The FTC's case is misguided […and] is based largely on claims that the FTC added at the last minute and has not investigated."

Other regulators, however, are also looking into claims of monopolistic practices at Intel, including an EU panel. Intel recently settled a claim brought by rival AMD out of court for $1.25 billion.

Laptop lithium ion batteries carry price premium, expert says

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

While the same type of batteries are increasingly being used to power both lawnmowers and laptop PCs, laptop users can expect to pay extra for theirs, according to PC Pro columnist Paul Ockenden.

Ockenden praises the light weight and long life offered by lithium ion batteries, but wonders at length why the cells used in various power tools and lawnmowers are noticeably cheaper than the ones used to power laptops. He offers comparisons of the batteries by capacity and price to illustrate the point.

Ockenden quotes David Sapaeth, a spokesman for Sony VAIO Europe, as saying that the drivers of increased price for laptop batteries were the need for long-term, continuous power, which would spike the heat levels in the dense batteries used to power tools and the like, as well as the weight discrepancy between power tool and laptop models of battery.

Batteries have been a contentious topic in the world of laptops recently, with Fujitsu ordering a wide-scale recall of laptop batteries that were found to pose a risk of overheating and catching fire.

Home-brew supercomputer uses graphics cards as performance drivers

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

A Belgian team has created a supercomputer out of commercially available graphics cards wired to work serially, and providing 12 teraflops of processing power - all for a total price of less than $9,000.

The device is the second in a series constructed by the team at the University of Antwerp, which is using the processing power to further their research on three-dimensional bone scanning procedures. The first, dubbed Fastra, combined four dual-core GPUs for a total of eight cores of processing speed. The current device, Fastra II, ups the ante with six Nvidia GTX 295 dual-core video cards and a single GTX 275 card, giving Fastra II 13 total processing cores.

While the 12 teraflop speed is hardly a threat to the fastest experimental supercomputers - which reach speeds more than 80 times as fast - the researchers told TG Daily that the device vastly reduces processing time for the large 3D images that the team works with.

Fastra II did require some creative building, the team said, including a custom motherboard and some new structural elements to contain all seven of the required video cards.

Intel rolls out new line of processors for desktops and laptops

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:57:12 GMT

The next generation of PC processors was released yesterday by microchip manufacturer Intel, and the company has announced that all 17 of its new CPU models are on their way to computer makers.

Stephen Smith, Intel's director of PC client operations, told press at the launch event that the Core i3 and Core i5 processors were "already in mass production," according to PC World. The new system architecture is known as Westmere. Digital Trends reports that the Core i3 line is aimed at laptops and budget-priced desktops, while the Core i5 is geared more toward mid-range desktop PCs.

However, the main talking point of the presentation - which was a preliminary; the official launch will take place at the Consumer Electronics Show in January of 2010 - were the integrated graphics drivers present on the Westmere chips, which are said to be able to render dual HD via hardware alone.

The integrated graphics are at the center of the growing legal controversy between Intel and competitor AMD - a controversy that is unlikely to abate with the recent announcement of FTC legal action against Intel.

Windows 7 apparently encountering smoother sailing than predecessor

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:49:04 GMT

The latest version of Microsoft's Windows operating system has failed to inherit the type of widespread issues that plagued drivers and other subsytems in the previous version, according to CNET.

CNET's veteran Microsoft correspondent, Ina Fried, says that Microsoft is reporting service call volumes at half the rate that it had anticipated, and that this is a positive indicator that Windows 7 is experiencing a much smoother transition than Vista, which was widely criticized for its lack of backwards compatibility and intrusive security features.

Fried also says that part of the decreased call volume could be due to the new options that Microsoft has introduced to provide customer support, which include the Microsoft Answers forums and a Twitter feed providing up-to-date answers to many common technical questions.

Experts say that there other signs of widespread adoption of the new Windows OS, especially among Vista users. XP users are said to be shifting to Windows 7 more slowly, in part because many enterprises had remained with the older version instead of shifting to Vista.

McDonald's will offer laptop users free wireless internet access

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:19:25 GMT

On-the-go businesspeople will have the opportunity to check their email while they put away their Egg McMuffins, now that McDonald's has dispensed with fees for wireless internet access.

The Dallas Morning News reports that the move will more or less single-handedly turn the fast food giant into the largest provider of wireless internet access in the U.S. That newspaper says that 11,000 of McDonald's 13,000 American locations will be party to a deal with AT&T that will see the telecom provide the access, though specifics of the deal were not released.

McDonald's chief information officer, Dave Grooms, told the Chicago Tribune that "we've become a destination for our beverages and our coffees, and Wi-Fi naturally fits with that." The McCafe is thought to be among the drivers behind the move.

Experts say that the move to free Wi-Fi could put McDonald's into more direct competition with Starbucks, currently one of the favorite American destinations for wireless connectivity. A spokeswoman for AT&T told the Tribune that use of public wireless internet has more than doubled over 2008's figures.

Sub-$100 laptop finally hits the shelves

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:17:48 GMT

Laptop maker Cherrypal's new netbook PC - dubbed Africa - was released today, retailing from the company's online store for just $99. Cherrypal says that the Africa is intended to help broaden internet access in both its namesake continent and other underdeveloped areas of the world.

The Africa's specs are fairly paltry compared to most consumer netbooks on the market, but the company says that performance and features were not the drivers behind the device's design. PC Magazine reports that Cherrypal's website describes the Africa as "small, slow and sufficient."

The Africa will be powered by a Chinese-built XBurst 400 MHz processor, and feature 256 MB of RAM and 2 GB of energy-efficient flash memory. Both the processor and the hard drive were selected in order to provide the maximum possible battery life, to make the device useful in areas where outlet access could be limited.

The ultra-cheap laptop is a concept that has been tried several times before, but no device has yet come to market with a price as low as the Cherrypal Africa's.

AMD talks up prospects in GPU market

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:41:07 GMT

Advanced Micro Devices, chief rival to Intel in the microprocessor market, paints an optimistic picture with its forecasts for graphics card sales, despite starting from a relative disadvantage compared to its competitors.

Mark Cox, writing for eChannelLine, says that the company has an uphill battle ahead of it. AMD trails both Intel and Nvidia in the competitive market and its ATI cards account for the least market share. However, notes Cox, the company has grown faster than both of its competitors combined, up 30.3 percent in the third quarter of 2009, compared to 25 percent and 3 percent from Intel and Nvidia, respectively.

David Cummings, AMD's director of marketing for desktop GPUs, told Cox that "from a graphics product perspective, we really think 2010 is a key year for us. Our goal is to get to number one in the graphics market."

The recent failure of Intel's Larrabee combination CPU/GPU project has opened the door to Nvidia and AMD, which could take advantage of the market leader's temporary weakness to close the gap in the GPU market.

New device drivers released for Nokia N85

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:40:00 GMT

The firmware for Nokia's N85 cell phone was released on Monday, updating the device's Symbian OS. Nokia also released a firmware update for the 5530 XpressMusic mobile music player on the same day.

The update does not provide extensive new functionality to either device, but it does correct a number of bugs that could have hampered their continued use. Softpedia reports that the upgrade for the music player was expected to contain a number of new features, including a Nokia music widget, Ovi Store, and Ovi Maps.

Experts strongly recommend that users of either device back up their data before updating the phone, although no problems have yet been reported with this round of new firmware.

The competition has also recently released a new set of updates for their devices. Apple's new 3.1.3 firmware updates for the iPhone just went live, and they, too were received as underwhelming by the tech punditry. Enthusiasts of the iPhone are eagerly awaiting the 4.0 version of the device's operating system, which is expected to bring upgraded features and device support.

New drivers for iPhone expected soon

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:10:16 GMT

Evidence that shows Apple's intentions to release a pair of updates for its popular iPhone is mounting. Indications in browser logs and other company data show that the company plans a maintenance update in the very near future and a major overhaul sometime in the first quarter of next year.

The Boy Genius Report - a tech blog to which release details are frequently leaked - says that the browser logs list entries for "iPhone OS 3.1.3 and 4.0.1." The 3.1.3 update is thought to be an incremental one, merely consisting of bug fixes and streamlined code.

The rumored release of iPhone OS 4.0 is the biggest news, as this would mark an entirely new version of the drivers, and many experts speculate - based on recent acquisitions and moves by Apple - that the new version will contain a number of improved functionality and new abilities.

While Apple's iPhone is still more or less the unchallenged king of the smartphone market, that dominance is under attack as it has never previously been, with the Palm Pre and Motorola Droid nipping at the iPhone's heels.

Netbook or ultrathin? MSI shows off crossover portable

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:09:47 GMT

PC maker MSI today announced a new entry into the high-end netbook/low-end laptop market in the form of the X-Slim X350, a standout device filled with advanced drivers and hardware.

The X350 is less than one inch thick, and is thus without an internal optical drive. Nevertheless, MSI has packed numerous features into the X350's slender frame, including an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 2 GB of DDR2 RAM. Softpedia speculates that the X350's battery could sport several advanced power-saving features, which would extend battery life.

The X-Slim X350's announcement comes just days after the roll-out of another MSI portable, the X600 Pro. The Pro is a slightly larger device, with a screen size of 15.6 inches compared to the X350's 13.4 inches, and packs a discrete ATI Mobility Radeon display adapter with 512 MB of visual memory. In addition, the Pro features an internal optical drive.

MSI has not released pricing or availability information for either device, and there is as yet no word on a possible release date for the computers.

Laptop security features nail would-be thief

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:08:28 GMT

A background monitoring program proved to be the undoing of a laptop thief in the UK today, as Isleworth Crown Court sentenced Terri Vary to seven months in prison based on remotely collected evidence from the stolen PC.

Vary had claimed not to have stolen the laptop and the police did not recover it. However, EvoSquare monitoring software installed on the computer and using its network drivers without Vary's knowledge was transmitting data to a remote server. The software, according to TG Daily, recorded Vary's home address, credit card numbers, and logon information for social networking websites.

TG Daily also reports that the EvoSquare software is primarily designed as a parental control tool for monitoring computing behavior in at-risk youth. The system records almost all kinds of messages sent to or from the PC, and also monitors webcam use and websites visited.

Anti-theft devices for laptops tend, like EvoSquare, to be geared towards recovering the computer at a later time, rather than preventing the theft in the first place. The portability of laptop computers coupled with their high value makes them attractive targets for opportunistic thieves.

Expert: Netbooks still not living up to potential

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:52:18 GMT

Netbook PCs suffer from a lack of imagination and verve as drivers of their design, according to Washington Post columnist Rob Pegoraro.

Pegoraro, in a column that will appear in Sunday's edition of the Post, writes that many factors have contributed to what he sees as mystifying design choices in a number of present-day netbooks. He points one finger squarely at Microsoft for what he describes as the "passive aggressive" rules governing the distribution of its Windows 7 starter edition.

Other experts have voiced similar complaints about netbooks, expressing disappointment that some of the few devices with acceptable system specifications were unlikely to reach the attractive price point considered one of the key upsides of the model. Victor Godinez of the Dallas Morning News cited the Nokia Booklet 3G as an example of this trend, pointing out that the device costs $599 unless the purchaser buys a $60 per month wireless data plan at the same time.

Ultrathin notebooks like Dell's Vostro V13 could make a dent in the netbook market, since they offer enhanced performance and similar portability at a reduced price.

New flash memory format licensed by Microsoft

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:11:00 GMT

Drivers and hardware that make up the Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT) flash storage system have been licensed for use by Microsoft's partners.

Originally introduced for use on 5.25-inch floppy disks in the 1980s, updated versions of FAT have remained in use on removable storage device through the present day. After patenting the format in the mid 1990s, Microsoft eventually licensed it for use by partners and subsidiaries in 2003.

The new version, exFAT, represents a noteworthy advance over previous systems for flash memory and data access rate, according to TG Daily's Andrew Thomas. Thomas also says that exFAT storage devices will be able to hold up to 256 TB, a massive increase over the 32 GB available in previous versions.

Flash storage is apparently the wave of the future, as solid-state hard drives become more commonplace and formats like exFAT increase the capacity of peripheral devices. CNET's Ina Fried says that Microsoft used the exFAT technology extensively in its design of Windows 7. Fried also reports that a license for some types of device will be available for a flat fee, while other applications will require volume-based license fees.

Packard Bell issues laptop recall over fire hazard

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:10:38 GMT

Batteries in some Packard Bell-manufactured laptops could pose a fire hazard and have been recalled. The recall affects the company's EasyNote MX36, MX37, MX51 and MX52 notebook PCs.

The affected units within those models were manufactured between July and December of 2007. The company said in a statement that "the battery cells contained in the affected units may experience internal short circuits which can potentially cause the cells to [overheat] and/or catch fire." The statement noted that there was no electrocution risk involved, nor have there been any injuries reported as a result of the flaw.

Laptop device drivers affecting battery use have been at the center of several product recalls, as experts say the cramped dimensions of the typical laptop battery are a fertile ground for short circuit problems. IT Pro says that fellow laptop makers Lenovo and HP have also had to recall batteries with overheating issues recently.

The company advises users of the PCs covered by the recall to remove the batteries from the machines as a precautionary measure and use the power cord to operate their devices.

Rumor has it that Dell will launch Android-powered tablet PC at CES 2010

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:10:14 GMT

Anonymous sources have told gadget news site Pocket Lint that Dell is planning to unveil a device that will straddle the gap between smartphones and netbooks at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show.

The rumored tablet will run Google's Android mobile OS, and may be related to leaked information about a product known as the Dell Streak Mobile Internet Device (MID). The device is said to feature a 5-inch screen and, if it is launched at CES 2010, could beat Apple's long-awaited tablet device to market.

Pocket Lint says that the Dell device would compete against the currently available Archos 5 MID, which runs the earlier 1.5 version of Android. (Google recently released a driver update for the OS.) The Crunchpad - which was recently renamed JooJoo and rescued from a possible cancellation by Fusion Garage - will also occupy this nascent but growing market for sub-laptop internet devices.

Dell would neither confirm nor deny the rumors, saying that the company "continually develops and tests new products that extend the mobile experience. We have not made any product announcements and do not comment on speculation, rumor, or unannounced products."

Acer chairman lashes out at HP, Dell

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:14:50 GMT

JT Wang, the chairman of PC manufacturer Acer's board of directors, has publicly castigated rivals HP and Dell, saying the two companies' price cutting and emphasis on mainstream laptop models have been the drivers of low innovation, particularly in the field of ultrathin PCs.

Geek.com reports that it is Wang's belief that ultrathin laptops are "much more popular than sales figures demonstrate and should become…mainstream [products]." Wang's assertion is that Dell and HP have undercut the move toward ultrathin models by dramatically slashing prices on standard laptop PCs and pushing buyers away from more modern options.

Wang warns that a continued price race to the bottom will stunt the growth of more competitive processing hardware for ultrathins as Intel focuses more heavily on CPUs for the standard laptop chassis. Ultrathins accounted for half of Acer's laptop sales at a recent trade show in Taiwan, but have not demonstrated similar performance in the general market.

PC World says that Acer, the second-largest PC maker in the world, is still well-placed to take advantage of any potential shift in the marketplace.

Combined CPU/GPU is the result of Intel's 'Larrabee' cancellation

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:14:29 GMT

Microchip manufacturer Intel has announced that it will not abandon research into multi-core graphics card drivers and processors in the wake of the cancellation of its advanced "Larrabee" graphics processor project.

Larrabee was to be a GPU with multiple processors, the amount of which would be scalable between 10 and 100, according to Computer World. Instead, CNET reports that Intel will release "Pine Tree" at the end of the month, which is a combination CPU and GPU that will provide a new low-cost option for laptop graphics processing.

The current low-cost graphics for laptops are the "chipset," which CNET describes as a "piece of ancillary silicon." Integrated graphics chipsets have meager capabilities - they are incapable, for example, of running demanding modern video games or other apps - while a fully integrated graphics processor could provide greatly increased performance for portable PCs.

Computer World's Sharon Gaudin reports that Intel lags behind Nvidia and AMD subsidiary ATI in the competitive graphics processing market, but that the company continues to make up ground despite setbacks like Larrabee.

Super-svelte hard drive to launch at CES 2010

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:13:58 GMT

Leading hard drive manufacturer Seagate will debut its Momentous Thin series of miniaturized storage devices at the Consumer Electronics Show, which will take place in January of 2010.

Standard laptop hard drives are 9.5 mm tall, but the new Seagate device will measure up at a mere 7 mm, enabling it to fit inside ultra-thin notebooks and some netbooks. Advances in magnetic storage, particularly in the amount of data that can be stored on a single magnetic "platter," are thought to be the drivers of the move to smaller and smaller hard drives.

PC World reports that Seagate CTO Robert Whitmore told a conference call in late October that "this new slimline product allows our OEM customers to continue to reduce the thickness and weight of their notebook platforms."

The company says that the new drives will be more competitive on a cost-per-gigabyte basis than both conventional magnetic drives of similar size and the new solid-state storage devices that are already a popular feature on higher-end laptops and gaming PCs due to high read/write speeds.

Driver update for Droid being pushed out to phones

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:09:04 GMT

Motorola's much-ballyhooed new Droid smartphone is receiving a new set of drivers today, which are aimed at tackling an array of bugs affecting the device's camera, battery life, and call quality.

Verizon says that the upgrade, called ESD56, will correct problems in the device drivers for the battery, which could improve the Droid's uptime. ESD56 will also improve Bluetooth performance, as users had reported a strange background noise when using that function on the Droid. A bug that prevented users from receiving SMS or MMS messages after receiving an EMS message is also fixed.

The company also says it has fixed one of the stranger bugs discovered on the new smartphone, an auto-focusing issue which was somehow linked to the device's internal clock, causing pictures taken during certain time periods to be blurred and those taken at other times to be clear. Android experts took some time to realize the cause of the problem.

Pundits say that the Droid is the first smartphone to compete directly with Apple's iPhone for the top end of the cell phone marketplace.

Dell offers budget version of its ultra-thin Adamo laptop

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:07:53 GMT

Although many reviewers were highly impressed with Dell's Adamo XPS ultra-thin laptop, almost all noted that its high price point would put it beyond the reach of all but the most well-heeled, relegating it to the role of executive toy. However, the company this week released the Vostro V13, a mid-range laptop that shares the ultra-thin styling of the Adamo XPS but costs less.

The high-end features that were the main drivers of the Adamo XPS's high price are mostly absent here, as the base configuration of the Vostro V13 will offer only Ubuntu Linux as an OS and feature an underpowered Celeron processor. However, CNET reports that an upgrade to a more robust Core 2 Duo and Windows 7 is offered for the computer, though this could cause the price to jump from the $450 range into the mid-$600s.

The Vostro V13 will support up to 4 GB of RAM and include integrated Intel graphics processing and 320 GB of hard drive space. The V13 is 0.65 inches wide at its thinnest point, identical to the pricier Adamo XPS.

PC World says that the Vostro V13 is targeted at the small- to medium-sized business market.

Driver update turns Western Digital HD media players into expensive paperweights

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:59:11 GMT

Users of Western Digital's TV Live HD media player have reported widespread system crashes after installing a new driver update for the popular device, and the company has acknowledged the error and pulled the firmware from its website.

The 1.01.12 driver update, as WD has designated the firmware in question, has caused numerous units to become "bricked." Geek.com's John Brownlee says that while WD has been quick to correct the error, those units that have been affected by the faulty drivers could be unrecoverable and all data stored on them could be lost.

The company has posted on its forums that it is investigating the issue and will post any new information that it may come across in the course of its inquiries. WD insists that only "a small percentage" of users are suffering from the issue, despite widespread consternation on the company forums.

eCritic reports that WD will offer return merchandise authorizations to customers affected by the problem, although the nature of a possible solution is, as yet, unknown.

Macs back on top of laptop reliability stack

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:58:03 GMT

After having dominated the reliability studies throughout 2007 and 2008, Apple was stunned in the first half of 2009 by Asus, which topped the rankings. However, Apple has reclaimed its crown as of yesterday, according to tech support firm Rescuecom.

Rescuecom's latest study shows Apple beating out Asus and Lenovo to retake its title as the manufacturer of the most reliable laptops. Computer World says that Asus' surprise win earlier in the year may have been due to the emergence of the netbook PC as one of the main drivers of laptop sales, and that Apple's resurgence is due to the numerous technical problems suffered by some netbooks later in their service lifetimes.

Asus' record score of 972 in the first quarter of 2009 plunged to 484 in the second quarter and has dropped to 166 in the third quarter figures, while Apple's 374 marks only a minor decline from its 394 in the second quarter.

However, other reliability reports have made different findings: last month's controversial study from after-sale warranty firm SquareTrade, ranked Apple behind Asus, Toshiba, and Sony for reliability.

Stripped-down Chrome OS to premiere on Dell Mini 10v netbook

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:46:59 GMT

Google's controversial Chrome Operating System has been adapted by engineers at PC maker Dell to run on the company's Mini 10v netbook.

The modified Chrome OS has been released as a USB key image file, according to PC World. A Dell engineer posting as "Dell-Doug A" on the Direct2Dell blog warns that, while the software is far from perfect - its network drivers have trouble detecting wireless hotspots - it offers lightning-quick performance and sub-15-second boot times.

PC World says that Chrome OS will not be available to the general public until late next year, and that the cloud-based system will be of limited use to non-netbook PCs. Chrome OS will encourage users to store much of their data in the cloud, and web apps will be preferred to locally hosted programs.

The Mini 10v version of Chrome OS is one of many adapted versions of the software to be based on specific hardware configurations, although there are other stripped-down versions like Diet Chromium that will run on most PCs.

Updated Linux kernel will support more graphics drivers

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:46:30 GMT

The latest version of open-source operating system Linux's central functions includes specialized graphics driver support for some graphics cards in ATI's Radeon line.

Linux 2.6.32, as the latest version of the OS is called, is the only recent Linux release not to focus on file systems to the exclusion of other concerns, according to Desktop Linux. The update will also provide a new function known as kernel shared memory (KSM) to improve performance. Desktop Linux says that KSM combined with improved graphics driver support should make Linux more competitive as a gaming platform.

OS News writes that Linux 2.6.32 will feature generally more efficient coding for virtualized memory, which should help boost performance across the board. Additionally, changes to the boot process will help reduce startup times, already a strong suit for Linux.

The Linux kernel is used by a wide array of open-source software, including Google's Chrome OS and the popular Ubuntu alternative operating system. Linux 2.6.32 will also offer support for Intel's Moorestown processor platform, ensuring that the OS stays relevant for the foreseeable future.

Verizon to release graphics driver update for Droid

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:46:03 GMT

A camera bug characterized as "bizarre" by Slashgear's Chris Davies will be repaired in the next over-the-air update to the Motorola Droid's firmware.

The Droid's camera is apparently unable to focus on objects on certain days. Consumer Reports says that pictures taken with the device were very blurry if taken on November 11, and that there is a date-related bug in the software that causes the problem. The update will also give Droid users improved voice communication functionality, as a call quality update fixes some minor problems with fidelity and sound reproduction.

It is rumored that the OTA update will occur on December 11, when users could see the onset of the next chronological period of camera failures, although Verizon has not officially set a date for the release of the update.

Camera problems aside, the Droid has caused a sizeable stir in the smartphone community, and many pundits have anointed the device as the chief rival to the iPhone, which continues to dominate the smartphone market for the time being.

Printer drivers could need significant upgrades for Chrome OS

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:14:24 GMT

Search giant Google's forthcoming Chrome operating system faces significant stumbling blocks in providing support for the myriad printer drivers that it will be expected to handle upon its public release.

Unlike many other types of computer peripheral, which frequently connect to PCs via a generally agreed-upon driver framework, there are as many printer drivers as there are printers, according to Tom Krazit of CNET. Linus Upson, engineering director for the Chrome OS project, told CNET that "all the problems related to drivers we want to go away."

Thom Holwerda, at OS News, reports that Google is working with printer manufacturers to push for a universal standard of printer drivers. Holwerda also says that the fact that Chrome OS uses the Linux kernel as a base means that the implementation of printer driver support will be easier, since Linux printer support is "generally excellent."

The issue of printer drivers is one of many swirling around Google's groundbreaking new OS, which will outsource much of the storage and capacity that computers require to run programs and display content to the cloud.

Hefty Dell laptop is a portable powerhouse

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:13:52 GMT

Texas-based PC maker Dell has released a new Precision M6500 workstation laptop, which packs desktop capacities into a nine-pound portable package.

The main driver of the Precision M6500's high performance is the Intel Core-i7 Quad-Core processor, in one of its first installations on a notebook PC. While the device only starts with 2 GB of RAM - which the New York Times' Stephen Williams says is not nearly enough for such a high-end machine - it contains expansion space for up to 16 GB.

The Precision M6500 will also feature a 1920 by 1200-resolution, 17-inch backlit LED screen, and a nine-cell battery, which should help power all that advanced hardware. The laptop starts at $2,749, but the price can go much higher if too many extras, like more RAM or advanced video drivers, are ordered.

The laptop market has been trending toward sleek design and portability recently, but Dell's latest entry into the field shows that there can still be a place for a powerful, feature-packed notebook capable of handling the latest applications.

Firmware problems aren't to blame for system crashes, says Microsoft

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:57:03 GMT

Microsoft's Security Response Center has posted a rebuttal to assertions that the company's most recent set of security drivers have caused system stability issues, saying that such reports are incorrect.

The MSRC says that it ran tests on all of the patches released in the November update of Windows 7, Vista, and XP, and found none of the registry modifications that were said to be responsible for the system instability and "black screen of death" crashes. The MSRC also said that the issues could be due instead to infections by the Daonol family of rootkit Trojans, which monitor network traffic and attempt to steal logon information for administrator accounts and redirect web searches.

The problems were initially reported by UK-based computer security firm Prevx, which said that users should download that company's security software in order to defend themselves against any possible exploit of the registry issues.

The British company has since admitted that it mischaracterized the problem and confirmed that the security patches were not at fault for the system instability.

Users say that some Dell laptops overheating rapidly

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:56:41 GMT

Overheating CPUs and GPUs are the drivers of substantially reduced performance in the E6400 and E6500 models of Dell's Latitude line of laptop computers, according to numerous users of internet message boards.

Bruce Emmerling, writing for the Examiner website, says that a number of explanations for the overheating errors are possible. There may be some issue with the sensors that determine when the computer is overheating and should be throttled back, or a problem with the vents clogging because of excess dust collecting, according to Emmerling.

Emmerling also says that many of the complaints come from users whose machines have GeForce 8800M or Intel integrated graphics processors, leading some experts to speculate that it may be overheating display hardware that is causing problems, not the CPUs themselves.

Other high-profile devices have suffered from overheating problems, most notably the Xbox 360, which is known to suffer from a defective heat sink, causing the infamous "red ring of death." This causes the Xbox 360 to become completely non-functional without resort to invasive modifications.

Chrome OS could signal sea-change in netbook world

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:25:22 GMT

The recent release of Google's Chrome operating system, though limited, nonetheless sent shock waves through the tech world, with some analysts predicting that the cloud-based OS will herald a revolution in computing, and others predicting a rapid fall into obsolescence.

BNET's Erik Sherman says that arguments that Chrome OS - which will be largely used with online content rather than locally stored content - will produce a drop-off in performance are not credible. Sherman argues that users are not looking to netbooks for any kind of high-performance, but merely for portability, battery life, and basic functionality.

Others, however, are less quick to dismiss concerns about Chrome OS. Randall Kennedy, writing at Info World, says that the limited capabilities of Chrome OS netbooks - sacrificed for greater boot speed and battery life - will limit its appeal as long as locally run applications stay more robust and powerful than web-hosted ones.

Chrome OS was released to hardware makers last month, as support for device drivers is expected to be one of the central issues with the system.

Ambitious CrunchPad project overtaken by current events

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:24:11 GMT

A project to develop a touch-screen tablet PC, undertaken by a small group of tech entrepreneurs led by TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington, is officially over as of this week, with ownership disputes effectively dooming the endeavor before it could get off the ground.

Tech pundits had predicted the demise of the CrunchPad for some time, and several expressed surprise that technical and pricing limitations were not the cause of the project's demise. Liliputing remarks that the CrunchPad would have faced serious challenges in implementation and sales. The CrunchPad's proposed $300 price point would have made it cost roughly the same amount as a modern netbook, but with less processing power.

Liliputing also commented that "the idea of a touch-only device for interacting with the web feels very 2004," saying that touch-screen typing was insufficient to the needs of the Facebook- and Twitter-using denizens of Web 2.0.

Other tablet projects are still in the works. Apple's rumored tablet is designed along relatively standard tablet lines, while Microsoft's will take the form of a booklet.

New SD card standard will feature in major manufacturers' laptop lineups

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:22:56 GMT

An upgrade to the current SDHC standard of flash memory cards will be present on the next major releases from the top laptop makers, according to a report published in Daily Tech.

The new standard, SDXC, will dramatically boost read/write speeds possible with SD flash memory, up to 300 MB per second from the current standard of less than 50 MB per second. Additionally, the memory capacity of the SDXC cards will top out at 2 TB, another dramatic improvement from the current maximum of 32 GB.

The Daily Tech report says that HP, Lenovo and Dell are among the laptop manufacturers set to incorporate the new technology into their upcoming offerings, but there is as yet no indication of when Apple plans to bring SDXC to its MacBook line.

While the SDXC standard is going to be backwards compatible - SDHC cards will be readable by SDXC drivers and devices - the common use of USB 2.0 as a conduit for SDHC data means that that such devices might not have sufficient bandwidth to see a speed boost from the new technology.

DoD springs for 2,200 PlayStation 3s to improve supercomputing performance

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:46:38 GMT

Recent price drops for Sony's popular PS3 gaming console may have played a role in U.S. defense policy, as the Department of Defense announced last week plans to purchase 2,200 of the devices in order to upgrade its supercomputer cluster.

The DoD said in its announcement that PS3s offered much more processing power for an equivalent price than did specialized blade servers built by IBM, saying that the PS3 was "the only viable technology for [high-performance computing] applications." Ars Technica cites a justification review document as saying that the machines will be organized into a parallel processing cluster and will run Linux.

Ars Technica also notes that the improved value for money is partially due to the fact that Sony subsidizes the PS3, selling it at a loss in order to make more money from HDTV, memory stick, and other accessory sales. This is unlikely to happen in the case of the military, which presumably will not be requiring the latest online multiplayer games.

Gizmodo, for its part, jokingly asks whether it "isn't it just a bit curious that someone thought to save on upgrading the supercomputer just after Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was released?"

CPUs and GPUs on a collision course

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:45:47 GMT

Specialized graphics card drivers running on high-end hardware have long been the gold standard for video and 3D rendering performance, with good cause: The capabilities of specialized GPUs are far beyond even the most potent CPU when it comes to high-end graphics. More and more, developers have been leveraging the horsepower of GPUs for use in other applications.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, writing for ZDNet, says that although most of the extant applications that tap into the GPU's capacity are graphics-related, "the breadth and range of applications that can leverage the GPU is increasingly weekly." Kingsley-Hughes also points out reports that Intel is planning a hybrid CPU-GPU device to demonstrate the increasing convergence of capacity.

Developers are increasingly aware of the potential performance boosts that can be realized from tapping into the considerable computing power contained in high-end GPUs, according to Kingsley-Hughes, which he says should be the final step towards the adoption of GPU performance as a core performance metric for future PCs.

At present, the GPU's capacity and speed are mostly important only to gamers, who require the raw graphical horsepower provided by dedicated units.

HP Envy to compete with MacBook Air for high-end laptop market

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:45:04 GMT

PC maker HP's new Envy 13 notebook outdoes the MacBook Air in a number of respects, according to CNET, but its high price point could slow large-scale adoption.

CNET's review praised the power-saving options available for the Envy 13, including the ability to upgrade the laptop's processor to an ultra-low-voltage 1.6 GHz Core 2 Duo that draws just 10 watts of power. The default processor, by comparison, draws 17. The Envy 13 also boasts an optional high-def display, a feature absent from the MacBook Air.

Price, however, could be a stumbling block for the Envy 13. CNET says that, while it is possible to configure the device to have a much longer battery life than the MacBook Air, as well as improved power and capability, such a configuration would push the price beyond that of the Air, and much higher than a similarly equipped MacBook Pro.

Still, the Envy 13's sleek styling and high-end capabilities - including variable graphics drivers that can provide both performance and power-saving capacities - could make it a hot item this holiday season.

Sound of Black Friday bargains: Tweet, tweet

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:12:43 GMT

Facebook and Twitter were among the primary digital drivers of Black Friday sales, as consumers used the popular social networking sites to avoid the crush and find the best deals on a myriad of retail items on what is known as the biggest shopping day of the year.

Particularly for consumers interested in computers, cell phones, and other high-tech items, social networking has assumed a new prominence as a source of information. While the web in general is an acceptable source of information on many topics, social networking users look to those services for product information independent of retailers or manufacturers.

Reuters reports, however, that those companies have been getting in on the act themselves, sending updates and alerts to users who sign up to follow them on Twitter or friend them on Facebook. Some companies have even offered Twitter- or Facebook-only discounts.

Social networking services have grown in importance in a number of spheres this year, from their prominent role in covering the Iranian election protests to Twitter's landmark search deals with Google and Microsoft.

CNET: HP budget laptop offers solid performance, but stay near an outlet

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:19:51 GMT

HP's Pavilion dv4-2045dx - a laptop PC with a fixed configuration of drivers and hardware designed for sale at retail outlets - is a generally solid offering, boasting a high ratio of bang to buck, but CNET cautions that the battery life is less than impressive.

The Pavilion dv4-2045dx draws on a 2.2 GHz AMD Turion II processor, 4 GB of DDR2 RAM and 7200 RPM, 360 GB hard drive to deliver performance on a par with laptops in a higher price range than its own sub-$600 price point. CNET's review praised the design as "nice…for a budget notebook" and said that the 14.1-inch screen was a standout.

The only downside, according to CNET, is battery life. The Pavilion dv4-2045dx scored worse than most other laptops in its category, possibly because of the muscular CPU and the hard drive with higher-than-normal read speed. The flip side of that coin was that the HP machine defeated all comers in multimedia performance tests.

Budget laptops, in the current economic climate, are expected to be top sellers this holiday season, as Black Friday approaches and retailers prepare to offer some of their most competitive deals yet seen.

Ho ho ho-liday deals app for iPhone released by eBay

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:19:19 GMT

The Deals app for Apple's iPhone was launched by internet auctioneer eBay earlier this week. The app is capable of sending a steady stream of bargain-basement prices to the user's iPhone throughout the holiday season.

Deals will search for items that have less than four hours of auction time left, have no bids or reserve prices, and offer free or fixed-rate shipping, according to CNET. The app covers eight major categories of eBay products, and iPhone users have only to shake their devices for the screen to dissolve and the app to offer an entirely different set of deals, using the iPhone's advanced graphics drivers and built-in accelerometer.

Additionally, the Deals app features PayPal functionality and numerous customizable search features. The app will also interface smoothly with Facebook and Twitter, according to the Computer Business Review, allowing users to share deals found via the app with their friends or followers.

The iPhone is not the only mobile platform getting a seasonal gift from eBay, with the online auction site releasing apps for RIM's Blackberry devices.

Drivers hacked to bring Apple mouse to PCs

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:18:45 GMT

The Magic Mouse, a Mac device that incorporates a number of advanced features into its design, is now available for use on Windows PCs, thanks to the efforts of a clever hacker on the UneasySilence website.

