Archive for July, 2007

Asustek prepares the launch of the innovative Asus U3 series ultraportable notebook, featuring both integrated and dedicated graphics simultaneously, a built-in a GPS receiver, a 13.3-inch widescreen LED backlight display, and Intel “Santa Rosa” mobile platform, NotebookReview reports.

A hardware selector, located on the right side of this 13.3-inch notebook, allows you to switch between “Power Saving” and “Speed” graphics mode. In the “Power Saving” mode, the Asus U3 uses the integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, while switching to “Speed” turns on the dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 8400M video card. This graphics solution is already implemented in select Sony VAIO SZ notebooks. We assume that switching between integrated and discrete graphics requires a system reboot, as same as in VAIO SZ.

(more…)

Lenovo ThinkPad X61s, the PC maker’s new ultraportable notebook, has been reviewed recently by Laptop Magazine, NotebookReview, Cnet and XYZ Computing.

Built on the latest Intel’s platform codenamed “Santa Rosa”, X61s features the Core 2 Duo L7300 or L7500 low voltage processor, a 12-inch XGA (non-widescreen) display, Intel GM965 Express chipset with the integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, up to 4GB of system memory, up to 160GB SATA hard drive, the Intel Turbo memory and wireless N (802.11n draft) options, and a lots of security features, but it doesn’t have a built-in optical drive. Also, instead of a touchpad, the X61s has the TrackPoint control.

(more…)

The 17-inch Dell Vostro 1700 is the largest model in the PC maker’s new Vostro business laptop lineup, launched this week.

The 1700 is built on the Intel “Santa Rosa” platform and features the Core 2 Duo processor, and a choice of GM965 chipset with integrated GMA X3100 graphics or PM965 paired with dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS 128MB video card. The Vostro 1700’s 17” widescreen display features 1440×900 or 1920×1200 resolution, depending on your choice.

(more…)

The Dell Vostro 1500 laptop has been announced this week, along with other notebooks in the company’s new business-class lineup.

The 15.4-inch Vostro 1500 is built on the latest mobile computer platform codenamed “Santa Rosa” by Intel. The system features the Core 2 Duo or Celeron processor, and a choice of GM965 chipset with integrated GMA X3100 graphics or PM965 paired with dedicated NVIDIA GeForce video card. There are the GeForce 8400M GS 128MB and the GeForce 8600M GT 256MB options. The display, managed by these graphics solutions, features 1280×800, 1440×900 or 1680×1050 resolution, depending on your choice.

(more…)

Dell Vostro 1400 is the first 14.1-inch model in the PC maker’s Vostro business-class notebook lineup. The 1400, based on Intel’s “Santa Rosa” mobile platform, comes in two versions: with an integrated or with a dedicated graphics solution.

(more…)

Dell has unveiled this week the notebook series called Vostro, aimed at business users. The first and only AMD-powered model in the new lineup is the affordable 15.4-inch Dell Vostro 1000, currently starting at $449 after instant savings.

Dell Vostro 1000 is based on AMD ATI RS485M chipset with the integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 (R485M) graphics, managing the 15.4″ widescreen display with 1280 x 800 resolution. The notebook, which is similar to Inspiron 1501 for consumers, is configurable with dual core AMD Turion 64 X2 and AMD Athlon 64 X2 processor, or with single core Sempron CPU. This system supports up to 2GB of main memory and comes with up to 120GB SATA hard drive at 5400rpm. Dell Vostro 1000 also includes a DVD burner or a Combo optical drive, depending on your choice.

(more…)

Fujitsu has launched LifeBook A3130 15.4-inch desktop replacement laptop PC, based on AMD Turion 64 X2 Mobile Technology.

Along with dual core Turion TL-60 processor at 2GHz and the integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 graphics, Fujitsu LifeBook A3130 features 2GB of DDR2 system memory, expandable up to 4GB, and a 120GB SATA hard drive with 5400rpm rotational speed. The notebook’s 15.4″ widescreen display has 1280-by-800 pixel screen resolution, 450-nits brightness, 600:1 contrast ratio, as well as 120 degrees horizontal and 90 vertical viewing angles. The Lifebook A3130 comes with a DVD burner.

