Archive for the 'Software' Category

For business customers, Hewlett-Packard now optionally offers Windows XP operating system on its HP 2133 Mini-Note PC low-cost ultraportable laptop.

The new OS option is available as a downgrade from Windows Vista to Windows XP Professional. A specification sheet of the HP 2133 says that “to qualify for this downgrade an end user must be a business (including governmental or educational institutions) and is expected to order annually at least 25 customer systems with the same custom image”.

(more…)

After a delay, Microsoft has begun distribution of Service Pack 3 (SP3) for Windows XP operating system.

Download of XP SP3 is available from Microsoft Download Centre as a 316.4MB file and from Microsoft Windows Update. The upgrade is much smaller and faster through Windows Update, than through Download Center.

(more…)

Fujitsu has received Novell YES Certification for SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) Linux distribution on four LifeBook mobile PCs.

The certified notebook models include the Fujitsu LifeBook U810 ultra-mobile PC, LifeBook T2010, LifeBook P1620 ultra-portable convertible notebooks, and the LifeBook S6510 thin and light laptop.

(more…)

Microsoft officially released today Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista operating system.

“In addition to previously released updates, SP1 will contain changes focused on addressing specific reliability, performance, and compatibility issues; supporting new types of hardware; and adding support for several emerging standards. SP1 also will continue to make it easier for IT administrators to deploy and manage Windows Vista,” Microsoft says.

(more…)

Microsoft Corporation plans to cut prices of its Windows Vista operating system sold at retail outlets, Reuters reports.

“In the United States, Microsoft will reduce prices for Windows Vista Ultimate, the company’s top-end operating system, to $319 from $399 for the full version and cut the price for an “upgrade” version to $219 from $259 for consumers who already run Windows XP or another edition of Vista. It also cut prices for upgrade versions of Vista Home Premium, its mainstream product, to $129 from $159,” Reuters says, adding that the price cuts will vary by country.

(more…)

Dell has expanded its Ubuntu Linux OS-powered notebook PC line with the new Inspiron 1525N.

Customers who purchase the 1525N can choose a 30-day support for Ubuntu beginners, 1-year basic Ubuntu support, or 1-year standard support, for additional $65, $125, and $275 respectively.

(more…)

Dell now offers its XPS M1330 13.3-inch notebook with preloaded Ubuntu Linux operating system to U.S. customers.

The M1330 with Ubuntu 7.10 starts at $954. For that price you can get the laptop with the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5450 at 1.66GHz, 1GB of system memory, a 120GB hard drive, DVD burner, the integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics, and a built-in 2-megapixel camera. The same XPS M1330 configuration with Windows Vista OS instead of Ubuntu costs $999.

(more…)

Novell’s SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED) operating system is now available on select Lenovo ThinkPad T61 and R61 14-inch widescreen notebook PC models. In February, this preloaded Linux option will be extended to additional 14″ widescreen T and R Series models, and select T61 15″ widescreen laptops, Lenovo has announced this week.

Apparently, the SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 SP1-powered T61 and R61 14″ ThinkPads are now available for large enterprise customers. Lenovo says these notebooks will be available for purchase on the Web on February 19.

(more…)

Users of Hewlett-Packard and Compaq desktop and notebook PCs should run Software Update on these computers to patch flaws in the update service’s ActiveX control, according to a security warning issued by HP.

The bugs in the ActiveX control can be used to execute remote code or gain additional access rights, accordingly.

(more…)

Apple has released MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1, which addresses a keyboard issue on MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops running Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system.

“Some MacBook and MacBook Pro systems may occasionally experience a temporary suspension of keyboard input which can last a minute or longer. The Mac OS X 10.5.1 update is required before installing the MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1,” the company says.

(more…)

eeeXubuntu operating system, a version of the Xubuntu Linux 7.10 Live CD optimized for the ASUS Eee PC notebook, is available for download.

eeeXubuntu features a fully-integrated hardware support for the small and affordable Eee PC laptop, including native wireless drivers, functioning Ethernet support, tweaks for low-resolution desktop environments, and other miscellaneous fixes, according to Eeeuser Wiki.

(more…)

Microsoft has announced that it is working on a version of Windows XP operating system that can run on computers without a hard drive, including the One Laptop per Child XO notebook, CNet reports.

The software maker said that it will start “limited field trials” of XP running on the OLPC XO in January.

(more…)

Apple has just released the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system, which brings “more than 300″ new features and some changes over the previous 10.4 Tiger version.

Leopard, which is a 64-bit OS also compatible with 32-bit software, has a brand new desktop with Stacks, a new way to access files from the Dock; a redesigned Finder for browsing and sharing files between multiple Macs; Quick Look, a new way to instantly see files without opening an application; Spaces, used to create groups of applications and instantly switch between them; a data backup software called Time Machine; and a variety of other new features and improvements.

(more…)

Dell will offer laptop and desktop computers with the Ubuntu version 7.10, which is the latest release of this Linux OS distribution.

The Ubuntu 7.10, introduced this week, replaces the older 7.04 version. The shipping date for Ubuntu 7.10-powered Dell PCs is unknown yet, since the company “needs to take the time to qualify the final code on its systems for optimal interoperability”.

(more…)

Apple today announced that its Mac OS X version 10.5 Leopard operating system will go on sale Friday, October 26 at 6:00 p.m. at Apple’s retail stores and authorized resellers.

“Leopard is packed with more than 300 new features and introduces a brand new desktop with Stacks, a new way to easily access files from the Dock; a redesigned Finder that lets users quickly browse and share files between multiple Macs; Quick Look, a new way to instantly see files without opening an application; Spaces, an intuitive new feature used to create groups of applications and instantly switch between them; and Time Machine, an effortless way to automatically back up everything on a Mac,” the press relese says.

(more…)