Today's Reviews
Desktop PC
Graphics Cards
Input Devices
Motherboards
Mouse
News Archive
Wednesday, October 31st 2012
BEHRINGER Debuts New Active Loudspeakers with Wireless Mic Technology
BEHRINGER is now shipping its EUROLIVE B115D and B115MP3 active 2-way loudspeakers. Designed to deliver instantly a superb sound quality for all kinds of musicians and artists in nearly any live sound situation, the new systems feature an integrated dual-channel mixer with 2-band EQ, built-in sound processor and 1,000 Watts of Class-D bi-amplification-and weigh only 38.9 lbs. / 17.7 kg each.
Fast and easy to setup - the unique enclosure design allows them to be pole-mounted, stacked, or placed horizontally for floor monitor wedge applications. A dedicated USB-style 3.0 input provides seamless integration with BEHRINGER's new upcoming ULTRALINK Series wireless microphones, for two channels of supremely stable, natural-sounding wireless performance.
Fast and easy to setup - the unique enclosure design allows them to be pole-mounted, stacked, or placed horizontally for floor monitor wedge applications. A dedicated USB-style 3.0 input provides seamless integration with BEHRINGER's new upcoming ULTRALINK Series wireless microphones, for two channels of supremely stable, natural-sounding wireless performance.
OCZ Technology Issues Status Update on Current Business Operation
OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance solid-state drives (SSDs) for computing devices and systems, today issues this update to better inform its customers, investors, partners, and stakeholders about the status of its current business operation.
"We are undergoing a transition phase in the Company's evolution in which we are refocusing our efforts on products and strategies that will benefit both OCZ and our stakeholders over the long term," said Ralph Schmitt, CEO of OCZ Technology. "We have already taken aggressive steps to address some short-term tactical challenges and have begun streamlining the organization to help ensure that OCZ will be in the best position moving forward to address the fast growing consumer and enterprise SSD markets."
"We are undergoing a transition phase in the Company's evolution in which we are refocusing our efforts on products and strategies that will benefit both OCZ and our stakeholders over the long term," said Ralph Schmitt, CEO of OCZ Technology. "We have already taken aggressive steps to address some short-term tactical challenges and have begun streamlining the organization to help ensure that OCZ will be in the best position moving forward to address the fast growing consumer and enterprise SSD markets."
PNY Introduces A New GeForce GTX 650 Ti Card
PNY Technologies, a global storage, upgrade and graphics solutions manufacturer, recently unveiled the GeForce GTX 650 Ti. Replacing the GTX 550 Ti, this new GPU makes NVIDIA's Kepler architecture available for a price lower than £150. The card allows enthusiasts to immerse themselves in their favourite games with an incredible level of detail, harnessing recently introduced NVIDIA technologies such as Adaptive Vertical Sync, PureVideo HD or NVIDIA 3D Surround. To allow gamers to experience its performance potential, it comes bundled with Ubisoft's Assassin Creed III!
Pauline Monin, Product Manager PC Components at PNY EMEA, said: "An exciting adventure game and an exciting graphics card, this is the perfect combination for the long autumn evenings that await! It's time to take advantage of our limited edition GeForce GTX 650 Ti and Assassin's Creed III bundle. Prepare not to leave your PC for some time!"
Pauline Monin, Product Manager PC Components at PNY EMEA, said: "An exciting adventure game and an exciting graphics card, this is the perfect combination for the long autumn evenings that await! It's time to take advantage of our limited edition GeForce GTX 650 Ti and Assassin's Creed III bundle. Prepare not to leave your PC for some time!"
Kingston Releases 64 GB microSDXC Class 10 Memory Card
Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced a new 64 GB Kingston microSDXC Class 10 memory card. In the current age of smartphones and tablets, the need for more mobile data storage has become more important than ever. The Kingston microSDXC Class 10 card significantly improves consumer's digital lifestyle by delivering higher storage speeds and capacities they need to get the most out of their electronic and mobile devices.
Available in 64 GB capacity, microSDXC cards offer additional storage for more music, videos, pictures and games - more of everything the consumer needs in today's mobile world. Fully compliant with the latest SD Association specification, Kingston's micro Secure Digital eXtended Capacity (microSDXC) card operates on the exFAT file system, which is designed to handle extremely large volumes of data, such as files bigger than 4 GB.
Available in 64 GB capacity, microSDXC cards offer additional storage for more music, videos, pictures and games - more of everything the consumer needs in today's mobile world. Fully compliant with the latest SD Association specification, Kingston's micro Secure Digital eXtended Capacity (microSDXC) card operates on the exFAT file system, which is designed to handle extremely large volumes of data, such as files bigger than 4 GB.
STMicroelectronics First to Simplify Complex Routing With New DisplayPort 1.2 Device
STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications and a top player in ICs for home multimedia, today added the STDP43 series of products to its innovative DisplayPort portfolio. These Systems-on-Chips (SoCs) are the world's first high-speed active-protocol bi-directional media-routing devices that manage audio and video data from various sources and send this data to multiple displays. The devices support DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4, the latest versions of the two most common digital-display interface technologies used in computer and consumer electronics. The STDP43 SoCs are catalytic in the rapidly expanding markets for next-generation digital signage, universal docking stations and video hubs required by the new generation of notebooks and PCs based on the latest Intel and AMD CPUs that support the multi-stream features of DisplayPort 1.2.
Sharkoon Announces the X-Tatic Air Wireless Gaming Headset
Sharkoon is expanding their range of gaming headsets with a wireless version. The X-Tatic Air wireless multiplatform headset was developed specifically for the needs of console gamers. The stereo headset is compatible with Sony Playstation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PC and notebooks as well as TV sets and other sound sources with RCA audio outputs.
Installation is quite simple: The transmitter is quickly connected to the respective terminal through the enclosed adapter. Of course, all voice chat features on the consoles are fully supported. In regards to the PS3, the microphone function is connected directly to the gaming console via USB. The microphone input on the Xbox 360 controller is simply connected to the headset through the enclosed chat cable.
Installation is quite simple: The transmitter is quickly connected to the respective terminal through the enclosed adapter. Of course, all voice chat features on the consoles are fully supported. In regards to the PS3, the microphone function is connected directly to the gaming console via USB. The microphone input on the Xbox 360 controller is simply connected to the headset through the enclosed chat cable.
MSI Introduces the AE2712 27-inch All-in-One PC with Windows 8
Today, MSI is officially adding two true eye-catchers to its All-in-One PC line-up, the MSI AE2712 and AE2712G. Both All-in-One PC's are equipped with a 27" 1920 x 1080 full HD display, ecompassing up to 10 multi-touch points and a beautiful frameless design. The heart of the AE2712G is driven by the latest 3rd generation Intel Core i5 processor and the NVIDIA GeForce GT630M graphics card. Completed by the all new Windows 8 operating system, the MSI AE2712 is a true example of a PC of the future. The MSI AE2712 will be in stores across Europe by the first week of November.
Equipped with Windows 8
The MSI Wind Top AE2712 and AE2712G come with Windows 8 pre-installed and support the all new 10-finger multi touch feature of this new ground breaking operating system. Windows 8 breaks the traditional OS architecture of past Windows operating systems; whereas it applies a UI interface which allows users to interact with Windows 8 more instinctively and flexible.
Equipped with Windows 8
The MSI Wind Top AE2712 and AE2712G come with Windows 8 pre-installed and support the all new 10-finger multi touch feature of this new ground breaking operating system. Windows 8 breaks the traditional OS architecture of past Windows operating systems; whereas it applies a UI interface which allows users to interact with Windows 8 more instinctively and flexible.
LG Unveils Advanced Touch 10 Monitor Optimized for Windows 8
LG Electronics (LG) introduced its Touch 10 monitor (model: ET83), optimized for use with Windows 8, which was launched by Microsoft last week. Whereas conventional touchscreens enable two-finger dragging, scrolling and pinching, LG's 23-inch Touch 10 monitor allows all ten fingers to be used simultaneously. The Touch 10 monitor is an excellent choice for those looking to enjoy an enhanced touch computing experience without having to upgrade their entire PC.
"This is a compelling new product that re-imagines the touch experience and shows that LG is an industry leader in developing the next generation of touch monitor products," said J.J. Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of the IT Business Unit at the LG Home Entertainment Company. "Smartphones and tablets have already proven that consumers are ready to fully embrace touch features. Our 10-point touchscreen takes it one step further by exponentially expanding the range of interactive possibilities. We believe this technology will excite and inspire software developers and users alike."
"This is a compelling new product that re-imagines the touch experience and shows that LG is an industry leader in developing the next generation of touch monitor products," said J.J. Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of the IT Business Unit at the LG Home Entertainment Company. "Smartphones and tablets have already proven that consumers are ready to fully embrace touch features. Our 10-point touchscreen takes it one step further by exponentially expanding the range of interactive possibilities. We believe this technology will excite and inspire software developers and users alike."
Seagate Technology Reports Fiscal First Quarter 2013 Financial Results
Seagate Technology plc today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 28, 2012. During the first quarter, on a GAAP basis the company reported revenue of approximately $3.7 billion, gross margin of 28.4%, net income of $582 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.42. On a non-GAAP basis, which excludes the net impact of certain items, Seagate reported gross margin of 29.0%, net income of $594 million, and diluted earnings per share of $1.45.
In the September quarter, Seagate generated approximately $1.1 billion in cash from operations, paid cash dividends of $127 million and redeemed approximately 20.5 million ordinary shares or approximately 5% of ordinary shares at the beginning of the fiscal quarter for approximately $669 million. During the nine months ended September 28, 2012, Seagate redeemed approximately 109 million ordinary shares, resulting in an approximate reduction of 17% of the Company's share count. Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments totaled approximately $2.5 billion at the end of the first quarter, a sequential increase of approximately $259 million.
In the September quarter, Seagate generated approximately $1.1 billion in cash from operations, paid cash dividends of $127 million and redeemed approximately 20.5 million ordinary shares or approximately 5% of ordinary shares at the beginning of the fiscal quarter for approximately $669 million. During the nine months ended September 28, 2012, Seagate redeemed approximately 109 million ordinary shares, resulting in an approximate reduction of 17% of the Company's share count. Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments totaled approximately $2.5 billion at the end of the first quarter, a sequential increase of approximately $259 million.
VIA Unveils the World's Smallest x86 Quad Core System, ARTiGO A1250
VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient computing platforms, today announced the world's smallest x86 quad core system, the VIA ARTiGO A1250 slim system, featuring a 1.0 GHz VIA QuadCore processor and the latest VIA VX11H media system processor (MSP), in chassis the size of a paperback novel. The ultra-compact VIA ARTiGO A1250, is suitable for a myriad of applications in the home or office, including home server, home automation, hotel management, media streaming, digital signage and surveillance as well as medical and healthcare applications.
The VIA ARTiGO A1250 leverages the VIA VX11H MSP to deliver an immersive multimedia experience complete with 3D stereoscopic and HD display support in a low power envelope, which a typical power consumption of a mere 32W TDP. The VIA ARTiGO A1200 can fit easily into any environment, whether it is behind a monitor or on the wall with a 10 x 10 cm VESA mount or placed alongside other home media devices. For system developers, VIA provides third party software security through a unique hardware/software design.
The VIA ARTiGO A1250 leverages the VIA VX11H MSP to deliver an immersive multimedia experience complete with 3D stereoscopic and HD display support in a low power envelope, which a typical power consumption of a mere 32W TDP. The VIA ARTiGO A1200 can fit easily into any environment, whether it is behind a monitor or on the wall with a 10 x 10 cm VESA mount or placed alongside other home media devices. For system developers, VIA provides third party software security through a unique hardware/software design.
NVIDIA Gives Away Keys to Crysis 3 Alpha Trial
NVIDIA is giving away keys to play test Crysis 3 Alpha multiplayer (pre-beta). All you have to do is like the giveaway page on Facebook, fill up a form (or make Facebook do that), and get your key, which can be redeemed on EA Origin. There are a limited number of keys, so hurry!
Get your key here!
Edifier Releases the Exclaim 2.2 Speaker System
Beijing-based company Edifier has this week introduced its latest audio offering, the Exclaim (aka E10) 2.2 speaker system. The Exclaim has a total power output of 36 W and features a 3.5 mm audio input, a frequency response of 48 Hz - 20 kHz, and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) to deliver 'active crossover frequencies, superb tonal balance regardless of volume setting', plus Dynamic Range Compensation (DRC) to 'keep any possible distortion at an absolute minimum'.
Each speaker includes an internal amplifier and has two sections - the upper one containing two 11/2 inch midrange/tweeters, and a 11/2 inch x 3 inch passive radiator, and the base with a 3 inch woofer and a 3 inch passive bass radiator. The Exclaim costs €100.
Each speaker includes an internal amplifier and has two sections - the upper one containing two 11/2 inch midrange/tweeters, and a 11/2 inch x 3 inch passive radiator, and the base with a 3 inch woofer and a 3 inch passive bass radiator. The Exclaim costs €100.
Ultrabooks to Grow Over 30% in 2013, Becoming Key PC Market Indicator
According to DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce, as the cost decline of ultrabook components like SSDs, displays, and cases becomes more apparent next year and Intel places more focus on developing processors for ultrabook use, ultrabook market size may exceed 30 million units in 2013, growing by more than 30% compared to this year and accounting for 17% of the notebook market.
Apacer rolls out DDR3 SO-RDIMM, for Networking and Mission Critical Applications
The rapidly developingcloud-based services have brought prospective impact on the enterprise-level storage device, network communication equipment and high-end server.To meet the enterprises' demand for powerful computing, Apacer, the global professional manufacturer of the memory module, launchesDDR3-1333 SO-RDIMM.It's the special memory module tailored for the Mission Critical Application and the Networking System device. As the product features compactness, high-processing speed and high stability brought by registering clock driver with parity chip, it can offer enterprises the multi-advantage storage device in a cloud-based operating environment.
QNAP Unveils High-Quality Cloud-Based Storage via Apacer's USB Disk Module
Famed around the globe for NAS (network attached storage) and NVR surveillance solution, QNAP's cloud-based network storage product, the TS-x79 series, features consistent high-security, high-reliability, handy-to-use and high-efficiency tradition, along with guaranteed VMware ready, Citrix ready and Microsoft Hyper-V compatible certification. The TS-x79 series has become the best storage option for high-end SMBs to go for virtualization cloud. This series ensures stability, security and performance due to the adoption of Apacer's USB disk module as startup disk.
Team Group Also Announces Team C112 Flash Drives
Team Group Inc. always has creativity in mind. The cap of C122 is specially design to be connected at its tail. This design brings back the LEGO fun of assembling in everyday life. Team C122 continues the considerate design concept and features a contour that is lightweight and compact. The appealing design, combined with a colorful candy-like presentation, as well as a vivid and interesting ID design, provides a rich and colorful life.
A hole is also designed at the tail of Team C122 USB2.0 that allows the cap to be held on at its tail. An ornament, full of personal style, not only hangs down naturally along the side, giving a natural charm, but also adds to the convenience of the easy portability as well as reduced risk of data loss. What is even better is that you are allowed to save all your pictures, music, video clips, and other files all on one memory stick, allowing you to easily share with your family and friends anywhere at any time! Team C122 comes in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB. The variety of memory capacities meets everyone's requirements with lifetime warranty provided. Get your C122 and refresha colorful new life.
A hole is also designed at the tail of Team C122 USB2.0 that allows the cap to be held on at its tail. An ornament, full of personal style, not only hangs down naturally along the side, giving a natural charm, but also adds to the convenience of the easy portability as well as reduced risk of data loss. What is even better is that you are allowed to save all your pictures, music, video clips, and other files all on one memory stick, allowing you to easily share with your family and friends anywhere at any time! Team C122 comes in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB. The variety of memory capacities meets everyone's requirements with lifetime warranty provided. Get your C122 and refresha colorful new life.
Team Group Announces Team T123 UFD Flash Drive and SDHC Card
The holiday season is right around the corner. Team Group Inc., one of the leading memory manufacturers in the world, is rolling out an elaborately finished Christmas products, including Team T123 USB 2.0 flash drive and SDHC Class 10 memory card. With sincere holiday greetings, Team Group presents the holiday joy just for you.
Team Group's 2012 Christmas edition of T123comes with hairline treated design and glossy diamond cuts. The laser-etched Christmas tree and glistering snowflakes bring out the best of Christmas rouge and shining blue that symbolize the happiest holiday and blossom with joyful and glamorous style. In addition, the sophisticated assembly process of COB (Chip on Board) allows a compact design that features easy portability and several advantages like waterproofing, dust-proofing and shock-proofing. T123 comes in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB, giving consumers plenty of choices and making it the perfect gift for a merry Christmas.
Team Group's 2012 Christmas edition of T123comes with hairline treated design and glossy diamond cuts. The laser-etched Christmas tree and glistering snowflakes bring out the best of Christmas rouge and shining blue that symbolize the happiest holiday and blossom with joyful and glamorous style. In addition, the sophisticated assembly process of COB (Chip on Board) allows a compact design that features easy portability and several advantages like waterproofing, dust-proofing and shock-proofing. T123 comes in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB, giving consumers plenty of choices and making it the perfect gift for a merry Christmas.
Intel Envisions Do-it-all 48-Core Mobile Processors
Researchers at Intel have begun ground work on many-core processors that could drive ultra-mobile devices (such as tablets, smartphones, Ultrabooks, etc.,) in the near future. It design calls for no less than 48 processing cores on a piece of silicon, built on the "single-chip cloud computer" (SCC) design. The new technology could reach the markets anywhere between five to ten years from now, probably since current silicon fabrication technologies aren't advanced enough to put that much processing power into a chip that runs off a smartphone battery.
"If we're going to have this technology in five to 10 years, we could finally do things that take way too much processing power today," said Patrick Moorhead, an analyst with Moor Insights and Strategy. "This could really open up our concept of what is a computer... The phone would be smart enough to not just be a computer but it could be my computer." With devices like Microsoft Surface, which transform from a tablet to a fully-functional desktop with a dock, or a notebook with the flip of a smart cover, the definition of what constitutes a personal computer is changing. In a few years, your mobile could transform into a computing device of any shape and size for consumers.
"If we're going to have this technology in five to 10 years, we could finally do things that take way too much processing power today," said Patrick Moorhead, an analyst with Moor Insights and Strategy. "This could really open up our concept of what is a computer... The phone would be smart enough to not just be a computer but it could be my computer." With devices like Microsoft Surface, which transform from a tablet to a fully-functional desktop with a dock, or a notebook with the flip of a smart cover, the definition of what constitutes a personal computer is changing. In a few years, your mobile could transform into a computing device of any shape and size for consumers.
Buffalo Readies Two New microSDHC Memory Cards
Buffalo Inc. today announced two more smartphone-loving microSDHC memory cards offering 16 GB and 32 GB worth of storage space. These cards comply with the version 2.0 SD specifications, are Class 10-rated (transfer speed is at least 10 MB/s), and come bundled with an SD adapter. Both cards will become available early next month. Pricing was not revealed.
OWC Announces Industry's First SSD Upgrade for the New 13-Inch MacBook Pro
Other World Computing (OWC) www.macsales.com, a leading zero emissions Mac and PC technology company, announced today the OWC Mercury Aura Pro is the industry's first high-performance Solid State Drive upgrade for the new 2012 13" MacBook Pro with Retina display (rMBP) computers introduced by Apple last week.
Available in 480 GB capacity for immediate ordering and with additional capacities to be announced in November, the 6G (6 Gb/s) SandForce Driven Mercury Aura Pro offers rMBP owners up to nearly 3x more storage and/or backup capacity than the factory 128 GB flash module.
Available in 480 GB capacity for immediate ordering and with additional capacities to be announced in November, the 6G (6 Gb/s) SandForce Driven Mercury Aura Pro offers rMBP owners up to nearly 3x more storage and/or backup capacity than the factory 128 GB flash module.
OWC Data Doubler Adds Second Drive to 2012 Mac Mini
Other World Computing (OWC), a leading zero emissions Mac and PC technology company, today confirmed its OWC Data Doubler Kit is compatible with the new 2012 Mac mini announced by Apple earlier this week. The 'do-it-yourself' kit enables mini owners to add a second internal 2.5" SATA hard drive up to 1.0TB or a high-performance Solid State Drive to complement the existing internal factory drive. Fully supported with all required parts, tools, and a step-by-step 'how-to' video, users can add an OWC Mercury 6G SSD up to 480GB in capacity starting from $83.99. With this kit, users can enjoy near instantaneous booting and application launches along with an incredible boost to overall system and application performance thanks to real-world sustained data rates of up to 559MB/s. While OWC highly recommends its Mercury Extreme Pro 6G SSDs for the 6.0Gb/s data bus equipped 2011-2012 Apple mini, this DIY kit is fully compatible with all 9.5mm or smaller 2.5" Serial ATA SSDs, including the largest capacity in the 3G speed class OWC Mercury Electra 960GB SSD.
AOC Readies Two New IPS LED Monitors
AOC is working on two new widescreen PC monitors featuring LED-backlit IPS LCD panels, including the 21.5-inch i2267Fwh and 23-inch i2367Fh. The two build on the design of the recently launched i2757Fm. The two feature full-HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution, 178°/178° viewing angles, 250 cd/m² brightness, mega-contrast, and 5 ms response time. The two are characterized by slim bezels that are no more than 5.8 mm thick. The three feature HDMI and D-Sub inputs, and 2W stereo speakers. The i2267Fwh measures 498.3 x 120.6 x 375.6 mm (WxDxH), the i2367Fh 531.4 x 120 x 394 mm.
I-O Data Also Preps More USB 2.0 External Drives
In addition to the three new HDCA-UT Series models, I-O Data has announced a couple more HDCA-U HDDs, 1 TB and 2 TB external hard drives boasting a USB 2.0 interface. Like their USB 3.0-capable cousins, the HDCA-U HDDs measure 39 (W) x 185 (D) x 120 (H) mm, they have a fanless design, they can be installed horizontally or vertically, and can be connected directly to HDTVs to record your favorite shows. They can also be hooked up to camcorders for some PC-free video/photo storing.
The new 1 TB and 2 TB HDCA-U drives cost about $133 and $173, respectively, and will be available in black and white as of mid-November.
The new 1 TB and 2 TB HDCA-U drives cost about $133 and $173, respectively, and will be available in black and white as of mid-November.
Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition 6-core Processor Starts Selling
Intel's newest flagship desktop processor, the Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition, started selling. In Singapore, the chip is being sold at S$ 1,425 (US $1,167), including local taxes. Based on the 32 nm "Sandy Bridge-E" silicon, and built in the LGA2011 package, the i7-3970X is a six-core processor clocked at 3.50 GHz, with maximum Turbo Boost frequency of 4.00 GHz. The six-core chip is bolstered by HyperThreading, enabling 12 logical CPUs, 256 KB L2 cache per core, 15 MB shared L3 cache, and a quad-channel DDR3 integrated memory controller, supporting up to 128 GB of memory. Surprisingly, the chip's 200 MHz speed bump over the Core i7-3960X affected its TDP, which is rated at 150W, up from 130W of the i7-3960X.
I-O Data Announces Three New USB 3.0 External HDDs
I-O Data has today unveiled three fresh additions to its HDCA-UT family of external hard drives. Offering 1 TB, 2 TB and 4 TB worth of storage space, the new offerings measure 39 (W) x 185 (D) x 120 (H) mm, they weight 1.1 kg and feature a fanless design, USB 3.0 connectivity, and an Eco mode for saving power while idle.
Like their predecessors, these models can be installed both vertically or horizontally and can be easily connected to TVs and camcorders for direct, PC-less use. They are backed by a one-year warranty and are coming out gradually - the 4 TB (~ $465) drive is already selling, while the 1 TB (~ $144) and 2 TB (~ $183) will debut in mid-November.
Like their predecessors, these models can be installed both vertically or horizontally and can be easily connected to TVs and camcorders for direct, PC-less use. They are backed by a one-year warranty and are coming out gradually - the 4 TB (~ $465) drive is already selling, while the 1 TB (~ $144) and 2 TB (~ $183) will debut in mid-November.
4 Million Windows 8 Licenses Sold: Ballmer
Microsoft sold over 4 million licenses to its Windows 8 operating system, which was launched last Friday worldwide. The figure was announced by CEO Steve Ballmer, speaking at the Build conference, attended by over 2,000 developers. Ballmer cited these numbers to encourage developers to build apps for the new operating system, and its fundamentally changed user-interface. Microsoft claimed that there are over 120,000 apps in its Windows App Store, a number catching up with the roughly 700,000 apps on similar established distribution platforms such as Apple App Store and Google Play. "Windows 8 is the best opportunity for software development today," Ballmer stated. "Hundreds of millions of people are aching to use your apps, just dying to use your application."
Zalman Announces A Trio of CPU Liquid Coolers
Korean enthusiast PC components major Zalman announced a trio of closed-loop liquid CPU coolers, the LQ310, LQ315, and LQ320; which are designed to handle maximum thermal loads (Qmax) of 300W, 330W, and 340W, respectively. The USP for all three is an extremely dense copper micro-fin structures inside the main block, where heat is dissipated to the coolant. The three feature what is essentially the same block and pump, and differ with the size of the radiator.
The Radiator component of the LQ310 measures 153 x 120 x 25 mm, that of the LQ315 is slightly thicker, at 35 mm, and LQ320 at 51 mm. A Zalman-made 120 mm fan, with 900 to 2,000 RPM speed range, long life bearing, and 4-pin PWM control, is standard issue for all three models. All modern CPU socket types are supported by the three, including LGA2011, LGA115x, AM3+/AM3, and FM2/FM1. The LQ310, LQ315, and LQ320, are priced at US $85, $100, and $120, respectively.
The Radiator component of the LQ310 measures 153 x 120 x 25 mm, that of the LQ315 is slightly thicker, at 35 mm, and LQ320 at 51 mm. A Zalman-made 120 mm fan, with 900 to 2,000 RPM speed range, long life bearing, and 4-pin PWM control, is standard issue for all three models. All modern CPU socket types are supported by the three, including LGA2011, LGA115x, AM3+/AM3, and FM2/FM1. The LQ310, LQ315, and LQ320, are priced at US $85, $100, and $120, respectively.
ECS Intros H61H2-MV Compact Micro-ATX Motherboard
Several high-end mini-ITX cases these days ship with two expansion slot bays. To take advantage of that, ECS introduced the H61H2-MV. The company was careful enough to label it a micro-ATX motherboard, although its PCB length and mounting screw layout is suggestive that you could install in on one of those high-end mini-ITX cases, and end up with two expansion slots to play with. Sadly for ECS, this socket LGA1155 motherboard is based on entry-level Intel H61 Express chipset, with extremely basic connectivity.
The LGA1155 socket is powered by a 3+1+1 phase VRM, it is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1600 MHz memory; and a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot. The second expansion slot on the board is a PCI-Express 2.0 x1, wired to the PCH. There's enough room on the board to wire out all four SATA 3 Gb/s ports from the PCH as internal ports. Connectivity includes 6-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, and D-Sub display output. Some variants are said to come with DVI and HDMI display outputs. The board is driven by UEFI BIOS. Expect its price to be well under $100.
The LGA1155 socket is powered by a 3+1+1 phase VRM, it is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1600 MHz memory; and a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot. The second expansion slot on the board is a PCI-Express 2.0 x1, wired to the PCH. There's enough room on the board to wire out all four SATA 3 Gb/s ports from the PCH as internal ports. Connectivity includes 6-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, and D-Sub display output. Some variants are said to come with DVI and HDMI display outputs. The board is driven by UEFI BIOS. Expect its price to be well under $100.
Tuesday, October 30th 2012
Today's Reviews
Cases
Cooling
CPU Coolers
Graphics Cards
Headphones
Mouse
Notebooks
PSUs
SSD
Silverstone SFX Series ST45SF-G 450 W Review
With the successful ST45SF counting more than two years in production, it was about time for Silverstone to release its successor, the ST45SF-G. The latter is the strongest SFX PSU and on top of that is the only one in its category that features Gold efficiency and a fully modular cabling.
TechPowerUp Announces November World Community Grid Challenge
One of the leading teams on the charts, Team TechPowerUp World Community Grid (WCG) is announcing the November Challenge. Spread across two rounds in the first two weeks of the coming month, that's 01/11/2012 to 07/11/2012 and 08/11/2012 to 14/11/2012; the objective of the contest is to score as many points each week as possible. Leading members at the end of the contest win some cool hardware.
For more information, and to participate, visit this page.
For more information, and to participate, visit this page.
DMP Joins Heterogeneous System Architecture (HSA) Foundation
Digital Media Professionals Inc. (DMP), a leading provider of 2D/3D graphics Intellectual Property (IP) cores, today announced it has become a new member and contributor to the Heterogeneous System Architecture (HSA) Foundation. HSA aims to push standards based architecture and interfaces for common computing use cases between CPU and GPU, enabling more effective hardware accelerated performance and power consumption on next generation compute platforms.
By supporting the HSA Foundation initiative, DMP wants to accelerate and simplify application development for mobile GPGPU platforms. The benefits of heterogeneous architectures and computing will allow smooth user experience for computer vision, image processing and graphics intensive applications on small consumer devices.
By supporting the HSA Foundation initiative, DMP wants to accelerate and simplify application development for mobile GPGPU platforms. The benefits of heterogeneous architectures and computing will allow smooth user experience for computer vision, image processing and graphics intensive applications on small consumer devices.
Cambrios and LG Electronics Announce World's First 23” Touch Panels Using ClearOhm
Cambrios Technologies Corporation, the leader in nanotechnology-based solutions for the transparent and flexible conductor markets, and the CEM (Chemical & Electronic Material) division of LG Electronics (LG), today announced the world's first ClearOhm material-based 23" touch panel. The touch panel made by LG is used in the LG V325, a new Windows 8-certified All-in-One PC and LG-branded monitors that will go on sale starting this month.
LG uses ClearOhm Ink provided by Cambrios to create a coating film that is converted into touch sensor modules. ClearOhm material is ideal for large size projected capacitive touch panels for All-in-One computers such as the LG V325, as well as tablets, laptops and Ultrabooks. With ClearOhm material, LG's touch panels are lighter, thinner, stronger and more cost effective than traditional glass-based sensors. Through the partnership, LG will solidify its role in the emerging supply chain for large area touch panels using ClearOhm material.
LG uses ClearOhm Ink provided by Cambrios to create a coating film that is converted into touch sensor modules. ClearOhm material is ideal for large size projected capacitive touch panels for All-in-One computers such as the LG V325, as well as tablets, laptops and Ultrabooks. With ClearOhm material, LG's touch panels are lighter, thinner, stronger and more cost effective than traditional glass-based sensors. Through the partnership, LG will solidify its role in the emerging supply chain for large area touch panels using ClearOhm material.
Samsung Produces New High-performance Enterprise SSDs for Data Centers
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in advanced semiconductor technology solutions, today announced that it is producing advanced solid state drives (SSDs) that are designed specifically for use in servers and enterprise storage systems. These drives - the SM843 and the SM1625 - will be particularly useful as high-speed storage for a wide range of server and storage applications that depend on extremely fast data writing including social media in the cloud, SQL database logs, media streaming, virtualization, video on demand and online transaction processing (OLTP).
Samsung's new data center and enterprise SSDs deliver extremely high performance with low power consumption in providing the most efficient storage solutions for data center applications," said Myungho Kim, vice president of memory marketing, Device Solutions, Samsung Electronics. "Samsung will aggressively produce its new line-up of SSDs beginning this month to accelerate SSDs' move into not only the server but also the storage marketplace, as we continue to affirm our leadership in the SSD market."
Samsung's new data center and enterprise SSDs deliver extremely high performance with low power consumption in providing the most efficient storage solutions for data center applications," said Myungho Kim, vice president of memory marketing, Device Solutions, Samsung Electronics. "Samsung will aggressively produce its new line-up of SSDs beginning this month to accelerate SSDs' move into not only the server but also the storage marketplace, as we continue to affirm our leadership in the SSD market."
NZXT Announces the Kraken Series All-In-One Liquid Coolers
High performance liquid cooling has finally arrived in an easy to use, all-in-one package. NZXT releases the Kraken, the first premium all-in-one water cooler series for PC enthusiasts and gamers alike. The Kraken X40 and Kraken X60 are high end, all-in-one 140 mm and 280 mm liquid-cooling solutions where ease of use meets unmatched performance.
Applying its forward-thinking design philosophy to the water-cooling market, NZXT raises the bar with a userfriendly solution that brings unrivaled liquid-cooling performance to your fingertips. With 36% more surface area than standard 120 mm/240 mm radiators and fully interactive fan control, NZXT's Kraken series is nothing short of a water-cooling behemoth.
Applying its forward-thinking design philosophy to the water-cooling market, NZXT raises the bar with a userfriendly solution that brings unrivaled liquid-cooling performance to your fingertips. With 36% more surface area than standard 120 mm/240 mm radiators and fully interactive fan control, NZXT's Kraken series is nothing short of a water-cooling behemoth.
CUBEDGE Debuts New White Color Option for EDGE.sound Portable Speaker
CUBEDGE, a unique product design company committed to producing high-quality and user-friendly Bluetooth technology solutions, announces today a second color option for the EDGE.sound portable speaker, white.
Just introduced to the market this past summer, the EDGE.sound speaker was built to deliver a miniature music solution for those looking for on-the-go portability. Now, in addition to the original black color choice, the new white EDGE.sound offers customers a new color option to match their MP3 player, laptop, or home décor.
Just introduced to the market this past summer, the EDGE.sound speaker was built to deliver a miniature music solution for those looking for on-the-go portability. Now, in addition to the original black color choice, the new white EDGE.sound offers customers a new color option to match their MP3 player, laptop, or home décor.
Cadence Announces Tapeout of 14 nm Test-Chip
Cadence Design Systems, Inc., a leader in global electronic design innovation, announced today the tapeout of a 14-nanometer test-chip featuring an ARM Cortex-M0 processor implemented using IBM's FinFET process technology. The successful tapeout is the result of close collaboration between the three technology leaders as they teamed to build an ecosystem to address the new challenges from design through manufacturing inherent in a 14-nanometer FinFET-based design flow.
The 14-nanometer ecosystem and chip are significant milestones of a multi-year agreement between ARM, Cadence and IBM to develop systems-on-chip (SoCs) at the advanced process nodes of 14 nanometers and beyond. SoCs designed at 14 nanometers with FinFET technology offer the promise of a significant reduction in power consumption.
The 14-nanometer ecosystem and chip are significant milestones of a multi-year agreement between ARM, Cadence and IBM to develop systems-on-chip (SoCs) at the advanced process nodes of 14 nanometers and beyond. SoCs designed at 14 nanometers with FinFET technology offer the promise of a significant reduction in power consumption.
SteelSeries Announces Call Of Duty: Black Ops II Peripherals For PC Gamers
SteelSeries the leading manufacturer of premium-quality, competitive gaming peripherals, today announced a series of themed peripherals for Activision Publishing, Inc. and award-winning development studio Treyarch's highly-anticipated, epic game, Call of Duty: Black Ops II. Available November 13th, the PC peripherals will include the Call of Duty: Black Ops II Gaming Mouse and three QcK mousepads with artwork from the title that takes gamers to the year 2025 for the most advanced Call of Duty gaming experience ever - including the official game logo badge and iconic future soldier images.
ASUS Q3 2012 Profits Soar by 43 Percent
Thanks to successful product lines, ASUS posts record Q3 2012 profits of $230 million, a 43 percent jump from last year's $160 million. The Q3 results posted by the company are its best in the last four years. The company owes its quarterly success to association with Google in making the Nexus 7 tablet, its own Transformer Prime TF01 convertible tablet-netbook, and a vast portfolio of notebooks covering all market segments, including Ultrabook. The company looks forward to and equally good Q4.
ASUS Introduces the VX238T and VX238H LCD Monitors
ASUS has today announced the European release of its first VX Series monitors, the 23-inch VX238T and VX238H. Both models come in a sleek and slim (2.1 cm) chassis and feature LED backlighting, a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, 250 cd/m2 brightness, a dynamic contrast ratio of 80,000,000:1, two built-in 1.5 W speakers, and the Splendid Video Intelligence Technology which optimizes video performance and image fidelity by enhancing color, brightness, contrast, and sharpness.
The VX238T costs €179 and has a 5 ms response time, plus D-Sub and DVI inputs, while the VX238H, which goes for €189, boasts a 1 ms (GtG) response time, and D-Sub and dual HDMI connectors. The displays are backed by a three-year warranty.
The VX238T costs €179 and has a 5 ms response time, plus D-Sub and DVI inputs, while the VX238H, which goes for €189, boasts a 1 ms (GtG) response time, and D-Sub and dual HDMI connectors. The displays are backed by a three-year warranty.
ARM Launches Cortex-A50 Series, the World's Most Energy-Efficient 64-bit Processors
ARM announced the new ARM Cortex-A50 processor series based upon the ARMv8 architecture, extending ARM's leadership in performance and low power. The series initially includes the Cortex-A53 and Cortex-A57 processors and introduces a new, energy-efficient 64-bit processing technology, as well as extending existing 32-bit processing. The scalability of the processor series enables ARM partners to create system-on-chips (SoCs) that address diverse markets, from smartphones through to high-performance servers.
The processors launched today will continue the evolution of the mobile computing experience by delivering up to three times the performance of today's superphones and extending today's superphone experience to entry-level smartphones. With a comprehensive set of ARM and ARM partner development tools and simulation models already available to enable faster and easier software development, both processors are fully compatible with the extensive ARM 32-bit ecosystem and integral to the rapidly evolving ARM 64-bit ecosystem.
The processors launched today will continue the evolution of the mobile computing experience by delivering up to three times the performance of today's superphones and extending today's superphone experience to entry-level smartphones. With a comprehensive set of ARM and ARM partner development tools and simulation models already available to enable faster and easier software development, both processors are fully compatible with the extensive ARM 32-bit ecosystem and integral to the rapidly evolving ARM 64-bit ecosystem.
IBM Board Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend; Authorizes $5 Billion Stock Repurchase
The IBM (NYSE: IBM) board of directors today declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.85 per common share, payable December 10, 2012 to stockholders of record November 9, 2012. With the payment of the December 10 dividend, IBM will have paid consecutive quarterly dividends every year since 1916.
The board today also authorized $5 billion in additional funds for use in the company's stock repurchase program. IBM said it will repurchase shares on the open market or in private transactions from time to time, depending on market conditions.
The board today also authorized $5 billion in additional funds for use in the company's stock repurchase program. IBM said it will repurchase shares on the open market or in private transactions from time to time, depending on market conditions.
GIGABYTE Unveils FORCE M7 THOR Pro-laser Gaming Mouse
GIGABYTE, the world's leading premium gaming hardware manufacture, is pleased to unveil a new creation of their highly regarded FORCE series, the FORCE M7 THOR Pro-laser Gaming Mouse.
The FORCE M7 THOR is a new design from GIGABYTE dedicated for gamers who are looking for a professional grade gaming mouse straightforward with reliability, solidity and great performance. Stronger focus on the fundamental needs of gamers, GIGABYTE designed FORCE M7 THOR to bring out comfort and durability under intense gaming session. The pro-laser gaming mouse is designed with responsive buttons, reinforced USB cable, durable clicking lifespan, ideal shape and ergonomic grip. Features a greatly improved 6000dpi advance laser sensor, FORCE M7 THOR lets you take absolute control of every aim in the battlefield.
The FORCE M7 THOR is a new design from GIGABYTE dedicated for gamers who are looking for a professional grade gaming mouse straightforward with reliability, solidity and great performance. Stronger focus on the fundamental needs of gamers, GIGABYTE designed FORCE M7 THOR to bring out comfort and durability under intense gaming session. The pro-laser gaming mouse is designed with responsive buttons, reinforced USB cable, durable clicking lifespan, ideal shape and ergonomic grip. Features a greatly improved 6000dpi advance laser sensor, FORCE M7 THOR lets you take absolute control of every aim in the battlefield.
Asetek Releases Fourth Generation of Patented All-In-One Liquid Coolers
Asetek Inc., the world's leading supplier of liquid cooling for the computer industry and the inventor of sealed loop, all-in-one liquid cooling, today announced its fourth generation of products based on this patented technology. Asetek is simultaneously releasing the next generation of their flagship ChillControl software, giving computer enthusiasts greater control over acoustics tuning, temperature monitoring and cooling performance.
"Asetek Gen4 products combine the micro-channel cold plate technology from our Gen3 products with the center inlet, split-flow design of Asetek's WaterChill Antarctica architecture cold plates," said André Sloth Eriksen, Founder and CEO of Asetek. "The split-flow Antarctica architecture was state-of-the art when we introduced it back in 2004 and by combining it with newer micro-channel technology, we are pushing the theoretical performance limits of copper cold plate design."
"Asetek Gen4 products combine the micro-channel cold plate technology from our Gen3 products with the center inlet, split-flow design of Asetek's WaterChill Antarctica architecture cold plates," said André Sloth Eriksen, Founder and CEO of Asetek. "The split-flow Antarctica architecture was state-of-the art when we introduced it back in 2004 and by combining it with newer micro-channel technology, we are pushing the theoretical performance limits of copper cold plate design."
Old Technologies Like Optical Drives Were Holding Apple Back: Phil Schiller
Apple's new iMac and MacBook Pro owe their sleek, slim design to the lack of optical drives, a feature consumers found very much wanting, which can still be overcome using external USB optical drives. In an interview with Tom's Hardware, Apple senior VP of global marketing, Phil Schiller stressed the importance of letting go of optical drives. "These old technologies are holding us back. They're anchors on where we want to go," he said. "We find the things that have outlived their useful purpose. Our competitors are afraid to remove them. We try to find better solutions - our customers have given us a lot of trust. In general, it's a good idea to remove these rotating medias from our computers and other devices. They have inherent issues - they're mechanical and sometimes break, they use power and are large. We can create products that are smaller, lighter and consume less power."
On how newer media like Blu-ray don't quite make optical drives an obsolete component, given that it's fast taking over as the mainstream physical home video medium, Schiller said that customers have stopped asking Apple for Blu-ray drives, and that it comes with its own set of issues that make it unfit for desktops and notebooks. "Blu-ray has come with issues unrelated to the actual quality of the movie that make [it] a complex and not-great technology…So for a whole plethora of reasons, it makes a lot of sense to get rid of optical discs in desktops and notebooks." Apple, with its iTunes service is one the leading digital content distribution businesses, including movie rentals and purchases.
On how newer media like Blu-ray don't quite make optical drives an obsolete component, given that it's fast taking over as the mainstream physical home video medium, Schiller said that customers have stopped asking Apple for Blu-ray drives, and that it comes with its own set of issues that make it unfit for desktops and notebooks. "Blu-ray has come with issues unrelated to the actual quality of the movie that make [it] a complex and not-great technology…So for a whole plethora of reasons, it makes a lot of sense to get rid of optical discs in desktops and notebooks." Apple, with its iTunes service is one the leading digital content distribution businesses, including movie rentals and purchases.
Need for Speed Most Wanted Races on to Retail Shelves Today
Make trouble for the cops, for your friends or just for fun! Electronic Arts Inc. and Criterion Games today announced that the latest entry in the critically-acclaimed Need for Speed franchise, Need for Speed Most Wanted, is now available at retail stores and on Origin.com in North America.
After shattering franchise records with a total of 43 award nominations and winning the prestigious Best Racing Game award at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), from the E3 Game Critics, Need for Speed Most Wanted is poised for global success. In Spain, Official PlayStation Magazine awarded Most Wanted with a 9.4/10 and called it, "the best online multiplayer experience ever." Game Informer, in North America, gave Most Wanted a 9/10 and described the action as an "exhilarating experience." Edge Magazine, in the UK, also awarded Most Wanted a 9/10 and credited the game for setting a "new standard in open world driving games."
After shattering franchise records with a total of 43 award nominations and winning the prestigious Best Racing Game award at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), from the E3 Game Critics, Need for Speed Most Wanted is poised for global success. In Spain, Official PlayStation Magazine awarded Most Wanted with a 9.4/10 and called it, "the best online multiplayer experience ever." Game Informer, in North America, gave Most Wanted a 9/10 and described the action as an "exhilarating experience." Edge Magazine, in the UK, also awarded Most Wanted a 9/10 and credited the game for setting a "new standard in open world driving games."
50 Cent’s SMS Audio Announces New DJ Pauly D and MXD50 Headphone Brands
SMS Audio, LLC, a premier audio headphone and accessories brand from Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, today announces the addition of two new value-focused headphone brands under the names MXD50 and DJ Pauly D. Offered to the mass-market consumer in a more-economical price range, the new brands feature in-ear and on-ear styles of headphones. The MXD50 and DJ Pauly D value headphones are now available at MXD50.com and PaulyDHeadphones.com, respectively.
"We look forward to bringing the best mix of affordability, durability and quality audio products to the mass market with the new brands," said Brian Nohe, President of SMS Audio. "The addition of MXD50 and DJ Pauly D allows us to connect with a wider audience, along with our already loyal SMS Audio fans."
"We look forward to bringing the best mix of affordability, durability and quality audio products to the mass market with the new brands," said Brian Nohe, President of SMS Audio. "The addition of MXD50 and DJ Pauly D allows us to connect with a wider audience, along with our already loyal SMS Audio fans."
Now, A Mouse That Keeps Your Palm Warm
Japanese peripherals maker Sanko unveiled a new optical mouse with a built-in heater that keeps the mouse warm, to prevent numbness to the palm in cold rooms. Called the USHOTM04, the mouse uses a low power heating coil that can make do with power draw from a single USB port. The coil can keep the mouse anywhere between 35°C - 45°C. It features four buttons, and a typical 1600 DPI sensor. Measuring 70 x 40 x 70 mm with a 1.4 m cord length, the mouse weighs about 77 g. It is priced at 1,480¥ (US $18.6).
Crucial Supports Intel Demo Depot Program With High-Density Server Memory Modules
Crucial, a leading global brand of memory and storage upgrades, and Intel, a world leader in computing innovation, today announced the inclusion of Crucial server memory modules in the Intel Demo Depot Program. This service lends fully configured Intel Xeon-based servers to customers for evaluation and testing prior to final purchase. As a brand of Micron Technology, Inc., one of the largest memory manufacturers in the world, Crucial supplies the Intel Demo Depot Program with DDR3L registered DIMMs ranging from 8 GB to 16 GB densities, in speeds of 1600 MT/s and 1333 MT/s to support Intel's latest generation of servers.
The Intel Demo Depot Program consists of more than 200 servers and is available to interested customers throughout North America. Potential customers procure evaluation servers for 30-day periods to test equipment and proof-of-concept trials. Servers are also used by various technology manufacturers for demonstrations at tech-focused tradeshows and customer demos by Intel field account engineers.
The Intel Demo Depot Program consists of more than 200 servers and is available to interested customers throughout North America. Potential customers procure evaluation servers for 30-day periods to test equipment and proof-of-concept trials. Servers are also used by various technology manufacturers for demonstrations at tech-focused tradeshows and customer demos by Intel field account engineers.
Mad Catz Ships Licensed Halo 4 Gaming Headset Range
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. ("Mad Catz") announced today shipping of the new range of licensed Halo 4 gaming headsets under the TRITTON brand for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Each headset in the range features themed Halo 4 graphics and bonus downloadable content (DLC).
Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. stated, "Halo 4 is one of the most anticipated titles of this holiday season and we're pleased to be offering passionate gamers high quality experience with our range of exclusive, TRITTON licensed Xbox 360 headsets."
Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. stated, "Halo 4 is one of the most anticipated titles of this holiday season and we're pleased to be offering passionate gamers high quality experience with our range of exclusive, TRITTON licensed Xbox 360 headsets."
Belkin Unveils New NetCam Wi-Fi Camera
Belkin today announced the new NetCam Wi-Fi Camera with Night Vision that allows you to monitor your home on your smartphone or tablet from anywhere.
"The beauty of the Belkin NetCam is its simplicity and versatility. It allows you to keep an eye on your pets, your kids after school, your belongings, or even your baby's room, on any iOS or Android device without the need for a computer," said Mike Chen, senior director of product management for Belkin's networking group. "It sets up in minutes, giving you peace of mind without any hassle."
"The beauty of the Belkin NetCam is its simplicity and versatility. It allows you to keep an eye on your pets, your kids after school, your belongings, or even your baby's room, on any iOS or Android device without the need for a computer," said Mike Chen, senior director of product management for Belkin's networking group. "It sets up in minutes, giving you peace of mind without any hassle."
Phoenix Technologies UEFI Enables Security and an IDE for ARM-Powered Server Systems
Phoenix Technologies Ltd., the global leader in UEFI firmware technology, products and tools, is announcing UEFI BIOS support for server systems based upon the ARMv8 64-bit architecture. ARM Techcon is being held at the Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, California, from October 29-November 1, 2012.
The Phoenix SecureCore UEFI provides a superior, proven solution for server systems, delivering an enhanced build environment that is independent from operating systems, flexible in compiler and assembler tools and capable of supporting modules and module packages. The benefits of SecureCore firmware include critical boot-level security, protecting the OS and entire system; rich networking and manageability; source code modularization and reusability; and significant build performance improvement. Phoenix began developing BIOS for server appliances and computing platforms in 1980, focusing on the need for reliability, performance, power management and security.
The Phoenix SecureCore UEFI provides a superior, proven solution for server systems, delivering an enhanced build environment that is independent from operating systems, flexible in compiler and assembler tools and capable of supporting modules and module packages. The benefits of SecureCore firmware include critical boot-level security, protecting the OS and entire system; rich networking and manageability; source code modularization and reusability; and significant build performance improvement. Phoenix began developing BIOS for server appliances and computing platforms in 1980, focusing on the need for reliability, performance, power management and security.
Asoka Debuts Industry’s Smallest, Lowest Power PLC Home Networking Adapters
Asoka Corporation, a pioneer in powerline communications (PLC) hardware and services, announced today its new PlugLink HD AV and PlugLink-ETH-500 adapters, the industry's smallest, lowest power powerline communications (PLC) home networking adapters. The adapters are the latest in Asoka's line of home networking solutions for delivering Digital Living Services to the home.
Using industry standard PLC technology, the adapters enable customers to create a high-speed local area network throughout the home by just plugging them into wall power sockets. A PlugLink home network is as simple as a wireless network, but with more reliable service because there are no intermittent wireless signals or "dead spots."
Using industry standard PLC technology, the adapters enable customers to create a high-speed local area network throughout the home by just plugging them into wall power sockets. A PlugLink home network is as simple as a wireless network, but with more reliable service because there are no intermittent wireless signals or "dead spots."
SMART Storage Systems Guardian Technology Platform Extended to Support 19nm MLC Flash
SMART Storage Systems, an innovative and rapidly emerging enterprise SSD technology provider, today announced its award-winning Guardian Technology Platform has enabled the use of 19nm multi-level cell (MLC) NAND Flash for enterprise applications. Through support for the smaller, more cost effective 19nm process node, SMART Storage Systems' next generation solid state drives (SSDs) provide enterprise data center and cloud environments with the industry's best combination of performance and endurance, and lower the storage total cost of ownership (TCO) for users.
For years, OEMs and enterprise organizations have looked to SSD performance to meet new throughput requirements being placed on the data center. However, due to the high costs associated with higher endurance enterprise MLC (eMLC) or single-level cell (SLC) SSDs, enterprise data centers frequently turn to consumer-grade MLC SSD solutions. Because they are not designed for mixed workload applications, consumer-grade MLC-based SSDs quickly burnout in enterprise environments. This issue is compounded as Flash geometry continues to get smaller, and native MLC Flash endurance is reduced, increasing organizations TCO due to drive replacement costs. SMART Storage Systems' proprietary Guardian Technology Platform drives additional endurance from consumer-grade MLC Flash through a proprietary suite of enterprise features and endurance enhancement technologies, enabling organizations to avoid the need to replace SSDs prior to the end of the warranty period.
For years, OEMs and enterprise organizations have looked to SSD performance to meet new throughput requirements being placed on the data center. However, due to the high costs associated with higher endurance enterprise MLC (eMLC) or single-level cell (SLC) SSDs, enterprise data centers frequently turn to consumer-grade MLC SSD solutions. Because they are not designed for mixed workload applications, consumer-grade MLC-based SSDs quickly burnout in enterprise environments. This issue is compounded as Flash geometry continues to get smaller, and native MLC Flash endurance is reduced, increasing organizations TCO due to drive replacement costs. SMART Storage Systems' proprietary Guardian Technology Platform drives additional endurance from consumer-grade MLC Flash through a proprietary suite of enterprise features and endurance enhancement technologies, enabling organizations to avoid the need to replace SSDs prior to the end of the warranty period.
OmniVision Launches High Performance 8-Megapixel CameraChip Sensor
OmniVision Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, today announced the OV8835, a powerful 8-megapixel CameraChip solution for smartphones and tablets.
The OV8835 is built on a new and improved OmniBSI-2 pixel architecture that offers best-in-class pixel performance and enables full resolution 8-megapixel high speed photography at 30 frames per second (FPS) and 1080p/30 or 720p/60 high-definition (HD) video. These performance and functionality improvements make the OV8835 an ideal upgrade for next-generation smartphones and tablets.
The OV8835 is built on a new and improved OmniBSI-2 pixel architecture that offers best-in-class pixel performance and enables full resolution 8-megapixel high speed photography at 30 frames per second (FPS) and 1080p/30 or 720p/60 high-definition (HD) video. These performance and functionality improvements make the OV8835 an ideal upgrade for next-generation smartphones and tablets.
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix Windows 8 Tablet Going Global
Initially announced for the Chinese market, Lenovo's ThinkPad Helix tablet is expanding its reach and is set to arrive in Israel, and likely other countries, in the not too distant future. The Helix is a business-oriented offering that runs Windows 8 and features an 11.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS screen supporting both finger and pen input, an Intel Ivy Bridge CPU (up to a Core i7), WiFi, 3G, NFC, and a battery allowing up to 10 hours of operation. The tablet comes with a ThinkPad -style keyboard dock for improved productivity.
The ThinkPad Helix has not been priced.
The ThinkPad Helix has not been priced.
Revised Corsair Enthusiast Series PSUs Can Run Completely Fanless
Corsair unveiled a trio of Enthusiast Series V2 (TX-series) PSUs in Japan, which feature Hybrid Silent Fan Control, a revised thermal management measure that spins down the fan completely under low loads, and begins to spin it up only after a thermal/load threshold is crossed. These PSUs feature the same casing as the modular TX-series V2 models (such as TX-750M), but feature completely fixed cabling. Among the PSUs launched are the new (improved) TX-650 (CP-9020038-JP), TX-750 (CP-9020042-JP), and TX-850 (CP-9020043-JP). The three models are 80 Plus Bronze-compliant, and otherwise feature the same specifications as the Enthusiast Series V2 models in the market, elsewhere.
Elecom Intros MR3-C002, MR3-C003, and MR3-C004 Multi-Format Card Readers
Elecom Japan announced three new portable multi-format memory card readers that take advantage of the USB 3.0 SuperSpeed interface, the MR3-C002, MR3-C003, and MR3-C004 (pictured below in that order). Built in a cabled form-factor, the MR3-C002 supports as many as 54 kinds of media across the CF, SD, mini-SD, micro-SD, MS, M2, and MS Pro Duo form-factors. The MR3-C003 is built in a capped form-factor, resembling USB flash drives, it supports 49 kinds of media in the SD, mini-SD, micro-SD, MS, MS Pro Duo, M2 form-factors. The MR3-C004 is the cheapest of the lot, also built in the capped form-factor, supporting 32 kinds of media in the SD, mini-SD, and micro-SD form-factors.
The three are available in black, graphite, red, and silver color options. The MR3-C002 measures 69 x 43.5 x 15 mm (WxDxH), weighing 42 g; the MR3-C003 82 x 21.5 x 14 mm, weighing 24 g; and MR3-C004 67.5 x 21.5 x 14 mm, weighing 18 g. The MR3-C002, MR3-C003, and MR3-C004 are priced at 4,095¥ ($51), 3,675¥ ($46.5), and 2,900¥ ($36.5), respectively. They are slated for November 2.
The three are available in black, graphite, red, and silver color options. The MR3-C002 measures 69 x 43.5 x 15 mm (WxDxH), weighing 42 g; the MR3-C003 82 x 21.5 x 14 mm, weighing 24 g; and MR3-C004 67.5 x 21.5 x 14 mm, weighing 18 g. The MR3-C002, MR3-C003, and MR3-C004 are priced at 4,095¥ ($51), 3,675¥ ($46.5), and 2,900¥ ($36.5), respectively. They are slated for November 2.
Xigmatek Releases the PRAETON LD963 CPU Cooler
Xigmatek has just rolled out a new CPU cooler, a low profile model dubbed PRAETON LD963 that can handle Intel (LGA 1366/1156/1155/775) or AMD (FM1/FM2/AM2/AM2+/AM3/AM3+) processors with a TDP of up to 115 W. Seen below, Xigmatek's creation measures 104 (W) x 93 (D) x 44 (H) mm, and has three 6 mm heatpipes using H.D.T. (Heat-pipes Direct Touch) technology, aluminum alloy fins, and a 90 mm Hydraumatic bearing fan operating at 1200 to 2800 RPM (maximum sound output if 22 dBA).
The PRAETON LD963 is sellingfor £49.58 (~ $ 79.59 / €61.54).
Update: Xigmatek informed us, that the price is wrong. The cooler will sell for roughly 20 Euro including taxes
The PRAETON LD963 is selling
Update: Xigmatek informed us, that the price is wrong. The cooler will sell for roughly 20 Euro including taxes
Arctic Readies Bluetooth Variant of P402 Headset
Arctic is working on a wireless, Bluetooth-equipped variant of its P402 performance around-the-ear headset. With Bluetooth connectivity, the company is looking to target wireless devices such as Surface, iPad, the various Android tablets, and of course, the smartphone market. The wireless P402 will retain the shape and specifications of the original wired one, and with likely use of rechargeable NiMH battery, could keep its weight under 150 g (the wired P402 weighs 130 g including its cord and jack). The headphone component of the P402 features 101 dB sensitivity, 32 ohm impedance, while the microphone is -42 dB +/- 5 dB sensitive.
MSI Hetris H61 Ultra Barebones Desktop Pictured
MSI designed the new Hetris H61 Ultra, a 10 liter commercial barebones desktop for the European market. Measuring 330 x 94 x 320 mm, its chassis houses an Intel H61 chipset-based socket LGA1155 motherboard, which supports Core/Pentium/Celeron processors based on the 32 nm "Sandy Bridge" and 22 nm "Ivy Bridge" micro-architectures. It features two 240-pin DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 8 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1333 MHz memory. Among the drive bays in the chassis are a 3.5-inch/2.5-inch SATA bay for hard drives, and a 5.25-inch bay for optical drives.
The Hetris H61 Ultra packs an 80 Plus-compliant 270W power supply. It features a PCI-Express riser that allows you to install up to two PCIe expansion cards along the plane of the motherboard. Connectivity includes 6-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, two USB 3.0 ports on the front, four USB 2.0/1.1 ports on the rear, a pair of serial COM ports, PS/2 keyboard/mouse, eSATA 3 Gb/s, and display connectivity that includes DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. The Hetris H61 Ultra could also be sold with a number of entry-level CPU, memory, and HDD combinations.
The Hetris H61 Ultra packs an 80 Plus-compliant 270W power supply. It features a PCI-Express riser that allows you to install up to two PCIe expansion cards along the plane of the motherboard. Connectivity includes 6-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, two USB 3.0 ports on the front, four USB 2.0/1.1 ports on the rear, a pair of serial COM ports, PS/2 keyboard/mouse, eSATA 3 Gb/s, and display connectivity that includes DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. The Hetris H61 Ultra could also be sold with a number of entry-level CPU, memory, and HDD combinations.
MediaTek Wi-Fi SoC Powers New ASUS N300 Wireless Router
MediaTek Inc., a leading fabless semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia, today announced that its MT7620 Wi-Fi System-on-a-Chip (SoC) has been selected for the new ASUS RT-N14U N300 wireless router, debuting globally this quarter.
The MT7620 is the latest addition to MediaTek's family of highly integrated, single-chip Wi-Fi SoC products, currently being deployed by many wireless router and repeater makers worldwide. It incorporates advanced signaling technologies, giving device manufacturers robust tools to develop best-in-class energy-saving wireless routers, with particular benefit when connected to battery-powered devices such as smartphones, notebooks, and tablets.
The MT7620 is the latest addition to MediaTek's family of highly integrated, single-chip Wi-Fi SoC products, currently being deployed by many wireless router and repeater makers worldwide. It incorporates advanced signaling technologies, giving device manufacturers robust tools to develop best-in-class energy-saving wireless routers, with particular benefit when connected to battery-powered devices such as smartphones, notebooks, and tablets.
DRAM Production Cuts Take Effect, Likely to Lead to a Rebound for DRAM Prices
According to DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce, given the persistent oversupply situation in the global DRAM market, along with the -5% YoY shipment growth for PCs, October contract prices have dropped below $16 USD, and are continuing to approach the $15 USD mark. The trends pose as yet another test to the cost structures of DRAM makers. With prices approaching or dropping below cash cost, manufacturers are faced with the option of either undergoing production cuts or shifting their focus towards non-DRAM products.
Other than ProMOS, which chose to quit the DRAM market due to financial woes, manufacturers like Elpida and Rexchip have taken the initiative to lower their output levels in August. Powerchip, beginning September, took a similar initiative by adjusting P3 wafer levels, whereas in the following month, Nanya and Inotera made the official announcement to implement 20% production cuts. For the South Korean DRAM manufacturers, whose cost structures appear to be superior to those of other competitors, no production cuts have been announced nor taken, although efforts to control output ratios have been intensified. At the same time that production of commodity DRAM is being lowered, an increasing amount of emphasis is being placed on the production of the more profitable mobile and server DRAMs.
Other than ProMOS, which chose to quit the DRAM market due to financial woes, manufacturers like Elpida and Rexchip have taken the initiative to lower their output levels in August. Powerchip, beginning September, took a similar initiative by adjusting P3 wafer levels, whereas in the following month, Nanya and Inotera made the official announcement to implement 20% production cuts. For the South Korean DRAM manufacturers, whose cost structures appear to be superior to those of other competitors, no production cuts have been announced nor taken, although efforts to control output ratios have been intensified. At the same time that production of commodity DRAM is being lowered, an increasing amount of emphasis is being placed on the production of the more profitable mobile and server DRAMs.
AMD FirePro APUs and Motherboards Start Selling
AMD's FirePro APUs built on the "Trinity" silicon, with the GPU feature-set of AMD's FirePro professional GPUs and durability of Opteron enterprise CPUs; and compatible motherboards made by PC Partner (Sapphire) have started selling in Japan. Among the new products on sale are the FirePro A300 (3.40 GHz CPU core, 4.00 GHz CPU TurboCore, 760 MHz GPU, quad-core, 65W), and FirePro A320 (3.80 GHz CPU core, 4.20 GHz CPU TurboCore, 800 MHz GPU, quad-core, 100W), and the AMD reference design micro-ATX motherboard, manufactured by PC Partner.
The motherboard features socket FM2, powered by an 8-phase digital PWM power supply to the APU socket, four DDR3 DIMM slots supporting 64 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1866 MHz memory, expansion slots that include PCI-Express 2.0 x16, PCI-Express 2.0 x4, x1, and legacy PCI; eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports, display outputs that include dual-link DVI, dual-link DisplayPort, and D-Sub. HD audio and gigabit Ethernet make for the rest of it.
The motherboard features socket FM2, powered by an 8-phase digital PWM power supply to the APU socket, four DDR3 DIMM slots supporting 64 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1866 MHz memory, expansion slots that include PCI-Express 2.0 x16, PCI-Express 2.0 x4, x1, and legacy PCI; eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports, display outputs that include dual-link DVI, dual-link DisplayPort, and D-Sub. HD audio and gigabit Ethernet make for the rest of it.
GTA V Pre-Order Poster Leaked
The next title in the smash hit game franchise Grand Theft Auto, GTA V is coming in Spring 2013 after all, according to a leaked European pre-order poster for stores. The poster shows some concept art of the game, and a pre-order notice. The fact that the poster is leaked, in Europe no less, shows that pre-orders should open shortly. An unsettling development is that the posters only feature Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 logos, with no "PC DVD-ROM" logos. This indicates that the game's console versions could launch ahead of the PC version, perhaps even months ahead - just like its predecessor.
Alliance for Wireless Power Rolls Out Flexible Wireless Power Specification
Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), a global and independently operated consortium focused on bringing wireless power to the consumer electronics marketplace, today announced that the technical working committee has approved a more flexible wireless power specification that will allow consumers to charge their mobile devices on a variety of compatible surfaces.
"The Alliance for Wireless Power and its members have been focused on creating a more flexible wireless power specification that sets the stage for formal standardization in the future," said Dr. Kamil A. Grajski, president of the A4WP. "Approval of the A4WP wireless power specification establishes a true path forward for the commercialization of wireless charging that will satisfy the needs of most consumers. A4WP and its members will now set their sights on building compliant wireless applications that can be integrated by key industries including automotive, furniture and retail."
"The Alliance for Wireless Power and its members have been focused on creating a more flexible wireless power specification that sets the stage for formal standardization in the future," said Dr. Kamil A. Grajski, president of the A4WP. "Approval of the A4WP wireless power specification establishes a true path forward for the commercialization of wireless charging that will satisfy the needs of most consumers. A4WP and its members will now set their sights on building compliant wireless applications that can be integrated by key industries including automotive, furniture and retail."
Apple Makes Changes to Increase Collaboration Across Hardware, Software & Services
Apple today announced executive management changes that will encourage even more collaboration between the Company's world-class hardware, software and services teams. As part of these changes, Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi will add more responsibilities to their roles. Apple also announced that Scott Forstall will be leaving Apple next year and will serve as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook in the interim.
"We are in one of the most prolific periods of innovation and new products in Apple's history," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "The amazing products that we've introduced in September and October, iPhone 5, iOS 6, iPad mini, iPad, iMac, MacBook Pro, iPod touch, iPod nano and many of our applications, could only have been created at Apple and are the direct result of our relentless focus on tightly integrating world-class hardware, software and services."
"We are in one of the most prolific periods of innovation and new products in Apple's history," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "The amazing products that we've introduced in September and October, iPhone 5, iOS 6, iPad mini, iPad, iMac, MacBook Pro, iPod touch, iPod nano and many of our applications, could only have been created at Apple and are the direct result of our relentless focus on tightly integrating world-class hardware, software and services."
Monday, October 29th 2012
Zotac ZBOX nano XS AD11 PLUS Review
The Zotac ZBOX nano is minuscule in size, but packs a full AMD based system within. The compact dimensions along with the wall mount and plethora of connectivity make the ZBOX nano an interesting choice for HPTC and Office users.
Eurocom Ships NVIDIA Quadro K5000M Powered Mobile Workstations
Eurocom, is shipping a complete line of high performance, fully upgradeable Mobile Workstations specifically designed for the modern Engineer. Supporting the most powerful mobile professional graphics solutions including the NVIDIA Quadro K5000M and K3000M, Eurocom Mobile Workstations are able to run the most demanding engineering and design software with ease, while on the go.
"We have customers running Dassault Systemes Solidworks, Siemens Solid Edge, Creo Elements Pro, CATIA and Autodesk Inventor software suites on the go with our line of Mobile Workstations. Thanks to our support of NVIDIA Quadro professional graphics solutions, our Mobile Workstations are able to handle a wide range of professional grade software suites" Mark Bialic, Eurocom President.
"We have customers running Dassault Systemes Solidworks, Siemens Solid Edge, Creo Elements Pro, CATIA and Autodesk Inventor software suites on the go with our line of Mobile Workstations. Thanks to our support of NVIDIA Quadro professional graphics solutions, our Mobile Workstations are able to handle a wide range of professional grade software suites" Mark Bialic, Eurocom President.
Intel Capital Acquisition Signals Opportunity in Semiconductor Investments
Intel Capital portfolio company Crossing Automation announced today that it is being acquired by Brooks Automation (NASDAQ: BRKS) for $63 million. Intel Capital invested in Crossing in 2005 and provided financial support and strategic and operational planning guidance to the company, which manufactures fab and tool automation equipment for the semiconductor market, enabling Crossing to achieve significant revenue and operating income growth.
The deal follows on the heels of FormFactor's (NASDAQ: FORM) $117 million acquisition of Intel Capital portfolio company MicroProbe, which provides advanced wafer test solutions to global semiconductor manufacturers. These successful exits signal a revival of opportunities in the semiconductor investment sector where Intel Capital is well positioned to add value to these companies.
The deal follows on the heels of FormFactor's (NASDAQ: FORM) $117 million acquisition of Intel Capital portfolio company MicroProbe, which provides advanced wafer test solutions to global semiconductor manufacturers. These successful exits signal a revival of opportunities in the semiconductor investment sector where Intel Capital is well positioned to add value to these companies.
AMD First to Bridge Both x86 and ARM Processors for the Data Center
In a bold strategic move, AMD announced that it will design 64-bit ARM technology-based processors in addition to its x86 processors for multiple markets, starting with cloud and data center servers. AMD's first ARM technology-based processor will be a highly-integrated, 64-bit multicore System-on-a-Chip (SoC) optimized for the dense, energy-efficient servers that now dominate the largest data centers and power the modern computing experience. The first ARM technology-based AMD Opteron processor is targeted for production in 2014 and will integrate the AMD SeaMicro Freedom supercompute fabric, the industry's premier high-performance fabric.
AMD's new design initiative addresses the growing demand to deliver better performance-per-watt for dense cloud computing solutions. Just as AMD introduced the industry's first mainstream 64-bit x86 server solution with the AMD Opteron processor in 2003, AMD will be the only processor provider bridging the x86 and 64-bit ARM ecosystems to enable new levels of flexibility and drive optimal performance and power-efficiency for a range of enterprise workloads.
AMD's new design initiative addresses the growing demand to deliver better performance-per-watt for dense cloud computing solutions. Just as AMD introduced the industry's first mainstream 64-bit x86 server solution with the AMD Opteron processor in 2003, AMD will be the only processor provider bridging the x86 and 64-bit ARM ecosystems to enable new levels of flexibility and drive optimal performance and power-efficiency for a range of enterprise workloads.
Koolance Introduces the CPU-380 Water Blocks
DisplayLink Technology Also Enables Acer's New Universal USB2.0 Docking Station
DisplayLink, the world leading provider of USB graphics, today announced that its DL-165 USB 2.0 chipset has been selected for the new universal USB 2.0 docking station by Acer, the world's number two notebook PC brand.
The new Acer universal USB2.0 docking station is optimized for the cost conscious business user to benefit from a single plug-and-play cable expansion solution, enabling easy peripheral expansion to the notebook while also providing businesses the ability to easily setup hot desking solutions, which can connect to the whole PC portfolio. The dock includes one external video port for DVI/VGA display connectivity, 10/100 Ethernet support and USB2.0 ports to expand connectivity further.
The new Acer universal USB2.0 docking station is optimized for the cost conscious business user to benefit from a single plug-and-play cable expansion solution, enabling easy peripheral expansion to the notebook while also providing businesses the ability to easily setup hot desking solutions, which can connect to the whole PC portfolio. The dock includes one external video port for DVI/VGA display connectivity, 10/100 Ethernet support and USB2.0 ports to expand connectivity further.
DisplayLink Technology Powers Acer's Universal USB3.0 Docking Station
DisplayLink, the world leading provider of USB graphics today announced that the new USB3.0 universal docking station by Acer is powered by DisplayLink's latest SuperSpeed USB3.0 engine, which offers simultaneous dual-video graphics output and Gigabit Ethernet.
Acer's new universal USB3.0 docking station provides the ultimate multi-monitor productivity and hot desk expansion with two simultaneous video ports for HDMI and DVI/VGA displays, as well as Gigabit Ethernet, headphones and mic audio jacks, supporting up to 5.1 channel audio via HDMI, and USB3 and USB2 expansion ports.
Acer's new universal USB3.0 docking station provides the ultimate multi-monitor productivity and hot desk expansion with two simultaneous video ports for HDMI and DVI/VGA displays, as well as Gigabit Ethernet, headphones and mic audio jacks, supporting up to 5.1 channel audio via HDMI, and USB3 and USB2 expansion ports.
Intel Solid-State Drive 335 Series Debuts
Intel Corporation announced today it is shipping its first solid-state drive (SSD) using industry leading 20-nanometer (nm) NAND flash memory process.
The new Intel Solid-State Drive 335 Series (Intel SSD 335 Series) uses the smallest, most efficient multi-level cell NAND flash on the market, allowing Intel to advance its 300 Series client/consumer SSDs to the next-generation technology. SSDs offer users an overall PC performance boost accelerating productivity applications and other computing activities, such as Web surfing, movie watching, video chatting and content creation.
The new Intel Solid-State Drive 335 Series (Intel SSD 335 Series) uses the smallest, most efficient multi-level cell NAND flash on the market, allowing Intel to advance its 300 Series client/consumer SSDs to the next-generation technology. SSDs offer users an overall PC performance boost accelerating productivity applications and other computing activities, such as Web surfing, movie watching, video chatting and content creation.
DRAM Makers Disappointed in Windows 8
Still reeling with over-production, swelling inventories, and spot-prices on free-fall, the DRAM industry had been banking on Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system launch to come to their salvation. Apparently, it didn't. As is customary with each new Windows launch, orders for DRAM components go up, as PC makers announce new products, and consumers purchase new RAM to upgrade their systems. Windows 8, which is essentially based on the same (albeit slightly tweaked) kernel as Windows 7, isn't really heavier on system resources. Let alone that, Windows 8 in itself is not expected to bring consumers to get a new PC, because Microsoft made it extremely simple and cheap to upgrade Windows 7 to 8. The industry's only real hope now is for hardware makers Intel, AMD, and ARM to introduce platforms that make use of DDR4 DRAM.
Virtium Announces New StorFly SATA SSDs
Virtium, a leading provider of storage and memory solutions for embedded systems, today announced the expansion of its StorFly solid-state storage product line. Virtium has added the StorFly CE, RE and XE product classes to its existing line of StorFly PE embedded SATA SSDs.
Designed to meet virtually any workload requirement of embedded systems, the broadened Virtium StorFly SSD portfolio satisfies needs for enhanced endurance and extended operating temperature. The new StorFly product classes are optimized for the data types and workloads of applications ranging from digital signage to networking equipment that have strenuous requirements for ten-year product deployments in harsh environments with 24/7 operation.
Designed to meet virtually any workload requirement of embedded systems, the broadened Virtium StorFly SSD portfolio satisfies needs for enhanced endurance and extended operating temperature. The new StorFly product classes are optimized for the data types and workloads of applications ranging from digital signage to networking equipment that have strenuous requirements for ten-year product deployments in harsh environments with 24/7 operation.
Intel Intros Atom D2560 Processor
Intel slipped in a new processor model to lead the Atom series of low-power processors, the D2560. Introduction of the new chip follows discontinuation of the D2700, it is positioned above the D2550. Based on the "Saltwell" micro-architecture and built on the 32 nm "Cedarview" silicon, the Atom D2560 is a dual-core x86 processor clocked at 2.00 GHz. It features HyperThreading, which enables four logical CPUs for the operating system to deal with. The dual-core x86 component is armed with 1 MB of L2 cache. Its instruction set includes SSE2/SSE3/SSSE3. Among its uncore components are a single-channel DDR3-1066 MHz IMC, which supports up to 4 GB of memory, and integrated HD graphics clocked at 640 MHz. Its TDP is rated at 10W. The new chip should cost OEMs $47 a piece in 1000-unit tray quantities.
QNAP Adds New HDDs, Software, and Cameras to its NAS Compatibility List
QNAP Systems, Inc. announced today a major expansion of the number of compatible peripherals available for its family of Turbo NAS products. The major additions include a Seagate 2.5-inch 1TB internal SATA hard drive and 2.5-inch 1TB external storage device, two Arkeia Software 3rd party software apps and seventy network cameras.
Cougar Unveils Latest RX Series PSUs
COUGAR, the fast-growing PC chassis & PSU manufacturer and branding company in Taiwan, catching the gaming fever aroused by the earlier finished LOL World Championship tournament, released their latest RX Power Supply Series.
Targeting the gaming fan boom after the big global gaming event, the COUGAR RX PSUs are rather humble yet more suitable and affordable to game newbies as compare to the PSUs that are focusing on high-end market of the business. The COUGAR RX Series' classic color mix of black and orange-red gives a masculine and playful character to the product. Its 14-cm fan can leisurely bring out the heat with lower rotating speed, which means: much lower noise, and is definitely a luxury addition to products in this price range. Not to mention that this Ultra-Quiet Fan can automatically adjust its RMP according to its current temperature.
Targeting the gaming fan boom after the big global gaming event, the COUGAR RX PSUs are rather humble yet more suitable and affordable to game newbies as compare to the PSUs that are focusing on high-end market of the business. The COUGAR RX Series' classic color mix of black and orange-red gives a masculine and playful character to the product. Its 14-cm fan can leisurely bring out the heat with lower rotating speed, which means: much lower noise, and is definitely a luxury addition to products in this price range. Not to mention that this Ultra-Quiet Fan can automatically adjust its RMP according to its current temperature.
DeepCool Rolls Out New Variant of Big Frost Dual-Tower CPU Cooler
DeepCool announced a new variant of the Big Frost dual-tower CPU cooler which made its debut at this year's Computex event, held in June. Called the Big Frost Extreme Edition, the cooler features six nickel-plated copper heat pipes (the original uses bare copper), its base is polished to a mirror finish. Lastly, it uses a pair of UF120 PWM-controlled fans with blue impellers, and black frames. The cooler is ready for all current CPU socket types, including LGA2011, LGA115x, LGA1366, AM3+/AM3/AM2+, and FM2/FM1. In some markets, the cooler will be sold as "Neptwin Extreme Edition." The company did not finalize pricing.
Trimble Introduces Yuma 2 Rugged Tablet Computer
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today the Yuma 2 rugged tablet computer-a powerful mobile computing solution that provides full office capabilities in the field for construction, transportation, public safety, field service, forestry, utilities, mapping, insurance and any other outdoor or service-related industry.
The Yuma 2 offers a 7-inch capacitive multi-touch screen in an easy-to-hold form factor that measures 6.3 inches x 9.6 inches, and weighs less than three pounds. Featuring new display technology for even clearer readability in direct sunlight, the Yuma 2 can be used by mobile workers in the brightest outdoor conditions. The 3.75G dual-mode cellular data capability enables connectivity anywhere GSM or CDMA cellular networks are available.
The Yuma 2 offers a 7-inch capacitive multi-touch screen in an easy-to-hold form factor that measures 6.3 inches x 9.6 inches, and weighs less than three pounds. Featuring new display technology for even clearer readability in direct sunlight, the Yuma 2 can be used by mobile workers in the brightest outdoor conditions. The 3.75G dual-mode cellular data capability enables connectivity anywhere GSM or CDMA cellular networks are available.
ECS Outs HDC-I2/E-350D Mini-ITX Motherboard
ECS rolled out the HDC-I2/E-350D2, a mini-ITX motherboard running AMD E-350D APU, and AMD A45 FCH chipset. Designed for nettops and HTPCs (supports 1080p video playback), the HDC-I2/E-350D supports up to 8 GB of DDR3-1066 MHz memory, and features a legacy PCI slot. It draws power from a single 24-pin ATX connector. Because it uses the cheaper A45 FCH, it features just two SATA 3 Gb/s ports. Display connectivity includes DVI and HDMI. 6-channel HD audio and gigabit Ethernet make for the rest of it. ECS is including coupons to Cyberlink MediaExpresso 5.1 LE and MediaShow 5.1 LE. Expect it to go for under $100.
Valve Seeks Beta Testers for Steam for Linux
You can now sign up to test Steam for Linux, with Valve announcing an open Beta of the client. Valve is looking for users with generally high experience with Linux, so don't expect the Beta to be click-and-run. Interested users with Ubuntu 12.04 (and above) can sign up here. Steam for Linux targets Ubuntu, and the company plans to launch the platform with Left 4 Dead 2 with SteamPlay enabled, porting other Valve titles later.
ADATA Announces Q3 2012 Financial Results
ADATA Technology today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2012. Total revenue on a consolidated basis for the third quarter was NT$7,133 million, an increase of 4.51% quarter-on-quarter. Gross margin declined from the previous quarter, from 7.15% to 5.95%. Net income after tax was NT$34.9 million, a decrease of 78.82% quarter-on-quarter. Based on 211 million outstanding shares, earnings per share was NT$0.17.
Accumulated revenue for three sequential quarters ending September 30, 2012 was NT$ 21.03 billion, a decrease of 3.79% year-on-year. Gross margin, net income after tax, and earnings per share for three sequential quarters were 7.56%, NT$489 million, and NT$2.32 respectively.
Accumulated revenue for three sequential quarters ending September 30, 2012 was NT$ 21.03 billion, a decrease of 3.79% year-on-year. Gross margin, net income after tax, and earnings per share for three sequential quarters were 7.56%, NT$489 million, and NT$2.32 respectively.
ORNL Debut of Cray XK7 "Titan" AMD and NVIDIA-Powered Supercomputer
Global supercomputer leader Cray Inc. today announced the launch of the Company's new series of production hybrid supercomputers -- the Cray XK7 system -- in conjunction with today's debut of the Cray XK7 supercomputer nicknamed "Titan" located at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Titan is capable of more than 20 petaflops of high performance computing (HPC) power and is the world's most powerful supercomputer for open science.
The Titan system is a 200-cabinet Cray XK7 supercomputer with 18,688 compute nodes each consisting of a 16-Core AMD Opteron 6200 Series processor and an NVIDIA Tesla K20 GPU Accelerator. Titan was upgraded from a Cray XT5 supercomputer nicknamed "Jaguar."
The Titan system is a 200-cabinet Cray XK7 supercomputer with 18,688 compute nodes each consisting of a 16-Core AMD Opteron 6200 Series processor and an NVIDIA Tesla K20 GPU Accelerator. Titan was upgraded from a Cray XT5 supercomputer nicknamed "Jaguar."
EK Introduces New Line of Fitting Connectors
EK Water Blocks, Ljubljana based premium performance PC water cooling gear manufacturer, is proud to announce release of revised line of fittings and fitting adaptors. Goes hand in hand with latest industrial design CSQ line.
All newly released items will be available in four different flavours: black painted, nickel- & black nickel plated as well as copper plated. All items feature hand polished finish.
All newly released items will be available in four different flavours: black painted, nickel- & black nickel plated as well as copper plated. All items feature hand polished finish.
EK About to Release FC Single Bridge
A new addition to CSQ line of Full Cover blocks will be single FC Bridges that will deliver the upper ports for the FC Blocks. Single Bridges will be available to purchase separatelly in Black Acetal and Acrylic material. This is the special feature that customers asked for, which will be the most usefull in a single VGA card setup. Two G1/4 plugs to seal unused G1/4 ports are enslosed in the delivery.
The prices should be set in beginning of next week.
The prices should be set in beginning of next week.
Handwriting Goes Mobile With the Introduction of the Livescribe Sky WiFi Smartpen
Livescribe Inc. announced today the launch of the Sky wifi smartpen, the first digital pen to integrate WiFi technology and cloud services. Sky digitizes everything consumers write and hear and automatically sends it to their personal Evernote accounts, where it is securely stored and readily available to search, play back, organize and share. Perfect for today's on-the-go world, everyone from busy executives to students can conveniently access their written notes and recorded audio directly from paper, as well as on all the tablets, smartphones and computers they use.
"Thanks to our unique partnership and joint development efforts with Evernote, we have created an amazingly simple and exciting new experience for our customers," said Gilles Bouchard, Livescribe chairman and CEO. "With the Sky wifi smartpen, they can easily capture important ideas, presentations and conversations in the most natural way, on paper, and they automatically appear right where they want them - on their mobile devices and personal computers."
"Thanks to our unique partnership and joint development efforts with Evernote, we have created an amazingly simple and exciting new experience for our customers," said Gilles Bouchard, Livescribe chairman and CEO. "With the Sky wifi smartpen, they can easily capture important ideas, presentations and conversations in the most natural way, on paper, and they automatically appear right where they want them - on their mobile devices and personal computers."
GIGABYTE Launches Variety of Innovative Windows 8 Products
GIGABYTE, a rising brand in the notebook industry, launched an array of notebooks and a tablet with fabulous functions and powerful specifications. Each GIGABYTE model is highlighted by the number of ports that is available to give the user complete convenience, sleek innovative design, and Global warranty for a complete peace of mind. By launching a slate S1082, a Convertible Ultrabook U2142, a high performance Ultrabook U2442, and two high-end Gaming Notebooks - P2542/P2742; GIGABYTE has expanded its line and range of notebooks.
ECS Announces Trinity Challenge 2012
ECS, the world's top motherboard maker, now announce its "ECS Trinity Challenge" Online OC Competition with FM1/FM2 platform motherboards on HWBOT. Meanwhile, ECS is proud to announce its second cooperation with HWBOT for online OC competition globally. ECS would like to take this chance to introduce a series of new FM2-based motherboard to enthusiast community through this competition.
The competition starts from November 1st, runs until November 30th. There are two competition stages for overclockers. First stage- AMD FM1 platform: It is open to all overclockers with ECS brand motherboards only and the benchmark is: 3DMark06. Second competition stages- AMD FM2 platform: It is open to all overclockers with all brands of motherboards in the market, and the benchmark is: 3DMark Vantage. HWBOT general benchmark validation rules apply to both stages.
The competition starts from November 1st, runs until November 30th. There are two competition stages for overclockers. First stage- AMD FM1 platform: It is open to all overclockers with ECS brand motherboards only and the benchmark is: 3DMark06. Second competition stages- AMD FM2 platform: It is open to all overclockers with all brands of motherboards in the market, and the benchmark is: 3DMark Vantage. HWBOT general benchmark validation rules apply to both stages.
Sunday, October 28th 2012
Today's Reviews
CPU Coolers
Graphics Cards
Memory
Motherboards
Mouse
Notebooks
PSUs
Mozilla Gifts Microsoft IE Team Customary Cake
A nice little game Microsoft's Internet Explorer team and Mozilla play is gifting each other cake each time the other launches a new version of their browser. Mozilla sent Microsoft the latest one, to congratulate it on MSIE 10 launch (along with a much bigger one, of Windows 8). In its tweet, the MSIE team thanked Mozilla for the cake, and said it's looking forward to a version of Firefox optimized for Windows 8. It is rumored that Mozilla does/has in the past sent recipes along with their cake (keeping it open-source all the way). Microsoft launched its slickest, fastest version of Internet Explorer with Windows 8, a version for Windows 7 is slated for November.
Abee Announces RC0x Series Cube-Shaped Cases
Japanese company Abee announced four new cube-shaped cases of various sizes, which are designed to make it easier to space out hardware, and install space-hungry optional components such as water-cooling. Perfectly cubical, the series includes RC04 and RC04G designed for mini-ITX motherboards; RC07 and RC07G for micro-ATX/mini-ITX motherboards.
The RC04 series measures 240 x 240 x 240 mm, made with aluminum alloy framework (chassis), and brushed aluminum panels. The RC04 is available in black and silver, while the RC04G features additional color options and a better "shiny" (chrome) finish, available in silver, carbon-black, and brown. It packs room for graphics cards as long as 190 mm. and low-profile CPU coolers (no more than 55 mm tall). There's just enough room for a compact ATX PSU (which can make room for two more 3.5-inch bays), a 3.5-inch HDD, and 2.5-inch HDD/SSD (two separate bays), and a 5.25-inch bay (which can make room for two more 3.5-inch bays.
The RC04 series measures 240 x 240 x 240 mm, made with aluminum alloy framework (chassis), and brushed aluminum panels. The RC04 is available in black and silver, while the RC04G features additional color options and a better "shiny" (chrome) finish, available in silver, carbon-black, and brown. It packs room for graphics cards as long as 190 mm. and low-profile CPU coolers (no more than 55 mm tall). There's just enough room for a compact ATX PSU (which can make room for two more 3.5-inch bays), a 3.5-inch HDD, and 2.5-inch HDD/SSD (two separate bays), and a 5.25-inch bay (which can make room for two more 3.5-inch bays.
Audio Precision ASIO Driver Bypasses Windows Audio for Direct Testing of Pro-Audio IO
Audio Precision, the recognized standard in audio test, today demonstrated its new ASIO driver, used to bypass Windows audio when testing pro audio PC interfaces connected by USB, Firewire or PCI.
ASIO is a PC audio driver technology developed by Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH (and since adopted across the pro-audio industry) that allows audio software to communicate directly with connected audio hardware with extremely low latency, high channel count and bit-transparent transfer of data.
ASIO is a PC audio driver technology developed by Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH (and since adopted across the pro-audio industry) that allows audio software to communicate directly with connected audio hardware with extremely low latency, high channel count and bit-transparent transfer of data.
FinalWire Releases AIDA64 v2.70
FinalWire Ltd. today announced the immediate availability of AIDA64 Extreme Edition 2.70 software, a streamlined diagnostic and benchmarking tool for home users; and the immediate availability of AIDA64 Business Edition 2.70 software, an essential network management solution for small and medium scale enterprises.
The latest AIDA64 update introduces completely rewritten PhotoWorxx and AES benchmarks, optimized for AESNI, AVX, SSE4.1, VIA PadLock, and XOP capable AMD, Intel and VIA processors. The new AIDA64 release also implements full support for Socket FM2 motherboards, adds optimized 64-bit benchmarks for AMD FX-Series "Vishera" processors, and supports the latest GeForce and Quadro graphics accelerators by nVIDIA.
DOWNLOAD: FinalWire AIDA64 v2.70 Installer | ZIP Package
The latest AIDA64 update introduces completely rewritten PhotoWorxx and AES benchmarks, optimized for AESNI, AVX, SSE4.1, VIA PadLock, and XOP capable AMD, Intel and VIA processors. The new AIDA64 release also implements full support for Socket FM2 motherboards, adds optimized 64-bit benchmarks for AMD FX-Series "Vishera" processors, and supports the latest GeForce and Quadro graphics accelerators by nVIDIA.
IBM Researchers Demo Initial Steps toward Commercial Fabrication of Carbon Nanotubes
IBM scientists have demonstrated a new approach to carbon nanotechnology that opens up the path for commercial fabrication of dramatically smaller, faster and more powerful computer chips. For the first time, more than ten thousand working transistors made of nano-sized tubes of carbon have been precisely placed and tested in a single chip using standard semiconductor processes. These carbon devices are poised to replace and outperform silicon technology allowing further miniaturization of computing components and leading the way for future microelectronics.
KINGMAX Releases the MMP30 mSATA SSD
The world-renowned memory and FLASH module manufacturer KINGMAX has pinpointed the trend of increasing demand for miniaturized solid state drives. With the recent release of the MMP20 mSATA SSD, now the mSATA MMP30 SSD that uses the SATA III 6 Gb/s interface is also released. Not only is it suitable for the newest Ultrabook, it is also suitable for tablet PCs and Small Form Factor or embedded systems.
The MMP30 has both performance and economic benefits, making it the ideal choice for system integrators or manufacturers. Average consumers can also use the MMP30 SSD with a mainboard that supports Intel Smart Response Technology to easily upgrade the system performance.
The MMP30 has both performance and economic benefits, making it the ideal choice for system integrators or manufacturers. Average consumers can also use the MMP30 SSD with a mainboard that supports Intel Smart Response Technology to easily upgrade the system performance.
Friday, October 26th 2012
Today's Contests
Today's Reviews
Cases
CPU Coolers
Desktop PC
Graphics Cards
Motherboards
Speakers
Logitech UE Boombox Review
Logitech bought Ultimate Ears about a year ago and now we are finally seeing the first joint effort of the two companies. Today we will be taking a look at their new Boombox which is a basically a battery powered wireless speaker with over six hours of battery life.
Gigabyte Preps a New 1 GB Radeon HD 7850 Card
It seems that one memory-light Radeon HD 7850 isn't enough for Gigabyte because the Taiwanese company is currently preparing a second such card, the GV-R785WF2-1GD. Seen below, this latest Pitcairn-powered offering features an Ultra Durable 2 design (Low RDS(on) MOSFET, Ferrite Core Choke, All-Solid Capacitors), a blue PCB, a WindForce2X (two fans, two copper heatpipes) cooler, a GPU clock of 860 MHz, a 256-bit memory interface, 1 GB of GDDR5 VRAM set to 4800 MHz, and DVI, HDMI plus dual mini DisplayPort outputs.
The GV-R785WF2-1GD hasn't been priced or dated yet.
The GV-R785WF2-1GD hasn't been priced or dated yet.
Overclockers UK Announces a Full Line of Windows 8 PCs
The new range of Windows 8 Edition PCs are now available to buy from Overclockers UK and you can also purchase the full range of Windows 8 software, available with free delivery!
Windows 8 works seamlessly across all of your devices, from your desktop PC through to your touch screen tablet and it's also slick, quick and highly customisable. Windows 8 is already proving highly popular with Overclockers UK customers, keen to discover new features like an all-new DirectX 11 which delivers even faster, smoother gaming.
Windows 8 works seamlessly across all of your devices, from your desktop PC through to your touch screen tablet and it's also slick, quick and highly customisable. Windows 8 is already proving highly popular with Overclockers UK customers, keen to discover new features like an all-new DirectX 11 which delivers even faster, smoother gaming.
Intel Delivers Windows 8-Compatible Solid-State Drive Toolbox
Intel announced today a new Intel Solid-State Drive (SSD) Toolbox version 3.1 that is Windows 8-compatible. Offered in 11 languages, the Intel SSD Toolbox helps users keep their Intel SSD in prime condition. Other new features include RAID 0 Trim support with RST 11.x drivers, Plug and Play Support and proactive user notifications. Download the updated toolbox at: www.intel.com/go/ssdtoolbox
ASRock Launches the Z77 Extreme6/TB4 Motherboard with Thunderbolt
Few things in life are more complicated than the ports on a motherboard's rear panel. Not only do they disguise themselves in different shapes and sizes, they also serve for unique purposes and offer distinct performance. However, currently there is one in particular that stands out and deserves recognition - Thunderbolt! The leading motherboard manufacturer ASRock is joyous to announce that its new motherboard Z77 Extreme6/TB4 is equipped with two new Thunderbolt ports that support the revolutionary new file transfer technology.
Spire Introduces the X2 6011 MOD Series Gamer Chassis
The X2.6011 is the newest addition to the Spire X2 product range. Built with 0.8 mm steel maximum performance and computing satisfaction. Every element of the case has been engineered to provide maximum cooling performance. Up to six large 12 cm fans can be placed throughout the X2.6011 ensuring unbeatable cooling. The pre-installed dust filters limit the amount of dust that gets sucked into the case. The spacious internal design enables flexible assembly and sufficient room for the installation of water-cooling.
