09.07.08 (9:50 am) [edit]
MacBook Air has just been launched and the problems started to appear.
According to Apple, some customers encountered some problems with the wireless connectivity and the Windows installation when the Remote Disc is used.
Also not all headphones are properly jacking into the thinnest notebook.
Apple declared that when closing the notebook to use an external display, you might see a throughput reduction or wireless networks that use 2.4GHz band, and the solution would be to switch the frequency range, try another channel/wireless access point or take the notebook closer to the base station.
“Other MacBook Air wireless issues involve slow speeds when connected to multiple Bluetooth devices and balky routers that refuse to work the Remote Disc magic. For the latter, Apple suggested that users update the firmware of their non-Apple 802.11n wireless routers to get disc-sharing operational”, Apple said.
The conclusion is that you can’t install Windows XP or Windows Vista in a Boot Camp partition via Remote Disc CD/DVD software and you have to use an external optical drive.
MacBook Air owners need to go to Apple Stores and get a third-party adapter to extend the audio connection outside of the nearly hidden port.
Latest Apple Laptop
09.07.08 (9:48 am) [edit]
Good news for MacBook Air fans! (and for me) According to AppleInsider, the price for a brand new MacBook Air with Solid State Drive got cut off with $500. So as you can see in the picture prepared by the editors at AppleInsider, the price dropped from $3,098 to $2,598 in just a month.
If you haven’t noticed yet, the price for NAND Flash memories is getting lower and the 1.6GHz model with SSD drive is available now at $2,398, which is a significant difference compared to the initial cost. This happened after Apple reduced the price for the 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor to $200, and the drop off the 64GB SSD drive price to $599 from $999.
At this moment, the other version of the MacBook Air with Intel Core 2 Duo processor clocked at 1.6GHz, 2GB memory, 80GB PATA hard drive at4 4200 rpm, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and Wi-Fi module, costs $1,799. The PATA hard drive, also known as Advanced Technology Attachment with Packet Interface, is the original ATA interface that connects hard disks, solid state disks and CD-ROM drives inside computers. PATA allows for parallel connectivity with cable lengths of up to 18 inches, but after SATA standard came out it conquered the market even if PATA was the most popular interface. Serial Advanced Technology Attachment allows for faster data transfers, supporting hot-swapping (replacing devices during operation), thinner cables for more efficient cooling, and improved data integrity checks.
09.07.08 (9:42 am) [edit]
UrbanMax is a mobile computer prototype measuring just 1 inch thick, looking like a tablet PC but with a sliding keyboard and a 11.1-inch touch-sensitive wide display that tilts up to a laptop screen level.
It will feature the N-trig's DuoSense digitizer technology, characterized by a battery-free pen, 0 pressure capacitive touch, multi-touch functionality, and low power consumption.
"N-trig's DuoSense technology allows OEMs and ODMs to produce innovative new mobile and wireless computing devices that are not currently available on the market today," said Amihai Ben-David, CEO of N-trig. "We are excited to be collaborating with Intel and other Tier 1 players who are recognizing our breakthrough and innovative technology."
The touch and pen digitizer is located in front of any size LCD display, and is thin, lightweight and transparent, supporting Windows XP Tablet and Windows Vista operating systems support, with on-board upgradeable firmware. N-trig created the battery-free electrostatic stylus providing the power source from the magnetic energy produced by the excitation coil located in the digitizer, while the user can access the tablet either using finger touch or this stylus. The surface is a capacitive sensing system featuring fast response time, drag and drop, scroll, flicks and select.
"N-trig's DuoSense technology allows OEMs and ODMs to produce innovative new mobile and wireless computing devices that are not currently available on the market today," said Amihai Ben-David, CEO of N-trig. "We are excited to be collaborating with Intel and other Tier 1 players who are recognizing our breakthrough and innovative technology."
The touch and pen digitizer is located in front of any size LCD display, and is thin, lightweight and transparent, supporting Windows XP Tablet and Windows Vista operating systems support, with on-board upgradeable firmware. N-trig created the battery-free electrostatic stylus providing the power source from the magnetic energy produced by the excitation coil located in the digitizer, while the user can access the tablet either using finger touch or this stylus. The surface is a capacitive sensing system featuring fast response time, drag and drop, scroll, flicks and select.
