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NVIDIA Announces GeForce 7200 GS Entry-Level PC Graphics

NVIDIA Unveils New Quadro FX GPUs

NVIDIA Unveils GeForce 8M Notebook Graphics

Hitachi Ships 200GB 7200 RPM Notebook Hard Drive With Encryption Technology

Compro Launches Dual DVB-T Tuner Card

Sony Ericsson Unveils P1 Smaprtphone

Samsung Announces First 65nm TV Receiver

SiS Announces SiS671-Based AcerPower S290 And Aspire SA90 PCs By Acer

Sony Delivers A New Blu-Ray Notebook

Fujitsu Siemens Computers Introduces LIFEBOOK S6410

Lenovo Rolls Out New ThinkPad Lineup

ASUS Complete Notebook Series On New Centrino Technology

Multitude Of Innovations Boost New Intel-Based Laptops

3CX Launches New IP PBX For Windows - 3CX Phone System

Plextor Unveils PX-810SA - 18X Multi-Format DVD Drive

SPECapc Updates SolidWorks Benchmark

OCZ Introduces New Speed Class 6 Rated Cards



NVIDIA Announces GeForce 7200 GS Entry-Level PC Graphics

NVIDIA Corporation announced the NVIDIA GeForce 7200 GS entry-level GPU designed to offer a low-cost upgrade from integrated graphics solutions for Microsoft Windows Vista based machines.

Graphics cards equipped with the NVIDIA GeForce 7200 GS GPU are available today from e-tailers and retailers worldwide at prices under $50 and are being offered in PCs from OEMs and system builders.

7200 GS specifications:

  • Graphics Bus: PCI Express
  • Memory Interface: 64-bit
  • Memory Bandwidth: 6.4GB/s
  • Fill Rate: 900 million pixels/sec
  • Vertices/Second (Millions): 225
  • RAMDACs: 400MHz

According to the press release, NVIDIA GeForce 7200 GS performs up to 50% faster than the latest integrated graphics solutions in common 3D benchmark tests.

GeForce 7200 GS GPUs provide full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0, Shader Model 3.0, HDR lighting, and NVIDIA PureVideo technology.

The add-in card partners that are offering graphics cards based on the new NVIDIA GeForce 7200 GS GPUs include Albatron, ASUSTek Computer Inc., Biostar, ECS, EVGA Corporation, Foxconn, Galaxy, Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd., Innovision, Leadtek Research Inc., MSI Computer Corporation, Palit Microsystems, Inc., Point of View, PNY Technology, SPARKLE Computer Co., Ltd., XFX, Zogis, and Zotac.

Source: NVIDIA Corporation

NVIDIA Unveils New Quadro FX GPUs

NVIDIA Corporation has introduced its new Quadro professional GPU series, including Quadro FX 1600M, Quadro FX 570M and Quadro FX 360M.

Designers, engineers and artists working with large datasets, models and images in markets such as computer-aided design (CAD), digital content creation (DCC), imaging, and the sciences, can now extend the power and capabilities of their desktop workstations with mobile solutions that feature the latest Quadro professional graphics architecture. These new mobile, visual-computing platforms deliver a uniform feature set, including Shader Model 4.0 and GPU computing for visualization, found in the recently announced NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 and Quadro FX 4600 desktop workstation solutions.

The new Quadro FX mobile solutions feature:

  • New Unified Architecture
  • Shader Model 4.0
  • GPU Computing for Visualization and NVIDIA CUDA technology
  • PowerMizer 7.0

The complete specs are here.

Engineered to deliver high performance and visualization of extensive datasets with extremely high image quality in an ISV-certified mobile platform, the Quadro FX 1600M, available with up to 512MB of GDDR3 memory, and the Quadro FX 570M, offering up to 256MB of GDDR3 memory, feature a 128-bit memory interface, support for OpenGL 2.1 and DirectX 10, and adaptive power management tools. The Quadro FX 360M, designed for thin and light, entry-level mobile workstations, offers similar features as its bigger brothers, with up to 256MB GDDR3 memory and a 64-bit memory interface.