The Magic Mouse, which retails for about $70, can be cracked at home using Bluetooth to access the wireless mouse drivers that the device uses to implement its multi-gesture functionality. Softpedia says that the Magic Mouse can be programmed to function as either a single- or dual-button mouse, and that "users can easily scroll through long documents, pan across large images or swipe to move forward or backwards through photos by using intuitive gestures."

Apple will include a Magic Mouse with every new iMac, but the hack could encourage PC users to spring for the advanced device, which introduces new levels of functionality far beyond that which is possible with traditional devices.

Apple strongly discourages users from tinkering with the inner workings of its devices, which almost invariably voids the warranty and causes the company to stop supporting it in any way. This has not stopped industrious techies from "jailbreaking" iPhones and converting iPods for all sorts of alternative uses.

Analyst: Microsoft hasn't learned from mistakes with Vista

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:59:46 GMT

While most reviews of Microsoft's new Windows 7 operating system have been generally positive, investment strategist Robert Green, writing at Briefing.com, says that the company failed to learn the lessons of Windows Vista's failure.

Green says that the lack of backwards-compatible drivers and a poor risk/benefit equation to Vista upgrades doomed that OS from the beginning, because Microsoft had failed to realize that the OS is not the most important factor in PC performance anymore.

Microsoft, argues Green, still doesn't understand the fundamental shift in the PC buyer's mindset that has rendered their age-old marketing strategy - "upgrade your system," as Green has it - null and void in the 21st century. What people want, Green says, is an invisible operating system that runs other programs efficiently and simply, not one with more bells and whistles.

While most analysts agree that it is still too soon to judge whether or not Windows 7 is a success, strong initial sales - particularly among Vista users upgrading - make Green's prediction a daring one.

Intel pricing systems according to Facebook popularity

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:59:22 GMT

Facebook fans of Intel are all drivers of lower prices on selected laptops. The microchip manufacturer is offering a discount of varying size, depending on how many users of the popular social networking website join its fan group.

Matthew Humphries of Geek.com says that the promotion is a joint effort of Intel and social media firm Sprout, which boasts MTV, Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers Records, and Universal Pictures among other high-profile clients.

The laptops on offer are manufactured by Toshiba, Asus, and Acer, and all feature Intel's high-end Core 2 Duo processors, which offer greatly improved performance compared to the company's previous Celeron line of mobile chips. The deals will be in effect as of November 30.

Venturebeat characterized the move as "an example of letting fans exert their newfound power on the internet to achieve a collective goal," while Humphries warned that "Intel must ensure that even if it doesn't meet the fan targets it wanted that the price is still reasonable otherwise trying this again in the future definitely won't meet with success."

Laptop prices hit record lows on Black Friday

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:58:55 GMT

It's no secret that laptop prices have been dropping fast for some time now, and that economic conditions and consumer confidence have been the drivers of the decline. However, prices will dip still lower on Black Friday, kicking off the holiday season.

However, CNET warns bargain hunters to move cautiously: Many of the absolute lowest prices are for systems that have serious performance issues, like the HP G60-507DX being offered for less than $200 at Best Buy. CNET says that the G60 offers netbook-level performance in a full-sized package and could seriously disappoint.

On the other hand, some slightly more expensive models might be a better deal, according to the CNET report. Best Buy also offers a Sony NW235 - complete with Pentium Dual Core processor and 4 GB of RAM - for roughly $400, as well as a Core 2 Duo-powered Toshiba with 3 GB of RAM for the same price.

Consumer electronics of all stripes are typically hot items for the holiday season, and experts say that laptops will not be the only gizmos priced to move this winter.

Audio junkies to be freed from traditional sound drivers

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:12:01 GMT

Digital audio firm Bowers and Wilkins has announced that it will release the MM-1 USB speaker system in February 2010, which will connect directly to a computer without the intermediary of a PC sound card.

The specs, according to Giz Mag, will be groundbreaking for a system measuring only 170 by 100 by 100 millimeters per speaker, including a frequency range from 57 Hz to 22 kHz and USB 2.0 connections used for both input and power. Digital audio, instead of being translated into analog output by the computer's sound card, will be played via specialized Dynamic EQ DSP technology.

Nothing is known as yet about pricing or availability information, but experts expect that the MM-1 will not come cheap, based on the company's previous releases in the PC market.

Bowers and Wilkins are famous among serious audiophiles for their audio equipment, which has been used in the Beatles' Abbey Road studios and George Lucas' movies. The company's most notable PC offering before the MM-1 setup was the Zeppelin iPod dock, which was similarly innovative.

Smartbooks could supplant netbooks: Qualcomm

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:11:39 GMT

A senior vice president at digital technology firm Qualcomm has said that he could see the netbook going the way of the dodo in the face of competition from the company's "smartbook" model, which uses the advanced new Snapdragon mobile processor to deliver solid performance in an even smaller package.

Luis Pineda told CNET that "we see the smartbook cannibalizing the netbook. It is a connected 3G device that's always on, has data always pushed to the device, and all-day battery life. In other words, the smartphone experience." Pineda and other taxonomists of the mobile device world say that while the smartbook is effectively a large cell phone, a netbook is merely a small laptop.

However, some are still skeptical that the smartbook is different enough from the netbook to really take off. "You have to step back and say who cares? Is it meeting different needs in the marketplace?" asked Jeff Orr, speaking to CNET. Others assert that even high-performance ARM processors like Snapdragon will rapidly become obsolete next to full-scale PC CPUs.

Smartbooks and netbooks are among the many devices expected to go fast this week as Black Friday approaches.

Good idea or bad idea? Laptop at the wheel causing slew of comments

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:11:17 GMT

In the face of widespread public pressure to curb the use of electronic devices on the road, the AutoExec WM-01 Wheelmate has some tech pundits laughing - and others gasping at the audacity.

The WM-01 is simply a tray that attaches to the steering column of a car, allowing drivers to use a laptop computer while driving down the road.

Although the Amazon store entry for the WM-01 contains the disclaimer "never use this product while driving," it has caused quite a stir. The device has drawn hundreds of joke reviews, praising the device for giving them the ability to "use it as a 'mini-bar' when the friends and I go out to the bars. I can quickly fix multiple shots of tequila for myself and the friends as we drive from one bar to the next."

Another says that "I got my work done for an important presentation a day early, all done while commuting. The reason I only gave it 1 star is that I accidentally ran over two kids." No word on precisely when the product will be pulled from Amazon's virtual shelves, but it will most likely be soon.

Dell Studio 17 gets firmware upgrade for multi-touch capability

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:06:19 GMT

Texas-based PC maker Dell has announced - with what some analysts saw as a startling lack of fanfare - the availability of its first studio notebook with multi-touch video drivers.

Techtree, an Indian tech news site, says that the only previous Dell machines with multi-touch capability were tablet PCs, not full-fledged desktop replacement-class laptops. The Studio 17, which will start at $880, comes with a number of high-end features, including a 17.3-inch HD LED screen supporting resolutions of up to 1600 by 900.

Gizmodo writes that the Studio 17 will also use a discrete graphics card, and a 512 MB ATI Radeon 4570, unlike many laptops that use integrated graphics chipsets. With maxed-out options, the Studio 17 can ship with Core i7 processors, 8 GB of RAM, a full 1080p display and 1 GB Radeon graphics card, though this sends the price skyrocketing to just over $2,800.

The Studio 17 is available now, and Dell says that it will ship by mid-December, though the company is currently working through unexpected delays in shipping some other laptop models.

Sony to sneak new graphics drivers onto PS3 in attempt to reach 3D nirvana

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:05:44 GMT

At a presentation to investors yesterday, Sony announced that it would make all of its PlayStation 3 videogame consoles fully 3D capable by the end of the 2010, with the functionality built into new machines and upgradable via firmware onto older ones.

CNET says that Sony had already demonstrated prototype 3D gaming technologies, but that the news of a system-wide upgrade to the new standard has not been previously heard. The 3D functions will require glasses of similar function to those seen in 1950s-era newsreels of 3D moviegoers, as well as a specially equipped TV.

The CNET report, however, questions whether or not the system will work on non-Sony-manufactured 3D TVs, and points out that 120Hz monitors are still required to display content in 3D. But the report praises the company for its proactive stance on the application of 3D technology.

Stephen Ebert of UK-based game website Videogames Republic speculates that the decision to roll out 3D on the PS3 is linked to Sony's plans to release a line of 3D Bravia televisions.

Angry Lenovo fires back at researcher over laptop reliability results

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:05:15 GMT

Computer warranty provider SquareTrade's recently released study, which compared laptop reliability from various PC makers, has some of those companies up in arms.

Chinese manufacturer Lenovo, in particular, reacted angrily to its poor showing in SquareTrade's tests, saying that the results of the study were misleading and that SquareTrade had a "vested interest" in exaggerating laptop failure rates, since the company's primary business is the sale of after-market warranties and they could use any additional drivers for sales.

According to Bit-Tech, an online news site, Lenovo said that SquareTrade's results did not take into account numerous factors that could account for disparities in reliability data, and said that the company's internal numbers were very different than SquareTrade's. The company also pointed out that 30,000 laptops are not a statistically significant sample for an industry that produced 142 million-odd devices over the past year.

Some analysts were surprised to see Apple come in as low as fourth on the reliability tests, since durability has long been a selling point for the company's premium products - which are generally offered at premium prices.

Intel to release new firmware, drivers for defective SSDs

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:18:58 GMT

Microchip manufacturer Intel will re-issue a firmware update for its solid-state hard drives after the original update caused the drives to stop working, the company announced yesterday.

Last month's driver update for Intel's SSD was pulled just one day after being issued, after it quickly became apparent that there was a serious flaw in the update's design. It was originally intended to correct several minor bugs in the SSD functionality and provide an incremental boost to data access rates, according to Computer World. That report also says that Intel will release a corrected version of the update before the end of November.

The new version of the update will, of course, allow the SSDs to continue operating, and will improve the device's performance by a much more significant 40 percent than the previous firmware update. The driver will be required to use Intel's SSD Toolbox utility.

PC Perspective warns that even users whose SSDs continued to function could have suffered from corrupted system restore points, and that Intel has published a workaround for the problem.

New laptop security device turns thieves from predators to prey

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:18:26 GMT

The laptop computer is a uniquely attractive target for casual theft: It's both highly portable and quite expensive, packing a great deal of functionality into a comparatively small package. Hence, many laptop users have opted for subscription services that charge a monthly or yearly fee.

However, there are now several open-source services on the market that allow users to track their stolen laptops for free. One of the newer ones, called Prey, contains a number of useful functions, but cuts a few corners on security, according to a product review at Computer World. The reviewer praised the software's ease of use and numerous features - including one that enables a laptop owner to send instant messages to a computer thief and can take pictures from the laptop's webcam.

Prey lost some points, though, due to the fact that it does not embed itself into a computer's BIOS directly, but simply sits on the hard drive like any other program, allowing thieves to simply delete the relevant network drivers and files.

Stolen laptops have been very much in the public eye of late, being blamed for numerous data breaches and other public scandals, including an alleged theft committed by an up-and-coming University of Minnesota basketball player.

Microsoft's Windows czar gets to know how the other half lives

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:17:50 GMT

Speaking to CNET's Ina Fried, Windows division president Steven Sinofsky admits that, once the software is done, he considers a project more or less over. But a recent familiarization project into the world of the hardware makers may have changed that outlook, he says.

Microsoft's Windows team collaborated with Acer to design and build a Windows 7 laptop. Sinofsky compared the experience to building a kitchen: "You start off by saying I want these cabinets this counter top and this kind of a sink and all of a sudden you've got this kitchen you can't afford and don't have the time to build. That's pretty much the first phase of building a laptop," he told CNET's Fried.

Hardware design features like RAM - as opposed to software or firmware like graphics drivers - are apportioned in a different way, says Sinofsky. He told Fried that the tradeoffs that had to be made in the laptop's design were unfamiliar to him.

The Acer 1420P will pack a number of high-end features - including a glossy screen that rotates to convert to a tablet profile - into a package that some sources say will cost less than $800.

Dell irks tech punditry, fan base with delays in shipping i7 Studio XPS laptops

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:54:51 GMT

Even though Dell consumers have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of powerful new Core i7-powered XPS laptops, the company has continued to delay shipping of the devices, citing a "design problem," according to a forum post.

The Dell user forums are currently flooded with complaints over the numerous delays imposed on the shipment of the i7 XPS Studio line of portable PCs, and the company has remained tight-lipped on its reasons why. In the absence of official comment, speculation is rife on the forums, with some believing that the laptops are being held back for an upgrade to its hardware and drivers in order to match up against a rival machine from HP.

Tech website The Inquirer says that one Dell customer ordered his computer in late September, and has still not received any word that the computer had shipped as of today.

Dell has also seen delays in shipping for its ultra-slim Adamo XPS laptop, which CNET says will ship on December 22 - literally just in time for Christmas.

Netbooks headed out of the classroom, into the office

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:54:17 GMT

Some high-level IT policymakers predict that the netbook PC, now largely confined to a specialized mobility-on-a-budget role, will soon make its presence felt in the corporate world.

James Gaskin, writing at Computer World, says that there are still numerous barriers to widespread netbook adoption in the enterprise market. Gaskin says that corporate insistence on high-end security measures for network drivers could keep feature-lite netbooks squarely in the minority for the time being. Additionally, Gaskin says that corporate buyers with hefty corporate bank accounts will likely pay the extra $100-$200 needed for a full-sized laptop.

But Gaskin also points out that management initially resisted the integration of the PC into the business world, as well as, more recently, the Apple iPhone. Pilot projects, he says, are already under way at several institutions, including Southern Methodist University and an unnamed client of St. Louis-based Enterprise Mobility Solutions.

Rock-bottom netbook pricing may eventually convince even the wariest corporate customers that the time is right to scale down the mobile PC, according to experts.

Nvidia takes over the graphics card driver's seat with GT 240

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:02:58 GMT

PC hardware maker Nvidia today released its new display adapter, the GeForce GT 240. The GT 240 is a highly capable video card that Nvidia will sell for less than $100, making it a hot item for holiday shoppers on a budget.

The GT 240 will be available with either 512 or 1024 MB of RAM, of either the DDR3 or DDR5 variety. Nvidia's latest offering will also come equipped with 96 shader units clocked at 1360 MHz to provide high shading performance.

The new card will generally enhance the graphics capabilities and speed of most mid-level to entry-level PCs, providing much stronger gaming performance with the addition of a dedicated PhysX and 3D vision chip along with support for Microsoft's DX 10 display architecture. Additionally, the GT 240 will offer greatly boosted Blu-Ray and Flash 10.1 performance.

Nvidia and ATI continue to compete fiercely for the graphics card market. ATI recently released a cutting-edge dual version of one of its most expensive and capable display adapters.

Asus and Toshiba top of the tough laptop heap

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:00:53 GMT

An analysis conducted by computer warranty firm SquareTrade says that laptops made by Asus and Toshiba were the least likely to break or malfunction among major brands, with Sony close behind and HP bringing up the rear.

SquareTrade's data comes from over 30,000 new laptops purchased by its customers over a three-year period, and tabulated the rates of failure after two years and three years for the top nine portable PC manufacturers. Less than 10 percent of Asus and Toshiba machines suffered driver malfunctions or other serious accidents over the first two years studied, compared to just over 15 percent of HPs. Acer and Gateway also scored poorly on SquareTrade's scale.

Additionally, SquareTrade says that netbooks were roughly 20 percent more likely to experience a malfunction or serious accident over the studied period than full-sized laptops, and that high-end executive computers were even less likely to break.

The U.S. laptop market performed unexpectedly well throughout the recent recession, and appears to be poised for a solid performance during the upcoming holiday season.

Chrome OS notebooks could carry little or no hard drive space

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:30:46 GMT

Rumors are swirling among the tech punditry that Google is planning to release a preliminary version of its Chrome OS to developers sometime this week, fueling speculation about the operating system's potential features and capabilities.

TechCrunch cites a "reliable source" as saying that a version of Chrome OS with a limited suite of video and sound drivers will go to developers sometime this week, and that hardware drivers are likely to be a particular weak spot of the early versions of Chrome OS.

David Coursey, writing at PC World, speculates that the lightweight nature of the Chrome browser will be reflected in Chrome OS, and that the vast majority of the OS's apps will be provided by cloud computing services, with very little locally stored content. Coursey also writes that this could result in limited functionality, but that the netbooks for which Chrome OS appears to be designed are not expected to provide high performance to begin with.

Chrome OS would be Google's latest venture into a new market. The company has begun competing with almost all of the major tech firms in recent years, in markets ranging from cell phones to web browsers.

Laptop cardio testing could help stop student athlete deaths

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:30:09 GMT

Reports suggest that tests performed with specialized device drivers on laptops can detect subtle cardiac irregularities that could cause sudden death in student athletes.

Speaking to Bloomberg News, Professor Anthony Magalski said that roughly 300 American high school and college athletes die every year from sudden heart failure. Magalski also said that EKG screening is an important tool for detecting the types of irregularities that can cause sudden deaths, but that the logistics and expense of hospital testing limit its widespread use.

Researchers in Texas, however, found that a laptop application can be used to provide on-site EKG screenings for student athletes. A recent test, in which the researchers screened over 2,000 Houston-area student athletes, found 186 students with cardiac abnormalities, including three with what were termed "serious cardiac conditions," according to Bloomberg.

Sudden death among athletes is a tragically common phenomenon the world over, with high-profile cases ranging from high school basketball players in Napierville, Illinois to professional soccer players in Spain.

New malware threat hides in Windows fonts

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:54:21 GMT

A newly discovered vulnerability in Windows' device drivers allows malicious code to infect embedded fonts in web pages and Microsoft Office documents, according to computer security researchers.

The experts at security research and testing firm Metasploit are working on sample exploit code to take advantage of the vulnerability, which resides in the win32.sys file. Microsoft described the potential damage from attacks on the vulnerability as "critical," and warned that there could be working exploit code in the wild within 30 days. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be attacked without any user input, via a drive-by download from an infected website.

Windows XP, Windows 2000, and older versions of Windows Server are susceptible to the embedded font attack. Windows Vista is partially vulnerable if unpatched, in that, while it can't be hijacked using the exploit, it can be remotely crashed.

The vulnerability has been fixed as of MS09-065, one of the patches that Microsoft released earlier in the week. The seriousness of the vulnerability underscores the importance of timely patching, say experts.

New advanced material to shut down overheating laptop batteries

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:53:41 GMT

Taiwan's national research organization, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, announced this week that they had successfully developed a product called Stoba that could help prevent damaged lithium-ion laptop batteries from overheating and exploding, according to Reuters.

At normal operating temperatures, Stoba is a porous material that does not affect the chemical reaction that operates a lithium ion battery. During an internal short, the battery temperature will rise rapidly, which can cause fires and even explosions. However, Stoba changes from a porous material to a film when heated to unsafe temperatures, which immediately stops the reaction and averts the possible violent release of heat.

The website Daily Tech writes that worries about lithium-ion battery safety have plagued commercial flyers for years, and the industry routinely recalls defective batteries rather than run the risk of a catastrophic meltdown.

Zinc-air technology will soon be the dominant paradigm for mobile electronic battery power, but that technology is not yet advanced enough to power modern consumer electronic devices. Stoba, in the meantime, should ensure a greater measure of safety.

First 3D laptops making their mark on world of video games

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:58:17 GMT

Three-dimensional technology has been available for some time now on desktop PCs, and for even longer in movie theaters. However, Acer's upcoming Aspire 5738D laptop will feature advanced display drivers and a 3D film across the screen to create unparalleled visuals for a portable device.

The Aspire - which is due to be released in December - will ship with polarized glasses that will allow users to experience both newly designed games and some of their old favorites in full 3D. Recent hits like Assassin's Creed, BioShock, and Portal will be viewable in 3D. Acer product marketing manager John Miedama told PC World that shooters and racing games will gain the most impact from 3D visuals.

Another 3D solution, this one aimed more at the hard-core gamer, is already available from nVidia, but Acer is unconcerned that it has been beaten to market. "nVidia's solution requires the nVidia GeForce VGA card and kit, while ours is more generic. Also, the nVidia solution is more expensive," said Miedama to PC World.

Analysts say that the Aspire 5738D could improve Acer's position in the holiday market for PC technology.

Windows 7 upgrades can be a dicey proposition, experts say

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:57:45 GMT

While experts generally agree that Windows 7 is a step up over both Windows XP and Windows Vista, there is less of a consensus on the utility of an upgrade, particularly for laptop users.

Netbook users have complained that the Windows 7 Starter edition available on most machines of their class is subpar, and some experts like Shane O'Neil of CIO.com have even suggested that Microsoft purposefully set out to sabotage the netbook market so that more consumers would buy ultrathin or full-sized laptops. An upgrade option is available to Windows 7 Starter users, allowing a switch to Home Premium for $80, according to the CIO.com report.

Additionally, tech website The Register reports that HP and Dell consumers are "furious" over delays in shipping their promised upgrade copies of Windows 7. The Register says that some customers are not expecting to receive the upgraded software until December.

However, other experts say that - if the budget makes sense - Windows 7's lighter-weight device drivers and system footprint can make for a smoother laptop experience.

Facebook gamercards will feature in next PS3 device driver update

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:57:19 GMT

Leaked photographs found on the PlayStation UK website seem to indicate that the next version of the PlayStation 3's Xcross media bar (XMB, pronounced "cross media bar") will integrate Facebook functionality into its interface.

Little is known about the possible integration of the fast-growing social network into Sony's XMB, but analysts say that Microsoft's recent integration of social networking features into its competing Xbox LIVE dashboard may have prompted Sony to take what would be a big step into the interconnected world.

Sony has made no comment on the leak as yet, saying that it "does not comment on rumor and speculation," but Computer and Videogame News says that Sony will make an announcement "shortly" on the issue of Facebook on the PS3. CVN speculates that this more or less confirms the rumors.

Increasing competition between the PS3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360 has driven a rapid pace of innovation for the two consoles' online services. Sony tends to lag slightly behind Microsoft in this area, having still not implemented the rumored cross-game chat function that was being talked about last month.

Best Buy experimenting with bottom-drawer pricing for laptops

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:02:07 GMT

Electronics retailer Best Buy attempted to get a jump on its Black Friday competition by offering an Acer Extensa laptop computer for sale at $250, its lowest advertised price point ever for a laptop.

The Extensa EX5230E-2177 will feature mostly middle-of-the-road hardware, including a 15.4-inch screen, DVD burner, and a 2.2 GHz Intel Celeron Procesor, as well as 2 GB of DDR2 RAM, making for a solid, if unspectacular performer. Gamers should beware, however, as the EX5230E-2177 will only feature integrated graphics and display drivers.

The bargain-priced offering will also include a built-in webcam, 160 GB hard drive, WiFi 802.11n support, and will run Windows 7 Home Premium edition. Best Buy's Extensa deal is roughly equivalent to laptop performance for the price of a netbook, though it will not, of course, retain the small size and portability of the smaller device.

The Extensa EX5230E-2177 has already sold out online, so early holiday bargain hunters will have to go to a Best Buy retail outlet if they want to buy the machine.

Muscular new Radeon HD card bristles with six display outputs

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:09:25 GMT

Users who have always wanted a six-screen display taking up an entire wall of their home or office can now fulfill their wishes with the Radeon HD 5870 2 GB display adapter, which features half a dozen display ports.

The HD 5870 will use ATI's Eyefinity display drivers to provide coordination among however many outputs power users wish to take advantage of, providing for what ATI hopes will be unparalleled multi-display capabilities. (This, of course, requires that the monitors used be compatible with the HD 5870's proprietary DisplayPort i/o format.)

While the HD 5870 has not been officially announced yet, specifications have been unofficially leaked to the internet at large. The HD 5870 will use 2 GB of GDDR5 display memory, which Softpedia says twice that used on current HD 5870 models. The graphics processing unit (GPU) and memory speeds will be 850 MHz and 4,800 MHz, says Softpedia.

The new HD 5870 is the second new Radeon to be unofficially announced this month, with the dual-processor HD 5970 leaked to the press late last week.

Study: Microprocessor industry bright spot in uncertain economy

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:08:53 GMT

Researchers at Massachusetts-based market researcher IDC said that the third quarter of 2009 saw the most microprocessors - used in CPUs along with firmware and device drivers - shipped of any quarter in history, and that the sector experienced an unusually high rate of growth during that time period.

Intel continued to dominate the market, growing its market share by 2 percent to 81.1 percent worldwide, while competitor AMD lost the same amount to end the quarter at 18.7 percent. Shane Rau, a divisional director of research at IDC said that "the story about 3Q09 leads with Atom processors being sold in mini-notebooks (a.k.a. netbooks) manufactured and sold in China," referring to Intel's successful low-powered portable chips.

Rau's statement is lent factual support by further IDC data showing that Intel made particularly strong gains in the portable market, accounting for nearly nine in 10 CPU purchases of laptops and netbooks.

However, the company counsels caution for the beginning of 2010, warning that Chinese market data are difficult to read and saying that there may yet be a downturn in the sales of microprocessors.

New laptop pad helps keep laps from getting too toasty

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:08:23 GMT

Sporting advanced phase-changing material (PCM), the ThermaPAK HeatShift laptop cooler is a handy option for preventing a laptop computer from making actual lap-top use uncomfortably warm, but it might not do much for the laptop itself, says tech website Gadgeteer.

The site's reviewer detailed the use of the HeatShift, which is a flexible pad made from a material that is solid at cooler temperatures, but changes into a gel when heated by a warm laptop computer to keep grooved channels in the pad's knit surface open and transferring cool outside air to the hot bottom of the computer.

The device, according to Gadgeteer, does indeed keep the lap of the laptop user cooler. However, testing with a thermometer revealed the pad made little or no difference to the interior temperature of the laptop, and in some cases actually made the laptop run hotter than it would have done without.

On the other hand, similar tests performed by another website - Gadling - showed small but measurable decreases in running temperature, in addition to the heat-shielding effects of the HeatShift.

Apple to crack down on jailbreaking iPhones

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:51:49 GMT

For as long as Apple's proprietary mobile phone OS has been used, a thriving subculture has existed on the internet with the sole purpose of cracking the code and putting other software on the sleek device. The technique is known as jailbreaking.

The technique for the latest version of iPhone OS has been cracked within recent weeks - using a hack dubbed "blacksn0w" - allowing users to employ their iPhones on networks other than AT&T. The downside of such jailbreaks is that Apple considers the warranty invalidated if they are used.

John Cox of Network World writes that Apple is advertising for a new security manager who would work on "secure booting and installation of the operating system, cryptographic services, partitioning and hardening its internal security domains, and risk analysis of security threats."

The move has been widely seen as a coming crackdown on iPhone jailbreakers, which some analysts, like PC World's Robert Strohmeyer, see as a poor PR move with the company facing stiffening competition from the likes of the Motorola Droid and other new smart phones.

Laptop users migrating to mobile phones in force

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:51:02 GMT

Experts say that both the enterprise and consumer segments of the population are turning to smart phones instead of laptops for many basic tasks.

Analyst Allen Nogee of In-Stat told the San Francisco Chronicle that "if [people] want to browse the Internet or if they want to see a Web link they may pull out their phone and see that before walking over to the laptop." Most troubling for laptop makers, Nogee's research found that 35 percent of smart phone data use was at home, not out and about.

Smart phones are increasingly able to take over some low-level functions from laptop computers, with a myriad of devices able to send and receive email and browse the web anywhere at any time. The Blackberry has become the symbol of the high-powered American professional, a casual remote control for the whole world.

However, others insist that the laptop is not done yet. The San Francisco Chronicle cites a study that says laptops massively outsold smart phones in the third quarter of 2009, 78 million units to 43 million. And experts point out that smart phones are not yet able to perform more robust functions that even budget laptops with their full-sized device drivers do with ease.

New mini-laptop is a shapeshifter - but it'll cost you

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:38:44 GMT

Boston-based computer manufacturer Litl has released what appears, at first glance, to be a standard netbook. But then the hinge is turned and the device is suddenly a digital picture frame.

The Webbook, as it is known, is a miniaturized netbook with a 12-inch screen and advanced display drivers that allow the screen to display in multiple orientations, so that, while it can still be used as a standard laptop, it can also be flipped over for use as a TV screen, picture frame, or other type of media center.

A 1.6 GHz Atom processor powers the device, which contains 1 GB of RAM, a 2 GB flash hard drive, and an on-board camera. Wired news suggests that the minimal hard drive space means that the Webbook is meant to be used as a cloud computing device, which would see most actual content stored elsewhere and streamed to the Webbook.

Critics say the device's $700 price point and minimal computing power make it a white elephant, as consumers could purchase a media center PC or a much more capable laptop for the same price.

Verizon to offer prepaid wireless internet for portable PC users

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:38:20 GMT

Telecom giant Verizon will offer a limited wireless broadband service to laptop users starting November 15 at its retail outlets and at national retailers on November 20, according to PC World.

The prepaid service will be available in a variety of durations and will allow for different amounts of bandwidth to be used. Customers will be able to pay $15 for one day's worth of internet access and 75 MB of data capacity, $30 for one week and 250 MB, or $50 for a month and 500 MB. All of these options will require users to purchase a $130 USB modem in order to connect to the service. Verizon says that its monthly option will enable users to read 170,000 emails, 3,400 web pages or send and receive about 500 low-resolution photos, according to CNET news.

Verizon also offers a contract service, which costs $60 per month and allows for 5 GB of data capacity. This service is similar to mobile broadband plans offered to Verizon's cell phone customers.

Some analysts say that Verizon's efforts are doomed to failure in this area due to its prices already being undercut by Virgin Mobile, which offers cheaper prices and more available bandwidth.

AMD, Intel processors offer slightly different values for laptop buyers

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:37:55 GMT

The two major manufacturers of CPUs, Advanced Micro Devices and Intel, differ subtly in performance in various areas, which should be a consideration for prospective purchasers of PCs.

One major myth about PC performance is that the CPU is the only factor determining the speed at which the computer performs operations. RAM, hard drive access speed and display drivers are all important factors as well. However, the CPU is undeniably the largest single determinant of PC speed. Faster processors are integral to improved performance - and can command a premium price.

Tests performed by Computer World writer Frank J. Ohlhorst earlier this fall indicated that AMD's processors tended to offer more bang for the buck at the lower end of the consumer spectrum, as well as generally stronger graphics processing performance. Intel, though slightly more expensive, tended to have better high-end offerings and can outperform AMD in graphics when used in combination with an advanced display adapter.

Laptop users have a wide variety of new options, as portables of all sizes with chipsets from both manufacturers are flooding the market after the release of Windows 7.

Budget-priced laptops and netbooks heading to market

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:20:52 GMT

PC manufacturers are offering a range of low-priced netbooks and laptops, light on gadgetry and display drivers, but costing as little as $300, in the hopes of attracting bargain-hunters ahead of the holiday season.

Typical of this bargain laptop school of manufacturing is the Toshiba L455-S5975, which packs a DVD burner, 250 GB hard drive, large screen, and full-sized keyboard for the price of $350. While CNET describes the device's processor as "underpowered," $350 is still a bargain price for a fully functioning, modern laptop.

Even cheaper are some 10-inch-screen netbooks like the Dell Mini 10v, which offer better portability and battery life than their bigger cousins, but sacrifice even more performance and ability to do it. Such netbooks are available for as little as $300, but prospective buyers should be warned that they generally lack optical drives and carry little in the way of hard drive space or RAM.

The portable PC market is startlingly bifurcated, according to most analysts, with a contrast between increasingly expensive executive toys at one end of the market and stripped-down budget models at the other.

New Dell Adamo XPS set for holiday release

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:20:21 GMT

After weeks of teasing photos and limited cameo appearances, PC maker Dell has finally announced technical and pricing details for its upcoming Adamo XPS luxury laptop.

Tech news site CNET was one of several news organizations to get a hands-on test drive with a preliminary version of the Adamo XPS. Dan Ackerman, writing the review, was largely impressed, complementing the device's ultra-thin styling - the Adamo XPS is less than half an inch thick at its largest point - and indicating that the device's use of a low-voltage processor and SSD hard drive could point to solid battery performance.

The Adamo XPS is positioning itself solidly at the high end of the laptop market, and it is priced as such - the device starts at $1,799, which does not include any of the optional features - like an extended battery and advanced display drivers and hardware - that are typically available for Dell PCs.

Dell's new entrant in the luxury portable market will be the thinnest computer on the market, out-slimming the MacBook Air by about a third of an inch.

Dell partners with Sprint to offer mini-netbook for basement-level price

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:27:21 GMT

PC maker Dell and telecom firm Sprint have teamed up to produce the Inspiron Mini 10, a sub-netbook computer that will cost $200 with the purchase of a standard 3G wireless contract from Sprint.

Sold exclusively on Dell's website, the Mini 10 packs relatively standard netbook hardware: a 10-inch screen without advanced display drivers, 160 GB hard drive, and an Intel Atom Z520 low-voltage processor. The netbook will run Windows XP, not the recently-released Windows 7.

The device's $200 price point takes into account a $100 rebate, so customers will have to fork over $300 at the time of purchase. The wireless contract will cost $60 per month and include 5 GB of data access, relatively standard in the industry. In the recession-battered economy, netbooks have carved out a sizeable chunk of the portable PC market, jumping 264 percent in the second quarter of 2009.

Sprint is not the first telecom company to partner with a PC maker to offer subsidized computers. Both AT&T and Verizon offer similar products through partnerships with various manufacturers.

Pics of upcoming ATI display adapter leaked to public

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:26:33 GMT

The internet at large got a sneak pic of ATI's upcoming Radeon HD 5970 graphics card this week, which will feature two of the company's 5870 graphics processing units linked together to provide higher performance.

Tech website Reg Hardware says that ATI commonly releases dual-processor versions of many of its display adapters, linking them together with modified display driver firmware. The site to which the device was leaked, AlienBabelTech, attempted to post performance figures for the high-end graphics card but was forced to remove them by ATI.

The hardware community is generally in agreement that the HD 5970 is a beast of a device, fully 12.5 inches long. Experts say that this could seriously hinder its ability to fit inside many PCs, where space is at a premium. ATI reportedly told AlienBabelTech that the leaked device is an engineering sample, and that the finished device would have a different form factor.

ATI rival nVidia is expected to release its own line of DirectX 11-capable graphics cards soon, codenamed "Fermi," but ATI is said to be confident of outperforming its Intel-backed competitor.

Windows 7 might not live up to fast-booting expectations, but opinions vary

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:26:00 GMT

Some computer analysts say that Windows 7's purported performance advantages may have been overhyped by Microsoft in the run-up to the new operating system's recent release. However, others say that their test results show that Windows 7 is every bit the speed demon it was said to be.

Computer optimization firm Iolo asserts that Windows 7 actually takes longer to boot than Windows Vista, claiming a discrepancy of 28 seconds between the two operating systems. After the installation of what Iolo called "several commonly-used applications," the difference was even more pronounced.

However, PC Magazine's tests indicated that Windows 7 was the faster starter, not Vista. That publication claimed that performance on several tests - including startup and shutdown and numerous device driver tests - showed that the new OS was about 12 percent faster than its older counterpart.

White Hat News suggests that the disparate results could be due to differing system architectures used in the tests. Iolo's tests were performed on a 32-bit machine, while PC Magazine used a 64-bit one.

One laptop per child, but it won't have dual touchscreens

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:48:17 GMT

The founder of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project revealed in a recent interview that the XO-2 project, which would have featured dual touchscreen functionality, has been scrapped, but that further development will continue on the XO-1.75 and XO-3 projects.

The XO-1.75 is a simple update of the company's existing XO-1 device, which uses Linux to provide a highly economical option for cash-strapped schools around the world. Compact computer website Liliputing reports that the decision to halt development of the XO-2 was expected, as the company is facing financial shortfalls.