The chassis provides good cable management capabilities and is pre-applied with rubber grommet holes for feeding the external water-cooling tubes. 3 removable front bezels can accommodate 3 x 5.25 inch drive bays. Two removable drive cages with direct cooling and tool free mounting provide adequate space, fitting up to a total of eight (8) hard disc drives. Anti-vibration mountings and application of cooling fans make this the affordable power machine you have been looking for. Another great product by SpireX2 - All geared up!
The chassis provides good cable management capabilities and is pre-applied with rubber grommet holes for feeding the external water-cooling tubes. 3 removable front bezels can accommodate 3 x 5.25 inch drive bays. Two removable drive cages with direct cooling and tool free mounting provide adequate space, fitting up to a total of eight (8) hard disc drives. Anti-vibration mountings and application of cooling fans make this the affordable power machine you have been looking for. Another great product by SpireX2 - All geared up!
DisplayLink Announces Microsoft Windows 8 Support for PCs, Notebooks
DisplayLink, the leading provider of USB Graphics Technology, today announced its latest USB Graphics Software release, adding support for Microsoft's Windows 8 Operating System. Its latest Version 7.0 release is fully backwards compatible with all DisplayLink enabled USB 2.0 and 3.0 products and adds support for new Ultrabooks and Intel based Tablet / Slate PCs. DisplayLink users can now enjoy all the new features of Windows 8 along with multi-screen connectivity for docking stations, monitors, and graphics adapters via the simplicity of a single plug-and-display USB cable.
"Our latest software release enables USB Graphics on a much wider range of computing products, including Intel based Tablet and Slate PCs and Microsoft's Surface Pro platforms for business," said John Cummins, SVP Sales & Marketing. "We've worked closely with our key customers and partners to ensure everything is ready on time for the Windows 8 launch and are proud to have the drivers fully available today for users globally."
"Our latest software release enables USB Graphics on a much wider range of computing products, including Intel based Tablet and Slate PCs and Microsoft's Surface Pro platforms for business," said John Cummins, SVP Sales & Marketing. "We've worked closely with our key customers and partners to ensure everything is ready on time for the Windows 8 launch and are proud to have the drivers fully available today for users globally."
Make Your Move to Windows 8 with Seagate
With the consumer availability of Microsoft Windows 8 operating system, Seagate Technology plc is helping to make the move as seamless as possible for those making the upgrade. Seagate Backup Plus family of drives is the essential upgrade tool to ensure that all your important files make the move with you. All of Seagate's external storage devices are compatible with current Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP, and will also work with the new Windows 8 OS.
According to Gartner's Forecast Analysis: PC OS Market, Worldwide, 2008-2015, 2011 Update, July 2011; "By the end of 2012 it is expected that 9.6 million of the installed base of personal computers will run Windows 8 and by 2013, it is predicted that 193.2 million personal computers in use will be running Windows 8."
According to Gartner's Forecast Analysis: PC OS Market, Worldwide, 2008-2015, 2011 Update, July 2011; "By the end of 2012 it is expected that 9.6 million of the installed base of personal computers will run Windows 8 and by 2013, it is predicted that 193.2 million personal computers in use will be running Windows 8."
Panasonic Intros the Toughbook C2 Windows 8 Convertible Tablet PC
Panasonic, an industry leader in rugged, reliable mobile computers since 1996, today announced the Toughbook C2 - a semi-rugged convertible tablet PC that is Panasonic's first Toughbook model optimized for the new Microsoft Windows 8 Pro operating system.
The new device includes a third-generation Intel Core processor, delivers approximately 11 hours of battery life and offers the industry-leading reliability that is synonymous with the Toughbook brand. For highly mobile workers in markets like healthcare, education and field sales - as well as the IT departments that support them - the Toughbook C2 will deliver the performance and reliability needed to drive improved productivity.
The new device includes a third-generation Intel Core processor, delivers approximately 11 hours of battery life and offers the industry-leading reliability that is synonymous with the Toughbook brand. For highly mobile workers in markets like healthcare, education and field sales - as well as the IT departments that support them - the Toughbook C2 will deliver the performance and reliability needed to drive improved productivity.
ASUS ROG and Ubisoft Present Digital Download Bonus Game Promotion
Welcoming the busiest time of the year for gamers, ASUS ROG is proud to offer buyers of participating products a bonus game in collaboration with Ubisoft. Select ROG motherboards, desktops, audio cards, and headsets are taking part in the promotion, as well as specific ASUS graphics cards. All deliver the best gaming hardware in their respective segments, driven by exclusive innovation and careful attention to the needs of gamers. As the leading makers of performance PC gaming hardware, ROG and ASUS offer superior products now made even better with attractive bonus games from one of the largest video game publishers.
World's leading gaming gear now bundled with best-selling and innovative games
The exclusive campaign adds further incentive to invest in the best. Participating products include select ROG motherboards, desktops, audio cards, and headsets, plus several ASUS graphics cards. All bear the ROG and ASUS passion for top-echelon performance, aggressive design, and gamer-focused features. Customers receive an exclusive Ubisoft digital game download code, which can be used at the ASUS UBIShop promotion page to redeem one of the five games specified in this press release. The promotion and its dedicated page will go live October 31, 2012.
World's leading gaming gear now bundled with best-selling and innovative games
The exclusive campaign adds further incentive to invest in the best. Participating products include select ROG motherboards, desktops, audio cards, and headsets, plus several ASUS graphics cards. All bear the ROG and ASUS passion for top-echelon performance, aggressive design, and gamer-focused features. Customers receive an exclusive Ubisoft digital game download code, which can be used at the ASUS UBIShop promotion page to redeem one of the five games specified in this press release. The promotion and its dedicated page will go live October 31, 2012.
MSI Offering Free Assassin's Creed III Download with GeForce GTX 650 Ti Cards
Leading mainboard and graphics card maker MSI is now offering the full version of the latest "Assassin's Creed III" game for download with every GTX 650 Ti graphics card (N650TI PE 1GD5/OC and N650Ti-1GD5/OC). The new game from Ubisoft has been for three years in development. The new game engine delivers revolutionary visual effects, realistic character models and advanced computer AI to take the Assassin's Creed series to new and stunning heights. Assassin's Creed III is set against the American War of Independence. History takes a different turn here with all new heroes, a wide array of gaming elements and life like scenery.
When combined with the extraordinary performance of the GTX 650 TI, the player can take the role of a master assassin and fight their way through the revolutionary battlefields. Along the way, they will witness the truth behind the conspiracy of the American War of Independence, explore the realistic Colonial world within the game and experience the smooth combat effects.
When combined with the extraordinary performance of the GTX 650 TI, the player can take the role of a master assassin and fight their way through the revolutionary battlefields. Along the way, they will witness the truth behind the conspiracy of the American War of Independence, explore the realistic Colonial world within the game and experience the smooth combat effects.
ASUS Unveils the Xonar D-KARA Audio Card
As the online karaoke and recording phenomenon continues to gain traction, demand has emerged for dedicated hardware that enables pro-level singing and recording via PC at home. The ASUS Xonar D-KARA karaoke audio card (PCI interface) presents professional effects and recording capabilities, designed by Xonar and music industry engineers. It supports simplified pre-set recording and extra-detailed input, with strong hardware that ensures optimized voice syncing and ultra-vivid 106dB SNR.
D-KARA helps customers enjoy social singing, recording, editing, and sharing of vocal performances, consolidating features under the user-friendly Xonar Audio Center.
D-KARA helps customers enjoy social singing, recording, editing, and sharing of vocal performances, consolidating features under the user-friendly Xonar Audio Center.
ASUS Launches the RT-N12HP Wireless-N300 High-Power Router
To serve home and office users who need wider wireless coverage, the ASUS RT-N12HP high-power wireless-N300 router employs detachable 9dBi antennas and a unique hardware signal power amplifier. It extends Wi-Fi range by up to 300%, at the same time offering 3-in-1 utility as a router, access point, and range extender. The user-friendly interface also supports up to four separate networks, with different bandwidth and access privileges.
High-power technology generates up to 300% wider wireless coverage
The RT-N12HP utilizes a custom hardware architecture that augments wireless transmission and signal quality with detachable 9dBi high-gain antennas and a discrete signal power amplifier. These create a major increase in 802.11n wireless coverage, up to 300% longer-range compared to standard N300 routers. At the same time, the improved hardware ensures a more stable and consistent signal. The RT-N12HP is therefore a highly viable choice for homes and small businesses that want complete coverage via a single networking device.
High-power technology generates up to 300% wider wireless coverage
The RT-N12HP utilizes a custom hardware architecture that augments wireless transmission and signal quality with detachable 9dBi high-gain antennas and a discrete signal power amplifier. These create a major increase in 802.11n wireless coverage, up to 300% longer-range compared to standard N300 routers. At the same time, the improved hardware ensures a more stable and consistent signal. The RT-N12HP is therefore a highly viable choice for homes and small businesses that want complete coverage via a single networking device.
BenQ Launches the BL2410PT 24-inch VA Monitor
BenQ has this week announced the upcoming arrival of its newest, business-oriented display, the 24-inch BL2410PT. This monitor features a VA panel with a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, 178/178 degree viewing angles, a 4 ms (GtG) response time, a contrast ratio of 5,000:1, 250 cd/m2 brightness, and D-Sub, DVI, plus DisplayPort inputs.
BenQ's creation also packs a two-port USB hub, two 1 W speakers, a stand allowing for height, tilt, pivot, stroke and swivel adjustment, an ambient light sensor, an eco sensor (it switches the monitor to Eco Mode when you step away from the PC), and a ' Smart Reminder' that will notify the user to 'take a break in a predefined time interval'. The BL2410PT will start selling next month for €289.
BenQ's creation also packs a two-port USB hub, two 1 W speakers, a stand allowing for height, tilt, pivot, stroke and swivel adjustment, an ambient light sensor, an eco sensor (it switches the monitor to Eco Mode when you step away from the PC), and a ' Smart Reminder' that will notify the user to 'take a break in a predefined time interval'. The BL2410PT will start selling next month for €289.
TechPowerUp GPU-Z v0.6.6 Released
TechPowerUp announced the latest version of GPU-Z, version 0.6.6, with a host of stability updates. To begin with, support was added for NVIDIA Tesla M2070 GPU compute accelerator. The issue of main window not displaying correctly with non-standard Windows font DPI settings is fixed. GPU overclock calculation was fixed for pre-Kepler NVIDIA GPUs. Crashes on systems with broken high-precision event timer implementation (HPET) were fixed, and so were several memory leaks.
DOWNLOAD: TechPowerUp GPU-Z 0.6.6, TechPowerUp GPU-Z 0.6.6 ASUS ROG Edition
The change-log for this version follows.
The change-log for this version follows.
Sharkoon Also Readies the REX3 Value and REX3 Economy Cases
In addition to releasing the REX8 models Sharkoon is also preparing the introduction of two more midi tower PC cases, the REX3 Value and REX3 Economy. These entry-level chassis' are as big as the REX8 models (485 x 185 x 420 mm), they weight 6.5 kg and have three 5.25-inch and four 3.5-inch drive bays, a mesh front panel, six USB ports (6 x USB 2.0 for the Economy, 2 x USB 3.0 and 4 x USB 2.0 for the Value), seven PCI slots, and three holes for watercooling tubes on the back panel. Both cases support graphics cards up to 29 cm long and CPU coolers up to 16 cm tall. The REX3 Value also comes with two 120 mm LED fans, one in front and one at the rear.
The REX3 Economy will be available in black and the REX3 Value will come in black and white (and with a side window).
The REX3 Economy will be available in black and the REX3 Value will come in black and white (and with a side window).
Sharkoon Rolls Out the REX8 Midi Tower PC Cases
Sharkoon has this week released a couple of new cases, the REX8 Value and REX8 Economy midi towers. Both models measure 485 (L) x 185 (W) x 420 (H) mm and feature six USB ports (2 x USB 3.0 plus 4 x USB 2.0 on the Value, 6 x USB 2.0 on the Economy), four 5.25-inch and four 3.5/2.5-inch drive bays, a mesh front panel, seven PCI slots, and three pre-drilled holes on the back panel for watercooling tubing.
The REX8 Economy comes only in black and costs about €39, while the REX8 Value, with its two pre-installed 120 mm fans (both equipped with LEDs) and side window, is available in both black (~ €46) and white (~ €48).
The REX8 Economy comes only in black and costs about €39, while the REX8 Value, with its two pre-installed 120 mm fans (both equipped with LEDs) and side window, is available in both black (~ €46) and white (~ €48).
MSI Announces All-New Wind Top AE2282/AE2282G All-in-One Desktops
MSI launches its all new 21.5 inch entertainment model, the Wind Top AE2282/AE2282G, that attempts to take the inspiration from its 22-inch All-in-One PC while preserving its excellent design as well as the classical models. MSI is looking forward to developing the new generation AIO to be the standard, and leading the edge of trends that makes innovative technology. The AE2282/AE2282G uses a Full HD display along with an industry-leading LED backlight technology, which saves about 30% more power than traditional CCFL panels. With MSI exclusive power-saving technology, it can save money for users on the infression age, as well as reach the concept of green PC positively.
Falcon Northwest Announces Windows 8 for its Entire PC Lineup
Gaming PC maker Falcon Northwest announced that Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro are being offered as OS options for its entire lineup of gaming desktops and notebooks, including the flagship Mach V desktop, Talon performance desktop, Fragbox LAN party desktop, Tiki signature compact desktop, DRX desktop-replacement notebook, and TLX thin-and-light gaming notebook.
Although Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate are available as options, Windows 8 Standard replaced Windows 7 Home Premium as the base OS choice, with Windows 8 Pro being available at a premium of US $44. Windows 7 Professional comes at the same exact premium (+$44), while Windows 7 Ultimate is the most expensive option, at +$102.
Although Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Ultimate are available as options, Windows 8 Standard replaced Windows 7 Home Premium as the base OS choice, with Windows 8 Pro being available at a premium of US $44. Windows 7 Professional comes at the same exact premium (+$44), while Windows 7 Ultimate is the most expensive option, at +$102.
Velocity Micro Now Shipping Desktops and Laptops Featuring Windows 8
Velocity Micro, the premier builder of award winning enthusiast desktops, laptops, peripherals, and the remarkable line of Cruz tablets is now shipping desktops and laptops powered by Window 8. Designed, built, and supported in the USA, Velocity Micro desktops powered by Windows 8 start at just $749.
"Our customers have been eagerly anticipating the release of Windows 8 for quite some time," said Randy Copeland, President and CEO of Velocity Micro. "We're excited to begin shipping to them. And with the enhancements that Stardock's Start8 solution offer, not only will customers be getting all of the great upgrades that come with Windows 8, but they'll also be getting some of the functionality they've become familiar with from Windows 7."
"Our customers have been eagerly anticipating the release of Windows 8 for quite some time," said Randy Copeland, President and CEO of Velocity Micro. "We're excited to begin shipping to them. And with the enhancements that Stardock's Start8 solution offer, not only will customers be getting all of the great upgrades that come with Windows 8, but they'll also be getting some of the functionality they've become familiar with from Windows 7."
Windows Store to Pack "Mature" Games and Apps
Microsoft wants to leave no stone un-turned to establish Windows Store as a competitive online software and content distribution platform. According to a Gizmodo report, the company plans to revise its store policy to include rated-mature games and apps, leaving its definition to the buyers' imagination. For reference, Apple App Store has strict guidelines that govern "mature" content. Microsoft's move corrects a discrepancy between two game rating systems, ESRB of the US, and PEGI of Europe. While ESRB classifies 18+ games between "mature" (blood, gore, violence, bad language), and "adult" (porn), PEGI uses the broad classification of "PEGI-18." By Microsoft's own policy, it caused disqualification of ESRB Rated-M games.
HIS Coming up with a Radeon HD 7970 X2 Card
PowerColor's HD7990 will soon have some competition as HIS (Hightech Information System) is also going to release a graphics card powered by two AMD Tahiti chips. Dubbed Radeon HD 7970 X2 (apparently HIS doesn't want to use '7990'), this new dual-GPU card features a three-slot, dual-fan cooler, three 8-pin PCIe power connectors, a Lucidlogix PCIe switch (the PowerColor HD7990 uses a PLX bridge), a GPU clock of 1050 MHz, and 6 GB of GDDR5 memory set to 6000 MHz.
HIS' HD 7970 X2 also has dual-DVI and quad mini DisplayPort outputs. Pricing and availability are still unknown.
HIS' HD 7970 X2 also has dual-DVI and quad mini DisplayPort outputs. Pricing and availability are still unknown.
ASRock Announces A Pair of New Socket FM2 Motherboards
ASRock made two additions to its socket FM2 motherboard lineup, based on the AMD A85X chipset. These include the FM2A85X Extreme4 (ATX form-factor), and FM2A85X Extreme4-M (micro-ATX). The FM2A85X Extreme4 is a notch below the feature-rich FM2A85X Extreme6. Built in the slim ATX form-factor, the board uses a simple 6-phase VRM to power the APU socket, which is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots supporting up to 64 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1866 MHz memory, and a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot. While it has two long PCIe slots, one of them is electrical x4, wired to the FCH. Other expansion slots include two PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and three legacy PCI. Seven out of eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports are assigned as internal ports, with one eSATA. The board features four USB 3.0 ports in total. HDMI, DVI, and D-Sub make up display inputs, gigabit Ethernet, and 8-channel audio make for the rest of the connectivity.
Moving on, the FM2A85X Extreme4-M is a compressed variant of the FM2A85X Extreme4, which features an expansion slot layout of one PCI-Express 2.0 x16 wired to the APU, a PCI-Express 2.0 x4 (physical x16) wired to the FCH, and one each of PCI-Express 2.0 x1 and legacy PCI. Much like the FM2A85X Extreme4, its display connectivity features DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI; seven out of eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports are internal, with an eSATA port; gigabit Ethernet and 8-channel HD audio make for the rest of the connectivity. The two are priced in the US $90-$110 range.
Moving on, the FM2A85X Extreme4-M is a compressed variant of the FM2A85X Extreme4, which features an expansion slot layout of one PCI-Express 2.0 x16 wired to the APU, a PCI-Express 2.0 x4 (physical x16) wired to the FCH, and one each of PCI-Express 2.0 x1 and legacy PCI. Much like the FM2A85X Extreme4, its display connectivity features DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI; seven out of eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports are internal, with an eSATA port; gigabit Ethernet and 8-channel HD audio make for the rest of the connectivity. The two are priced in the US $90-$110 range.
Microsoft Surface Now Available at Microsoft Retail Stores
Microsoft Corp. today announced that its new PC, Microsoft Surface, is now available for purchase at all Microsoft retail, holiday and online stores in the United States and Canada. Designed to be the ultimate stage for Windows RT, Surface is unique and represents exceptional value, providing an immersive entertainment experience and a foundation for getting things done. With a starting price of US$499,1 Surface will be available online at www.microsoftstore.com in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. In China and Hong Kong, Surface will be available online at Suning. More details are available here.
A variety of Surface accessories are also available for purchase, including Touch Covers in five vibrant colors - black, white, magenta, cyan and red - priced at US$119.99, so customers can express their personal style.2 Customers also have the option to purchase a Type Cover in black for US$129.99, which adds moving keys for a more traditional typing feel.
A variety of Surface accessories are also available for purchase, including Touch Covers in five vibrant colors - black, white, magenta, cyan and red - priced at US$119.99, so customers can express their personal style.2 Customers also have the option to purchase a Type Cover in black for US$129.99, which adds moving keys for a more traditional typing feel.
MAINGEAR Offers Microsoft Windows 8 on All Systems
MAINGEAR, an award-winning PC system builder of custom desktops, notebooks, workstations launches the new Windows 8 operating system on all MAINGEAR systems.
The new Windows 8 OS is a beautiful, fast, and fluid design that is smooth, intuitive, and gives you instant access to your people, apps, and important information, so users can spend less time searching and more time doing what they love whether it's playing PC games, surfing the internet or keeping in touch with their social circle.
The new Windows 8 OS is a beautiful, fast, and fluid design that is smooth, intuitive, and gives you instant access to your people, apps, and important information, so users can spend less time searching and more time doing what they love whether it's playing PC games, surfing the internet or keeping in touch with their social circle.
ORIGIN PC Now Shipping Touch Enabled Windows 8 Desktops and Laptops
ORIGIN PC is now shipping Microsoft's new Windows 8 Operating System on their full line of award-winning desktops and laptops for gamers, artists, professionals and enthusiasts. Windows 8 has been redesigned with a new intuitive interface that provides instant access to contacts, apps, games and personal data, yet still offers the same foundation from Windows 7. Windows 8 adds a variety of new features such as significantly faster boot up times, cloud connectivity, multi-touch support for the EON17-SLX laptops, and multi-touch support for 3rd party Microsoft certified peripherals to provide a new experience on your ORIGIN system. ORIGIN PC will continue to offer and ship orders with Windows 7 post launch to provide a robust custom experience for all customers.
Samsung Electronics Announces Third Quarter 2012 Earnings Results
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced revenues of 52.18 trillion Korean won on a consolidated basis for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012, a 26-percent increase year-on-year. For the quarter, the company's consolidated operating profit reached an all-time high of 8.12 trillion won, representing a 91-percent increase year-on-year. Consolidated net profit for the July-September period was 6.56 trillion won.
In its earnings guidance disclosed on October 5, Samsung estimated third quarter consolidated revenues would reach approximately 52 trillion won with consolidated operating profit of approximately 8.1 trillion won. Samsung's solid performance is mainly attributed to increased sales of handheld phones and stronger demand for display panels. The Mobile Communications Business posted 26.25 trillion won in revenue for the quarter, accounting for more than half of Samsung's total revenue. As for the display panel segment, increased shipments of Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) and Liquid Crystal Display panels used in tablets and smartphones, as well as TVs drove up profitability.
In its earnings guidance disclosed on October 5, Samsung estimated third quarter consolidated revenues would reach approximately 52 trillion won with consolidated operating profit of approximately 8.1 trillion won. Samsung's solid performance is mainly attributed to increased sales of handheld phones and stronger demand for display panels. The Mobile Communications Business posted 26.25 trillion won in revenue for the quarter, accounting for more than half of Samsung's total revenue. As for the display panel segment, increased shipments of Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) and Liquid Crystal Display panels used in tablets and smartphones, as well as TVs drove up profitability.
Thursday, October 25th 2012
Today's Reviews
Cases
Cooling
CPU Coolers
Desktop PC
Graphics Cards
Memory
Mouse
- Razer Taipan HT4U (de)
Nettops
Notebooks
Processors
Synology DS213+ Review
Synology recently introduced several new NAS servers, including the DS213+ which includes many upgrades over its predecessor. A dual-core processor powers the DS213+ offering faster speeds in every RAID configuration it supports. Also, with only 2.6 Watts during system hibernation this NAS offers great energy savings, something many users will appreciate.
k|ngp|n and EVGA Eclipse the Competition in a Storming LN2 World Record Session
Vince "k|ngp|n" Lucido is one of the world's most well known Overclockers today. So in October 2012, EVGA put his skills to the test and challenged him to crush the competition and sweep the board for 3DMark 11 scores. Armed with an assortment of EVGA GeForce GTX 680 Classified, EVGA X79 Classified Motherboard, EVGA SuperNOVA NEX1500 Classified power supplies, and enough Liquid Nitrogen to turn Taipei into a deep freeze; Vince was able to smash three brand new 3DMark 11 World Records*. In fact, EVGA along with k|ngp|n were the first to reach over 17,000 points on a single graphics card!
World Records:
World Records:
- 3DMark 11 Performance (Single Card) - P17,047
- 3DMark 11 Performance (2-Way SLI) - P25,380
- 3DMark 11 Extreme (4-Way SLI) - X17,384
Leading Technology Companies Announce Creation of Cyber Security Research Alliance
Today, leading technology companies announced the creation of the Cyber Security Research Alliance (CSRA). The CSRA is a private, non-profit research consortium formed in response to the growing need for increased public-private collaboration to address complex problems in cyber security. The founding members of the CSRI are Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Honeywell, Intel Corporation, Lockheed Martin, and RSA/EMC.
President Obama has prioritized cyber threats as one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation and a dependency to America's economic prosperity in the 21st century.
President Obama has prioritized cyber threats as one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation and a dependency to America's economic prosperity in the 21st century.
IDT Introduces Industry's Lowest-power DDR3-1866 Memory Buffer
Integrated Device Technology, Inc., the Analog and Digital Company delivering essential mixed-signal semiconductor solutions, today announced the introduction of the industry's first low-power DDR3 memory buffer capable of operating with transfer speeds up to 1866 megatransfers per second (MT/s).
The new device affirms IDT's leadership in memory interface solutions by advancing the top data transfer rates of DDR3 load-reduced dual-inline memory modules (LRDIMMs) and allowing system makers to benefit from increased memory capacity at higher speeds. IDT's memory buffer is a critical component for advanced memory subsystems in servers, workstations, and storage applications.
The new device affirms IDT's leadership in memory interface solutions by advancing the top data transfer rates of DDR3 load-reduced dual-inline memory modules (LRDIMMs) and allowing system makers to benefit from increased memory capacity at higher speeds. IDT's memory buffer is a critical component for advanced memory subsystems in servers, workstations, and storage applications.
Apple Reports Fourth Quarter Results
Apple today announced financial results for its fiscal 2012 fourth quarter ended September 29, 2012. The Company posted quarterly revenue of $36.0 billion and quarterly net profit of $8.2 billion, or $8.67 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $28.3 billion and net profit of $6.6 billion, or $7.05 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 40.0 percent compared to 40.3 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 60 percent of the quarter's revenue.
The Company sold 26.9 million iPhones in the quarter, representing 58 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 14.0 million iPads during the quarter, a 26 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 4.9 million Macs during the quarter, a 1 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 5.3 million iPods, a 19 percent unit decline from the year-ago quarter.
The Company sold 26.9 million iPhones in the quarter, representing 58 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 14.0 million iPads during the quarter, a 26 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 4.9 million Macs during the quarter, a 1 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 5.3 million iPods, a 19 percent unit decline from the year-ago quarter.
Philips Readies its Own 27-inch AMVA Display
Quickly following on AOC's footsteps, Philips is preparing the release of a self-branded 27-inch monitor equipped with an AMVA (Advanced Multi-domain Vertical Alignment) panel, the 271P4QPJKEB/00. Part of the Brilliance P-line, this incoming widescreen has a W-LED backlight, a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, 178/178 degree viewing angles, a 6 ms (GtG) response time, 300 cd/m2 brightness, a 5,000:1 contrast ratio (20,000,000:1 DCR), and D-Sub, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort connectors.
The 271P4QPJKEB/00 also comes with two built-in 2 W speakers, a 3-port USB 2.0 hub, a 2.0-megapixel camera, a 'people sensor' (that lowers brightness when the user is not in front of the display), and a stand allowing for height, pivot, swivel and tilt adjustment. This monitor is available for pre-order priced as low as €400.
The 271P4QPJKEB/00 also comes with two built-in 2 W speakers, a 3-port USB 2.0 hub, a 2.0-megapixel camera, a 'people sensor' (that lowers brightness when the user is not in front of the display), and a stand allowing for height, pivot, swivel and tilt adjustment. This monitor is available for pre-order priced as low as €400.
AOC Introduces the m2752Pqu 27-inch AMVA Display
Display specialist AOC launches a new XXL monitor with ultimate ergonomic functions in its Professional Line. An AMVA panel for superb image quality, LED backlights, a screen size of 68,6 cm (27") and numerous other features make this outstanding LCD a must-have - especially for demanding users. With the m2752Pqu AOC presents a premium product in the field of professional displays.
AMVA display technology for professional requirements
The m2752Pqu is equipped with an AMVA panel, a display technology that excels with sharp contrasts and an extraordinarily high colour stability plus viewing angles of up to 178° (vertical and horizontal). This panel type is thus particularly suitable for advanced graphic applications and has the added benefit of allowing several persons to simultaneously see a clear picture without colour shift. Even dynamic gaming or video sequences are rendered without distortions or blurring, making the monitor just as suitable for multimedia applications.
AMVA display technology for professional requirements
The m2752Pqu is equipped with an AMVA panel, a display technology that excels with sharp contrasts and an extraordinarily high colour stability plus viewing angles of up to 178° (vertical and horizontal). This panel type is thus particularly suitable for advanced graphic applications and has the added benefit of allowing several persons to simultaneously see a clear picture without colour shift. Even dynamic gaming or video sequences are rendered without distortions or blurring, making the monitor just as suitable for multimedia applications.
Philips Releases the 237E4QHAD/00 MHL-Supporting IPS Monitor
Philips has now made available a new E-line monitor, a 23-inch model dubbed 237E4QHAD/00 which has an IPS (in-plane switching) panel, W-LED backlighting, and MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) capabilities for easy connections with MHL-enabled mobile devices.
Philips' display comes with a Black Cherry coating and also features a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, a 7 ms (GtG) response time, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio (20,000,000:1 DCR), 250 cd/m2 brightness, two 2 W speakers, and D-Sub plus dual HDMI inputs. The 237E4QHAD/00 can be found priced at €182.
Philips' display comes with a Black Cherry coating and also features a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, a 7 ms (GtG) response time, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio (20,000,000:1 DCR), 250 cd/m2 brightness, two 2 W speakers, and D-Sub plus dual HDMI inputs. The 237E4QHAD/00 can be found priced at €182.
ARM, Red Hat and AppliedMicro Aim to Develop Disruptive 64-bit Server Platform
ARM, Red Hat, Inc. and Applied Micro Circuits Corporation today announced a collaboration that aims to develop a disruptive 64-bit server design platform to dramatically lower the total cost of ownership (TCO) of cloud computing, data centers and enterprises.
Fully compliant with the ARMv8 architecture, the AppliedMicro X-Gene Server on a Chip has been purpose-built for cloud and enterprise server deployment to deliver unprecedented low power, high performance and integration, with the goal of changing the way servers are designed for cloud, data center and enterprise applications.
Red Hat, the world's leading provider of open source solutions, is actively engaged in developing support within the Fedora community for the new 64-bit ARMv8 architecture, also known as AArch64.
Fully compliant with the ARMv8 architecture, the AppliedMicro X-Gene Server on a Chip has been purpose-built for cloud and enterprise server deployment to deliver unprecedented low power, high performance and integration, with the goal of changing the way servers are designed for cloud, data center and enterprise applications.
Red Hat, the world's leading provider of open source solutions, is actively engaged in developing support within the Fedora community for the new 64-bit ARMv8 architecture, also known as AArch64.
NVIDIA Powers Amazing Windows 8 Experiences
NVIDIA's deep expertise in visual and mobile computing, and its extensive collaboration with Microsoft Corp., mean that consumers will enjoy premium experiences running on NVIDIA-powered systems for Windows 8 and Windows RT.
PCs with NVIDIA GeForce GPUs will deliver exceptional experiences for editing photos and video, playing games and browsing the web because Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 10 now take advantage of graphics hardware. And NVIDIA Tegra processors will power a new generation of amazingly thin and light Windows RT devices that run for days on a single charge.
PCs with NVIDIA GeForce GPUs will deliver exceptional experiences for editing photos and video, playing games and browsing the web because Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 10 now take advantage of graphics hardware. And NVIDIA Tegra processors will power a new generation of amazingly thin and light Windows RT devices that run for days on a single charge.
Gigabyte Unveils the P2742G 17-inch Gaming Laptop
Gigabyte Technology is just about ready to roll out its first batch of Windows 8 products, notebooks and tablets running Microsoft's latest operating system. Among Gigabyte's offering is the P2742G, a gaming-oriented laptop which features a 17.3-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) screen, a 2.4 GHz Core i7-3630QM processor, 4/8 GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M 2 GB graphics card, and up to a 1 TB HDD or a 128/256 GB SSD.
The P2742G also has a DVD writer or Blu-ray combo drive, a 2.0-megapixel webcam, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, a 9-in-1 card reader, two USB 3.0 ports, D-Sub and HDMI outputs, and an 8-cell battery. No word yet on pricing.
The P2742G also has a DVD writer or Blu-ray combo drive, a 2.0-megapixel webcam, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, a 9-in-1 card reader, two USB 3.0 ports, D-Sub and HDMI outputs, and an 8-cell battery. No word yet on pricing.
Windows 8 Arrives
Microsoft Corp. today announced the global availability of its popular Windows operating system, Windows 8. Beginning Friday, Oct. 26, consumers and businesses worldwide will be able to experience all that Windows 8 has to offer, including a beautiful new user interface and a wide range of applications with the grand opening of the Windows Store. As a result of close work with hardware partners, more than 1,000 certified PCs and tablets, including Microsoft Surface, will be available for the launch of Windows 8 - making it the best lineup of PCs ever across the Windows 8 and Windows RT ecosystem.
"We have reimagined Windows and the result is a stunning lineup of new PCs," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "Windows 8 brings together the best of the PC and the tablet. It works perfect for work and play and it is alive with your world. Every one of our customers will find a PC that they will absolutely love."
"We have reimagined Windows and the result is a stunning lineup of new PCs," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "Windows 8 brings together the best of the PC and the tablet. It works perfect for work and play and it is alive with your world. Every one of our customers will find a PC that they will absolutely love."
Leading Technology Companies Form Cyber Security Research Alliance
Today, leading technology companies announced the creation of the Cyber Security Research Alliance (CSRA). The CSRA is a private, non-profit research consortium formed in response to the growing need for increased public-private collaboration to address complex problems in cyber security. The founding members of the CSRI are Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Honeywell, Intel Corporation, Lockheed Martin, and RSA/EMC.
President Obama has prioritized cyber threats as one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation and a dependency to America's economic prosperity in the 21st century.
CSRA seeks to achieve coordinated industry participation to address national cyber security research and development (R&D) imperatives and bridge the gap between government funded R&D and commercially available products and solutions in cyber security. CSRA will focus on challenges that are bigger than any one company, consortium, sector or nation and ensure that government, industry and academia collaborate on in-depth problem understanding and definition.
President Obama has prioritized cyber threats as one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation and a dependency to America's economic prosperity in the 21st century.
CSRA seeks to achieve coordinated industry participation to address national cyber security research and development (R&D) imperatives and bridge the gap between government funded R&D and commercially available products and solutions in cyber security. CSRA will focus on challenges that are bigger than any one company, consortium, sector or nation and ensure that government, industry and academia collaborate on in-depth problem understanding and definition.
Corsair Debuts Updated Hydro Series H60 and New Hydro Series H55 Liquid CPU Coolers
Corsair, a worldwide designer and supplier of high-performance components to the PC gaming hardware market, today announced an updated version of the award-winning Hydro Series H60 liquid CPU cooler, and the new Hydro Series H55 liquid CPU cooler.
The Hydro Series H55 is an update to the hugely respected Hydro Series H50, and is based on the latest, 4th generation cold-plate design. The updated version of the Hydro Series H60 takes advantage of the latest cold plate, manifold and fan technology to further increase performance and reduce noise levels.
The Hydro Series H55 is an update to the hugely respected Hydro Series H50, and is based on the latest, 4th generation cold-plate design. The updated version of the Hydro Series H60 takes advantage of the latest cold plate, manifold and fan technology to further increase performance and reduce noise levels.
Corsair Announces Gaming Mouse Mats
Corsair, a worldwide designer and supplier of high-performance components to the PC gaming hardware market, today announced a new range of gaming mouse mats, designed with durable, gaming-grade surfaces designed to maximize the performance of high-quality gaming mice like the Vengeance Series laser gaming mice.
"Just as performance sports cars needs premium-quality tires in order to maximize performance on the road, a high-quality gaming mouse mat is essential to maximize the performance of gaming mice like the Vengeance laser gaming mice", said Ruben Mookerjee, Vice President and General Manager of the Components Business Unit at Corsair. "Corsair gaming mouse mats are engineered from the ground-up to deliver the consistent performance that gamers demand, so they can focus on winning."
Two model ranges will launch initially: the Vengeance MM200, and Vengeance MM400.
"Just as performance sports cars needs premium-quality tires in order to maximize performance on the road, a high-quality gaming mouse mat is essential to maximize the performance of gaming mice like the Vengeance laser gaming mice", said Ruben Mookerjee, Vice President and General Manager of the Components Business Unit at Corsair. "Corsair gaming mouse mats are engineered from the ground-up to deliver the consistent performance that gamers demand, so they can focus on winning."
Two model ranges will launch initially: the Vengeance MM200, and Vengeance MM400.
Samsung Expands its Memory Card Line
Samsung Electronics America Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced an expanded line of advanced SD and microSD cards with the introduction of a new Pro Series line featuring cards with capacities up to 64 GB and transfer speeds up to 80 MB per second.
Available now, the new cards are currently on display at PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. These new memory cards offer added performance benefits for photographers looking to capture high-quality images, or for mobile users looking to expand the storage capacity and life of their smartphone or tablet device.
Available now, the new cards are currently on display at PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. These new memory cards offer added performance benefits for photographers looking to capture high-quality images, or for mobile users looking to expand the storage capacity and life of their smartphone or tablet device.
Brother Introduces New Webcam and Speakerphone Products
Brother International Corporation, a leader in small business technology, today announced the launch of its new NW-1000 webcam and VT-1000 speakerphone. This expansion of hardware, plus the recent launch of the cloud-based OmniJoin Web Conferencing service, marks the arrival of a complete, and affordable, web conference experience from a single company.
The new webcam and speakerphone work with virtually any web conferencing service, but are optimized to work with the OmniJoin Web Conferencing service. They will quickly and easily provide users with crystal clear audio and HD-quality video experience1, all using 'plug-and-play' hardware via universal USB connection.
The new webcam and speakerphone work with virtually any web conferencing service, but are optimized to work with the OmniJoin Web Conferencing service. They will quickly and easily provide users with crystal clear audio and HD-quality video experience1, all using 'plug-and-play' hardware via universal USB connection.
Most Mobile SoCs GPUs Shipped by Qualcomm in First Half
Jon Peddie Research (JPR), the industry's research and consulting firm for graphics and multimedia, announced estimated mobile devices graphics chip shipments and suppliers' market share for first half of 2012.
We found that shipments of GPUs in mobile devices (tablets and smart phones) during the first half of 2012 had a growth year to year (1h'11 to 1h'12) of 69.4%. Samsung's sales surged in the first half giving them the highest CAGR for the year (179%), followed by Qualcomm (39%), which was already enjoying high shipment rates. MediaTek (included under "Others" for this report but we will break them out by name in our next report on mobile devices) had a phenomenal 966% growth year to year (starting from a very low base).
We found that shipments of GPUs in mobile devices (tablets and smart phones) during the first half of 2012 had a growth year to year (1h'11 to 1h'12) of 69.4%. Samsung's sales surged in the first half giving them the highest CAGR for the year (179%), followed by Qualcomm (39%), which was already enjoying high shipment rates. MediaTek (included under "Others" for this report but we will break them out by name in our next report on mobile devices) had a phenomenal 966% growth year to year (starting from a very low base).
Thermalright Releases the True Spirit 120 Rev. A (BW) CPU Cooler
Thermalright has this week introduced an updated version of its True Spirit 120 CPU cooler, the 'Rev. A (BW)'. Pictured below, the cooler features 48 aluminum fins, four 6 mm copper heatpipes and one 120 mm black/white fan operating at 600 to 1500 RPM (up to 28 dBA sound output), and it comes bundled with a mounting kit providing support for Intel LGA 775/1366/1156/1155/2011 and AMD AM2(+)/AM3( +)/FM1/FM2 processors.
The True Spirit 120 Rev. A (BW) can be found here priced at €25.99.
The True Spirit 120 Rev. A (BW) can be found here priced at €25.99.
Qualcomm Atheros Announces Exclusive Availability of Killer DoubleShot on MSI Laptops
Qualcomm Atheros, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (QTI), today announced the availability of its Killer DoubleShot offering on high performance gaming laptops from MSI Computer. Killer DoubleShot encompasses a melding of Killer's Ethernet and wireless networking solutions that features a newly designed unified user interface for streamlined user control. Designed to provide the lowest-latency, highest-performance Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections for online games, video and voice, the MSI GT70 is the first product equipped with Killer Technology's award-winning Wi-Fi and Ethernet hardware with unified Killer Network Manager software.
"The industry has come to know Killer technology as the choice solution to intelligently manage network traffic and optimize a user's online experience," said Michael Cubbage, director of business development for the networking business unit of Qualcomm Atheros. "With MSI's integration of our new Killer DoubleShot Wi-Fi and Ethernet solution, we are able to offer laptop gamers the chance to have the highest-performance connection to their online games, regardless of what type of Internet connection they use."
"The industry has come to know Killer technology as the choice solution to intelligently manage network traffic and optimize a user's online experience," said Michael Cubbage, director of business development for the networking business unit of Qualcomm Atheros. "With MSI's integration of our new Killer DoubleShot Wi-Fi and Ethernet solution, we are able to offer laptop gamers the chance to have the highest-performance connection to their online games, regardless of what type of Internet connection they use."
Yamaha Introduces HPH-PRO Series High-Performance Headphones
Yamaha introduced two new high-performance headphones models in the HPH-PRO series, including the PRO500 and PRO300. The headphones include dedicated iPhone/iPod remote, mic, and is available in a variety of racy color options. The PRO500 packs 50 mm drivers, with 22Ω impedance, 105 dB sensitivity, and 22-22,000 Hz frequency response; while the PRO300 packs 40 mm drivers, 53Ω impedance, 107 dB sensitivity, and 20-20,000 Hz frequency response. Both headphones ship with fixed cords. Slated for December, the Yamaha HPH-PRO500 will be priced at 50,000¥ ($620), while the HPH-PRO300 could go for 30,000¥ ($375).
No Service Pack 2 for Windows 7: Report
Microsoft has no plans to release a new service pack (SP) for Windows 7. Sources at Microsoft's engineering team told The Register that breaking precedent (of releasing a new SP every 2 or so years), Microsoft will not release SP2 (service pack 2) for the operating system. Apart from being a collection of important software updates over a period, a service pack allows Microsoft to introduce major updates to key components of the operating system, such as its kernel. Apparently, Microsoft's Windows team is too busy with Windows 8, and it is observed that by choosing to not release an SP, Microsoft could be pushing users to its newer OS. Instead of newer SPs for Windows 7, Microsoft will release timely updates for Windows 7 SP1 over Windows Update, till the operating system's support lifetime runs out (that's January 2020).
Ultrabooks Market to Reach $75.8 Billion by 2016 From Just $1.3 Billion in 2011
MarketResearch.com has announced the addition of "Ultrabooks Market to 2016 -- Financial and Technological Support from Intel Corporation Coupled with Demand from Business Users Segment Will Drive Growth," to their collection of market reports.
GBI Research's new report, "Ultrabooks Market to 2016 -- Financial and Technological Support from Intel Corporation Coupled with Demand from Business Users Segment Will Drive Growth," provides key information and analysis on the Ultrabooks market. The Ultrabook is defined by Intel as being any notebook using Intel processors and meeting certain chip manufacturer specifications. However, in general the term is being used for notebooks that are lightweight (less than four pounds), ultra-thin (less than 2.1cm thick) and have screen sizes varying from 13 to 15 inches. GBI Research expects the global Ultrabooks market to reach $75.8 billion in revenue in 2016, from just $1.3 billion in 2011, growing at a CAGR of 69.2% during 2012-2016.
GBI Research's new report, "Ultrabooks Market to 2016 -- Financial and Technological Support from Intel Corporation Coupled with Demand from Business Users Segment Will Drive Growth," provides key information and analysis on the Ultrabooks market. The Ultrabook is defined by Intel as being any notebook using Intel processors and meeting certain chip manufacturer specifications. However, in general the term is being used for notebooks that are lightweight (less than four pounds), ultra-thin (less than 2.1cm thick) and have screen sizes varying from 13 to 15 inches. GBI Research expects the global Ultrabooks market to reach $75.8 billion in revenue in 2016, from just $1.3 billion in 2011, growing at a CAGR of 69.2% during 2012-2016.
EK Introduces its First AMD C32/G34 Water Block
EK Water Blocks, Ljubljana based premium performance PC water cooling gear manufacturer, is excited to introduce it's first AMD C32/G34 socket water block thus introducing high performance water cooling to the server and workstation market.
EK-Supremacy AMD C32/G34 is the ultimate water block for server- & workstation type motherboards featuring one or more AMD C32- or G34 sockets. Moreover this product also supports AMD's older Socket F. Included PreciseMount mechanism offers error-preventing, tool-less installation - the result is a perfect installation which results in optimal performance every time.
EK-Supremacy AMD C32/G34 is the ultimate water block for server- & workstation type motherboards featuring one or more AMD C32- or G34 sockets. Moreover this product also supports AMD's older Socket F. Included PreciseMount mechanism offers error-preventing, tool-less installation - the result is a perfect installation which results in optimal performance every time.
NVIDIA Announces GeForce GTX 680MX, GTX 675MX and GTX 670MX Mobile GPUs
NVIDIA added three new high-performance mobile GPUs to its lineup, the GeForce GTX 680MX, GeForce GTX 675MX, and GeForce GTX 670MX. Based on the 28 nm GK104 silicon, the GTX 680MX topples GTX 680M as NVIDIA's (and perhaps, the world's) most powerful GPU for notebooks. While the GTX 680M features 1344 CUDA cores, with 720 MHz core and 3.60 GHz memory, the new GTX 680MX features 1536 CUDA cores, with the same 720 MHz clock speed, but faster 5.00 GHz memory. 2 GB of GDDR5 memory is standard issue for this chip.
Moving on, NVIDIA created a new SKU that takes position between the Fermi architecture-based GTX 675M, and the GTX 680M. Called the GTX 675MX, the new SKU is also based on the GK104 silicon, but configured with 960 CUDA cores, and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 256-bit wide memory interface. The core is clocked at 600 MHz, and memory at 3.60 GHz. The last of the three is the new GTX 670MX, based on the 28 nm GK106 silicon. Like the GTX 675MX, it is configured with 960 CUDA cores (the full compliment of GK106), but with a narrower memory interface, that's 192-bit wide. Its core is clocked at 600 MHz, and memory at 2.80 GHz. 2 GB GDDR5 is the standard memory amount. Expect a wave of performance notebooks and all-in-one desktops to feature these new chips.
Moving on, NVIDIA created a new SKU that takes position between the Fermi architecture-based GTX 675M, and the GTX 680M. Called the GTX 675MX, the new SKU is also based on the GK104 silicon, but configured with 960 CUDA cores, and 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 256-bit wide memory interface. The core is clocked at 600 MHz, and memory at 3.60 GHz. The last of the three is the new GTX 670MX, based on the 28 nm GK106 silicon. Like the GTX 675MX, it is configured with 960 CUDA cores (the full compliment of GK106), but with a narrower memory interface, that's 192-bit wide. Its core is clocked at 600 MHz, and memory at 2.80 GHz. 2 GB GDDR5 is the standard memory amount. Expect a wave of performance notebooks and all-in-one desktops to feature these new chips.
GELID Launches the Slim 12 UV Blue and Slim 12 PL Blue Case Fans
Thermal Solutions specialist GELID Solutions reveals the "Slim 12 UV Blue" and the "Slim 12 PL Blue" fans of its GAMER product line.