NVIDIA Quadro FX mobile solutions are available through OEMs such as HP, Fujitsu Japan, and FSC as well as mobile workstation system integrators.

Source: NVIDIA Corporation

NVIDIA Unveils GeForce 8M Notebook Graphics

NVIDIA Corporation announced a new family of NVIDIA GeForce 8 Series of graphics processors targeted at the newly evolved notebook PC market. These new GPUs are designed for a new generation of notebook PCs that support Windows Vista, DirectX 10 games, HD movies, and popular applications like Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Live Maps.

The new GeForce 8M Series notebook GPUs — the world’s first to support DirectX 10 and fully accelerate decoding of H.264 full HD movies — are available now from the top PC makers such as HP, Toshiba, Acer, Samsung, and ASUS.

Initially available in the GeForce 8600M and GeForce 8400M versions based on unified architecture supporting PureVideo HD, PowerMizer technologies.

Source: NVIDIA Corporation

Hitachi Ships 200GB 7200 RPM Notebook Hard Drive With Encryption Technology

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies announced volume shipments of its highest-capacity, highest-performing notebook hard drive with new optional data encryption technology.

With double the capacity and a 22-percent performance improvement over its predecessor, the 200-gigabyte, 7200 RPM Travelstar 7K200 leads company's notebook hard drive series. The drive optionally supports the proprietary hard-drive level "Bulk Data Encryption".

Hitachi’s "Bulk Data Encryption" is a hard-drive level security mechanism that is offered as an option on the Travelstar 7K200. Today, data on a hard drive can be protected either through software-based encryption or a system-level password. However, hard-drive level encryption provides a higher level of benefit than both these options by offering better performance than software-based encryption and a higher level of security than system password protection.

In full or bulk data encryption, data is scrambled using a key as it is being written to the disk and then descrambled with the key as it is retrieved. Thus, data encryption at the hard-drive level represents a more sophisticated approach to securing users' data and is generally considered to be virtually impenetrable.

Another benefit that the Travelstar 7K200 offers with hard-drive level security is in the data-erasing process. Today, hard drives must either be physically destroyed or the existing data must be written over and over – a time-consuming process using a software tool – before it can be safely discarded without fear of data piracy or identity theft. Bulk Data Encryption would make data-erasing unnecessary when a hard drive needs to be discarded. By simply deleting the encryption key, the hard drive is rendered unreadable and, thus, safe from prying eyes.

The Travelstar 7K200 will be available in retail this summer at a suggested retail price of $249. Additional information will be provided closer to the time of availability.

Dell and Alienware will be the first to offer the Travelstar 7K200 on select systems. Customers will also be able to create dual hard drive configurations with 400GB of available storage on the Aurora m9700 and the XPS M2010. Travelstar 7K200 & E7K200 specifications:

  • 80/100/120/160/200 GB; 120/160/200 GB (E7K200)
  • 9.5 mm in height
  • 7200 rpm
  • 164 billion bits per square inch maximum areal density
  • 1/1/2/2/2 glass disk platter(s); 2/2/2 disks (E7K200)
  • 2/2/3/4/4 GMR recording head(s); 3/4/4 heads (E7K200)
  • 1000 G/1ms non-operating shock
  • 350 G/2ms operating shock
  • 4.2 ms average latency
  • 10 ms average read time/11 ms average write time
  • 1.0 W active idle (not applicable to E7K200)
  • 0.8 W low-power idle (not applicable to E7K200)
  • Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s, 1.5Gb/s encrypted, 3Gb/s; Serial ATA 3 Gb/s (E7K200)
  • 115 grams in weight
  • 2.2/2.2/2.5/2.5/2.5 Bels typical idle acoustics; 2.5 (E7K200)
  • 2.6/2.6/2.9/2.9/2.9 Bels typical operating acoustics; 2.9 (E7K200)

Source: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies

Compro Launches Dual DVB-T Tuner Card

Compro Technology launched VideoMate E700, a dual DVB-T PCI-E TV tuner card that lets you watch 2 main channels at the same time. The device can scan channels with both tuners at the same time to half the scanning time, and has been certified for Windows Vista Premium x86/x64.