Development of the much more ambitious XO-3 continues, however. OLPC says that the XO-3 will be a single-sheet design, a quarter of an inch thick and costing $75, according to Nicholas Negroponte, the OLPC chairman. The device would be truly groundbreaking - and would require state-of-the-art device and display drivers - but it is not expected until 2012.

The OLPC project says that it has provided over a million low-cost XO-1 computers to students around the world, aiding education and the spread of technology.

Laptops at the hub of personal Wi-Fi networks

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:47:51 GMT

Business professionals who travel frequently could save a bundle on fee-based internet access by turning their laptops into mobile Wi-Fi routers.

Thanks to a new feature in Windows 7 called Virtual Wi-Fi, users can avoid the need to purchase internet time for multiple mobile devices, as is currently the case. Instead, savvy laptop users can make their computers simulate the presence of virtual internet adapters, and allow mobile devices like smartphones and PDAs to access the internet without paying any additional sign-on fees.

Virtual Wi-Fi, however, is not a completed feature. It requires a third-party program known as Connectify to supply it with the necessary device drivers and functionality. Connectify is currently in beta and free to download and use, though PC Pro says that it may become for-pay once it is in full release. Additionally, some experts speculate that Microsoft may someday finalize the Virtual Wi-Fi technology.

Ed Hansberry, writing for Information Week, notes that this functionality is different than internet connection sharing, and allows computers to be viewed as standard wireless internet connection points.

Windows launches DX11 display drivers for Vista in wake of Windows 7

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:17:27 GMT

The new display driver framework included in Microsoft's recently released Windows 7 operating system is now available for Vista via platform update.

DirectX 11 is the second version of DirectX to use the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM), with the first being DirectX 10, the flagship display firmware of Windows Vista. The display driver package includes several versions of a feature called DirectCompute, which allows users to scale DirectX functionality based on the display hardware available.

For example, DirectCompute 4.0 is designed for DirectX 10 hardware, version 4.1 will work with DirectX 10.5, and the most robust DirectCompute 5.0 will only be compatible with DirectX 11-compliant hardware.

Some experts warn that few computers have the cutting-edge graphics cards necessary for full DirectX 11 functionality, and they encourage users to make sure that their computer can run it before downloading. However, the DirectCompute functionality is expected to be available in several upcoming programs, according to PC World, so it might be worthwhile anyway.

Super-high-speed wireless coming to Chicago this week

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:17:06 GMT

WiMax, the next-generation wireless internet protocol that can provide home broadband speeds over mobile connections is set to go live in the Chicago area this week after a number of false starts.

The project is the result of a collaboration between Sprint and Clearwire, which merged their wireless broadband units last year after a complete merger failed the year before, according to the Chicago Tribune. Service will be available starting at $35 per month, which will include the USB dongle and device drivers required to connect to the WiMax network.

The Sprint/Clearwire partnership will also offer a home modem, which they say will offer an advantage of convenience over conventional wired devices. "[The consumers] don't have to wait for a technician to come install it and run cables all over the house," said Carlos Lopez, the president of a company that distributes Clearwire service.

Sprint and Clearwire's municipal WiMax networks - sometimes referred to as 4G - are also being rolled out this week in Dallas and parts of North Carolina, according to EWeek.

Microsoft "signature" PCs avoid trialware slowdowns

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:16:37 GMT

Redmond-based computing titan Microsoft has moved into the PC retail market with its "signature" line of computers, which allow for high levels of user customization and could avoid many of the system and display driver slowdowns caused by trialware or "crapware" that come with many retail PCs.

While Microsoft will sell the signature PCs at its two physical retail outlets - modeled loosely on the Apple Store and located in Scottsdale, Arizona and Mission Viejo, California - the bulk of sales are expected to take place online. Ina Fried of CNET news says that Microsoft's goal with the signature effort is to provide consumers "what Microsoft feels is the best software experience they can have on a PC."

The computers themselves will be manufactured by the usual lineup of Windows PC makers - Acer, Sony, HP, Dell, and Lenovo - but will offer an exclusive suite of Microsoft programs, including Security Essentials, Zune 4.0, and Bing 3D Maps.

Critics of the signature PC concept assert that Microsoft is merely trying to circumvent anti-trust regulations in order to get its Windows Live Essentials suite - which is also included - on to as many PCs as possible.

Reports: Windows 7 is good for laptop battery life

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:10:48 GMT

Tech news outlets are reporting that Microsoft's new Windows 7 operating system improves the battery life of laptop computers, as the company had claimed in the run-up to Windows 7's release.

Information Week said that Microsoft worked with Intel to lower power use by shutting down devices that are not in use, leave Intel processors in deep power down states, and generally focus the minimal amount of power on anything that computers are not currently being asked to do.

"That gained an additional 1.4 hours of battery life," said Intel's Microsoft liason, Joakim Lialias, according to Information Week. PC World says that their tests were unable to verify such a significant leap in battery life, but did confirm that Windows 7 laptops lasted longer than Vista-equpped devices.

Device drivers are also said to be improved in Windows 7, side-stepping the widespread compatibility issues that plagued Vista. The company has guaranteed that any product that worked with Vista will work with Windows 7. Aside from isolated teething troubles, the new version of Windows appears to be making a good impression on the tech world.

Thank you for flying with?oh, hold on, I've got an email

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:10:19 GMT

Laptop computers are said to be at the heart of the mysterious recent overflight of Minneapolis, according to investigations conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The two Delta Northwest pilots said that they became involved in a discussion of work schedules and failed to pay attention to instruments or radio messages, according to Bloomberg news. Thus distracted, the plane overshot its destination airport by 150 miles. Widespread media coverage of the incident caused Congress to convene hearings on changing FAA regulations, which currently ban the use of mobile devices only below 10,000 feet.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told the Senate Commerce Committee that "[w]e're not going to equivocate on this. Any kind of distraction, whether it's trains, planes or automobiles is a distraction and we should figure out ways to get these cell phones, the texting, ... and the use of laptops out of the hands of people who are supposed to be delivering the public to somewhere safely," according to the Associated Press.

National debates have been ongoing over the right, while driving, to use a mobile device. Drivers who do so may face legal penalties in many jurisdictions.

Dell releases toughest laptop on the block, but be prepared to pay

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:09:19 GMT

PC maker Dell this week began shipping orders of the Latitude XT2 XFR multi-touch laptop, which meets even military standards for durability of portable computers.

Before the advent of solid-state hard drives - which the XT2 XFR uses - rugged PCs required specialized device drivers that retract the hard disk's read head during a fall so that it doesn't scratch the disc, and coatings for the screen make it impervious to water and some types of impact damage. The computer is Dell's smallest rugged device, weighing in at just 5.4 pounds.

Inside, the XT2 XFR contains relatively standard hardware. It uses a low-voltage 1.6 GHz processor to improve battery life, supports up to 5 GB of RAM, and numerous remote communications options like GPS, mobile broadband, and Wi-Fi. The multi-touch screen can be flipped over and rotated, in order to be used as a tablet PC.

However, all of these features come at a cost: the cheapest versions of Dell's new rugged laptop will set consumers back by $3,599. The XT2 XFR also does not currently offer Windows 7, and is sold solely with Vista. Dell says that Windows 7 versions are in the works, however.

Wounded veterans receive donations of laptops and Nintendo Wiis

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:45:28 GMT

The online charity Soldiers' Angels is in the process of holding its fifth annual online competition to benefit wounded soldiers. Bloggers and other online media professionals - competing on four teams - are racing to see which one can raise the most money to provide electronic equipment to help speed the return of America's veterans to the society they serve.

Project Valour-IT, runs until Veteran's Day, November 11. Soldiers' Angels says that it has donated 4,100 laptops specially equipped with sound drivers to make them voice-activated to severely wounded personnel. Additionally, the charity supplies the Nintendo Wii to aid in physical therapy, and GPS devices to help personnel suffering from short-term memory loss or PTSD.

Soldiers' Angels founder Patti Patton-Bader said that the project "changes lives. Wounded heroes say that being able to use a laptop helps them feel whole again. Physical therapists are actually designing therapy sessions around Wii Sports! And something as normal as a handheld GPS reduces stress and helps a hero cope. It's just amazing what this project does!"

The teams are divided up by service, with Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps teams populated by a diverse group of blogs and websites.

Lenovo jumps into Windows 7 with a bevy of laptops

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:44:56 GMT

Last week's release of Windows 7 was accompanied by a flurry of PC releases from most of the principal makers of Windows PCs. However, Lenovo decided to hold their fire for a few days.

The Chinese PC maker finally joined the crowd when it announced on Monday that it would release a series of new laptop models running Microsoft's new operating system, from high-powered gaming rigs with discrete display drivers to humble netbooks available for a song.

The IdeaPad Y550P is Lenovo's first release using Intel's powerful new Core i7 laptop processor, and it is clearly meant to be a desktop replacement. Packing up to 8 GB of DDR3 RAM, an Nvidia GeForce GT 240 graphics card, and an optional Blu-Ray drive, the Y550P will cost at least $1,400.

On the other end of the spectrum, the company also announced improvements to its S10-12 line of netbooks, though these were mostly cosmetic. Lenovo will follow the lead of Dell and HP in offering customizable designs on their notebook PCs. The company will also introduce a line of budget laptops just above the netbook standard known as the U150.

Apple bucks laptop market trend, doesn?t slash prices

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:40:36 GMT

Cupertino, California-based Apple has so far refused to bow to the slump in average laptop prices, with the release last week of a new Macbook for the price of $999.

The recent launch of Windows 7 was accompanied by a blizzard of new PC launches, including numerous laptops and netbooks. The price for Windows PCs has dropped sharply, with entry-level netbook computers available for as little as $300. But Apple seems immune to this trend, recently posting some of its best sales numbers ever.

Brooke Crothers, writing at CNET news, compares two laptops that can be bought for just a shade under $1,000, one from Apple and one from competitor HP. Crothers found that the offerings were priced within $2 of each other and were nearly identical, even in device drivers: HP's Pavilion dv3T brings more hard disk space and memory, while Apple's Macbook has a slightly faster processor.

Crothers also notes that the advent of cheap Windows laptops is a relatively recent occurrence, and one that could yet cause some serious damage to Apple's bottom line.

Dell's Adamo XPS works like Aladdin's lamp

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:39:49 GMT

PC manufacturer Dell continues to leak information about new features of its upcoming Adamo XPS laptop, this time demonstrating for tech journalists the heat-sensitive strip used to open the device.

The strip - about which no technical details have been released - unlocks the computer when it detects a human finger rubbing across it, enabling the user to unfold the ultra-slim notebook. Dell's soon-to-be-released luxury laptop will also sport an advanced structural design, which uses a component-filled section below the screen to position the keyboard at a more ergonomic angle.

Dell has released only limited information about the Adamo XPS, giving the tech world brief hands-on experiences and leaked photographs instead of full details in official releases. The technique appears designed to generate buzz around the device, which will become Dell's second high-end laptop release in relatively quick succession, on the heels of the Latitude Z's launch last month.

The specs for the Adamo XPS - which is thought to be the world's thinnest notebook PC - are unknown, but experts speculate that it will contain top-of-the-line hardware and device drivers.

Experts: Best possible time to buy laptops

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:14:16 GMT

In a column for Forbes Magazine, Brian Caulfield argues that low laptop prices could well be here to stay, thanks to rapidly advancing microprocessor technology.

Caulfield writes that Intel deserves the credit for the continued lowering of prices, by investing $7 billion in production infrastructure and research. The current generation of Intel processors has circuits just 32 nanometers across, enabling them to be smaller, use less energy and be cheaper to produce. Coupled with a wave of new production capacity, Intel's business model becomes more and more economically efficient.

If Intel has seen big profits out of the current netbook trend, the savings have not been passed along to device manufacturers like HP, Dell, and Toshiba. Despite booming sales, those companies do not dare raise prices, for fear of consumer backlash in a down economy. For the PC makers, Caulfield says that the current situation is "profitless prosperity."

Yesterday's release of Windows 7 saw an accompanying wave of computers released which run the new OS natively. Notebooks and netbooks from all of the major Windows PC makers hit the shelves this week.

Roll-up laptop might make portable computing more flexible

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:13:48 GMT

A German OEM has released a prototype of a ground breaking new laptop design that bends and rolls up like a newspaper.

The Roll Top, as Orkin Design has dubbed the device, uses an OLED display to perform a multitude of functions. The device can become a laptop, flatten out to become a sizeable monitor for use with a desktop computer, and even be used as a tablet, since the Roll Top will come with a multimedia pen. Presumably, this will require sophisticated on-the-fly switching between various sets of display drivers.

As reported by tech website Walyou, Orkin has announced no plans to make the device available for retail sale. The Roll Top joins Microsoft's tablet - currently named Courier - on the cutting edge of new PC design, along with the long-rumored Apple tablet, though none of them are yet on the market.

The portable computer market is strongly trending away from the high-end and the experimental, however, with inexpensive netbooks and budget ultraslims dominating retail sales, especially in the wake of the release of Windows 7.

Tomato, tomato: Understanding the difference between netbooks and notebooks

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:36:08 GMT

So-called netbooks have been a huge seller for PC makers recently, as their low price and small size makes them attractive to a broad array of consumers not looking for a lengthy feature list. However, conventional notebooks have also dropped in price and gotten smaller. In short, it's getting trickier to tell them apart.

Experts say that the failure of PC manufacturers to come up with a common nomenclature is confusing to consumers. Brooke Crothers, writing for CNET news, offers up a new taxonomy of small laptop/notebook/netbook computers. Crothers characterizes netbooks as any portable computer that costs less than $400, has low-performance display drivers and processor, solid battery life, and minimal storage.

Next, Crothers defines the category of "ultrathin" which, he says, is frequently misapplied. An ultrathin is a portable computer that costs between $400 and $800, does not use a low-voltage processor, and packs an average amount of memory and storage. The ultra-portable or luxury laptop is defined by Crothers as having a high-performance processor, "average to good" battery life, and costing between $1,200 and $4,000.

While Crothers' system is unlikely to gain widespread usage, it is, at least, an attempt to cut through the undergrowth of portable computing terminology.

Toshiba's Qosmio is the laptop to beat for high-performance

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:21:51 GMT

While much of the laptop market is trending towards smaller, cheaper and less powerful, Toshiba's new Qosmio X505-Q850 is none of those things. The hefty new desktop replacement is packed with high-end hardware and comes at a premium price.

Designed around an expansive 18.4-inch widescreen monitor with full 1080p support, the Qosmio sports a Blu-Ray player and 1 GB Nvidia GeForce GTS 250M graphics card, drivers included. The machine also uses the new Intel Core i7 line of processors for 1.6 GHz of speed. Toshiba's latest entry into the high-end laptop market comes loaded with 6 GB of RAM and 320 GB of storage on a conventional hard drive, plus 32 GB more on an additional SSD drive for near-instant data access.

However, all that power comes at a price. The system described above costs $1,899, which a CNET reviewer says is "not much compared with the tricked-out Alienware laptops of old, but…very high-end in today's netbook-obsessed laptop market."

The Qosmio was officially released today, along with dozens upon dozens of other notebook computers, to coincide with the launch of Windows 7.

Apple's expensive wares still selling despite recession

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:23:30 GMT

Earlier this week, Apple released its quarterly financial statements and baffled industry analysts once again. The company continues to report record sales, posting its best-ever quarter.

The period ending on September 26, 2009 saw the Cupertino-based OEM ship 3.05 million Macs, a company record. The company also sold 7.4 million iPhones and 10.2 million iPods, all of which were increases over the equivalent period a year ago. "We are delighted with our September quarter and fiscal 2009 results," said Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer.

Tech columnist Rob Pegoraro, writing for the Washington Post, said that "Apple has been able to accomplish something that a functioning market should make nearly impossible - rake in consistently higher profit margins for a product that could be replaced by cheaper alternatives from other suppliers."

Analysts had predicted strong gains for the company, but even the most optimistic projections fell short of the reality, according to the New York Times. The newspaper also reported that sales may have been driven by back-to-school buying and the summer release of a new version of Mac OS called Snow Leopard.

Wireless U teaches important lessons about the limitations of wireless docking

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:22:34 GMT

While many high-end modern laptops are shipped with a dedicated docking station intended to offer the option of desktop replacement use, Toshiba has released a stand-alone device known as the Dynadock Wireless U.

The device connects to an associated laptop via a USB dongle. It uses a wide array of ports and should be able to interface with any standard computer accessory. Six USB ports, headphone, audio, and microphone jacks, DVI, and SPDIF outputs and device drivers are all supported.

The Dynadock Wireless U has so far received mixed reviews. Wireless laptop docking is still a relative novelty, and experts say that the technology is still far from seamless. Patrick Miller, writing for PC World, said that using an external monitor with the Wireless U caused a sharp drop-off in streaming video quality, and that the installation process for the device was lengthy and complicated.

Brian Nadel of Computer World says the Wireless U offers new dimensions of flexibility, but agreed with Miller that the installation process was unnecessarily tortuous, as well as that the device is overpriced. Both also said that the Wireless U suffers from being unable to charge a laptop's battery.

New ebook reader a surprise entrant to a sparse field

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:17:30 GMT

Device manufacturer Plastic Logic yesterday released additional information about its upcoming ebook reader, which the company has now dubbed the Que (pronounced "Cue.")

The Que will feature a screen the size of a sheet of letter-sized paper and will be about 7mm thin, according to reports from tech website Gizmodo. The Que will also be able to connect to AT&T's 3G network as well as Wi-Fi, and uses advanced e-ink features and display drivers to allow users to mark up documents in real time and share them with others.

Plastic Logic has said repeatedly that it will not pursue the same clientele as Amazon's Kindle ebook reader. While the Kindle is targeted heavily at pleasure readers and the general public, the Que is expected to be marketed to enterprise clients.

The company has promised to reveal a content framework for mobile professionals at the 2010 Consumer Electronics show this January. Gizmodo speculates that the types of features showcased in the Que along with the device's enterprise focus means that the Que could cost a hefty sum when it comes to market.

Laptop prices continue to fall as Acer introduces AS1410

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:16:49 GMT

The line beyond which a laptop becomes a netbook is a hazy one, taking into account both form factor and system specs. Asus will further blur the lines with the introduction of its AS1410 netbook, which packs a 1.2 GHz processor into a netbook-sized body and costs just $400.

The AS1410 also manages to cram a full-sized laptop keyboard into its small frame, along with a multi-touch-capable trackpad. Instead of the Atom chipset used to power most computers of its diminutive size, the AS1410 uses a full-size, dual-core Intel Celeron SU2300 capable of running 64-bit applications. Perhaps because of this, the AS1410 will come preloaded with the 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium.

Asus' new compact notebook will also feature up to 2 GB of RAM and a 160 GB hard drive with an option to expand to 250 GB and Intel's latest integrated mobile graphics drivers and display adapters.

No fixed release date has been set, but the company has said that the AS1410 will be available for the holiday season.

Laptop deck stands out among the rest

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:58:52 GMT

A new mounting device for laptop computers has been selling rapidly, to the manufacturer now says that it is out of stock.

The Tallyn Series laptop deck is a device that laptop owners can use to dock their computers and attach them to a standard tripod base, making them available for use while standing. Originally designed for use by studio photographers who wanted their laptops close to their digital cameras, the deck has found unexpected popularity after mentions on Wired and CNET.

The deck can support laptops weighing up to eight pounds, and uses a ball joint to provide a wide array of adjustable viewing angles. The device will help photographers and others who use laptops in outdoor settings avoid placing them on unsafe surfaces, and should also help alleviate the danger of tripping on USB cables.

Charlie Sorrel, writing for Wired's Gadget Lab blog, posits that the device could be used as part of a standing office. Sorrel asserts that standing up to work burns calories and helps correct bad posture.

Microchip makers going head to head just above the netbooks

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:57:42 GMT

The two major manufacturers of processors for Windows PCs, AMD and Intel, are gearing up for intense competition over the ultrathin laptop market, according to experts.

Ultrathins rest between netbooks and full-sized laptops in capability and ergonomics - larger and more powerful than the former and smaller and less powerful than the latter. With the imminent release of Microsoft's new Windows 7 operating system, sales of the devices are expected to rise.

AMD has seen its share price fall recently on the strength of a reduced sales outlook for the fourth quarter of this year, but CEO Dirk Meyer was upbeat in a conference call with reporters last week, saying that the company would have a "broader assortment of platforms walking into the Christmas cycle."

Intel's main rival has also released a new line of graphics cards and display drivers that will be compatible with Windows 7, complete with a teraflop of processing power and support for the upcoming graphics framework DirectX 11. Experts say that the new cards could lower the prices for the previous generation of AMD-manufactured graphics cards.

New tablet PC wrestling with device driver issues

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:57:14 GMT

Manufacturer Archos is navigating issues found in the firmware of its new Archos 5 internet tablet, causing temporary suspension of sales on Amazon and widespread complaints from consumers who said that promised functionality was missing from the purchased product.

The version of the five-inch device at issue is the one with a 160GB hard drive. Among the complaints heard from buyers was a lack of H.264 playback capability and poor Bluetooth stability. The 32 GB version - which uses a solid-state hard drive instead of a conventional disc - did not appear to suffer from these problems, nor did the 500 GB conventional-drive version.

Archos says that it will upgrade the Archos 5's operating system to Android 1.6 by the end of 2009, though the company did not specify a precise release date. Interim firmware updates were released late last week that reportedly corrected some of the problems.

Amazon's sales freeze was undertaken in response to the complaints, but full details have not been released by either Archos or Amazon. The devices originally began to ship last Friday.

Nonprofit provides laptops for all students in Uruguayan public schools

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:30:07 GMT

The One Laptop Per Child program has provided 362,000 budget-priced computers to the Uruguayan public school system, one for each student enrolled therein.

The program, founded by internet entrepreneur Nicholas Negroponte, is active in numerous countries around the world, and recently provided laptops to schoolchildren in the small island country of Niue, near New Zealand. Negroponte's program distributes the XO laptop, a stripped-down laptop with few high-end bells and whistles like fancy display drivers or sleek design. The XO runs a version of Linux, the open-source operating system, and costs $260.

The BBC reports that 70 percent of the laptops went to students who did not have a computer at home. The director of the Technology Laboratory of Uruguay, Miguel Brechner, told the broadcaster that "[t]his is not simply the handing out of laptops or an education program. It is a program which seeks to reduce the gap between the digital world and the world of knowledge."

Experts say that programs such as these can dramatically affect the quality of public education offered by participating countries.

Early reviews: Windows 7 offers modest steps up over Vista

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:14:19 GMT

Computer experts who have had access to Microsoft's upcoming Windows 7 operating system offered qualified praise in their reviews, saying that, while Windows 7 isn't a revolutionary new product, it corrects a number of flaws introduced with Vista.

Pat Pilcher, writing for the UK Independent, said that for Windows 7, "the reality really does exceed the hype." Pilcher praised 7's improved desktop customizability, streamlined interface, and advanced device drivers that can take advantage of laptop GPS, light sensors, and 3G modems.

Most reviewers were happy that Microsoft did away with User Account Control, a Vista feature that many users found annoying and intrusive. Washington Post tech columnist Rob Pegoraro said that "Win 7's selling points can stop at two words: 'not Vista.'" However, Pegoraro criticized the operating system's new Library folders, which compile all media stored on a given computer as "confusing."

Reviewers were also impressed with Windows 7's advanced file indexing system, which makes search results much quicker to appear. Performance was one of the main talking points for the system, which uses far fewer system resources than graphics-heavy Vista.

Updated device drivers will enable cross-game chat on PS3

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:13:33 GMT

An errant word on an internet message board broke the news that the next firmware update for Sony's Playstation 3 will allow users to vocally chat with friends who are playing other games, according to video game blog Kotaku.

Cross-game text chat has already been implemented for Sony's Playstation Live network, which connects gamers via a central hub and allows them to play competitive or cooperative games. The leak came during an online discussion of upcoming adventure game Uncharted 2, which experts say could boost Sony's holiday sales above those of its competitors.

Sony's PS3 is locked in fierce competition for the same market share as Microsoft's Xbox 360, and the holiday season is frequently one of the most tightly contested among video game console makers. Nintendo's Wii is also competing for sales, but it has very different features and appeals to different demographics.

This functionality has been present for some time on the Xbox 360, and PS3 fans have long clamored for a similar feature on their console, though the Microsoft device does not support text chat between games.

HP feels the flow: Dr. Dre makes tech debut with music laptop

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:06:31 GMT

Seventeen years after The Chronic, Dr. Dre will make what may be one of his most noteworthy releases. The HP Envy 15 Beats limited edition will debut October 22, coinciding with the released date of Windows 7.

Dr. Dre's laptop, created in collaboration with HP and Beats cofounder Jimmy Iovine, is aimed at the serious audiophile. It will feature new audio drivers and sound architecture, as well as pre-loaded mixing software from Native Instruments. The laptop, which sports a 15.6 inch display and black plastic styling, also ships with a pair of high-end headphones.

"The laptop is the new stereo for a lot of people and that's why we're putting out this computer with incredible sound," said Dr. Dre in a press conference. Iovine added that "[w]ith HP, we found a partner willing to take the steps to improve the overall sound in the PC and to bring it up to the level that musicians hear in the studio."

The Envy 15 Beats is not without drawbacks, however: It carries the premium price tag of $2,300 and will force users to work with an external optical drive - a rare missed note in an audiophile symphony.

Info leaks on Acer's upcoming 3D laptops

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:05:58 GMT

Although most analysts agree that Nvidia's 3D vision system is the current market leader for consumer 3D display technology, it was announced today that budget PC maker Acer is planning to release a laptop integrating their own 3D display.

Acer's 3D system - as installed on the upcoming Aspire 5738PG - will be less cumbersome and hardware-intensive than the Nvidia model, according to CNET news, but other online media outlets say that the quality is less impressive. "You need to have your head positioned carefully to see the 3D effects without ghosting," wrote one reviewer at PC Pro. The same reviewer noted that the Acer's non-3D features were excellent, praising the large, high-quality screen and excellent keyboard.

Nvidia recently showcased its own 3D display driver technology at a charity event commemorating punk rock icon Johnny Ramone and benefiting prostate cancer research. The technology was used to screen footage from a 1971 Ramones concert and the world premiere of George Romero's celebrated horror movie, Night of the Living Dead.

PC Pro notes that the technology is not entirely novel, having been deployed with the unsuccessful Sharp Actius RD3D five years ago.

Windows CE netbook launched, will cost $120

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:37:02 GMT

Electronics firm Mobinnova announced a new ultra-budget netbook computer that will launch at the Consumer Electronics Show, which will take place in January.

The device will weigh less than two pounds, cost roughly $120 (though this price does not include the required $60 per month 3G data contract. Mobinnova says that the device will sport an Nvidia Tegra graphics processor chip, whose display drivers will enable the Beam to play 720p HD video and will support the upgraded Flash 10.1 architecture when released.

The use of Windows CE, normally installed on PDAs and other small mobile devices, is a relative departure for even the smallest of netbook PCs. However, Mobinnova CTO Mark Anderson told Laptop Mag that it should enable the Beam to stay operative for much longer than comparable netbooks.

Anderson hinted that more flexible mobile plans might be available for users who balk at the $60 per month fee. The Beam could compete with Nokia's new Booklet 3G in the bargain-priced netbook market, though that device is more full-featured - and more expensive - than Mobinnova's offering.

Intel boss Otellini talks notebooks, netbooks and Windows 7

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:36:30 GMT

Microprocessor manufacturer Intel held an earnings conference call on Tuesday, and CEO Paul Otellini discussed a range of topics with analysts, though the conversation was centered primarily on portable computers and the upcoming release of Windows 7.

Otellini was careful to say that the company's netbook segment, powered by Atom processors and device drivers, was strong, but he was more bullish on sales of Intel's offerings for full-sized laptops and predicted the emergence of more ultra-thin models in the coming months. Brooke Crothers, writing at CNET news, said that Otellini's comments suggested that he viewed netbooks as a secondary concern.

The Intel CEO damped down expectations that Windows 7 would take the enterprise market by storm, but predicted a steadily climbing rate of adoption after an initial evaluation period. He also said that Windows 7 and new Intel chips "were made for each other."

Netbooks have been a contentious topic in the computer industry recently, most notably in the wake of remarks by Dell CEO Michael Dell, saying that netbooks cannot offer performance comparable to full-sized laptops.

Nokia brings device manufacturing expertise, cell phone pricing to laptop market

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:11:36 GMT

The world's largest maker of mobile phones has entered the PC market with a splash. Nokia unveiled its new Booklet 3G, a full-featured netbook computer that retails for what one expert described as the "bargain" price of $299.

The computer itself has drawn broadly positive reviews, with many analysts touting its sleek design and low price tag. "The $300 price point is insane for a premium product like this," said Current Analysis research analyst Avi Greengart to CNET news.

The $300 deal is only available to customers who simultaneously purchase a wireless internet subscription from AT&T, however. This deal closely mirrors the technique used throughout the world of cell phone providers.

Some reviewers were less complimentary about the Booklet 3G. Ed Oswald writes at PC World: "I just don't see a market for it." Oswald compares the Booklet 3Gs functionality and feature list to a previously available Acer netbook, which was available for about $40 less than Nokia's new model and lacked only the device drivers for the Booklet 3G's Bluetooth connectivity. He also notes that the subsidized price listed for the Booklet 3G does not include the required 3G data subscription.

HP reaches out and touches Windows 7 with new lineup

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:42:23 GMT

With the countdown to Windows 7's release now at nine days, computer manufacturer HP has taken the opportunity to tease consumers with information about the devices that it will begin offering on October 22.

The clear headliner will be the new HP TouchSmart tx2, which is a mid-range laptop that converts with a twist of the screen into a touch-sensitive tablet PC. In tablet mode, the tx2's device drivers can receive input from an electronic pen or a user's fingertips, and will retail at roughly $800. Experts say that this price point means that HP will continue its recent pattern of offering bottom-of-the-industry pricing on all new machines.

HP's touch-sensitive technology will also feature on its desktop computers, with the third generation of HP's all-in-one desktops set for a simultaneous release. Non-touch sensitive computers aimed more towards enterprise usage will also be released on the 22nd.

The emphasis on touch-screens indicates to some analysts that HP is trying to discover business uses for the technology, broadening its appeal beyond gadget enthusiasts and high-end users.

Dell leaks more teaser pics of svelte Adamo XPS laptop

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:33:26 GMT

At less than a centimeter from top to bottom, Dell's upcoming Adamo XPS laptop computer is set to be the thinnest portable PC ever. The buzz around the device has been substantial, and Dell fanned the flames this week by releasing more pictures of its sharp new notebook.

The Texas-based OEM has been highly secretive about its new machine, limiting its total official information provided about the Adamo XPS to two sets of photos and a cryptic live appearance in front of selected journalists. The computer was displayed, but no questions were answered and no information was provided.

Analysts, however, say that the Adamo XPS will retail for around $2,000, more than Apple charges for its analogous ultra-portable, the MacBook Air, but still competitive in its exclusive market.

The Adamo - the name is Latin for "to fall in love with" - is an example of one of two divergent trends in the portable computing market, according to experts. High-end executive machines are becoming more exotic, packed with slick design features and powerful components, while most other laptops are plummeting in price.

Clever Firefox knows which way the wind is blowing

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:50:14 GMT

Though accelerometers are not yet a ubiquitous feature of laptop computers, the new version of Mozilla's Firefox web browser will take full advantage of those that are present with a new feature that allows the browser to determine which way the computer is facing.

Similar to features currently in place on advanced Apple devices like the iPhone and iPod touch, Firefox 3.6 will be able to use a laptop's onboard accelerometer and display drivers to adjust displayed information based on the orientation of the computer. This functionality could be a great step forward for online mapping content.

The feature could also be used to create web pages that seem to have a virtual orientation of their own, speculates Patrick Goss at Tech Radar, like a page that aligns itself to the ground rather than the laptop's screen.

Augmented reality features, which display ads or user-generated information based on position and orientation data, could see their market expand significantly should Firefox's new feature see widespread adoption. While similar functionality is already available on some proprietary devices, distribution with a free browser would, some say, be a game-changer.

FailSafe locks up laptops

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:09:08 GMT

The advantages of the laptop computer are tremendous: Convenience, power, and mobility. However, expensive and highly portable pieces of electronics are prime targets for casual thieves. To combat this, BIOS maker Phoenix Technologies has released a service called FailSafe that can help victims of laptop theft locate and recover their lost property.

FailSafe works through a number of laptop computer systems and device drivers, including webcam, IP address, wireless SSID, and GPS, if equipped. A laptop using FailSafe will attempt to determine its location as precisely as it can using those tools, the results of which can be viewed remotely.

If the computer has simply been lost, the user can go and pick it up. If it has been stolen, users can pay a $40 fee for Phoenix to coordinate with law enforcement officials to attempt to recover the laptop.

In addition to its location-based functions, FailSafe can help protect valuable data in a number of ways. Given appropriate pathing information, the program can download files from the stolen laptop while it is connected to the internet, though with some limitations. It can also instruct the laptop to delete sensitive data, or even prevent the computer from being accessed at all.

Red-hot laptops prompt product recall from Acer

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:26:35 GMT

Several models of Acer's Aspire laptop computers can overheat to the point that the body of the computer deforms, and the company has issued a recall for all of the affected machines.

According to a statement issued by the company today, the built-in microphone cable, when compressed by lasting pressure on the left palm rest, can become very hot and damage the structure of the computer. If the cable remains hot long enough, it can actually distort the laptop's body and cause internal malfunctions.

Acer took pains to say that the recall was entirely voluntary, and that all affected computers would be fixed at the company's expense. Few technical details of the problem are available, but the repair does include a replacement of the microphone cable and it is unknown whether new device drivers would be necessary.

The recall only affects Aspire laptops manufactured after September 15 of this year, and the company has set up a website at which users can input their computer's serial number and learn if they are affected by the recall.

New netbook packs a big graphical punch in a small package

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:23:02 GMT

The tradeoff between laptops and netbooks has always been a simple question of scale: For high-performance but commensurately high heft, get a full-size laptop. For light weight and light on features, go for a smaller netbook. HP has broken the mold, however, with its new Mini 311 netbook, which brings laptop-like graphics capabilities to a netbook-sized package.

The key, experts say, is the Nvidia Ion graphics chip, which bridges the gap between integrated graphics processors and dedicated GPUs. With the correct display drivers - and an updated version of Flash scheduled for November release - the Mini 311 can display high-definition video on its 1,366x768 screen and even play some modern video games, a first for netbooks.

Importantly, the Mini 311 costs around $500, depending on options. This puts it squarely within the usual range for a netbook, and the increased capabilities make HP's new device seem like a solid value.

Reviewers had few complaints about the Mini 311, though most said that the lack of a cut-out for the touch-pad made typing awkward, and that the computer's aesthetics left something to be desired.

New Palm mobile device drivers keep Pre working with iTunes

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:43:28 GMT

Though Apple has repeatedly reworked iTunes to keep it from syncing with Palm's hand-held devices, Palm has kept up the fight, this weekend releasing Web OS 1.2.1 that can successfully sync with iTunes.

Palm had earlier released version 1.2 of its mobile device drivers, which fixed a number of more general functionality issues, but failed to circumvent Apple's latest iTunes lockout. Experts speculated that Palm had stopped trying to maintain its firmware's iTunes functionality, but version 1.2.1 came out less than a week later, beginning the cycle again.

