Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
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We’ll have a full review of Alienware’s pint-sized gaming machine, but in case you guys haven’t seen enough pictures of it (or there just wasn’t enough bokeh in those other sites’ shots), I’ve put together a nice little gallery for you. I’m happy to take more pictures too if you want close-ups of this or that. I literally just took it out of the package a few minutes ago, and I have to say my first impressions are very positive. They clearly knew what they wanted to do this this thing. The build feels very solid, the screen is bright, the lighting isn’t as over-the-top as I’ve seen on other Alienware models, and a quick Geekbench run gives it an 1889, which is significantly faster than some other slim-and-lights I’ve tested recently. Please go ahead and comment if there’s anything you’re wondering about in particular, and I’ll try to answer those questions in the full review. In the meantime, enjoy these artistic shots of this very good-looking machine. I stacked it on a 15″ MacBook Pro there for size comparison — it’s very compact.
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
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The Alienware M11x is a fascinating modern notebook. May I say that it probably took “out-of-this-world technology” to pack so much power into a little kit? Get it? Because it’s an Alien ware. You got? Yes, I know I’m dumb. John tells me that everyday. Just click through for the photos, pal. Let’s get on with this. Anyway, some random Chinese site posted these photos showing that the M11x is very much a human creation. It’s nothing more than a well-engineered notebook, which it should be seeing as the 11-inch notebook has a starting price of $799. [ 163 via GadgetMix ]
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
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So you’re hopping on a flight and you sit next to a sexy member of the opposite sex. You’ve got to get some work done so you whip out your nasty laptop, a fat and ugly IT department-supplied monstrosity (probably from Dell or HP). Your seatmate looks over, idly contemplating your potential as a lifemate, and sees your junk laptop and starts reading the Skymall catalog. After all, laptop makers for years have been saying that a persons value as a genetic donor is wrapped up in the look and feel of their hardware. That’s right: if you don’t buy something from the Dell Vostro 3000-series, you will die alone. These laptops come in two sizes, 13- and 14-inch, and run up to a Core i7 processor (in the 3700). They start at $649 and are available now on Dell’s website . How great will your life be when you buy these laptops? Dell SVP Alex Gruzen has the answer: “These entrepreneurs want technology that makes them more productive and helps them compete, and the Vostro 3000 delivers in a package they will be proud to show off in the airport or the boardroom.” Proud, Alex? Not pride. Satisfaction. Satisfaction in knowing that 80% of Dockers-wearing businessman progeny will be spawned, it seems, from the loins of Mother Dell herself. It’s Vostro’s world. We just live in it. Dell Celebrates Entrepreneurial Spirit with New Vostro Laptops Vostro 3000 Series Offers World-Class Security, Services and Reliability to Help Small Businesses Succeed Date : 3/9/2010 Round Rock, Texas Following the successful launch of the ultrathin and light Vostro™ V13, Dell is offering business customers even more choice with the stylish Vostro 3000 series – a range of new thin, lightweight and durable laptop computers. Featuring powerful processors, high-end graphics and built-in security, the Vostro 3000 series is designed for small businesses that require robust mobile computing solutions. Today’s SMBs and entrepreneurs want notebooks that are powerful and attractive, and the new Vostro 3000 series was designed to meet and exceed both those needs. For the most demanding tasks, the Vostro 3000 series sports the latest powerful Intel® Core™ processor technology, including, the optional, Core i7 Quad Core processor available on the Vostro 3700. For those that demand portability and productivity, the Vostro 3300 is one of the industry’s thinnest commercial 13” laptop with an integrated optical drive. For those that can’t afford to be chained to their desks, the 14” Vostro 3400 offers a full day of mobile productivity with up to 8 hours of battery life with an optional 9-cell battery. “To succeed, small businesses need simple, reliable and affordable technology solutions,” said Alex Gruzen, SVP, Consumer, Small and Medium Business, Dell, Inc. “These entrepreneurs want technology that makes them more productive and helps them compete, and the Vostro 3000 delivers in a package they will be proud to show off in the airport or the boardroom.” “Dell continues to sharpen its focus on SMB customers with the new Vostro 3000 series,” said Ray Boggs, VP of SMB Research at IDC. “Small and mid-sized firms are returning to the PC