With bundled Compro's ComproDTV 3 software, you can watch free 1080i HDTV quality DVB-T TV shows on your desktop PC; set S5/S4/S3 mode flexible scheduled recording; power on/off system by remote control; play recorded files; timeshift; record Straight-to-Disc; customize brightness, hue, saturation, contrast, sharpness, and audio channels in each TV channel; capture single/sequential still frames with remote control, keyboard, and mouse.

To extend your TV experience with this handy software, the advanced Picture in/out Picture not only allows you to watch live TV and playback 1 video file, but also lets you open up to 2 main channels, 3 sub channel windows and playback 1 recorded video file at once. That means you can watch up to 6 different video windows at the same monitor; customize channel order and set your favorite channel list for more convenience. The Video Desktop can set up the live TV screen in wallpaper mode and let you use other applications.

For the best usability, VideoMate E700 is also accompanied by ComproDVD 2 for DVD, VCD titles playback, CD and MP3 music listening; Ulead PhotoExplorer 8.5 SE software for managing multimedia files; Ulead DVD MovieFactory 4 SE for authoring DVDs.

VideoMate E700 key features:

  • Dual DVB-T digital terrestrial TV reception
  • Scan channels with both DVB-T tuners at once to half the scanning time
  • PCI-Express x1
  • Watch 2 main digital TV channels at the same time
  • Compro S5/S4/S3 mode Power Up Scheduled Recording
  • Remote Controlled Power On/Off
  • Supports SDTV and 1080i HDTV (where available)
  • Timeshift
  • Advanced PIP/POP feature can open up to 2 main channels, 3 sub channel windows and also playback 1 recorded video file at the same time
  • Video Desktop can setup the live TV screen as wallpaper
  • Customize channel order and favorite channel list
  • Customize brightness, hue, saturation, contrast, sharpness, and audio channels in each TV channel
  • Capture single and sequential still frames
  • Straight-to-Disc recording to DVD discs
  • Supports MPEG-2 recording
  • Supports Transport Stream recording and playback
  • Digital TV supports EPG, subtitle, & Teletext (where available, does not support MHEG-5 in UK)
  • Fully functional IR remote for TV and DVD
  • Microsoft MCE2005 and media center feature support
  • Certified for Windows Vista 32/64Bit

Source: Compro Technology

Sony Ericsson Unveils P1 Smaprtphone

Sony Ericsson unveiled the P1 smartphone as the latest addition to its P-series range. Building on the feature set of earlier models, the Sony Ericsson P1 supports a wide range of push email solutions and Web browsing applications, plus connectivity via hi-speed UMTS and Wireless LAN (WiFi). It is based on the Symbian operating system (v9.1) and UIQ 3.0, an open platform that offers broad potential for multimedia applications from operators/carriers, content owners and third party developers.

In short, the P1 is a device as small as a standard phone that offers flexible ways to work:

  • Dual function keyboard - full alpha-numeric (e.g. QWERTY) text input combined with one hand phone usability
  • Choice of text input method including handwriting and word completion
  • Push email enabled including support for Exchange ActiveSync and BlackBerry Connect
  • Integrated WLAN and VoIP enabled
  • 3.2 megapixel camera with business card scanner
  • Large 2.6" touchscreen with a Transflective Display that is easier to view in bright light conditions

The Sony Ericsson P1 lets you read and edit documents on the move, whether Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or Excel. It also ships with a desk stand and USB cable in-box, making it straightforward to synchronise with your PC.

As well as a business tool, the Sony Ericsson P1 also serves as a multimedia companion. Its music and video player mean that you can take your favourite tunes and video clips with you on the 512MB Memory Stick Micro (M2) provided. Catch the latest news via the on-board FM Radio or stream mobile TV direct to the large screen.