Apple and Palm have been sparring over iTunes functionality for some time now, and tensions came to a head last month when an industry association failed to side with Palm after the company complained that Apple was unfairly barring it from making products that functioned with iTunes.

Apple's insistence on proprietary devices and software has caused numerous recent disagreements among tech firms, most notably Google, Palm, and perennial rival Microsoft. Google recently reached an agreement with Apple's iPhone network provider AT&T over the provision of service for Google's VoIP service on the iPhone.

Sony sued over Playstation 3 driver updates

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:25:11 GMT

An angry PS3 user has filed a class-action lawsuit against manufacturer Sony, alleging that the company charges users $150 for repairs caused by Sony's own firmware updates.

Florida resident John Kennedy says that he purchased a PS3 in January, which worked fine until he downloaded and installed a firmware update in September. After the update, Kennedy says, the unit's Blu-Ray drive failed to function for more than 10 minutes at a time, rendering it unable to play movies or run games.

Kennedy's complaint further alleges that Sony is charging users whose PS3s have been damaged by the firmware update $150 repair fees to fix the problem. His lawsuit accuses the company of unjust enrichment, negligence, breach of implied warranty, and negligent misrepresentation.

Sony has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit's filing, but the tone of online conversation is turning acrimonious quickly over the alleged misdeeds. While the company released a further update in order to "increase stability" soon after the problems became apparent, many said that the second update had not alleviated the Blu-ray issue.

Laptop sales trend away from the bells and whistles, and towards the nitty-gritty

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:24:33 GMT

Laptop computer seekers are buying with an eye to the bottom line, and aren't nearly as interested in the aesthetics involved, according to tech analysts.

While PC makers continue to release slick-looking, high-end laptops - Dell released two just this month, the Adamo XPS and the Latitude Z - prices for laptops overall are plunging fast. PC manufacturer HP has kept their main portable lines selling for well below the rest of the market, and has weathered the recession more successfully because of it.

Roger Kay, president of Endpoint Technologies, told PC World that although users like "wow" features like custom-decorated cases or impressive display drivers and adapters, price and functionality will trump attractive design every time.

Nevertheless, both Dell and HP have recently released new customization features to the public that allow laptop buyers to customize the look of their new computer. HP's most notable option is a 3D finish designed by Dutch artist Tord Boontje, while Dell is offering custom paint jobs with the colors and logos of Major League Baseball teams.

Sony's new OLED laptop struts its stuff

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:32:56 GMT

Consumer electronics titan Sony debuted a laptop without a keyboard at a Japanese tech convention this week, wowing the crowd.

The project is called "Contrast" and uses organic light-emitting diodes -OLEDs - to display images on a wafer-thin screen that can be flexed and warped without damage. Speculation is rife that the keyboard will simply be a touch-sensitive display of a keyboard, in keeping with the new laptop's ultra-sleek aesthetic.

Sony also displayed OLED technology in a reader device like a smaller Kindle, and a bracelet that appears to use Bluetooth technology to beam music to a specially equipped headset. As conventional computers become thinner and thinner, like the MacBook Air and recently released Dell Adamo, Sony seems to have taken the next logical step in the evolution of portable computers.

The company is a pioneer of OLED technology, but had recently confounded industry analysts with its decision to leave the OLED television market to competitors LG and Samsung. While the "Contrast" products are still in the concept phase, they seem to demonstrate Sony's determination to lead the market in OLED technology.

Double-wide laptop screens debut at Japan convention

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:28:40 GMT

Japanese computer maker Kohjinsha showed attendees at the CEATEC technology conference a small netbook computer with dual 10.1-inch displays this week.

The device uses a 1.6 GHz Athlon processor, 160 GB hard drive, and maxes out at 4 GB of RAM. The display drivers will, presumably, differ substantially from standard netbook firmware. One screen will slide behind the other when not needed. Experts speculated that the battery life will be adversely affected by the energy requirements of two separate displays.

The dual-screen concept has long been a staple of certain desktop applications, like database programming, but the model is relatively new to laptops. Lenovo's W700 ThinkPad, released last year, is very different than Kohjinsha's small new entrant. The Lenovo machine is a much more full-featured laptop, with a large 17-inch main display and a fold-out 10.6-inch secondary screen. It also features powerful integrated graphics support and Intel processors.

However, the Lenovo machine also weighs nearly 11 pounds, while the Kohjima computer will weigh much less. The smaller machine should also be far less expensive than the Lenovo.

Computer mice evolving rapidly in Microsoft's lab

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:27:30 GMT

Innovative new designs for that most venerable of computer peripherals, the mouse, are quickly scurrying to market.

Microsoft recently unveiled five new prototypes that use a variety of optical and electronic sensing systems to track user input in multiple dimensions and across multiple functions. The "orb mouse" was demonstrated in a first-person computer game, with the user controlling every function of the character's vision and movement with various gestures and clicks on the device. The "side mouse" was almost not a mouse at all, but a device upon which the user rests his or her wrist that detects finger movements just ahead of it using a proprietary Microsoft technology called SideSight.

Rivals to the mouse's role as the king of the peripherals have mostly been abject failures. Trackballs enjoyed a brief vogue in the early 1990s, but were imprecise, required different device drivers, and never really posed a threat to the mouse. While the laptop necessarily uses alternative pointing devices - at least for more mobile applications - the mouse has been more or less unchallenged as the input device for desktop use.

The devices have no scheduled release date, and PC Magazine reports that they are still in the "early concept" stage.

Next-gen wireless HD chips rolled out by SiBeam

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:23:52 GMT

New 60GHz chips designed for high-volume wireless networking were announced today by OEM SiBeam, which says that its new chips will keep it at the "head of the pack," in the world of wireless HD.

The company says that the SB9200 series of chips includes numerous breakthrough technologies, like highly efficient energy usage and reduced cost. SiBeam also states that its systems can provide full 1080p resolution without data loss wirelessly, asserting that it is the only company to so do.

Each transmitter and receiver chipset - which are designed to work with less power than previous devices - will incorporate RF IC technology and a network processor. The new devices will be available for a multitude of wireless HD applications, including digital TVs, home theaters, and media center PCs.

The competition for the wireless HD market is less frenetic than in other areas of wireless connectivity, largely because of pricing concerns, but it has been gradually heating up with the advent of a consortium known as WiGig, which aims to produce open-source solutions to the multitude of issues facing wireless HD.

Despite advances, Apple can't do much in enterprise market

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:23:28 GMT

Although Apple is widely regarded as one of the top computer manufacturers in the world, their Mac products have failed to make many inroads into the vast enterprise market, where Windows PCs still hold sway.

Experts say that there are many factors that militate against organizational switches to Macs from Windows PCs. First, and most importantly, the sheer number of machines to be replaced makes for a daunting financial proposition, particularly in the current economy, according to experts cited in an article at Silicon.com. There also exists a perception among some in the business world that Macs are not well-suited to enterprise use, focusing instead on things like high-end display drivers and slick user interfaces.

Although many acknowledge that Macs have impressive capabilities, they frequently come with a commensurately high price point, making wholesale replacement unlikely for recession-buffeted businesses. A switch to Mac would also have to be a complete switch, as a mixture of Windows PCs and Macs could lead to crippling interoperability problems, says the Silicon.com article.

The Cupertino, California-based company has done little to endear itself to the business community of late, quitting the Chamber of Commerce over conflicts with that organization's stand on global warming.

Splashtop "pre-boot" to appear on Acer, Dell, and HP laptops

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:56:09 GMT

A sophisticated new BIOS that allows users to partially boot their machines in order to access basic applications in seconds will be included with enterprise models of some Dell, Acer, and HP laptops before the end of 2009, according to an announcement made Monday by DeviceVM.

DeviceVM's Splashtop is a Linux-based shell that enables users to access things like email, calendars and other basic functions without waiting for their computer to boot Windows completely, a process which can take several minutes. A spokesman for the company told PC Magazine's Mark Hachman that it's possible to store the Linux shell on a quick-access flash drive to further increase boot speed.

Splashtop includes a number of lightweight applications which run in the Linux environment but can share data - in most cases - with analogous Windows applications, including an office suite, PDF viewer, VoIP client, and instant messaging support. The pre-boot functionality also includes a remote lockdown function to stop unauthorized access to the Linux environment, though the PC Magazine report indicates that Windows could still be booted normally.

Fast boots are a hot topic these days, with OEMs like Phoenix creating ten-second boots for Windows 7, albeit under near-laboratory conditions.

Laptop prices will hit the deck with Windows 7 release, say experts

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:55:27 GMT

Even in the face of new and improved technology for laptops, like solid-state hard drives and ultra-low-power processors, the smaller computers are dropping in price fast.

Companies previously known for their high-end, feature-packed - and commensurately expensive - premium laptops like Sony and Toshiba have dramatically slashed their prices. Previous Toshiba products could cost anywhere from $2,000-3,000, but the company's new Satellite T115 starts at $449 for an efficient, low-power use laptop that can perform most office tasks just as well as the more expensive model.

Likewise, some makers noted for their budget laptops have gone in different directions. Dell's ultra-premium Latitude Z was released late last month with much fanfare, but the company continues to produce a multitude of much more economical models like the Inspiron 14. Dell will also premiere an ultra-thin version of its recent Adamo executive laptop sometime in the coming weeks.

Display drivers powering top-of-the-line graphics processors, instant-access solid-state hard drives: laptop manufacturers have apparently decided that the public doesn't want these things. Real computers that can work day in and day out for less than $500? That's a different story.

Intel set to release more new laptop chipsets

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:32:55 GMT

Though the microprocessing powerhouse unveiled a powerful new line of CPUs for laptop computers just last week, Intel is going to deliver a range of new dual-core, ultra-low-voltage chipsets designed for thin, lightweight laptops.

The new chipsets, called SU4 and SU7, will replace earlier, single-core SU3 and SU2 CPUs in forthcoming Intel streamlined laptops. The high-end SU9 series will continue to be used, but may be relegated to use in slightly less expensive systems. The SU9 series powers Dell's current flagship laptop, the ultra-thin Latitude Z.

Ultra-low-voltage chipsets are well-suited to powering sleek, high-end notebooks due to their low power consumption and small form factor, enabling them to fit inside slim machines like the aforementioned Latitude Z or MacBook Air.

Experts say that the leaked plans for dual-core low-voltage processors may be a response to competitor AMD's recent release of its Athlon X2 L310 - a dual-core low-voltage chipset - currently powering the Acer Ferrari One laptop. No word is forthcoming on an exact release date, but Tony Smith, writing for the Register, says that Intel will officially unveil the new chipsets sometime in the fourth quarter of this year.

USB alarm helps secure laptops

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:32:25 GMT

While laptops have improved computing in innumerable ways, the fact remains that they are a lot of expensive hardware compacted into an easy-to-steal package. Enter LAlarm.

The program, which is free for personal use and runs only on Windows, lets users turn either the power cord or USB drive into an alarm, which sounds if the cable or USB device is removed from its port. If the latter option is used, the USB drive must be secured to something stationary or difficult to move, like a table.

LAlarm can be set to perform any combination of a number of functions when triggered, from simply whooping an audible alarm via the laptop's speakers, up through wiping the hard drive and sending critical files to a remote storage location to prevent data loss.

Experts say that the surest way to prevent laptop theft is to keep laptops in view at all times and sit far away from possible escape routes in public settings. Most laptop thefts happen when the owner is not paying attention to his or her device.

Dell's new Latitude Z: Just thin or actually anorexic?

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:31:52 GMT

The quest for the thinnest, lightest notebook possible has been pursued by a number of computer manufacturers, the most famous result of which is the MacBook Air. But Dell's new high-end Latitude Z is even thinner than the Mac and has run into an engineering problem: The power outlet and Ethernet jack are too big.

Dell solved the problem by moving the Ethernet jack and power outlet to the back corner of the Latitude, where the computer gets slightly thicker to accommodate the battery and the screen hinge. But until new types of ports are designed, laptop computers may now be as thin as they can get. Optical drives have already been dropped, with both the Latitude and the older MacBook Air too thin to accommodate them.

While the Latitude Z might be lightweight, it's heavy on features, including an instant-on mode with which users can check their email, consult their calendars, or view contact information without having to wait for the computer to boot.

The power outlet problems for the Latitude are partially mitigated by the laptop's induction recharge capability, which enables it to simply sit on a special pad and the battery will recharge wirelessly.

SSDs won't replace conventional hard drives (yet)

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:00:05 GMT

The advent of solid-state hard drives was widely seen as a great boon to the consumer, and the technology offers advantages in reliability, speed and energy use. But even after a recent drop, prices five times higher than those of conventional storage devices means that the old models might not be done just yet.

Much of what makes SSDs a step up from traditional drives stems from the fact that they have no moving parts. This makes them less vulnerable to damage - the read head in conventional hard drives can scratch the disc - and also gives them greater data access speeds. The technology also doesn't require power to physically move a disc and read head like a conventional drive, and so uses less energy.

SSDs entered the market with a bang about two years ago, and proliferated rapidly. But consumers proved unwilling to pay what at the time was seen as a monstrous premium for a modest upgrade.

Now that Intel has lowered its prices for the scaled-up flash drives, SSDs are creeping back towards general acceptance, but experts say that the price is still too high for a recession-weary public. All that may change, however, with the next price cut.

Upcoming Dell laptop to feature wireless charging

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Dell's new Latitude Z notebook computers will include high-end specs, slick design and a cordless charging system - at a price.

A limited peek revealed few concrete details. The laptop will have a 16-inch screen, an Intel processor, and the new induction battery charging system, which energizes the battery without the use of cords or wires.

The laptop will cost "a great deal more than the traditional office laptop," according to Forbes magazine, and is being hailed by experts as an attempt by Dell to shed their plodding, unglamorous image. The company may be betting that the economy has bottomed out, and that recession-weary corporations are ready to upgrade their old equipment.

Critics point to Dell's checkered history in the upscale laptop market - its Adamo, intended to compete with the MacBook Air for the title of slimmest laptop was overpriced and sold poorly, gaining a reputation as something of a white elephant - and say that wireless charging is an overhyped technology. Naysayers point out that the wireless charger must itself be connected to something, and argue that there is no real advantage to the system.

New Phoenix laptop BIOS can boot in 10 seconds

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:20:07 GMT

When the power button on a laptop computer is pressed, it can take anywhere from 30 to 60 seconds before the machine is ready to use. However, a new BIOS from developer Phoenix Technologies can slice that time down to 10 seconds.

Traditional BIOSs are slow to boot up because it must power up each of a computer's components individually before handing off control of the system to the operating system. Phoenix's new system combines a speedy SSD hard drive with a new BIOS platform called UEFI to drastically reduce this time. UEFI allows all the laptop's components to power on simultaneously, and the SSD hard drive takes less energy to operate than a conventional one.

Experts say that the product removes a roadblock from the move to shorten boot processes. Computers will be ready to use as fast as their operating systems can load, rather than having to wait for a myriad of individual components to switch on.

Yet some have reserved judgment. While the performance is undeniably impressive, critics point out that the video of the demonstration now making the rounds on the internet was performed with a clean install, minimal graphical enhancement, and a still-rare SSD hard drive.

Small notebooks for small users

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:13:04 GMT

As America's classrooms digitize at a slow but steady rate, the computers their students use are getting smaller and smaller.

Programs to replace bulky school laptop computers with pint-sized netbooks are under way in numerous districts across the nation, from Texas to Maine. Eleven-year old Luis Hernandez of Travis Middle School in Irvine, Texas told the Dallas Morning News that his new netbook is "a lot easier to carry. I like how it looks and it has a camera." According to the Morning News, the Irvine school district leads its area in "1:1" computing, aiming to achieve a ratio of one laptop computer per high school student.

Maine's program for middle schoolers, the first of its kind in the nation, distributed over 30,000 computers to seventh- and eighth-graders starting in 2002. The state plans to expand its program, and has agreed a four-year $64 million deal to lease almost 70,000 petite-sized Apple MacBooks, some of which will, for the first time, go to Maine's high school students.

Maine Governor Angus King told the Associated Press that the state was trying to "bridge the digital divide" between rich and poor students

Details of Microsoft's groundbreaking new tablet released

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:12:20 GMT

It's called the Courier, and Microsoft is hoping that it will steal some of Apple's thunder: Techies across the world got their first look at the Redmond computer giant's unique take on the tablet PC.

The Courier is configured like a day planner - it even appears to be leather-bound -, but with two touch- and stylus-sensitive screens instead of paper. It will accept a wide array of input types, including various touch-screen gestures. A camera is installed on the back, and tech blog Gizmodo speculates that it may recharge its batteries via induction, rather than with a traditional cable.

Microsoft's detailed leak about the Courier contrasts sharply with Apple's monastic secrecy regarding its upcoming tablet PC, which is expected to function quite differently. Experts have posited that Courier will be optimized for organizational and business use, while Apple's entry will be essentially a large version of the iPhone.

Microsoft describes the current iteration of the Courier as a "late prototype" and rumors abound that the company has more tablet PC concepts in the pipeline. No release date has been set, but the tech world is already curious about this possible laptop successor.

Silverlight in updated version of Windows embedded CE

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:11:14 GMT

Microsoft announced this week that its web application framework Silverlight would be included in the new versions of several of its new versions of Windows for embedded systems.

Silverlight, chief rival to Adobe's popular app framework Flash, will now be supported at the runtime level rather than the browser level - in other words, it will be able to run content independently of any web browser. The onboard Silverlight support will also simplify user interface design and allow for easier device development.

Though Microsoft clearly regarded the news about Silverlight as the high point of its announcement, the company's release also stated that the new versions would offer significant advantages for OEMs and application developers, particularly those who make non-PC-based products. The new version of Windows Server for embedded systems will feature remote server management.

More highly anticipated is the upcoming release of Microsoft's Windows 7, which will officially hit shelves on October 22. Limited versions of Windows 7 like the new embedded systems, along with a public beta test, have whetted consumers' appetites for the next version of Windows, say industry experts.

Intel's new quad-screen laptop debuts at developer forum

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:43:43 GMT

Intel showed attendees at its Intel Developer's Forum a prototype laptop that sports three smaller touch-screen displays below the main screen this week.

The three OLED multi-touch screens are intended, Intel says, to help users organize and play media files without taking up display space on the main screen. Users of Intel's new system - it has dubbed the prototype "Tangent Bay" - could drag-and-drop files between any of the laptop's four screens and could switch "channels" with a similar control method. Intel touts the system's "seamless" transferability of content between all four screens as a way to allow users to organize information in whatever way they wish.

Experts say that Intel doesn't intend for Tangent Bay to be the model for new laptops, but merely a technology demonstrator, and an illustration of the creative process they adhere to when designing new products.

Tangent Bay offers interesting possibilities for other laptops going forward, but consumers are unlikely to see similar products available for retail anytime soon. Experts raised the issue of power consumption for the device's many screens and many drew comparisons to Microsoft's ill-fated Vista Sideshow device.

Dell, MSI release first laptops based on new Intel processor

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:56:29 GMT

Intel's Core i7 processor has made it to the laptop market, in the form of Dell's new Alienware M15x and MSI's GT640 and GT740. The powerful 64-bit processor is the first to use Intel's Nehalem microarchitecture, and was previously only available in desktop PCs.

The M15x, manufactured by Dell subsidiary Alienware, is a powerful desktop replacement designed for computer gaming enthusiasts, featuring high-end graphics processors and media functionality. MSI's new GT640 and GT740 - the GT640's screen is 15.4 inches, the GT740's is 17 inches - are similarly tailored; large, weighty machines designed to provide high performance at the expense of portability.

MSI's offerings are slightly better equipped, sporting built-in webcams and HDMI ports, while Alienware's M15x is expected to give slightly better performance. The M15x uses the cutting-edge - and expensive - DDR3 RAM, while the MSI computers use the slower, but cheaper DDR2 type.

All three will ship with Windows Vista installed, but with coupons for Microsoft's upcoming Windows 7 operating system, due to be released on October 22nd.

HP's cut-rate computers selling fast

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:10:23 GMT

Major price cuts to many of its main lines has given computer manufacturer Hewlett-Packard a significant boost to its market share - and a significant cushion against painful economic contraction.

A laptop retailing for less than $300 at Wal-Mart stores earlier this summer sold out twice in the space of two weeks as back-to-school buying emptied the shelves. Johnathan Williams, who saw the laptop in a Wal-Mart store near Dallas, told the Wall Street Journal that he originally intended to buy an Apple laptop, but couldn't resist the $298 price tag.

HP's profit margins have slumped - with the recession as the primary driver of the downturn - but not by as much as some of its competitors. Experts credit the computer maker's close working relationship with Wal-Mart for providing the detailed market research needed to hone HP's sales campaign to a fine edge.

The retail giant's surveys gave HP critical insights into what features and functionality consumers were and were not willing to trade away for bargain-basement prices. Streamlining its manufacturing infrastructure and simplifying product specifications also helped the company cut prices further.

Hackers slice into Razer, leave infected drivers behind

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:09:03 GMT

Razer USA, a maker of high-end computer mice and keyboards intended for PC gaming, was targeted by hackers who infected driver downloads on Razer's website with a Trojan.

Users trying to update their firmware to the latest versions inadvertently downloaded the Trojan along with the intended files. The Trojan, known as worm.aspxor.ab, is an uncommon one, and can slip past most commercial anti-virus software because of this. The worm propagates by opening random TCP ports on the user's system and sending spam emails.

Trend Micro researcher Rik Ferguson told PCWorld that the Trojan was probably being distributed from Razer's website over the course of several days. Razer's support website went offline on Saturday, but is up and running again as of Wednesday afternoon. The means by which the attackers infiltrated the support website are unknown.

Razer is hardly the first PC hardware maker to fall victim to this type of cyber attack. Best Buy, Apple, and hard disk manufacturer Seagate, among others, have been tricked into infecting customers with some form of malware.

Camera driver software adds frame rate and functionality to uEye cameras

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:05:15 GMT

Imaging Development Systems last week released new driver software for its uEye line of industrial cameras.

The German-based optical developer says that the new drivers, version 3.40, will allow some models of uEye camera - notably the GigE uEye SE - to operate much more quickly than they were previously able to, by upping frame rates from six frames per second to 14. The GigE, which is a CCD-based camera, will also recognize hardware trigger signals more quickly than previously, starting image capture mere fractions of a second after a trigger pulse is applied.

As many graphics graphics processors have moved away from using dated DirectDraw rendering technology in favor of Direct3D, IDS has added complete Direct3D functionality to its uEye cameras, as well as enabling direct connection of uEye cameras to Windows PCs via DHCP network.

Additionally, IDS released a graphical user interface for two popular image-processing programs manufactured by Cognex, VisionPro and Vision Library. The GUI and the updated drivers are available either as part of a package or separately.

As economy shrinks, so too do laptops

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:37:04 GMT

Netbooks, the super-cheap, small computers originally designed to promote computer use and literacy in disadvantaged parts of the world are not just for international aid organizations any more.

The mini-laptops have made particularly large gains on college campuses, with their ease of transportation and low sticker price attracting cash-strapped students in droves. "I don't need much from a laptop," college sophomore Emily Miller told the Daily Pennsylvanian, "so it was easy to choose something cheap."

Nevertheless, the netbook's small size and low price comes with some disadvantages. The specifications and performance are generally not as robust as those for full-sized laptops or desktops, so resource-intensive tasks like editing video or playing Counter-Strike might be problematic on a netbook.

This should be less of an issue for grade schoolers, whose schools are looking increasingly to netbooks for their efforts to place more computing power in the hands of their students. The website Computerworld asserts that K-12 schools are among the biggest purchasers of netbooks. Businesses have been slower to adopt, as security, OS and functionality concerns have outweighed the netbook's attractive price point.

Learning the patches: Drivers, updates and fixes

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:30:26 GMT

Windows update can confuse the canniest PC user. It frequently asks to install long lists of updates, unhelpfully described only by strings of numbers referencing an arcane Microsoft Knowledge Base entry. Figuring out which updates are necessary and which are not sometimes requires expert advice.

One tool that IT professionals suggest using is Microsoft's rating of the importance of each update. "Important" items are generally just that, though experts warn that the company sometimes adds items into this category that are more important to them than to the end-user. "Recommended" items should generally be installed, but putting them off shouldn't affect functionality in any meaningful way. "Optional" items are rarely useful, though the occasional driver update falls into this category.

Other useful prioritization tools include the descriptions that Microsoft includes with each update, accessible in Windows XP by clicking on the plus sign next to the update, and by a simple double-click in Vista.

The suitability of non-security updates will vary by user. Some will want robust multimedia capabilities, and should be on the lookout for media player updates and video drivers. Others may be more concerned with networking, and so should pay particular attention to updates to network and connectivity protocols.

Hard disk partitioning can help mitigate driver issues

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:30:08 GMT

Though the technique has been around for years, most computer users do not fully realize the utility of partitioning their hard drives into operating system and user files sections.

Many issues befall computers during the course of their working lives, from driver conflicts to malware to glitchy operating systems, and some of these issues will cause a computer to become completely unrecoverable. The only course of action in these cases is to reformat the entire hard drive and re-install the operating system, losing all data stored on the hard drive in the process.

If a properly partitioned computer is struck by a similar fatal error, only the part of the hard disk that will need to be wiped is the one containing the operating system, thus preserving the potentially invaluable user data on the other partition.

Partitioning can work on Macs or Windows-based PCs, and some experts advise that the system be universally adopted. Operating system failures can happen on any platform for any number of reasons, and hard disk partitioning seems to be an easy way to soften the blow from this kind of catastrophic computer failure.

Computers can be fixed while shut down

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:08:03 GMT

Intel's new VPro system architecture contains a feature enabling correctly configured computers to be accessed and modified or repaired even while turned off.

Among the companies that will incorporate this feature into their products is AT&T, who will use it for their Tech Support 360 service. Before VPro, Tech Support 360 technicians were only able to remotely access PCs that were fully booted and had a working browser session running. Technicians will now be able to assist customers whose computers have irreparably crashed or are running different operating systems, in order to run needed backups or reinstall damaged drivers.

Another company, LogMeIn, will feature the technology in its new dashboard for IT managers, where it can be used to monitor thousands of computers at once.

Some experts have raised security questions about the ease of remote access to VPro-equipped computers. "The opportunities for crime here are just too great to ignore," said CNet news' Rafe Needleman.

VPro is currently only available on certain lines of desktop PC, but will be more widely available in the near future, as well as modified to function on laptops.

New Windows is the driver behind PC sales jump

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:06:28 GMT

Windows 7, Microsoft's latest version of its flagship operating system, will be released in late October, but consumers are flocking to stores already.

PC sales tend to spike just after a new operating system is released, as consumers tend to avoid the financial outlay and extra labor from buying and installing a new operating system a la carte, but experts credit astute marketing and big discounts for upgrade customers has driven sales up even before Windows 7 is released.

Credit Suisse's head of technology research in Asia, Manish Nigam, told a technology conference in Taipei that the early demand is "something special, because the expectation was that many people will delay purchases until after Windows 7 came out in October."

Not only has the PC market strengthened perceptibly in recent months, but actual shortages have been reported of some critical computer parts like LCD screens and certain types of microprocessors.

Before July and August, PC sales were in decline like the rest of the world economy. Associated industry has ticked upwards as well, with chip maker Intel revising sales estimates upward late last month.

Small notebooks for small users

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:50:44 GMT

Consumer survey ranks Asus, Sony, Lenovo as top PC laptop brands

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:48:07 GMT

A survey of consumers by PCMag.com finds growing satisfaction in the PC laptop market for owners of Asus, Sony and Lenovo laptops.

However, in terms of overall consumer satisfaction, Apple MacBooks beat out all PC laptops with a satisfaction score of 9.2. The highest score for a PC laptop overall was Asus, scoring 8.8, according to PCMag.com.

"You might think that this has to do with the company's successful netbook products, but we drilled deeper into the data to see that netbooks accounted for fewer than 50 percent of the responses we received," PCMag.com reported.

Asus notebooks were rated highest by users as the most likely to get their recommendation, although Apple still led that category.

Laptops were scored on the basis of reliability, tech support, percentage needing repairs and liklihood of recommendation.

Other companies with laptops ranked in the consumer survey included Dell, HP, Toshiba and Acer.

In the competitive laptop market, consumers may want to consider a range of issues before making a purchase, such as processors, hard drive memory, graphics capability and overall look and feel.

Not all laptops are created equal, but it helps to get better performance when you update drivers.

Lenovo offers C100 all-in-one PC

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:44:21 GMT

All-in-one PCs that combine the traditional tower desktop, monitor screen with a camera, speakers and microphone all into a compact form factor are gaining ground, providing consumers with a more portable option for desktop computing.

Lenovo's latest offering is the Lenovo C100 all-in-one desktop PC, with an 18.5 inch, 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen and software features for added reliability such as the Lenovo Rescue System that lets users easily restore and recover valuable data with the touch of a button.

"Packed with cool experiences and available at a very affordable price, the C100 expands Lenovo's consumer offering for the fast growing all-in-one market segment," said Dion Weisler, vice president of Lenovo. "The C100 is simple to set up and easy to use, ideal for those seeking a convenient way to enhance their digital lifestyle."

The traditional desktop form factor has evolved as consumers enrich their digital lifestyle with multimedia and content generation. All-in-one PCs have become an increasingly popular choice for consumers seeking a complete PC solution.

Lenovo offers two all-in-one product lines targeting different consumer needs for the digital home - the A Series at the higher end and the C Series for more affordable prices.

Get the most performance out of your PC and connected devices - make sure you update drivers.

Battery test shows Internet Explorer best browser for laptops

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:43:15 GMT

Technology reviewers at AnandTech have run a test for laptop battery life that found that Internet Explorer 8 is the best web browser in competition with other top browsers.

In a test using the Gateway NV52, a laptop based on the AMD RS780MN platform, web browsing on IE 8 came out tied with Google Chrome 2 lasting 162 minutes of battery power, AnandTech reported.

"Please note that unlike our normal battery life tests, we set the laptop on the Vista Power Saver profile instead of Balanced, with the hard drive set to power down after 3 minutes and the maximum CPU performance set at 50 percent," AnandTech explained "This improves battery life on all laptops, sometimes by a significant amount."

Firefox beat out IE 8 and Chrome 2 when used with AdBlock to block Flash content on websites, lasting for 168 minutes. Flash content in ads takes up a lot of processing power and can run down a laptop battery more quickly.

Although IE 8 is considered by some to be the slowest web browser, it significantly outperformed the Safari browser for battery life.

PC users can significantly increase the performance of their laptops when they update drivers.

Dell Latitude Z to have wireless charging?

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:40:43 GMT

The laptop market is about to get a high-end entry from Dell that Forbes is reporting could feature wireless charging. But the Dell Latitude Z comes with a hefty pricetag, aimed at the well-heeled executive market.

According to Forbes, which previewed the not yet released Latitude Z, the laptop will feature a 16-inch screen, a high-powered Intel processor and advanced wireless capabilities - "perhaps even wireless charging."

Gizmodo reports that wireless charging would require some kind "inductive pad" to charge without wires, which the Palm TouchStone offers for wireless phone charging. This would be a breakthrough for laptops.

Currently, laptops rely on the old electric wall socket and a good battery to charge. Users can extend the life of their laptop battery with power saving drivers.

The Latitude Z will reportedly exceed $1,100, according to Forbes.

Other high-end laptops like the HP Adamo are being marketed to the business market, which has experienced slumping sales due to the recession. Consumers who have been affected by the down economy are increasingly choosing lower-priced netbooks.

Microsoft unveils special Windows 7 pricing for students

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:39:14 GMT

Microsoft's aggressive roll-out of the Windows 7 operating system continues with the company's latest pitch to students. The company will offer Windows 7 to qualified buyers for $29.99.

The pricing announcement has led to some griping on websites and blogs about the different pricing structures. But Microsoft is hoping to convince PC desktop and laptop users that Windows 7 is worth every penny.

Many consumers and businesses skipped upgrading to the Windows Vista OS because of compatibility problems and bugs related to drivers for hardware and devices. Windows 7 is supposed to fix all of that and more with support for the latest graphics and enhanced 64-bit computing on powerful processors.

Industry analysts predict that Windows 7 will shake up the laptop market by providing laptops and netbooks with a more powerful platform for gaming, HD video and sharing content.

Manufacturers of processors and laptop OEMs have been working for a long time with Microsoft to ensure a smooth transition to the new OS in the hopes of getting price-wary consumers to buy new PCs.

Make sure you get the best performance out of your PC and update drivers.

MSI intros Xtreme Speed mainboard series

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:26:53 GMT

MSI released its Xtreme Speed mainboard series based the P55 chipset and support for Intel's Lynnfield Core i7 and Core i5 processors.

MSI has released OC Genie technology to make overclocking more accessible by pressing the OC Genie button, to detect and set performance-optimized CPU, RAM and chipset settings within one second, for easy performance expansion that gets the most out of every part.

To provide customers with superior products, MSI has been equipping DrMOS since the introduction of its P45 mainboards. DrMOS technology combines a Driver IC, a Top MOSFET and a Bottom MOSFET into one chip.

The shorter distance between every component provides 4 times faster phase switching speed and over 90 percent better power efficiency. Other unique technologies provide better performance and more convenience.

V-Check Points combines with V-Switch's V-Kit to provide power measurement pins and on/off switch. Users can measure the CPU and RAM voltages with a multimeter, while the V-Switch feature provides the maximum system voltage within a definite range in one switch.

APS (Active Phase Switching) with special drivers can dynamically detect and shift the number of PWM Phases during heavy loading and power saving mode. Combined with DrMOS power design, it can reach the best energy efficiency.

MSI releases Wind Top All-in-One PC AE2200

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:26:11 GMT

MSI, a worldwide manufacturer of computer components and systems, announce this week the Wind Top All-in-One PC AE2200. The AE2200 follows the 20-inch version with upgrades. Features include a built-in TV tuner, touch screen and HDMI connectivity.

The new AE2200 functions as both a PC and a home entertainment media center, with improved performance is highlighted by the Intel Pentium Dual Core E5400 processor while the form factor mirrors that of the AE2200's predecessors.

Combined with an EPA Energy Star Version 5.0 efficiency rating and power reducing drivers, the PC is energy efficient and feature-packed.

The AE2200 has the power to perform with the 500 GB hard drive and HDMI input, SuperMulti DVD Rewriter will play and burn all your favorite movie,s while the TV tuner will play all your favorite television stations right from your computer screen.

Users can now also experience even brighter colors, sharper contract and significantly improved picture clarity with the Intel GMA X4500HD graphics card and graphics drivers and 1080P Full-HD LCD display.

Users should update drivers for optimal PC performance and the latests graphics technologies.

AMD offers Catalyst Software Suite 9.9

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:25:30 GMT

AMD, the maker of graphics processors, has unleashed a new pack of graphics drivers for its ATI Radeon line-up of graphics cards, Catalyst Software Suite 9.9.

Gamers looking for the most powerful graphics performance can download the Catalysts Software Suite 9.9. for the the updated Radeon display drive 8.65, Southbridge/IXP driver and the HyrdaVision for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7, Softpedia reported.

AMD's new Catalyst Software Suite 9.9 has been put into place to provide users with support for the latest applications, increased performance for current applications and fixes for a number of known issues.

AMD Radeon graphics drivers will deliver support to users of the Radeon HD 2000, HD 3000 and HD 4000 series of graphics cards on multiple Windows systems including 64-bit Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Softpedia reported the upcoming Radeon HD 5000 series is not ready for an official release, although testers have seen the cards used.

Users can also download the individual components, rather than the software suite, if they just need a driver or language packs for the ATI Catalyst Control Center.