Engineers at GELID Solutions go slim and have created two slim profile fans (120 x 120 x 15.8 mm) with surprisingly high cooling performance. The "Slim 12 UV Blue" fan comes with an UV reactive blue impeller and has a fixed rpm speed of 1500. The "Slim 12 PL Blue" also comes with a blue impeller but includes a high-quality PWM control for a rpm range of 900-1600.
Engineers at GELID Solutions go slim and have created two slim profile fans (120 x 120 x 15.8 mm) with surprisingly high cooling performance. The "Slim 12 UV Blue" fan comes with an UV reactive blue impeller and has a fixed rpm speed of 1500. The "Slim 12 PL Blue" also comes with a blue impeller but includes a high-quality PWM control for a rpm range of 900-1600.
TSMC Reports Third Quarter Results
TSMC today announced consolidated revenue of NT$141.38 billion, net income of NT$49.30 billion, and diluted earnings per share of NT$1.90 (US$0.32 per ADR unit) for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012.
Year-over-year, third quarter revenue increased 32.8% while both net income and diluted EPS increased 62.2%. Compared to second quarter of 2012, third quarter of 2012 results represent a 10.4% increase in revenue, and a 17.9% increase in both net income and diluted EPS. All figures were prepared in accordance with R.O.C. GAAP on a consolidated basis.
Year-over-year, third quarter revenue increased 32.8% while both net income and diluted EPS increased 62.2%. Compared to second quarter of 2012, third quarter of 2012 results represent a 10.4% increase in revenue, and a 17.9% increase in both net income and diluted EPS. All figures were prepared in accordance with R.O.C. GAAP on a consolidated basis.
SAPPHIRE Technology joins InfoComm International
SAPPHIRE Technology Ltd., a global supplier of innovative IT products and a leading provider of components for digital signage installations, today announced that it has joined InfoComm International in order to share its expertise, network and shape the professional AV industry. InfoComm is the leading non-profit association serving the professional AV communications industry, with members throughout the world.
Known for its state-of-the-art graphics cards, motherboards, splitters/expanders and player PCs, SAPPHIRE has recently expanded its product line to include a broader range of products ideally suited to the professional AV industry. From extenders to digital signage software, SAPPHIRE is committed to offering reliable, interoperable, and cost-effective products for installation in retail locations, bars/restaurants, education facilities, lobbies, houses of worship and other environments.
Known for its state-of-the-art graphics cards, motherboards, splitters/expanders and player PCs, SAPPHIRE has recently expanded its product line to include a broader range of products ideally suited to the professional AV industry. From extenders to digital signage software, SAPPHIRE is committed to offering reliable, interoperable, and cost-effective products for installation in retail locations, bars/restaurants, education facilities, lobbies, houses of worship and other environments.
Razer Project Fiona On, Seeks FCC Approval
Earlier this month, Razer asked the gaming community to show their support for its ambitious "Project Fiona," (the development of an ergonomic, gaming-grade tablet). It looks like they have it, and are proceeding with its development. An engineering sample of the device showed up at FCC labs for approval. Only devices at a very advanced stage of development reach regulators such as the FCC and CE. The FCC document detailing "Fiona" lists the device as having a 5600 mAh battery, and a game controller accessory (the handlebar controller), which has a battery pack of its very own.
AMD Powers Superior Windows 8 Experience Across More Than 125 PC Designs
AMD today announced its collaboration with Microsoft Corp. for more than 125 Windows 8-based PC designs from leading OEMs including ASUS, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba and more. With a hardware accelerated user interface, Microsoft and AMD have collaborated to design Windows 8 to unlock the high performance graphics capabilities found in AMD accelerated processing units (APUs) and discrete AMD Radeon graphics processing units (GPUs) to deliver the best HD video, gaming and app experience consumers want with the always on, always connected, touch-driven interface with great battery life they need.
"There is a lot of exciting innovation happening in the marketplace today -- from the new Windows 8 graphics-accelerated user interface and apps, to ultraportable and sleek hardware designs -- and AMD's CPU, GPU and APU technology designed for Windows 8 helps enable a no-compromise solution," said Stefan Kinnestrand, director of Product Management, Windows Division at Microsoft.
"There is a lot of exciting innovation happening in the marketplace today -- from the new Windows 8 graphics-accelerated user interface and apps, to ultraportable and sleek hardware designs -- and AMD's CPU, GPU and APU technology designed for Windows 8 helps enable a no-compromise solution," said Stefan Kinnestrand, director of Product Management, Windows Division at Microsoft.
Wednesday, October 24th 2012
Today's Reviews
Cases
Graphics Cards
Motherboards
Processors
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core BitsandChips (it)
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Bjorn3D
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Guru3D
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Hardware.info
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core HardwareSpot.de (de)
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Legit Reviews
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Overclockers.com
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Phoronix
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core PureOverclock
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Rage3D
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Technic3D (de)
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core VR-Zone
Sound Cards
SSD
Mach Xtreme MX-DS Turbo 120 GB SLC Review
Unlike the majority of SSDs on the market, the MX DS Turbo SLC uses the faster and more durable SLC flash chips. As a result the drive is the fastest SSD we ever tested, and it also comes with improved durability thanks to the different flash type.
AMD FX-8350 Overclocked to 8.176 GHz with 8 Cores Enabled
Last week's 7.443 GHz overclocking feat of the AMD FX-8350 certainly wasn't the last of it, for the chip. Korean overclocker NAMEGT achieved a clock speed of 8176.47 MHz, with all eight cores enabled, and both DRAM channels populated. 8176.47 MHz was achieved with a base clock of 281.94 MHz, multiplier of 29X, and 1.932V to fuel the chip. ASUS ROG Crosshair V Formula-Z motherboard and Samsung-made DDR3 memory was used. The best performing chip was binned from two 12-chip trays. Cooling it all was trusty liquid nitrogen. Find the CPU-Z validation here, and HWBot certification here.
LSI Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results
LSI Corporation (NYSE: LSI) today reported results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2012. "In the third quarter we delivered strong year-over-year growth in an environment with considerable macroeconomic uncertainty and with softness in several key markets. We are managing the elements within our control, and are pleased with the significant improvement in margin and earnings over last year," said Abhi Talwalkar, LSI's president and CEO. "Looking forward, our design win performance is ahead of expectations and we are benefiting from the rapid adoption of LSI's exciting new flash-based products and the penetration of LSI products into large web and cloud datacenters."
Third quarter 2012 revenues from continuing operations were $624 million, in line with guidance, compared to $547 million generated from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2011, and compared to $660 million generated from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2012.
Third quarter 2012 revenues from continuing operations were $624 million, in line with guidance, compared to $547 million generated from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2011, and compared to $660 million generated from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2012.
Logitech Announces Second Quarter Results for FY 2013
Logitech International (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today announced financial results for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2013.
Sales for Q2 FY 2013 were $548 million, down 7 percent from $589 million in Q2 FY 2012. Excluding the unfavorable impact of exchange rates, sales were down 4 percent compared to the same quarter in the prior year. Operating income was $24 million, up 3 percent from operating income of $23 million in the same quarter a year ago. Net income for Q2 FY 2013 was $55 million ($0.35 per share) compared to net income of $17 million ($0.10 per share) in Q2 FY 2012. Net income for Q2 FY 2013 includes a net tax benefit of $32 million from the closure of an income tax audit. Gross margin for the quarter was 35.8 percent, compared to 33.7 percent in the same quarter one year ago.
Sales for Q2 FY 2013 were $548 million, down 7 percent from $589 million in Q2 FY 2012. Excluding the unfavorable impact of exchange rates, sales were down 4 percent compared to the same quarter in the prior year. Operating income was $24 million, up 3 percent from operating income of $23 million in the same quarter a year ago. Net income for Q2 FY 2013 was $55 million ($0.35 per share) compared to net income of $17 million ($0.10 per share) in Q2 FY 2012. Net income for Q2 FY 2013 includes a net tax benefit of $32 million from the closure of an income tax audit. Gross margin for the quarter was 35.8 percent, compared to 33.7 percent in the same quarter one year ago.
Apricorn Debuts the Velocity Solo X2 Extreme Desktop SSD Upgrade Kit
Apricorn today announced the latest addition and now the fastest of its popular Velocity Solo Desktop SSD Upgrade line, the Velocity Solo X2. It's the first PCIe 2.0 x2 lane card available that is capable of delivering speeds upwards of 550 MBs when used with a single super fast SATA III (6 Gb/s) 2.5" SSD.
Taking advantage of two PCIe 2.0 lanes and using a Marvell 9182 chipset, the Velocity Solo X2 will enable desktop PCs and Macs to take advantage of the ever increasing speeds in the SSD market. Designed to fit into a PCIe 2.0 x2 slot or larger (typical installation will use a x4 slot), the Velocity Solo X2 enables users to easily add an SSD to their desktop system. Connection of the Velocity Solo PCIe 2.0 card to the SSD is via a super fast SATA III (6 Gb/s) connection. The Velocity Solo X2 also provides an additional SATA III data connection that can be used to connect to another SSD or HDD to provide expanded high speed storage.
Taking advantage of two PCIe 2.0 lanes and using a Marvell 9182 chipset, the Velocity Solo X2 will enable desktop PCs and Macs to take advantage of the ever increasing speeds in the SSD market. Designed to fit into a PCIe 2.0 x2 slot or larger (typical installation will use a x4 slot), the Velocity Solo X2 enables users to easily add an SSD to their desktop system. Connection of the Velocity Solo PCIe 2.0 card to the SSD is via a super fast SATA III (6 Gb/s) connection. The Velocity Solo X2 also provides an additional SATA III data connection that can be used to connect to another SSD or HDD to provide expanded high speed storage.
New HD Graphics Drivers Bring Windows 8 support, Leading Edge Capabilities and More
Intel has made available the new HD Graphics driver version 15.28.7.2867, which includes support for Microsoft Windows 8, OpenGL 4.0 and Ultra HD video playback & display (4K resolution). Additionally, this driver improves the gaming fun delivered on dozens of recent PC game titles including Runic Games' Torchlight 2, Arkane Studios' Dishonored, and EA's Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes. With support for Ultra HD resolution, 3rd generation Intel Core based PCs can support playback of content at resolutions beyond 1080p up to 4096x2048 on Ultra HD displays. This driver supports both Windows* 7 and Windows* 8 and be downloaded from these links:
DOWNLOAD: Intel HD Graphics Driver for Windows 8 32-bit and 64-bit
DOWNLOAD: Intel HD Graphics Driver for Windows 8 32-bit and 64-bit
MSI Reloads Arsenal of Gaming Laptops with Windows 8
MSI Computer Corp, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, refreshes arsenal of gaming laptops with Windows 8 operating system to provide gamers with enhanced system performance and a more immersive user experience.
MSI's Windows 8 upgrade applies to upcoming laptops in the G Series, including the acclaimed GT70 and GT60 units. Armed with the latest NVIDIA Kepler GeForce video cards, Killer E2200 Game Networking, Dynaudio Speakers and Steel Series Gaming Backlit Keyboard, both the GT70 and GT60 delivers exceptional performance that shatters the expectations of even the most demanding gamers. In addition, select models of the GT70 are now available with Killer Wireless-N 1202 card, increasing networking speeds by up to five times.
MSI's Windows 8 upgrade applies to upcoming laptops in the G Series, including the acclaimed GT70 and GT60 units. Armed with the latest NVIDIA Kepler GeForce video cards, Killer E2200 Game Networking, Dynaudio Speakers and Steel Series Gaming Backlit Keyboard, both the GT70 and GT60 delivers exceptional performance that shatters the expectations of even the most demanding gamers. In addition, select models of the GT70 are now available with Killer Wireless-N 1202 card, increasing networking speeds by up to five times.
AMD Could Place x86 and ARM Cores on the Same Silicon: Report
Following last week's 15% workforce cut that came with the company's Q3 2012 results, AMD plans to consolidate its workforce and eliminate "bureaucracy." According to a VR-Zone report, the company plans to announce its future strategy next week, on October 29. This strategy could ride heavily on recent moves the company made in the area of "heterogeneous computing," and a working alliance it built with the likes of ARM, MediaTek, Qualcomm, Samsung and TI, under the heterogeneous system alliance (HSA).
According to the report, AMD's future looks to be heading towards building highly versatile SoCs for devices in the post-PC era. It's not far-fetched to imagine, for example, that AMD could integrate ARM IP onto APUs with x86 cores, with the ARM cores based on recent micro-architectures such as Cortex-M5, performing specific kinds of tasks (such as data-encryption). Down the line, AMD could also integrate baseband components into the APU, beating Intel to the punch on similar efforts.
According to the report, AMD's future looks to be heading towards building highly versatile SoCs for devices in the post-PC era. It's not far-fetched to imagine, for example, that AMD could integrate ARM IP onto APUs with x86 cores, with the ARM cores based on recent micro-architectures such as Cortex-M5, performing specific kinds of tasks (such as data-encryption). Down the line, AMD could also integrate baseband components into the APU, beating Intel to the punch on similar efforts.
Microsoft Simplifies Big Data for the Enterprise
Today at the O'Reilly Strata Conference + Hadoop World, Microsoft Corp. announced new previews of Windows Azure HDInsight Service and Microsoft HDInsight Server for Windows, the company's Apache Hadoop-based solutions for Windows Azure and Windows Server. The new previews, available today at www.microsoft.com/bigdata, deliver Apache Hadoop compatibility for the enterprise and simplify deployment of Hadoop-based solutions. In addition, delivering these capabilities on the Windows Server and Azure platforms enables customers to use the familiar tools of Excel, PowerPivot for Excel and Power View to easily extract actionable insights from the data.
"Big data should provide answers for business, not complexity for IT," said David Campbell, technical fellow, Microsoft. "Providing Hadoop compatibility on Windows Server and Azure dramatically lowers the barriers to setup and deployment and enables customers to pull insights from any data, any size, on-premises or in the cloud."
"Big data should provide answers for business, not complexity for IT," said David Campbell, technical fellow, Microsoft. "Providing Hadoop compatibility on Windows Server and Azure dramatically lowers the barriers to setup and deployment and enables customers to pull insights from any data, any size, on-premises or in the cloud."
Eurocom Ships World's Largest Mobile SSD In Its Notebooks And Mobile Workstations
Eurocom,, is shipping the 1 terabyte OCZ Octane SATA III 2.5" SSD in its fully upgradeable and customizable notebooks and mobile workstations. The 1 TB OCZ Octane SATA III 2.5" SSD is the first mobile solid state storage drive with 1 terabyte capacity and Eurocom is shipping the drive in all of its Notebooks and Mobile Workstations.
"At one time, SSDs were high speed low capacity storage mediums, with the 1 TB OCZ Octane SATA III 2.5" SSD users can now have the best of speed and capacity within their Eurocom Notebook" explains Mark Bialic, Eurocom President.
"At one time, SSDs were high speed low capacity storage mediums, with the 1 TB OCZ Octane SATA III 2.5" SSD users can now have the best of speed and capacity within their Eurocom Notebook" explains Mark Bialic, Eurocom President.
Dell Extends ARM-based Server Ecosystem Enablement with Open Source Development
As an extension to its ARM-based server ecosystem enablement and to further application development and testing to this technology, Dell today announced a donation of an ARM-based server concept to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF), the volunteer community that develops, stewards and incubates nearly 150 open source software projects and initiatives.
Dell believes ARM infrastructures demonstrate promise for web front-end and Hadoop environments, where advantages in performance per dollar and performance per watt are critical. Dell customers use many of Apache's open source software products, including Hadoop, Cassandra, and the Apache HTTP Web Server as part of their big data and cloud computing solutions, so Dell is providing this community with an ARM-based server concept running Calxeda EnergyCore. This server is accessible to all Apache projects for software development and native porting of applications.
Dell believes ARM infrastructures demonstrate promise for web front-end and Hadoop environments, where advantages in performance per dollar and performance per watt are critical. Dell customers use many of Apache's open source software products, including Hadoop, Cassandra, and the Apache HTTP Web Server as part of their big data and cloud computing solutions, so Dell is providing this community with an ARM-based server concept running Calxeda EnergyCore. This server is accessible to all Apache projects for software development and native porting of applications.
Transcend Debuts 1000x CompactFlash Cards
Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend), a worldwide leader in storage and multimedia products, today announced the arrival of 1000x CompactFlash cards as part of its expanding flash card product line. Aimed at professional photographers, the new 1000x CF cards feature high-speed transfer rates up to 160 MB/s read and 120 MB/s write, ensuring maximum performance when used with today's cutting-edge digital camera equipment.
Fully compliant with CompactFlash revision 6.0, Transcend's "Ultimate" series 1000x CompactFlash cards operate in Ultra DMA (UDMA) transfer mode 7, the fastest interface speed available for CF cards. As a result, a top-end DSLR camera equipped with a 1000x CF card responds more quickly - especially important during fast-action burst mode shooting - and stores large images in RAW format faster than ever before. When back at the studio, 1000x CF cards help increase post-production efficiency with incredible read speeds of up to 160 MB/s, which allows transferring images from card to computer in a matter of seconds.
Fully compliant with CompactFlash revision 6.0, Transcend's "Ultimate" series 1000x CompactFlash cards operate in Ultra DMA (UDMA) transfer mode 7, the fastest interface speed available for CF cards. As a result, a top-end DSLR camera equipped with a 1000x CF card responds more quickly - especially important during fast-action burst mode shooting - and stores large images in RAW format faster than ever before. When back at the studio, 1000x CF cards help increase post-production efficiency with incredible read speeds of up to 160 MB/s, which allows transferring images from card to computer in a matter of seconds.
ASUS ROG Releases the 14-inch G Series G46VW Gaming Notebook
The ASUS ROG G46VW finally brings genuine game-driving power to the compact and portable 14" segment. Endowed with every advantage offered by other ROG gaming notebooks, it embeds 3rd generation Intel Core i7 processors, discrete NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M graphics, NVIDIA Optimus technology for long battery life, and extra-fast data transfers with Intel Thunderbolt. Advanced ROG engineering achieves unmitigated performance in a very transportable and light product. The G46VW keeps the powerful rear-venting dual-exhaust thermal design of fellow G Series notebooks, running cool and quiet. It offers gamers superior comfort and input ergonomics, maintaining renowned eye-catching G Series aesthetics. For customers who demand true mobility without having to forego performance gaming, the G46VW presents an ideal proposition.
ESRB Extends No-Cost Rating Service To All Digitally Delivered Games
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), the non-profit self-regulatory body for the video game industry, today announced a streamlined, no-cost service for assigning ratings to all digitally delivered games. ESRB's new "Digital Rating Service" utilizes a brief but detailed online questionnaire to assess not only a product's content and age-appropriateness, but also interactive elements, including the sharing of personal information or physical location and exposure to unfiltered user-generated content. This newly streamlined service will first be put into use for downloadable games available from a number of computer and video game platforms including Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Certified devices, Nintendo eShop, Wii Shop Channel and Windows 8, with other digital content aggregators, online game networks, streaming and download services to follow.
EVGA Announces the SuperNOVA NEX750 and NEX650 Power Supplies
EVGA has today introduced three new SuperNOVA Series power supplies, two models with an 80Plus Gold rating - the NEX650 Gold and NEX750 Gold, and one with 80Plus Bronze - the NEX750 Bronze. EVGA's PSUs feature a modular design (the 'Gold' units are fully modular), quad 12V rails, high quality Japanese brand capacitors, a quiet, 2-ball bearing fan, and a 3-year (NEX750 Bronze) or 5-year (NEX650 Gold and NEX750 Gold) warranty.
The NEX650 Gold, NEX750 Gold and NEX750 Bronze are priced at $119.99, $139.99 and $99.99, respectively.
The NEX650 Gold, NEX750 Gold and NEX750 Bronze are priced at $119.99, $139.99 and $99.99, respectively.
LaCie Announces Thinner, Faster Porsche Design Drive for Apple Fans
Today LaCie, together with Porsche Design, announced the P'9223 Slim SSD. This product is the latest extension of the Porsche Design portfolio and the fastest LaCie USB hard drive to date. It combines USB 3.0 speeds with an optional SSD to maximize performance, and its sleek form factor echoes the aluminum exterior of Apple's MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
BUILT FOR SPEED
Designed with Apple enthusiasts in mind, the LaCie P'9223 Slim SSD version is up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0. The USB 3.0 interface is bus-powered and delivers 400 MB/s transfer speeds. This allows a photographer to move large photo files in no time while in the field. Thanks to UAS support, this product gets even better speeds on the latest MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or MacBook Pro with Retina Display running the most recent version of OS X Lion or Mountain Lion.
BUILT FOR SPEED
Designed with Apple enthusiasts in mind, the LaCie P'9223 Slim SSD version is up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0. The USB 3.0 interface is bus-powered and delivers 400 MB/s transfer speeds. This allows a photographer to move large photo files in no time while in the field. Thanks to UAS support, this product gets even better speeds on the latest MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or MacBook Pro with Retina Display running the most recent version of OS X Lion or Mountain Lion.
Gigabyte S1082 Windows 8 Tablet PC Unveiled
Gigabyte unveiled the S1082, a 10.1-inch tablet PC powered by Windows 8 (and optionally, Windows 8 Pro). Based on the x86 platform, the tablet is driven by Intel Celeron 847 dual-core processor clocked at 1.10 GHz, with up to 8 GB of DDR3 memory, and Intel HD 2000 graphics. Its 10.1-inch multi touchscreen packs 1366 x 768 pixels native resolution. Storage options include 320/500 GB HDD; or 64/128/256 GB SSD. Connectivity includes WiFi b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 4.0, and 3.5G WWAN; with HDMI and D-Sub display outputs; two USB 2.0 ports, 5-in-1 card reader, and 1.3 megapixel web-cam. Measuring 270(W) x 173(D) x 14.94(H) mm, it weighs 790~850 g (SSD/HDD). Its dedicated docking station includes additional battery and DVD SuperMulti drive. Expect this one to go for anywhere between $599 to $799.
SilverStone Readies a New, 500 W Strider Essential Power Supply
Next week SilverStone will add a new power supply to its Strider Essential Series, a model called ST50F-ES230 that features an all-white coating and a continuous power output of 500 W. This unit measures 150 (W) × 86 (H) × 140 (D) mm and has an efficiency of over 80%, Active PFC, a single 12V (34A) rail, multiple protection circuitry, a MTBF of 100,000 hours, and a low noise 120 mm fan.
The ST50F-ES230 will cost €49.
The ST50F-ES230 will cost €49.
Silicon Power Introduces Firma F80 - Metallic Collection USB Flash Drive
Leading memory storage brand, SP/Silicon Power today announced its newest Firma series, a metallic collection of USB flash drive. The Firma F80 features a sleek unibody with remarkable 64 GB capacity and is the perfect storage solution for fashion-conscious users.
The all new Firma F80 combines exquisite design and artistic craftsmanship. Inspired by the postmodern design concept, the F80 highlights a ring shaped metallic unibody exterior in silver gray. The robust zinc alloy case is sand blasted to create a delicate metallic shine and can resist scratches and fingerprint marks from daily usage. The F80 is ultra compact yet extremely durable; with only 4.5 mm in thickness, the drive utilizes COB (Chip On Board) packaging technology to be water, dust, shock and vibration proof.
The all new Firma F80 combines exquisite design and artistic craftsmanship. Inspired by the postmodern design concept, the F80 highlights a ring shaped metallic unibody exterior in silver gray. The robust zinc alloy case is sand blasted to create a delicate metallic shine and can resist scratches and fingerprint marks from daily usage. The F80 is ultra compact yet extremely durable; with only 4.5 mm in thickness, the drive utilizes COB (Chip On Board) packaging technology to be water, dust, shock and vibration proof.
New Wii Bundles Keep Families Grooving and Imaginations Soaring This Holiday Season
Nintendo has great news for gift seekers looking to keep their loved ones entertained and energized this holiday season. Starting Nov. 4, consumers in the United States will be able to choose from two new Wii bundles, each containing a Wii console and one of two new games from Nintendo's third-party partners. One bundle includes Ubisoft's Just Dance 4 and a white Wii console with matching Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk controllers, offered while supplies last at a suggested retail price of $129.99. The other bundle includes Activision's Skylanders Giants, a blue Wii console with matching Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk controllers, one Portal of Power, two Skylanders characters and one exclusive Giant Skylander, available while supplies last at a suggested retail price of $149.99.
Samsung Announces the SE-208DB USB 3.0 Portable DVD Writer
Samsung has today introduces its newest optical drive, a slim external DVD writer called SE-208DB. This burner weights 300 grams, it features USB 3.0 connectivity and 1 MB of buffer memory, and is capable of writing speeds of up to 8x for DVD-R/+R/+RW, 6x for DVD-RW/-R DL/+R DL, 5x for DVD-RAM and 24x for CD-R/-RW.
The SE-208DB comes in four color versions (white, black, red and blue) and it can be found priced at AU$49.50 (~ US$51).
The SE-208DB comes in four color versions (white, black, red and blue) and it can be found priced at AU$49.50 (~ US$51).
Biostar Unveils the A55MD2 and A55ML2 FM2 Motherboards
Biostar is currently preparing the launch of two lower-cost motherboards supporting AMD's 'Trinity' APUs, the A55MD2 and A55ML2. Seen below, both models are powered by the AMD A55 chipset and feature a micro ATX form factor, two DDR3-1866 memory slots (supporting up to 32 GB of RAM), four SATA 3.0 Gbps ports, one PCI-Express x16 slot, one PCI slot, four USB 2.0 ports, 5.1-channel audio, and a D-Sub output.
The A55ML2 also has 10/100 Ethernet, while the A55MD2 boasts Gigabit LAN and adds a DVI port. No word yet on prices.
The A55ML2 also has 10/100 Ethernet, while the A55MD2 boasts Gigabit LAN and adds a DVI port. No word yet on prices.
Imation Announces Third Quarter Results, Acceleration of Its Strategic Transformation
Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN) a global scalable storage and data security company, today made several announcements: third quarter financial results; the realignment of its global business into two new business units; a cost reduction program; and increased focus on data storage and security including exploring strategic options for its consumer electronic brands and businesses.
The Company reported Q3 2012 net revenue of $248.2 million, down 19.6 percent from Q3 2011, an operating loss of $6.5 million including a benefit in restructuring and other charges of $3.6 million, and a diluted loss per share of $0.17. Excluding the net benefit in restructuring and other charges, Q3 2012 operating loss would have been $10.1 million and diluted loss per share would have been $0.26 (see Tables Five and Six for Non-GAAP measures).
The Company reported Q3 2012 net revenue of $248.2 million, down 19.6 percent from Q3 2011, an operating loss of $6.5 million including a benefit in restructuring and other charges of $3.6 million, and a diluted loss per share of $0.17. Excluding the net benefit in restructuring and other charges, Q3 2012 operating loss would have been $10.1 million and diluted loss per share would have been $0.26 (see Tables Five and Six for Non-GAAP measures).
Corsair Entry Level Carbide 200R Chassis Starts Selling
Corsair announced the most affordable case in its lineup, the Carbide Series 200R (model: CC-9011023-WW). Priced at just US $59.99, the ATX mid-tower aims to offer most of Corsair's signature features that helped established its brand. The case goes with the catchphrase "...the only time you'll need to pick up a screwdriver is to install the motherboard." Measuring 490 x 270 x 560 mm, the case is made of SECC steel and ABS plastic. Its storage area includes three 5.25-inch and four 3.5-inch/2.5-inch drive bays.
The four 3.5-inch/2.5-inch drive bays are arranged in a cage towards the bottom, which leaves a lot of room for long graphics cards - up to 43 cm long. The motherboard tray seats ATX and micro-ATX motherboards, it features cutouts that help you deal with CPU cooler back-plates and pesky cables. As for ventilation, the 200R features a total of five 140/120 mm fan mounting locations and three 120 mm mount locations, arranged in the front, rear, top, and side panel. Its front-panel includes two USB 3.0 ports (standard header, with 2.0/1.1 adapter, and front-panel audio (HD audio header).
The four 3.5-inch/2.5-inch drive bays are arranged in a cage towards the bottom, which leaves a lot of room for long graphics cards - up to 43 cm long. The motherboard tray seats ATX and micro-ATX motherboards, it features cutouts that help you deal with CPU cooler back-plates and pesky cables. As for ventilation, the 200R features a total of five 140/120 mm fan mounting locations and three 120 mm mount locations, arranged in the front, rear, top, and side panel. Its front-panel includes two USB 3.0 ports (standard header, with 2.0/1.1 adapter, and front-panel audio (HD audio header).
ZAGG Introduces New Accessories for the iPad mini
ZAGG Inc., a leading mobile device accessories and technology company, has released a complete line of products to protect, personalize and enhance the new Apple iPad mini. ZAGG's new products, designed specifically for Apple's recent entry into the 7" tablet market, include keyboards, cases, and protective films.
"We are excited about these new versions of our award-winning accessories designed for the iPad mini, including our invisibleSHIELD products, iFrogz cases, and ZAGG keyboards," said Kent Wuthrich, executive vice president of marketing for ZAGG. "As one of the only keyboard accessories designed specifically for iPad mini, the ZAGGkeys MINI 7 and MINI 9 will offer the proven utility and convenience that our customers have come to expect from the ZAGGkeys line."
"We are excited about these new versions of our award-winning accessories designed for the iPad mini, including our invisibleSHIELD products, iFrogz cases, and ZAGG keyboards," said Kent Wuthrich, executive vice president of marketing for ZAGG. "As one of the only keyboard accessories designed specifically for iPad mini, the ZAGGkeys MINI 7 and MINI 9 will offer the proven utility and convenience that our customers have come to expect from the ZAGGkeys line."
ECS Introduces the A970M-A DELUXE Motherboard
Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) has announced the newest member of its high-performance Black Series of PC motherboards. The ECS A970M-A DELUXE supports AMD AM3 and AM3+ APUs, and gets the most from them with the latest ECS innovations for power, ease-of-use, and reliability. With features like full Windows 8 support, an upgraded user friendly BIOS - EZ BIOS, dust defending technology - Anti Dust Technology (ADS) and 8 channel HD audio, the A970M-A DELUXE is the heart of the ultimate gaming center and perfect all-round PC.
The A970M-A DELUXE is built around the AMD 970 chipset, to squeeze the maximum performance out of the most powerful cutting edge CPUs, while still maintaining compatibility with older technology.
The A970M-A DELUXE is built around the AMD 970 chipset, to squeeze the maximum performance out of the most powerful cutting edge CPUs, while still maintaining compatibility with older technology.
Roccat Kone Domination Dynasty Expands with Launch of XTD and Pure Models
ROCCAT Studios, the German manufacturer of professional gaming peripherals, has announced the release of the ROCCAT Kone XTD - Max Customization Gaming Mouse and the ROCCAT Kone Pure - Core Performance Gaming Mouse - with the new mice to hit shelves in Europe on October 26 and in North America and Asia end of November.
Both new models feature the acclaimed Kone design, with the Pure offering a slimmer option that's 91% the size of the original Kone - a measurement decided upon after ROCCAT conducted extensive research with gamers to determine an optimally-reduced Kone version. And, as with earlier Kone mice, each comes standard with a world-beating performance package, this time featuring a fully-adjustable 8200 DPI Pro-Aim R3 laser sensor - with 41 DPI settings, ranging from 200 to 8200 - a 32-bit Turbo Core V2 72MHz ARM MCU processor, 576kB on-board memory, and the planet's most advanced Tracking & Distance Control Unit - all working in clockwork unison to deliver the world's most impressive speed, control and accuracy.
Both new models feature the acclaimed Kone design, with the Pure offering a slimmer option that's 91% the size of the original Kone - a measurement decided upon after ROCCAT conducted extensive research with gamers to determine an optimally-reduced Kone version. And, as with earlier Kone mice, each comes standard with a world-beating performance package, this time featuring a fully-adjustable 8200 DPI Pro-Aim R3 laser sensor - with 41 DPI settings, ranging from 200 to 8200 - a 32-bit Turbo Core V2 72MHz ARM MCU processor, 576kB on-board memory, and the planet's most advanced Tracking & Distance Control Unit - all working in clockwork unison to deliver the world's most impressive speed, control and accuracy.
European Commission sends Statement of Objections to Microsoft on Browser Compliance
The European Commission has informed Microsoft of its preliminary view that Microsoft has failed to comply with its commitments to offer users a choice screen enabling them to easily choose their preferred web browser. In 2009, the Commission had made these commitments legally binding on Microsoft (see IP/09/1941). The sending of a statement of objections does not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation.
In its statement of objections, the Commission takes the preliminary view that Microsoft has failed to roll out the browser choice screen with its Windows 7 Service Pack 1, which was released in February 2011. From February 2011 until July 2012, millions of Windows users in the EU may not have seen the choice screen. Microsoft has acknowledged that the choice screen was not displayed during that period.
In its statement of objections, the Commission takes the preliminary view that Microsoft has failed to roll out the browser choice screen with its Windows 7 Service Pack 1, which was released in February 2011. From February 2011 until July 2012, millions of Windows users in the EU may not have seen the choice screen. Microsoft has acknowledged that the choice screen was not displayed during that period.
ADATA Launches Industry First Mobile Device/Memory Card Optimization Site – GoMobile
ADATA Technology is pleased to announce the launch of the industry's first mobile device/memory card optimization site - GoMobile. With GoMobile, ADATA provides a compatibility and m-Commerce solution which allows consumers to find the most suitable memory card for use with a smartphone, tablet computer, digital camera, or camcorder.
In conjunction with the launch of GoMobile, ADATA is hosting a QR Code giveaway event to promote the site nationwide. Running from October 23 to November 4, participants who scan the site's QR code and use the memory search engine to find ADATA compatible products for their device, will have a chance to enter the event's prize drawing. Prizes include ADATA XPG SX900 256GB solid state drives, Premier Pro microSDHC UHS-1 U1 32GB memory cards, and S102 Pro Advanced USB 3.0 32GB Flash drives.
In conjunction with the launch of GoMobile, ADATA is hosting a QR Code giveaway event to promote the site nationwide. Running from October 23 to November 4, participants who scan the site's QR code and use the memory search engine to find ADATA compatible products for their device, will have a chance to enter the event's prize drawing. Prizes include ADATA XPG SX900 256GB solid state drives, Premier Pro microSDHC UHS-1 U1 32GB memory cards, and S102 Pro Advanced USB 3.0 32GB Flash drives.
EK Releases Water Block for EVGA's GeForce GTX 680 FTW
EK Water Blocks, Ljubljana based premium performance PC water cooling gear manufacturer, is proud to present the fourth GeForce GTX 680 water block in the lineup, the EK-FC680 GTX FTW. EK-FC680 GTX FTW is a high performance full-cover water block for engineered specifically for EVGA design GeForce GTX 680 FTW series graphics cards.
This water block directly cools the GPU, RAM as well as VRM (voltage regulation module) as water flows directly over these critical areas thus allowing the graphics card and it's VRM to remain stable under high overclocks. EK-FC680 GTX FTW water block also features a very high flow design therefore it can be easily used in liquid cooling systems using weaker water pumps.
This water block directly cools the GPU, RAM as well as VRM (voltage regulation module) as water flows directly over these critical areas thus allowing the graphics card and it's VRM to remain stable under high overclocks. EK-FC680 GTX FTW water block also features a very high flow design therefore it can be easily used in liquid cooling systems using weaker water pumps.
Buffalo Japan Intros New Wired and Wireless Mice for Windows 8
Buffalo Japan introduced a fleet of new wired and wireless mice optimized for Windows 8, thanks to gesture-recognizing touch surfaces along the top, that augment the main buttons and scroll wheels. Among the products launched are the wireless BSMBB10N series, and wired BSMBU12 series. The BSMBB10N series mice are equipped with Bluetooth and NFC tags. The NFC tag lets you configure the mouse with an NFC-equipped Windows 8 tablet or Ultrabook by simply waving the mouse close to the host device, saving you the trouble of configuring Bluetooth or WLAN settings. Unpack, wave, use - it's that simple.
The BSMBB10N series mice are available in as many as six 2-tone color options, including blue, red, green, pink, orange, and gray. Measuring 60 x 35 x 100 mm (WxDxH), the mice weigh about 58 g. The primary sensor has a resolution of 1,600 DPI, its Bluetooth reception range is 10 m. Moving on, the company also launched the wired BSMBU12, which use common USB wired connectivity but retain the touch surfaces that let you perform gestures. These mice are available in six similar 2-tone color options to the BSMBB10N. The wireless, NFC tag-equipped BSMBB10N series mice are priced at 3,465¥ ($31), while the wired BSMBU12 go for 2,089¥ ($26).
The BSMBB10N series mice are available in as many as six 2-tone color options, including blue, red, green, pink, orange, and gray. Measuring 60 x 35 x 100 mm (WxDxH), the mice weigh about 58 g. The primary sensor has a resolution of 1,600 DPI, its Bluetooth reception range is 10 m. Moving on, the company also launched the wired BSMBU12, which use common USB wired connectivity but retain the touch surfaces that let you perform gestures. These mice are available in six similar 2-tone color options to the BSMBB10N. The wireless, NFC tag-equipped BSMBB10N series mice are priced at 3,465¥ ($31), while the wired BSMBU12 go for 2,089¥ ($26).
Gigabyte Socket AM3+ Motherboards Get UEFI BIOS - Finally
Gigabyte's entire fleet of AMD 9-series chipset socket AM3+ motherboards, launched in 2011 with AMD FX "Bulldozer" processors shipped with Phoenix AwardBIOS, even as other motherboard makers such as ASUS, MSI, Biostar, and Sapphire moved on to AMI Aptio UEFI BIOS. Gigabyte's AwardBIOS implementation did feature the company's biggest excuse for delayed implementation of UEFI across its entire product line, HybridEFI: a BIOS tweak that lets you boot from volumes bigger than 2 TB.
In the wake of second generation FX "Vishera" processors and Windows 8 with its UEFI-enhancements, Gigabyte finally decided to make amends to its socket AM3+ motherboard lineup, by introducing revisions of existing motherboard models, featuring AMI Aptio UEFI BIOS, and its dual-UEFI redundant BIOS technology that protects against failed BIOS updates. Gigabyte's UEFI-equipped AM3+ motherboards will follow revision number scheme from 3.xx, jumping from its canonical revision number scheme of 1.xx. For example, pictured below is the newly launched 970A-D3 Rev 3.0, which jumped from Rev 1.4. The revisions are largely identical to their predecessors, except of course implementation of the AMI Aptio UEFI BIOS and dual-UEFI feature. When buying, look for the revision number in the main barcode sticker on the box, and on the bottom-left corner of the motherboard itself.
In the wake of second generation FX "Vishera" processors and Windows 8 with its UEFI-enhancements, Gigabyte finally decided to make amends to its socket AM3+ motherboard lineup, by introducing revisions of existing motherboard models, featuring AMI Aptio UEFI BIOS, and its dual-UEFI redundant BIOS technology that protects against failed BIOS updates. Gigabyte's UEFI-equipped AM3+ motherboards will follow revision number scheme from 3.xx, jumping from its canonical revision number scheme of 1.xx. For example, pictured below is the newly launched 970A-D3 Rev 3.0, which jumped from Rev 1.4. The revisions are largely identical to their predecessors, except of course implementation of the AMI Aptio UEFI BIOS and dual-UEFI feature. When buying, look for the revision number in the main barcode sticker on the box, and on the bottom-left corner of the motherboard itself.
Microsoft Previews Windows 8 and New Devices
Microsoft Corp. kicked off global Windows 8 launch celebrations today in China. In the first of a series of celebrations around the world, Microsoft customers and partners joined top company executives at a gathering at Shanghai's 1933 Grand Theatre to give consumers and commercial customers a sneak peek at new hardware and apps in advance of the Windows 8 worldwide general availability on Oct. 26. Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft, and Ralph Haupter, corporate vice president of Microsoft and CEO of Microsoft Greater China Region, attended the celebration.
"Microsoft has a more than 20-year history in the Greater China Region, and we are excited to start our Windows 8 launch series in Shanghai, China, the largest PC market in the world," Haupter said. He reaffirmed the importance that Microsoft is giving to China and complimented the commitment of our hardware and developers in preparing for Windows 8 over the last couple of months. "Windows 8 ushers in a new era with amazing experiences for Chinese consumers and commercial customers and creates new opportunities for Microsoft partners," he said.
"Microsoft has a more than 20-year history in the Greater China Region, and we are excited to start our Windows 8 launch series in Shanghai, China, the largest PC market in the world," Haupter said. He reaffirmed the importance that Microsoft is giving to China and complimented the commitment of our hardware and developers in preparing for Windows 8 over the last couple of months. "Windows 8 ushers in a new era with amazing experiences for Chinese consumers and commercial customers and creates new opportunities for Microsoft partners," he said.
Some Apple Stores Offer Exchange on Recently-Purchased iPads to iPad Mini and 4th Gen
If you weren't paying attention to Apple's worst-kept secret over the past month, jumped on to purchase an iPad, and are now suffering buyers' remorse after yesterday's 7.9-inch iPad Mini launch, you're in luck - provided you live near certain Apple Stores that are accepting exchanges for iPads purchased in the last 30 days, to the new iPad Mini and 4th Generation iPad. The Stockton Street branch in San Francisco is accepting exchanges, although another store at 5th avenue, New York told Engadget that it isn't a company-wide offer, and not all stores are obliged with carrying out this offer.
Pioneer Announces BDR-208JBK Blu-ray XL Writer Drive
Pioneer announced the BDR-208JBK, an internal SATA Blu-ray writer drive, which the company claims to have the highest Blu-ray writing speed. The drive can write Blu-ray ROM (BD-R) at 15X, dual-, triple-, and quad-layer BD-R at 14X, 8X, and 6X, respectively. BD-RE discs are written at 2X, DVDs at 16X, and CDs at 40X. The drive features PureRead3+, which lets the drive correct read errors on scratched discs. The drive includes a suite of software by Cyberlink, including PowerDVD 10, PowerDirector, Power2Go 7, InstantBurn 5, and LabelPrint 2.
Facebook Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results
Facebook, Inc. today reported financial results for the third quarter, which ended September 30, 2012.
"As proud as I am that a billion people use Facebook each month, I'm also really happy that over 600 million people now share and connect on Facebook every month using mobile devices," said Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and CEO. "People who use our mobile products are more engaged, and we believe we can increase engagement even further as we continue to introduce new products and improve our platform. At the same time, we are deeply integrating monetization into our product teams in order to build a stronger, more valuable company."
"As proud as I am that a billion people use Facebook each month, I'm also really happy that over 600 million people now share and connect on Facebook every month using mobile devices," said Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and CEO. "People who use our mobile products are more engaged, and we believe we can increase engagement even further as we continue to introduce new products and improve our platform. At the same time, we are deeply integrating monetization into our product teams in order to build a stronger, more valuable company."
LG Announces Q3-2012 Financial Results
LG Electronics (LG) today reported a solid third-quarter performance with the third consecutive quarter of positive net income and all four companies recording strong operating profits. Better-than-expected performance in the mobile and home appliance businesses helped offset a slight decline in overall year-over-year sales for the third quarter.
Third-quarter net profit of KRW 157 billion (USD 138.57 million) with operating profit recording KRW 221 billion (USD 195.06 million) showed significant improvements from the loss in the same period last year. Third-quarter revenues fell 4 percent year-over-year to KRW 12.38 trillion (USD 10.93 billion) due to the continuing decline of feature phone sales and overall weak demand.
Third-quarter net profit of KRW 157 billion (USD 138.57 million) with operating profit recording KRW 221 billion (USD 195.06 million) showed significant improvements from the loss in the same period last year. Third-quarter revenues fell 4 percent year-over-year to KRW 12.38 trillion (USD 10.93 billion) due to the continuing decline of feature phone sales and overall weak demand.
HP Delivers Comprehensive Windows 8 PC Portfolio
HP today announced availability and pricing details for its new lineup of consumer and business PCs that are designed to work with Windows 8.
The new HP products, ranging from stylish notebooks and desktops to a tablet, leverage premium materials and a purposeful design philosophy to deliver a distinct HP look and feel.
Unique form factors, including a hybrid PC with a detachable screen, a business tablet with functionality-boosting HP Smart Jackets and an ultrathin all-in-one (AiO) desktop, enable users to take advantage of Windows 8 along with HP innovations such as HP TouchSmart technology. They also offer HP Connected Photo powered by Snapfish by HP and HP Connected Music powered by Meridian for convenient access to photos and music.
The new HP products, ranging from stylish notebooks and desktops to a tablet, leverage premium materials and a purposeful design philosophy to deliver a distinct HP look and feel.
Unique form factors, including a hybrid PC with a detachable screen, a business tablet with functionality-boosting HP Smart Jackets and an ultrathin all-in-one (AiO) desktop, enable users to take advantage of Windows 8 along with HP innovations such as HP TouchSmart technology. They also offer HP Connected Photo powered by Snapfish by HP and HP Connected Music powered by Meridian for convenient access to photos and music.
Tuesday, October 23rd 2012
Today's Reviews
CPU Coolers
Headphones
Notebooks
Processors
- AMD A8-5600K vs. Intel Pentium G2120 Hardware Secrets
- AMD A10-5800K XtremeHardware (it)
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Benchmark Reviews
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Cowcotland (fr)
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core eTeknix
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Hardcoreware
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Hardwarecanucks
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core HardwareHeaven
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Hexus.net
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Hi Tech Legion
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core HotHardware
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Overclockers Club
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Planet 3DNow! (de)
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core Tech Report
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core TechPowerUp
- AMD FX-8350 4.00 GHz Eight-Core TechSpot
- Intel Core i3-3220 Cowcotland (fr)
PSUs
NZXT Phantom 820 Review
NZXT has evolved the Phantom into the next generation chassis. Bigger, more elaborate, plenty of new features and a higher price tag are some of what sets the Phantom 820 apart from its older brethren. Is this big case a true evolution into something great or a mere mutation with no place to be?
SanDisk Delivers Solid State Drive Technology for ASUS TAICHI
SanDisk Corporation, a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, today announced that the company is providing the solid state drive (SSD) for the new ASUS TAICHI Ultrabook, introduced today by ASUS. Running on the Windows 8 operating system, the unique ASUS TAICHI is an ultrabook that features a tablet on the outside of the laptop lid, allowing users to quickly and easily transition from a tablet to notebook functionality, or operate both simultaneously, for superior mobile computing versatility.
With fast, reliable storage provided by a customized SanDisk X100 SSD, a high-performance stand-alone SSD model, the sleek and powerful ASUS TAICHI features a full notebook experience for consumers or business users, as well as the convenience of a tablet with stylus support, all in one device. The SanDisk X100 SSD used in the ASUS TAICHI (available in both 256GB and 128GB1 capacities) enables the ultrabook to boot up quickly and provides incredibly responsive, small form factor storage. With the ASUS TAICHI, both the tablet and notebook screens can be used at the same time, each featuring different content and applications. This enables the device to be easily shared by family, friends or co-workers simultaneously. While offering both notebook and tablet capability, the ASUS TAICHI is surprisingly thin and lightweight, due in large part to the compact form factor of the SanDisk X100. The customized SanDisk SSD also enhances application performance in the ASUS TAICHI and includes thermal control features to help protect the device from overheating, even when both the tablet and notebook capabilities are being operated at once.