The Sony Ericsson P1 is a Tri-Band GPRS 900/1800/1900 and UMTS 2100 handset with Wi-Fi 802.11b. The complete specs are here. It will be available in selected markets from Q3 2007.

Source: Sony Ericsson

Samsung Announces First 65nm TV Receiver

Samsung Electronics announced an improved digital TV receiver chip, the S5H1411, that boasts a 30 percent higher reception success rate than the company’s previous generation digital TV receiver chip released in 2005, the S5H1409. The chip enables digital TVs designed for the North American market to receive both vestigial sideband (VSB) broadcasts and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) cable signals.

The S5H1411 offers a higher reception success rate than other devices in multi-path environments where signal interference is high, such as densely populated urban areas; dynamic environments with serious signal distortion among many moving vehicles; environments with major signal phase errors because of cable retransmission and remote areas where reception is generally poor. Samsung is the first in the world to adopt 65nm process technology to broadcast TV receiver chip circuitry, demonstrating its industry leading technology and price and performance competitiveness to the market.

Moreover, the S5H1411 operates on 20 percent less power than competing devices on the market today, making it well suited for portable products such as the USB Dongle or USB box.

The new S5H1411 digital TV receiver chip is available in the 100-pin TQFP (14mm x 14mm) or 100-ball FPBGA (8mm x 8mm) packages. The PCB footprint can be reduced by as much as 40 percent. In addition to digital TVs, the device can be used in digital broadcast set-top boxes with terrestrial and cable reception, TV reception cards for PCs, USB Dongles and USB boxes.

Source: Samsung Electronics

SiS Announces SiS671-Based AcerPower S290 And Aspire SA90 PCs By Acer

SiS announced that AcerPower S290 and Aspire SA90 Desktop PCs, manufactured by Acer, have successfully hit the market.

The AcerPower S290 is based on the SiS671/SiS968 chipset and features SiS Mirage 3 integrated graphics, supports Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Pentium 4, Intel Celeron D processors, DDR2-667 memory and SATAII. It's comes shipped with Windows Vista.

The Aspire SA90 also comes shipped with Vista, implements the SiS671/SiS968 chipset, features SiS Mirage 3 graphics, supports Intel Core 2 Duo (with FSB up to 800MHz), Intel Pentium 4 and Intel Celeron D processors, DDR2-667/533 memory. Furthermore, an extra PCI-Express x16 slot is available in the Aspire SA90, so it will be more flexible for users if they are to upgrade their systems by installing an add-on card. The Aspire SA90 also provides SATAII interface, 4 x USB2.0 ports (expandable to 8 ports).

Source: SiS

Sony Delivers A New Blu-Ray Notebook

Sony unveiled a portable multimedia PC with Blu-ray Disc technology. Part of a series, the new VAIO FZ notebook comes in multiple configurations, including a premium and standard model. The premium version plays Blu-ray Disc high-definition content so you can enjoy movies in full 1080 HD resolution, as well as record, store and play back personal content on high-capacity BD media.

Weighing less than 6 pounds, the FZ notebook is designed to maximize LCD real estate integrating space-saving, engineering refinements throughout the chassis. It has a 15.4-inch widescreen display with Sony’s patented XBRITE-HiColor technology. The FZ premium model also has an HDMI connector so you can connect to a high-definition television.

The new PC incorporates an Intel Centrino Duo processor and 802.11n wireless LAN. A compatible 802.11n access point is required. The model comes pre-installed with the Windows Vista Home Premium operating system.

The list of features also includes Sound Reality audio technology; LocationFree software so you can "place-shift" live TV, access your personal video recorder or DVD player, and view that content on your notebook via the Internet (base station and broadband connectivity required); an integrated camera and microphone; ExpressCard support. The unit also includes S-video, which enables connectivity to televisions, cameras and projectors. It also supports all versions of Memory Stick Flash media.

The complete specs can be found here.

The FZ standard model will start at about $1,400, while the FZ premium Blu-ray Disc model will go for around $2,000. The VAIO FZ series will be available online at www.sony.com/pr/fz. They will also be sold at Sony Style stores and select retailers starting in mid-May.