market after a year in the recessionary wilderness, and they are ready for the kinds of capabilities, including Microsoft Windows 7, that will get them to the next level of productivity.” “As the first PC brand designed exclusively for small businesses, over the last year, Dell has introduced several new Vostro laptops and desktops to serve their distinctive needs. Ranging from our recently announced, super dependable Vostro 230 or future-proof and powerful Vostro 430 desktops, or the ultra-thin Vostro V13 laptop, Vostro products are designed for small businesses helping them stretch their budget and protect their data, and come with dedicated small business services and support to keep a small businesses moving,” added Gruzen. Worry-Free Business IT All of the Vostro 3000 laptops have embedded webcam and microphone for collaboration through videoconferencing, while the Vostro 3500 and 3700 offer the option of high definition WLED screens and the 3700 offers the option of up to 1GB of NVIDIA® GeForce® discrete graphics to help ensure one of the best visual experiences. With the built-in HDMI port, users can even make high definition presentations to clients when required. These new Vostro notebooks are also backed by a dedicated and specially trained small-business sales and support team of experts, which is a key pain point for small businesses that typically have little or no IT support. Inclusion in Dell’s FastTrack program enables select configurations of the Vostro 3000 series to ship within 48 hours of ordering , further removing worry from buying a new laptop. Durability is another feature more customers are demanding from their laptops. The Vostro 3000 series laptops sport durable hinges and are encased in aluminum for extra protection while away from the office. Shipped with a 30-day return policy , the Vostro 3000 notebooks also feature a suite of customizable service and support solutions to keep business data protected and business moving at an affordable price. Vostro 3000 Series: At a Glance Stay in Touch: With the integrated webcam and microphone , users can make Internet calls, conduct video conferences and remotely exchange files to help increase productivity. Always Be Connected: Users can go wireless with a full range of connectivity options: 802.11g/n wireless LAN, Bluetooth, and WWAN mobile broadband. Memory to Spare: Run Windows® 7 effortlessly while performing everyday tasks quickly with support for up to 6GB of DDR3 SDRAM memory. Protect Your Work: Keep your critical data under lock and key with optional finger print reader and full-data-encrypted hard drives. “Set & Forget” Online Data Protection: Easy, secure and automated Dell DataSafe online backup protects and helps recover business-critical data. Coverage Now and Later: Users can extend their basic Limited Hardware Warranty from 1-3 years to stay covered into the future. Remote On-Call Support: Small businesses can get help when they need it with DellConnect, which allows tech-support agents to troubleshoot and help resolve system issues remotely. ProSupport to Simplify IT: Businesses can choose their own level of 24
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
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Dell made a huge splash back in December when it launched the Core i7 Extreme Precision M6500 beast , but it isn’t exactly a perfect mobile solution weighing in at 8.5 lbs weight and 17-inch screen. The new Precision M4500 aims to solve that dilemma by offering nearly the same power with a Intel Core i7-920XM Quad Core Extreme Edition and Nvidia Quadro FX GPU options, but with a so-much-more portable 15.6-inch screen and 6 lbs weight. Dell is calling this the most powerful 15.6-inch notebook available and we can find no fault in that claim. The company came to that conclusion by the combination of the Core-i7920XM Quad Core Extreme Edition and the Nvidia Quadro FX 1800m GPU. Combined with a maximum of 16GB, the M4500 will stand toe to toe with the M6500 and nearly any graphic workstation. The 100% user selectable color gamut sRGB LED-backlit screen helps secure its spot as a true desktop replacement notebook, too. Dell also worked in some mobility solutions, too. The M4500 packs the obligatory webcam, along Gobi 2.0 mobile broadband support and an 64GB SSD MiniCard for additional data storage that doesn’t require users to swap out the optical drive. The M4500 is also the first notebook available for Dell’s new instant-on application. Dubbed Dell Precision On, it provides users near instant access to email, calender, contact, and even the internet and virtual remote desktops. Think of it as a business-oriented splash launch screen like what’s found on most netbooks and consumer notebooks these days. The M4500 line starts out at an somewhat affordable sub-$2,000 price point, but that’s the plain jane, Core i5 model. You’re going to want to ask your IT department to get you the fully-stocked rig, which will no doubt cost more than your company-issued Corolla when they ship later this month.