(more…)

Gateway today announced the 15.4-inch Gateway M-Series and 14.1-inch Gateway T-Series multimedia notebook PCs, both featuring Intel Centrino Mobile Technology with Intel Core 2 Duo processor and the new industrial design with Crimson Red, Pacific Blue or Slate Grey colors.

“Several standard and optional features available on notebooks purchased through Gateway’s direct channel build on the notebooks’ vast capabilities, such as 1080p-capable display, an integrated fingerprint reader and a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) for digital video and audio out,” the PC maker’s press release says.

(more…)

Belkin has released the Swivel Hub, Clip-On Hub, and Hub-To-Go, “making it more convenient to add USB ports to your PC or laptop”.

The Swivel Hub with four USB 2.0 ports rotates left, right, up, and down to provide easy port access for plugging in your devices. Belkin Clip-On Hub, which grips to the edge of a surface or a bundle of cables, also provides four USB 2.0 ports. Both hubs are priced at $29.99.

(more…)

Lenovo has unveiled the new ThinkPad T61p 15.4-inch widescreen mobile workstation laptop, the PC maker’s “highest performing notebook”.

“The ThinkPad T61p raises the bar on performance with Lenovo’s Ultra Connect II wireless design helping improve WWAN and WLAN 802.11n performance, new NVIDIA Quadro FX 57OM graphics certified to the open GL graphics GPU standard, Intel Centrino Pro mobile technology and long battery life with more control via Battery Stretch. Users can even opt for next-generation wireless capabilities with Ultra-Wideband. With Lenovo’s new cooling system, the notebook runs three decibels quieter over previous models and up to 10 percent cooler even under the most intensive tasks. Tops for security, the notebook offers optional port disablement, 32-byte password protection, an integrated fingerprint reader and full disk encryption,” Lenovo’s press release says.

(more…)

LapWorks Inc. today announced Laptop Desk Futura. It is a dual-purpose notebook stand, which provides an ergonomic workspace across the lap, and folds into a wedge-shaped stand for desk use.

The Futura retains key design features of other products in Laptop Desk family, such as dual-purpose Laptop Desk 2.0 and Laptop Desk UltraLite, but it additionally offers improved cooling and a “fashion-forward” look.

(more…)

Dell Vostro notebooks, aimed at business users, are now available for purchase. The new notebook line includes 14.1-inch Vostro 1400, 15.4-inch Vostro 1500 and Vostro 1000, as well as Vostro 1700 featuring 17-inch screen.

These laptops are built on Intel’s “Santa Rosa” notebook platform with the latest Core 2 Duo processors, except the Vostro 1000, based on AMD platform and dual core Turion or Athlon CPUs. Intel-powered Dell Vostro 1400, 1500 and 1700 provide a choice of integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 or dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT and GeForce 8400M GS, while the Vostro 1000 has ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 integrated video solution. These laptops support 802.11n draft wireless standard and come with DVD burners and SATA hard drives.

(more…)

AMD today introduced the ATI TV Wonder 600 USB external TV card, featuring high-definition television (HDTV) viewing and digital video recording (DVR) capabilities.

Besides the main USB unit, the ATI TV Wonder 600 USB package includes a credit-card-sized infra-red remote controller, and an A/V input adapter for video capture from a camcorder or VCR.

(more…)

Australian PC maker Pioneer Computers has unveiled DreamBook Power D90 SLI, “the first quad-core notebook in the World”.

This 17-inch DreamBook, designed for gaming, is based on the Clevo’s D900C and comes with an option of Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.40GHz quad-core desktop processor. Other important DreamBook Power D90 SLI’s features, which are not present in common laptops, are a dual graphics powered by two nVidia GeForce Go 8800 GTX 2×512MB video cards in SLI mode, and a storage solution using up to two solid state drives and an additional standard hard drive simultaneously.

(more…)

Microsoft will release the Beta 1 version of the Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista operating system next week, while the final version will be delivered most likely in November 2007, according to Mary Jo Foley’s Blog.

“Microsoft is expected to emphasize that SP1 is more about fixes than new features. Most of the elements of SP1 are expected to enhance or supplment features that are already part of Vista”, Mary Jo Foley’s sources said.

(more…)