Source: Sony

Fujitsu Siemens Computers Introduces LIFEBOOK S6410

Fujitsu Siemens Computers introduced new LIFEBOOK S6410 - the new 13.3-inch 1.7 kg notebook with Intel Centrino Duo processor technology. It will be available from July at a starting price of ˆ1990.

The LIFEBOOK S6410 offers mobile internet access via embedded WLAN and Bluetooth as well as UMTS/HSUPA. The S6410 also supports Intel's Turbo Memory, features biometric fingerprint sensor, spill-proof keyboard. In addition, a ShockSensor protects the hard disk from vibration or shock, and the RecoveryButton averts loss of data.

With an optional second battery and using the integrated EcoButton, the LIFEBOOK S6410 can run for a full working day. Pressing the EcoButton reduces the clock frequency of the processor and the screen brightness, thereby increasing battery life by another ten percent.

LIFEBOOK S6410 technical details:

  • Intel Core 2 Duo processor with Intel 965GM chipset
  • Windows Vista Business
  • 13.3-inch display
  • Weight: 1.7 kg
  • UMTS/HSUPA
  • Integrated ConfCamera
  • Modular bay for DVD drive or second battery
  • Wireless LAN/Bluetooth
  • Up to 4 GB of memory
  • 120 GB hard disk

Source: Fujitsu Siemens Computers

Lenovo Rolls Out New ThinkPad Lineup

Lenovo announced two new ThinkPad notebooks PCs: the first ThinkPad T61 14.1-inch widescreen notebook and the first ever R Series widescreen, the ThinkPad R61 14.1-inch widescreen notebook. Lenovo engineered the PCs with its latest innovations, including a new Top Cover Roll Cage for better durability, an improved cooling system, enhanced wireless connectivity with Ultra Connect II and longer battery life through its Battery Stretch control option. Featuring the latest Intel Centrino Pro and Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology, the ThinkPad T61 and R61 14.1-inch widescreen notebooks, respectively, offer users the strongest, coolest, quietest and best performing ThinkPad lineup yet.

Lenovo also today introduced the Lenovo 3000 N200 15.4-inch widescreen notebook offering 802.11n, 10/100 Ethernet, Bluetooth connectivity options along with graphics capabilities and the latest Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology.

The selected models of new notebook PCs offer full disk encryption hard drives, integrated biometric fingerprint readers and smart card readers. Users can also opt for Intel Turbo Memory with both notebooks and new IT management capabilities with Intel Active Management Technology in the ThinkPad T61 14.1-inch widescreen. To enhance the multimedia experience, the notebooks offer choices of Intel integrated or NVIDIA discrete graphics and a four-in-one media card reader. Users can also opt for an integrated camera with the ThinkPad R61 14.1-inch widescreen notebook.

The notebook offers WLAN with 802.11n technology, 10/100 Ethernet and Bluetooth connectivity options. Integrated fingerprint readers help individuals manage their passwords and information. And to help lower the total cost of PC ownership, Lenovo Care Tools help manage IT tasks with automatic updates, one-button system recovery and simple network connectivity.

The ThinkPad T61 and R61 14.1-inch notebooks start at approximately $1,399 and $1,249, respectively, and will be available in mid-May.

The Lenovo 3000 N200 15.4-inch widescreen notebook starts at approximately $1,099 and will be available at the end of May. All three notebooks will be available through Lenovo Business Partners and online at www.lenovo.com.

Source: Lenovo

ASUS Complete Notebook Series On New Centrino Technology

ASUSTeK Computer announced its new notebook line based on Intel's Centrino Pro and Intel Centrino Duo Processor technology.

"Intel's new-generation Centrino processor technology is comprised of a new-generation Intel Core 2 Duo processor, the Mobile Intel 965 Express chipset family, Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Network Connection, Intel 82566MM and 82566MC Gigabit Network Connection, and optional Intel Turbo memory", said Jason LS Chen, Country Manager of Intel Taiwan. "We are delighted to work with ASUS to introduce innovative notebook PCs with Intel technologies to provide users with a new level of mobility experience."