Toshiba launches wireless USB docking station

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:24:34 GMT

Toshiba has announced the availability of its universal dynadock wireless U USB docking station that eliminates the need for a cable between the docking station and laptop and connects USB peripherals like external speakers, keyboard, mouse, monitors and routers.

The dynadock wireless U can be set up to automatically connect to the laptop when within range and the system comes with Utility software for all video and audio drivers to customize the dynadock experience.

"We designed the dynadock wireless U for universal appeal allowing all laptops to take advantage of its wireless features," said Michael Cassidy, director, accessory marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems. "It's a matter of convenience and consumers can connect peripheral devices quickly and conveniently through an automatic wireless connection between laptops and accessories."

A one-touch undock button ensures all peripherals shut down properly when undocking and six USB 2.0 ports including two front Sleep-and-Charge USB ports supply power to cell phones, MP3 players and other devices even if your PC is off.

Integrated Digital Audio card adds high quality 7.1 surround sound and the HD Digital Video card gives users an extra VGA or DVI monitor with up to 1680 x 1050 resolution.

Microsoft to unveil browser-based Office

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:00:53 GMT

The long-awaited browser version of Microsoft Office will be available for public testing on Thursday. It joins Google Docs and Zoho Office as the third major online office suite.

Note-taking program OneNote and spreadsheet Excel will have live co-authoring functionality. Office Web Apps will be an advertiser-supported service.

Certain functionality, including the ability to edit documents in the online version of Word, is unavailable in the trial version of Office Web Apps, and Microsoft spokespeople told Cnet News that the technology is still being worked on. Microsoft says that all browser-based versions of its office products will offer editing. Driver and browser compatibility may also be an issue.

Office Web Apps will share documents differently than rivals like Google Docs, which allows sharing on a document-by-document basis. Instead, users will share folders on Microsoft's Windows Live SkyDrive, a 25 GB online storage service.

The consensus among critics seems to be that Microsoft's entry into the budding world of online office suites is full-featured and robust, but more complicated and less intuitive.

Linux developers get SDK for Emulex's target mode drivers

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:54:01 GMT

Emulex Corporation released a software developer kit (SDK) for its target mode drivers. Data center storage programmers will now be able to create Intel-architecture based storage solutions with Emulex's target mode drivers.

"When combined with Intel processors, solutions such as the Emulex target mode driver software developer kit can provide a cost-effective means for storage solution developers to deliver differentiating features," said Brad Karlber, director of marketing for storage at Intel Server Platforms Group.

The SDK includes access to an Emulex Linux target mode driver's Linux source code, no-royalty license to the binaries resulting from access to the target mode application programming interface (API), as well as training, technical support and a pair of 8 GB/second host bus adapters (HBAs). The SDK package costs $5,000.

Emulex said that it expects the SDK to decrease time-to-market for developers, improve interoperability between drivers, and generally higher levels of flexibility.

H-P's new "DreamScreen" to incorporate social networking

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:17:46 GMT

Designed to work as a complementary "fourth screen" to the digitally savvy consumer's TV, cellphone, and computer, H-P's "DreamScreen" can wirelessly stream music and photos. It also connects to social networking sites like Facebook.

The DreamScreen packs 1.5 GB of usable RAM, built-in stereo speakers, and plenty of data ports, including a card reader and USB ports. H-P's new digital photo frame will be available in two sizes, one with a 10.2 inch display costing $250 and one with a larger 13.3 inch display for $300.

Both models will display images at a resolution of 800 by 480 and an aspect ratio of 16:9. They can also stream music via either Pandora or H-P's own SmartRadio service or update drivers with their 802.11b/g wireless antennae.

Although the DreamScreen is the most advanced photo frame on the market, some experts have their doubts about its usefulness and viability. Writing for PC World, Tom Davis describes the device as being "in tablet purgatory. It's not quite the tablet I want it to be, and it's too expensive to justify as a replacement for the digital picture frame I never use."

The DreamScreen is available online, but the product won't be in stores until October 11.

Nvidia ION graphics soup up HP Mini 311

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:43:30 GMT

HP and Nvidia announced that the new 11.6-inch HP Mini 311 will run off Nvidia ION graphics to deliver HD video, accelerated video editing, and support for casual gaming in a small netbook.

Nvidia ION is a small but powerful graphics processing unit (GPU) that works together with a low-power CPU to generate exceptional performance for compact, energy-efficient systems.

Research shows that most people who buy a netbook expect it to behave like a full-sized notebook, but that has not been the case. With ION-based netbooks, consumers can expect a better experience.

"This is another example how good graphics can transform an entire category of products," said Jeff Fisher, senior vice president of the GPU business unit at Nvidia.

The Mini 311 ships with Windows XP and features an 11.6-inch diagonal LED display available in high-definition 1366 x 768 resolution. It includes HDMI and VGA video connectors to output video up to 1080p onto a larger screen like an HDTV.

The Mini uses the Nvidia CUDA parallel computing architecture on Nvidia GPUs to perform HD video upscaling faster than on a CPU. The most powerful graphics cards and latest graphics drivers improve HD video performance.

AMD offers $99 quad-core CPU

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:42:43 GMT

AMD today announced the first ever quad-core processor for less than $100, as the chip-maker attempts to keep pace with Intel ahead of the release of Windows 7.

AMD said the Athlon II X4 quad-core processors and the AMD 785G chipset featuring ATI Radeon HD 4200 graphics build the foundation for a great Windows 7 experience. When matched against similarly priced competitive processors, the AMD Athlon II X4 620 processor delivers superior multitasking performance.

The AMD Mainstream Desktop Platform leverages AMD software to help enhance the overall experience. ATI Stream technology, for example, enables hardware acceleration that can speed HD video conversion-time.

Combining the efficiency of 45nm processors and this platform’s built-in power management technologies for a cool and quiet PC, an AMD Athlon II processor-based platform can power the Blu-ray movie experience using less energy than a standard 75 watt light bulb.

Microsoft's Mike Ybarra, general manager of Windows product management, said the new AMD Mainstream Desktop Platform, coupled with Windows 7, offers a higher performing experience for digital entertainment.

PC users looking to upgrade their graphics performance to Windows 7 levels should update drivers for their graphics chips.

Lenovo introduces ThinkPad X200 Tablet PC and ThinkPad T400s laptop

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:57:37 GMT

With the integration of touch in the Windows 7 operating system, Lenovo announced two touchscreen tablets, the ThinkPad X200 Tablet PC and ThinkPad T400s laptop.

Users can now interact with their ThinkPad PC in a more personal way with multitouch screen technology with two-finger touch to perform a variety of gestures, including pinching, zooming, tapping and flicking through documents, web pages and photos.

The high performance ThinkPad T400s laptop serves professionals in engineering and design. To combat fingerprints, an anti-fingerprint coating helps keep smudges at bay and the screen clean. The multitouch screens also allow users to enjoy ultra long battery life with up to nine hours on the ThinkPad X200 Tablet.

With upcoming ThinkPad X200 Tablet models supporting the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system, mobile users can take advantage of improved predictive text over previous operating systems, improved handwriting recognition and formula input features for math and scientific equations.

Windows 7 offers users the ability to automatically update drivers for new connected devices such as printers, webcams, speakers, mice and keyboards.

HP debuts ProBook 5310m and Pavilion dm3 notebooks

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:56:27 GMT

HP has introduced the new HP ProBook 5310m and HP Pavilion dm3 to expand the market for the lightweight notebook category, an area HP pioneered earlier this year with the introduction of the affordable HP Pavilion dv2.

HP ProBook 5310m is a 0.9-inch thin, 3.7 pound notebook sporting a 13.3-inch diagonal LED high-definition (HD) display and a standard voltage processor for maximum productivity.

The HP Pavilion dm3 provides up to 10 hours of battery life via the standard six-cell battery and offers a choice of AMD or Intel processors and discrete graphics.

When equipped with an Intel Celeron dual-core, ultra-low-voltage processor, the HP ProBook 5310m is an affordable step up from companion or netbook devices.

HP QuickWeb allows users to access the web in seconds when the notebook is shut down. The application resides outside the notebook's operating system using special drivers, so there is no need to wait for the computer to boot up.

The new HP Connection Manager 3.0 simplifies and automates connecting users with their preferred network.

When configured with the AMD Neo and ATI combination, the HP Pavilion dm3 offers PowerXpress, which provides performance graphics when plugged in and switches to shared graphics when unplugged for superb battery life.

HP redefines notebooks with slim Envy

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:55:27 GMT

HP has unveiled two new slim notebooks that the company says redefines the notebook market - the Envy 13 and the more powerful Envy 15.

Envy 13 boasts the brightest display in its class and the Envy 15 is the company's fastest consumer notebook PC ever. The HP Envy line includes leading-edge components optimized to yield power and performance.

The Envy 13's strong performance is delivered in a small frame less than an inch deep and weighing 3.74 pounds. The exterior's aluminum and magnesium construction provides durability in a sleek design. A VGA webcam optimized for low light also is included.

HP is also offering an optional Slim Fit Extended-Life Notebook Battery, giving users up to 18 hours of battery life with the extended-life battery. ATI Switchable Graphics technology dynamically switches between ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330 discrete graphics and the Intel integrated graphics processor.

The larger Envy 15 features an Intel Core i7 processor and up to 16 gigabytes (GB) of DDR3 1,066-MHz system memory in four SODIMM memory slots. Versatile storage options include the ability to add two solid-state drives in a RAID-0 configuration.

Notebook users should be sure to update drivers for optimal performance and USB connected devices.

Free map pack available for Batman: Arkham Asylum

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:27:24 GMT

PC gamers looking for downloadable content for Batman: Arkham Asylum will be able to get two free map pack downloads called Insane Night and Nocturnal Hunter from the game makers.

According to gaming and gadget sites, the free map pack DLC will be available on Thursday, September 17.

The Insane Night pack is split into two challenge maps: Totally Insane - a map with fast-moving foes that test gamers' mastery of FreeFlow - and Nocturnal Hunter, which requires more skill as a stealthy predator, according to Neoseeker.com.

A coupon offered by Nvidia and valid through December 31 of this year provides a free copy of Batman: Arkham Asylum for those who purchase eligible GeForce graphics cards.

Supported by GeForce GPUs and graphics drivers, Nvidia PhysX technology provides intense realism for enhanced game play and immersion.

One review of the game said the setting is the eeriest video game setting since Rapture, the underwater city in BioShock, with Arkham Asylum oozing menace and depravity.

For the most intense gaming experience, get the latest graphics cards and graphics drivers for your PC.

HP unveils Vivienne Tam clutch notebook

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:25:57 GMT

HP announced last week it is teaming up with women's fashion designer Vivienne Tam to produce a digital clutch notebook.

Tam and HP will debut the next digital clutch on the catwalk of Tam’s fashion show during New York’s Fashion Week at Bryant Park. The digital clutch "marries two cultures - fashion and technology - to reflect a transformative spirit and sophisticated lifestyle," HP said.

With a small form factor the clutch is expected to become just like a handheld mobile phone or purse for stylish women on the go, HP said.

"I'm excited to partner with HP again on a new design that truly embodies my inspiration for the new spring collection," said Tam. "When women around the globe carry HP's digital clutch and wear my clothes, I want them to feel beautiful and confident."

The notebook design will reflect Tam's spring 2010 collection, inspired by the classic Chinese love story, Butterfly Lovers.

The HP Vivienne Tam digital clutch is expected to be available in spring 2010. People who want the best-performing laptops should make sure to update drivers for their connected devices.

DirectX 11 support in Vista SP2 download available

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:49:33 GMT

Windows Vista Service Pack 2, available for download from Microsoft, is now able to support the DirectX 11 graphics technology that is used for Windows 7.

According to Softpedia, Vista SP2 is getting backported Windows 7 upgrades, meaning that end users can take advantage of the latest iteration of the DirectX platform to use components DirectWrite, Direct2D, Direct3D 11, Direct3D 10 Level 9 and DXGI 1.1.

Chip maker AMD has reportedly previewed the DirectX 11 technology of its ATI graphics cards and graphics drivers.

Overclock3d.Net reports DirectX 11 Cypress will be branded as Radeon HD 5800 series graphics cards including Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress PRO) and Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT).

"Packing 40nm process manufactured GPUs, these new cards will be slotted in the high-end offerings from ATI," according to Techtree.com.

Gamers and developers will be looking to use the best graphics from Windows 7 and Vista SP2 DirectX 11. Users will need to update drivers to support the most advanced graphics technology available.

Asus UnLimited series runs on Intel CULV

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:36:43 GMT

Asus rolled out a series of lightweight notebooks called UnLimited with Intel's Core 2 Duo SU7300 processor and dedicated Nvidia GeForce G 210M graphics card for games, videos and movies.

The UnLimited Series is capable of up to 12 hours of battery life, thanks to the exclusive Asus GraphiX Boost, which allows users to conserve their battery power by switching between dedicated and integrated graphics.

As Tomshardware.com explained the function, "users will be able to toggle between dedicated and integrated graphics for the purpose of controlling energy consumption and graphics power."

Encasing the graphics chip and drivers is a stunningly slim chassis, with the edge measuring less than 1-inch in profile and toned in brushed aluminum finishing.

Dell is leaking out teaser images of its own ultra-thin notebook called Adamo that one website described enthusiastically as thinner than the MacBook Air.

Dell officially released its Inspiron Z series of thin notebooks running on Intel processors. The most powerful Dell laptop is the Alienware M17x gaming notebook with Nvidia graphics cards and drivers.

AMD hopes processor branding is PC sales driver

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:34:16 GMT

Advanced Micro Division (AMD), the manufacturer of chips for laptops and PCs, is attempting to clarify the difference in speed in performance that come along with different processors.

AMD's new Vision technology is a rating system for processors that ranks processing power by how well they meet consumer needs for computing tasks like video editing and gaming.

An AMD-based PC is optimized for video, digital media and content creation activities, and the ranking system “helps consumers to make better informed buying decisions,” the company said.

"Today's consumer cares about what they can do with their PC, not what's inside," said Nigel Dessau, CMO of AMD. “They want a rich HD and entertainment experience on their PC, delivered by the combined technology of AMD CPUs and GPUs, without having to understand what gigahertz and gigabytes mean."

AMD is marketing the PC processing industry and communicates the technology in a more meaningful way, the company said.

Notebook PCs with AMD Vision chips are expected to be widely available on retail shelves and online during the holiday buying season timed to the release of the Windows 7 operating system from Microsoft.

Consumers need to update drivers on their PCs for the latest support for DirectX 10, Direct X10.1 and Direct X11 for richer 3D detail on games and other media apps.

Dell releases Inspiron Z thin laptops

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:10:52 GMT

Proving once again that thin is in, Dell this week introduced its Inspiron Z laptops, which are about 1 inch deep, featuring lighter bodies and ultra-low voltage processors for extended battery life.

Inspiron 14z and 15z feature wide-screen displays, ample hard-drive storage and a range of entertainment options. The thinnest-ever models of Dell’s most popular consumer laptop PC, the Z models are slim enough to fit in any bag, Dell said.

Running on Intel Pentium Core 2 Solo ultra-low voltage, Core 2 and Core 2 duo processors, the laptops are what Dell calls "power-sipping" models that give longer life for gaming and other entertainment.

Consumers have a choice of 4-cell (4-hour) or 6-cell (8-hour) batteries and Express Charge has the batteries 80 percent recharged in 60 minutes.

The Inspiron 14z and 15z are available in black or cherry red and can be purchased from $599 in retail stores and at dell.com, with worldwide availability in the coming weeks.

Also, Dell announced the new Studio XPS 8000 desktop PC, the Core i5 Quad Core and Core i7 Quad Core and a 3D graphics bundle for running the top graphics cards and graphics drivers.

Windows 7 RC, Vista have critical security bug

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:09:13 GMT

Microsoft warned Windows 7 release candidate (RC) and Windows Vista users that attack code published by hackers could be used to exploit those operating systems. Security experts said the code could allow hackers to take over a PC.

Microsoft said the vulnerability is in SMB 2, a network file sharing technology. "Our investigation has shown that Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7 RC are affected by this vulnerability," the software company said.

The final version of Windows 7 RTM, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows XP and Windows 2000 are not affected by this vulnerability.

A Microsoft Security Advisory outlines steps that Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 customers can take to help protect themselves while Microsoft works to come out with a security patch for the flaw.

Some IT experts said Microsoft, after fixing the vulnerability in the release-to-manufacturing version of Windows 7 RTM, should have backported security fixes for users of Windows 7 RC, according to the Register.

Windows 7 RTM users also have access to the updated device drivers from manufacturers.

Asus launches motherboards featuring Intel Core i7 and Core i5 processors

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:17:44 GMT

Asus has announced its P7P55D Series motherboards featuring the Intel P55 Express chipset, supporting the latest LGA 1156 socket for Intel Core i7/Core i5 Processors for maximum performance.

The new series also includes the latest Hybrid Technology - Hybrid Processor, Hybrid Phase and Hybrid OS - to give users intelligent performance enhancement, active cooling and rapid online access.

Equipped with a specially-designed onboard chip, the P7P55D Premium is the first motherboard to natively support 6Gbps data transfer bandwidth with the latest SATA storage interface. With this expansion bridge, the P7P55D Premium unleashes the performance potential of the latest hard disk drives.

Users can expect maximum power efficiency, extremely cool operations and enhanced component longevity from the P7P55D Series, ASUS said.

Hybrid OS integrates Windows and Asus Express Gate onto the ASUS P7P55D Series for more flexibility. Users can upgrade to Windows 7 and have better security and faster performance, while Express Gate delivers rapid access to online applications.

Users can improve their PC's performance using the latest chipsets and updated drivers for their connected devices.

HP launches app store for printers

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:16:20 GMT

HP has announced a series of new relationships and applications to open up web printing to the masses by enabling people to print customized content how, when and where they choose.

The company said its applications with third parties like Flickr and Google and its product for web-connected printing, TouchSmart Web, helps consumers print better from the web and without the constant need to update drivers.

"With the explosion of digital content on the web, our goal is to enable consumers to print anywhere, anytime," said Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, HP, who called the service a major step toward Print 2.0.

Flickr, one of the world's largest photo sharing communities, will expand its print offering and experiences for members through Snapfish.

HP is introducing a selection of new Print App partners over the next few months, including Disney and CNET.com for product reviews of the latest tech gadgets and gift guides.

HP App Studio is a web destination where customers can view and rate Print Apps and suggest ideas to ensure the development of a compelling selection of HP Apps for everyday printing.

PC users slowly abandon XP, Windows 7 breaks 1 percent

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:16:56 GMT

Now that Windows 7 is oh-so-close, PC users are finally starting to stray from the comfort of the eight-year-old XP operating system to upgrade to Vista or Windows 7.

According to data compiled by Net Applications, which tracks the operating systems used by about 160 million people worldwide, Windows XP's share of the OS market fell 1.1 percentage points during August, according to Computerworld.

XP is still the predominant OS out there, running on about 72 percent of all computers. But that number has come down from more than 78 percent as of last October. Windows Vista, the much-maligned OS due to its lack of compatibility and available device drivers, has climbed to an almost 19 percent share.

Windows 7 isn't due to go on sale for consumers until October 22, but its usage has already hit 1.18 percent with the release candidate made available by Microsoft.

"Trending indicates that share seems to be coming directly from Windows XP users who have skipped upgrading to Windows Vista, but are now upgrading to Windows 7," said Vincent Vizzaccaro of Net Applications.

Windows 7 is already the fourth-most popular OS after XP, Vista and Mac OS X 10.5, which has a 3.5 percent share.

Alienware TactX: Dell's new gaming mouse and keyboard

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:15:29 GMT

Dell is introducing new devices for gamers with its Alienware TactX mouse and keyboard both available for $99.

The TactX Mouse comes with an ultra fast 5000 DPI adjustable laser engine and nine customizable buttons and five different user profiles. The TactX Keyboard features six programmable macro keys and unlimited customizable user profiles that gamers can link to their favorite games, according to the Direct2Dell blog.

"The WASD gaming cluster is reinforced with anti-ghosting technology while the keyboards Gaming Mode disables the Windows key so nothing stands in the way of victory," according to the blog.

Other gear, such as the Alienware TactX Headset, completes the set for gamers including users of the Alienware M17x, the 17-inch notebook for gaming.

M17x packs GeForce graphics cards and graphics drivers to provide high-quality graphics using two discrete GeForce GTX 280M GPUs with Nvidia SLI technology.

For a more low-key approach in HybridPower operation, the powerful GTX 280M GPUs are powered down and graphics operation is transferred to the GeForce 9400M GPU to save battery life while still delivering great graphics.

Windows 7 available for 90-day enterprise trial

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:01:00 GMT

Businesses that haven't yet been able to access the new Microsoft Windows 7 operating system through volume licensing agreements or MSDN and TechNet subscriptions can now get a free 90-day trial edition beginning today.

This evaluation release is specifically intended for IT professionals responsible for desktop administration, rather than consumers, who will be able to get the OS in retail locations beginning October 22.

Following the 90-day evaluation period, IT pros who want to continue to use Windows 7 Enterprise will be required to purchase and perform a clean installation of Windows 7, including drivers and applications, Microsoft said.

Activation of Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial is required within 10 days after installation, or the product will shut down every hour. Windows 7 Enterprise 90-Day Trial is valid for 90 days after installation. After expiration, computers with the trial installed will shut down every hour, according to the Windows Blog.

This is a good opportunity for organizations still using the XP OS to evaluate Windows 7 without making a financial commitment.

Sony Vaio laptops come with pre-installed Chrome browser

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:00:22 GMT

Sony Vaio laptops have been pre-installed with the Google Chrome web browser along with Microsoft's Internet Explorer since May, according to the Associated Press. Users will have the option of choosing which browser to launch.

But Google may have cut a deal with Sony to make the Chrome browser the default option on Vaio laptops going forward, according to the New York Times. Google is reportedly looking to make deals with other PC makers to pre-install the Chrome browser.

Chrome, which turned one-year old on Wednesday, had reached 2.84 percent of browser market share in August, according to Net Applications. Chrome still trails Safari, which has a 4 percent market share, and browser leaders IE and Firefox.

The Sony Vaio lineup for business clients comes with either Model Locked or Model Unlocked drivers. Model Locked drivers will only run on a specific model or series to help preserve the functionality of the notebook as it was originally configured.

Model Unlocked drivers are provided for VAIO Professional Notebooks that can be downloaded and run on any VAIO Professional Notebook, but Sony does not guarantee the files will run correctly.

USB Implementers Forum certifying for USB 3.0

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:59:45 GMT

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) today announced the availability of the USB 3.0 (SuperSpeed USB) Compliance and Certification Program, which will allow manufacturers to achieve certification and qualify to use the SuperSpeed USB logo.

SuperSpeed USB promises to bring significant performance enhancements to the ubiquitous USB standard, while remaining compatible with the billions of USB enabled devices currently deployed in the market. SuperSpeed USB will deliver 10x the data transfer rate of Hi-Speed USB, as well as improved power efficiency.

The USB 3.0 specification was developed by the USB 3.0 Promoter Group, which consists of Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, NEC, ST-Ericsson and Texas Instruments.

"The availability of the Compliance and Certification program is a significant milestone and means consumers are one step closer to seeing certified SuperSpeed USB products on store shelves," said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president and chair.

According to industry analyst firm In-Stat, SuperSpeed USB will expand upon the broad market adoption of USB, which is the most successful interface in history with more than three billion devices shipped in 2008 alone.

Devices operating on the USB 3.0 interface will have backwards compatibility with USB 2.0 device drivers, meaning developers can use the same drivers they have now within the SuperSpeed USB framework, according to ECNmag.com.

Nvidia releasing video game driver detective platform

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:34:57 GMT

Nvidia announced today the Impulse Nvidia Edition, which helps users locate the latest Nvidia graphics drivers and get the latest gaming news through a single desktop application.

The Impulse Nvidia Edition is a one-stop application that detects the latest video drivers available from the Nvidia site, compares those to the version installed on a user's PC and - if the user elects to update to the most current version - automates the installation process.

With Impulse, users purchase their game and can then immediately download and install the game through the Impulse client, which will update drivers and provides community features and more.

When a user purchases a new machine, they can simply re-download the Impulse client, log on to their account and re-download all their purchases, even years into the future.

"The single biggest issue preventing PC gamers today from having an optimal experience is a failure to update their video card drivers," said Brad Wardell, CEO and president of Stardock. "As PC game developers ourselves, we recognized those concerns and, in partnership with Nvidia, have taken a step to make the process more accessible."

The companies expect the Nvidia Edition of Impulse to become available this summer.

Video game study shows Tetris improves brain 'efficiency'

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:33:44 GMT

Science may finally show that playing video games is good for you. Researchers who used brain imaging of Tetris players found that practicing the game leads to a thicker cortex and may also increase brain efficiency.

Researchers from Mind Research Network investigated whether practice makes the brain efficient because it increases gray matter. Participants in the Tetris study showed greater cortex thickness and brain efficiency in the group that practiced.

Rex Jung, a co-investigator on the Tetris study, said the point of the research was to find out if mental practice increased cortical thickness, a sign of more gray matter. If it did, it could be an explanation for why previous studies have shown that mental practice increases brain efficiency.

The researchers hope to continue this work with larger samples to investigate whether the skills learned in Tetris and the associated brain changes transfer to other cognitive areas such as working memory, processing speed, or spatial reasoning.

So, the study may not be conclusive evidence that video games make you smarter, it gives hope that practicing video games over time could make your brain better at playing video games.

Gamers should remember to update drivers for playing the latest games at optimal speeds and high definition.

Canon introduces digital SLR with wireless connectivity

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:32:40 GMT

Canon today introduced the Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR camera that allows photographers to shoot HD video with a WFT-E5A wireless file transmitter for remote and Geotagged shooting applications.

The EOS 7D boasts significant EOS advancements including a completely new 19-point Autofocus system, a new Canon iFCL Metering System (Intelligent Focus, Color, Luminance) and a new Intelligent Viewfinder.

In addition to its new still capture capabilities, the EOS 7D features Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution with selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p or 30p. Native 24p recording helps videographers achieve a more cinema-style look for their footage without the need for post-processing.

"This camera stands alone as the most functional and innovative DSLR Canon has released to-date, bringing together all of the best professional features offered, along with numerous user requests at a price-point everyone can appreciate," said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager Canon U.S.A.

The WFT-E5A wireless transmitter offers professional photographers a wide range of digital connectivity options including 802.11a/b/g and Ethernet, ideal for commercial and studio work. Photographers can fire up to 10 cameras simultaneously from across the room or across the country while maintaining control over camera settings and remote live view on a laptop or smartphone.

The Canon website offers firmware support and device drivers for connecting cameras to PCs.

Windows 7 sharp, Snow Leopard spotty on printer drivers

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:03:37 GMT

Mac users who upgraded to Mac OS X 10.6, aka Snow Leopard, have begun griping about printer compatibility issues and lack of available HP printer drivers on the new operating system.

On Apple's support site, commenters began posting that Snow Leopard was not finding drivers for their HP printers, including one who wrote that the HP printer software kept crashing.

HP said on its support site that HP printer drivers, scan software, fax drivers and utility are included in Mac OS X 10.6. "You do not need to reinstall or download any HP software for full print, scan, fax and utility functionality," the company said.

HP said the install process should "automatically recreate your previous HP printer queues using the latest HP drivers included in Snow Leopard."

Many complaints were traced to the lack of Snow Leopard-compatible drivers, which an HP representative acknowledged on Apple's support site threads on the topic, according to Computerworld.

It might be too soon to say Windows 7 will avoid printer driver compatibility issues, but advance reviews of the Microsoft upgrade noted that Microsoft made device compatibility a top priority.

"I even tried some XP printer drivers on my Windows 7 beta and they seemed to work just fine," one reviewer wrote in a white paper for Global Knowledge.

Dual screen Spacebook coming from gScreen

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:02:56 GMT

After spending several years in research and development and four major design changes, gScreen is planning to release its first 15.4-inch dual-screen laptop to market sometime in the fourth quarter of this year.

The first product off the production line, called Spacebook, will have identical displays powered by Nvidia graphics processors and graphics drivers and an Intel 2.8-GHz Core 2 Duo T9600 CPU. Windows XP and Vista will be installed.

The laptop's dual displays are centered in relationship to the laptop body and keyboard when fully extended. The secondary screen turns on automatically when it is extended, one or both screens can be used depending on the users specific task at any given moment.

Gordon Stewart, gScreen's CEO and chief designer, came up with the dual-screen laptop design in 2003 because he wanted a better mobile solution for video production, web design and photo editing within the Adobe Suite of software tools.

A 17-inch and 13.3-inch dual-screen model will also be released.

Lenovo also offers a dual-screen laptop meant for engineers - the W series with a 17-inch main display and a retractable 10.6-inch side display, according to TechNewsWorld.

AMD ATI Radeon GPUs get biggest share of graphics notebooks

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:01:20 GMT

According to the latest industry data, notebook manufacturers have chosen ATI Mobility Radeon Premium graphics processors to drive more than half of today's discrete graphics notebooks, graphics card maker AMD said last week.

The data for mobile discrete graphics reveals a 36.5 percent market share gain for ATI Mobility Radeon and 87 percent more units sold quarter-over-quarter through the first six months of 2009. AMD now holds the top position with an overall 53 percent mobile discrete market share.

"As consumers increasingly demand greater visual computing capabilities in their notebooks, the market for discrete graphics is only expected to grow," said Jon Peddie, founder and principal, Jon Peddie Research.

AMD cited the advanced performance delivered by the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4000 series of graphics processors, including support for the latest Microsoft DirectX 10.1 enabling a home theater-quality HD multimedia experience and energy-efficient graphics drivers for long battery life at work, at home or at play.

With well over 200 design wins of current and future commitments from leading manufacturers worldwide, customer adoption of the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4000 series of graphics processors has increased across a wide range of mobile discrete notebook segments, including the HP Pavilion dv6T, Acer Aspire 5739G, Samsung R522, Asus W90Vp-X1 and MSI GX623.

Nokia Booklet 3G runs Windows 7 with 12-hour battery life

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:47:20 GMT

Nokia this week announced that it will produce its first laptop PC, a Windows 7 based mini called the Nokia Booklet 3G. Powered by the Intel Atom processor, the Booklet 3G delivers up to 12 hours of battery life.

The new mini-laptop weighs 1.25 kilograms, measures slightly more than two centimeters thin and has a broad range of connectivity options - including 3G/ HSPA and Wi-Fi - for high speed access to the internet, including Nokia's broad suite of Ovi services.

"A growing number of people want the computing power of a PC with the full benefits of mobility," said Kai Oistamo, Nokia's EVP for devices. "We are in the business of connecting people and the Nokia Booklet 3G is a natural evolution for us."

The mini-laptop also comes with an HDMI port for HD video out, a front facing camera for video calling, integrated Bluetooth and an easily accessible SD card reader. Other premium features include the 10-inch glass HD ready display and integrated A-GPS which works with the Ovi Maps gadget for a truly personal maps experience.

The Booklet 3G will come complete with Windows 7, which automatically downloads the latest drivers for connected devices.

Gartner recognizes HP Managed Print Services

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:46:33 GMT

Analyst firm Gartner has placed HP in the top category for Managed Print Services (MPS), recognizing HP's completeness of vision as well as its ability to execute for enterprise customers.

Gartner classifies leaders as providing MPS to a wide range of customers, including the largest and most geographically dispersed. They must demonstrate not only the skills to deliver today's MPS, but also augment the full scope of MPS with a wide range of added-value services.

Earlier this month, Photizo Group revealed its 2009 MPS Market Forecast, which positions HP as a global leader, with a 34 percent share, based on 2008 data. Last month, HP announced the HP Printing Payback Guarantee and HP Page Plan for MPS enterprise customers.

HP MPS helps enterprise customers streamline management, minimize costs, maximize results and contribute to environmental sustainability goals. With HP's solutions complete with hardware, supplies, software, services and printer driver support, customers can gain a cost-effective imaging and printing environment.

HP said its customers in a range of industries - from financial institutions and law firms to healthcare and consumer companies - are benefitting from HP MPS.

Snapfish photo printing made easy

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:45:52 GMT

Snapfish by HP has announced a simple new way for people to quickly create custom photo books, along with a host of convenient tools and easier sharing of photos from Facebook.

Magic Layouts allows people to create photo books with more control over photo book designs. Snapfish worked with HP Labs, the company's central research arm, to develop the tool, which enables customers to achieve professional-looking results.

Other new tools and enhancements from Snapfish include a Facebook app that allows Facebook users to print photos directly from their Facebook photo albums at Snapfish.com; and Snapfish Express Upload, for faster web-based, high-resolution uploading.

The Snapfish Facebook app allows users to not only print photos from their Snapfish albums, but from Facebook albums, too. Now when users click on "order prints" at Snapfish.com, they can select photos to print from their own Facebook albums.

Snapfish Express Upload helps users take the first step in getting JPEGs off their digital cameras and hard drives and onto the site, where they can be transformed into works of art.

HP also introduced a new photo printer that provides one-touch access to Snapfish.com.

Users can find printer drivers and drivers for their HP connected devices at the support and drivers site on HP.com.

Windows 7 versus Mac OS X Snow Leopard

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:55:00 GMT

Apple is releasing the newest Mac OS X called Snow Leopard on Friday, more than a month before Microsoft releases its own new operating system, Windows 7. Who wins this battle of the interminable PC versus Mac wars?

InfoWorld's Randall C. Kennedy writes that "Snow Leopard is a pale imitation of Windows 7," and calls Snow Leopard derivative, "as if someone at Apple grabbed a copy of the Windows 7 beta and simply Xeroxed the release notes."

Unlike Microsoft, which converted to 64-bit computing back with the release of Windows Vista, Apple is only just arriving at 64-bit processing with Snow Leopard. But the Mac OS boots in 32-bit mode by default because of a lack of 64-bit device drivers, according to Kennedy.

The New York Times writes that Snow Leopard is noticeably less expensive than Windows 7 at $30 and is sleek and fast because Apple eliminated a whole host of printer drivers from the code and downloads printer drivers as needed.

But Snow Leopard only runs on Macs that have an Intel processor, or those built since 2006. So owners of older Macs will be "stuck with Leopard forever."

Over at Macworld, the reviewer concludes that both Windows 7 and Snow Leopard are respectable upgrades that won't convince Mac or PC lovers to switch to the other side.

Altec Lansing launches 200-watt computer speaker system

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:54:10 GMT

Altec Lansing has announced the new Expressionist Ultra, a powerful three-piece home speaker system for computers and MP3 players with five digital amplifiers powering five separate drivers for a "sonic explosion."

With 200 continuous watts (RMS) delivered in a dramatic design, the Expressionist Ultra is one of Altec Lansing's most powerful computer audio systems. Each speaker driver - the 3" midranges, the 1" neodymium tweeters and the 6 1/2" long-throw subwoofer - is individually fired and powered precisely as the source demands it.

The result is exceptional audio detail in a uniquely designed 3-piece powerhouse that makes music, movies and games a more immersive experience, the company said.

With more people keeping all of their music and entertainment on their computer, the PC sound system is more important than ever. So an audio system that sounds great and plays loud without distorting their favorite artist, movie scene or video game is important to PC owners.

Expressionist Ultra is designed to be showcased, with a contemporary industrial design with visible drivers set into a translucent bezel. The subwoofer features a distinctive trapezoidal design that breaks up standing waves and delivers the deep bass that brings multimedia to life.

The Expressionist Ultra speaker system can also be positioned for use with TVs and gaming consoles.

Dell posts Windows 7 drivers for PCs and laptops

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:52:54 GMT

Dell recently began posting updated drivers for the Windows 7 operating system at its download and support website for its lineup of commercial desktop and laptop PCs.