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Monday, March 8th, 2010
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What’s least energy efficient part of your laptop ? The LCD, correct. What are your options? Stop using computers? I would if I could, believe me. Or, you could be a little adventurous and try to swap out the LCD with another , more energy efficient one. Sort of like hammering a nail with a sledgehammer, yes. The company that makes the replacement LCDs is called Pixel Qi , and it claims that its LCDs are anywhere between one-quarter to one-half as power-hungry as “normal” LCDs. Pixel Qi doesn’t explain how or why its LCDs are so much better than other ones. Let’s call it magic and leave it at that. The fancy LCDs should be available by the end of June. ProTip: when using a laptop and battery power is a concern, dim the screen all the way all the way down. Yeah, your screen is a little darker, but the battery will last a little bit longer. No harm in that.
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Monday, March 8th, 2010
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What is it with the last three letters of the alphabet? Why aren’t the letters STU more popular? We have the Sony Z-series and now what amounts to the LG X-series. Anyway, this wee laptop is only 17.5mm thick and weighs 2 pounds, which makes it considerably smaller than the Z-series. Standard specs: a 2GHz processor, 11.6-inch screen, and a 1.3-megapixel webcame. X-citing! No US availability right now. It is, as so many things are, Asia-only. SEOUL, Mar. 7, 2010 –LG Electronics (LG), a global leader and technology innovator in mobile communications, today announced the launch of the LG X300, the ultra-thin premium mobile PC. Its sleek and stylish look wowed the visitors at CES 2010 in Las Vegas. “Given how demanding and discerning consumers are nowadays, we were delighted to receive such acclaim from the public and media at the CES for our new mobile PC,” said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “It’s a vindication of LG’s efforts to maintain the very highest standards in design without any sacrifices in high-tech or functionality, and ensure our consumers’ experiences with LG PCs just keep getting better.” The LG X300, LG’s new flagship mobile computing device for 2010, tips the scales at a mere 970g and is only 17.5mm thick for the ultimate in portability. What’s more, the LG X300 boasts an array of enticing design features. The sleek but wide 11.6-inch LCD screen maximizes the viewing area by eschewing a bezel. Also, its unique reflective keyboard and borderless touchpad add further elegance to this premium mobile PC. To offer the complete package for the most style-conscious users, the LG X300 comes in two colors, shiny white and light brown. Fitted with a 2.0 GHz Intel Menlow platform with up to 2GB memory and 128GB SSD, the LG X300 runs Windows 7 Home Premium OS and ships with a spare 2-cell battery to provide up to seven hours of use. Thanks to its fan-less, silent operation, the portable PC is also extremely quiet to run, while the LG Smart Pack – LG’s smartest software suite for PC users – ensures the LG X300 is easy to use, even for novices. The LG X300 packs multimedia features including a 1.3-megapixel webcam with a You-Cam viewer, and SRS TruSurround HD sound. And thanks to an embedded 3G modem chipset, users can easily get online via GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, or HSDPA networks. The LG X300 will be available in Asia starting in March, followed by the Middle East and South America. Prices will vary country-to-country and will be announced separately in each market.
Posted by Kevin Huffman
Tech
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
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The infinity pools of the computing industry, frameless laptop screens are expected in the second or third quarter of this year, according to DigiTimes. They’ll be a little more expensive than standard laptop screens, but those costs are expected to decline as production increases. According to the article: “The frameless LCD screens are made using reinforced glass substrates fitted onto magnesium-alloy or plastic lids, the sources said. Although a reinforced glass substrate is more expensive than a conventional one (US$19-21 for the former compared to US$12-15 for the latter in a 15.6-inch model), the cost of frame materials and assembly can be reduced, the sources said.” Apparently there are some manufacturers developing frameless screens without using lids at all, opting to instead “conduct electroplating and coating processes directly on the back of display panels.” Frameless-screen notebooks expected to hit market in 2Q10 or 3Q10, say Taiwan makers [DigiTimes.com]