See the list of models below.

A7S
  • Intel Core 2 Duo Processors T7700/7500/7300/7100
  • Mobile Intel PM 965 Express Chipset
  • Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection or Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (Optional)
  • Genuine Windows Vista: Home Premium / Home Basic
  • DDR2 667MHz, up to 4G
  • 17" wide (16:10) active matrix TFT, ASUS Splendid Video Intelligence Technology
  • Nvidia GeForce 8400M G, External 128MB
  • DVD Combo/DVD-Dual DL/DVD S-Multi DL with LightScribe
  • Built-in 1.3M pixel camera
  • Hybrid TV tuner(Analog+ DVB-T)
  • 40.5 x 31.4 x 3.82 cm, 4.1kg (8 cell battery pack)
A8Sc
  • Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology
  • Intel Core 2 Duo Processors T7700/7500/7300/7100
  • Mobile Intel PM 965 Express Chipset
  • Intel PRO/Wireless 4965ABG Network Connection or Intel
  • Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (Optional)
  • Genuine Windows Vista: Home Premium / Business / Ultimate
  • DDR2 667MHz, up to 4G
  • 14.1" Widescreen Color Shine LCD, ASUS Splendid Video Intelligence Technology
  • Nvidia GeForce 8400M G, External 128MB VRAM
  • DVC Combo/DVD-Dual DL/HD-DVD(Optional)
  • Built-in 0.35M pixel camera
  • 5x USB ports, 1x TV-Out, 1x DVI port
  • 33.5 x 24.5 x 3.48~3.73cm, 2.39kg (6 cell battery pack)
F3E/S
  • Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology
  • Intel Core 2 Duo Processors T7500/T7300/T7100
  • Mobile Intel GM965 Express Chipset (F3E)
  • Mobile Intel PM 965 Express Chipset (F3Sc/Se/Sv)
  • Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
  • Genuine Windows Vista: Home Premium / Home Basic
  • NVidia GeForce Go8400M G, External 156MB VRAM (F3Sc)
  • ATI Mobility Radeon X2500 (F3Se)
  • NVIDIA GeForce G8600M GS External 256MB VRAM (F3Sv)
  • 15.4 " WXGA/ WXGA+ (F3E); 15.4 " WXGA/ WXGA+/ WSXGA+ (F3Sc/Se/Sv)
  • 1.3M pixel camera(Optional)
  • 36.5x 26.95x 2.8-4.05 cm, 2.95kg (6 cell battery pack)
G1S
  • Intel Centrino Duo Processor Technology
  • Intel Core 2 Duo Processors T7700/T7500/T7200/T7300/T7100
  • Mobile Intel 965PM Express Chipset
  • Intel PRO/Wireless 4965ABGN/ 3945ABG Network Connection
  • Genuine Windows Vista: Home Premium / Ultimate
  • nVidia GeForceGo 8600M GT GPU, External 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
  • DDRII 667MHz, up to 4GB
  • 15.4" WXGA/WXGA+/WSXGA+ Color Shine LCD
  • ASUS Direct Messenger (2nd display)
  • SATA 80/120/160/200 GB
  • DVD Super-Multi/ DVD Super-Multi Light Scribe/HD DVD/ Blu-Ray
  • Built-in 1.3 Mega-pixel camera
  • 10/100/1000, 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth V2.0+EDR (optional)
G2S
  • Intel Centrino Duo Processor Technology
  • Intel Core 2 Duo Processors T7700/T7500/T7200/T7300/T7100
  • Mobile Intel 965PM Express Chipset
  • Intel PRO/Wireless 4965ABGN/ 3945ABG Network Connection
  • Genuine Windows Vista: Home Premium / Ultimate
  • nVidia GeForceGo 8600M GT GPU, External 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
  • DDRII 667MHz, up to 4GB
  • 17.0" WXGA+/WUXGA Color Shine, Quick Response Time LCD
  • ASUS Direct Messenger (2nd display)
  • SATA 80/120/160/200 GB
  • DVD Super Multi/ DVD Super-Multi Light Scribe/HD DVD/ Blu-Ray
  • Built-in 1.3 Mega-pixel camera
  • 10/100/1000, 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth V2.0+EDR (optional)
W7S
  • Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology
  • Intel Core 2 Duo Processors T7500/T7300/T7100
  • Mobile Intel PM 965 Express Chipset
  • Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN
  • Genuine Windows Vista: Home Premium / Home Basic
  • DDR2 667 MHz, up to 1536MB,On Board 512MB
  • 13.3" WXGA Color Shine & Crystal Shine LCD; ASUS Splendid Video Intelligence Technology
  • NVidia GeForce 8400M G, External 128MB VRAM
  • SATA 80/100/120/160GB (5400/7200rpm)
  • 1.3/2M Pixels Video Camera
  • 10/100/1000, 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth V2.0 + EDR
  • 3x USB, 1x Express Card, 1x Card-Reader
  • 31.5 x 22.6 x 2.9~3.67cm (max), 1.95kg (6-cell)

