Epson Stylus Pro 10000CF — configuration changed
Contract prices for 40x CD-RW drop to $50
MemoryStick Duo flash memories from Sony are close to retail
Prices for 14.1" TFT LCD panels to remain $235-255
Zoetrope + Hammer: what do we know of K8M400?
Epson Stylus Pro 10000CF — configuration changed
From August, 1 2002 the configuration of Stylus Pro 10000CF professional printer is to change. The device will be shipped with Ethernet 10/100BaseT and FireWire installed. One had to purchase these cards as options before. Another change: each printer will be supplied with one 2" and one 3" paper roll spindle instead of two 2" ones.
Epson Stylus Pro 10000CF is the senior model of Epson large-format printer family. Maximum medium size the device is capable to print on is 44" (1118 mm). Like all Epson Stylus Pro printers, the new model prints 6 colors: blue, purple, yellow, black, cyan and light magenta. The maximum print resolutions remained the same 1440 È 720 dpi. Nevertheless, the printer provides higher image quality due to Ultra Micro Dot technology with 5 picoliter.
The new printer head with 180 nozzles per color provides twice-triple print speed comparing to previous models: it takes about 20 minutes to print 1 sq.m image at 1440 È 720 dpi resolution, and 11 minutes — at 720 È 720 dpi. This is achieved not only with increased nozzle amount, but also due to dynamic dot printing technology. Minimal dots are used for light parts, and maximal — for dark parts of the image.
New printer utilizes well-known Epson ColorFast pigment ink that provide high image quality and stability independently to color and moisture level. Each printer cartridge is 500 ml in capacity. Chips, built into cartridges "remember" the ink level providing user with ink expense rate information. The intermediate backup reservoir enables to replace cartridges during the printing process.
The recommended retail price of Epson Stylus Pro 10000CF is $12899.
Contract prices for 40x CD-RW drop to $50
As a result of strong market competition, contract prices for 40x CD-RW drives reduced to $50 or even sometimes to $46-48. As some companies plan to transit to 48È and 52È devices, in the second quarter of this year Samsung, Hitachi LG Data Storage and a host of Taiwanese firms increased production volumes that resulted in 10-15% price cut comparing to the first quarter.
This situation with 40È CD-RW drives will lead resellers to sell 24È and 32È quickly. According to some distributors, prices for such also reduce by 10-15% per month, not per quarter.
Many Taiwanese makers report increased profits: Lite-On IT — by 31%, Benq — by 20%, and others — by 10%. Nevertheless, with stronger competition and cut prices they do not have over ten bucks per drive as before :).
MemoryStick Duo flash memories from Sony are close to retail
New-format MemoryStick Duo flash cards, officially presented by Sony a couple of months ago, began to transform into real products with expected availability in the end of July.
First, there will be 16 MB MemoryStick Duo or MSA-M16A cards. As the new format is mostly designed for mobile devices like cellulars, players, etc., the cards are about one third smaller than standard MemoryStick. First novelties will be supplied with a special adapter.
MemoryStick Duo main specifications:
- Supply voltage: 2.7-3.6 V
- Consumption current: up to 45 mA, up to 130 microampere in idle mode
- Data transfer rate: up to 1.8 MB/s write, up to 2.45 MB/s read
- Operation temperature range: 0œC — 60œC
- Size: 21.5 È 50 È 2.8 mm (20 È 31 È 1.6 mm without adapter)
- Weight: about 4 gr with adapter, 2 gr — without
According to company roadmap, MemoryStick Duo capacity is to increase up to 128 MB by the year-end. 16 MB MSA-M16A cards cost about $22.
Prices for 14.1" TFT LCD panels to remain $235-255
Just a day ago we wrote that prices for 15" TT LCD panels might reduce to $240 by the year-end. Today the same source reported, with a reference to Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun newspaper, that prices for 14.1" TFT LCD panels for notebooks will remain in the $235-255 range in July.
Despite the hard pressure of PC makers, demanding to reduce prices by at least $5, TFT LCD makers keep them at the same level, believing that demand is still higher than supply.
Zoetrope + Hammer: what do we know of K8M400?
French Inpact Hardware published the details of the expected K8M400 integrated chipset from VIA Technologies for AMD Hammer systems featuring Zoetrope-based graphics.
According to the diagram, the new chipset supports HyperTransport, AGP 8x; at the same time bridges are interconnected by updated V-Link 8x bus. I guess further specifications are to follow.
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