With fast, reliable storage provided by a customized SanDisk X100 SSD, a high-performance stand-alone SSD model, the sleek and powerful ASUS TAICHI features a full notebook experience for consumers or business users, as well as the convenience of a tablet with stylus support, all in one device. The SanDisk X100 SSD used in the ASUS TAICHI (available in both 256GB and 128GB1 capacities) enables the ultrabook to boot up quickly and provides incredibly responsive, small form factor storage. With the ASUS TAICHI, both the tablet and notebook screens can be used at the same time, each featuring different content and applications. This enables the device to be easily shared by family, friends or co-workers simultaneously. While offering both notebook and tablet capability, the ASUS TAICHI is surprisingly thin and lightweight, due in large part to the compact form factor of the SanDisk X100. The customized SanDisk SSD also enhances application performance in the ASUS TAICHI and includes thermal control features to help protect the device from overheating, even when both the tablet and notebook capabilities are being operated at once.
ASUS Zenbook Line Features New 14- and 15-inch Models
ASUS unveiled the Zenbook UX42VS, UX52VS and U500VZ. This launch marks the first 14- and 15-inch models in a series that consists of ASUS' flagship Ultrabook products. The UX42VS features a 14-inch 1366 x 768 pixels screen, it tips the scales at 1.9 kg, and features a wedge-shaped chassis that is as just 6 mm thick at its thinnest point. It is driven by Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processor (options), with 6 GB of memory, GeForce GT 645M graphics, and 1 TB of SSD-accelerated HDD storage.
The Zenbook UX52VS and U500VZ feature 15-inch screens. The UX52VS (pictured below), features Core i5/i7 ULV processor options, 10 GB of memory, GeForce GT 645M graphics, and SSD-accelerated 1 TB HDD. The U500VZ is an anomaly in this lineup, as it features mainstream quad-core Core i7 processor, 8 GB memory, 1080p display resolution, GeForce GT 650M graphics. Despite the kind of hardware it packs, it weighs just 2 kg, and retains the wedge-shaped chassis that's as low as 6 mm-thick.
The Zenbook UX52VS and U500VZ feature 15-inch screens. The UX52VS (pictured below), features Core i5/i7 ULV processor options, 10 GB of memory, GeForce GT 645M graphics, and SSD-accelerated 1 TB HDD. The U500VZ is an anomaly in this lineup, as it features mainstream quad-core Core i7 processor, 8 GB memory, 1080p display resolution, GeForce GT 650M graphics. Despite the kind of hardware it packs, it weighs just 2 kg, and retains the wedge-shaped chassis that's as low as 6 mm-thick.
ASRock is First to Offer Intel Smart Response Technology on X79 Motherboards
Have you ever wondered why Intel Smart Response Technology is missing from the X79 chipset feature support list? It could have been fate, a conspiracy, a sacrifice for world peace, or merely an accident? At the headquarters of ASRock Inc., instead of screaming why through gritted teeth, we said why not and decided to fix this against all odds! Now ASRock is proud to announce that our X79 Extreme11 is the world's first X79 platform to support Intel Smart Response Technology. By downloading the new driver and upgrading to the latest BIOS, ASRock X79 Extreme11 users may reunite with Intel Smart Response Technology.
Just to refresh your memory in case you forgot, Intel Smart Response Technology makes your solid state drive function as the cache for your hard disk drives, so that you may possess the speed of solid state drives and the capacity of hard disk drives simultaneously. Users can update the latest Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver (ver. 3.5.0.1101 or 11.6) and P1.60 BIOS to witness the speed boost by Intel Smart Response Technology right now.
Just to refresh your memory in case you forgot, Intel Smart Response Technology makes your solid state drive function as the cache for your hard disk drives, so that you may possess the speed of solid state drives and the capacity of hard disk drives simultaneously. Users can update the latest Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver (ver. 3.5.0.1101 or 11.6) and P1.60 BIOS to witness the speed boost by Intel Smart Response Technology right now.
ASUS Also Unveils the VivoBook S500 Notebook
ASUS also unveiled the 15-inch VivoBook S500 compact touch-enabled Windows 8 notebook, which joins the X202 or C200, and S400. A physical upscale of the 14-inch S400, the S500 starts at US $649.99, armed with Core i5 and Core i7 processor options, 4 to 16 GB memory options, integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics, and 500 GB HDD storage that's cached by a 24 GB SSD. In addition to WiFi b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, 1.3 MP web-camera, and Bluetooth, the S500 features USB 3.0 ports and HDMI display output. It features a compact wedge-shaped body that resembles (although not compliant of) the Ultrabook specification.
ASUS Unveils ET2300 All-in-One with Thunderbolt
At a press event in New York, ASUS unveiled the ET2300, an all-in-one desktop featuring a 23-inch IPS LED touchscreen that can be tilted on desk to make touch ergonomic. The desktop comes with optional Thunderbolt connectivity, a variety of processor options spanning the Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 lines, GeForce GT 630M graphics, 8 GB of memory, 2 TB of HDD storage, slot-loading DVD SuperMulti drive, and Windows 8 to drive it all.
AMD Catalyst 12.11 Beta 4 Now Available
AMD rolled out two successive quick fixes to issues related to Medal of Honor: Warfighter, when running its performance-optimized Catalyst 12.11 "Never Settle" drivers. An application crash was observed when Medal of Honor: Warfighter is run on systems with Radeon HD 7000 GPUs running in CrossFire configurations, with anti-aliasing enabled at the same time. The company pulled Catalyst 12.11 Beta 3 from its websites, AMD Support and AMD GAME, replacing it with the new Beta 4.
DOWNLOAD: AMD Catalyst 12.11 Beta 4
Apple Announces 7.9-inch iPad Mini
Apple today introduced iPad mini, a completely new iPad design that is 23 percent thinner and 53 percent lighter than the third generation iPad. The new iPad mini features a stunning 7.9-inch Multi-Touch display, FaceTime HD and iSight cameras, ultrafast wireless performance1 and an incredible 10 hours of battery life2-every inch an iPad, yet in a revolutionary design you can hold in one hand. Apple today also announced the fourth generation iPad featuring a gorgeous 9.7-inch Retina display, new Apple-designed A6X chip, FaceTime HD camera and ultrafast wireless performance. Both iPad mini and fourth generation iPad come with iOS 6, the world's most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features.
"iPad mini is every inch an iPad. With its gorgeous 7.9-inch display, iPad mini features the same number of pixels as the original iPad and iPad 2, so you can run more than 275,000 apps designed specifically for iPad," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "iPad mini is as thin as a pencil and as light as a pad of paper, yet packs a fast A5 chip, FaceTime HD and 5 megapixel iSight cameras and ultrafast wireless-all while delivering up to 10 hours of battery life." 
"iPad mini is every inch an iPad. With its gorgeous 7.9-inch display, iPad mini features the same number of pixels as the original iPad and iPad 2, so you can run more than 275,000 apps designed specifically for iPad," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "iPad mini is as thin as a pencil and as light as a pad of paper, yet packs a fast A5 chip, FaceTime HD and 5 megapixel iSight cameras and ultrafast wireless-all while delivering up to 10 hours of battery life."
All-New iMac Features Stunning Design, Brilliant Display & Faster Performance
Apple today unveiled a completely new iMac with a stunning design, brilliant display with reduced reflection, and faster processors.* With third generation Intel quad-core processors, powerful NVIDIA graphics and an innovative new storage option called Fusion Drive, the new iMac is the most advanced desktop Apple has ever made.
"With a stunning design, brilliant display and faster performance, we've made the world's leading all-in-one desktop computer better in every way," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "The all-new iMac is unbelievably thin, yet packs an incredible amount of performance and technology into our most innovative desktop."
"With a stunning design, brilliant display and faster performance, we've made the world's leading all-in-one desktop computer better in every way," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "The all-new iMac is unbelievably thin, yet packs an incredible amount of performance and technology into our most innovative desktop."
Apple Introduces 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display
Apple today introduced an all-new version of its popular 13-inch MacBook Pro featuring a stunning Retina display and all flash storage in a new compact design. At a mere 0.75 inches and 3.57 pounds, the remarkably portable 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is 20 percent thinner and almost a pound lighter than the current 13-inch MacBook Pro.
"The 13-inch MacBook Pro is our most popular Mac, and today it gets completely reinvented with a new thin and light design, fast flash storage and a gorgeous Retina display," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "With vivid colors, razor sharp text and more pixels than anyone else's 15 or 17-inch notebooks, the Retina display completely changes what you expect from a notebook."
"The 13-inch MacBook Pro is our most popular Mac, and today it gets completely reinvented with a new thin and light design, fast flash storage and a gorgeous Retina display," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "With vivid colors, razor sharp text and more pixels than anyone else's 15 or 17-inch notebooks, the Retina display completely changes what you expect from a notebook."
NVIDIA Releases the Performance-Boosting GeForce 310.33 Beta Driver
Countering AMD's ' Never Settle' driver (the Catalyst 12.11), NVIDIA has today rolled out a new graphics driver that delivers performance improvements of up to 15% for GeForce GTX 600 Series cards. The driver in question is called GeForce 310.33, it comes in beta form, and it features support for GeForce 8, 9, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 Family cards.
Download: GeForce 310.33 Beta (Windows 7/8 64-bit)
Download: GeForce 310.33 Beta (Windows 7/8 64-bit)
ASUS VivoTab RT Pictured
Ahead of its launch, at a special event no less, ASUS' flagship Windows tablet, the VivoTab RT was pictured at an Office Depot location. The 10.1-incher is powered by NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core ARM processor, and packs 32 GB of storage, half of which is occupied by the operating system, Windows 8 RT. USB connectivity depends on an adapter. Most other specifications, and its price remain under wraps, although it is expected to be priced in the US $599 range.
Kingston Ships New USB Drive Certified for Windows To Go
Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced it is shipping the Kingston DataTraveler Workspace USB Flash drive. DataTraveler Workspace is certified for Windows To Go, a key feature of Windows 81 Enterprise. DataTraveler Workspace enables enterprises to provision a corporate desktop on an external USB drive, thus allowing users to boot and operate Windows 8 from portable devices. This new drive is a unique external USB 3.0 device that is capable of SSD-like performance.
DataTraveler Workspace is made specifically for organizations that want to use the new Windows To Go feature found in Windows 8 Enterprise. The drive is designed to help IT administrators support their mobile user base - from remote employees to contractors and consultants. DataTraveler Workspace helps companies and organizations meet both bring your own device (BYOD) initiatives and disaster recovery requirements.
DataTraveler Workspace is made specifically for organizations that want to use the new Windows To Go feature found in Windows 8 Enterprise. The drive is designed to help IT administrators support their mobile user base - from remote employees to contractors and consultants. DataTraveler Workspace helps companies and organizations meet both bring your own device (BYOD) initiatives and disaster recovery requirements.
Samsung and SK Hynix Ramp Up 20 nm DRAM Node Development
Korean DRAM makers Samsung and SK Hynix have each stepped up efforts to scale up production on the new 20 nanometer silicon fabrication process, to make in the mainstream DRAM manufacturing process in 2013. The two have already begun volume production of DRAM on the 20 nm process in 2012, however, 30 nm remains as the mainstream DRAM production process. By 2H-2012, the 20 nm process could take its place. The two companies will gradually shift their focus from PC DRAM to enterprise and mobile DRAM, as PC DRAM continues to reel with oversupply.
In Win Announces the Commander III Power Supplies
In Win Development Inc., a leading innovator in high-performance PC hardware and multiple winner of the internationally renowned Red-Dot Design Award, has today launched its third generation of high wattage power supply series, the Commander III.
The military design for enthusiast PC gamers has evolved into its new 'Desert Fox' style, which aims to further evolve the appeal and success of the Commander series PSU. The new Commander III is 100% proudly designed and built by In Win in-house, with industry leading power topologies and quality control.
The military design for enthusiast PC gamers has evolved into its new 'Desert Fox' style, which aims to further evolve the appeal and success of the Commander series PSU. The new Commander III is 100% proudly designed and built by In Win in-house, with industry leading power topologies and quality control.
Digital Storm Announces the Bolt Gaming PC
Fremont-based company Digital Storm has today introduced its newest gaming system, a slim and sleek desktop called Bolt. Featuring a chassis just 3.6 inches wide, Digital Storm's latest creation can be equipped with a 3rd generation Intel Core processor, up to 16 GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 600 Series graphics card (up to a GTX 680), a 1 TB hard drive and, optionally, a 60/120 GB SSD, a DVD writer, and a 500 W power supply.
The Bolt comes with Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed and it starts at $999.
The Bolt comes with Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed and it starts at $999.
Dell’s New Tablets and PCs Push the Boundaries of Computing
Dell is ushering in the next era of computing with a redesigned portfolio of business and consumer PCs designed to take advantage of advances in new operating systems. Built to best optimize Windows 8, Dell has crafted inspired designs that enable new user experiences and make touch computing available to more customers than ever before. Dell today is making available for purchase the XPS 10 tablet, Latitude 10 tablet, Latitude 6430u Notebook, OptiPlex 9010 All-in-One with touch and the Inspiron 15z. These new systems join the XPS 12 convertible, XPS One 27 All-in-One with touch and Inspiron One 23 All-in-One with touch which were announced last week.
The new offerings free customers from carrying multiple devices, helping them save time and be more productive. The gorgeous and durable designs offer unparalleled security and manageability, empowering users to keep pace in an always-connected world. "The combination of new Dell hardware and Microsoft software will allow customers to create and consume content in new and exciting ways," said Sam Burd, Vice President and General Manager Personal Computer Product Group. "We're unveiling a comprehensive refresh of all our consumer and commercial products to take advantage of Windows 8. These stylish new products include clean and intuitive touch experiences, the security and manageability required by IT departments, and features to allow anytime, anywhere access to data and applications."
The new offerings free customers from carrying multiple devices, helping them save time and be more productive. The gorgeous and durable designs offer unparalleled security and manageability, empowering users to keep pace in an always-connected world. "The combination of new Dell hardware and Microsoft software will allow customers to create and consume content in new and exciting ways," said Sam Burd, Vice President and General Manager Personal Computer Product Group. "We're unveiling a comprehensive refresh of all our consumer and commercial products to take advantage of Windows 8. These stylish new products include clean and intuitive touch experiences, the security and manageability required by IT departments, and features to allow anytime, anywhere access to data and applications."
Mad Catz Announces S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 Professional Gaming Keyboard
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. ("Mad Catz") announced today the S.T.R.I.K.E.5 Professional Gaming Keyboard for PC. Now available in limited quantities on the Mad Catz store, the S.T.R.I.K.E.5 has been designed with the competitive gamer in mind, featuring a modular design and OLED Command Module placing gamers at the heart of the experience.
"Our range of S.T.R.I.K.E. keyboards has captured the imagination of passionate gamers and we are pleased to expand the range with the newly announced S.T.R.I.K.E.5," said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. "The S.T.R.I.K.E.5 is part of our strategy to grow our market share with best in class products for all gamers."
"Our range of S.T.R.I.K.E. keyboards has captured the imagination of passionate gamers and we are pleased to expand the range with the newly announced S.T.R.I.K.E.5," said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. "The S.T.R.I.K.E.5 is part of our strategy to grow our market share with best in class products for all gamers."
Origin PC Adds AMD FX "Vishera" CPU Options to its Entire PC Lineup
Gaming PC maker Origin PC added AMD FX "Vishera" processors as options to its entire fleet of gaming desktops. The company is presenting these options as: FX-6300 (3.50 GHz, six-core), FX-8320 (3.50 GHz, eight-core), FX-8350 (4.00 GHz, eight-core). The two eight-core models are further offered with "ORIGIN PC Professional Overclocking" (factory-overclocking).
- AMD FX 8350 Octa-Core 4.0GHz (4.2GHz Turbo), 8MB Cache
- AMD FX 8320 Octa-Core 3.5GHz (4.0GHz Turbo), 8MB Cache
- AMD FX 6300 Hex-Core 3.5GHz (4.1GHz Turbo), 8MB Cache
- Overclocked AMD FX 8320 Octa-Core 3.8-4.4GHz , 8MB Cache with ORIGIN PC Professional Overclocking
- Overclocked AMD FX 8350 Octa-Core 4.2-4.8GHz, 8MB Cache with ORIGIN PC Professional Overclocking
SanDisk Appoints Thomas Rampone as Senior Vice President for Its SSD Business
SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, today announced it has appointed Thomas Rampone as senior vice president of the company's solid state drive (SSD) business, which includes SanDisk's Enterprise Storage Solutions (ESS) and Client Storage Solutions (CSS) organizations. He will report to Sanjay Mehrotra, SanDisk's president and CEO.
Rampone joined SanDisk from Intel where he served for over 27 years in various engineering and executive roles. Most recently, Rampone was vice president and general manager of Intel's Non-Volatile Memory Solutions Group where he was responsible for all of Intel's flash memory business including technology and product development, operations and marketing. Previously, Rampone served as vice president and general manager for Intel's Channel Platforms Group and the Desktop Boards Business.
Rampone joined SanDisk from Intel where he served for over 27 years in various engineering and executive roles. Most recently, Rampone was vice president and general manager of Intel's Non-Volatile Memory Solutions Group where he was responsible for all of Intel's flash memory business including technology and product development, operations and marketing. Previously, Rampone served as vice president and general manager for Intel's Channel Platforms Group and the Desktop Boards Business.
MSI AM3+ Mainboards Ready for the New 2012 AMD FX Processors
The world renowned mainboard manufacturer MSI announced that once the BIOS of MSI AM3+ mainboards have been updated, they will support newest 2012 FX Processor (Vishera). When used with MSI's exclusive OC Genie one-second overclock technology, the performance of the 2012 AMD FX Processor can be easy increased!
MSI's excellent R&D skills allow users to enjoy faster performance and experience the newest technologies. This is done by simply updating the BIOS to support new 2012 AMD FX Processor without having to buy a new compatible mainboard which proves that purchasing MSI mainboards is a safe choice.
MSI's excellent R&D skills allow users to enjoy faster performance and experience the newest technologies. This is done by simply updating the BIOS to support new 2012 AMD FX Processor without having to buy a new compatible mainboard which proves that purchasing MSI mainboards is a safe choice.
OCZ Technology Delivers 'The Next Frontier' of Solid State Virtualization
OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance solid-state drives (SSDs) for computing devices and systems, today announced the general availability of the next release of its popular VXL cache and virtualization software (Version 1.2), enabling host-based distributed flash volumes with advanced services that include High Availability (HA) and Fault Tolerance (FT).
This release of VXL software delivers 'the next frontier' of flash virtualization by providing a comprehensive solution that features enterprise caching, support for virtualized services and distributed flash volumes that dynamically share its SSD resources amongst any virtual machine (VM) that resides on the local server or on other servers in the virtualized environment.
This release of VXL software delivers 'the next frontier' of flash virtualization by providing a comprehensive solution that features enterprise caching, support for virtualized services and distributed flash volumes that dynamically share its SSD resources amongst any virtual machine (VM) that resides on the local server or on other servers in the virtualized environment.
Cooler Master Introduces the Seidon 120M CPU Liquid Cooler
Cooler Master, an industry leading chassis, thermal solution, peripheral, and accessory manufacturer, announces its return to the liquid cooling market. Creating the industry's first All-In-One (AIO) liquid cooler in 2004 with the Aquagate Series, Cooler Master has since strived to improve the design and technology that runs its AIO solutions before signaling their return. The result of which is a unique pump and block design that sets itself apart from a sea of copies --The Seidon 120M. It promises to be the first in a long line of AIO solutions from Cooler Master.
Easy Liquid Cooling for the Masses
Seidon 120M, designed from the ground up to be an extremely compact solution that is accessible to all. Affordable can often be a stigma, but quality remains a high priority with Seidon 120M. It has a high performance waterblock that is machined out of a single block of copper with special Micro Channels that maximize heat dissipation. The integrated pump / waterblock combo assist in saving valuable space around the CPU socket while providing performance and reliability that is similar to air-based CPU coolers. Operating between 600 and 2400 RPM, the included 120 mm PWM fan ensures that there will be plenty of options for balancing performance and noise to a user's needs.
Easy Liquid Cooling for the Masses
Seidon 120M, designed from the ground up to be an extremely compact solution that is accessible to all. Affordable can often be a stigma, but quality remains a high priority with Seidon 120M. It has a high performance waterblock that is machined out of a single block of copper with special Micro Channels that maximize heat dissipation. The integrated pump / waterblock combo assist in saving valuable space around the CPU socket while providing performance and reliability that is similar to air-based CPU coolers. Operating between 600 and 2400 RPM, the included 120 mm PWM fan ensures that there will be plenty of options for balancing performance and noise to a user's needs.
MAINGEAR Launches AMD FX 8-Core Processors
MAINGEAR, an award-winning PC system builder of custom desktops, notebooks, workstations launches AMD's latest FX 8-core processors to give gamers more options on their award-winning desktops that are optimized for speed, power and best of all price.
The new AMD FX processors continue the legacy of the world's first 8-core desktop solution and offer a next generation core architecture developed from the ground up to deliver an entirely new level of performance. Offering up to 24% better frame rates in most demanding games at stunning resolutions, AMD FX delivers incredible speed and value right out of the box. The AMD FX 8-Core Processor Black Edition comes unlocked and offers PC enthusiasts the ability to overclock up to 5.0 GHz with cooling solutions from AMD2 and MAINGEAR. Users will be able to take advantage of the AMD FX 8-core processor with its incredible speed and Turbo Core technology that boosts performance where it's needed while multi-tasking.
The new AMD FX processors continue the legacy of the world's first 8-core desktop solution and offer a next generation core architecture developed from the ground up to deliver an entirely new level of performance. Offering up to 24% better frame rates in most demanding games at stunning resolutions, AMD FX delivers incredible speed and value right out of the box. The AMD FX 8-Core Processor Black Edition comes unlocked and offers PC enthusiasts the ability to overclock up to 5.0 GHz with cooling solutions from AMD2 and MAINGEAR. Users will be able to take advantage of the AMD FX 8-core processor with its incredible speed and Turbo Core technology that boosts performance where it's needed while multi-tasking.
Noctua Presents NH-L9 Series Low Profile CPU Coolers
Noctua today presented its new NH-L9i and NH-L9a low profile CPU coolers for Intel and AMD. At a super-low profile of only 37mm, the NH-L9 coolers are ideal for extremely slim cases and with footprints tailored to the respective socket keep-out zones, they provide full compatibility with tall RAM modules and VGA cards on mini-ITX mainboards. Topped off with the new NF-A9x14 PWM premium fan, the NH-L9 coolers fuse everything users have come to expect from Noctua's larger coolers into a super-compact package for slim HTPC systems.
"The response on our first low profile cooler, the NH-L12, has been overwhelming", says Mag. Roland Mossig, Noctua CEO. "However, users asked for even smaller, lower height models that also provide better compatibility for extra slim, ITX based HTPCs. We're thrilled that we can now meet this demand with the new NH-L9 coolers."
"The response on our first low profile cooler, the NH-L12, has been overwhelming", says Mag. Roland Mossig, Noctua CEO. "However, users asked for even smaller, lower height models that also provide better compatibility for extra slim, ITX based HTPCs. We're thrilled that we can now meet this demand with the new NH-L9 coolers."
Xbox 360 250 GB Sold for $99, Too
In May, Microsoft sent ripples down the gaming industry by launching a subsidized $99 Xbox 360 + Kinect bundle. The bundle included an Xbox 360 4 GB console, Kinect, and "Kinect Adventures." The company applied a similar subsidy plan to the 250 GB HDD-equipped variant of the console, priced at the same $99, but which lacks Kinect bundle. One can now get a 250 GB Xbox 360 + Kinect bundle for as low as $149. Under Microsoft's subsidy plans, full-featured consoles are sold at low prices, in exchange for customers subscribing to Xbox Live for at $15 per month for two years.
ECS Reveals its First Motherboard with the Intel NM70 Express Chipset - NM70-I
Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) reveals its latest mini-ITX motherboard - NM70-I - featuring the new Intel NM70 Express Chipset. The NM70-I is equipped with an integrated Intel Celeron 847 or 807 processor to deliver great value and price performance options. With features like full Electrostatic Discharge Protection, Best Power Efficiency platform and full Windows 8 support, the NM70-I is the best choice for affordable but capable small-form- factor systems. The NM70-I is ideal for desktop PCs, home theater PCs and industrial applications.
Energy Efficiency
Designed to save space and energy, the ECS NM70-I is the ideal solution for small-form-factor systems. With the Intel Celeron processor only consuming a maximum of 17W the ECS NM70-I is a low power solution. It features intelligent power management by turning computing functions on only when needed, reducing energy usage by operating at lower frequencies when performance is not necessary. The ECS NM70-I also has electrostatic discharge protection and 100% solid capacitor for the CPU voltage regulator module to maximize the reliability and longevity of your system.
Energy Efficiency
Designed to save space and energy, the ECS NM70-I is the ideal solution for small-form-factor systems. With the Intel Celeron processor only consuming a maximum of 17W the ECS NM70-I is a low power solution. It features intelligent power management by turning computing functions on only when needed, reducing energy usage by operating at lower frequencies when performance is not necessary. The ECS NM70-I also has electrostatic discharge protection and 100% solid capacitor for the CPU voltage regulator module to maximize the reliability and longevity of your system.
Samsung Stops Making LCD Screens for Apple
A Samsung employee told Korea Times that the company has stopped making touchscreens for Apple, a major component of the iPad. Despite legal tussles between the companies over design patents of smartphones and tablets on a near-global scale, Samsung maintained a supplier relationship with Apple, making touchscreens and contract-manufacturing ASICs at its semiconductor fabs. According to the employee's statement to the newspaper, Apple has become a troublesome customer paying less and less for LCD screens, resulting in the Korean company to cut back on orders. Apple has been paying half of what it used to for screens in the iPad 2. The upcoming iPad Mini, which will be launched a little later this week, will not feature Samsung screens.
AREA Announces New USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gb/s Add-on Cards
Japanese peripherals retailer AREA announced three USB 3.0 and one SATA 6 Gb/s add-on card models. The PE4U3E-3E1 "Sport Quattro" is a 4-port USB 3.0 card that uses a Etron EJ188 host controller, which connects to the machine over PCI-Express 2.0 x2 (physical PCI-Express 2.0 x4), resulting in higher downstream bandwidth when using multiple ports. The card features three external and one internal USB 3.0 type A ports, it draws auxiliary power from a SATA power connector. It is priced at 2,480¥ (US $30).
Next up is the SD-PEU3R-2E2IL, another 4-port PCI-Express add-on card, driven by Renesas D720201 4-port USB 3.0 host controller. The card features PCI-Express 2.0 x1 bus interface, and unlike the PE4U3E-3E1, features two type A ports on the rear panel, and two ports via standard USB 3.0 front-panel header. It is priced at 2,680¥ (US $33.5). The last of the three USB 3.0 cards is the D-EP34U3R-S3, which ships in ExpressCard-34 form-factor, is driven by Renesas D720202 host controller, and features just one USB 3.0 type A port. It is priced at 1,980¥ (US $24.7). Lastly, the company launched the SD-PESA3ES2L, a 2-port SATA 6 Gb/s add-on card, which lets you choose between using the two ports as internal or eSATA ports, using jumpers. It goes for 2,980¥ (US $37).
Next up is the SD-PEU3R-2E2IL, another 4-port PCI-Express add-on card, driven by Renesas D720201 4-port USB 3.0 host controller. The card features PCI-Express 2.0 x1 bus interface, and unlike the PE4U3E-3E1, features two type A ports on the rear panel, and two ports via standard USB 3.0 front-panel header. It is priced at 2,680¥ (US $33.5). The last of the three USB 3.0 cards is the D-EP34U3R-S3, which ships in ExpressCard-34 form-factor, is driven by Renesas D720202 host controller, and features just one USB 3.0 type A port. It is priced at 1,980¥ (US $24.7). Lastly, the company launched the SD-PESA3ES2L, a 2-port SATA 6 Gb/s add-on card, which lets you choose between using the two ports as internal or eSATA ports, using jumpers. It goes for 2,980¥ (US $37).
Intel Announces Core i7-3632QM Mobile Quad-Core Processor
Intel made an addition to its performance mobile processor lineup, the Core i7-3632QM. Targeting performance notebooks in the $1200 range, the i7-3632QM is a quad-core chip based on the 22 nm "Ivy Bridge" silicon. It features HyperThreading, enabling eight logical CPUs. Surprisingly, the new chip comes with slightly lower clock speeds than the i7-3630QM, but a significantly lower TDP. While the i7-3630QM comes with 2.40 GHz core, 3.40 GHz Turbo Boost, and 45W TDP; the new i7-3632QM comes with 2.20 GHz core 3.20 GHz Turbo Boost, and 35W TDP: 8.5% lower clock speeds, resulting in 25% lower TDP.
The Core i7-3632QM features 256 KB L2 cache per core, and 6 MB shared L3 cache. It features Intel HD 4000 graphics core, clocked at 650 MHz. While it features PCI-Express 3.0 root complex, and Intel VTx, it lacks Intel vPro and Trusted Execution Technology, features found with certain "business class" Core i5/i7 mobile chips. Available in BGA and rPGA packages, the new chip should be available to notebook makers.
The Core i7-3632QM features 256 KB L2 cache per core, and 6 MB shared L3 cache. It features Intel HD 4000 graphics core, clocked at 650 MHz. While it features PCI-Express 3.0 root complex, and Intel VTx, it lacks Intel vPro and Trusted Execution Technology, features found with certain "business class" Core i5/i7 mobile chips. Available in BGA and rPGA packages, the new chip should be available to notebook makers.
D-Link Unveils New 2-Bay Network Storage Solution
Expanding its portfolio of cloud-enabled products, D-Link today announced its latest ShareCenter 2-Bay Cloud Storage 2000 (DNS-320L), offering a centralized storage solution with remote sharing, streaming, and management capabilities.
Delivering a complete home and small business cloud storage solution, the D-Link Cloud Storage 2000 enables users to remotely and locally download and upload files, delete files and folders from their storage device, and access files stored on their ShareCenter from any computer via the mydlink.com portal. Plus, with a free app for iPad, iPhone and Android devices, users can now easily view photos, and stream music and videos from their ShareCenter directly to mobile devices from anywhere in the world.
Delivering a complete home and small business cloud storage solution, the D-Link Cloud Storage 2000 enables users to remotely and locally download and upload files, delete files and folders from their storage device, and access files stored on their ShareCenter from any computer via the mydlink.com portal. Plus, with a free app for iPad, iPhone and Android devices, users can now easily view photos, and stream music and videos from their ShareCenter directly to mobile devices from anywhere in the world.
NEC VersaPro VZ Tablet and UltraLite VG Ultrabook Get Windows 8 Pro
NEC's Celron-driven VersaPro VZ 12.5-inch tablet and UltraLite VG 13.3-inch Ultrabook received a specifications update, with Windows 8 Pro being the standard OS. Originally launched in March and July 2012, respectively, the two originally featured Windows 7 Professional. Driven by dual-core Celeron ULV CPU, the VersaPro VZ packs 4 GB memory and 128 GB SSD storage. The UltraLite VG, on the other hand, is driven by Core i7-3517U "Ivy Bridge" dual-core processor, with 4 GB dual-channel memory, and 128 GB SSD storage. The the two refreshed NEC products could hit the racks after October 26.
ASUS FM2 Motherboard Breaks 3DMark Vantage Record
Using ASUS' very own F2A85-V PRO and AMD's latest A-series APU, ASUS set a new record of 10297 marks in 3DMark Vantage Performance for APUs. ASUS is committed in providing only the best quality and performance motherboard for AMD new A-series APUs.
The ASUS F2A85-V PRO coupled with the AMD A10-5800K APU set a new record of 10297 marks in 3DMark Vantage Performance[1], cooled by liquid nitrogen and aided by 2 DIMMS of memory running stably at a speed of 2720MHz. Even under air cooling, it still achieved a commendable 8070 marks[2], further cementing ASUS FM2 motherboards capabilities in performing well under a wide variety of environments. The new overclocking record in benchmarks such as 3DMark Vantage indicate that ASUS FM2 Series motherboards deliver customers long-lasting stability, reliability and performance as part of the ASUS commitment to the highest quality possible.
The ASUS F2A85-V PRO coupled with the AMD A10-5800K APU set a new record of 10297 marks in 3DMark Vantage Performance[1], cooled by liquid nitrogen and aided by 2 DIMMS of memory running stably at a speed of 2720MHz. Even under air cooling, it still achieved a commendable 8070 marks[2], further cementing ASUS FM2 motherboards capabilities in performing well under a wide variety of environments. The new overclocking record in benchmarks such as 3DMark Vantage indicate that ASUS FM2 Series motherboards deliver customers long-lasting stability, reliability and performance as part of the ASUS commitment to the highest quality possible.
Monday, October 22nd 2012
Today's Reviews
Accessories
Cases
Cooling
Game Controllers
Graphics Cards
Headphones
Memory
Motherboards
NAS
AMD FX-8350 - "Piledriver" for AMD Socket AM3+ Review
Without much fanfare, AMD is launching yet another new product, this time the Piledriver-based AM3+ CPUs. Ready as a drop-in replacement for current 9-series AMD motherboards, the FX-8350 not only offers a bit of a surprise in performance, but also a suprise that your wallet will like too!
MSI GeForce GTX 660 HAWK 2 GB Review
MSI's new GeForce GTX 660 HAWK is a fully customized, overclocked GTX 660. It comes with the company's signature TwinFrozr cooler and includes goodlies like dual BIOS and voltage measurements points.
AMD Announces 2012 FX "Vishera" Line of Performance Desktop Processors
AMD announced the 2012 FX "Vishera" line of eight-core, six-core, and quad-core desktop processors. Based on the new "Piledriver" CPU micro-architecture, the new processors feature increased performance and an updated instruction set, over the previous generation. To begin with, the processors are based around the "Vishera" silicon, built on the 32 nm HKMG process at Global Foundries. With a transistor count of 1.2 billion and a die area of 315 mm², Vishera packs four Piledriver modules, with two cores each, 2 MB L2 cache per module (8 MB total), and 8 MB of L3 cache. Eight-, six-, and four-core models are carved out by toggling the number of modules between four, three, and two.
The Vishera silicon also features an updated CPU instruction set, which includes SSE/2/3/S3/4.1/4.2/4A, AVX, AES-NI, FMA/FMA2/FMA3, XOP, and F16C. An x86 processor by design, Vishera features the AMD64 x86-64 instruction set. Its updated integrated memory controller supports up to 64 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory, with a standard speed of DDR3-1866 MHz, and more possible with overclocking. The memory interface is single, monolithic 128-bit, unlike the dual 64-bit IMC approach of the "Stars" micro-architecture. Built in the same socket AM3+ package as the previous generation FX, the new chips are compatible with existing AM3+ motherboards with a BIOS update. The 2012 FX processor lineup includes a total of four models, the FX-8350 flagship eight-core, FX-8320 performance eight-core, FX-6300 mainstream six-core, and FX-4300 value quad-core. All models feature unlocked base-clock multipliers, making each of them fit for overclocking. Their specifications and target SEP pricing are tabled below. Market prices could be about 5~10% above the SEP prices.
The Vishera silicon also features an updated CPU instruction set, which includes SSE/2/3/S3/4.1/4.2/4A, AVX, AES-NI, FMA/FMA2/FMA3, XOP, and F16C. An x86 processor by design, Vishera features the AMD64 x86-64 instruction set. Its updated integrated memory controller supports up to 64 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory, with a standard speed of DDR3-1866 MHz, and more possible with overclocking. The memory interface is single, monolithic 128-bit, unlike the dual 64-bit IMC approach of the "Stars" micro-architecture. Built in the same socket AM3+ package as the previous generation FX, the new chips are compatible with existing AM3+ motherboards with a BIOS update. The 2012 FX processor lineup includes a total of four models, the FX-8350 flagship eight-core, FX-8320 performance eight-core, FX-6300 mainstream six-core, and FX-4300 value quad-core. All models feature unlocked base-clock multipliers, making each of them fit for overclocking. Their specifications and target SEP pricing are tabled below. Market prices could be about 5~10% above the SEP prices.
AMD Releases the Catalyst Application Profiles 12.10 CAP 1
In addition to delivering the Catalyst 12.10 and Catalyst 12.11 Beta drivers, AMD has today rolled out an updated Catalyst Application Profiles (CAP) package, known as the 12.10 CAP 1. This release features the following profiles:
- Crysis 2: Resolves performance issues seen in CrossFire mode
- Darksiders 2: Resolves screen flickering seen in CrossFire mode
- Max Payne 3: Resolves Menu flickering when Anti-Aliasing is enabled through the Catalyst Control Center
- FIFA 13: Improves CrossFire performance, and improve single GPU performance
- Project C.A.R.S.: Resolves screen flickering seen in CrossFire mode
- Natural Selection 2 - Resolves Menu flickering when Anti-Aliasing is enabled through the Catalyst Control Center
The 12.10 CAP 1 can be downloaded from this page.
- Crysis 2: Resolves performance issues seen in CrossFire mode
- Darksiders 2: Resolves screen flickering seen in CrossFire mode
- Max Payne 3: Resolves Menu flickering when Anti-Aliasing is enabled through the Catalyst Control Center
- FIFA 13: Improves CrossFire performance, and improve single GPU performance
- Project C.A.R.S.: Resolves screen flickering seen in CrossFire mode
- Natural Selection 2 - Resolves Menu flickering when Anti-Aliasing is enabled through the Catalyst Control Center
The 12.10 CAP 1 can be downloaded from this page.
Yahoo! Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results
Yahoo! Inc. today reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. Revenue excluding traffic acquisition costs ("Revenue ex-TAC") was $1,089 million for the third quarter of 2012, a 2 percent increase compared to the third quarter of 2011. GAAP revenue was $1,202 million for the third quarter of 2012, a 1 percent decrease from the third quarter of 2011.
Excluding restructuring charges for both years, operating income on a non-GAAP basis was $177 million in the third quarter of 2012 compared to $175 million in the third quarter of 2011. On a GAAP basis, income from operations decreased 14 percent to $152 million in the third quarter of 2012, compared to $177 million in the third quarter of 2011.
Excluding restructuring charges for both years, operating income on a non-GAAP basis was $177 million in the third quarter of 2012 compared to $175 million in the third quarter of 2011. On a GAAP basis, income from operations decreased 14 percent to $152 million in the third quarter of 2012, compared to $177 million in the third quarter of 2011.
Western Digital Announces Q1 Revenue of $4 Billion
Western Digital Corp. today reported revenue of $4.0 billion, hard-drive shipments of 62.5 million and net income of $519 million, or $2.06 per share for its first fiscal quarter ended Sept. 28, 2012. On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $594 million or $2.36 per share. In the year-ago quarter, the company reported revenue of $2.7 billion, net income of $239 million, or $1.01 per share, and shipped 57.8 million hard drives. Non-GAAP net income in the year-ago quarter was $260 million, or $1.10 per share.
The company generated $936 million in cash from operations during the September quarter, ending with total cash and cash equivalents of $3.5 billion. During the quarter, the company utilized $218 million to buy back 5.2 million shares of common stock. On Sept.13, the company declared a $0.25 per common share dividend, which was paid Oct. 15.
The company generated $936 million in cash from operations during the September quarter, ending with total cash and cash equivalents of $3.5 billion. During the quarter, the company utilized $218 million to buy back 5.2 million shares of common stock. On Sept.13, the company declared a $0.25 per common share dividend, which was paid Oct. 15.
New AMD Tablet APU Lands in Fujitsu STYLISTIC Q572
AMD announced that its AMD Z-60 accelerated processing unit (APU) powers the new Fujitsu STYLISTIC Q572 10.1" tablet, providing quality and performance to professionals on the move. The combination of processor and system design provides users with portability, Windows compatibility and security in one tablet device. With impressive performance at low power, the AMD Z-60 APU supports unique Fujitsu features like an integrated Smart Card reader and removable battery.
Supporting a rich Windows 8 or Windows 7 experience with its AMD Radeon graphics, the AMD Z-60 APU enables the ability to run the full suite of legacy PC applications while supporting the most visually demanding programs. A suite of enterprise-friendly features such as the trusted platform module (TPM) and hardware-based disk encryption are also supported by the AMD Z-60 APU. The STYLISTIC Q572's lightweight (approximately 1.6-pounds) design and impressive feature-set make it an ideal match for the mobile workforce.
Supporting a rich Windows 8 or Windows 7 experience with its AMD Radeon graphics, the AMD Z-60 APU enables the ability to run the full suite of legacy PC applications while supporting the most visually demanding programs. A suite of enterprise-friendly features such as the trusted platform module (TPM) and hardware-based disk encryption are also supported by the AMD Z-60 APU. The STYLISTIC Q572's lightweight (approximately 1.6-pounds) design and impressive feature-set make it an ideal match for the mobile workforce.
Intel Ranks as One of the Greenest Companies
Today Newsweek unveiled its annual Green Rankings and Intel is ranked #7 on the U.S. 500 list (up from #15 in 2011) and #35 on the Global 500 list (up from #47 in 2011). Intel was recognized for its green initiatives including buying more green power than any company in the U.S., reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent since 2007, and tying employee compensation to green performance.
Find the Newsweek list here.
Find the Newsweek list here.
Intel Perceptual Computing SDK 2013 Beta and Creative Developer Kit Now Available
The Intel Perceptual Computing SDK 2013 Beta, announced in September at Intel Developer Forum, is now available as a free download. Developers can add perceptual computing usages to create immersive software applications that incorporate close-range hand and finger tracking, facial analysis, speech recognition and 2D/3D object tracking on 2nd and 3rd generation Intel Core processor-powered Ultrabook devices and PCs.
The SDK includes APIs to help reduce development time and testing costs. Also available for use with the SDK is the Creative* Interactive Gesture Camera Developer Kit a small, light-weight, USB-powered, depth-sensor camera tuned for close-range interactivity powered by technology from SoftKinetic. Download the SDK and order the Creative Interactive Gesture Camera Developer Kit today.
The SDK includes APIs to help reduce development time and testing costs. Also available for use with the SDK is the Creative* Interactive Gesture Camera Developer Kit a small, light-weight, USB-powered, depth-sensor camera tuned for close-range interactivity powered by technology from SoftKinetic. Download the SDK and order the Creative Interactive Gesture Camera Developer Kit today.
Survey Recognizes IBM as Greenest Company in U.S.
IBM (NYSE: IBM) has been recognized for the second consecutive year as the greenest company in the U.S., according to the Newsweek 2012 Green Rankings survey, released today. A panel of independent judges ranked major companies based on numerous criteria, including their environmental impact, environmental management and sustainability disclosure. The survey is regarded as one of the most comprehensive analyses of environmental leadership, and IBM was one of 500 large U.S. organizations evaluated.
The report notes that IBM'S Smarter Planet products and services help clients measure and reduce their resource consumption while saving money. It points to a system developed at the company's Zurich Research Lab, where water that cools a supercomputer is used to warm nearby buildings.
The report notes that IBM'S Smarter Planet products and services help clients measure and reduce their resource consumption while saving money. It points to a system developed at the company's Zurich Research Lab, where water that cools a supercomputer is used to warm nearby buildings.
Introducing The New Razer Surfaces 2013/14 Collection
Razer, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, today launched its new 2013/2014 lineup of mouse mats: the Razer Invicta, Razer Manticor, Razer Destructor 2 and Razer Megasoma 2. These mats were engineered with new construction methods to provide an unprecedented level of finish, and were treated with all-new performance-boosting sensor-reactive surface coatings, selected after extensive research into the most precise and responsive treatments and materials.
"Most gaming mouse mat companies today fill their boxes with marketing jargon and slap an image of a pro-gamer on the side of the package; however, designing a true gaming surface requires in-depth knowledge of mousing sensor technologies, extensive testing and validation by professional gamers," said Min-Liang Tan, CEO of Razer. "For the first time ever, we are letting gamers in on the design process of a Razer gaming mouse mat, and sharing the inside track on how our industry leading user interface technology and experience allows us to design the very best gaming surfaces in the world."
"Most gaming mouse mat companies today fill their boxes with marketing jargon and slap an image of a pro-gamer on the side of the package; however, designing a true gaming surface requires in-depth knowledge of mousing sensor technologies, extensive testing and validation by professional gamers," said Min-Liang Tan, CEO of Razer. "For the first time ever, we are letting gamers in on the design process of a Razer gaming mouse mat, and sharing the inside track on how our industry leading user interface technology and experience allows us to design the very best gaming surfaces in the world."
ICY Dock Announces MB981U3N-1SA USB 3.0 to SATA & IDE HDD & SSD Adapter
Icy Dock is proud to introduce the MB981U3N-1SA USB 3.0 2.5" / 3.5" SATA & IDE Hard Drive Adapter. This adapter is an ultra portable yet space saving solution for users who require high transfer speed with multiple hard drives to swap, whether it is IDE / SATA or a 2.5" / 3.5" form factor.
The MB981U3N-1SA accepts almost all kinds of drives including ATA (IDE), SATA, 2.5", 3.5" hard drives and SSDs. It allows universal adaptability with modern PCs or Macs via SuperSpeed USB 3.0. With a theoretical maximum of 5Gb/s, you get the lightning fast transfer performance you need to finish your tasks fast. With USB 3.0 capable of backwards compatibility, the adapter can be used in older systems that only have USB 2.0. This is the best interface to date with reliable compatibility for many different systems.
The MB981U3N-1SA accepts almost all kinds of drives including ATA (IDE), SATA, 2.5", 3.5" hard drives and SSDs. It allows universal adaptability with modern PCs or Macs via SuperSpeed USB 3.0. With a theoretical maximum of 5Gb/s, you get the lightning fast transfer performance you need to finish your tasks fast. With USB 3.0 capable of backwards compatibility, the adapter can be used in older systems that only have USB 2.0. This is the best interface to date with reliable compatibility for many different systems.
EK Releases New D5 X-RES Series Pump/Reservoir Combo Units
EK Water Blocks, Ljubljana based premium performance PC water cooling gear manufacturer, is proud to present the latest revision of EK-D5 X-RES CSQ series reservoirs.
The EK-D5 X-RES CSQ comes in two versions (-100 and -140) and is a direct successor of EK-D5 X-RES released three years ago. This new pump top (volute) for Laing D5 series water pumps with integrated reservoir is now even easier to use and offers various port installation options. This top offer increased hydraulic performance (up to 20%) compared to factory top.
The EK-D5 X-RES CSQ comes in two versions (-100 and -140) and is a direct successor of EK-D5 X-RES released three years ago. This new pump top (volute) for Laing D5 series water pumps with integrated reservoir is now even easier to use and offers various port installation options. This top offer increased hydraulic performance (up to 20%) compared to factory top.
World's Largest Gaming Festival Names Samsung as Official Monitor Partner for WCG '12
World Cyber Games (WCG) announced today that Samsung Electronics has been selected as the official monitor partner of the WCG 2012 Grand Final which will be taking place from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 in Kunshan, China. The Series 7 (S24B750) and Series 3 (S23B370H) monitors will be used by the national team competitors during the WCG 2012 Grand Final tournament.
"The fact that Samsung has been selected as the official partner of WCG for 12 consecutive years demonstrates that our monitors are recognized as a global display leader by gamers," said Jeong-Hwan Kim, senior vice president of Display Sales and Marketing at Samsung Electronics. "We will do our best to provide the best environment for professional gamers."
"Thanks to Samsung's monitors, cyber athletes can enjoy games in a more comfortable environment," said Brad Lee, CEO of World Cyber Games. "The monitors will be used in the China national team selection match, followed by the WCG 2012 Grand Final, which runs from Oct. 26 to 28."
"The fact that Samsung has been selected as the official partner of WCG for 12 consecutive years demonstrates that our monitors are recognized as a global display leader by gamers," said Jeong-Hwan Kim, senior vice president of Display Sales and Marketing at Samsung Electronics. "We will do our best to provide the best environment for professional gamers."