Source: ASUSTeK Computer

Multitude Of Innovations Boost New Intel-Based Laptops

Intel Corporation announced a host of new technologies, including faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors, for its latest-generation Intel Centrino processor technology used in notebook PCs for consumers and businesses.

More than 230 Intel Centrino Duo and Intel Centrino Pro processor technology-based designs from PC manufacturers, resellers and integrators around the world are expected to take advantage of these and other features this year. Notebooks will come in a plethora of shapes and sizes, with designs ranging from fully loaded, 17-inch wide-screen entertainment models to tiny, energy-saving notebook PCs that weigh less than three pounds.

At the heart of the new Intel Centrino Duo and Intel Centrino Pro processor technology-based notebooks is the next-generation of Intel's Core 2 Duo processor. Additional power management features will continue to enable users to have the improved battery life.

In addition, the Mobile Intel 965 Express chipset family with Intel Clear Video Technology enables an enhanced high-definition video experience. Users can also share their content with family and friends via TV easier than before with Intel TV Wizard, which is a simplified way to connect to HD-enabled TVs. A new suite of drivers delivers better support for Windows Vista Premium and Windows Aero.

In order to download or upload digital content faster from the Internet, the available Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N provides 802.11AGN WLAN capability and allows users more freedom to do more, delivering up to five times the performance for such tasks as downloads and twice the wireless access range.

Intel Turbo Memory is an optional feature, unique to Intel technology, that can access frequently used software applications twice as fast and reduce the amount of time it takes to turn on, or boot-up, a laptop by as much as 20 percent. In turn, these faster speeds save on power consumption and increase battery life.

With a new brand specifically for business users, Intel Centrino Pro processor technology will adopt features found in desktop business PCs today with Intel vPro processor technology. IT departments will be able to reliably manage both desktops and notebooks and deal with what plagues them most – security threats, cost of ownership, resource allocation, and asset management – and do so wirelessly.

One of the key innovations designed in Intel Centrino Pro – Intel Active Management Technology – provides business-class notebook PCs with wireless PC management, protection and remote repair work thereby increasing productivity, IT savings and uptime.

Intel will also use this new mobile technology foundation for a variety of smaller, quieter and high-performing consumer desktop PC designs with optional 802.11n wireless support and Intel Turbo Memory.

Intel expects hundreds of notebook models in a range of prices to be widely available now. Additionally, a range of consumer desktop PC designs based on the Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel Viiv processor technology are also available now. See the complete price list here.

Source: Intel Corporation

3CX Launches New IP PBX For Windows - 3CX Phone System

3CX released its commercial edition of 3CX Phone System, a new Windows-based IP PBX that completely replaces a proprietary PABX. Based on the open SIP standard, it interoperates with a wide range of soft and hardware phones. Since it supports SIP, it is possible to interface with all SIP-based providers and gateways and connect to standard PSTN lines and/or hosted VOIP lines.