Windows 7 is still not out for consumers - you can get the new OS in retail stores starting October 22 - but businesses have begun to receive advanced copies if they are members of Microsoft's MSDN, TechNet and Volume License Customers with Software Assurance.

"We have received many requests from our business customers that we post our Windows 7 drivers so they can begin testing and qualifying the new OS within their environments," Dell said in a blog post at its enterprise IT community.

Dell said the company will post additional drivers once they pass rigorous testing and certification standards.

The company offers its business clients deployment tools and services to help them switch from Windows XP, which is what most commercial customers are running.

Nvidia recently announced that Microsoft has certified Nvidia's graphics driver supporting DirectCompute for Windows 7, allowing developers to create cutting-edge digital media applications.

Nvidia offers free Batman: Arkham Asylum with GeForce graphics card

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:59:49 GMT

PC gamers excited about the release of Batman: Arkham Asylum should be aware of an offer from Nvidia, the maker of GeForce graphics cards and graphics drivers, for a free copy of the game.

Nvidia is offering a free copy of Batman: Arkham Asylum with the purchase of a qualifying GeForce GTX 260, GeForce GTX 275 or GeForce GTX 285 graphics card. Buyers of these GPUs receive a coupon good for the digital download of Batman: Arkham Asylum, PC version.

The coupon is valid between Sept 15, 2009 and December 31, 2009 or while supplies last.

Supported by GeForce GPUs and graphics drivers, PhysX technology provides intense realism such as wall tiles chipping and breaking, stone pillars crumbling upon impact and particles from breaking glass and debris shattering and falling down around Batman's feet.

Batman: Arkham Asylum lets players move in the shadows, instigate fear amongst their enemies and use a wide range of Batman's gadgets and abilities to become the Invisible Predator.

A review of the game by the Associated Press said the Arkham Asylum environment is "the eeriest video-game setting since Rapture, the underwater city in BioShock. The dank, decaying facility oozes menace and depravity, even when the all-seeing Joker isn't taunting you over the public-address system."

Improve network printing with virtual printer drivers

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:59:12 GMT

When connecting branch offices to the central office, the management of printer drivers is a major concern for IT departments. In order to be able to print out a document correctly, the right printer driver must be installed on the print server and on every client computer.

Even then it is not enough to install one single printer driver per printer model, all printer driver versions for the different server and client operating systems must be installed and then reinstalled when new printers are introduced. This can easily require four or five different drivers and associated work processes per printer model, according to ThinPrint.

The Microsoft operating system offers more than 2,100 printer drivers for Windows XP, almost 3,900 for Windows Vista, over 2,900 for Windows 2003 and more than 3,800 for Windows 2008.

ThinPrint advises that using a virtual printer driver solution makes the manufacturer's original driver available from a central location on the print server. The workstation computers only use the virtual printer driver.

For example, the ThinPrint V-Layer prepares the print job on the server with the appropriate printer driver.

Companies benefit both at headquarters and in the branch offices from printing with original printer drivers and significantly reduce the associated management outlays.

Linux Foundation reports on contributors to Linux kernel

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:58:36 GMT

An August report from the Linux Foundaton reveals that more than 5,000 developers have contributed to the Linux kernel, which is the foundation for the open source operating system.

The Linux kernel is a resource which is used by a large variety of companies and a large number of the developers are employed by these companies. The top 10 contributors, which includes developers whose company is unknown or no company, make up nearly 70 percent of the total contributions to the kernel.

Companies that have contributed significant changes to the kernel include MontaVista Software, which is in the top 15 contributors to the Linux kernel, along with Red Hat, IBM and Novell.

The report indicates that MontaVista, the largest independent commercial embedded Linux vendor, made more than 1,500 changes to the kernel.

"Throughout our company history, MontaVista has always placed a strong emphasis in contributing to the Linux kernel and the entire open source community, based on our longstanding belief in Linux as an embedded operating system and a real alternative to proprietary RTOS solutions," said Jim Ready, CTO and founder of MontaVista.

MontaVista first started contributing to the kernel code in 2000 and has had a high number of contributions to various driver subsystems including IDE, i2c, USB and networking.

IDT and Immersion promise better touch-screen technology

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:57:55 GMT

Semiconductor company Integrated Device Technology (IDT) has teamed up with and Immersion Corporation, a developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, to drive the adoption of haptics in digital devices, which the companies said would enhance feedback in touch-enabled products.

The type of touchscreens found on smartphones like the iPhone could be improved by better use of haptics, or touch feedback technology, which provides a physical touch confirmation to the user when input is received into a system via a touchscreen, slider, touchpad or other digital interface.

Through the collaboration, Immersion's TouchSense high-fidelity haptic technology will allow IDT to address a broader range of multimedia applications with its IDT PureTouch silicon solutions.

"Touch sensor and haptics technologies are key components to the evolution of digital media and consumer electronic devices," said Ram Iyer, vice president and general manager for the IDT multimedia division.

Deployed in over 70 million devices from several of the world's leading manufacturers, haptics technology fully involves the sense of touch to make the user experience with digital devices more efficient, intuitive, fun and more accurate.

The IDT PureTouch capacitive controllers integrate the TouchSense haptics technology with sophisticated drivers capable of delivering the crisp response required to achieve advanced tactile effects.

Canon comes out with first Mac-compatible scanners

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:57:17 GMT

Canon U.S.A. has introduced the imageFormula DR-2510M and DR-2010M desktop scanners, the first fully Mac-compatible high-speed document scanners from Canon. These new models feature Mac-compatible TWAIN drivers, the industry standard for linking applications and scanners.

Jim Rosetta, vice president and general manager, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A., said the growing number of Mac users was one of the main drivers for the company's decision to produce the Mac scanners.

Bundled Mac-compatible software, such as Canon CaptureOnTouch, enables one-touch scanning directly to email, printers, shared network folder, and applications such as iPhoto for easy transfer of images to an iPhone.

The driver and software bundle complements the DR-2510M and DR-2010M scanning hardware to provide users with complete, end-to-end image capture solutions and easier integration into existing workflows.

The DR-2510M and DR-2010M models provide fast color scanning, at speeds up to 25 pages-per-minute (ppm) simplex/50 images-per-minute (ipm) duplex and 20ppm simplex/40ipm duplex, respectively.

Image quality is maintained with advanced features such as Advanced Text Enhancement, Color Dropout and Auto Color Detection, as well as resolution up to 600 dots-per-inch, so documents can be accurately scanned.

MIMOMonitors intros touchscreen USB mini-display

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:56:10 GMT

MIMOMonitors.com has announced the addition of the MIMO 720-S Touchscreen Slider monitor to its line of USB-driven mini-displays. The 720-S weighs less than one pound and features sleek, foldable characteristics, the monitor is ideal for netbooks.

With a display size of 7 inches, the MIMO 720-S features 800x480 resolution and a contrast ration of 400:1 - offering sharp graphics and clear images with 90 degree pivoting capabilities. The monitor discretely folds into itself with a tiny footprint.

Like its predecessors, the UM-710, the UM-740 and the 710-S, the MIMO 720-S is ideal for consumers and professionals seeking to run multiple applications in a mobile setting.

Supporting Windows XP and Vista as well as Mac OS X (with supplemental third-party driver), the 720-S is powered and connected by a single USB connection, providing a secondary screen ideal for holding email applications, download managers, social network clients such as TweetDeck, formatting palettes, stock tickers, instant messengers such as Google Talk and AIM, webcam feeds and more.

Additionally, with the rise in popularity of netbooks, the 720-S serves as a much-needed secondary screen for added display space and shared viewing.

MIMO 720-S is now available for $299.99 plus shipping. A Mac OS X driver is also available for $30.

Sapphire brings HD 4650 to AGP

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:55:29 GMT

Graphics card maker Sapphire recently introduced the HD 4650 AGP allowing the users of older PC systems to get AGP graphics, including support for all the latest generation of games with DirectX 10.1 and the ability to smoothly play HD and Blu-Ray DVD.

With its 320 Stream processors, 128-bit memory interface and 1GB of on-board memory, the HD 4650 AGP brings the power of the latest graphics architectures to the AGP bus.

The board has two DVI connectors and TV-out and is supplied with a variety of connectors to simplify use with any type of monitor. Display on an HDMI device such as flat screen TV is also supported with a dongle supplied, but due to limitations of the AGP bus, audio over HDMI is not supported.

All Sapphire graphics cards in the HD 4000 series incorporate the latest ATI Avivo HD technology for enhanced video display and feature a new generation built in hardware UVD (Unified Video decoder) considerably reducing CPU load and delivering smooth decoding of Blu-ray and HD DVD content for both VC-1 and H.264 codecs, as well as Mpeg files.

HD 4000 series graphics cards are Microsoft Windows Vista Premium certified and supported by the ATI Catalyst suite of software and graphics drivers.

Vivante and Intelligraphics partner on military-grade display graphics

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:54:11 GMT

Vivante Corporation and Intelligraphics today announced a collaborative relationship to meet the unique display requirements of military, avionics, medical, transportation and other safety-critical applications.

The relationship is focused on enabling clients to utilize Vivante's best in class commercial GPU solutions in safety-critical designs. Requirements for touch screen LCD and heads-up display panels with 3D cartographic and command and control presentation are driving the need for extremely low power GPUs which meet all sourcing constraints.

The open standard OpenGL SC Safety Critical Profile is defined to meet the unique needs of the safety-critical market for avionics, industrial, military, medical and transportation applications, including DO-178B and DO-254 certification.

OpenGL SC simplifies safety-critical certification, guarantees repeatability, allows compliance with real-time requirements and facilitates porting of legacy safety-critical applications.

Intelligraphics, a leader in supplying OpenGL graphics software drivers, and Vivante, a technology leader delivering silicon proven commercial DirectFB, OpenGL ES and OpenVG graphics GPU cores, have partnered to provide the world's first completely certifiable hardware and software driver solution.

Until now only the graphics software has been in compliance with the FAA mandated RTCA/DO-178B certification process.

Nvidia drivers certified for Windows 7 DirectCompute

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:17:29 GMT

Graphics processor maker Nvidia announced today that Microsoft has certified Nvidia's graphics driver supporting DirectCompute for Windows 7, a new tool allowing developers to create cutting-edge digital media applications.

The Windows Hardware Qualification Lab (WHQL) certified graphics driver for DirectCompute allows GeForce GPUs to run applications optimized for DirectCompute, making it easier for users to share personal videos with drag-and-drop support for transferring high-definition videos to portable media player devices.

Windows 7 promises to be a powerhouse platform for gaming. Windows 7 and Nvidia SLI technology will deliver up to 14 percent faster gaming and accelerated H.264 high-definition video playback to Windows Media Player, enabling smooth playback with low CPU utilization.

PC vendors including HP, Dell and Acer have selected GeForce GPUs to help lead the transition to Windows 7 by shipping systems including the newest GeForce GT220 and G210 GPUs, all of which fully support DirectCompute.

DirectCompute will be distributed as part of the DirectX 11 API and is supported by Nvidia's current lineup of DirectX 10 GPUs.

Konica Minolta to release universal printer driver

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:16:44 GMT

Konica Minolta announced it will release a new Universal Print Driver (UPD) in late summer, offering a single printer driver for all Konica Minolta and other devices compatible with PCL6 or PostScript.

The UPD is perfect for more efficiency in each integrated work area of small, middle and large offices. With a single user interface (UI) Konica Minolta's UPD offers various benefits for both IT administrators and users.

"By implementing our Universal Print Driver, IT experts can significantly reduce administration time and costs," said Minoru Fukushima, product planning manager at Konica Minolta business solutions Europe. "Until today, they had to install drivers for each product. UPD not only eliminates these installation marathons but also makes complex function testing unnecessary as the driver's core is the same for every integrated printer."

Konica Minolta's UPD also serves users with multiple printers. It automatically detects network printers and displays a list of devices to be used. Operators can configure new multifunctional devices (MFPs) and printers connected to the office environment.

The UI offers full functionality including layout, finishing and quality for pre-installed printers. Basic functions like paper size and print type can be applied for all devices - without installing specified drivers.

Alpha Cards Systems reveals Magicard Pronto ID printer

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:16:02 GMT

Alpha Card Systems' latest ID card printer to roll off the Magicard assembly line, the Magicard Pronto, is a compact single-feed card printer that makes ID personalization affordable and easy.

This printer meets the needs of small to medium-sized organizations requiring high-quality card printing with effective visual security options.

Alpha Card, a global leader in secure ID card solutions for a wide variety of industries and applications, said the Magicard Pronto provides customers with the latest cutting-edge printers from the ID card industry's most trusted manufacturers.

Magicard's new release offers a number of high-security features not commonly found in other printers of its class, such as the ability to apply a secure HoloKote watermark across the surface of each printed card at no additional cost.

Four standard security watermark designs are selectable from the printer driver. The HoloKote watermark system increases visual security, reduces the risk of illegal duplication and adds an extra layer of protection from wear and tear.

The Pronto, a single-feed printer, is ideal for low-volume applications. Each card is fed by hand and printed individually, making the Pronto a smart choice for fast, on-demand card printing.

The Pronto features a USB interface, a plug-and-play driver and a 3-color LED status indicator.

Microsoft updates Windows 7 driver kit

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:06:44 GMT

Microsoft has updated the Windows driver kit for Windows 7 RTM, allowing developers to write drivers for devices like printers, graphics cards and speakers to make them compatible with the new operating system.

The Windows Driver Kit (WDK) Version 7.0.0 contains tools, code samples, documentation, compilers, headers and libraries for software developers to create drivers for Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2003.

Microsoft has also made driver testing tools available for developers to create robust, high-quality drivers for the Windows family of operating systems. Microsoft offers tools that can help developers and testers find bugs and tune driver performance during all phases of development.

The development kit does not contain device drivers for your personal computer. But Windows users who want to update drivers can go to the Windows Vista Compatibility Center to find device and application compatibility information on thousands of products.

A directory of hardware manufacturer driver sites can be found on TechNet. Or, to make things simple, use a driver updater like Driver detective.

SCO Group releases OpenServer 5.0.7V

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:05:35 GMT

The SCO Group, a provider of UNIX software technology and mobility solutions, has released OpenServer 5.0.7V, a virtualized version of its popular UNIX operating system that is optimized for the VMware environment.

With OpenServer's renowned stability and reliability, now available in a virtualized environment, customers can avoid costly migration and retooling costs in order to take advantage of newer hardware and applications.

"With OpenServer 507V, SCO is protecting our customer's investment in their OpenServer applications by extending their life cycle without the need to migrate," said Jeff Hunsaker, president and chief operating officer, SCO operations.

OpenServer 5.0.7V is released as a virtual appliance image that can be easily imported onto VMware ESX 3.5, VMware ESXi 3.5 and VMware Workstation 6.5.2 for Windows platforms. Importation of the virtual appliance usually takes between 10 and 60 minutes to complete, depending on configuration.

Once installed, the system behaves just like a natively-installed OpenServer 5.0.7 system with all of the latest maintenance installed. For convenience, many of the VMware tools have also been included to improve integration between SCO OpenServer 5.0.7V and the host VMware system.

SCO OpenServer 5.0.7 uses a subset of existing and updated device drivers for optimal performance in a virtual environment.

Logitech mice glide on glass

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:04:33 GMT

Logitech has unveiled new computer mouse technology with Darkfield Laser Tracking to let you use your mouse virtually anywhere you want, including clear glass and high-gloss surfaces.

This new technology is available in the Logitech Performance Mouse MX and the Logitech Anywhere Mouse MX.

Logitech said its research showed that 40 percent of people have a glass surface in their home. This coupled with the increase in the popularity of laptop computers, means that people are moving around and coming into contact with a multitude of surfaces like granite and lacquered wood that challenge the tracking capabilities of standard mice.

Regular laser tracking technology relies on the ability of the mouse's sensor to detect the textural details of the surface. The more irregularities a surface exhibits, the easier it is for the sensor to identify reference points that it can use to accurately measure motion. However, because high-gloss surfaces such as glass are almost completely flat, there are not enough details for a typical laser mouse's sensor to detect.

To track on glass (at least 4 mm thick), Logitech Darkfield uses dark field microscopy to detect microscopic particles and micro-scratches on these surfaces, rather than tracking the surface itself.

Computer users will typically need to update drivers on their PC to connect new devices such as keyboards and mice.

Zune HD media builds on Nvidia Tegra processor

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:44:15 GMT

Microsoft's new Zune HD portable media player is powered by the Nvidia Tegra processor, which gives it exceptional multimedia capabilities including HD video.

The Zune HD player, which Microsoft recently announced is available for preorder, is the first portable media player to combine HD-compatible video, an HD Radio receiver, full-screen internet browsing, an organic LED touch screen and Wi-Fi.

Working closely with Microsoft and optimizing the Tegra processor, Nvidia said its processor and drivers provide exceptional battery life for Zune HD.

"Tegra provides the multimedia muscle in Zune HD," said Michael Rayfield, general manager of Nvidia's mobile business.

Tegra powers the device with eight independent processors, each designed for a specific class of tasks - among them are an HD video processor, an audio processor, a graphics processor and two ARM cores.

The processors can work together or independently to minimize power consumption. The Microsoft Zune HD optimizes system power use and enables extended HD video and MP3 playback time.

The Tegra processor has been engineered over the past five years to bring high performance and low power capabilities to portable media players, smartphones, smartbooks, netbooks and tablets.

CUDA-optimized implementation of LAPACK library released

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:43:12 GMT

EM Photonics has released a beta version of CULA, an implementation of the industry-standard LAPACK linear algebra library designed and optimized for Nvidia's massively parallel CUDA-enabled graphics processing units (GPUs).

The millions of developers that rely on LAPACK routines for solving problems ranging from computational physics and structural mechanics to electronic design automation can now get up to a 10X boost in performance over a single quad-core CPU by using Nvidia Tesla GPUs.

"One promising evolutionary path of high-performance computing architectures is a hybrid system consisting of multi-core CPUs and many core GPUs," said Satoshi Matsuoka, of the Tokyo Institute of Technology. "CUDA-optimized implementation will significantly broaden the appeal of hybrid systems in science and engineering, giving them a strong competitive edge over competing architectures."

EM Photonics is releasing CULA and allowing developers to experience the computational performance of a supercomputer right at their desk.

EM Photonics' CULAtools is a product family comprised of CULA Basic, Premium and Commercial. The CULA library is a GPU-accelerated implementation of the most popular LAPACK routines.

LAPACK is a collection of commonly used functions in linear algebra, used by millions of developers in the scientific and engineering community.

PC users will need to have drivers updated to run the latest Nvidia GPUs.

Lenovo launches home theater PC

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:42:08 GMT

Lenovo today announced three new PC devices geared to the digital home experience. Lenovo's first home theatre PC - the IdeaCentre Q700 - provides high definition 1080p playback and digital surround sound for a variety of multimedia formats displayed right on a user's HDTV.

Lenovo is also offering its first home server - the IdeaCentre D400 - for managing content across several PCs. In addition, the IdeaCentre Q100 and Q110 nettops support HD video.

The Q Series offers a range of PC products to complement the home theater experience and simplify the living room or study. With more people creating and consuming content, home servers like the D400 are becoming important tools to manage content created on several different PCs and devices.

The home server market is growing. IDC forecasts home server shipments to have a compound annual growth rate of more than 110 percent from 2007-2012 for both home and commercial customers worldwide.

Dion Weisler, vice president of business operations for Lenovo, said small nettops give consumers the portability of a laptop, making them a versatile and affordable part of the digital home experience.

The Lenovo Q110 uses an Nvidia Ion graphics processor with Nvidia graphics drivers to power HD movies, games and video conversion.

Embarcadero gives sneak peak of RAD Studio 2010

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:35:44 GMT

Embarcadero Technologies, a provider of database tools and developer software, announced the last of three sneak previews into Delphi 2010 and C++Builder 2010, part of the Embarcadero RAD Studio 2010 family.

The latest sneak preview showcases expanded database connectivity for more than a dozen platforms including Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase, MySQL, InterBase, IBM DB2, plus new support for the popular Firebird SQL database, a community-supported open source database based on Embarcadero's InterBase platform.

RAD Studio's DataSnap multi-tier data access framework has also been enhanced to support an array of industry-standard data communication protocols such as JSON, SOAP, XML and REST enabling interoperability with virtually any data source.

New and updated database support includes New Firebird SQL 2.1 and 1.5 support in dbExpress and updated dbExpress drivers for InterBase 2009, Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Oracle 11g and MySQL 5.1.

"With RAD Studio 2010, our goal is to make Delphi and C++Builder the most flexible and powerful application development tools for the widest selection of database platforms," said Michael Swindell, vice president of products, Embarcadero Technologies.

Logitech unveils rechargeable speaker dock for iPods

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:29:17 GMT

Logitech has unveiled the Logitech Rechargeable Speaker S315i, offering up to 20 hours of iPod listening time with longer battery life.

Logitech's newest iPod speaker docks help improve your iPod listening experience at home, at work or anywhere you enjoy your music. The Rechargeable Speaker S315i gives you a full day's worth of music on a single charge - up to 20 hours in power-saving mode.

Plus, unlike other iPod speaker docks, the Rechargeable Speaker S315i can play music while it's plugged in and charging your iPod.

Rechargeable Speaker S315i uses custom, full-range drivers to accurately reproduce the highs and lows of your favorite songs.

Less than two-inches thick with durable metal grills, the S315i is ready for the rigors of your suitcase, backpack or car. It works with the iPhone and any iPod model with the Apple Universal Dock Connector.

Also, the compact Portable Speaker S125i provides up to 10 hours of battery-powered music. Both the Rechargeable Speaker S315i and the Portable Speaker 125i offer a standard 3.5 mm jack so you can plug in any portable music player and even your PC or CD player.

Dell sustainability initiative saves 48 million kwh

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:28:04 GMT

Dell expects to save an estimated $5.8 million a year as a result of power-saving initiatives and building upgrades in its facilities, the company announced. The company is also piloting solar projects on select campuses to incorporate even more renewable energy in its operations.

By the end of 2009, Dell expects to cut its global power use by around 48 million kilowatt hours per year, through a combination of building upgrades, power management strategies and IT solutions.

Dell installed 1E NightWatchman and SMSWakeUp software on 50,000 of its desktop and notebook computers. NightWatchman helps reduce energy waste by turning off computers overnight and SMSWakeUp repowers machines from a centralized command the next morning.

PCs, printers and other devices with power-saving drivers can save energy by entering sleep mode when not in use.

In addition to installing solar window films and improving insulation to keep buildings cooler, Dell has made a number of HVAC improvements in its facilities.

Dell expects to achieve around $1.5 million in annual energy savings by automatically turning off lighting and air conditioning systems during non-peak operational hours.

As a result of virtualization, server consolidation and improved hardware and data center design, Dell is realizing more computing output with a smaller power footprint.

Dell introduces Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:26:54 GMT

Dell and Nickelodeon this week announced the Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition, a netbook computer designed specifically for kids, complete with Nickelodeon's trademark green slime.

The netbook provides parental controls and shopping security, comes wrapped in a "slime" artwork scheme and features additional designs based on Nickelodeon hit properties iCarly and SpongeBob SquarePants, available at Dell.com's Design Studio.

Based on Dell's popular Inspiron Mini 10v netbook, it features a bright 10.1-inch color LCD display and built-in wireless internet access. It will be available online in the United States at Dell.com and on Walmart store shelves and Walmart.com in October.

Each Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition comes with an easily personalized user interface, dedicated web portals and a Just for You widget that lets kids select their own dynamically updated content from Nick.com including the latest games and TV programs.

The system comes with easy set-up directions and includes a 15-month subscription to McAfee Family Security, which provides comprehensive parental controls to carefully direct and monitor kids' online activities.

For add-on features like printers and speakers, parents should download the latest device drivers for their kids' netbooks.

Verizon and ZTE USA release AD3700 USB modem

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:19:38 GMT

Verizon Wireless and ZTE USA announced the AD3700, a mobile broadband USB modem with global connectivity, for sale beginning August 14 at Verizon stores.

Verizon said the AD3700 automatically detects the local network and connects to the fastest internet speed available from almost anywhere in the world.

The AD3700 gives customers access to high-speed networks in more than 175 destinations including on Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) wireless platforms.

AD3700 runs on Verizon Wireless' high-speed network, includes VZAccess Manager software for easy connection management and automatic installation without the need for special device drivers and is compatible with Windows Vista/XP/2000 operating systems and USB 2.0 high-speed interface.

The USB modem is $79.99 after a $50.00 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a Verizon mobile broadband plan.

PC users should make sure their operating system has been updated with the latest driver updates to ensure compatibility of external USB devices.

Windows 7 brings 64-bit computing to the masses

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:17:30 GMT

When Windows 7 is retailed for consumers on October 22nd, it will be the first opportunity many PC users will have to experience the enhanced power and performance of 64-bit computing.

Although 64-bit versions of Microsoft's XP and Vista operating systems have been made available, many users have passed on the extra RAM memory and speed because there were so few applications that needed it and because device manufacturers didn't make 64-bit drivers readily available.

All that's about to change, observes Dong Ngo at CNET’s Crave blog, who writes that most of the critical hardware components like networking, sound and video have 64-bit drivers already.

"By the time Windows 7 is officially released, you'll probably have no problem finding 64-bit drivers for most components," according to Ngo.

Microsoft has worked with manufacturers on Windows 7 to ensure that device drivers have 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Most hardware devices have 64-bit drivers today and most software products work unmodified because of the 32-bit emulation technology in 64-bit Windows Vista, Microsoft said.

Still, many legacy devices such as printers or scanners will never work with 64-bit Windows, Ngo said.

Pano Logic releases virtual desktop resources

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:21:39 GMT

Pano Logic has announced new resources for the Pano Logic Partner Program to help reseller partners worldwide easily and rapidly deploy virtual desktops.

Delivering a native Microsoft Windows user experience and robust scalable desktop architecture, the Pano System centralizes the management of desktops in the data center, eliminating any maintenance at the desktop, as well as making new user provisioning and business continuity much more effective.

The Pano System includes zero-client endpoint devices and the virtual machine and management software components. The Pano device connects keyboard, mouse, display, audio and USB peripherals over an existing IP network to a virtual instance of Windows XP running on a VMware ESX or ESXi server.

Pano Manager can be deployed as a virtual machine in the data center on VMware Infrastructure, which enables administrators to automate virtual desktop deployment and management by integrating with existing directory services and VMware vCenter Server.

A lightweight service installed within each Windows desktop virtual machine links display, audio and USB peripherals attached to the Pano device to the unmodified native Windows drivers in the virtual machine.

Pano Remote allows users to securely access their Pano desktops from any Windows XP or Vista computer.

Open source: a device driver free world?

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:23:33 GMT

Microsoft shocked the developer world last month when it released 20,000 lines of device driver code for Linux, the open-source operating system and announced that it would seek to work with the open source community.

But open source advocates say the software giant has many more opportunities to improve interoperability by embracing open source.

One area where open source code could help improve compatibility is related to the need for developing complicated device drivers for every new device across multiple operating systems.

Writing at ZDNet UK, Rupert Goodwins said an open source approach could help develop an API for device drivers across multiple operating systems.

"We don't know how much time and effort Microsoft expends on device driver testing and validation, but it's too much and it's not working," Goodwins said. "Better to put the responsibility back where it belongs, with the manufacturers, by making their lives as easy as possible."

Currently, device drivers must be certified and conform to complex rules to be acceptable as executable kernel objects.

Intel licenses Nvidia SLI for Nehalem processors

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:22:47 GMT

Nvidia announced that it has reached a licensing agreement with Intel Corporation and other leading motherboard manufacturers for including Nvidia SLI technology on their Intel P55 Express Chipset-based motherboards for the upcoming Intel Core i7 and Core i5 Nehalem processors.

As a result, customers who purchase a validated P55-based motherboard and Core i7 or Core i5 processor when available can equip their PCs with any combination of Nvidia GeForce graphics cards, including Quad SLI, along with supporting graphics drivers.

SLI technology is now available for all consumer PC platforms, including the Intel Core i7, Core i5, Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Duo processors, as well as those based on the AMD Phenom II CPU.

Motherboard manufacturers ASUS, EVGA, Gigabyte and MSI will now be able to include SLI graphics technology in their Core i7 and Core i5 products.

"Only the best-designed motherboards are capable of tapping into and reaping maximum benefits from the powerful synergy between SLI technology and the P55 platform," said Joe Hsieh, general manager of ASUS' motherboard unit.

NVIDIA introduced SLI in 2004 and the technology has become "required equipment for any serious gaming platform," said Kelt Reeves, president of Falcon Northwest.

Intel, Micron will produce NAND-powered USB drive

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:22:00 GMT

Intel Corporation and Micron Technology today announced the development of 3-bit-per-cell (3bpc) NAND chips for use in consumer storage devices such as flash cards and USB drives.

Designed and manufactured by IM Flash Technologies (IMFT), the two companies' NAND flash joint venture, the new 3bpc NAND technology produces the industry's smallest and most cost-effective 32-gigabit (Gb) chip currently available on the market.

Micron said the technology will be in mass production in the fourth quarter 2009.

Brian Shirley, vice president of Micron's memory group, said the companies' are moving ahead on further shrinks in NAND, including a 2xnm technology later this year.

Flash drives and USB devices can be used to transport files between computers or from other devices onto PCs. The NAND technology will allow these drives to contain much more data on the devices.

Any device that plugs into the PC's USB port requires a special driver to work with the operating system. PC users should check that they have the most up-to-date device drivers.

AMD says DirectX 11 graphics card coming soon

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:41:54 GMT

AMD is on the verge of releasing a graphics card that supports Microsoft DirectX 11, the graphics language that will drive more powerful graphics for Windows 7, according to PC World.

A spokesman for AMD said last week that the first DirectX 11 graphics card would come about the same time as Windows 7, on the ATI Radeon line, but further details were not revealed, PC World reported.

Tech and gamer blogs have been buzzing about DirectX 11 for some time, and bloggers at fudzilla.com claim to have actually seen and held the latest AMD graphics card that supports the new iteration of Microsoft’s 3D graphics.

AMD has already made available ATI Catalyst 9.7 drivers for Windows 7 and promises that DirectX 11 will deliver a "seamless user experience."

Following the RTM of Windows 7, AMD released for download the WHQL-certified ATI Catalyst 9.7 Unified Driver for the latest Windows operating system, which some reviewers have said blows away Vista, which drove many users crazy with bad support and device drivers.

Dell retires the 12-inch mini-notebook

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:39:48 GMT

Dell has decided that smaller is better in the netbook market and announced on its community Direct2Dell blog that it will no longer offer the 12-inch Inspiron Mini 12.

Not to worry, Dell's chief blogger Lionel Menchaca said: the PC maker is still committed to the netbook market and is renewing its offering of the Insprion Mini 9, along with two 10-inch displays – the Insprion Mini 10 and Mini 10v.

"It really boils down to this: for a lot of customers, 10-inch displays are the sweet spot for netbooks," Menchaca wrote. "Portability is one of the key points for netbook customers. Larger notebooks require a little more horsepower to be really useful. More to come from Dell on that later."

Netbooks should get a kick from the extra performance promised by upgrades to Windows 7. With the newest processors available from Intel and up-to-date drivers, these little laptops can do a lot more than just word-processing and web browsing.

Both the Mini 9 and Mini 12 are still available for US customers through DellOutlet. For the best performance, be sure to get a driver updater.

Batman: Arkham Asylum to feature PhysX technology

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:29:54 GMT

The Games for Windows LIVE release of the forthcoming Batman: Arkham Asylum videogame will feature Nvidia PhysX technology, the graphics language that powers the creation of realistic worlds full of interactive materials and objects.

PC gamers will get to experience the intense realism and fully immerse themselves in Batman's journey into Gotham City's asylum for the criminally insane with hardware supported by GeForce GPUs and graphics drivers.

With PhysX technology enabled, players can experience combat motion that sets office papers into the air, wall tiles chipping and breaking, stone pillars crumbling upon impact and particles from breaking glass and debris shattering and falling down around Batman's feet.

Sefton Hill, game director at Rocksteady Studios, said Batman's interaction with his environment makes it a "more immersive, believable world which really draws the player in."

Batman: Arkham Asylum lets players move in the shadows, instigate fear amongst their enemies and use a wide range of Batman's gadgets and abilities to become the Invisible Predator.

To take advantage of PhysX technology in Batman: Arkham Asylum, players must have a compatible Nvidia GPU and drivers and a copy of the Games for Windows LIVE version of the game, which ships September 15.

HP selects Nvidia Tesla GPUs for HP Z800 workstation

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:28:29 GMT

The HP Z800 Workstation is now configurable with up to two Nvidia Tesla graphics processing units (GPUs), Nvidia recently announced.

Based on the massively parallel Nvidia CUDA architecture, Tesla GPUs are used across multiple fields, including scientific research, industrial design, 3D animation and seismic exploration.

Nvidia said the processing power of its CUDA platform is one of the key drivers of performance in several different applications, such as AMBER, a public research code with more than 60,000 users, which has been written to leverage CUDA architecture to deliver a 50-times speed up of simulations.

In finance, Numerix and CompatibL have announced CUDA support for a new Counterparty Risk application of their Numerix 7 analytics solution used by over 375 financial institutions, with calculation of complex pricing models powered with Nvidia GPUs.

Jeff Wood, director of worldwide marketing, Workstations, HP, said the Tesla GPU "takes our flagship Z workstations to extreme heights for floating point intensive applications."

Nvidia has also released version 2.3 of the CUDA Toolkit and SDK for GPU computing, which includes performance improvements and expanded support for the cuda-gdb hardware debugger.

ATI FirePro M7740 graphics accelerator for mobile workstations

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:27:32 GMT

Graphics card maker AMD has announced the release of the ATI FirePro M7740 graphics accelerator to power Dell Precision M6400 Mobile Workstations.

The Dell Precision M6400, powered by ATI graphics and graphics drivers, brings swift real-time graphical rendering and brilliant color representation to the forefront of large model design work, all while giving professionals excellent performance capabilities for multitasking and multi-threaded applications, AMD said.

The mobile workstation is also designed to support Microsoft Direct X- or OpenGL-based applications.

This new accelerator brings "superior visual quality and graphical performance," said Greg Weir, senior manager, Dell Precision Workstation. "Joining forces with AMD has enabled us to design a mobile platform that delivers desktop workstation-class performance and provides our customers with a more comprehensive range of solution choices."

AMD said the ATI FirePro M7740's powerful GPU and 1GB frame buffer will accelerate software applications and improve productivity, while giving professionals the assurance of certified drivers and professional-grade ATI FirePro hardware.

ATI FirePro M7740 3D accelerators are available this month with the Dell Precision M6400 workstations to maximize application performance and reliability with over 90 certifications.

MS Office 2010 simplifies printer options

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:18:02 GMT

Microsoft's release of the Office 2010 Technical Preview includes several printing features that the company says will make for an easier printing experience.

A print dialog known as the Print Place is available in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project and Publisher, which shows the most commonly used print job settings to reduce the need to use the Page Setup or custom print properties pages, according to the XPS Team Blog.

Office is now able to show stapling and duplexing options when connecting to printers that support these capabilities and using the Print Schema Specification.

"In order to support stapling and duplexing, the print driver must have implemented PrintTicket support and these features must be exposed in the public PrintSchemaKeywords namespace," the blog said.

Publisher 2010 will support printing to the XPS print path to provide users with the highest quality print experience available. This feature will be used automatically when the target printer is installed with an XPS driver.