Mini Laptop
09.07.08 (9:38 am) [edit]
These mini laptop computers are the latest addition to the Medion Akoya line, and are characterized by 10-inch large displays, elegant design with rounded edges and high-speed wireless connectivity with support for the upcoming IEEE-802.11 draft N technology, which enables 300Mbit/s data rates.
Available at around $500 in Europe, Medion Akoya Mini, also called E1210 Netbook, comes with built-in web camera for video conferences on the go, microphone, stereo loudspeakers for sound enhancements, and a high Thin Film Transistor screen resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels.
It is powered by the Intel Atom N270 processor providing operating speeds of up to 1.60GHz, with 512KB L2 cache and 533 MHz FSB, while running on the Genuine Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition operating system, which comes pre-installed on the laptop with SP3/OEM version.
It supports Windows Vista but it won’t run it as it should because of the 1GB DDR2 RAM memory, which is not enough, and here is 80GB HDD storage capacity for your files. In addition, Medion provides also advanced software like Corel, WordPerfect, Office X3 and BullGuard Internet Security.
Other features include USB 2.0 ports, multi-card reader, the Graphics Media Accelerator 950, and 3 years warranty.
Intel Laptop
09.03.08 (5:01 am) [edit]
Intel launching six-core CPUs this year
While most of us are still stuck with dual-core microchips (if that), Intel is prepping to launch a six-core processor in the second half of 2008. While the company currently offers a few four-core, or quad-core, models of its chips, most currently-sold machines still come with the more affordable dual-core CPUs installed.
The six-core chip is code-named Dunnington and will be built using the same 45nm process that Intel is using for its just-released Penryn-class chips. Another key feature is the chip's large level of level 3 (or L3) cache, 16MB, which is one of the memory buffers between the processor and RAM that are used to speed the overall performance of the chip. Most current Intel chips don't use any L3 cache, instead using only L2 cache: L3 has historically been limited to server-class computer chips, though AMD's Phenom chip has 2MB of L3 onboard. (Bottom line for those who don't understand any of this stuff: This chip ought to be blazing fast, at least on paper.)
The bigger question now becomes what Joe Average might actually do with six cores of processing power available to him. Numerous performance benchmarks have shown little real-world advantage in moving from two cores to four, even in high-end applications. Users who spend most of their time browsing the web and replying to email will find even less of a performance boost. That said, other computer components tend to get faster and more capable alongside new CPUs, so a Dunnington-based computer ought to feel very fast at booting, loading applications, and running complex processes like spell-checking a large document. Running an antivirus scan in the background which bogs down most computers should be no problem on a six-core CPU, too.
Expect Dunnington to arrive first for desktop PCs later this year. Intel hasn't said whether laptops are part of the plan for the technology, but given quad-core's limited introduction on notebook computers, I'd expect this to remain hard to find in a portable format for some time. More details as they emerge
The six-core chip is code-named Dunnington and will be built using the same 45nm process that Intel is using for its just-released Penryn-class chips. Another key feature is the chip's large level of level 3 (or L3) cache, 16MB, which is one of the memory buffers between the processor and RAM that are used to speed the overall performance of the chip. Most current Intel chips don't use any L3 cache, instead using only L2 cache: L3 has historically been limited to server-class computer chips, though AMD's Phenom chip has 2MB of L3 onboard. (Bottom line for those who don't understand any of this stuff: This chip ought to be blazing fast, at least on paper.)
The bigger question now becomes what Joe Average might actually do with six cores of processing power available to him. Numerous performance benchmarks have shown little real-world advantage in moving from two cores to four, even in high-end applications. Users who spend most of their time browsing the web and replying to email will find even less of a performance boost. That said, other computer components tend to get faster and more capable alongside new CPUs, so a Dunnington-based computer ought to feel very fast at booting, loading applications, and running complex processes like spell-checking a large document. Running an antivirus scan in the background which bogs down most computers should be no problem on a six-core CPU, too.