"Thanks to Samsung's monitors, cyber athletes can enjoy games in a more comfortable environment," said Brad Lee, CEO of World Cyber Games. "The monitors will be used in the China national team selection match, followed by the WCG 2012 Grand Final, which runs from Oct. 26 to 28."
Club 3D RoyalService Announced
Club 3D Offers Great Service and to extend this service we are offering a new service level, the RoyalService from Club 3D. Which means for all the qualifying* products, Club 3D will offer direct manufacturer's warranty and support, which includes direct pick up and direct returns without any additional charges.
It is very simple, all you have to do is register your product with Club 3D at support@club-3d.com, send in your Serial Number and Proof of Purchase and you will receive an unique customer number which you will need to claim direct service and support.
*Qualifying Product up to date - CGAX-7999, Club 3D Radeon HD 7990 Dual GPU - which in addition comes with great game bundles, see below.
It is very simple, all you have to do is register your product with Club 3D at support@club-3d.com, send in your Serial Number and Proof of Purchase and you will receive an unique customer number which you will need to claim direct service and support.
*Qualifying Product up to date - CGAX-7999, Club 3D Radeon HD 7990 Dual GPU - which in addition comes with great game bundles, see below.
NEC Unveils LaVie Y Windows 8 RT Convertible Notebook
NEC unveiled the first full-fledged convertible notebook running Windows 8 RT, driven by ARM machine-architecture. The LaVie Y with its 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768 pixel screen works as a tablet in your hands, or as a laptop. Its "lid" (the main component housing the touchscreen and central processing) spins almost 360° along the hinge of the base (with the keyboard, trackpad, and ports), letting you orient the device in a number of ways.
Under the hood is an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor clocked at 1.30 GHz, with GeForce graphics; 2 GB of RAM, 64 GB SSD, and connectivity that includes USB 2.0, 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, 5-in-1 card reader, HDMI display output supporting 1080p video playback, and a 1.3 MP web-cam. Its battery can keep the device going for 8 hours before needing a recharge. Measuring 298 x 204 x 15.6 mm (when completely folded), the LaVie Y weighs 1.24 kg. It will be launched after October 26.
Under the hood is an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor clocked at 1.30 GHz, with GeForce graphics; 2 GB of RAM, 64 GB SSD, and connectivity that includes USB 2.0, 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, 5-in-1 card reader, HDMI display output supporting 1080p video playback, and a 1.3 MP web-cam. Its battery can keep the device going for 8 hours before needing a recharge. Measuring 298 x 204 x 15.6 mm (when completely folded), the LaVie Y weighs 1.24 kg. It will be launched after October 26.
Arduino Due ARM Kit Launched
Arduino announces the release of the new Arduino Due board based on the Cortex M3 ARM processor. The release of the 1.0 Arduino platform in 2011 represented a milestone for Open Source Hardware: after six years of development, Arduino is declared mature and stable.
Once this was achieved, the team applied itself to the new version of Arduino designed to provide more creative options to users. The result of this work is the Arduino Due, a board that provides increased performance and faster connectivity at an affordable price (49 USD MSRP).
Arduino Due is ideal for those who want to build projects that require high computing power such as the remotely-controlled drones that, in order to fly, need to process a lot of sensor data per second. Arduino Due gives students the opportunity to learn the inner workings of the ARM processor in a cheaper and much simpler way than before.
Once this was achieved, the team applied itself to the new version of Arduino designed to provide more creative options to users. The result of this work is the Arduino Due, a board that provides increased performance and faster connectivity at an affordable price (49 USD MSRP).
Arduino Due is ideal for those who want to build projects that require high computing power such as the remotely-controlled drones that, in order to fly, need to process a lot of sensor data per second. Arduino Due gives students the opportunity to learn the inner workings of the ARM processor in a cheaper and much simpler way than before.
Skype for Windows 8 Unveiled
Skype announced Skype for Windows 8 today, bringing together popular Skype features and the new design of Windows 8.
The release focuses on delivering an experience that is simpler, faster and easier to use. Skype for Windows 8 includes top Skype features like IM, audio and video calls. It also takes advantage of some of the new features and functionality of Windows 8 that put people front and center; including integration in to the People Hub, ability to pin favorite contacts as a tile for easy access and the Skype Live Tile that shows messages and notifications right on the Start Screen.
Skype for Windows 8 will be available on October 26. You can find it on your new Windows 8 device and or download it from the Windows Store.
The release focuses on delivering an experience that is simpler, faster and easier to use. Skype for Windows 8 includes top Skype features like IM, audio and video calls. It also takes advantage of some of the new features and functionality of Windows 8 that put people front and center; including integration in to the People Hub, ability to pin favorite contacts as a tile for easy access and the Skype Live Tile that shows messages and notifications right on the Start Screen.
Skype for Windows 8 will be available on October 26. You can find it on your new Windows 8 device and or download it from the Windows Store.
Plantronics Announces New Mobility Products for Business Professionals
In a rush, jumping from a mobile call to a webinar and wish you could use one audio device? Plantronics has you covered with the launch of three products designed for different flavors of flexible working. From noisy open office environments to impromptu meetings on the go there's a greater need for mobility throughout the day. Plantronics' new line-up includes a Bluetooth speakerphone, a crossover USB Bluetooth headset and the award-winning Voyager Legend UC headset.
"For many professionals, conducting business from a cubicle or closed office environment has become a thing of the past. Work has become much more about what someone does and a lot less about where they do it," said Rob Arnold, Senior Analyst, Frost & Sullivan. "With that said, it's important for companies to equip their mobile professionals with the latest solutions that not only give them the flexibility to communicate well regardless of where they are, but that also make the user experience as intuitive as possible, and that's something Plantronics has down to a science."
"For many professionals, conducting business from a cubicle or closed office environment has become a thing of the past. Work has become much more about what someone does and a lot less about where they do it," said Rob Arnold, Senior Analyst, Frost & Sullivan. "With that said, it's important for companies to equip their mobile professionals with the latest solutions that not only give them the flexibility to communicate well regardless of where they are, but that also make the user experience as intuitive as possible, and that's something Plantronics has down to a science."
Plantronics Introduces Crossover USB Headset Designed for Multimedia, PC and Mobile
Are you tired of missing mobile calls when you're working on your computer? If you're listening to music or on a softphone call, mobile calls can easily be missed. With the new Blackwire 700 series from Plantronics, you can easily be connected to both your PC and mobile phone with all-day comfort and excellent audio. The Blackwire 700 series is the first corded headset to feature Plantronics' Smart Sensor technology, which tells the headset when it is being worn so it can pause music and route calls intuitively.
Ideal for people who use a PC and a mobile phone or tablet, this versatile headset goes beyond providing outstanding PC audio quality by also connecting to a Bluetooth enabled phone or tablet. A detachable cable and integrated clothing clip allow you to take your mobile call to-go with up to 10 hours of talk time.
Ideal for people who use a PC and a mobile phone or tablet, this versatile headset goes beyond providing outstanding PC audio quality by also connecting to a Bluetooth enabled phone or tablet. A detachable cable and integrated clothing clip allow you to take your mobile call to-go with up to 10 hours of talk time.
WD Portable Hard Drives Certified For Use With Windows To Go
WD, a subsidiary of Western Digital, and a world leader in external storage and solutions for today's connected life, today introduced My Passport Enterprise, one of the industry's first portable hard drives designed specifically for use with Microsoft Corp.'s Windows To Go, which enables corporate customers to provision a fully featured Windows 8 workspace on a bootable USB drive.
My Passport Enterprise includes 500 GB of storage space, while still maintaining a sleek and compact design for maximum portability. The capacity and portability allows users to easily carry all their data and settings so they can quickly boot and run their personalized Windows 8 system on any compatible PC in the office, at home or on the go. Additionally, setup is fast and easy with the WD Compass utility included with My Passport Enterprise.
My Passport Enterprise includes 500 GB of storage space, while still maintaining a sleek and compact design for maximum portability. The capacity and portability allows users to easily carry all their data and settings so they can quickly boot and run their personalized Windows 8 system on any compatible PC in the office, at home or on the go. Additionally, setup is fast and easy with the WD Compass utility included with My Passport Enterprise.
AMD Recognized for Exemplary Corporate Responsibility with Listings on the Dow Jones
AMD (NYSE: AMD) announced today it has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the eighth consecutive year. The company has also been added to the FTSE4Good Index Series. These most recent acknowledgements highlight AMD's commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
"AMD is proud to be ranked among the world's leading sustainable businesses and to have our commitment to ethical business practices recognized by these influential investment indexes," said Tim Mohin, director, Corporate Responsibility at AMD. "This recognition is a testament to AMD's overall commitment to delivering products that enable our customers to address today's critical technology challenges while operating ethically and sustainably."
"AMD is proud to be ranked among the world's leading sustainable businesses and to have our commitment to ethical business practices recognized by these influential investment indexes," said Tim Mohin, director, Corporate Responsibility at AMD. "This recognition is a testament to AMD's overall commitment to delivering products that enable our customers to address today's critical technology challenges while operating ethically and sustainably."
HP Unveils Cloud-Based Service Desk Solution
HP today announced HP Service Anywhere, a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) IT service management (ITSM) solution that delivers a simple-to-use, modern experience that enables IT professionals to increase productivity while managing and delivering high-quality services.
HP Service Anywhere integrates key technologies, such as the market-leading HP Universal Configuration Management Database (UCMDB), which manages services, applications and hardware across the IT environment. It is populated and maintained with HP Universal Discovery software, which automates discovery and dependency mapping of relevant IT elements.
HP Service Anywhere integrates key technologies, such as the market-leading HP Universal Configuration Management Database (UCMDB), which manages services, applications and hardware across the IT environment. It is populated and maintained with HP Universal Discovery software, which automates discovery and dependency mapping of relevant IT elements.
HP ENVY m4 Windows 8 Laptop Available for Pre-Order
Officially announced one month ago, the Windows 8-running ENVY m4 14-inch laptop from HP can now be found on pre-order, priced at $829.99. The m4 is 1.1 inches thick and features an LED-backlit (1366 x 768) display, a 2.2 GHz Core i7-3632QM processor, Intel HD graphics, 8 GB of RAM, a 1 TB hard drive, and a DVD writer.
HP's notebook also has a media card reader, an HD webcam, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, two USB 3.0 ports, stereo speakers and a subwoofer, Beats Audio, an HDMI output, and a 6-cell battery. The ENVY m4 is listed here.
HP's notebook also has a media card reader, an HD webcam, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, two USB 3.0 ports, stereo speakers and a subwoofer, Beats Audio, an HDMI output, and a 6-cell battery. The ENVY m4 is listed here.
Gigabyte Unveils F2A75M-HD2 Socket FM2 Motherboard
Gigabyte unveiled the F2A75M-HD2 entry-level socket FM2 motherboard. Built in the compact micro-ATX form-factor, measuring 225 x 174 mm, the F2A75M-HD2 is driven by AMD A75 chipset, and is designed for HTPCs. The APU socket is powered by a simple 5-phase VRM. It is wired to two DDR3 DIMM slots supporting up to 32 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1866 MHz memory; and a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot. One each of PCI-Express 2.0 x1 and legacy PCI make for the rest of the expansion area.
The F2A75M-HD2 features four SATA 6 Gb/s ports supporting RAID 0/1/10, and four USB 3.0 ports (two on the rear panel, two by header). Display outputs include one each of DVI, HDMI, and D-Sub. The rest of the connectivity includes eight USB 2.0/1.1 ports (four on the rear panel, four by headers), 6-channel HD audio, serial (COM), and gigabit Ethernet. The board is driven by AMI Aptio UEFI, with Gigabyte dual-BIOS and 3D BIOS technologies. It is expected to be priced around $70.
The F2A75M-HD2 features four SATA 6 Gb/s ports supporting RAID 0/1/10, and four USB 3.0 ports (two on the rear panel, two by header). Display outputs include one each of DVI, HDMI, and D-Sub. The rest of the connectivity includes eight USB 2.0/1.1 ports (four on the rear panel, four by headers), 6-channel HD audio, serial (COM), and gigabit Ethernet. The board is driven by AMI Aptio UEFI, with Gigabyte dual-BIOS and 3D BIOS technologies. It is expected to be priced around $70.
LG Announces a Windows 8 Tablet and All-in-One PC
Today LG Electronics has revealed some of its first products running Windows 8, the H160 tablet boasting a slide-out keyboard and the V325 all-in-one PC. The H160 is 15.9 mm thick, it weights 1.05 kg and features a 11.6-inch IPS touchscreen, WiFi, USB and HDMI ports, a microSD card slot, and a battery allowing for up to 10 hours of operation.
The V325 has a 23-inch (1920 x 1080) screen supporting 10-finger multi-touch, a Core i5 processor, a GeForce GT 640M graphics card, a TV tuner, and it comes bundled with a remote control. In addition to the H160 and V325 LG will also be releasing (this week), another all-in-one desktop, the ET83, and two ultrabooks, the Z355 and Z460, all pre-loaded with Windows 8 of course.
The V325 has a 23-inch (1920 x 1080) screen supporting 10-finger multi-touch, a Core i5 processor, a GeForce GT 640M graphics card, a TV tuner, and it comes bundled with a remote control. In addition to the H160 and V325 LG will also be releasing (this week), another all-in-one desktop, the ET83, and two ultrabooks, the Z355 and Z460, all pre-loaded with Windows 8 of course.
MSI GeForce GTX 660 HAWK Generally Available
MSI's GeForce GTX 660 HAWK performance graphics card is now generally available, priced at US $249.99. The card packs MSI's highest factory-overclock for the GPU, and uses what is essentially the same PCB and cooler designs as the MSI GeForce GTX 660 Power Edition. The card ships with clock speeds of 1085 MHz core, 1150 MHz GPU Boost, and 6.00 GHz memory. The PCB features a 10-phase VRM with voltage measurement points, and dual-BIOS. The GPU is cooled by MSI's Twin Frozr IV cooling solution. Find our review of the card here.
American Industrial Systems Announces Military-Grade Displays and Panel Computers
American Industrial Systems Inc. (AIS) is an International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) accredited supplier and manufacturer of cost-effective Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) military grade rugged touch computers and displays for government, aerospace, and defense entities. Facing tight budgets, the Army, Navy, Air Force and Defense agencies are looking for solutions that withstand the test of time while meeting stringent performance, maintainability and reparability, Size, Weight and Power (SWaP), Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) requirements. AIS MIL-STD and MIL-SPEC compact ruggedized touch computers and displays are designed, manufactured and qualified to pass MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461. All units are tested for drop-shock, moisture, dust and vibration resistance and temperature extremes for military, aerospace and government applications.
New Accessory Lets You Block Unused Fan Vents
Does your case have too many fan vents? If so, you'll find this accessory, which cropped up from deep within the bi-lanes of Tokyo's Akihabara district handy. The PA-044 from peripherals maker Ainex covers unused 120 mm and 140 mm fan vents firmly with standard screws. It is made of 0.8 mm-thick sheet of steel, and should block out noise from within the case, and serve as an anti-dust measure. According to the source, it should begin shipping from mid-November. It's likely that peripheral resellers could bring it westwards, selling it by the dozens.
AMD Opteron "Piledriver" Processors Arrive Mid-November
While AMD FX "Piledriver" client processors in the AM3+ package are just around the corner, slated for a little later this month, the company's first enterprise processors for servers and workstations, based on the new micro-architecture, are slated for mid-November, according to a report. AMD could begin with an overhaul of its multi-socket enabled Opteron 6200 series and single/dual-socket enabled Opteron 4200 series with the new Opteron 6300/4300 series, featuring the 8-core "Piledriver" silicon. The multi-socket enabled Opteron 6300 series will consist of nine models, tabled below.
Xigmatek to Release the Apache III CPU Cooler
Norse mythology buff Xigmatek has a new CPU cooler coming out, the value-minded Apache III which features a radial fin design and offers support for Intel Socket LGA 775 / 1155 / 1156 and AMD FM2/FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2 CPUs.
Xigmatek's cooler measures 110 x 52 mm, it weights 265 grams, and has an aluminum base, aluminum fins, and a 92 mm PWM fan operating at 1,200 to 2,500 RPM (20 dBA sound output). The Apache III is listed for pre-order in Australia and it costs AU$9.48 (~ US$9.78).
Xigmatek's cooler measures 110 x 52 mm, it weights 265 grams, and has an aluminum base, aluminum fins, and a 92 mm PWM fan operating at 1,200 to 2,500 RPM (20 dBA sound output). The Apache III is listed for pre-order in Australia and it costs AU$9.48 (~ US$9.78).
EverCool Announces TC-200 Thermal Paste
EverCool announced the TC-200 thermal paste in Japan. Designed with high penetrability (relatively low viscosity), the paste is designed especially for chips with uneven surfaces (such as GPUs, motherboard chipset, and CPUs without integrated heatspreaders or IHS), although they'll do just fine with chips that have IHS. The paste features thermal conductivity of 3.8W / mK, thermal resistance of 0.017°C-in²/W, and can maintain its viscosity over a wide temperature range of -50°C to 150°C. It is initially solid in 200 g jars for use by OEMs or enthusiasts who want to stock up, which comes with an application spatula, although smaller packages can be expected in the future.
AMD FX-8350 Cracks 7.443 GHz
AMD's next-generation FX series processors may be just around the corner, but OC feats around its flagship model, the FX-8350, are already beginning to take shape. Chinese overclocker Ma Yuchuan (马宇川) achieved 7.443 GHz with the FX-8350, except with just one of its four modules enabled (two cores). The clock speed of 7443 MHz was set with a base clock of 244.3 MHz, and multiplier of 30.5X. A core voltage of 1.968V was used, and the chip was cooled with liquid nitrogen. 8 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1600 MHz memory by Patriot was used, and seating it all was Gigabyte 990FXA-UD7 motherboard. Find the CPUID validation here. The feat still trails Andre Yang's 8.71 GHz on FX-8150. That's not to say that the FX-8350 isn't as good a chip with overclocking, not enough enthusiasts have their hands on it, yet.
Seagate Super Speeds New Backup Plus Portable for Mac
Seagate Technology plc. today introduced SuperSpeed USB 3.0 to the award-winning Backup Plus storage for Mac. Currently available through Amazon.com and from Apple Stores in November, both Backup Plus Portable for Mac and Backup Plus Desktop for Mac drives will feature the new USB 3.0 interface, which is also compatible with earlier USB 2.0 ports. This new interface means faster transfer of data, so you can backup more quickly, up to 10x that of USB 2.0, via TimeMachine or simply transferring a file from a computer to external storage.
Selected as the Editor's Choice portable external drive by PC Magazine, Seagate Backup Plus hard drives were first introduced in June of this year. Designed to work interchangeably with both Windows and Apple computers, these new drives deliver features to protect, share and save nearly every aspect of one's digital life. Seagate Backup Plus products include a software feature that makes them the world's first external hard drives to provide a way to backup content from social networks, such as Facebook and Flickr. The Seagate Dashboard software included on Backup Plus for Mac drives delivers a quick and easy path to Save and Share personal photos and videos on Facebook and Flickr.
Selected as the Editor's Choice portable external drive by PC Magazine, Seagate Backup Plus hard drives were first introduced in June of this year. Designed to work interchangeably with both Windows and Apple computers, these new drives deliver features to protect, share and save nearly every aspect of one's digital life. Seagate Backup Plus products include a software feature that makes them the world's first external hard drives to provide a way to backup content from social networks, such as Facebook and Flickr. The Seagate Dashboard software included on Backup Plus for Mac drives delivers a quick and easy path to Save and Share personal photos and videos on Facebook and Flickr.
Sunday, October 21st 2012
Today's Reviews
Cases
CPU Coolers
Graphics Cards
Headphones
Keyboards
Motherboards
Mousepads
Notebooks
Apacer Launches mSATA Mini SSD Module Optimized for Compactness
Consistently devoted to the compactness and lightweight of the terminal devices, Apacer, one of top ten PC SSD manufacturers in the world, rolls out mSATA Mini M4 SSD of Small Form Factor (SFF for short) today to meet the market demands. The product is only 26.8 × 29.85 mm in size. Compared with mSATA SSD adopting JEDEC MO-300 standard specification, this latest model has its size reduced by over 1/2. Featuring ultra-compactness and slimness, it can break through the physical limit of the spatial design, and significantly reduce the size and weight of the terminal device. In addition, it also boasts anti-shock, anti-vibration and low power consumption, thus enabling itself to become the most reliable storage choice for the portable devices applied in the military, medical equipment, on-board navigation system, tablet computer, etc.
AMD Also Announces Never Settle Game Bundles
In addition to the Never Settle Catalyst 12.11 drivers that give a shot of NOX to Radeon 7000 series GPUs, AMD unveiled the "Never Settle" Game Bundles. With each purchase of Radeon HD 7900 series, HD 7800 series, or HD 7700 series graphics card purchase, you get Steam coupons to a up to three games, with a guaranteed 20% off on purchase of Medal of Honor: Warfighter, on Steam.
With every Radeon HD 7900 series product (HD 7990, HD 7970 GHz Ed., HD 7970, HD 7950 BE, and HD 7950), you get Steam coupons to FarCry 3, Hitman: Absolution, and Sleeping Dogs. With two HD 7800 or HD 7700 series products, you get coupons to FarCry 3 and Hitman: Ascension; with one HD 7800 series or HD 7700 series product, you get a coupon to FarCry 3. The promotion could run all the way through the Holiday season.
With every Radeon HD 7900 series product (HD 7990, HD 7970 GHz Ed., HD 7970, HD 7950 BE, and HD 7950), you get Steam coupons to FarCry 3, Hitman: Absolution, and Sleeping Dogs. With two HD 7800 or HD 7700 series products, you get coupons to FarCry 3 and Hitman: Ascension; with one HD 7800 series or HD 7700 series product, you get a coupon to FarCry 3. The promotion could run all the way through the Holiday season.
AMD Announces Never Settle Catalyst 12.11 Driver Update
AMD announced what it calls the "Never Settle" driver, a version of Catalyst Software suite, which could potentially tilt the price-performance ratios in its favor, against NVIDIA. The new drivers carry the canonical version number 12.11, and target AMD Radeon 7000 series GPUs, specifically those based on the Graphics CoreNext architecture, such as HD 7750, HD 7770 GHz Ed., HD 7850, HD 7870 GHz Ed., HD 7950, HD 7950 BE, HD 7970, HD 7970 GHz Ed., and HD 7990; and mobile Radeon HD 7700M series, HD 7800M series, and HD 7900M series.
Catalyst 12.11 promises up to 15% performance improvements in the most modern games, such as Battlefield 3, DiRT Showdown, Sleeping Dogs, Medal of Honor: Warfighter, and more. With these improvements, AMD is claiming performance leads for all its top products, over NVIDIA's. The Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition, for example, gains 20% performance advantage over GeForce GTX 680; HD 7970 gains 15% over GTX 670, and HD 7950 20% over GTX 660 Ti. The Never Settle driver, along with its complete release notes and download links will be updated a little later today.
DOWNLOAD: AMD Catalyst 12.11
Catalyst 12.11 promises up to 15% performance improvements in the most modern games, such as Battlefield 3, DiRT Showdown, Sleeping Dogs, Medal of Honor: Warfighter, and more. With these improvements, AMD is claiming performance leads for all its top products, over NVIDIA's. The Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition, for example, gains 20% performance advantage over GeForce GTX 680; HD 7970 gains 15% over GTX 670, and HD 7950 20% over GTX 660 Ti. The Never Settle driver, along with its complete release notes and download links will be updated a little later today.
HighPoint Announces RocketRAID 4500 RAID-on-Chip HBA
HighPoint, an industry leading Storage HBA and solutions manufacturer, announces the availability of its latest 6Gb/s SAS RAID product line, the RocketRAID 4500 series RAID-on-Chip HBA's. HighPoint's RocketRAID 4500 Series RAID-on-Chip HBA's deliver best-in-class performance and significant cost savings over comparable hardware RAID HBA's. The onboard RAID processor and integrated memory maximize performance and reliability, while a comprehensive suite of management and recovery features designed to secure critical data investments.
RocketRAID 4500 series HBA's were designed to address the needs of I/O intensive applications that employ high-capacity storage configurations. The dedicated 800MHz, 6Gb/s SAS RAID-on-Chip processor and 512MB of onboard DDR3 cache memory, offloads RAID processing from the system hardware, freeing up valuable system resources. Industry standard Mini-SAS connectors directly support up 8 SAS/SATA hard drives and SSD's, and up to 128 devices in cascade configurations when used in conjunction with SAS Expander devices.
RocketRAID 4500 series HBA's were designed to address the needs of I/O intensive applications that employ high-capacity storage configurations. The dedicated 800MHz, 6Gb/s SAS RAID-on-Chip processor and 512MB of onboard DDR3 cache memory, offloads RAID processing from the system hardware, freeing up valuable system resources. Industry standard Mini-SAS connectors directly support up 8 SAS/SATA hard drives and SSD's, and up to 128 devices in cascade configurations when used in conjunction with SAS Expander devices.
Intel 335 Series Solid State Drive Appears in Japan
The 330 Series solid state drives are already old news for Intel as the Santa Clara-based company has already begun to roll out the 335 Series drives. The first 335 model, codenamed SSDSC2CT240A4K5, just went on sale in Japan and it features a 240 GB capacity, a 2.5-inch form factor (9.5 mm thickness), a SATA 6.0 Gbps interface, a SandForce SF-2281 controller, and 20 nm MLC (multi-level cell) NAND Flash memory.
Intel's 335 Series SSD delivers read/write speeds of up to 500/450 MB/s, is backed by a three-year warranty, and costs ¥16,980 (about $214). 80 GB and 180 GB models are expected to arrive in Q1 2013.
Intel's 335 Series SSD delivers read/write speeds of up to 500/450 MB/s, is backed by a three-year warranty, and costs ¥16,980 (about $214). 80 GB and 180 GB models are expected to arrive in Q1 2013.
Saturday, October 20th 2012
ASUS Intros the Xonar Essence One MUSES Edition
The ASUS Xonar Essence One MUSES Edition USB digital-to-analog converter and headphone amplifier carries on the award-winning tradition established by previous Xonar Essence products. It includes acclaimed MUSES 01 Op-Amps from New Japan Radio Co. Ltd., generating bigger, bolder, and livelier sound to meet the highest audiophile standards. The product maintains a swappable Op-Amp approach, and includes highlights such as WIMA capacitors, linear power delivery, XLR connectors, symmetrical 8X upsampling, a dedicated 600ohm headphone amplifier, and 120dB SNR. Xonar Essence One MUSES Edition proves ASUS Xonar products continue to lead the way in marrying audiophile-grade hardware with PC-based multimedia.
Follow up to winner of CES Innovations Awards
The latest Xonar offering improves on Xonar Essence One, winner of a 2012 CES Innovations Award in the audio component category. Xonar engineers and product managers continuously aim to improve sound quality, resulting in Xonar Essence One Plus Edition launching in June 2012 with an Op-Amp DIY kit, which allows customers to easily tune sound to their preference. The third Xonar Essence One offering, Xonar Essence One MUSES Edition maintains this pursuit of sound excellence, integrating some of the best audio components in the industry.
Follow up to winner of CES Innovations Awards
The latest Xonar offering improves on Xonar Essence One, winner of a 2012 CES Innovations Award in the audio component category. Xonar engineers and product managers continuously aim to improve sound quality, resulting in Xonar Essence One Plus Edition launching in June 2012 with an Op-Amp DIY kit, which allows customers to easily tune sound to their preference. The third Xonar Essence One offering, Xonar Essence One MUSES Edition maintains this pursuit of sound excellence, integrating some of the best audio components in the industry.
Imagination Technologies Still Biggest in GPU IP, According to Jon Peddie Research
Jon Peddie Research (JPR), the industry's research and consulting firm for graphics and multimedia, announced estimated mobile devices graphics chip shipments for the first half of 2012. Mobile devices include smartphones, tablets, and game consoles.
The market for portable devices (mobile devices that we can carry) continues to soar in spite of economic difficulties and general uncertainty. Although portable devices are not necessarily replacing the PC, they are outselling the PC. All of these devices have a graphics processor (GPU) integrated in the device's system on a chip (SoC) application processor.
The market for portable devices (mobile devices that we can carry) continues to soar in spite of economic difficulties and general uncertainty. Although portable devices are not necessarily replacing the PC, they are outselling the PC. All of these devices have a graphics processor (GPU) integrated in the device's system on a chip (SoC) application processor.
Friday, October 19th 2012
Today's Reviews
Cases
Graphics Cards
Headphones
Motherboards
Processors
ASUS Readies the F201E 11.6-inch Netbooks
Next week ASUS will be rekindling the netbook flame with the release of the F201E trio. The F201E models feature a 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) display, a 1.1 GHz Intel Celeron 847 processor, 2/4 GB of RAM, a 320/500 GB hard drive, a 0.3-megapixel webcam, a 3-in-1 card reader, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, one USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports, and a 5,200 mAh battery enabling up to 5 hours of operation.
The cheapest of the F201E lot, priced at €299, runs Ubuntu and has 4 GB of RAM and a 500 GB HDD. The same specs, paired up with Windows 8, cost €359. Last but not least, there's a €329 model with 2 GB of RAM and a 320 GB hard drive.
The cheapest of the F201E lot, priced at €299, runs Ubuntu and has 4 GB of RAM and a 500 GB HDD. The same specs, paired up with Windows 8, cost €359. Last but not least, there's a €329 model with 2 GB of RAM and a 320 GB hard drive.
GIGABYTE Introduces the Most Powerful All-in-One PC
GIGABYTE today announced the 24-inch AB24BT, the most powerful All-in-One PC with a Full HD Display. Configure the All-in-One PC the way you want it whether it is the CPU, HDD, Memory or VGA Card; build the ultimate 24-inch powerful machine unlike any other. The AB24BT comes with a 3.5" HDD, and especially features a hot-swap 2.5" HDD encased into the body to allow smooth operation of the system without any interruption.
DIY Powerful Desktop Graphics Card & Expand the Storage via hot-swap 2.5" HDD
The Sky's the limit with this AIO. There is a multitude of CPUs (supports up to 95 W) and desktop graphics card (supports up to 550 W) you could choose from. This allows you to perfect your own exceptional performance for multitasking and spoils you with bursts of speed and amazing graphics. Based on your personal needs you can experience life-like, crisp images and superior performance or go for a less extreme user experience. In addition to a 3.5-inch HDD, the hot-swap 2.5-inch HDD, not only makes for a smoother operation but also allows you to have over 1TB storage to save all your important files, media and other data with ease.
DIY Powerful Desktop Graphics Card & Expand the Storage via hot-swap 2.5" HDD
The Sky's the limit with this AIO. There is a multitude of CPUs (supports up to 95 W) and desktop graphics card (supports up to 550 W) you could choose from. This allows you to perfect your own exceptional performance for multitasking and spoils you with bursts of speed and amazing graphics. Based on your personal needs you can experience life-like, crisp images and superior performance or go for a less extreme user experience. In addition to a 3.5-inch HDD, the hot-swap 2.5-inch HDD, not only makes for a smoother operation but also allows you to have over 1TB storage to save all your important files, media and other data with ease.
EK Releases the EK-RES X3 Series Tube Reservoirs
EK Water Blocks, Ljubljana based premium performance PC water cooling gear manufacturer, is proud to present the latest revision of EK-RES X3 series reservoirs. There are four different versions avaiable: EK-RES X3 110, -150, -250 and -400.
The EK-RES X3 reservoir from EK CSQ design line is an improved version of renown EK-Multioption RES X2 reservoirs released three years ago. Compared to EK-Multioption RES X2 product line the EK-RES X3 reservoirs featire improved inlet/outlet port configuration for easier and more straightforward fitting configuration and tube routing. Improvements have been made on the reservoir's bottom terminal which has been optimized for best flow. Vortex ouccurance has also been diminished by the use of enclosed anti-cyclone as well as additional PE foam.
The EK-RES X3 reservoir from EK CSQ design line is an improved version of renown EK-Multioption RES X2 reservoirs released three years ago. Compared to EK-Multioption RES X2 product line the EK-RES X3 reservoirs featire improved inlet/outlet port configuration for easier and more straightforward fitting configuration and tube routing. Improvements have been made on the reservoir's bottom terminal which has been optimized for best flow. Vortex ouccurance has also been diminished by the use of enclosed anti-cyclone as well as additional PE foam.
Gigabyte's U2142 Windows 8 Convertible Ultrabook Gets Detailed
Like pretty much all its rivals Gigabyte Technology is embracing Windows 8 and is preparing to release various PCs running Microsoft's latest operating system. One such PC is called U2142 and is actually a convertible ultrabook featuring a rotating 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) touchscreen. This upcoming 2-in-1 machine packs an Intel Core i3/i5 ULV processor, up to 16 GB of RAM, up to a 1 TB hard drive backed by a 256 GB solid state drive, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, optional 3G, USB 3.0 connectivity, and an HDMI output.
The U2142 will start at about $999 and should become available next month.
The U2142 will start at about $999 and should become available next month.
TGT Big Bang Version 1.1.0 Released
TGT is proud to announce an improved version of TGT's tuning utility BigBang, developed by TGT's software engineering team. The TGT BigBang 1.1.0 tuning utility for NVIDIA based video cards, has been released and is ready for download now. New features include a profile manager to define and load up to four different user profiles with a mouse click. Profiles include commands, GPU settings and/or Gamma settings. One of the profiles can be set to be automatically loaded with TGT BigBang. TGT BigBang does not write into your Windows registry. Instead, profiles are stored in readable text files.
TGT BigBang works with all graphics cards based on an NVIDIA GTS 450 GPU or faster (Fermi/Kepler). TGT BigBang has been designed to also take particular advantage of NVIDIA's latest GPU generation with Kepler architecture. TGT BigBang supports up to 8 GPUs in a system.
DOWNLOAD: TGT BigBang 1.1.0 | User Guide
TGT BigBang works with all graphics cards based on an NVIDIA GTS 450 GPU or faster (Fermi/Kepler). TGT BigBang has been designed to also take particular advantage of NVIDIA's latest GPU generation with Kepler architecture. TGT BigBang supports up to 8 GPUs in a system.
AMD Third-Generation APUs to be Built on 28 nm Process
A leaked company roadmap slide revealed that AMD's third-generation performance APU, codenamed "Kaveri," will be built on the 28 nm silicon fabrication process. The chips will be built by Global Foundries. Kaveri combines AMD's next-generation CPU architecture codenamed "Steamroller" with Graphics CoreNext GPU architecture.
In addition to Kaveri, AMD will introduce a major update to its low-power APU lineup with "Kabini." A true successor to "Brazos," Kabini features x86-64 cores built on the energy-optimized "Jaguar" architecture (which succeeds "Bobcat," on which Brazos APUs are built). It is also mentioned that Kabini will be a true system-on-chip (SoC), with integration of the FCH chipset into the APU silicon. Such an integration could increase die size and complexity, but could also minimize the board footprint of the platform, making it possible to use the SoC in thin tablets, and COMs.
In addition to Kaveri, AMD will introduce a major update to its low-power APU lineup with "Kabini." A true successor to "Brazos," Kabini features x86-64 cores built on the energy-optimized "Jaguar" architecture (which succeeds "Bobcat," on which Brazos APUs are built). It is also mentioned that Kabini will be a true system-on-chip (SoC), with integration of the FCH chipset into the APU silicon. Such an integration could increase die size and complexity, but could also minimize the board footprint of the platform, making it possible to use the SoC in thin tablets, and COMs.
Biostar Unveils Two Hi-Fi Series FM2 Motherboards
Biostar is currently preparing the release of two more motherboards supporting AMD's FM2 (codename Trinity) APUs, the Hi-Fi A85S2 powered by the A85X chipset and the Hi-Fi A55S2 equipped with an A55 chip. Since they are part of the Hi-Fi Series, both models feature an integrated independent audio power design and built-in amplifier, as well as a noise-blocking multi-layer PCB layout, the goal being to deliver a higher quality sound.
Both boards have an ATX form factor and pack 100% X.D.C solid capacitors, two DDR3-1866 memory slots, one PCIe x16 and two PCIe x1 slots, three PCI slots, Gigabit Ethernet, 5.1-channel audio, plus D-Sub and DVI outputs. The A55S2 also includes six SATA 3.0 Gbps ports and four USB 2.0 connectors, while the A85S2 comes with eight SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 plugs, and an HDMI output. No word yet on pricing.
Both boards have an ATX form factor and pack 100% X.D.C solid capacitors, two DDR3-1866 memory slots, one PCIe x16 and two PCIe x1 slots, three PCI slots, Gigabit Ethernet, 5.1-channel audio, plus D-Sub and DVI outputs. The A55S2 also includes six SATA 3.0 Gbps ports and four USB 2.0 connectors, while the A85S2 comes with eight SATA 6.0 Gbps ports, two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 plugs, and an HDMI output. No word yet on pricing.
Colorful Announces GeForce GT 640 Quad-View Graphics Card
Colorful unveiled a new GeForce GT 640, the GT 640 PRO X4. Just as the name, the graphics solution delivers a reliable platform to ensure a stable business environment and to meet the needs of four displays connectivity. The display connectivity options include two DMS59 ports, and cables are provided that convert each DMS59 to two DVI-I single-link, which supports digital resolutions of up to 1920 x 1200 pixels. And each of the DMS59 ports uses EMI shield for reducing the noise signals.
The card is based on single slot, full height and fan cooler design. The clock is the same as the reference card, the core runs at 900 MHz, and the GDDR3 memory runs at 1782 MHz. The GT 640 PRO X4 uses NVIDIA GK107 with 28 nm architecture, and the TDP is only 65W. Unlike the low-end multi-display solutions, the Colorful GT 640 PRO X4 has 384 CUDA cores and 2G memory to meet the need of large resolution. Pricing information is not released.
The card is based on single slot, full height and fan cooler design. The clock is the same as the reference card, the core runs at 900 MHz, and the GDDR3 memory runs at 1782 MHz. The GT 640 PRO X4 uses NVIDIA GK107 with 28 nm architecture, and the TDP is only 65W. Unlike the low-end multi-display solutions, the Colorful GT 640 PRO X4 has 384 CUDA cores and 2G memory to meet the need of large resolution. Pricing information is not released.
Fujitsu Announces "Floral Kiss" Brand of FMV PCs for Women
Fujitsu today announced the launch of the new Floral Kiss brand of FMV personal computers aimed at female users. The new series will be available throughout Japan beginning November 2 at electronics stores and from the Fujitsu WEB MART online store.
Based upon the design concept of bringing elegance to PCs, Floral Kiss is a new series that was planned and developed primarily under the direction of female employees.
Based upon the design concept of bringing elegance to PCs, Floral Kiss is a new series that was planned and developed primarily under the direction of female employees.
ELSA Announces GeForce GTX 650 Ti SAC Graphics Card
ELSA announced the GeForce GTX 650 Ti SAC (silent air cooling) graphics card. While the card bears striking resemblance to the GTX 650 SAC, it uses a different (NVIDIA-reference design) PCB, since the ASIC is different (GK106-220-A1). The card features GPU clock speed of 928 MHz, with 5.40 GHz memory. It draws power from one 6-pin PCIe power connector, display outputs include two dual-link DVI, and a mini-HDMI. The SAC cooler combines an monolithic aluminum heatsink with an easy to detach cooler shroud on which the fan is suspended, which makes the cooler easy to clean. Slated for October 25, the GTX 650 Ti SAC from ELSA is priced around 16,800¥ (US $210).
Biostar Also Rolls Out the NM70I-847 All-in-One Mini ITX Motherboard
In an effort to please customers craving for compact computing solutions Biostar has released a new mini ITX motherboard, a model called NM70I-847 which is powered by Intel's NM70 chipset and comes equipped with a 1.1 GHz Celeron 847 CPU.
Biostar's board includes two DDR3-1333 slots (supporting up to 16 GB of memory), one SATA 6.0 Gbps and three SATA 3.0 Gbps ports, one PCI-Express x16 slot, Gigabit Ethernet, 5.1-channel audio, four USB 2.0 ports, and D-Sub and HDMI outputs. The NM70I-847 is selling for about €75.
Biostar's board includes two DDR3-1333 slots (supporting up to 16 GB of memory), one SATA 6.0 Gbps and three SATA 3.0 Gbps ports, one PCI-Express x16 slot, Gigabit Ethernet, 5.1-channel audio, four USB 2.0 ports, and D-Sub and HDMI outputs. The NM70I-847 is selling for about €75.
Silverstone SST-PS08B Micro-ATX Case Detailed
Silverstone released an entry-level micro-ATX case, the Precision Series PS08B. Built primarily of SECC-steel and ABS plastic, the case measures 168mm (W) x 355mm (H) x 400mm (D), weighing about 3.5 kg. The PS08B includes a handy innovation - the 3.5-inch drive cage is shifted towards the left-hand side facing front, which allows graphics cards to pass right through. As a result, cards as long as 14.1-inch (35.8 cm) can be installed, provided they're less than 5.7-inch (14.47 cm) tall. The case features a total of two 5.25-inch, four 3.5-inch, and two 2.5-inch drive bays.
The motherboard tray of the PS08B supports micro-ATX and mini-ITX form-factors. A large cutout decks the CPU socket area, for easy access to CPU coolers with back-plates. Ventilation includes one 120 mm front intake, and one 80 mm rear exhaust. The utility panel includes USB 3.0 (standard header) and audio jack (HD audio header). Slated for market release in late-October, the PS08B is priced at 3,980¥ (US $50).
The motherboard tray of the PS08B supports micro-ATX and mini-ITX form-factors. A large cutout decks the CPU socket area, for easy access to CPU coolers with back-plates. Ventilation includes one 120 mm front intake, and one 80 mm rear exhaust. The utility panel includes USB 3.0 (standard header) and audio jack (HD audio header). Slated for market release in late-October, the PS08B is priced at 3,980¥ (US $50).
Manli Introduces its GeForce GTX 650 Ti Graphics Card
Manli Technology Group Limited, the major Graphics Cards, Mini-PCs and Motherboards manufacturer, today announced the brand new mid-end graphics card, Manli GeForce GTX 650Ti equipped with 1 GB GDDR5 memory, 768 CUDA Cores, 128-bit memory interface, while the memory clock has upgraded to 5400 MHz, with GPU clock is at 928 MHz. In addition, DVI-D, DVI-I and Mini HDMI ports combined with NVIDIA Surround and 3D Vision Technologies to expand your visual enjoyment.
Lian Li Announces the PC-7H Worldwide Modding Contest
Lian-Li Industrial Co. Ltd, today announces the launch of its PC-7H Modding Contest. Beginning on October 19, 2012, Lian Li is inviting the worldwide modding community to join, and will be giving away prizes, including, Lian Li cases, motherboards, graphics cards, and cash.
To register for the contest, head to Lian Li's official forum at www.xtremesystems.org. After registering at XtremeSystems go to the Lian Li Product Support forum and start a new thread with a post of your PC-7H and hardware before you begin modding.
To register for the contest, head to Lian Li's official forum at www.xtremesystems.org. After registering at XtremeSystems go to the Lian Li Product Support forum and start a new thread with a post of your PC-7H and hardware before you begin modding.
Sony Provides Update on Restructuring Plan
Sony Corporation today announced additional steps it is taking to accelerate structural reforms of its headquarters and electronics business operations in Japan, including consolidating certain manufacturing operations and expediting measures to reduce its headcount.
Amidst a highly competitive business environment, Sony has been undertaking a series of measures to revitalize and grow its electronics business. As part of its mid-term strategic initiatives announced in April 2012, Sony identified resource optimization as one of the key initiatives for transforming its electronics business and Sony has since been progressively implementing various structural reform measures to optimize costs, streamline its overall organization, accelerate decision-making processes and establish firm foundations for sustainable future growth. In its prior corporate strategy announcement, Sony stated that through the combination of these structural reform measures and business portfolio realignment it expected to reduce headcount across the entire Sony Group, primarily in the electronics business, by approximately 10,000 in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 ("FY12"), including approximately 3,000 to 4,000 in Japan.
Amidst a highly competitive business environment, Sony has been undertaking a series of measures to revitalize and grow its electronics business. As part of its mid-term strategic initiatives announced in April 2012, Sony identified resource optimization as one of the key initiatives for transforming its electronics business and Sony has since been progressively implementing various structural reform measures to optimize costs, streamline its overall organization, accelerate decision-making processes and establish firm foundations for sustainable future growth. In its prior corporate strategy announcement, Sony stated that through the combination of these structural reform measures and business portfolio realignment it expected to reduce headcount across the entire Sony Group, primarily in the electronics business, by approximately 10,000 in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 ("FY12"), including approximately 3,000 to 4,000 in Japan.
SanDisk Rolls Out Firmware Update R211 for Extreme Series SSD
SanDisk rolled out a firmware update for its Extreme Series high-performance client SSD. The new R211 firmware corrects outstanding bugs related to TRIM and garbage collection, speeds up drive initialization time at boot, and other minor errors. To begin with, the new firmware improves TRIM delay (delay between the SSD receiving TRIM command, and finding a convenient time to "take out the trash"), as a result TRIM and its related garbage disposal performance is greatly increased. The firmware also improves error handling and power management. Next, the new firmware reduces boot-time normalization of SMART attributes, reducing POST initialization time of the drives. Lastly, a minor bug related to temperature-reading is fixed. The update is recommended for users facing issues with SanDisk's fastest client SSDs. The firmware can be updated using SanDisk SSD Toolkit, its latest version is linked below.
DOWNLOAD: SanDisk SSD Toolkit 1.0.0.1
DRAM Contract Price Falls Below US$16 Due to Weak Demand
According to DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce, PC-ODM shipment figures indicate this year's peak shipment period for PCs has passed. Notebook shipments have shown a downtrend in October, indication that DRAM demand is slipping. As 4 GB modules are now the mainstream specification, price decline was more significant than for the 2 GB modules; average 4 GB price fell by 1.54% to US$16, while the lowest price broke the US$16 mark, arriving at US$15.75, amounting to a mere US$0.83 for 2 Gb chips - nearly the same as spot price. 2 GB module price, on the other hand, stayed the same at US$9.25. As module prices fall to such lows, DRAM suppliers are strategically focusing on high-density 4GB module shipments in hopes of stimulating sales due to content per unit increases.
Consumer Electronics Industry Announces Ultra High-Definition
The next generation of so-called "4K" high-definition display technology for the home - giant-screen TVs with more than eight million pixels of resolution, four times the resolution of today's high-definition televisions - will be called "Ultra High-Definition" or "Ultra HD," connoting its superiority over conventional HDTV, according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).
CEA's Board of Industry Leaders unanimously voted yesterday to endorse the consensus opinion of CEA's "4K" Working Group recommending the term "Ultra High-Definition" and related performance attributes. The name and related minimum performance characteristics are designed to help consumers and retailers understand the attributes of this next generation of superior television and display technology beginning to roll out this fall. The vote came during the Board's meeting at CEA's annual CEO Summit and Board Retreat held here through Friday.
CEA's Board of Industry Leaders unanimously voted yesterday to endorse the consensus opinion of CEA's "4K" Working Group recommending the term "Ultra High-Definition" and related performance attributes. The name and related minimum performance characteristics are designed to help consumers and retailers understand the attributes of this next generation of superior television and display technology beginning to roll out this fall. The vote came during the Board's meeting at CEA's annual CEO Summit and Board Retreat held here through Friday.