When an XPS driver is not available, Publisher falls back to legacy GDI printing. Users may opt out of the XPS print path using the Publisher Options.

Windows 7 RTM available for MSDN subscribers

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:16:26 GMT

Subscribers to Microsoft Development Network (MSDN) can now download the RTM versions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, along with support and technical information included with their subscription.

After a very long and hyped-up testing and release process, the newest Microsoft operating system is finally here, although consumers still have to wait for the retail version until October 22.

Microsoft and its partners have been touting the advances the new OS will offer, including its capabilities for automatically updating device drivers and power-saving drivers and BIOS to save battery life and speed boot-times.

Xavier Lauwaert, a Sony marketing executive, said at the Windows Partner blog that "be it a netbook or a mainstream notebook, we expect to deliver unprecedented performance and connectivity options through Windows 7."

Bloggers reported a possible bug in the Windows 7 RTM, but a Microsoft executive responded in the comment section of the chris123nt.com blog to state that Microsoft is "certainly going to continue to look for, monitor and address issues as they arise if required. So far this is not one of those issues."

AMD unveils 785G chipset

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:50:52 GMT

AMD has announced the release of its AMD 785G chipset for next-generation gaming and a superior HD video experience. Combined with ATI Radeon HD 4200 Graphics, the 785G chipset transforms mainstream PCs into "a digital media powerhouse," the company said.

The new chipset comes with support for Microsoft DirectX 10.1 graphics as well as for HDMI 1.3 connectivity and offers enhanced UV2 (Unified Video Decoder) technology. In addition, the new platform will allow motherboard makers to introduce new mainboards with support for DDR2 or DDR3 memory, according to Softpedia.

ATI Stream technology enables AMD graphics processors to support Microsoft Windows 7 features such as Aero Shake, Aero Glass and Transparent Windows.

Users can also watch standard DVD movies in near high-definition quality with DVD upscaling.

The integrated graphics inside the new AMD chipset will also come with support for AMD Hybrid CrossFire solution, permitting users to add a discrete graphics card to the platform, Softpedia reports.

The new chipset is accompanied by a full set of Windows 7 WHQL-certified drivers, although there is no Linux driver available, according to Semiaccurate.com.

Windows 7 and Intel could be big netbook drivers

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:49:53 GMT

New processors from Intel and the release of the Windows 7 operating system could help boost speed and performance significantly for the mini-laptops called netbooks.

At the Intel Technology Summit in San Francisco last week, Intel said its new "Pine Trail" Atom processor will put most of the core chips onto one piece of silicon, leading to better power efficiency for netbooks, according to CNET News.

"There will be integrated graphics inside the same (processor) core so you get better performance," said Mooly Eden, of the Mobile Platforms Group at Intel, describing how the graphics processor and main processor will be on the same chip, CNET reported.

Reviewers at the Gearlog website tested Windows 7 out on one of the latest in the netbook market, the Toshiba mini NB205-N210.

"Installing the OS was a breeze; drivers were automatically found for all of the hardware, giving it the same functionality coming out of the install as it had in Windows XP," reviewer Esten Hurtle reported at Gearlog.com.

Although generic netbook hardware isn't a problem for Windows 7, netbooks in general "still can't handle high-definition Flash video without making it look like a slideshow," the reviewer said.

SIGGRAPH 2009 achievement award goes to Pixar scientist

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:53:12 GMT

ACM SIGGRAPH, the computer graphics design conference, awarded its 2009 Computer Graphics Achievement Award to Michael Kass, whose algorithms were used to design software that replicates realistic movement of clothing, hair and fur on animated characters for movies like Monsters, Inc.

Kass was recognized at the conference this week in New Orleans for his innovative contributions to image processing, animation and modeling through physical simulation and optimization.

Kass and fellow Pixar scientists David Baraff and Andrew Witkin, begun in 1998, developed a robust, resilient simulator that has provided the conceptual foundation for many cloth simulation systems used in animation today.

Pixar's RenderMan graphics programming language is flexible enough to be used across a wide range of systems and RenderMan's programmability has allowed it to evolve as major new rendering techniques were invented.

According to GameDev.net, low-cost consumer hardware has reached the point where lay users can begin implementing the basics of programmable shading similar to the RenderMan graphics language.

With the latest 3D graphics card and graphics card device drivers, developers can now emulate the 3D graphics made by studios and software companies.

AMD says it will support OpenGL 3.1, 3.2

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:52:09 GMT

AMD today said it plans to support the newest versions of the OpenGL 3D graphics API by committing to OpenGL 3.1 support for ATI FirePro. Earlier this year, AMD released its OpenGL 3.0 graphics driver.

AMD said it will release ATI Catalyst graphics driver support for ATI FirePro graphics accelerators, including support for OpenGL 3.1, by August 12th at its driver support website.

As a leading environment for developing interactive 3D graphics applications, OpenGL helps foster innovation and speed application development by incorporating a broad set of rendering, texture mapping, special effects and other powerful visualization functions.

Developers can leverage the power of OpenGL across popular desktop and workstation platforms, which helps to ensure wide application deployment.

OpenGL 3.2, announced this week at SIGGRAPH 2009, will be the newest revision of this industry standard and AMD "plans to continue to expand its support for extensions targeted at future versions of OpenGL, including OpenGL 3.2," the company said.

Nvidia has already released beta Windows drivers based on OpenGL 3.2 and said it is committed to the continued rapid evolution and adoption of OpenGL.

Microsoft offering downloads of Windows XP Mode RC

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:50:57 GMT

Microsoft today made available for download the release candidate (RC) versions of its virtualization software so users can run applications on Windows 7 as if they were running on Windows XP.

The software allows users to continue to support older applications that may not be supported by Windows 7 drivers. By using the Windows Virtual PC, users can run multiple Windows environments such as Windows XP Mode from a Windows 7 desktop.

According to the Windows blog, you can now attach USB devices to Windows XP Mode applications directly from the Windows 7 task-bar.

"This means your USB devices, such as printers and flash drives, are available to applications running in Windows XP Mode, without the need to go into full screen mode," Microsoft said.

Windows XP Mode will also permit access to applications with a "jump-list," by right clicking on the Windows XP Mode applications from the Windows 7 task bar.

Windows XP Mode will only run on Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate editions and requires a virtualization engine, such as Windows Virtual PC.

You need to uninstall the Beta version of Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode before installing the RC bits.

Windows Virtual PC requires a CPU with the Intel Virtualization Technology or AMD-V feature turned on in the system BIOS.

Black Hat hackers use drivers, BIOS to control PCs and phones

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:18:14 GMT

Device driver hacking is technically challenging, but not impossible. Thanks to new software tools that make it easier for less skilled hackers to write attack code, cyberattacks on wireless cards and smartphones like the iPhone are gaining traction.

At the Black Hat USA cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas, security researchers have revealed new ways to infiltrate PCs, networks and other devices over the years. This year, Mac OS X expert and professional hacker Charlie Miller revealed how SMS text messages could be used to hack iPhones and other smartphones.

According to IT.Toolbox.com, Miller demonstrated his iPhone and Android smartphone hack, which includes replacing the serial driver on the phone with a driver to talk to the modem and "fuzz" the phone by bombarding it with messages.

Security firm Sophos reported that researchers from CoreSecurity presented at Black Hat about a flaw in the Computrace Anti-Theft Agent that comes included in the BIOS of most notebooks sold since 2005. Hackers could take over the BIOS component of Computrace and connect to a remote server of the hacker's choice.

Back at Black Hat 2006, researchers revealed that wireless device driver flaws could be exploited by hackers to allow them to take over a laptop, according to IDG News.

Khronos Group releases OpenGL 3.2

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:13:46 GMT

The Khronos Group, a consortium responsible for the OpenGL graphics standard, today announced OpenGL 3.2, the third major update in 12 months to the 2D and 3D graphics API (application programming interface) for personal computers and workstations.

OpenGL 3.2 adds features for enhanced performance, increased visual quality, accelerated geometry processing and easier portability of Direct3D applications.

The evolution of OpenGL and other standards within Khronos, including OpenCL for parallel compute, OpenGL ES for mobile 3D graphics and the new WebGL standard for 3D on the web, are being coordinated to create a powerful graphics and compute ecosystem that spans many application, markets and devices, Khronos said.

Nvidia has already released beta Windows drivers based on OpenGL 3.2 and said it is committed to the continued rapid evolution and adoption of OpenGL.

Barthold Lichtenbelt, chair of the OpenGL ARB working group and OpenGL engineering manager at Nvidia, said the group is "listening carefully to developer feedback and will continue to rapidly evolve OpenGL to meet the needs of the industry."

Jon Peddie, founder and principal of Jon Peddie Research, said OpenGL has become "a true platform for graphics innovation."

Microsoft releases Windows 7 pricing

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:56:45 GMT

Microsoft has released pricing information for consumers looking to buy the Windows 7 Home edition or the Windows 7 family Pack when they become available to the public on October 22.

For PC home gamers and others who were endlessly frustrated by Vista's buggy device drivers and the cost of upgrade, Microsoft has some good news.

Using the Windows Anytime Upgrade (WAU), a customer may purchase an upgrade from Windows 7 Home to Windows 7 Home Premium for $79.99. Upgrades from Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Professional cost $89.99, while an upgrade from Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate costs $139.99, according to the Windows blog.

Customers in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK or the US will be able to purchase the upgrade from Microsoft online from directly within Windows 7.

For the Windows 7 Family Pack (only while supplies last), customers can get Windows 7 Home Premium for three PCs for $149.99, which is a savings of more than $200 for three licenses.

That's a great savings anyone can appreciate. Even PC gamers who pleaded on Gamersworldbd.com: "Don't charge excessively for the latest Windows 7. It's bad enough we have to pay 50 bucks for boxed games."

hField releases third-edition Wi-Fire USB Wi-Fi adapter

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:55:36 GMT

PC users can now purchase the latest version of the hField Technologies Wi-Fire, a compact long-range USB Wi-Fi Adapter. The new Wi-Fire, HFWFG200, is 40 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter, with integrated directional antenna and highly sensitive receiver to enhance normal Wi-Fi signals.

The Wi-Fire gives Windows, Linux and Macintosh users the freedom to connect to Wi-Fi networks with increased mobility and greater range, maintaining faster speeds at longer range in comparison to other standard Wi-Fi adapters, hField said.

Wi-Fire provides interoperability with any 802.11 b/g or b/g compatible access point from up to 1,000 feet, even in locations where no wireless signal could be detected previously. Independent testing has shown the Wi-Fire outperforms 802.11n adapters at distance, delivering greater throughput and a more stable connection.

Wi-Fire, only 2.8 ounces, is palm-sized and easy to use. The retail price is $59.00, available now at hfield.com and participating retailers.

This new hardware release features hField's new Wi-Fire Connection Manager 2.2 for Windows, as well as the WCM 1.1 for Mac. The Wi-Fire is plug-and-play for most popular Linux distributions with the Wi-Fire driver and network support built in to kernel distributions from 2.6.24 and forward.

Intel exec says Windows 7 will be a 'big positive'

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:33:11 GMT

At the Intel Technology Summit in San Francisco, Intel's executive vice president Sean Maloney said the chip company will be upgrading all of its employee computers to Windows 7 after having skipped on Vista, the operating system with notoriously buggy device drivers.

"This time I think we'll go faster," said Maloney, according to a report from the Register. Maloney said Windows 7 deployment should be good for the overall PC industry and help raise business IT spending after the recession caused businesses to scrimp on IT spending.

"We think it makes overwhelming sense if you have a three-year-old PC to replace the thing, for security violations, virus, power consumption, etcetera - and Windows 7 is just one big positive," Maloney said.

Maloney observed that the compatibility mode, which allows Windows 7 users to run a virtualized version Windows XP for supporting older applications, should help allay concerns about drivers.

Intel and Microsoft worked together in developing the OS to run on Intel chips and optimized Intel drivers and BIOS for better boot/shutdown and sleep/resume times.

Windows 7 will also include DirectX 11 graphics drivers to power better graphics performance by sharing tasks over multiple cores.

USB Monitor PRO 2.2.1 aids in debugging device drivers

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:32:19 GMT

FabulaTech, a software company specializing in device driver development, application development and systems internals programming, is now shipping the newest version of USB Monitor PRO 2.2.1, for use as an analyzer of USB traffic for Windows and developing USB device drivers.

Version 2.2.1 is based on a long-standing experience in USB devices drivers development and offers convenience and ease of use. Just choose the device and start monitoring. The monitoring takes place in both directions (from device driver to the Host Controller Driver and vice versa).

"Unlike other USB monitoring programs which don't allow [you] to examine captured data while monitoring, USB Monitor Pro is totally free from this limitation. You can easily examine all needed information in real time," said Alan Rourke, FabulaTech senior developer.

USB Monitor Pro is used for software development, devices drivers debugging and analyzing of USB traffic. It's also a powerful tool for effective testing and optimization and is used for tasks like protocols analysis, reverse-engineering of USB protocols and functionality determination of third-party device drivers.

The program is designed for software developers, hardware engineers, IT support specialists, programmers, beta-testers, industrial control personnel, SCADA software engineers, science technicians, systems integrators and consultants.

ATI graphics drivers make Win 7 user experience 'seamless'

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:07:05 GMT

An executive from AMD, the manufacturer of ATI graphics processors, is promising "a seamless user experience" on Windows 7 for PCs with the upcoming DirectX 11 (DX11) enabled ATI Radeon graphics cards and graphics drivers.

AMD vice president of marketing Nigel Dessau said the use of the WHQL-certified ATI Catalyst 9.7 Unified Driver is "a crucial piece of the puzzle designed to help you get the most out of your ATI Radeon graphics technology when running Windows 7."

On the Windows 7 Partner blog, Nessau said the graphics processor and drivers from AMD on the new operating system will produce "the Ultimate User Experience," and lead to a "New Era of PCs."

This is because of Windows 7 enables compute shading and tessellation through use of ATI Stream technology, but also the use of multi-core processing improves performance and speed.

Finally, Windows 7 supports the Drag and Drop transcoding application using ATI Stream technology, which can accelerate the conversion of video for playback on portable media players.

Because AMD has been working with Microsoft for the past six years on developing the OS, users can be assured that "seamless" experience, Nessau said.

The ATI Radeon Windows 7 driver has naturally received Windows Hardware Quality Lab (WHQL) certification, meaning it will be good to go when Windows 7 becomes available.

Greenpeace claims HP stands for 'Hazardous Products'

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:05:49 GMT

Greenpeace activists on Tuesday painted an 11,500-square-foot graffiti on the roof the Hewlett-Packard headquarters building saying "Hazardous Products." The environmental group says HP has fallen behind on its promise to reduce the use of certain chemicals in its products.

In a statement emailed to media outlets, HP called the Greenpeace graffiti "unconstructive antics" and said the stunt does "nothing to advance the goals that all who care about the environment share."

HP had pledged in 2007 to remove hazardous chemicals, PVC and BFR, from their products by 2009, but changed that pledge to having the chemicals out of all products by the end of 2011.

Greenpeace said that means HP is "backtracking on their commitment" and noted that HP currently stands second to last on the quarterly Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics as a result.

"Competitors Dell, Lenovo and Acer have stayed ahead of HP by putting models on the market that are free of or at least significantly reduced in their use of PVC and BFRs," Greenpeace said on its website.

HP defended its environmental record by pointing to its massive e-waste recycling program and commitment to sustainability.

Laptops and PCs produced by the company also reduce energy use through power-saving drivers.

Remote workers, outsourcing are drivers of LAN sprawl

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:08:10 GMT

The growing use of home-based workers and the addition of a wide range of devices and device drivers to business networks is presenting security challenges to a majority of IT professionals, according to a survey released by ConSentry Networks.

As organizations open up their networks to cross-functional users, third-parties, more diverse applications and a vast array of devices, "LAN sprawl" places so many new demands on the network that the vast majority of IT decision-makers surveyed (72 percent) acknowledge a need to improve security in their networks.

Among the IT professionals surveyed in June, 66 percent say the proliferation of devices and applications and the required drivers make it harder to audit the networks. About two-thirds of IT decision makers polled believe that decisions to innovate business processes are often made without considering the impact to the network.

Research from the survey finds that drivers of LAN growth include the need to support cross-functional internal groups (62 percent), work with outsourced suppliers or customers (56 percent) and enabling auditors or short-term contractors to access the LAN (53 percent).

ConSentry said its services keep pace with network growth by providing traffic intelligence and awareness down to the identity, application and device.

Change power settings on your Windows Vista PC

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:05:44 GMT

Hardware drivers on the Windows Vista operating system allow the OS to put your PC to sleep when you're not using it and wake up again when you touch your keyboard or mouse. To change the power settings on your Vista PC, follow these steps.

To change the settings, click Start and then click Control Panel, System and Maintenance and then click on Power Options.

In Power Options, choose Energy Star, Power Saver or High Performance and then click Change plan settings. Energy Star saves the most power while High Performance saves the least.

If you want the display and computer to stay on, change the settings to Never. For a customized power plan, click Change advanced power settings and make your selection on the screen. Click the Save changes button to accept the change, and then restart.

To disable hybrid sleep, select High Performance from Power Options. Click Change plan settings and then select Change Advanced Power Settings. Click the plus sign (+) next to Sleep, click the plus sign next to Allow hybrid sleep, then select Off from the dropdown menu. Click OK.

Dell offers help transitioning to Windows 7

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:00:18 GMT

The release of Windows 7 has a lot of businesses worried about upgrading their PCs to the new operating system without losing valuable data or productivity, so Dell has announced services to help its customers with a smooth transition.

As with any major software transition, customers are concerned about data migration, hardware limitations, compatibility and integration of existing applications and licensing issues.

But Dell's tightly-integrated work with Microsoft throughout the development of Windows 7 makes the PC-maker "tuned to address specific IT pain points of OS transitions."

Dell is helping early adopters transition to beta versions of Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2, while it plans to be prepped for the final version when it is released to business clients beginning September 1.

Dell said it has developed a suite of services to efficiently identify, test, remediate and deploy applications to ensure that they work on the new OS.

According to Forrester Research, as much as 86 percent of organizations are still running on the Windows XP OS.

But IT experts warn that many of these users will be left behind when Microsoft stops supporting XP with the latest device driver updates.

According to Microsoft's support site, adding new device drivers to XP could cause the system to crash if it is not supported by the OS.

Western Digital offers 1TB mobile drive

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:57:53 GMT

Western Digital (WD) said today it has produced two new mobile hard drives that reach new capacity extremes, including a one terabyte model - the industry's highest-capacity 2.5-inch drive available.

The new 1 terabyte WD Scorpio Blue SATA 2.5-inch hard drives will be available to offer mobile storage device and notebook users, along with a 750 GB WD Scorpio Blue model.

WD said the Scorpio Blue 750 GB and 1 TB hard drives have a 12.5 mm form factor and are ideally suited for use in portable storage solutions, such as the newly released My Passport Essential SE Portable USB Drives.

Other applications include select notebooks and small form factor desktop PCs, where quiet and cool operation are important. Both WD Scorpio Blue drives deliver high-performance with a 3 gigabits per second transfer rate.

WD Scorpio Blue 750 GB drives and the 1 TB capacity drives are available now configured into My Passport Essential SE USB drives. The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the WD Scorpio Blue 1 TB drive is $249.99 and for the 750 GB version it is $189.99 USD.

Because of plug-and-play technology, these drives will not need hardware drivers to work with your operating system.

AMD breaks ground on New York chip plant

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:18:16 GMT

AMD, the manufacturer of ATI graphics chips and graphics drivers, has broken ground on a $4.2 billion semiconductor manufacturing facility in upstate New York called Fab 2, a state-of-the-art facility at the Luther Forest Technology Campus.

GlobalFoundaries, a joint venture by AMD and the Advanced Technology Investment Company, will develop new technologies with public and private investments. The fab is expected to open sometime in 2012.

"Fab 2 represents the culmination of AMD's multi-year vision to bring a leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing facility to the United States," said AMD CEO Dirk Meyer. "This is an important opportunity to create thousands of jobs and strengthen U.S. competiveness in the high-tech industry."

Meyer said the foundry will provide cost-effective access to manufacturing capacity on an unprecedented scale to strengthen the company's position as a premier leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing in bringing innovative products to market.

The company said it is dedicated to collaborating with customers and technology partners to ignite the next generation of computing and graphics solutions.

Windows 7 should thrive on multicore Intel chips

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:54:12 GMT

Microsoft and Intel worked together from the beginning of development of Windows 7, with processing spread across multiple cores for better graphics, power-saving and faster boot times.

Intel's collaboration with the software maker focused on improving performance, power management, battery life, graphics and multi-media, Microsoft said on its Windows partner blog.

Working with Intel, Microsoft implemented a new feature called SMT parking for better performance on hyper-threaded, multi-core Intel processors, which will help users get the maximum benefit from "multi-tasking," the blog said.

Intel and Microsoft worked to optimize Intel drivers and BIOS as well as Windows 7 for better boot/shutdown and sleep/resume times. The newest chips from Intel are based on the Nehalem architecture, which can go into an idle state faster.

Another part of the collaboration sought to improve performance and responsiveness by optimizing the Intel Solid State Drive technology for Windows 7, Microsoft said.

Windows 7 will include DirectX 11 graphics drivers to power better graphics performance by sharing tasks over multiple cores.

Intel has already launched new graphics drivers that work with DirectX 10 for Windows 7, but has yet to release drivers for DirectX 11, IDG News reported.

SteelSeries releases precision gaming mouse

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:52:17 GMT

SteelSeries today introduced the SteelSeries Xai Laser Mouse, SteelSeries Kinzu Optical Mouse and the SteelSeries 9HD hard plastic surface, designed specifically for enhancing a user's performance during game play.

Research and development of the mouse was done in close cooperation with full-time professional gamers to ensure that the SteelSeries Xai is a "tool, not just a gadget," the company said.

"We spent three years methodically perfecting the SteelSeries Xai by researching mouse grips used by professional gaming teams such as Fnatic, SK Gaming and Evil Geniuses in order to create a level of performance that gamers have never experienced before," said Bruce Hawver, CEO of SteelSeries.

The 10.8 megapixels per second sensor improves movement speeds to 150 inches per second, providing the user with High Definition tracking. The SteelSeries Xai also offers unprecedented levels of personalization for the user, with unique SteelSeries sensor innovations and automatic lift distance calibration.

SteelSeries Xai can be configured via a LCD menu system on the back of the mouse, where settings will be stored on the mouse - thus eliminating the need for drivers.

The Xai will be available in August 2009.

Windows 7 RTM: build officially sent to OEMs

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:04:49 GMT

Microsoft announced today that it has officially released to manufacturing (RTM) the final build of Windows 7, sending the operating system code to PC OEMs for the process of developing the final hardware drivers to make the OS run smoothly on their systems.

Microsoft's Windows 7 engineering blog happily thanked hardware partners for their successful installations and device connections, along with the few thousand developers who tested Windows 7 at the earliest stages.

While RTM is a "milestone," Microsoft said no software project is ever really done, due to the continuous tweaking of bugs and the addition of new devices and device drivers.

Now Microsoft is directing software developers to make sure their applications will run smoothly on Windows 7 to avoid a repeat of the buggy rollout of Vista.

"There is nothing worse for an end user than to be excited about the new Windows 7 operating system just to discover that a favorite application doesn't perform properly," Microsoft's Windows blog said.

The blog tells developers to make sure applications install and run on all Windows 7 versions and supports both 32- and 64-bit versions.

Most applications that run on Windows Vista should run on Windows 7, but developers should double-check, the company said.

Graphics chip maker AMD reports Q2 loss

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:04:05 GMT

The long recession and slumping PC sales were reflected in the quarterly earnings of graphics chip maker AMD, whose ATI Radeon chips and graphics drivers power PC gaming and video. AMD reported a loss of $330 million on revenue of $1.18 billion, down 13 percent from last year.

AMD president and CEO Dirk Meyer said the company's gross margin was "disappointing," but said the company beat its revenue plan while positives from the first half of the year included the launch of its six-core Opteron processor.

"New platform, microprocessor and graphics introductions planned for the second half of 2009 position us well to improve margins and meet our financial goals for the year," Meyer said.

Chip makers are hoping that the release of Windows 7 will revitalize the PC market, analysts said.

AMD has already released its first WHQL-certified ATI Catalyst graphics drivers for Windows 7 Release to Manufacturing (RTM), which Microsoft announced today.

ATI Catalyst 9.7 drivers are available for download from game.amd.com, while the ATI Catalyst 8.632 driver has been made available for ATI FirePro professional graphics customers.

ATI Catalyst drivers are designed to deliver a single, unified driver installation for both Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

Windows 7 RTM rumors boiling again

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:27:49 GMT

Tech websites erroneously reported that Windows 7 would be released to manufacturing (RTM) - the stage where OEMs and hardware developers get to test their drivers - back on July 14. Microsoft quashed that rumor last Monday, but the software giant says today that it will RTM before the end of the month.

Now, a new round of speculation has Microsoft sending the 7600 build out to OEMs. Microsoft says: not so fast. Any leaked builds are not necessarily the final product, the company said. There are also bogus copies of Windows 7 floating around the internet.

"More often than not, they contain a rather nice malware payload," the Windows blog said. "And don't believe everything you read on the internet. When Windows 7 hits RTM, it will be announced here. Until that happens, any builds you are likely to see on the web are either not the final bits or are laced with malicious code."

OEMs will receive Windows 7 RTM software images beginning approximately two days after Microsoft officially RTM, the company said. This will allow them to begin preparing images for new PCs to ship with Windows 7 on them.

Unfortunately for regular consumers, Windows 7 won't be on sale until October 22. A Family Pack will be available for up to three PCs per customer.

Nvidia releases WHQL GeForce 190.38 drivers

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:26:05 GMT

Nvidia has released its final build of the WHQL GeForce 190.38 drivers for all recent Windows platforms, including Windows 7.

This driver version includes support for PhysX acceleration on all GeForce 8-series, 9-series and 200-series GPUs with a minimum of 256MB dedicated graphics.

The big new feature in this driver release is power management features, according to Tomsharware.com. Nvidia has added the Power Management Mode control with two settings – Adaptive and Prefer Maximum Performance.

The Prefer Maximum Performance setting lets you maintain the card at its maximum performance level when 3D applications are running, regardless of GPU usage, but Nvidia recommends using the lower power option for best overall balance of power and performance.

According to the release notes for the Windows 7 version, Nvidia has added support for hardware overlays on both Clone mode displays. Previously, the driver supported only one hardware overlay, so only one Clone mode display could present the video overlay.

New graphics drivers also add support for OpenGL 3.1 and CUDA updates add support for 64-bit video encoding.

Mvidia also released version 2.3 of the CUDA Toolkit and SDK for GPU computing, which includes performance improvements and expanded support for the CUDA-gdb hardware debugger.

The CUDA driver for MacOS is now packaged separately from the CUDA Toolkit.

PC shipments decline but beat expectations

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:58:49 GMT

Global PC shipments came in slightly ahead of expectations in the second quarter, lessening fears over the extent of the PC market slump. Worldwide shipments of desktop and portable PCs were down 3.1 percent from the second quarter of 2008, according to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker.

Loren Loverde, program director for IDC's Tracker Program, said the results bode well for PC sales in the second half of the year. New product launches in the second half of the year combined with seasonal growth and greater economic confidence could lead to a return to growth by year-end, he said.

Sales of mini-notebook PCs, which have been the main drivers this year for the overall PC market, helped boost netbook manufacturers like Acer and Lenovo, which returned to growth after declines in sales for two quarters.

HP grew 3.6 percent year-over-year worldwide with above-market performance in the U.S. But Dell reclaimed the top spot in the U.S.

Toshiba had a solid second quarter where it outgrew the market in most regions and moved up to the fourth spot in the U.S., IDC reported.

Arasan releases three USB 3.0 software stacks and drivers

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:57:34 GMT

Arasan Chip Systems announced that it has expanded its USB 3.0 portfolio with the release of three USB 3.0 software stacks - USB 3.0 Host Stack, USB 3.0 Device Stack and an eXtensible Host Controller Interface (xHCI) Driver.

With a peak bandwidth of 5 Gbps, USB 3.0 is expected to be deployed in applications such as HD camcorders, high resolution digital still cameras, portable multi-media and mass storage devices, that are currently constrained by the lower bandwidth of USB 2.0.

To hasten application integration, Arasan has developed USB 3.0 drivers such as a Mass Storage Class driver. Arasan's USB 3.0 software includes built-in support for test and debug which shortens the system development cycle.

The USB 3.0 Host and Device software stacks are compliant with the USB 3.0 v1.0 specification. The xHCI Driver is compliant with the latest xHCI v0.9 specification and replaces multiple Host Controller Interface drivers with a single driver.

Arasan's USB 3.0 portable stack solutions, written in ANSI C, consist of hardware and OS independent modules connected to platform specific wrappers that interface with the application software, OS and the underlying hardware. The portable software has a documented set of API which ease application-level integration.

AT&T netbook offer could include device driver support

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:56:07 GMT

AT&T today announced an expansion of its mobile broadband-enabled netbook lineup, including Acer Aspire One, the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 and the Lenovo S10. A support service will provide netbook optimization, which may include device driver support.

AT&T ConnecTech services give customers three options of support for netbooks purchased from AT&T, with prices from $99 for remote online support to $199 for in-home technical support.

AT&T will offer the Acer Aspire One throughout stores nationwide, while the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 and Lenovo S10 will be available in some stores. All devices will be available for purchase online at www.att.com, the company said.

Acer Aspire One is equipped with an Intel Atom processor, Microsoft Windows XP Home, a 160GB hard drive, 1GB of memory, high definition audio support with stereo speakers, a built-in webcam and multiple ports for connecting to external devices.

The netbooks will cost $199.99 after mail-in rebate via AT&T Promotion Card with a two-year service contract.

The promotional netbook pricing requires the purchase of a two-year AT&T DataConnect plan - including a 200MB plan for $40 per month or a 5GB plan for $60 per month.

Video game sales continue dropping despite gaming popularity

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:16:46 GMT

U.S. video game sales in June were 31 percent below their level in June 2008, falling to $1.17 billion, compared with $1.7 billion a year earlier, according to market research firm NPD Group.

Sales have fallen for four straight months, despite the surging popularity of gaming online and on PCs and game consoles. Game sales fell below $1 billion in May for the first time since 2007.

"This is one of the first months where I think the impact of the economy is clearly reflected in the sales numbers," NPD's Anita Frazier said. "This level of decline is certainly going to cause some pain and reflection in the industry."

One reason for the drop in sales could be the growing number of platforms for gaming, including free online games and game downloads, which tend to be cheaper than console games.

PC games continue to compete with consoles like Wii and Xbox due to the availability of increasingly powerful graphics processors and graphics drivers.

NPD reported in May that of consumers who play console or portable games, 31 percent also played a game on a gaming website, 12 percent played on a social networking site, 19 percent played a game that came with their mobile phones and 11 percent purchased and downloaded a game to a mobile phone.

Xerox introduces WorkCentre 5230

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:14:31 GMT

Xerox Corporation has released a new black-and-white multifunction printer (MFP) designed for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) and loaded with high-end features not commonly found on an entry-level MFP.

The Xerox WorkCentre 5230 multifunction printer prints and copies at speeds up to 30 pages per minute and has a paper capacity of up to 5,100 sheets. Using the finishing options allows SMBs to handle complex tasks like booklet making and hole-punching.

Scanning capabilities, as well as Job Flow Sheets, automatically route documents to a predefined file for fast retrieval. Network authentication, hard-disk overwrite and full system Common Criteria Certification keep businesses' information safe.

Built-in Auditron and Xerox Standard Accounting help IT administrators track usage and control cost, while Xerox's Extensible Interface Platform allows software vendors and developers to customize the user screen and create specific workflows.

The WorkCentre 5230 can be easily added to an organization's network with Xerox's Mobile Express Driver and Global Print Driver. These free, downloadable solutions provide simple connections to Xerox and non-Xerox equipment.

Mobile Express Driver makes identifying available MFPs and printers more efficient and reliable, enabling on-the-spot printing for mobile workers, Xerox said.

Website offers printer driver troubleshooting

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:13:48 GMT

Not everyone has the tech savvy to deal with printer problems, especially when it comes to dealing with printer drivers and driver updates.

To help printer users with their specific printer problems, PrintCountry.com has launched a new range of services designed to be a one-stop resource for printer troubleshooting, including a YouTube channel with instructional videos on finding a free printer driver download, replacing printer ink cartridge and cleaning printer heads.

The PrintCountry.com interactive printer troubleshooting tool gives printer users a walkthrough on specific printer errors or problems that they are experiencing. By clicking on the appropriate responses provided on the troubleshooting application, printer users can get access to solutions specific to their own printer troubles.

PrintCountry.com customers can resolve their day-to-day problems such as setting up a wireless printer, what to do when a printer cartridge runs dry, how to add a printer on the computer and how to find printer drivers for old operating systems like Windows 98.

The website also has an extensive knowledge base providing detailed answers to frequently asked questions posed by the website's visitors with solutions given by experts.

A blog that reports on various issues in the computer and printer industry today helps visitors locate detailed reviews on many different printer models available in the market today.

Microsoft surprises with release of Linux drivers

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:13:06 GMT

In a move that tech industry observers consider shocking, Microsoft has taken a big step toward working with the open source community by releasing 20,000 lines of device driver code for Linux, the open-source operating system. But Microsoft let it be known that it sees a benefit for itself in doing so.

The code includes three Linux device drivers, which Microsoft submitted to the Linux kernel community for inclusion in the Linux tree. The drivers will enhance the performance of the Linux OS when virtualized on Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V or Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V, Microsoft said in an announcement Monday.

As overseer of Microsoft's Open Source Technology Center, Sam Ramji said Microsoft's strategy is to enhance interoperability between the Windows platform and many open source technologies to provide the choices customers are asking for.

"Our work in this area is all about providing more flexibility and choice, and requests from our customers and partners were really the impetus behind those efforts," Ramji said. "Today's release would have been unheard of from Microsoft a few years ago, but it's a prime example that customer demand is a powerful catalyst for change."

Cooperating with Linux users is another opportunity for Microsoft. "We are seeing interoperability as a lever for business growth," Ramji said.

Nova Mesa unveils line of custom-made PCs

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:48:35 GMT

Nova Mesa Computer Systems, a Phoenix-based manufacturer and retailer of custom desktop, laptop and specialized gaming computers, announced today that it has launched its inaugural line of PCs.

The desktop systems are available in a variety of form factors (from cubes to mini-towers to full towers), while the company's laptops range in screen size from 12.1 inches to 18.4 inches, the company said.

Nova Mesa sells the PCs via its website and offers three-year warranty and a 30-day no hassle return policy. It also provides free technical support via telephone, email and chat, including automatic notification of updates for drivers and software.

All of the computers are custom-built with name-brand components such as Intel, Seagate, Asus, Patriot and Nvidia.

"Nova Mesa was founded on the belief that computers should come with the highest quality components, along with friendly and knowledgeable sales and service," said Matt Bullock, president and founder of Nova Mesa Computer Systems. "We offer people the best computer-buying experience and provide a little wisdom along the way."

Computers that are put through a 48-hour hardware "torture" test prior to shipping to ensure the system is working correctly and are shipped with only the software customers request - without the annoying "trialware."

How to keep Windows XP going strong

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:47:47 GMT

The upcoming release of Windows 7 has a lot of PC users and businesses worried about upgrading to the new operating system. But according to IT experts, there are tools and strategies for keeping your Windows XP running strong.