Expect Dunnington to arrive first for desktop PCs later this year. Intel hasn't said whether laptops are part of the plan for the technology, but given quad-core's limited introduction on notebook computers, I'd expect this to remain hard to find in a portable format for some time. More details as they emerge
Hp laptop
09.03.08 (4:58 am) [edit]
The mainstream 15.4-inch HP Pavilion dv5t is the successor of popular HP dv6000 series laptop. HP dv5t has been made with new sleek streamlined design with combination of silver and black. It is only 1.37 - 1.65 inches thick. HP dv5t is based on Intel’s new-launched Centrino 2 mobile technology and starts at $799.99.In the following; you will find the comparison between dv5t and Sony VAIO VGN-FW198U. Both laptops are based on Centrino 2 platform. Also, there is a video to show the design, the laptop’s beauty and its features at a glance.
Notebook review has had its hands-on a HP Pavilion dv5t notebook with the price tag of $1,250 and featuring Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor (2.26GHz/ 1066MHz FSB/ 3MB L2), 2GB of RAM, 160GB 5400RPM hard drive, Nvidia GeForce 9600M-GT w/, Broadcom 802.11b/g wireless + Bluetooth, High-capacity 6-cell Li-ion battery, VGA, docking station connector, Ethernet, HDMI, eSATA/USB combo, 3 USB ports, IEEE 1394 mini-Firewire, ExpressCard/54 slot , media card reader (reads SD, MS/Pro, MMC, XD) and IR receiver.
The writer believes that “A beautiful design, superb input devices, a great screen, and good gaming performance are the major highlights of this machine.”
(Pros)
-Fine Price
-Beautiful, sleek and ultramodern design. The glossy finish is durable.
-Made of high-strength plastic
- delivering smooth performance while playing modern games
-Fabulous display with its vibrant colors and excellent Contrast.
-Excellent input devices
- Useful ports like eSATA, and HDMI
- The solid keyboard is comfortable and feels of high quality. The touch buttons are responsive and the volume slider works well
- The fine touchpad contains an on/off button (above it).
-Quality speakers
- A small remote with many multimedia controls fits in the ExpressCard/54 slot.
-Array of ports such as eSATA port and HDMI and dedicated docking station port
-Small AC adapter
(Cons)
-it gets warm while heavy operation, especially the keyboard
-Gets the finger print easily
-comes with many unnecessary software tools
-Battery life is a bit short
Notebook review has had its hands-on a HP Pavilion dv5t notebook with the price tag of $1,250 and featuring Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor (2.26GHz/ 1066MHz FSB/ 3MB L2), 2GB of RAM, 160GB 5400RPM hard drive, Nvidia GeForce 9600M-GT w/, Broadcom 802.11b/g wireless + Bluetooth, High-capacity 6-cell Li-ion battery, VGA, docking station connector, Ethernet, HDMI, eSATA/USB combo, 3 USB ports, IEEE 1394 mini-Firewire, ExpressCard/54 slot , media card reader (reads SD, MS/Pro, MMC, XD) and IR receiver.
The writer believes that “A beautiful design, superb input devices, a great screen, and good gaming performance are the major highlights of this machine.”
(Pros)
-Fine Price
-Beautiful, sleek and ultramodern design. The glossy finish is durable.
-Made of high-strength plastic
- delivering smooth performance while playing modern games
-Fabulous display with its vibrant colors and excellent Contrast.
-Excellent input devices
- Useful ports like eSATA, and HDMI
- The solid keyboard is comfortable and feels of high quality. The touch buttons are responsive and the volume slider works well
- The fine touchpad contains an on/off button (above it).
-Quality speakers
- A small remote with many multimedia controls fits in the ExpressCard/54 slot.
-Array of ports such as eSATA port and HDMI and dedicated docking station port
-Small AC adapter
(Cons)
-it gets warm while heavy operation, especially the keyboard
-Gets the finger print easily
-comes with many unnecessary software tools
-Battery life is a bit short