Club 3D Radeon HD 7990 Graphics Card Launched
Club 3D unveils today its brand new Radeon HD 7990 Dual GPU graphic card, the latest and fastest addition to its highly praised Radeon HD 7000 series. The Radeon HD 7990 Dual GPU graphic card is a real performance beast and features the power of two Radeon HD 7970 series processors on a single card. Prepare to be blown away by the incredible speed of the Radeon HD 7990 Dual GPU in the hottest DirectX 11 games with its processing power of 2x2048 Stream Processors and 6144MB memory. Experience amazing graphics with Morphological Anti-Aliasing (MLAA 2.0) and Adaptive Anti-Aliasing technologies that help smooth out jagged edges without compromising performance.
The Club 3D Radeon HD 7990 Dual GPU delivers exceptional performance at 40% faster than the Radeon HD 7970 GHz board and 45% faster than the standard Radeon HD 7970 and delivers incredible performance at great value. Combine two Club 3D Radeon HD 7990 Dual GPU graphic cards to create a Quad CrossFire configuration and take your gaming performance to extreme levels.
The Club 3D Radeon HD 7990 Dual GPU delivers exceptional performance at 40% faster than the Radeon HD 7970 GHz board and 45% faster than the standard Radeon HD 7970 and delivers incredible performance at great value. Combine two Club 3D Radeon HD 7990 Dual GPU graphic cards to create a Quad CrossFire configuration and take your gaming performance to extreme levels.
Total Flash Memory Market Declines Slightly in 2012
The NAND and NOR flash memory market landscape is shifting rapidly, with increasingly sophisticated mobile handsets playing a leading role in driving industry trends and determining which suppliers will be successful, according to an IHS iSuppli Mobile & Embedded Market Tracker Report from information and analytics provider IHS.
Revenue for the flash memory market by year-end is projected to decline to $24.3 billion, down 4.7 percent from 25.5 percent from $25.5 billion in 2011. The NAND segment this year will account for $20.8 billion and the NOR sector will make up the remainder at $3.5 billion.
Revenue for the flash memory market by year-end is projected to decline to $24.3 billion, down 4.7 percent from 25.5 percent from $25.5 billion in 2011. The NAND segment this year will account for $20.8 billion and the NOR sector will make up the remainder at $3.5 billion.
Biostar Releases the H61MLV2 LGA 1155 Micro ATX Motherboard
Biostar has now let loose a new motherboard supporting Intel's 2nd and 3rd generation Core processors, the H61MLV2 which is powered by the H61 chipset and comes in a micro ATX form factor. Seen below, the board has two DDR3-1600 memory slots (supporting up to 16 GB of RAM), four SATA 3.0 Gbps ports, one PCI-Express (3.0) x16 and one PCIe x1 slot, 10/100 Ethernet, 5.1-channel audio, and a D-Sub output.
The H61MLV2 also offers features like BIO-Remote 2 and Charger Booster, and has a recommended price tag of €38.90.
The H61MLV2 also offers features like BIO-Remote 2 and Charger Booster, and has a recommended price tag of €38.90.
ASUS Intros GeForce GTX 650 DirectCU Pandaren Monk Pet Bundle
ASUS GeForce GTX DirectCU, DirectCU OC, and DirectCU TOP graphics cards now arrive in a special World of Warcraft Mists of Pandaria edition. Customers get a bonus Pandaren Monk Pet downloadable character, coinciding with the release of the latest expansion to the globally-popular MMORPG. The TOP version uses a hand-picked GPU operating 157MHz faster than reference, and all cards make sure adventuring stays cool and quiet with DirectCU thermal innovation. Exclusive ASUS DIGI+ VRM and Super Alloy Power contribute greater stability, overclocking, and product longevity, plus GPU Tweak returns to give gamers easy access to diverse card tuning capabilities.
Thursday, October 18th 2012
Today's Reviews
Cooling
Gaming PC
Headphones
Input Devices
Memory
Monitors
PSUs
SSD
QNAP TS-869L Review
QNAP recently released their new TS-x69L series which, in essence, is the economical alternative to the Pro series, but with almost identical performance because the same hardware is used. In this review we will evaluate the TS-869L NAS, which can take up to eight HDDs for up to 32 TB of storage!
MSI GeForce GTX 660 HAWK Graphics Card Launched
MSI launched the GeForce GTX 660 HAWK, which was first pictured in mid-September. The card makes use of a custom-design PCB with 10-phase VRM, and features factory-overclocked speeds of 1085 MHz core, 1150 MHz GPU Boost, and 6.00 GHz memory (GDDR5-effective). It packs 2 GB of memory across a 192-bit wide memory interface. Another major component is its Twin Frozr IV cooler, which uses a dense aluminum fin stack to which head directly draw from the GPU is fed by a number of nickel-plated copper heat pipes. The card uses an external GPU Reactor module that conditions power for the GPU, stabilizing OC. It is expected to be priced around US $250.
Fujitsu Esprimo All-in-One PC Lineup Unveiled
The last among Fujitsu's big Windows 8 product family is the Esprimo all-in-one/desktop series, including three lines: the class-leading Esprimo FH, Esprimo DH desktops, and entry-level Esprimo EH. The Esprimo FH series includes the 23-inch FH98, and 21.5-inch FH56. Both models have similar hardware options, including Core i7-3630QM quad-core processors, 8 GB memory, 3 TB HDD, BDXL drives, IPS LED touchscreens with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolutions, and TV tuners.
The DH series are loaded with conventional desktop hardware, including Core i7-3770 quad-core processor, 8 GB memory, 4 TB HDD, BDXL drives, and a variety of screen size and connectivity options. The Esprimo EH series includes entry-level 20-inch all-in-ones driven by AMD E-1200 APUs, with 4 GB memory, 1 TB HDDs, 1600 x 900 pixels screens, 802.11 b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 4.0, and multi-format card readers. The three lines are expected to be launched on October 26.
The DH series are loaded with conventional desktop hardware, including Core i7-3770 quad-core processor, 8 GB memory, 4 TB HDD, BDXL drives, and a variety of screen size and connectivity options. The Esprimo EH series includes entry-level 20-inch all-in-ones driven by AMD E-1200 APUs, with 4 GB memory, 1 TB HDDs, 1600 x 900 pixels screens, 802.11 b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 4.0, and multi-format card readers. The three lines are expected to be launched on October 26.
Fujitsu's Windows 8-Equipped Notebook and Ultrabook Lines Detailed
Fujitsu unveiled a fleet of notebooks beginning with its 13.3-inch Lifebook SH series, driven by Core i5-3210M or Core i3-3110M processors, 8 GB memory, 128 GB SSD or 500 GB HDD, and sized at 316 x 226 x 13.5 ~ 19.9 mm. Moving on, the Lifebook UH series includes 13.3-inch Ultrabooks, driven by Core i5-3427U processors, SSD or HDD storage options, and anodized aluminum unibodies.
Next up is the wide range of Lifebook AH series, which includes mainstream notebooks ranging from 15.6-inch and above (desktop replacements). These models have the luxury of room for quad-core Core i7-3632QM processors, 8 GB memory, 1 TB HDDs, BDXL writers, 1920 x 1080 pixels screens, and a plethora of connectivity options including USB 3.0, 802.11 b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, TV tuners, etc. A typical model measures 374.4 x 249.7 x 12.6 ~ 20.8 mm. The Lifebook AH is slated for November 2.
Next up is the wide range of Lifebook AH series, which includes mainstream notebooks ranging from 15.6-inch and above (desktop replacements). These models have the luxury of room for quad-core Core i7-3632QM processors, 8 GB memory, 1 TB HDDs, BDXL writers, 1920 x 1080 pixels screens, and a plethora of connectivity options including USB 3.0, 802.11 b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, TV tuners, etc. A typical model measures 374.4 x 249.7 x 12.6 ~ 20.8 mm. The Lifebook AH is slated for November 2.
Fujitsu Stylistic QH77 Convertible Unveiled
Fujitsu unveiled the Stylistic QH77, a 11.6-inch convertible, which works as a large-sized tablet PC, and as a notebook, when docked. Its 11.6-inch screen packs 1366 x 768 pixels resolution. Under the hood is an Intel Core i5-3427U (dual-core, 1.80 GHz) processor, 4 GB of memory, and 64 GB SSD. Windows 8 64-bit and Office Home and Business 2010 come pre-installed.
Connectivity on the Stylistic QH77 includes USB 3.0, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WLAN, Bluetooth, HDMI, D-Sub, and multi-format card-reader. The keyboard base adds physical connectors for additional USB 2.0 ports, the RJ45 jack for Ethernet, and D-Sub. As a tablet, the QH77 packs 4.8 hours battery life. The keyboard base, with its additional battery packs give it 10.7 hours to go on. With the base attached, it measures 302 x 203 x 26.1 mm weighing 1.7 kg. Detached from its base, it measures 302 x 195 x 12.7 mm, weighing 850 g. It is slated for October 26.
Connectivity on the Stylistic QH77 includes USB 3.0, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WLAN, Bluetooth, HDMI, D-Sub, and multi-format card-reader. The keyboard base adds physical connectors for additional USB 2.0 ports, the RJ45 jack for Ethernet, and D-Sub. As a tablet, the QH77 packs 4.8 hours battery life. The keyboard base, with its additional battery packs give it 10.7 hours to go on. With the base attached, it measures 302 x 203 x 26.1 mm weighing 1.7 kg. Detached from its base, it measures 302 x 195 x 12.7 mm, weighing 850 g. It is slated for October 26.
Fujitsu Arrows QH55 WiFi Windows 8 x86 Tablet Unveiled
Fujitsu unveiled its FMV series Windows 8 PC family, which includes tablets, convertibles, notebooks, and all-in-one PCs, all of which are touch-enabled to take advantage of the new operating system. To begin with, Fujitsu unveiled the 10.1-inch QH55 tablet. Based on the x86 platform, the QH55 is driven by Intel Atom Z2760 (dual-core, 1.50 GHz) processor, 2 GB memory, 64 GB SSD, Windows 8 32-bit, with Office Home and Business 2010 pre-installed. Its 10.1-inch screen packs 1366 x 768 pixels resolution. Measuring 264.4 x 169.4 x 9.9 mm (width × depth × height), it weighs 574 g. Connectivity features include 8 MP back and 2 MP front-facing cameras, micro USB, micro SDXC, 10/100 Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WLAN, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, accelerometer, gyrometer, and stereo audio. It is slated for October 26.
Perfect World and Valve Announce Exclusive Rights for It to Operate Dota 2 in China
Perfect World Co., Ltd.("Perfect World"), a leading online game developer and operator based in China, and Valve, a leading entertainment software and technology company based in the United States, today announced an agreement granting Perfect World exclusive rights to operate Dota 2 in mainland China. In development at Valve, with design lead "IceFrog," Dota 2 promises to expand on the unique mix of action, RTS, and RPG gameplay that has made Dota one of the most popular online games in the world and a leading title at professional e-sport competitions.
"Valve is one of the best developers of online games in the world. We are very excited to partner with Valve in bringing Dota 2 to Chinese gamers," commented Mr. Robert Hong Xiao, Co-CEO of Perfect World. "Dota 2, a refined work by the developers at Valve, has received great attention from players worldwide. With our years of expertise in delivering quality games in China, we are confident that adding this action strategy game to our diverse portfolio of games will bring additional world-class entertainment and premier gaming experiences to our players in China."
"Valve is one of the best developers of online games in the world. We are very excited to partner with Valve in bringing Dota 2 to Chinese gamers," commented Mr. Robert Hong Xiao, Co-CEO of Perfect World. "Dota 2, a refined work by the developers at Valve, has received great attention from players worldwide. With our years of expertise in delivering quality games in China, we are confident that adding this action strategy game to our diverse portfolio of games will bring additional world-class entertainment and premier gaming experiences to our players in China."
OCZ Technology to Display New Enterprise Storage Solutions at Gartner's Symposium/ITX
OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance solid-state drives (SSDs) for computing devices and systems, will display its enterprise storage solutions at the Gartner Symposium/ITXpo, Booth #1044, Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, from October 21st through October 25th. The Gartner Symposium/ITXpo is an annual gathering of CIOs and senior IT executives seeking the latest tools, technologies, and information to improve IT capabilities and data center effectiveness.
For SAN acceleration of I/O intensive workloads, OCZ will present its leading Z-Drive R4 PCIe SSDs supporting both full-height (FH) and half-height (HH) configurations, enabling the CPU with direct access (zero-latency storage) and instant boot capabilities. The FH (3/4 length) RM88 model enables an industry best 2.8GB/s of sequential throughput, 410K of random IOPS performance, and usable MLC NAND flash capacities from 800GB to 3.2TB. The HH (half-length) RM84 model is also a performance leader enabling 2GB/s of sequential throughput, 250K of random IOPS performance and usable capacities from 300GB to 1.2TB.
For SAN acceleration of I/O intensive workloads, OCZ will present its leading Z-Drive R4 PCIe SSDs supporting both full-height (FH) and half-height (HH) configurations, enabling the CPU with direct access (zero-latency storage) and instant boot capabilities. The FH (3/4 length) RM88 model enables an industry best 2.8GB/s of sequential throughput, 410K of random IOPS performance, and usable MLC NAND flash capacities from 800GB to 3.2TB. The HH (half-length) RM84 model is also a performance leader enabling 2GB/s of sequential throughput, 250K of random IOPS performance and usable capacities from 300GB to 1.2TB.
Microsoft Employees Raise $1 Billion for Communities Around the World
Microsoft Corp. today commemorated its 30th Employee Giving Campaign and announced that U.S. employees raised $1 billion in cash since 1983 for approximately 31,000 U.S.-based nonprofits and community organizations. CEO Steve Ballmer announced the milestone during a special town hall event at the Microsoft Redmond campus, which included Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Washington State Gov. Chris Gregoire.
"Today, I'm thrilled to announce that since our Employee Giving Campaign started in 1983, Microsoft employees have donated a total of $1 billion to more than 31,000 nonprofits," Ballmer said. "I'm incredibly proud of our employees, and this is truly a time to celebrate, not just because we've raised a record amount of funds, but also because together with our nonprofit partners, we have impacted and improved the lives of hundreds of millions of people."
"Today, I'm thrilled to announce that since our Employee Giving Campaign started in 1983, Microsoft employees have donated a total of $1 billion to more than 31,000 nonprofits," Ballmer said. "I'm incredibly proud of our employees, and this is truly a time to celebrate, not just because we've raised a record amount of funds, but also because together with our nonprofit partners, we have impacted and improved the lives of hundreds of millions of people."
SanDisk Announces Third Quarter 2012 Financial Results
SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK), a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, announced today results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012. Total third quarter revenue of $1.27 billion declined 10% on a year-over-year basis and increased 23% on a sequential basis.
On a GAAP basis, third quarter net income was $77 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to net income of $233 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 and $13 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2012.
On a GAAP basis, third quarter net income was $77 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to net income of $233 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 and $13 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2012.
Google Announces Third Quarter 2012 Results
Google Inc. today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.
"We had a strong quarter. Revenue was up 45 percent year-on-year, and, at just fourteen years old, we cleared our first $14 billion revenue quarter," said Larry Page, CEO of Google. "I am also really excited about the progress we're making creating a beautifully simple, intuitive Google experience across all devices."
Q3 Financial Summary
Google Inc. reported consolidated revenues of $14.10 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, an increase of 45% compared to the third quarter of 2011. Google Inc. reports its revenues, consistent with GAAP, on a gross basis without deducting traffic acquisition costs (TAC). In the third quarter of 2012, TAC totaled $2.77 billion, or 26% of advertising revenues.
"We had a strong quarter. Revenue was up 45 percent year-on-year, and, at just fourteen years old, we cleared our first $14 billion revenue quarter," said Larry Page, CEO of Google. "I am also really excited about the progress we're making creating a beautifully simple, intuitive Google experience across all devices."
Q3 Financial Summary
Google Inc. reported consolidated revenues of $14.10 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, an increase of 45% compared to the third quarter of 2011. Google Inc. reports its revenues, consistent with GAAP, on a gross basis without deducting traffic acquisition costs (TAC). In the third quarter of 2012, TAC totaled $2.77 billion, or 26% of advertising revenues.
Func Unveils New Surface 1030 Gaming Surfaces
Func is paving the road to make it to the top of the gaming industry. Today marks the reintroduction of a refreshed concept coupled with a completely new upcoming range of innovative products.
Func aims to enhance the gaming experience through products designed with functionality in mind. Introducing first, a new version of the classic Surface 1030, highly acclaimed among gamers and reviewers. Func Surface 1030 offers the dual-sided concept like the earlier versions and now comes in two sizes, large and x-large.
Func aims to enhance the gaming experience through products designed with functionality in mind. Introducing first, a new version of the classic Surface 1030, highly acclaimed among gamers and reviewers. Func Surface 1030 offers the dual-sided concept like the earlier versions and now comes in two sizes, large and x-large.
AMD Reports Third Quarter Results and Announces Restructuring
AMD today announced revenue for the third quarter of 2012 of $1.27 billion, a net loss of $157 million, or $0.21 per share, and an operating loss of $131 million. The company reported a non-GAAP net loss of $150 million, or $0.20 per share, and a non-GAAP operating loss of $124 million. AMD is also announcing a restructuring plan designed to reduce operating expenses and better position the company competitively.
"The PC industry is going through a period of very significant change that is impacting both the ecosystem and AMD," said Rory Read, AMD president and CEO. "It is clear that the trends we knew would re-shape the industry are happening at a much faster pace than we anticipated. As a result, we must accelerate our strategic initiatives to position AMD to take advantage of these shifts and put in place a lower cost business model. Our restructuring efforts are designed to simplify our product development cycles, reduce our breakeven point and enable us to fund differentiated product roadmaps and strategic breakaway opportunities."
"The PC industry is going through a period of very significant change that is impacting both the ecosystem and AMD," said Rory Read, AMD president and CEO. "It is clear that the trends we knew would re-shape the industry are happening at a much faster pace than we anticipated. As a result, we must accelerate our strategic initiatives to position AMD to take advantage of these shifts and put in place a lower cost business model. Our restructuring efforts are designed to simplify our product development cycles, reduce our breakeven point and enable us to fund differentiated product roadmaps and strategic breakaway opportunities."
Microsoft Reports First-Quarter FY13 Results
Microsoft Corp. today announced quarterly revenue of $16.01 billion for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2012. Operating income, net income, and diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $5.31 billion, $4.47 billion, and $0.53 per share.
These financial results reflect the deferral of $1.36 billion of revenue and $0.13 of diluted earnings per share, due to the Windows Upgrade Offer, pre-sales of Windows 8 to OEMs prior to general availability, and the Office Offer.
These financial results reflect the deferral of $1.36 billion of revenue and $0.13 of diluted earnings per share, due to the Windows Upgrade Offer, pre-sales of Windows 8 to OEMs prior to general availability, and the Office Offer.
Wortmann Releases the TERRA MOBILE 1541 PRO Business Notebook
German company Wortmann has just added a new, business-oriented laptop to its portfolio, a 15.6-inch model known as TERRA MOBILE 1541 PRO. Pictured below, Wortmann's notebook features a Full HD (1920 x 1080) screen, an Intel Core (i3, i5 or i7) processor, up to 16 GB of RAM, integrated graphics, up to a 1 TB hard drive and, optionally, a 256 GB solid state drive, a 2-megapixel webcam, Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 9-in-1 card reader, an ExpressCard slot, three USB 3.0 ports, plus D-Sub and HDMI outputs.
The TERRA MOBILE 1541 PRO runs Windows 7 Professional (64-bit) and starts at €759.
The TERRA MOBILE 1541 PRO runs Windows 7 Professional (64-bit) and starts at €759.
Foxconn NanoPC Released to Market
Foxconn, a global innovator and channel manufacturer of electronics and computer components, announces the release of the quietest NanoPC AT-5250, which is about to keep your surroundings silence in the next upcoming months. The latest AT-5250 with Intel GMA 3650 HD boosts graphics and CPU processing capabilities while maintaining energy efficiency to create a palm-sized home theater PC capable of high-definition video playback and lightning-fast system responsiveness. The elegant design can go with the environment freely, meeting the high-end needs of sales centers and real sales presentation who are seeking for a powerful tower PC replacement, home theater or energy-efficient PC.
Intel Launches New Ethernet Controller for Embedded Systems
Intel has launched the Intel Ethernet Controller I210 Family for desktop, server, and embedded systems. These new low-power gigabit Ethernet controllers include advanced features, such as IEEE 802.1AS Time Stamping and 802.1Qav Audio-Video Bridging for better streaming of content. The I210 also comes with innovative power management features that reduce overall platform power consumption, and can withstand industrial temperatures, making it ideal for Industrial Automation, In-Vehicle Infotainment, Medical, Print Imaging, Telecommunications Infrastructure, and Military platforms.
Like other embedded products, Intel offers 7-year extended lifecycle support so customers can protect their development investment. Additional information can be found here.
Like other embedded products, Intel offers 7-year extended lifecycle support so customers can protect their development investment. Additional information can be found here.
Google Outs 11.6-inch Samsung Chromebook
Google announced its newest Chromebook, made by Samsung. The 11.6-incher is completely fan-less, and just 0.8" thin, weighing 1.13 kg. It is designed to give you over 6.5 hours of usage on full charge, and smooth 1080p video playback. Under its hood is a Samsung Exynos 5 dual-core ARM processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of local flash storage, in addition to which, you get 100 GB of space on Google Drive for 2 years. The latest version of Chrome OS comes with Google Now integration (real-time sync with data on the cloud). Connectivity includes HDMI, 802.11 b/g/n, and Bluetooth. A web-cam decks the top of the screen. The new Chromebook will be available through Play Store and Best Buy for US $249.99.
A video presentation follows.
Transcend Debuts the HUB3 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub
Transcend Information, Inc., a worldwide leader in storage and multimedia products, today announced the release of its four-port USB 3.0 Hub, the HUB3 - a compact and easy-to-carry solution for connecting more peripherals to a computer than would normally be possible. Compliant with the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 specification, the HUB3 provides data transfer rates up to ten times faster than USB 2.0.
As more and more devices incorporate the USB 3.0 standard, users of today's advanced Ultrabooks and thin-and-light laptops may feel that there is a lack of USB 3.0 connectivity options. To overcome these limitations, Transcend's HUB3 transforms a single USB 3.0 port into four, instantly expanding the number of high-performance USB 3.0 devices that can be connected to a single computer simultaneously.
As more and more devices incorporate the USB 3.0 standard, users of today's advanced Ultrabooks and thin-and-light laptops may feel that there is a lack of USB 3.0 connectivity options. To overcome these limitations, Transcend's HUB3 transforms a single USB 3.0 port into four, instantly expanding the number of high-performance USB 3.0 devices that can be connected to a single computer simultaneously.
GIGABYTE Launches the Aivia Osmium Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
GIGABYTE, the world's leading premium gaming hardware company, knows what gamers need and want of a mechanical keyboard. For gamers who emphasis on excellent tactile feedback, fast response and silent keystroke, the new gaming keyboard from GIGABYTE is definitely the best choice. GIGABYTE introduces you the whole new premium gaming keyboard, Aivia Osmium Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.
The blue Platinum group metal "Osmium" is the heaviest element at normal conditions. It's hard, rare and noble nature represents ultra durability and luxury of Aivia Osmium Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. It not only features Cherry Red mechanical key-switches, but is also exclusive built with an USB 3.0 hub. Aivia Osmium is utilizing the revolutionary anti-ghosting matrix key-switch design, and innovatively features dynamic volume and backlit wheel controllers.
The blue Platinum group metal "Osmium" is the heaviest element at normal conditions. It's hard, rare and noble nature represents ultra durability and luxury of Aivia Osmium Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. It not only features Cherry Red mechanical key-switches, but is also exclusive built with an USB 3.0 hub. Aivia Osmium is utilizing the revolutionary anti-ghosting matrix key-switch design, and innovatively features dynamic volume and backlit wheel controllers.
FAVI Releases a Palm-Sized Bluetooth Keyboard
FAVI Entertainment, creators of innovative audiovisual products and most recently the SmartStick, introduces a pocketable Bluetooth keyboard with built-in trackpad ideal for pairing with your favorite device. The versatile accessory has Android buttons for easy access and also allows for music and video navigation via special hotkeys. The comfortable keyboard also features a built-in laser pointer perfect for presentations.
The lightweight and portable FAVI Mini Bluetooth is ideal for speed, accuracy and comfort. The intuitive key layout allows for fast and accurate typing all while reducing hand/finger strain. The keyboard also includes backlit keys for use in the dark or dim lit presentation scenarios. It also connects with nearly all Bluetooth devices and should your device not have Bluetooth, a Bluetooth USB receiver is included.
The lightweight and portable FAVI Mini Bluetooth is ideal for speed, accuracy and comfort. The intuitive key layout allows for fast and accurate typing all while reducing hand/finger strain. The keyboard also includes backlit keys for use in the dark or dim lit presentation scenarios. It also connects with nearly all Bluetooth devices and should your device not have Bluetooth, a Bluetooth USB receiver is included.
Delta Six Game Gun Redesigned
Inventor David Kotkin announced today that his Delta Six project is getting a make-over. After the initial announcement of the Delta Six gaming controller hit the media, an unfortunate controversy erupted over its appearance. "The toy gun looked too realistic and was consequently considered threatening by some critics," said Kotkin. While many reviewers applauded the enhanced realism of the new game gun, anecdotal evidence suggested that some video game critics were opposed to it. Citing the controversy, a small number of potential investors began backing away from providing funding. Deciding to find new backers, Kotkin submitting Delta Six to Kickstarter, a leading source of the new enterprise of "crowd funding." It seems likely that success on Kickstarter will fully revive the project.
EK Releases New DDC X-RES CSQ Series Reservoirs
EK Water Blocks, Ljubljana based premium performance PC water cooling gear manufacturer, is proud to present the latest revision of EK-DDC X-RES CSQ series reservoirs.
The EK-DDC X-RES CSQ comes in two versions (-100 and -140) and is a direct successor of EK-DDC X-RES released three years ago. This new pump top (volute) for Laing DDC series water pumps with integrated reservoir is now even easier to use and offers various port installation options. This top offer increased hydraulic performance (up to 15%) compared to factory top.
The EK-DDC X-RES CSQ comes in two versions (-100 and -140) and is a direct successor of EK-DDC X-RES released three years ago. This new pump top (volute) for Laing DDC series water pumps with integrated reservoir is now even easier to use and offers various port installation options. This top offer increased hydraulic performance (up to 15%) compared to factory top.
Iomega Announces the StorCenter px2-300d & StorCenter ix4-300d NAS Devices
Iomega Corporation, a global leader in data protection, today announced the worldwide availability of the latest additions to Iomega's award-winning lineup of network storage solutions: the new Iomega StorCenter px2-300d Network Storage, a high performance, Intel Atom powered double-drive desktop network storage device with up to 6 TB of storage; and the new Iomega StorCenter ix4-300d Network Storage, the next generation of Iomega's popular StorCenter ix Series of versatile and easy-to-use four-drive desktop network storage appliances.
Designed for advanced users, small offices, small to medium-sized businesses and distributed enterprise, Iomega's new StorCenter px2-300d and StorCenter ix4-300d utilize EMC's award-winning LifeLine operating system for cross-platform file-sharing with seamless integration of security and convenience features such as RAID data protection, hot-swappable hard drives (only with the px2-300d), virtualized environment support, multiple cloud options for offsite data storage, antivirus protection (Only on px2-300d), Active Directory integration, advanced media sharing features and more. Both products are shipping with the Iomega's very latest LifeLine release 3.4, which delivers significant enhancements and new features like improved Active Directory Support, a more efficient EXT4 file system, added MySQL Server support and added video surveillance capabilities.
Designed for advanced users, small offices, small to medium-sized businesses and distributed enterprise, Iomega's new StorCenter px2-300d and StorCenter ix4-300d utilize EMC's award-winning LifeLine operating system for cross-platform file-sharing with seamless integration of security and convenience features such as RAID data protection, hot-swappable hard drives (only with the px2-300d), virtualized environment support, multiple cloud options for offsite data storage, antivirus protection (Only on px2-300d), Active Directory integration, advanced media sharing features and more. Both products are shipping with the Iomega's very latest LifeLine release 3.4, which delivers significant enhancements and new features like improved Active Directory Support, a more efficient EXT4 file system, added MySQL Server support and added video surveillance capabilities.
Galaxy Announces GeForce GTX 650 Green Edition
Galaxy rolled out an energy-efficient GeForce GTX 650 graphics card, the Green Edition. It is one of the very few GTX 650 graphics card models that lack 6-pin PCIe power connectors, and rely entirely on the PCIe bus for power. The card uses near-identical PCB and cooler designs to the GTX 650 GC, except the 6-pin power connector is absent. The card sticks to NVIDIA-reference clock speeds of 1058 MHz core, and 5.00 GHz memory. It packs 1 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide memory interface. Expect the GTX 650 Green Edition to cost around US $110.
Acer's Newest Consumer Desktops; Big Power, Smart Ergonomics
Acer America today has delivered savvy new consumer desktops for customers in the U.S. The new Acer Aspire ME and XC Series feature Windows 8, a savvy new ergonomic design and all the essentials for personal productivity and digital entertainment. Available in two sizes, the Acer Aspire ME Series micro towers are made for those desiring a power-packed workhorse with ample room for upgrades, while the Aspire XC Series small form factor (SFF) desktops are built for those looking to save space.
Acer's latest desktops sport an aesthetically-pleasing black chassis that provides handy cable management. All buttons are located on the front or top of the system for easy access and making the system both left and right hand neutral. "We've retooled our latest Aspire desktops to deliver ample power and practical features in a stylish, understated chassis that will appeal to a wide range of users," said Irene Chan, senior business manager of consumer desktops for Acer America. "Combined with Windows 8, the new Acer desktops are ideal for use as a central entertainment hub for an entire household as well as a student requiring a robust system for homework and social media."
Acer's latest desktops sport an aesthetically-pleasing black chassis that provides handy cable management. All buttons are located on the front or top of the system for easy access and making the system both left and right hand neutral. "We've retooled our latest Aspire desktops to deliver ample power and practical features in a stylish, understated chassis that will appeal to a wide range of users," said Irene Chan, senior business manager of consumer desktops for Acer America. "Combined with Windows 8, the new Acer desktops are ideal for use as a central entertainment hub for an entire household as well as a student requiring a robust system for homework and social media."
BIOSTAR Introduces the A68I-350 DELUXE All-In-One Mini ITX Motherboard
BIOSTAR, a manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, industrial computing systems and peripherals, has announced the start of sales for their unique ultra-compact motherboard, the A68I-350 DELUXE with an integrated APU-chip, the AMD Fusion 350D (Socket BGA FT1). With the ultra-small dimensions of this Mini ITX board (only 170 x 170 mm) and the high degree of integration of its powerful components, the design of a modern multimedia and entertainment setup with the minimum of components has become possible, all at a very affordable price.
Integrated into the A68I-350 DELUXE, the APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) processor AMD Fusion 350D is built on an integrated high performance graphical core of the AMD Radeon HD 6310 with support for the newest Microsoft DirectX11 technology. It boasts a highly efficient integrated graphical subsystem with up to 512 MB of distributed memory providing significant speed of data processing which is enough for the majority of modern office and entertainment applications including playing full HD video and driving today's DX11 games. Integrated video outputs - analog VGA and digital HDMI 3D Visual - allow connecting any modern display including digital HDTVs and monitors.
Integrated into the A68I-350 DELUXE, the APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) processor AMD Fusion 350D is built on an integrated high performance graphical core of the AMD Radeon HD 6310 with support for the newest Microsoft DirectX11 technology. It boasts a highly efficient integrated graphical subsystem with up to 512 MB of distributed memory providing significant speed of data processing which is enough for the majority of modern office and entertainment applications including playing full HD video and driving today's DX11 games. Integrated video outputs - analog VGA and digital HDMI 3D Visual - allow connecting any modern display including digital HDTVs and monitors.
Apple Loses Design Patent Appeal Against Samsung Galaxy Tab in UK
A British court ruled that Samsung Galaxy Tab did not pose a copyright infringement of Apple iPad. Apple and Samsung are locked in design patent infringement lawsuits around the world, with the UK being an important market for both. In addition to its ruling, the court told Apple to issue a public apology to Samsung and its customers in advertisements, with a font size no smaller than Arial 14. The court of appeal upheld its judgement that and Samsung did not infringe Apple's design.
ROCCAT Unveils Groundbreaking "Hiro" - 3D Supremacy Surface Gaming Pad
ROCCAT, the German manufacturer of professional gaming accessories, today launched its new high-performance cloth gaming pad - the ROCCAT Hiro - 3D Supremacy Surface Gaming Mousepad - the world's first mousepad to use an advanced new manufacturing process that creates smooth, rounded edges that won't ever fray, even after extended use. The patented build process creates an inseparable "power bond" between upper and lower surfaces, creating a mousepad of unrivaled durability.
The Hiro also features an entirely new kind of gaming surface: an exclusive vulcanized silicone playing field, with a complex 3D structure, that delivers significantly increased gliding speed and control on both the x and y axis - offering the ultimate command capability during even the most demanding gaming.
The Hiro also features an entirely new kind of gaming surface: an exclusive vulcanized silicone playing field, with a complex 3D structure, that delivers significantly increased gliding speed and control on both the x and y axis - offering the ultimate command capability during even the most demanding gaming.
Creative Announces New Inspire T3300 and T6300 Desktop Speakers
Creative Technology Ltd today announced the Creative Inspire T3300 and the Creative Inspire T6300 speaker systems that are built for superior audio performance. These two latest additions to the Creative Inspire line of multi-channel speaker systems stay true to Creative's long held audio heritage of providing the best possible sound quality at great value. New innovative design techniques and enhanced design features enable these high performance speakers to deliver superb audio quality at very high decibels, yet with minimal distortion. They are Creative Inspire line's 'loudest' speakers yet, capable of delivering full spectrum audio playback with impressive loudness and robust bass.
Competitively priced at S$69 and S$109, the Creative Inspire T3300 and Creative Inspire T6300 speaker systems offer excellent value for speakers in their respective classes. The three-piece Creative Inspire T3300 speaker system is an ideal choice for music listening, gaming or for watching movies with the PC, notebook and smart mobile device, while the Creative Inspire T6300 speaker system is specially designed to deliver an immersive gaming and movie entertainment experience on the PC and notebook with its consistent high-quality 5.1 surround sound performance.
Competitively priced at S$69 and S$109, the Creative Inspire T3300 and Creative Inspire T6300 speaker systems offer excellent value for speakers in their respective classes. The three-piece Creative Inspire T3300 speaker system is an ideal choice for music listening, gaming or for watching movies with the PC, notebook and smart mobile device, while the Creative Inspire T6300 speaker system is specially designed to deliver an immersive gaming and movie entertainment experience on the PC and notebook with its consistent high-quality 5.1 surround sound performance.
Twonky Media Server 7 Now Available for All Thecus NAS Models
At the end of September 2012, Twonky released a new upgraded version of their Server module. TwonkyMedia V7 is now available for all who wishes to display their multimedia content on their mobile device or through their DMA device. Paired with the latest Twonky 7 modules, the users will now have access to a whole new multimedia experience.
A home NAS is often used to serve multi-media content, including photos, music, and video to other devices or over the internet. Using standard protocols such as DLNA, users can access their media stored on the home server from any room in the house. Twonky is a family of software and applications for your PC, Mac or mobile phone that finds all the digital media in your household and shares them with PCs, TVs, stereos and other devices connected to your network. With Twonky Server, you can make all of your stored digital files on your NAS free of use with your DLNA compliant home devices.
A home NAS is often used to serve multi-media content, including photos, music, and video to other devices or over the internet. Using standard protocols such as DLNA, users can access their media stored on the home server from any room in the house. Twonky is a family of software and applications for your PC, Mac or mobile phone that finds all the digital media in your household and shares them with PCs, TVs, stereos and other devices connected to your network. With Twonky Server, you can make all of your stored digital files on your NAS free of use with your DLNA compliant home devices.
Synology Releases DVBLink Package
Synology Inc. introduced the DVBLink package, a 3rd party application for live streaming and recording TV programs with Synology NAS servers. The DVBLink package was developed by DVBLogic.
The DVBLink package is compatible with a wide range of digital TV broadcast standards which include DVB-S2 and DVB-T/T2, and supports up to 4 DTV tuners. By installing the package and plugging the supported DTV tuners into Synology NAS servers, users can view TV programs live and record their favorite channels. TV content can be streamed to XBMC or DLNA compatible devices. What's more, DVBLink mobile apps allow iOS, Android, and Windows Phone users to watch TV live and manage recording schedules remotely.
The DVBLink package is compatible with a wide range of digital TV broadcast standards which include DVB-S2 and DVB-T/T2, and supports up to 4 DTV tuners. By installing the package and plugging the supported DTV tuners into Synology NAS servers, users can view TV programs live and record their favorite channels. TV content can be streamed to XBMC or DLNA compatible devices. What's more, DVBLink mobile apps allow iOS, Android, and Windows Phone users to watch TV live and manage recording schedules remotely.
Acer Introduces the TravelMate P453 Business Notebook
Designed to boost business productivity with advanced performance and multi-level security, the new Acer TravelMate P453 is the answer to the needs of SMB/SOHO looking for the perfect balance between security, productivity and ergonomics. All details have been fine-tuned by Acer to offer the optimal user experience whether in the office or on the go.
Acer takes the protections of users' data and valuable assets very seriously. To secure the IT investment, protect data and reduce TCO thorough remote management features, the TravelMate P453 comes with Acer ProShield Security, a suite of security and manageability tools integrated in a unified user interface. Acer ProShield secures the notebook from unwanted access with multi-level security features including BIOS/HDD password protection and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) solution.
Acer takes the protections of users' data and valuable assets very seriously. To secure the IT investment, protect data and reduce TCO thorough remote management features, the TravelMate P453 comes with Acer ProShield Security, a suite of security and manageability tools integrated in a unified user interface. Acer ProShield secures the notebook from unwanted access with multi-level security features including BIOS/HDD password protection and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) solution.
Ubuntu 12.10 Launches Today
Canonical today announces the desktop version of Ubuntu 12.10, the latest release of the popular open source operating system, will be available for public download on the 18th October 2012. As part of Canonical's objective to make all content easier to access, Ubuntu 12.10 introduces innovations that bring together desktop and cloud-based experiences, representing the next stage in the transition to a multi-device, cloud-based world.
When searching for documents in the Ubuntu 12.10 Dash, for example, users can see results from online services like Google Drive, as well as files saved on their hard drives. The Online Accounts feature allows authentication to online sites so that content like photos from Flickr accounts and contacts from Facebook can all be searched instantly by the Dash. The Dash can also search both paid and free content from Amazon and the Ubuntu One Music Store such as music, videos or any product be it digital or physical. The results are displayed in a separate section labelled, 'More Suggestions'.
When searching for documents in the Ubuntu 12.10 Dash, for example, users can see results from online services like Google Drive, as well as files saved on their hard drives. The Online Accounts feature allows authentication to online sites so that content like photos from Flickr accounts and contacts from Facebook can all be searched instantly by the Dash. The Dash can also search both paid and free content from Amazon and the Ubuntu One Music Store such as music, videos or any product be it digital or physical. The results are displayed in a separate section labelled, 'More Suggestions'.
ZOTAC GeForce GTX 650 Destroyer TSI Graphics Card Unveiled
ZOTAC unveiled a new bells and whistles-laden GeForce GTX 650 graphics card in the Greater China region, the GTX 650 Destroyer TSI (twin, silent, intelligent). The card combines a custom-design PCB with a sporty high-performance cooling solution. The PCB packs a strong (relative to this GPU) 3+1 phase VRM to power the factory-overclocked GPU.
The GPU is clocked at 1071 MHz, and the memory at 5.00 GHz. The card packs 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide memory interface. It relies on a 6-pin PCIe connector for power. Display outputs include two DVI, and one each of HDMI and DisplayPort. Moving on, the TSI cooling solution appears use a large monolithic aluminum heatsink ventilated by a pair of 70 mm fans, and a sporty cooler shroud that keeps up with the color scheme of its Extreme Edition cousins, which lends it a high-end feel. Pricing and availability is under the wraps, although this one is most likely meant only for Greater China.
The GPU is clocked at 1071 MHz, and the memory at 5.00 GHz. The card packs 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide memory interface. It relies on a 6-pin PCIe connector for power. Display outputs include two DVI, and one each of HDMI and DisplayPort. Moving on, the TSI cooling solution appears use a large monolithic aluminum heatsink ventilated by a pair of 70 mm fans, and a sporty cooler shroud that keeps up with the color scheme of its Extreme Edition cousins, which lends it a high-end feel. Pricing and availability is under the wraps, although this one is most likely meant only for Greater China.
Logitec Intros Portable DVD Drive with WLAN 802.11 b/g/n
Logitec introduced a NAS device of a different kind: an optical drive that acts as a WLAN hotspot, letting a wide range of devices such as smartphones, tablets, and notebooks access contents of DVDs, or write onto them. The drive works as a standard external DVD writer over USB 2.0 interface, using a single cable for both host connectivity and power. USB is the drive's only power source, so you'll need AC adapters or vehicle cigarette lighter adapter to use it without a host PC.
Its optical drive component is originally made by TSST (Toshiba-Samsung). It can write DVD ± R/+RW at 8X, DVD±R DL /-RW at 6X, DVD-RAM at 5X, and CDs at 24X. DVDs are read at speeds of up to 8X, and CDs at 24X. The drive ships with store links to apps on Apple App Store and Google Play, which let you download file-manager, and disc burning software for smartphones and tablets; as well as Nero Kwik Burn for PCs. Measuring 150 x 198 x 25 mm, the drives weigh about 430 g. The base model, which includes just a USB cable and AC adapter is priced at 6,980 JPY (US $88.2), and a variant that includes a vehicle power adapter for 8,980 JPY (US $113.4).
Its optical drive component is originally made by TSST (Toshiba-Samsung). It can write DVD ± R/+RW at 8X, DVD±R DL /-RW at 6X, DVD-RAM at 5X, and CDs at 24X. DVDs are read at speeds of up to 8X, and CDs at 24X. The drive ships with store links to apps on Apple App Store and Google Play, which let you download file-manager, and disc burning software for smartphones and tablets; as well as Nero Kwik Burn for PCs. Measuring 150 x 198 x 25 mm, the drives weigh about 430 g. The base model, which includes just a USB cable and AC adapter is priced at 6,980 JPY (US $88.2), and a variant that includes a vehicle power adapter for 8,980 JPY (US $113.4).
NuForce Announces the S3-BT Bluetooth Loudspeakers
NuForce, Inc., a leader in professional and consumer audio solutions, announces the arrival of its S3-BT wireless Bluetooth loudspeakers. The NuForce S3-BT is a meticulously designed active loudspeaker that features the latest aptX and ACC technology for clear, full-bodied, distortion-free audio streamed over Bluetooth.
Jason Lim, NuForce CEO: "With Bluetooth-enabled devices becoming the most common way to carry and listen to audio files, we at NuForce decided to create a speaker that would satisfy even our most discerning customers. By implementing the latest technology and focusing on custom design, we've successfully created speakers that deliver the most advanced audio performance from a Bluetooth bookshelf speaker today."
Jason Lim, NuForce CEO: "With Bluetooth-enabled devices becoming the most common way to carry and listen to audio files, we at NuForce decided to create a speaker that would satisfy even our most discerning customers. By implementing the latest technology and focusing on custom design, we've successfully created speakers that deliver the most advanced audio performance from a Bluetooth bookshelf speaker today."
Galaxy Outs GeForce GT 610 MDT Graphics Card
Galaxy introduced a new GeForce GT 610 graphics card with its MDT multi-display connectivity, ideal for PCs with multiple high-resolution monitors for productivity. Just don't expect to game on it. The single-slot, full-height graphics card uses a fan-heatsink to cool the GPU and 1 GB of DDR3 memory. The GPU is wired to two IDT VMM1402 multi-display chips, which give out two DMS59 ports. Cables are included that convert each DMS59 to two DVI-I single-link, which supports digital resolutions of up to 1920 x 1200 pixels. The GPU is clocked at 810 MHz, CUDA cores at 1620 MHz, and memory at 1.00 GHz. Based on the 40 nm GF119 silicon, the GeForce GT 610 packs 48 CUDA cores, and a 64-bit wide memory interface. Pricing information was not released.
Wednesday, October 17th 2012
Today's Reviews
Cooling
CPU Coolers
Graphics Cards
Harddisks
Headphones
Keyboards
Motherboards
Mouse
NAS
Nanoxia Deep Silence 1 Review
Nanoxia is known for its cooling products. Their first chassis takes aim at the established Fractal Design Define family and fires a few salvos in the direction of the R4. Does the Deep Silence 1 have what it takes to stand up to the established players? You will be just as suprised as we are.
AMD FX "Vishera" Processors Launch Pricing Surprises
According to new reports, AMD's next-generation FX "Vishera" processors built on its "Piledriver" architecture could surprise buyers with pricing, in a similar way to the A-Series "Trinity." AMD's FX "Vishera" socket AM3+ processors will not exceed US $200, according to the report. The launch pricing (along with specifications compiled from older reports) reportedly looks like this:
- AMD FX-8350 - $199: 8 cores, 4.00~4.20 GHz with TurboCore, 16 MB total cache
- AMD FX-8320 - $175: 8 cores, 3.50~4.00 GHz with TurboCore, 16 MB total cache
- AMD FX-6300 - $135: 6 cores, 3.50~4.10 GHz with TurboCore, 14 MB total cache
- AMD FX-4300 - $125: 4 cores, 3.80~4.00 GHz with TurboCore, 8 MB total cache
Steam Greenlight Adds Software and Concepts Categories
Steam Greenlight has been updated today, adding the ability for developers to post non-gaming software for consideration by the Community. Software in Steam Greenlight will work just like games, where we are looking to the community to provide data on what they would like to see made available via Steam.
Additionally, developers of games or software that are early in their development or creative process can now post their early work to start building a community and getting feedback from prospective customers. Concepts can be posted for free, but the voting on these items serves only to give the developer data and feedback and does not lead toward getting the game distributed on Steam.
Additionally, developers of games or software that are early in their development or creative process can now post their early work to start building a community and getting feedback from prospective customers. Concepts can be posted for free, but the voting on these items serves only to give the developer data and feedback and does not lead toward getting the game distributed on Steam.
AMD A10-5800K Graphics Scores P10000+ in 3DMark Vantage
HWBot.org Test lab put the A10-5800K APU through its paces by overclocking its CPU component to 5.242 GHz (124.8 MHz x42 @1.644V), and its Radeon HD 7660D GPU component to 1.58 GHz (up from 1.275 GHz), to yield a 3DMark Vantage score of P10002 (performance preset), a level of performance unheard of for integrated graphics. The feat was made possible by picking the best of three A10-5800K chips cooled by Der8auer Fusion rev3 CPU pot, a Gigabyte FM2A85X-UP4 motherboard, G.SKILL RipjawsZ F3-19200CL9Q-16GBZMD 2x 4 GB memory, Corsair AX1200i PSU, and Windows 7 OS. Find more details in the source link below.