Key features of 3CX Phone System:

  • Complete phone system - provides call switching, routing & queuing
  • Eliminates phone wiring & patching of extensions to a particular network point
  • Makes teleworking easy because employees can answer extension from home
  • Purchase cost dramatically lower than a traditional hardware PBX
  • Scalable - Unlimited extensions and phone lines. No proprietary expansion modules needed!
  • Web-based configuration & status indication - Easy phone system management!
  • Unified messaging - Receive voice mail via e-mail
  • Auto attendant (e.g. 1 for sales, 2 for support etc.)
  • Reduces long distance and inter office call costs using VOIP providers.

3CX phone System for Windows is available in 3 editions: The Small Business Edition supports up to 25 extensions, whilst the Pro edition supports an unlimited number of extensions. Pricing: Small Business costs $350 and Pro runs at $895.

A free edition, supporting an unlimited number of extensions, is also available. The main difference with Pro and Small Business phone system is that it’s not possible to buy a support package for the free edition, nor does it include the advanced features of 3CX Call Assistant. Not withstanding, the Free Edition does more than most commercial PBXs do; including an auto attendant and voice mail. The free edition can be downloaded from here.

Source: 3CX

Plextor Unveils PX-810SA - 18X Multi-Format DVD Drive

Plextor unveiled its latest SATA DVD-RW drive of the new PX-800 series: PX-810SA. At 18x, it is still one of the fastest drives in the world. It also incorporates multi-format (DVD±R & DVD-RAM) technology to satisfy the demand for high-end SATA drives from enthusiast/professional users.

The PX-810SA, featuring 2MB buffer, is capable of the following DVD speeds: DVD±R - 18x; DVD±R DL - 10x; DVD+RW - 8x; DVD-RW - 6x; DVD-RAM – 12x; and CD-R 40x.

A comprehensive range of full and trial software is included from: Plextor (PlexTools Professional LE), Nero Express 7 Essentials SE.

PX-810SA will be available from early June 2007 at Plextor’s network of dealers as a Retail package:

  • PX-810SA/T3: PX-810SA (with beige front bezel) + software
  • PX-810SA/T3B: PX-810SA (with black bezel) + software

The PX-810SA is covered by Plextor’s Fast Warranty Service (2-year warranty in the EU, Norway and Switzerland (Collect & Return); other countries 1-year carry-in.

Source: Plextor

SPECapc Updates SolidWorks Benchmark

SPEC/GPC’s Application Performance Characterization (SPECapc) project group has released updated performance evaluation software for systems running SolidWorks 2007 3D CAD software.

The new benchmark is an update of SPECapc for SolidWorks 2005. It was developed in cooperation with SolidWorks Corporation to represent typical user operations that are important in evaluating system performance. Benchmark tests have been updated to reflect new features in SolidWorks 2007 and to ensure results consistency over multiple test runs.

Because of the test changes, SPECapc for SolidWorks 2007 results should not be compared to those from SPECapc for SolidWorks 2005, which will remain available for reporting on the SPEC website for another six months.

SPECapc for SolidWorks 2007 is available for free downloading on the SPEC/GPC web site: www.spec.org/gpc. The SPECapc group also provides free benchmarks for systems running 3ds Max 8, Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0, Solid Edge V19, UGS NX 3, and Maya 6.5.

Source: SPEC

OCZ Introduces New Speed Class 6 Rated Cards

OCZ Technology Group introduced Speed Class 6 rated memory cards to its high-performance Secure Digital HC (SD High Capacity) family. Available in 4GB and 8GB configurations, these ultra-fast OCZ SDHC cards are designed for digital cameras and electronics.

OCZ SDHC cards comply with the new SDA 2.00 specifications to support capacities over 4GB. Adhering to the new speed ratings determined by the SD Association, OCZ SDHC Class 6 cards ensure a minimum write speed of 6MB/s. These cards are only compatible with SDHC compliant products and are not backwards compatible with traditional SD format devices.

All OCZ Secure Digital HC Cards come backed with a 3-year warranty.

Source: OCZ Technology Group

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