Many organizations that choose to stay with Windows XP to save on the cost of upgrades should be aware of certain maintenance challenges, writes Jon Prange, director of enterprise architecture for Interphase Systems, at Technewsworld.com.

One of the primary ways of keeping XP functioning at its best is to load and maintain external drivers.

"XP has less built-in driver support, so organizations have to load external drivers for most hardware. These external drivers should be maintained with regular updates. However, be aware that many future hardware devices will not be supported on legacy operating systems," Prange explains.

According to Microsoft's support site, adding new device drivers to XP could cause the system to crash if it is not supported by the OS. By using the Last Known Good Configuration feature, XP will revert to older settings and drivers from before the crash.

You can do this by restarting the computer and pressing the F8 key repeatedly until you see the Windows Advanced Options screen. Once there, use the arrow keys to select Last Known Good Configuration and then press enter.

If you are prompted to select an operating system, use the arrow keys to select the operating system (XP) and then press enter.

Driver Detective keeps your PC running smooth

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:46:50 GMT

PCs running on older operating systems might have glitches and bugs when trying to sync with newer devices such as printers, cameras, audio and video cards - all of which require specially-written software called drivers.

Without the proper device drivers on your PC, it won't run like the finely-tuned machine you expect it to be. One way to get around the problem of buggy drivers is a system that scans your PC and finds out what drivers you need, installs them and repairs malfunctioning drivers for you.

A driver updater like Driver Detective checks the type and model of the device you are using and then downloads the original manufacturer drivers. The scanner also scans your system for old drivers you don't need - which can cause compatibility problems and bugs - and removes them.

Once you have updated drivers on your PC, your user experience will improve noticeably. Graphics drivers work with the graphics card to make games more life-like. Audio drivers provide clearer sound. Network drivers will link your PC to the web wirelessly.

The driver updater also gives you the ability to back up your drivers, allowing you to restore all the programs you may have uninstalled.

Rumors aside, Nvidia says it will support OpenCL

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:10:01 GMT

A rumor circulating on tech websites claiming that Nvidia has been ousted from Apple laptop designs has been denied by the graphics card maker.

Apple, which uses Nvidia GPUs in MacBooks, will be launching a new programming platform called OpenCL in its upcoming Mac OS X Snow Leopard operating system. Apple has previously expressed frustration with Nvidia's processors, lending credence to the rumor, according to CNET News.

In a developer forum posted on Nvidia's nZone gaming site, the company said recently that its CUDA graphics platform and PhysX graphics effects will support the various programming languages including C, OpenCL and DirectX Compute.

Nvidia, which was the first company to deliver an OpenCL driver for developers, said PhysX has been selected by Apple for graphics on notebooks and desktops because of Nvidia's OpenCL support.

"We're working very closely with Microsoft on DirectX Compute, but we're also working on our C implementation that runs on our CUDA hardware architecture," Nvidia said in the forum. "So CUDA will support all the languages."

Nvidia's Neil Trevitt sits on the board of the Khronos Group, which manages OpenCL.

"OpenCL is something we're embracing," Nvidia said.

Smith Micro Software announces netbook utility suite

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:08:34 GMT

Smith Micro Software today announced the availability of its CheckIt Netbook Utility Suite, a tool for optimizing netbook performance, backing up the hard drive, recovering lost files and sending and receiving large files by email.

The CheckIt Netbook Utility Suite is specifically designed to run on the limited computing resources of netbooks.

Features include StuffIt, which compresses and archives large files such as photos and music to optimize hard-drive space, and the CheckIt Registry Cleaner, which optimizes performance by repairing corrupt registry settings left behind by deleted drivers and programs that cause error messages, program crashes, slow startup times and system crashes, the company said.

Users simply drop their files onto the StuffIt icon on the desktop to quickly compress files. MediaRecover recovers deleted items such as photos, songs, videos and other files while EMC Retrospect Express HD backs up critical files and restores lost data.

Pauline Shumake, senior product manager at Smith Micro, said CheckIt addresses the unique issues facing Netbook owners, at the affordable price students and other netbook users prefer.

Graphics chip shipments projected to rise in Q3

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:07:30 GMT

Not even the usually robust PC market has been immune to the global recession. But a new research report projects graphics chip shipments will swing back up in the third quarter, portending a bounce back to growth in PC sales in 2010.

Jon Peddie Research (JPR), a research and consulting firm for graphics and multimedia, said global graphics chip shipments for 2009 will see the worst ever year-over-year drop in shipments, but 2010 promises "an amazing comeback."

Graphics chip shipments are a leading market indicator because graphics chips go to ODMs and OEMs, which then build and ship PCs.

"[W]e believe the worst is over and Q3 will show recovery leading all the way through 2010," JPR said.

PC shipments in the U.S. declined 1.2 percent in the second quarter of this year versus the second quarter of 2008, bolstered by strong sales of mini-notebooks while desk-based PCs continued to show a double-digit decline, according to a report from Gartner.

Dell returned to the top position with a slim 0.3 percentage-point sales lead over HP, Gartner said.

Architectural changes like Intel's Nehalem and new product introductions from AMD, ATI, Intel, and Nvidia should shake things up and new operating systems from Apple and Microsoft will be drivers for demand, JPR said.

Dell Studio XPS 16 boosts graphics with Radeon HD 4670 1GB

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:03:12 GMT

For gamers who thought the HD graphics power of the Studio XPS 16 lacked juice, Dell recently announced that it just got better with the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4670 1GB, one of the best mobile graphics solutions just below the high-end gaming graphics realm.

With up to up to 1GB of memory and support for Microsoft DirectX 10.1 games, the GPU supports more powerful graphics for HD performance. The graphics drivers also support other HD entertainment, such as Blu-ray movies and home-theater class audio.
This is an upgrade from the previous ATI, which a reviewer at Anandtech.com said only supported modern games at moderate resolutions. Playing demanding titles at the native 1080p resolution of the upgraded LCD often resulted in very poor performance, the review said.

A Dell blogger at the Direct2Dell site said the Studio XPS 16 has taken it up a notch with the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4670 1GB. With graphics drivers support from Dell, users get the latest updated drivers.

Keeping up with the latest drivers will generally the PC's overall performance.

Nvidia releases Quadro drivers for AutoCad 2010

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:01:57 GMT

Nvidia Corporation today released optimized Quadro drivers for Autodesk's AutoCAD 2010 3D design software.

With specially built AutoCAD performance drivers, Quadro processors enable design professionals to create and interact with more complex 3D product designs. Starting at under $100, Nvidia Quadro solutions offer AutoCAD users productivity at every price point, the company said.

"By leveraging the advanced features and massively parallel processing capabilities of Nvidia Quadro professional-class GPUs, it's possible for our customers to experience a significant performance boost," said Eric Stover, AutoCAD product line manager, Autodesk.

Nvidia said Quadro processors enable up to a five-fold performance increase in 3D Hidden visual style and faster interactive manipulation of models in Conceptual and Realistic visual styles.

Other features include easy interaction with 3D models, superior image quality through Nvidia's AutoCAD performance driver and advanced multi-display support at resolutions up to 2560 x 1600 per display.

Nvidia's new performance drivers for AutoCAD 2010 are free and available for download from nvidia.com. The drivers are available as either a standalone package or integrated in the latest graphics driver available from Nvidia.

HP universal printer driver saves power and paper

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:09:34 GMT

Hewlett-Packard announced recently the release of its new network printer management system, Web Jetadmin 10.2. Among the features of the new platform is the ability to control wake/sleep schedules for devices, which can automatically put printers to sleep to save on power during nights and weekends.

Through Jetadmin, enterprises can customize and manage drivers and printers, create print queues and update drivers all from one place. The platform supports individual printer drivers as well as the HP universal printer driver for centralized control.

A new Eco Print short cut has two-sided printing enabled, making it easier to reduce paper use and the universal printer driver supports a variety of policy controls that can help save money and paper. For example, the Duplex Default setting reduces paper use.

IT staff also save time and energy with fewer help-desk calls and less chaos handling printer and driver requests.

HP says the universal driver has broad compatibility to ensure it works with many HP print devices, often reducing driver use to a single driver.

Survey: 39 percent of IT staff worry about Windows 7 compatibility

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:39:50 GMT

IT administrators are saying they may not upgrade to Windows 7 this year due to worries about cost and compatibility issues, according to a survey by ScriptLogic. About 39 percent of those who said they won't upgrade to the new operating system said compatibility concerns are the biggest barrier.

Because so many businesses didn't upgrade to the current OS, Windows Vista, most are running their office PCs on Windows XP. In order to assuage users, Microsoft earlier this year announced it would offer a Windows XP Mode - a virtual XP desktop - to users running Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise.

Microsoft continues to tell customers not to worry, that Windows 7 will support older versions of hardware and devices. In addition, the company is providing a new Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 Beta 2, released at the end of June, for more efficient deployment of Windows 7.

Microsoft said MDT 2010 Beta 2 has new features such as flexible driver management, optimized user interface workflow and Windows PowerShell.

But just in case, XP Mode installs with various drivers and components to allow users to migrate between XP and Windows 7.

Windows XP fails to handle HD video in Movie Maker

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:38:38 GMT

Microsoft notified Windows XP users on its support site that Windows XP Service Pack 3 doesn't support smooth HD video resolutions higher than 720x576 if users try to create a video in Windows Movie Maker.

According to Microsoft, "video recording and subsequent playback may not be smooth and video frames may be dropped." The only workaround offered for this problem is recording a video a lower resolution.

Microsoft said the HD video problem is a known issue with Microsoft Windows XP, but the company doesn't indicate if the problem is caused by the graphics card, faulty graphics drivers or some other issue.

Windows Movie Maker is supposed to use the graphics processing unit (GPU) to render HD quality for smoother overall performance, adjusting the size and resolution to deliver the best quality possible for your hardware.

Since that doesn't work for Windows XP, it seems users have only a handful of options: Record at a lower resolution, or perhaps upgrading to a newer Windows operating system.

Netbook sales booming: Which OS is best?

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:37:25 GMT

Sales of lightweight mini-notebooks, popularly called netbooks, are expected to grow to 20 percent of the worldwide PC market, as shipments were expected to reach 33 million units in 2009, according to DisplaySearch.

With OEMs rushing to push out new models and telecoms like AT&T and Verizon marketing netbooks, prices could drop even as the offerings get better and display screens grow larger, making them even more attractive for consumers.

Given all the choices consumers have in the netbook market, it might serve consumers to narrow the range based on which operating system runs best on the mini-PCs.

The choice seems to come down to Windows XP or the soon-to-be released Windows 7 (although Google is promising to push out its Linux-based Chrome OS on netbooks by next year).

According to at least one reviewer at Tomshardware.com, Windows 7 provides a superior user experience on a netbook over Vista and XP, but the drivers leave something to be desired as yet.

The reviewer said battery life was less for Windows 7 than a netbook running on XP. However, since Microsoft has already terminated mainstream support for XP, "companies are less and less likely to provide drivers for new products that work with the aging OS," the reviewer wrote. "Like it or not, the future belongs to Windows 7."

HP taps design students for ideas on sustainable PCs

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:22:43 GMT

Not to be outdone in the era of sustainability and green consciousness, PC maker Hewlett-Packard recently partnered with Tony Kawanari from the Industrial Design program at the University of Cincinnati in challenging students to come up with the next generation of sustainable computing solutions.

With guidance from the HP team during classroom visits, lectures and long-distance multimedia critiques, the 22 fourth-year Industrial Design students came up with innovative concepts for reducing the impact of PC e-waste, according to HP's blog the Next Bench.

The design by student Kristen Beck won the top prize for her all-aluminum concept called HP Motivation, made with a post-consumer recycled aluminum chassis, packaging made from reusable bamboo fabric and "market-leading style and quality that HP demands," the blog said.

To cut down on power waste, student Cody Sonerock designed the Compaq Eos and Recapture concepts with low-wattage processors and zero-watt off states.

PCs with hardware drivers that tell devices to sleep when not in use can cut down considerably on energy waste.

Packaged in the right material and designed in the right way, the sustainable, power-saving PCs don't come up short on style.

ADM's DirectX 11 graphics cards in time for Windows 7

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:19:41 GMT

ADM's Evergreen family of DirectX 11 compatible Radeon graphics cards should be out in time for the release of Windows 7 on October 22, according to PCgameshardware.com.

Richard Huddy, head of ADM developer relations, said the cards will be pleasantly fast for enhanced graphics experience.

"I would say we don't make money by delivering slow hardware," Huddy said, according to the website. "Our expectation is that we'll give you a really pleasant surprise this year when we ship our DX11 hardware."

In the meantime, ADM has launched a Radeon graphics cards help site, to assist those looking for just the right graphics card for their system, but unsure where to begin.

Called the Graphics Scout, the site helps you find the right ATI Radeon graphics cards and graphics drivers based on what the card is going to be used for: videos, photos, games or office applications.

By clicking symbols for the different applications, users can customize their individual requirements and the Graphics Scout will come up with the right card.

The site also provides downloads of the latest Catalyst drivers for Windows Vista and XP.

A user guide and catalogue tells you how to get what you need and where you can buy the graphics card that you picked.

Microsoft works with OEMs to fix audio glitches

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:46:25 GMT

As anyone who's listened to an MP3 or CD on their PC knows, a lot can go wrong with the sound quality - audio glitches that can ruin the experience. That's why Microsoft has collected oodles of data in tests with PC makers and device manufacturers to fix the problem in Windows 7.

As Microsoft explained on its Engineering Windows 7 blog, because Windows runs on so many different machines while simultaneously running so many applications, ensuring that all of the programs and drivers running on your computer will work together is a challenge.

For example, a slow network driver or a graphics driver that requires plenty of CPU time can muck up the sound when you want to listen to music and play a MMORPG.

To fix this problem, Microsoft created a tool to highlight glitches as well as the CPU activities that occurred before and during an audio glitch in order to diagnose the problems. Then it runs thousands of tests on the various machines to see if a particular machine or configuration might be susceptible to glitching.

By making these tests and tools available to OEMs and device makers, Microsoft said, "we are attempting [to] enable these partners to see how their components interact and what the final impact on users will be."

Comparing graphics performance on Nvidia and ATI cards

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:37:32 GMT

Gamers are interested in one thing when it comes to their PC's performance: do the graphics cards and drivers produce insane 3D realism or not?

As the reviewer Pulp wrote at NotebookReview.com, with all of the notebooks on the market today, the difference in performance essentially comes down to the difference between mobile graphics cards based on the chips that power them.

But the competition comes down to not only hardware - which company makes a better GPU - but graphics drivers and drivers support.

In comparing the GPUs from ATI and Nvidia, Pulp explained that ATI is "woefully behind on the front of providing unified mobile drivers." Nvidia, on the other hand, offers the latest drivers and driver fixes on its website.

As for the difference in performance of the GPUs, a reviewer at PCgameshardware.com went through the trouble of benchmarking the difference between ATI's Radeon graphics car and Nvidia's Geforce graphics cards in World of Warcraft at different resolutions.

Overall, it seems, Nvidia got the better of ATI. The reviewer's test on WoW: Wrath of the Lich King found a better visual experience on Geforce.

Google plans to launch Chrome OS

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:35:45 GMT

Google already offers an operating system for mobile phones, Android, but the search engine giant said this week it plans to launch an open-source Linux-based OS called Chrome (not to be confused with its Chrome web browser).

Chrome OS will be a lightweight OS initially targeted at netbooks, with the OS available on netbooks sometime in 2010, the company said on the official Google blog.

"Because we're already talking to partners about the project and we'll soon be working with the open source community, we wanted to share our vision now so everyone understands what we are trying to achieve," the blog said.

Critics are already pointing to same major hurdles the company will face in getting the OS up to speed. Primarily, launching a new OS means having to coordinate with device-makers on the device drivers necessary to run hardware.

"People want their PCs and devices to work together seamlessly. And that requires a vast ecosystem of third-party device drivers, as well as their supporting development partners," wrote InfoWorld.com's Randall Kennedy.

Getting the software and hardware developer communities all on the same page for an OS is a tall order, Kennedy explained.

Linux is still "years behind Windows in the seamless hardware compatibility department," he said. So Google had better have some more magic up their sleeve.

Nvidia hosting Lucasfilm's Kerris for GPU tech convo

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:33:25 GMT

Nvidia Corporation announced that Richard Kerris, chief technology officer of Lucasfilm, and Hanspeter Pfister, computer science professor at Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, will join Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang as keynote speakers at the inaugural GPU Technology Conference next fall.

The GPU Technology Conference will focus on the latest breakthroughs developers, engineers and researchers are achieving with the graphics processing unit (GPU), the specialized processor that works with graphics drivers to make 3D graphics seemingly jump off the screen.

Nvidia said registration is now open for the event, which will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, California from September 30 to October 2, 2009.

"We are in the midst of seismic shifts in computing, triggered by the GPU and its rich possibilities," said Bill Dally, chief scientist at Nvidia. "The GPU Technology Conference is the single best place to learn about these changes, see the technologies and applications causing this disruption and get the tools to solve the world's most important computing challenges."

Three parallel summits at the conference will focus on emerging companies for venture capitalists; technical presentations and tutorials for GPU developers; and a research summit for researchers and academics.

Windows 7 RTM: Will device drivers be ready?

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:17:27 GMT

As Microsoft readies the final version of Windows 7 for release to manufacturing (RTM) next week, some tech observers are worried that device drivers won?t be available once the new operating system comes out for consumers.

Writing at Infoworld.com, blogger Martin Heller complained that Windows 7 RC, the version out now for beta testers, doesn?t allow scanning on his HP networked all-in-one printer. The Compaq laptop Heller runs on Windows 7 RC periodically goes black and reports that the screen driver stopped, he said.

"This isn't how a finished operating system acts. It is how Vista acted when it was released. That doesn't make me hopeful," Heller wrote on the blog. "Please surprise me, Microsoft and HP, and release working Windows 7 device drivers for all devices that are supported by Windows Vista."

Microsoft has said Windows 7 will support new devices through automated driver updates. Older devices with drivers supported by Vista can be maintained by controlling updates to those drivers in Windows 7.

However, new devices will require drivers that are able to run with Windows 7, which means device manufacturers need to test the new operating system and write drivers that work. That is what RTM is intended to ensure.

Microsoft RTM for Windows 7 on July 13

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:14:23 GMT

Several tech websites are reporting that Microsoft could be finished with Windows 7 by Monday, July 13, when the company plans to have the operating system ready for "release to manufacturing," or RTM, what the company calls the final stage of an OS release.

The main purpose of RTM is to allow hardware manufacturers time to sync their drivers with the final version of the OS, according to DailyTech. Drivers are the programs that allow the OS to communicate with external devices and software such as graphics cards.

As one commenter wrote on the DailyTech blog, users of Microsoft Vista experienced problems getting drivers for their hardware after that OS was released.

Commenter AlexWade wrote that he believes the "the laziness of hardware makers in just assuming everything would work fine on Vista" caused a lag in development of drivers.

PC makers who did not fully test Vista for the hardware requirements released Vista machines with "near the minimum specs," which resulted in a poor experience for those Vista users, AlexWade commented.

Users can test their machines for compatibility with Windows 7 by downloading the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, which scans your PC's system, programs and devices to check if it's able to run Windows 7.

Dell offers driver download manager at support site

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:13:22 GMT

Users can now download drivers for their Dell PCs and devices using the new Dell Driver Download Manager available at Support.Dell.com.

Dell says the Driver Download Manager improves download speed by as much as 30 percent to 40 percent, depending on speed of internet connection.

The Driver Download Manager allows users to pause and resume downloads, with progress of downloads saved via an icon on the desktop that can be restarted at any time.

"You can also restart your download should your internet connection get cut off in the middle of a download, as the Driver Download Manager saves your progress ensuring that you don't lose out," Dell said on its Direct2Dell forum blog.

When you first try to download a file you will be presented with a pop-up page displaying: Download via Driver Download Manager or Download via Internet Browser.

To use the Driver Download Manager with Firefox PCs must have Microsoft .NET 3.5 Service Pack 1 installed.

To remove the download manager, go to Add Remove programs in Windows.

Dell says Alienware M17x orders 'on their way'

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:12:18 GMT

Due to popular demand for Dell's high-performance laptop, the Alienware M17x, there was a "hiccup" in the supply chain of LCD panels for the machines, according to the Direct2Dell forum blog.

The M17x runs on NVIDIA GeForce graphics processing units (GPUs), the graphics drivers that the manufacturers promise make this the "world's most powerful 17-inch notebook for gaming."

Because of the high-powered graphics, the M17x needs some high-quality LCD panels and the drivers to make them run in sync with the system.

"These aren't just your average LCD panels, but some of the highest quality LCD panels available, so just substituting any old panel to fulfill the orders just won't do," the forum blog said. "This part shortage is the root cause of most M17x delays and the system's popularity is a major cause of the parts shortage."

Dell said the parts shortage is being sorted out, but there are likely to be delays in shipping orders of the M17x because of the high demand.

Green computer sales projected to reach two-thirds by 2013

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:06:04 GMT

PCs and servers are power hogs that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions by consuming energy from dirty power sources. But newer technologies including power-saving drivers in microchips are making greener PCs and servers a reality.

According to a new study by NextGen Research, purchases of green desktop and notebook computers and netbooks will grow from less than one-sixth of the $249-billion PC market in 2009, to nearly two-thirds of the $323-billion PC market in 2013.

The upcoming release of Windows 7 will bring some power-saving features including drivers that Microsoft says will allow users to save battery life and energy for a greener PC.

Windows 7 supports the latest Intel HD Audio low-power specification, which introduces a D3cold state for the audio driver - the lowest unresponsive power state a codec can go into and still wake up.

"There are practical reasons spurring OEM hardware vendors and their corporate customers to invest in green hardware technologies: vendors want to make money and corporate enterprises want to save money," said study author Laura DiDio.

Top-tier desktop and server vendors like HP and IBM are also introducing new, more efficient servers that run cooler and consume less power, she said.

Controlling printer driver security on a network

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:05:14 GMT

IT professionals who want to maintain the security of their networks but still allow users to download appropriate printer drivers have some options, according to Microsoft.

The default security settings for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 allow users who are not members of the administrator group to install only printer drivers provided with Windows or in digitally signed printer-driver packages.

According to Microsoft TechNet, this keeps users from installing untested or unreliable printer drivers or drivers that may contain malware. However, it also means that users sometimes can't install the appropriate driver for a shared printer.

Installing printer-driver packages on a print server that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 enables users to connect to the print server and install or receive updated printer drivers.

To use printer-driver packages, download and install the appropriate printer-driver packages from the printer vendor.

Use the Point and Print Restrictions Group Policy setting to control how users can install printer drivers from print servers. This setting lets users connect only to specific print servers that you trust.

Microsoft advises evaluating users' printing needs before limiting which print servers they can connect to.

Boxee media platform now available for Windows

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:26:35 GMT

Boxee, the open-source software platform that streams web media from providers including CBS, Hulu, MTV, Netflix, Digg, Current and MLB.tv, is now available free in alpha for Windows users.

Since Boxee for Windows is in the alpha stage, it does not officially support 64-bit systems and anyone using Microsoft's default video drivers instead of their specific hardware drivers "is out of luck," according to Lifehacker.com.

However, Windows 7 installs and runs Boxee "well enough," the blog said.

According to the Boxee support blog, Vista drivers will work a majority of the time. You will need to get the latest drivers available for Windows Vista to support Boxee.

After downloading the drivers, run the installation setup and follow the prompts. If you are presented with any errors due to compatibility, cancel the installation, right click the on the install package's .exe and choose "Troubleshoot Compatibility," Boxee support's Marcel Hass said.

PCs will need a graphics card/adapter and device drivers capable of OpenGL 1.4 (+ GLSL) or higher and 32-bit colors or more.

Microsoft releases deployment toolkit for Windows 7

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:25:17 GMT

IT professionals can use the new Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 Beta 2, released at the end of June, for more efficient deployment of Windows 7.

Using the MDT in combination with a User State Migration Tool (USMT), IT pros can create a USB drive that will install Windows7 while transferring all user data from a computer running XP or Vista, according to Network World.

Microsoft said MDT 2010 Beta 2 has new features such as flexible driver management, optimized user interface workflow and Windows PowerShell.

MDT 2010 Beta 2 will also support deployment of Windows Server 2008 R2 in addition to deployment of Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP.

Microsoft called the latest MDT a significant upgrade over MDT 2010 Beta 1. The new version allows IT departments to manage multiple deployment shares from a single deployment workbench.

MDT's new beta version also allows users to create folders to manage drivers, task sequences, operating systems and OS packages.

Cmdlets can be used for importing content such as drivers, operating systems and more.

Automatic driver updates coming on Windows 7

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:38:26 GMT

Windows 7 will feature automatic updating, allowing users to get the latest drivers from Windows Update when connecting new devices. However, for users who will need to keep old drivers for their older devices, Microsoft tells users how to control automatic updates.

Users can control how Windows finds drivers when connecting new hardware or devices. Those who want to change the settings for driver updates should open the Control Panel by clicking the Start button and then clicking Control Panel.

Under Hardware and Sound, click View devices and printers. Then, right-click on the name of the user's computer and then click Device installation settings.

Once here, click "No, let me choose what to do," then click on "Never install driver software from Windows Update" and then click Save Changes.

To shut off all automatic updates (which Microsoft warns could leave a PC vulnerable to viruses), open the Windows Update by clicking the Start button. In the search box, type Update and then, in the list of results, click Windows Update.

In the left pane, click Change settings. Under Important updates, click Never check for updates and then click OK.

HP, Lenovo offering free Windows 7 upgrades

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:37:32 GMT

To help consumers buying new PCs in the months before Microsoft releases the Windows 7 operating system on October 22, PC makers HP and Lenovo are offering free upgrades as part of Microsoft's Windows Upgrade Option Program to help customers transition easily to Windows 7.

Lenovo said it will mail a free license upgrade to Windows 7 for customers who buy a Lenovo laptop or desktop with an eligible Windows Vista version before January 31, 2010.

The offer applies to individuals and companies who plan to buy less than 25 PCs, while organizations planning for bigger purchases should take advantage of Microsoft's Volume Licensing, Lenovo said.

HP said it has collaborated with Microsoft throughout the development of Windows 7 to improve the user experience.

"HP has made a significant investment in hardware and software testing to ensure broad compatibility and a satisfying technology experience across its commercial and consumer PC portfolios," the company said.

To help simplify the Windows 7 upgrade process, the HP Upgrade Assistant will identify and preinstall most necessary drivers.

The HP Support website will be continuously updated with drivers, allowing customers to update their PCs without having to search for drivers for graphic cards and connected hardware.

Intel teams up with Nokia for mobile devices

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:07:53 GMT

Intel Corporation and Nokia have announced a strategic relationship to develop a new class of Intel architecture-based mobile computing device and chipset architectures, which the companies said will produce a new generation of internet-connected mobile devices that go beyond today's netbooks and smartphones.

"These future standards-based devices will marry the best features and capabilities of the computing and communications worlds and will transform the user experience, bringing incredible mobile applications and always on, always connected wireless access in a user-friendly pocketable form factor," the companies said.

This development could lead to new competition with makers of smartphones, particularly Qualcomm. Qualcomm is considering developing microprocessors for a new line of smaller, low-powered devices.

But analysts said Qualcomm faces challenges in the new market competing against the biggest chip-maker, Intel - especially because of the need for support from third-party vendors.

"If the HP guys do not write drivers for your processor, you have to do it, or no one will be able to connect an HP printer to your system," said Ed Snyder of Charter Equity Research, according to the Wall Street Journal. "No one wants to write more drivers so Qualcomm can get richer."

IVI Foundation releases 64-bit driver specs

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:59:33 GMT

The IVI Foundation has released the 64-bit IVI Shared Components and VISA Shared Components, which the organization said enables vendors to provide 64-bit VISA and IVI drivers to test and measurement customers.

IVI Foundation provides a standard set of shared components which are required by all compliant drivers and ancillary software. These components provide common services to drivers and driver clients. The IVI Shared Components are required when using an IVI driver.

"The release of these components keeps the IVI standards aligned with evolving industry standards and customer requirements," said Jon Bellin, Chairperson of the IVI 64-bit Working Group. "64-bit is an emerging requirement and the updates to these components permit IVI vendors to provide 64-bit VISA or IVI solutions."

Now, users can easily create solutions with I/O hardware and software from various vendors. Previously, a user had to specify which VISA was primary and then configure all the instrument communication to route through that VISA, IVI Foundation said.

In conjunction with the release of the IVI Shared Components, a C API has been provided for the IVIConfigServer. This allows customers who use IVI-C drivers to use native C interfaces instead of COM when using the Config Server.

HP unveils Mini 5101 netbook

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:58:13 GMT

HP this week unveiled its top-of-the-line Mini PC, which the company said is designed to be light-weight but resilient.

Customers can choose either the four-cell battery for lighter weight or six-cell battery for longer battery life. When configured with the optional six-cell battery, the HP Mini 5101 delivers up to eight hours of battery runtime, HP said.

Although HP Mini 5101 PC's small, low-power Intel Atom processor enables the unit to run cooler, use less power and improve battery life, a blogger at Unthinkable.biz wondered if the PC's drivers would be adequate for keeping HP's promise of longer-lasting battery life.

Drivers are the software features that allow users to plug in a new device and have it work with the PC and control the power states of the PC to allow it to hibernate and save power.

So far, the Mini 5101 does not have available driver downloads at the HP drivers support site.

HP said the Mini 5101 offers QuickSync software, planned to be available as a web download in September, which the company said allows quick synchronization of the HP Mini with notebooks or desktops and sync to portable storage devices.

Windows 7 low-power drivers will save energy

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:01:13 GMT

The upcoming release of Windows 7 will bring some power-saving features including drivers that Microsoft says will allow users to save battery life and energy for a greener PC.

Windows 7 supports the latest Intel HD Audio low-power specification, which introduces a D3cold state for the audio driver. D3cold is the lowest unresponsive power state a codec can go into and still wake up from, according to PCmag.com.

Microsoft's white paper on the power-saving features of Windows 7 said the Windows 7 HD Audio Class Driver takes advantage of this power state to further conserve power when an audio device is not in use.

Windows 7 can automatically place the network adapter into a lower-power state known as D3 when the user disconnects the network cable, which provides an additional power savings of as much as 0.5 watts.

As in Vista, the Windows 7 networking driver stack queries the access point for low-power capabilities of wireless access points and enters the low-power mode only if the access point supports it. This arrangement allows the default power policy setting to be configured for power savings without compromising network connectivity.

Ricoh introduces GelSprinter color inkjet series

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:59:42 GMT

Ricoh Americas Corporation announced the availability of its Ricoh Aficio GX e3300N and GX e3350N GelSprinter color inkjet series, which uses next generation GelSprinter technology that incorporates a waterproof, fast-drying viscous gel ink to eliminate smudging, blurring, bleed-through and curling.

The network-ready GelSprinters support workgroups with print speeds up to 29 pages-per-minute, 35-second warm-up times and first print speeds of 7.5 seconds or less, Ricoh said.

The Aficio GX e3300N directly replaces the Aficio GX3000 and is Ricoh's newest color printer with standard duplexing. In addition to improved image quality using a new viscous ink formula, this model adds an Ethernet interface to its standard feature set.

Aficio GX e3350N directly replaces the Aficio GX3050N. With all the same features and specifications as the Aficio GX e3300N, this model adds PCL 5c and PCL 6 page description languages and printer drivers, making it an ideal color printer for larger workgroups with more sophisticated printing applications.

Both printers are competitively priced at $179.00 US for the Aficio GX e3300N and $249.00 US for the Aficio GX e3350N.

Milestone offers universal driver for IP network cameras

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:58:36 GMT

Milestone Systems has announced the release of the Milestone universal driver for fast, basic device support of IP network cameras in XProtect solutions. The universal driver matches the most standard video and audio streaming formats in the market, the company said.

Milestone delivers a new device pack every two months and has accelerated its device driver development over the years, according to Henrik Friborg, VP of strategic alliances and co-founder of Milestone Systems.

"We could see the need for a universal driver for IP network camera vendors who want a fast integration with basic functionality," Friborg said. "This enables even more cameras in the global marketplace to operate with XProtect video management software."

The new universal device driver is able to detect virtually any network camera responding to the ARP command (Address Resolution Protocol) for the Milestone platforms of XProtect Corporate and XProtect Enterprise.

The universal driver matches the most standard video and audio streaming formats in the market, including JPEG, MPEG4 and H.264, plus 19 different audio codecs.

Friborg said the company works with current initiatives in the security industry by groups like ONVIF and PSIA to agree on standards for surveillance hardware. Each camera manufacturer up to now has made products with different standards for interoperability.

Microsoft issues sound fix for Vista Service Pack 2

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:49:31 GMT

Users running the Windows Vista Service Pack 2 may encounter problems with audio files or programs that have an audio component, which Microsoft said is related to older drivers in the service pack.

Microsoft is providing users with a list of the audio drivers that have been identified as causing problems with Vista SP2, according to Softpedia.

Microsoft said users who install a Windows Vista service pack may experience one or more problems with sound: no sound is produced when playing audio files; the speaker symbol next to the clock in the notification area may display the message: No Audio Output Device is installed; the Sound Controller in Device Manager displays a yellow exclamation point.

Another possible bug is sound quality changes. For example, users who previously had surround sound may now have stereo sound, Microsoft explained.

The software company also provides ways at its support website for users to fix the problem themselves, or to install a Fix it function that can do the repair automatically.

For users who want the Fix It option, click the Fix it button or link at the support site. Click Run in the File Download dialog box and then follow the steps in the Fix it wizard.

Microsoft authorizes software downloads through Dell

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:48:18 GMT

People in the market for Microsoft's suite of Office and other titles can now save time and money by downloading them via the Dell Download Store, the first non-Microsoft site where people can go to download Microsoft software.

The capability to download Microsoft products such as Word, Excel and Outlook is now available from the Dell Download Store, a fast-growing online store that also features top titles from companies such as McAfee, Intuit, CA and Webroot.

This arrangement provides savings on products such as Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007- one of the top-selling software titles in the U.S. - which is priced at $129.99 compared with the suggested retail price of $149.99.

If Dell Download Store customers need to reload software on a new PC or to resolve problems such as a crashed hard drive, they can log in to their digital locker and download previously purchased titles at no extra charge.

Launched in January 2009, about 10,000 people on average visit the Dell Download Store each week.

In addition to cost savings, downloading is a more environmentally friendly way to purchase and distribute software because there's no need for packaging material.

Alienware M17x notebook uses NVIDIA drivers for graphics

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:47:04 GMT

Gamers in search of high-performance PCs should take a look at the newest offering from Dell's Alienware line. The PC-maker this month launched the Alienware M17x, with three NVIDIA GeForce graphics processing units (GPUs), the graphics drivers that provide "an unrivaled visual computing experience."

The M17x is equipped with a pair of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280M enthusiast-class GPUs with NVIDIA SLI Technology along with the GeForce 9400M GPU to create the world's most powerful 17-inch notebook for gaming.

Alienware M17x laptops deliver high-quality graphics using the power of NVIDIA's GPU drivers. Two discrete GeForce GTX 280M GPUs with NVIDIA SLI technology deliver the g-force visual experience.

For a more low-key approach in HybridPower operation, the powerful GTX 280M GPUs are powered down and graphics operation is transferred to the GeForce 9400M GPU to save battery life while still delivering great graphics.

"NVIDIA GeForce GPUs delivered the no-compromise performance we demanded from our flagship gaming notebook," said Arthur Lewis, general manager for Dell's gaming group. "With the M17x, we will offer gamers in 35 countries the most innovative notebook product Alienware has ever created."