OCZ Technology Group Reports Receipt of Nasdaq Compliance Letter
OCZ Technology Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCZ), a leading provider of high-performance solid-state drives (SSDs) for computing devices and systems, today announced that because of the delayed filing with the SEC of the Form 10-Q for the period ending August 31, 2012 (the "Form 10-Q"), the Company received a letter from The Nasdaq OMX Group ("Nasdaq") indicating that the Company is not in compliance with the filing requirements for continued listing under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c).
The Nasdaq letter notes that the Company is required to submit a plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq's filing requirements for continued listing within 60 calendar days of the date of the Nasdaq notification letter. Upon acceptance of the Company's compliance plan, Nasdaq is permitted to grant an extension of up to 180 days from the Form 10-Q's filing due date, or until April 8, 2013, for the Company to regain compliance with Nasdaq's filing requirements for continued listing.
The Nasdaq letter notes that the Company is required to submit a plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq's filing requirements for continued listing within 60 calendar days of the date of the Nasdaq notification letter. Upon acceptance of the Company's compliance plan, Nasdaq is permitted to grant an extension of up to 180 days from the Form 10-Q's filing due date, or until April 8, 2013, for the Company to regain compliance with Nasdaq's filing requirements for continued listing.
AeroCool Fall-Winter Collection Available Through Retailers
Over the past month, AeroCool unveiled six new products featured in its mainline and Strike-X brands, including the Strike-X XPredator Devil Red and White Editions, Strike-X Air, and Mechatron Black Edition cases; Silent Master 200 mm fans, and Strike-X X-1000 fan-controller. AeroCool made an addition to the lineup, the Touch-2000 fan controller, and made all products available through retail channels in the US.
The Touch-2000 is a 2-bay fan-controller. It is characterized by a brushed aluminum bezel, and a large LED display, with feather-touch buttons. The Touch-2000 supports a maximum of five channels with 25W maximum output per channel. In addition to five fan speed channels, the controller supports temperature monitoring from five thermal probes that can be stuck to key components such as heatsinks, hard drives, etc., for real-time monitoring. The color scheme of the LED display can be changed among 7 options. Overheating alarms can be set. The Touch-2000 also doubles up as a 2-port USB 3.0 (standard header) and audio (HDA header) front-panel, to help with cases that lack the ports.
The Touch-2000 is a 2-bay fan-controller. It is characterized by a brushed aluminum bezel, and a large LED display, with feather-touch buttons. The Touch-2000 supports a maximum of five channels with 25W maximum output per channel. In addition to five fan speed channels, the controller supports temperature monitoring from five thermal probes that can be stuck to key components such as heatsinks, hard drives, etc., for real-time monitoring. The color scheme of the LED display can be changed among 7 options. Overheating alarms can be set. The Touch-2000 also doubles up as a 2-port USB 3.0 (standard header) and audio (HDA header) front-panel, to help with cases that lack the ports.
AMD Announces SeaMicro SM15000 Server Citrix Ready
AMD today announced that Citrix Systems, Inc. has verified the new AMD SeaMicro SM15000-XE micro server as Citrix Ready to run Citrix XenServer 6, a complete managed server virtualization technology that enables companies to cost-effectively consolidate servers and ensure business continuity.
Citrix Ready is a product verification program that demonstrates compatibility with Citrix Application Delivery Infrastructure. AMD completed a rigorous process to ensure compatibility with the industry-leading XenServer platform, which is widely acknowledged as one of the fastest and secure server virtualization products in the industry.
Citrix Ready is a product verification program that demonstrates compatibility with Citrix Application Delivery Infrastructure. AMD completed a rigorous process to ensure compatibility with the industry-leading XenServer platform, which is widely acknowledged as one of the fastest and secure server virtualization products in the industry.
Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 Arriving Next Month
Microsoft Group Program Manager Rob Mauceri has today revealed that Internet Explorer 10 will be bringing its bells and whistles over to Windows 7 in mid-November. The catch is that the release planned for next month is (still) a preview as the Redmond company wants to "collect developer and customer feedback" before rolling out a final version.
Internet Explorer 10 integrates Adobe Flash Player and comes with improved JavaScript performance, better HTML5 support, the Enhanced Protected Mode, plus other tweaks and fixes. IE10 can be experienced in full on Windows 8 which arrives on October 26.
Internet Explorer 10 integrates Adobe Flash Player and comes with improved JavaScript performance, better HTML5 support, the Enhanced Protected Mode, plus other tweaks and fixes. IE10 can be experienced in full on Windows 8 which arrives on October 26.
Wield The Force With Unique Star Wars Designed Razer Blade Gaming Laptop
Razer, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, has announced a sweepstakes promising one winner a custom-designed Star Wars: The Old Republic Razer Blade gaming laptop. Valued at over $15,000, the Star Wars inspired Razer Blade is unique: Only one of its kind exists in the known universe, from this galaxy to those far, far away.
"Star Wars provides the benchmark by which all entertainment media is measured, and the Razer Blade is the standard for true portability, power and innovation in PC gaming," says Robert 'RazerGuy' Krakoff, president of Razer USA. "The opportunity to work with LucasArts and BioWare on this fun project is a testament to our common love of great entertainment and ensuring the best possible experience for fans."
"Star Wars provides the benchmark by which all entertainment media is measured, and the Razer Blade is the standard for true portability, power and innovation in PC gaming," says Robert 'RazerGuy' Krakoff, president of Razer USA. "The opportunity to work with LucasArts and BioWare on this fun project is a testament to our common love of great entertainment and ensuring the best possible experience for fans."
EVGA Rolls Out Precision X 3.0.4
EVGA has today made available a new update for its well-known graphics card monitoring and tweaking tool, Precision X. This latest release adds to the 'Adjust Voltage' section a new feature called K-Boost which allows users to lock their GeForce GTX 600 cards to Boost Clock/Voltage, even in 2D mode. K-Boost needs to be disabled when installing/uninstalling the graphics driver and when enabling SLI (once SLI is enabled K-Boost can be activated).
To download EVGA Precision X 3.0.4 see EVGA's website.
To download EVGA Precision X 3.0.4 see EVGA's website.
Toshiba's Windows 8 PCs Now Available
Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced that its consumer line-up of Satellite laptops and Ultrabooks, Qosmio laptops as well as its All-in-One desktops featuring Windows 8 are available for pre-order starting today and will be widely available for purchase from select U.S. retailers and ToshibaDirect.com on October 26.
Toshiba's new laptops feature spacious touchpads with Windows 8 gesture support to allow users to perform gestures on the touchpad as they would on a touchscreen device. In addition, to help transition consumers to the innovative interface in Windows 8, Toshiba's new PCs come pre-installed with Toshiba Desktop Assist, a utility designed to give users easy access to their programs, control panel, as well as files and folders, similar to the Start Menu in previous versions of Windows.
Toshiba's new laptops feature spacious touchpads with Windows 8 gesture support to allow users to perform gestures on the touchpad as they would on a touchscreen device. In addition, to help transition consumers to the innovative interface in Windows 8, Toshiba's new PCs come pre-installed with Toshiba Desktop Assist, a utility designed to give users easy access to their programs, control panel, as well as files and folders, similar to the Start Menu in previous versions of Windows.
Gigabyte Introduces New Gaming Gear
GIGABYTE, the world's leading premium gaming hardware company, is pleased to launch a very new Aivia gaming gear for hardcore gamers all around the world, Aivia Krypton Dual-chassis Gaming Mouse. GIGABYTE Aivia's marvelous designs have been honored with the world's best-known prestigious awards recently, such as iF award for Aivia M8600 macro gaming mouse and red dot award for Aivia K8100 macro gaming keyboard.
The new gaming mouse, Aivia Krypton, equipped with dual bases to switch between two performances, gamers can choose Speed Base which made by ceramic mouse feet or Control Base made by Teflon mouse feet for the best game play in different hardcore games. Furthermore, Aivia Krypton also supports customized center of gravity. With overall weight-location, Aivia Krypton can let you find personal perfect center of gravity by adjusting different weights for the optimal weigh and balance. Aivia Krypton is equipped with the top of line laser sensor, supports up to 8200dpi resolution and 150ips tracking speed! On-board GHOST Engine supports massive macros and easy-to-use drag-and-drop software with smart macro manager.
The new gaming mouse, Aivia Krypton, equipped with dual bases to switch between two performances, gamers can choose Speed Base which made by ceramic mouse feet or Control Base made by Teflon mouse feet for the best game play in different hardcore games. Furthermore, Aivia Krypton also supports customized center of gravity. With overall weight-location, Aivia Krypton can let you find personal perfect center of gravity by adjusting different weights for the optimal weigh and balance. Aivia Krypton is equipped with the top of line laser sensor, supports up to 8200dpi resolution and 150ips tracking speed! On-board GHOST Engine supports massive macros and easy-to-use drag-and-drop software with smart macro manager.
Kaspersky Lab and Facebook Partner to Make Social Networking Safer
Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of security and threat management solutions, today announced a partnership with Facebook, with the goal of enhancing the security of social networking both online and offline. Kaspersky Lab is now supplying Facebook with up-to-the-minute data about the latest malicious software threats worldwide, which will be used to protect Facebook users from inadvertently visiting malicious web pages.
People are more likely to click on a link shared by a friend, and this inherent trust is something cyber-criminals prey upon. Malicious URLs can automatically share themselves with a victim's personal contacts without the user's knowledge, making the links appear legitimate. Now, when Facebook users share or click a link shared by their friends, the link will instantly be compared against Kaspersky Lab's database of malicious web pages. If the link matches Facebook's list of known 'bad' URLs - which are supplied to Facebook by Kaspersky Lab and other security vendors - the user will be immediately notified and blocked from visiting the web page. This not only prevents the user's personal information and computer from being put at risk, but stops the malicious links from spreading further.
People are more likely to click on a link shared by a friend, and this inherent trust is something cyber-criminals prey upon. Malicious URLs can automatically share themselves with a victim's personal contacts without the user's knowledge, making the links appear legitimate. Now, when Facebook users share or click a link shared by their friends, the link will instantly be compared against Kaspersky Lab's database of malicious web pages. If the link matches Facebook's list of known 'bad' URLs - which are supplied to Facebook by Kaspersky Lab and other security vendors - the user will be immediately notified and blocked from visiting the web page. This not only prevents the user's personal information and computer from being put at risk, but stops the malicious links from spreading further.
Tune in and Turn It up with Tumi x Monster Headphones
Tumi, the leading international brand of premium travel, business and lifestyle accessories, is pleased to announce a partnership with Monster, the world leader in high-performance premium headphones. Launching in November 2012, the Tumi x Monster collaboration will provide today's professionals with a special edition of Monster's high-definition, advanced noise-cancelling Inspiration headphones that combine Monster's Pure Monster Sound with Tumi's unparalleled style and design. Thanks to the combined expertise of these two pioneering companies, Tumi x Monster headphones will deliver the ultimate listening experience for audiophiles and travelers alike.
New Wireless, Rechargeable Keyboard is Back in Black for Industrial Applications
Earlier this year, iKey, the world's premier innovator of rugged computer peripherals, introduced the SBW-97-TP, the industry's first rechargeable wireless keyboard designed for infection control. Now iKey's most innovative and flexible user-friendly keyboard is back in black: Introducing the SBW-97-TP-BLACK designed with industrial applications in mind.
The SBW-97-TP-BLACK is the first fully sealed, rechargeable, wireless keyboard on the market using QuickPair technology. QuickPair is the unique ability to pair to a USB dongle over a 802.11G wireless frequency without interacting with the host PC. Unlike traditional wireless keyboards, iKey's latest product does not require the user to press any buttons on the dongle or interact with the computer's operating system.
The SBW-97-TP-BLACK is the first fully sealed, rechargeable, wireless keyboard on the market using QuickPair technology. QuickPair is the unique ability to pair to a USB dongle over a 802.11G wireless frequency without interacting with the host PC. Unlike traditional wireless keyboards, iKey's latest product does not require the user to press any buttons on the dongle or interact with the computer's operating system.
AOC Debuts the i2757Fm 27-Inch IPS Monitor with MHL Support
AOC has today launched the i2757Fm, a 27-inch monitor with an IPS panel that comes with MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) support enabling a direct connection with an MHL compatible smartphone or tablet PC. This allows users to quickly (and easily) see their phone/tablet content (websites, documents, photos, up to 1080p videos) on a larger screen.
AOC's monitor has LED backlighting, a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, a 5 ms response time, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio (dynamic contrast: 20,000,000:1), one D-Sub input, two HDMI ports, on e USB connector, and integrated speakers.
The i2757Fm (aka myPlay) has a recommended price tag of 289 Euro.
AOC's monitor has LED backlighting, a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, a 5 ms response time, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio (dynamic contrast: 20,000,000:1), one D-Sub input, two HDMI ports, on e USB connector, and integrated speakers.
The i2757Fm (aka myPlay) has a recommended price tag of 289 Euro.
Apple's Seagate Hard Drive Troubles Date Back to 2009
An increasing number of Apple iMac customers are facing troubles with Seagate-made 1 TB hard drives their iMacs shipped with, since 2011. Apple responded with a free no-questions-asked hard drive replacement program for affected customers, but evidently believes some customers may be using faulty Seagate hard drives from even before 2011. The company stretched its hard drive replacement program to cover iMacs purchased between October 2009 and July 2011. "Apple has determined that certain Seagate 1TB hard drives used in 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac systems may fail," said Apple.
The company is holding a list of iMacs by their serial numbers, which are likely to be affected by faulty hard drives. Customers who registered their iMacs have already been contacted, while others are presented with an online tool that lets you check if yours is one of those affected iMacs. Apple and its Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) are tasked with carrying out these free replacements. Customers will now be covered by replacement protection for three years, that's up to April 2013.
The company is holding a list of iMacs by their serial numbers, which are likely to be affected by faulty hard drives. Customers who registered their iMacs have already been contacted, while others are presented with an online tool that lets you check if yours is one of those affected iMacs. Apple and its Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) are tasked with carrying out these free replacements. Customers will now be covered by replacement protection for three years, that's up to April 2013.
Dataram to Attend AMD Radeon ExtravaLANza
Dataram Corporation, a leading international manufacturer of computer memory, storage and software products, is proud to announce its participation at the AMD inaugural Radeon ExtravaLANza event on October 20, 2012 in support of the launch of AMD Radeon RAMDisk.
The company recently announced a formal agreement with AMD to develop an AMD-branded version of its Dataram RAMDisk, marketing the product under the name Radeon RAMDisk and offering gaming enthusiasts the ability to improve load times for a substantially enhanced gaming experience.
The company recently announced a formal agreement with AMD to develop an AMD-branded version of its Dataram RAMDisk, marketing the product under the name Radeon RAMDisk and offering gaming enthusiasts the ability to improve load times for a substantially enhanced gaming experience.
Transcend Releases World's Thinnest Portable CD/DVD Writer
ranscend Information, Inc., a worldwide leader in storage and multimedia products, today introduced its 8X slim portable CD/DVD writer, which at just 13.9 mm high, is currently the thinnest external CD/DVD writer on the market. Whether playing movies, installing software, or backing up files on the go, Transcend's new ultra-slim portable CD/DVD writer is the perfect companion for today's thin-and-light laptops and Ultrabooks.
To complement the new breed of cutting-edge notebooks that do not feature a built-in disc drive, Transcend's portable CD/DVD writer provides a slim and stylish solution designed to enhance the Ultrabook user experience. Its ultra-thin (13.9 mm) and sleek design fits comfortably into the sleeve of any laptop bag or backpack and offers around 44% weight savings over standard external optical drives. Moreover, because the CD/DVD writer draws its electric power directly from the computer's USB ports, users can enjoy more diverse entertainment and enhanced productivity wherever they are.
To complement the new breed of cutting-edge notebooks that do not feature a built-in disc drive, Transcend's portable CD/DVD writer provides a slim and stylish solution designed to enhance the Ultrabook user experience. Its ultra-thin (13.9 mm) and sleek design fits comfortably into the sleeve of any laptop bag or backpack and offers around 44% weight savings over standard external optical drives. Moreover, because the CD/DVD writer draws its electric power directly from the computer's USB ports, users can enjoy more diverse entertainment and enhanced productivity wherever they are.
Acer Unveils Updated Veriton N Series Mini PCs
Acer is now preparing its next generation of mini PCs, the new Veriton N Series. Set to be available in two versions - with or without an optical drive, these incoming SFF PCs feature an Intel Celeron or Core i3 processor, up to 8 GB of RAM, integrated graphics, and up to a 1 TB hard drive (or an SSD topping 128 GB).
Acer's compact creations also have Gigabit Ethernet (WiFi is optional), a multi-in-one card reader, two USB 3.0 and four USB 2.0 ports, plus DVI and HDMI outputs. The updated Veriton N Series PCs start at 356 Euro and will become available in November.
Acer's compact creations also have Gigabit Ethernet (WiFi is optional), a multi-in-one card reader, two USB 3.0 and four USB 2.0 ports, plus DVI and HDMI outputs. The updated Veriton N Series PCs start at 356 Euro and will become available in November.
Microsoft Announces WOWZAPP 2012, Worldwide Hackathon for Windows
Registration has launched for Microsoft Corp.'s WOWZAPP 2012, Worldwide Hackathon for Windows, which will take place Nov. 9-11 in more than 30 locations worldwide. Students and other types of developers across countries such as India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Turkey, Finland, Chile and Greece will work in teams to develop apps that will be published and available for download in the Windows Store.
At the events, students will be provided with the resources they need to build their apps, such as Visual Studio 2012 Express for Windows 8 and a free Windows Store registration code, both available through DreamSpark. In addition, students will be able to test their apps, and developer experts and trainers will be available to answer questions and help participants submit their apps to the Windows Store.
At the events, students will be provided with the resources they need to build their apps, such as Visual Studio 2012 Express for Windows 8 and a free Windows Store registration code, both available through DreamSpark. In addition, students will be able to test their apps, and developer experts and trainers will be available to answer questions and help participants submit their apps to the Windows Store.
LG Introduces the T-Series Zero Client
LG Electronics (LG) today unveiled its new T-Series zero client in Barcelona at Citrix Synergy, a global conference focusing on cloud computing, virtualization and networking. LG Cloud T-Series is the company's next-generation zero client available as either a monitor (CAT42K) or a standalone box (CBT42) to connect to an existing screen. Running independently, both versions employ the Citrix HDX technology and a next-generation Texas Instruments (TI) system on a chip (SoC) offering high performance with greater security through zero client.
"With the LG Cloud T-Series, we're expanding our reach into the zero client market while widening its range of VDI offerings," said J.J. Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of the IT Business Unit of LG Home Entertainment Company. "Citrix HDX Ready verified LG Cloud T-Series will be of great value to any sized enterprise as it reduces the workload of IT management and overall cost while providing full HDX capabilities for outstanding performance."
"With the LG Cloud T-Series, we're expanding our reach into the zero client market while widening its range of VDI offerings," said J.J. Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of the IT Business Unit of LG Home Entertainment Company. "Citrix HDX Ready verified LG Cloud T-Series will be of great value to any sized enterprise as it reduces the workload of IT management and overall cost while providing full HDX capabilities for outstanding performance."
Enermax Launches New Modular Triathlor FC PSU Series
Modu82+ has been one of the most popular power supply series ever. End users from all around the globe appreciate this Enermax PSU because it focuses on the pure essentials of power supply: durable components, silent operation and stable performance. No wonder that Enermax could sell this series continuously from 2008 until today. But due to the technological progress, time has come to say goodbye to the Modu82+ - and welcome the new long runner from Enermax, the Triathlor FC.
Enermax engineers entirely dismissed short-term market trends and concentrated on the development of a PSU design that will run over long years. The Triathlor FC is not a blinky poser. On the contrary, it comes in a classic black, downright ordinary housing. But don't judge this PSU by its cover: The Triathlor FC is equipped with latest Enermax technology. The manufacturer has spared neither costs nor effort to develop a product that meets the highest standards in terms of performance capability and quality.
Enermax engineers entirely dismissed short-term market trends and concentrated on the development of a PSU design that will run over long years. The Triathlor FC is not a blinky poser. On the contrary, it comes in a classic black, downright ordinary housing. But don't judge this PSU by its cover: The Triathlor FC is equipped with latest Enermax technology. The manufacturer has spared neither costs nor effort to develop a product that meets the highest standards in terms of performance capability and quality.
Intel to Begin Core "Haswell" Production in Q4
Despite a modest outlook for the PC industry looking into 2013, Intel plans to begin production of its 4th generation Core processors, codenamed "Haswell," on schedule, in Q4-2012. In the run up to Q4, Intel has taken stepped down production to prevent swelling of inventories. A little earlier this week, the company declared good Q3 results, turning $13.5 billion in gross revenue, and $3 billion in net income. In its press-release, CEO Paul Otellini acknowledged a increasingly tough environment was taking shape for the industry. "Our third-quarter results reflected a continuing tough economic environment," he said.
Patriot Memory Introduces Ultra-Low Power Memory For Ultrabook SODIMM Modules
Patriot Memory, a global pioneer in high-performance memory, NAND flash, storage and enthusiast computer products today announces the availability of its new Memory For Ultrabook SODIMM Modules. Compatible with 3rd generation Intel Core processors, these modules offers consumers a no hassle option to upgrade Ultrabook class laptops for increased performance and productivity.
Providing the most dynamic and powerful mobile computing platform, the Ultrabook delivers the highest levels of portability, performance, and entertainment. The Ultrabook is truly redefining the mobile computing experience. With this in mind, Patriot's Memory for Ultrabook SODIMM modules were designed to offer the perfect performance enhancement to the Ultrabook ecosystem.
Providing the most dynamic and powerful mobile computing platform, the Ultrabook delivers the highest levels of portability, performance, and entertainment. The Ultrabook is truly redefining the mobile computing experience. With this in mind, Patriot's Memory for Ultrabook SODIMM modules were designed to offer the perfect performance enhancement to the Ultrabook ecosystem.
Imation Ironkey Workspace Certified for Windows to Go
Imation Corp., a global scalable storage and data security company, today announced that its IronKey Workspace has been certified as a go-to-market USB 3.0-based mobile workspaces for deployment of Windows To Go. Windows To Go is a feature of Windows 8 that lets enterprise users boot a full version of Windows 8 from an external USB drive on multiple host PCs.
The IronKey Workspace will be available later in Q4 2012. The IronKey Workspaces will offer a simple, affordable option for organizations seeking to quickly implement Windows To Go in their organizations, featuring high-speed USB 3.0 technology and using Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption to protect data. For more information on Imation's certified IronKey Workspaces for Windows To Go, visit this page.
The IronKey Workspace will be available later in Q4 2012. The IronKey Workspaces will offer a simple, affordable option for organizations seeking to quickly implement Windows To Go in their organizations, featuring high-speed USB 3.0 technology and using Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption to protect data. For more information on Imation's certified IronKey Workspaces for Windows To Go, visit this page.
Nanoxia Deep Silence 2 (DS2) Case Pictured
Following the launch of Deep Silence 1 (DS1), which has been extensively reviewed over the past week, German company Nanoxia has a newer model on the way, the Deep Silence 2 (DS2). Like its sibling, the DS2 is a case designed keeping silence in mind, and is packed with noise-absorbing material along most of its panels. An ATX mid-tower, the DS2 has room for EATX, ATX, micro-ATX, and mini-ITX motherboards. Its storage area include three 5.25-inch drive bays behind a door, and seven 3.5-inch/2.5-inch drive trays. Unlike with the DS1, the drive cage doesn't split into two detachable cages. Ventilation in the Nanoxia DS2 includes two 120 mm front intakes, and a 120 mm rear exhaust. More details are awaited.
ASRock Announces the Release of its Top Tier Z77 Extreme11 Motherboard
For those who haven't taken a leap to Intel's Z77 and Ivy Bridge combo yet, either you're cultivating self discipline or you're planning to prey upon something big. Well, now is the big moment, because ASRock is releasing its beastlike Z77 Extreme11!
This tiptop motherboard has 8 SAS2/SATA3 connectors supported by an LSI SAS2308 PCIe 3.0 x8 controller. For extreme graphics, 3-Way SLI/4-Way CrossFireX is supported via a PLX PEX 8747 bridge. The LAN solution is also tempting. Two Intel LAN chips to support dual LAN and teaming, while there's also a 2T2R Dual Band WiFi & Bluetooth 4.0 module and a bundled Wi-SB Box. Specially designed for computer enthusiasts, Z77 Extreme11 possesses unbeatable hardware and extreme powers waiting to be unleashed.
This tiptop motherboard has 8 SAS2/SATA3 connectors supported by an LSI SAS2308 PCIe 3.0 x8 controller. For extreme graphics, 3-Way SLI/4-Way CrossFireX is supported via a PLX PEX 8747 bridge. The LAN solution is also tempting. Two Intel LAN chips to support dual LAN and teaming, while there's also a 2T2R Dual Band WiFi & Bluetooth 4.0 module and a bundled Wi-SB Box. Specially designed for computer enthusiasts, Z77 Extreme11 possesses unbeatable hardware and extreme powers waiting to be unleashed.
Astro Gaming Announces 2013 Editions of Award-Winning A40 Headset and MixAmp Pro
ASTRO Gaming, a division of Skullcandy, Inc., and creators of premium video gaming equipment for professional and hardcore gamers, today announced a major update to two of the brand's most innovative and best-selling products with 2013 editions of the ASTRO A40 Pro Gaming Headset and the ASTRO MixAmp Pro.
The 2013 Edition of the ASTRO A40 Headset features an update to the company's highly popular Quick Disconnect Cabling System as well as re-tuned drivers and enclosures that make the audiophile-grade headset the most accurate and detailed ASTRO Gaming has ever produced, with improved low-end response and less distortion at peak volume.
The 2013 Edition of the ASTRO A40 Headset features an update to the company's highly popular Quick Disconnect Cabling System as well as re-tuned drivers and enclosures that make the audiophile-grade headset the most accurate and detailed ASTRO Gaming has ever produced, with improved low-end response and less distortion at peak volume.
Buffalo Announces a Pair of Powerline Networking Devices
Buffalo announced a pair of new powerline networking adapters under its HomePlug brand. These include the WPL-05G300 and PL-05H, which are sold as single-units, and sets of 2. The WPL-05G300 combines a 240 Mbps powerline network adapter with an 802.11 b/g/n (up to 300 Mbps) wireless router, which supports all common security standards. In addition to its common AC plug, it features two Ethernet ports, one of which can be wired to the internet connection link, and the other as a downstream gigabit Ethernet port. The internet connection (uplink) is shared between the downstream port, other nodes connected via powerline, and the wireless network.
The PL-05H, on the other hand, is a basic powerline adapter with one downstream port. Its powerline network controller supports up to 240 Mbps bandwdith. A single unit of the WPL-05G300 is priced at 8,925 JPY (US $113), a pack of two (WPL-05G300/2) goes for 16,485 JPY (US $209.6). The PL-05H, on the other hand, is priced at 5,565 JPY (US $70) a pop, a pack of two of these goes for 10,920 JPY (US $139).
The PL-05H, on the other hand, is a basic powerline adapter with one downstream port. Its powerline network controller supports up to 240 Mbps bandwdith. A single unit of the WPL-05G300 is priced at 8,925 JPY (US $113), a pack of two (WPL-05G300/2) goes for 16,485 JPY (US $209.6). The PL-05H, on the other hand, is priced at 5,565 JPY (US $70) a pop, a pack of two of these goes for 10,920 JPY (US $139).
NVIDIA Unveils Industry's First Cloud-Based GPU
Engineers and design professionals will be able to work anywhere on virtually any device and still have access to the computing and graphics performance of a GPU-powered workstation, with today's launch of the cloud-based NVIDIA VGX K2 GPU. Built on the NVIDIA Kepler architecture -- the world's fastest, most efficient GPU architecture -- VGX K2 adds unprecedented workstation capabilities to the NVIDIA VGX platform, which was announced earlier this year.
The NVIDIA VGX platform utilizes the GPU to allow enterprises to efficiently deliver virtualized workstation performance and capabilities -- including rich multimedia and 3D graphics -- to users on smartphones, tablets or PCs. Its VGX K2 board, which includes two workstation-class GPUs, enables enterprises to increase user density without sacrificing performance or application compatibility.
The NVIDIA VGX platform utilizes the GPU to allow enterprises to efficiently deliver virtualized workstation performance and capabilities -- including rich multimedia and 3D graphics -- to users on smartphones, tablets or PCs. Its VGX K2 board, which includes two workstation-class GPUs, enables enterprises to increase user density without sacrificing performance or application compatibility.
V-MODA Unveils Crossfade M-100 Metal, Customizable, Over-Ear Headphones
V-MODA, the multi-platinum selling designer of headphones trusted by the pros and elite, announces the highly-anticipated M-100 headphones designed by and for mobile music enthusiasts. V-MODA uniquely crowd-sourced the input of hundreds of audiophiles, journalists, producers and renowned DJs around the globe after news of M-100 first leaked online. Rather than abolishing the information, V-MODA embraced it and openly interacted on forums and social networks which ultimately transformed into a platform of crowdsourced product development.
"This collaboration is one of the most unique design processes I've ever been a part of" states Val Kolton, Chief Visionary Officer at V-MODA. "Once the word started to spread on M-100, forum discussions exploded with exceptional feedback vital to the development of the product. Our research and development labs consisted not of corporate marketing and finance departments, but rather the most passionate headphone consumers, musicians and DJs across the globe. M- 100 is a progeny of audio enthusiasts worldwide - truly built by the people, for the people," added Kolton.
"This collaboration is one of the most unique design processes I've ever been a part of" states Val Kolton, Chief Visionary Officer at V-MODA. "Once the word started to spread on M-100, forum discussions exploded with exceptional feedback vital to the development of the product. Our research and development labs consisted not of corporate marketing and finance departments, but rather the most passionate headphone consumers, musicians and DJs across the globe. M- 100 is a progeny of audio enthusiasts worldwide - truly built by the people, for the people," added Kolton.
Pioneer Intros BDR-S08J Series Blu-ray Writer Drives
Pioneer introduced the new BDR-S08J line of internal SATA Blu-ray writer drives in the standard 5.25-inch form-factor. The series includes three variants based on the bezel color, BDR-S08J-W (matte white), BDR-S08J-BK (piano black), and BDR-S08J-KR (rubberized black), pictured in that order below. The drives feature SATA 3 Gb/s interface with 4 MB cache, and are capable of writing Blu-ray disc (BD) -R at 15X, BD-R double-layer at 14X, BR-R triple-layer at 8X, BD-R quadruple-layer at 6X, single-, dual- and triple-layer BD-RE at 6X; DVDs at 16X, and CDs at 40X. The three will include Windows 8-compatible drivers and versions of PowerDVD 10 and PowerDirector 9 software from Cyberlink. The three will reach stores (beginning with Japanese), in mid-November.
NVIDIA Kepler Refresh GPU Family Detailed
A 3DCenter.org report shed light on what NVIDIA's GPU lineup for 2013 could look like. According to the report, NVIDIA's next-generation GPUs could follow a similar path to previous-generation "Fermi Refresh" (GF11x), which turned the performance-per-Watt equation around back in favor of NVIDIA, even though the company's current GeForce Kepler has an established energy-efficiency lead. The "Kepler Refresh" family of GPUs (GK11x), according to the report, could see significant increases in cost-performance, with a bit of clever re-shuffling of the GPU lineup.
NVIDIA's GK104 GPU exceeded performance expectations, which allowed it to drive this generation's flagship single-GPU graphics card for NVIDIA, the GTX 680, giving the company time to perfect the most upscaled chip of this generation, and for its foundry partners to refine its 28 nm manufacturing process. When it's time for Kepler Refresh to go to office, TSMC will have refined its process enough for mass-production of GK110, a 7.1 billion transistor chip on which NVIDIA's low-volume Tesla K20 GPU compute accelerator is currently based.
NVIDIA's GK104 GPU exceeded performance expectations, which allowed it to drive this generation's flagship single-GPU graphics card for NVIDIA, the GTX 680, giving the company time to perfect the most upscaled chip of this generation, and for its foundry partners to refine its 28 nm manufacturing process. When it's time for Kepler Refresh to go to office, TSMC will have refined its process enough for mass-production of GK110, a 7.1 billion transistor chip on which NVIDIA's low-volume Tesla K20 GPU compute accelerator is currently based.
Gigabyte Intros F2A85X-D3H Socket FM2 Motherboard
Gigabyte announced its newest socket FM2 motherboard, the F2A85X-D3H. Built in the ATX form-factor, and as a pleasant surprise, with a black PCB, the F2A85X-D3H is based on AMD A85X chipset. The APU socket is powered by a simple 4+2 phase VRM, which has been featured on several of the company's micro-ATX models. The APU is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 64 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1866 MHz memory; and a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot. Other expansion slots include a PCI-Express 2.0 x4 (physical x16, wired to the A85X FCH), three PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and two legacy PCI.
All eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports from the A85X FCH are wired as internal ports, two of which are angled. The board features four USB 3.0 ports, two at the rear panel, two via headers. Display connectivity includes dual-link DVI (capable of 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz or 1080p @ 120 Hz), D-Sub, and HDMI. Other connectivity includes 8-channel HD audio with optical SPDIF output (Realtek ALC892 CODEC), gigabit Ethernet (Realtek 8111F), eight USB 2.0 ports, mouse/keyboard PS/2 combo port, legacy COM header, and trusted platform module header.
All eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports from the A85X FCH are wired as internal ports, two of which are angled. The board features four USB 3.0 ports, two at the rear panel, two via headers. Display connectivity includes dual-link DVI (capable of 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz or 1080p @ 120 Hz), D-Sub, and HDMI. Other connectivity includes 8-channel HD audio with optical SPDIF output (Realtek ALC892 CODEC), gigabit Ethernet (Realtek 8111F), eight USB 2.0 ports, mouse/keyboard PS/2 combo port, legacy COM header, and trusted platform module header.
Tuesday, October 16th 2012
Today's Reviews
Cases
Cooling
CPU Coolers
Graphics Cards
- Gigabyte SkyVision WS100 TodoHTPC (es)
- ASUS MATRIX HD 7970 Platinum Bjorn3D
- Sapphire HD 7970 OC 3GB Dual-X Real World Labs
- ASUS HD 7970 Matrix Platinum 3 GB TechPowerUp
- PowerColor Devil 13 HD 7990 PureOverclock
- ASUS GTX 650 Ti Direct CU II TOP Hexus.net
- MSI GTX 650 Ti Power Edition HT4U (de)
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti Real World Labs
Memory
Motherboards
Nettops
SSD
ASUS HD 7970 Matrix Platinum 3 GB Review
The ASUS HD 7970 Matrix Platinum is the company's new card geared towards enthusiasts and hardware overclockers. It comes with many features for the extreme crowd, but also caters to more normal users. One unique feature is buttons on the card that let you adjust voltage on the fly.
Tesla K20 GPU Compute Processor Specifications Released
Specifications of NVIDIA's Tesla K20 GPU compute processor, which was launched way back in May, are finally disclosed. We've known since then that the K20 is based on NVIDIA's large GK110 GPU, a chip never used to power a GeForce graphics card, yet. Apparently, NVIDIA is leaving some room on the silicon that allows it to harvest it better. According to a specifications sheet compiled by Heise.de, Tesla K20 will feature 13 SMX units, compared to the 15 available on the GK110 silicon.
With 13 streaming multiprocessor (SMX) units, the K20 will be configured with 2,496 CUDA cores (as opposed to 2,880 physically present on the chip). The core will be clocked at 705 MHz, yielding single-precision floating point performance of 3.52 TFLOP/s, and double-precision floating point performance of 1.17 TFLOP/s. The card packs 5 GB of GDDR5 memory, with memory bandwidth of 200 GB/s. Dynamic parallelism, Hyper-Q, GPUDirect with RDMA are part of the new feature-set. The TDP of the GPU is rated at 225W, and understandably, it uses a combination of 6-pin and 8-pin PCI-Express power connectors. Built in the 28 nm process, the GK110 packs a whopping 7.1 billion transistors.
With 13 streaming multiprocessor (SMX) units, the K20 will be configured with 2,496 CUDA cores (as opposed to 2,880 physically present on the chip). The core will be clocked at 705 MHz, yielding single-precision floating point performance of 3.52 TFLOP/s, and double-precision floating point performance of 1.17 TFLOP/s. The card packs 5 GB of GDDR5 memory, with memory bandwidth of 200 GB/s. Dynamic parallelism, Hyper-Q, GPUDirect with RDMA are part of the new feature-set. The TDP of the GPU is rated at 225W, and understandably, it uses a combination of 6-pin and 8-pin PCI-Express power connectors. Built in the 28 nm process, the GK110 packs a whopping 7.1 billion transistors.
Micron 20 nm NAND Flash Powers Skyhawk Enterprise SSD
Micron Technology, Inc. today announced another new storage industry milestone-the integration of its 20nm NAND flash storage media into a high-endurance, high-capacity enterprise system. San Jose-based Skyera is using Micron's 20nm, 128 gigabit (Gb) multilevel cell (MLC) NAND flash storage media to pack an astounding 44 terabytes (TB) into a single, compact enterprise storage system for big data, cloud computing, and virtualization applications. Skyera's Skyhawk system uses more than 3,000 Micron flash storage components, creating a high-capacity, high-performance storage solution that fits into a 1U form factor-about the size of a pizza box.
Both the end system and the components have earned industry awards for innovation. The Skyhawk storage system's impressive capabilities earned it Best of Show at this year's Flash Memory Summit in August. In February, UBM TechInsights recognized Micron's groundbreaking 20nm MLC NAND (developed jointly with Intel); giving it their top honor-Semiconductor of the Year. This 20nm process technology is critical to creating storage media with the capacity, endurance, and cost-effectiveness required for enterprise storage on this scale-and Micron's device is the only MLC NAND available in a 128 Gb density.
Both the end system and the components have earned industry awards for innovation. The Skyhawk storage system's impressive capabilities earned it Best of Show at this year's Flash Memory Summit in August. In February, UBM TechInsights recognized Micron's groundbreaking 20nm MLC NAND (developed jointly with Intel); giving it their top honor-Semiconductor of the Year. This 20nm process technology is critical to creating storage media with the capacity, endurance, and cost-effectiveness required for enterprise storage on this scale-and Micron's device is the only MLC NAND available in a 128 Gb density.
Eurocom Adds 5 New Ivy Bridge Mobile Processors to its Lineup
Eurocom, is launching five new Intel Core i7 mobile processors in the line of Eurocom Fully Upgradeable Notebooks, including the Intel Core i7-3940XM, 3840QM, 3740QM, 3630QM, 3612QM. The 3rd generation Intel Core i7 quad core mobile processors will give Eurocom Notebooks increased power efficiency, performance and security. All Eurocom notebooks are fully upgradeable and customizable, allowing customers to choose exactly the processor they need to get the job done right.
"The low thermal design point and energy consumption of the 3rd generation Intel Core i7 processors allow Eurocom to provide top of the line video capability within our small form factor notebook designs because of the limited cooling needs of the processor" said Mark Bialic, Eurocom President.
"The low thermal design point and energy consumption of the 3rd generation Intel Core i7 processors allow Eurocom to provide top of the line video capability within our small form factor notebook designs because of the limited cooling needs of the processor" said Mark Bialic, Eurocom President.
Super Talent Releases Second Generation DataGuardian USB 3.0 Flash Drive
Super Talent Technology, a leader of NAND Flash storage solutions, today announced their second-generation DataGuardian flash drive. The new DataGuardian is a high-performing USB 3.0 flash drive that keeps your files and private information safe from prying eyes, even if the drive is lost or stolen.
Users are asked to set up a password when using the DataGuardian for the first time. Every time after, the DataGuardian will immediately ask for the password when plugged in. This built-in password protection means there is nothing to download or install, no public/private partitions to manage, and no administrative rights are required.
Users are asked to set up a password when using the DataGuardian for the first time. Every time after, the DataGuardian will immediately ask for the password when plugged in. This built-in password protection means there is nothing to download or install, no public/private partitions to manage, and no administrative rights are required.
IBM Reports 2012 Third-Quarter Results
IBM today announced third-quarter 2012 diluted earnings of $3.33 per share, a year-to-year increase of 4 percent, or $3.44 per share, up 8 percent excluding the impact of UK pension-related charges. Operating (non-GAAP) diluted earnings were $3.62 per share, compared with operating diluted earnings of $3.28 per share in the third quarter of 2011, an increase of 10 percent.
Third-quarter net income was $3.8 billion, flat year-to-year; or $3.9 billion, up 3 percent excluding the impact of UK pension-related charges. Operating (non-GAAP) net income was $4.2 billion compared with $4.0 billion in the third quarter of 2011, an increase of 5 percent.
Third-quarter net income was $3.8 billion, flat year-to-year; or $3.9 billion, up 3 percent excluding the impact of UK pension-related charges. Operating (non-GAAP) net income was $4.2 billion compared with $4.0 billion in the third quarter of 2011, an increase of 5 percent.
Intel Reports Third-Quarter Revenue of $13.5 Billion
Intel Corporation today reported quarterly revenue of $13.5 billion, operating income of $3.8 billion, net income of $3.0 billion and EPS of $0.58. The company generated approximately $5.1 billion in cash from operations, paid dividends of $1.1 billion and used $1.2 billion to repurchase stock.
"Our third-quarter results reflected a continuing tough economic environment," said Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO. "The world of computing is in the midst of a period of breakthrough innovation and creativity. As we look to the fourth quarter, we're pleased with the continued progress in Ultrabooks and phones and excited about the range of Intel-based tablets coming to market."
"Our third-quarter results reflected a continuing tough economic environment," said Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO. "The world of computing is in the midst of a period of breakthrough innovation and creativity. As we look to the fourth quarter, we're pleased with the continued progress in Ultrabooks and phones and excited about the range of Intel-based tablets coming to market."
Patriot Memory Launches The New Gauntlet 320 Portable Wireless External Hard Drive
Patriot Memory, a global pioneer in high-performance memory, NAND flash, storage, and enthusiast computer products today expands its Gauntlet external storage line with the launch of the new Gauntlet 320 portable wireless external hard drive. The Gauntlet 320 includes 320 GBs of onboard storage making it the perfect all-in-one wireless storage solution to enhance and expand the limited storage options of devices like tablets, smart phones, and laptops. Providing the ability to carry, stream, and share a massive media and data collection, the Gauntlet 320 will truly cut the cord offering fully portable storage for on the go entertainment or productivity.
Launching with App support for Android, iOS, and Kindle Fire and offering the ability to connect up to 8 devices and stream to 5 simultaneously; the Gauntlet 320 provides the most accessible wireless storage option for streaming music, movies, and pictures to compatible mobile devices. The Gauntlet 320 is also plug-and-play USB 3.0/USB 2.0 capable for high speed wired data transfers to and from desktops and laptops. Powered by an onboard lithium-ion battery, the Gauntlet 320 offers up to 5.5 hours of continuous streaming and is capable of sharing one internet connection with up to 8 devices.
Launching with App support for Android, iOS, and Kindle Fire and offering the ability to connect up to 8 devices and stream to 5 simultaneously; the Gauntlet 320 provides the most accessible wireless storage option for streaming music, movies, and pictures to compatible mobile devices. The Gauntlet 320 is also plug-and-play USB 3.0/USB 2.0 capable for high speed wired data transfers to and from desktops and laptops. Powered by an onboard lithium-ion battery, the Gauntlet 320 offers up to 5.5 hours of continuous streaming and is capable of sharing one internet connection with up to 8 devices.
Cooler Master Announces the CM Storm QuickFire TK Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Cooler Master, an industry leading case, thermal solution, gaming gear, and mobile accessory manufacturer, is proud to announce the latest gaming Keyboard in its CM Storm line. The QuickFire TK is a compact, steel-reinforced, fully backlit mechanical gaming Keyboard. While as compact and lightweight as the QuickFire Rapid, it features a complete NumPad block. So you have more deskspace for your mouse and can switch between Game mode and Numpad mode - no compromise!
On top of that, the QuickFire TK comes with NKRO over USB and the usual CM Storm Key combos let you adjust the Backlight, access Multimedia commands and lock the Windows keys, giving the QuickFire TK some serious punch for its size.
On top of that, the QuickFire TK comes with NKRO over USB and the usual CM Storm Key combos let you adjust the Backlight, access Multimedia commands and lock the Windows keys, giving the QuickFire TK some serious punch for its size.
Microsoft Reaches Agreement to Acquire StorSimple
Microsoft Corp. and StorSimple Inc. today announced that Microsoft has reached a definitive agreement to acquire StorSimple, a leader in Cloud-integrated Storage (CiS) solutions. The addition of CiS will advance Microsoft's Cloud OS vision and help customers more efficiently embrace hybrid cloud computing.
"Customers faced with explosive growth in data are looking to the cloud to help them store, manage and archive that data. But, to be effective, cloud storage needs to integrate with IT's current investments," said Michael Park , corporate vice president, Server and Tools Division for Microsoft. "StorSimple's approach helps customers seamlessly integrate on-premises storage with cloud storage through intelligent automation and management."
"Customers faced with explosive growth in data are looking to the cloud to help them store, manage and archive that data. But, to be effective, cloud storage needs to integrate with IT's current investments," said Michael Park , corporate vice president, Server and Tools Division for Microsoft. "StorSimple's approach helps customers seamlessly integrate on-premises storage with cloud storage through intelligent automation and management."
Beats Electronics Launches "Beats Pill" Speakers and "Executive" Premium Headphones
Beats Electronics LLC, the leading audio brand co-founded by legendary artist and producer Dr. Dre and Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine, today announced the expansion of the company's global product offering with the introduction of the Beats Pill, a portable wireless speaker with built-in patented Beats Audio, and the Executive premium headphones. Beats currently owns over 56% of the $100+ premium headphone market in North America according to data from NPD, and these two new products will continue to raise the bar across form, function, design and most importantly, sound quality.
"The introduction of the Beats Pill and the Executive is the perfect beginning to a truly autonomous Beats as we transform into a freestanding consumer electronics company this year, " said Beats By Dr. Dre President & COO, Luke Wood. "These products demonstrate our total commitment to design, technological innovation and premium sound experience."
"The introduction of the Beats Pill and the Executive is the perfect beginning to a truly autonomous Beats as we transform into a freestanding consumer electronics company this year, " said Beats By Dr. Dre President & COO, Luke Wood. "These products demonstrate our total commitment to design, technological innovation and premium sound experience."
Diamond Multimedia Ships DV100 USB 3.0/2.0 Multi-Monitor Adapter Line and WPCTVPRO
Diamond Multimedia, a leading manufacturer of Radeon Gaming graphics cards, Best Seller of the BVU195 USB DisplayLink enabled graphic device for PC and Mac and other popular multimedia products, introduced today a new addition to the DV (Dual View) line of products, allowing users to add multiple monitors for increased productivity and flexibility.
New to the line is the dual monitor supported DV100, DVI/HDMI with audio HD 1080P External Dual Video Card/Display Adapter for simultaneous Multiple Monitors DisplayLink DL-3900 (2048 X 1152). Offering a dual view, the DV100 external video display adapter is compatible with all flat screen display monitors. With integrated HDMI, 6 channel audio, 1080p streaming, and a dual head output, the DV100 streamlines dual monitor display setups and allows for increased productivity and organization.
New to the line is the dual monitor supported DV100, DVI/HDMI with audio HD 1080P External Dual Video Card/Display Adapter for simultaneous Multiple Monitors DisplayLink DL-3900 (2048 X 1152). Offering a dual view, the DV100 external video display adapter is compatible with all flat screen display monitors. With integrated HDMI, 6 channel audio, 1080p streaming, and a dual head output, the DV100 streamlines dual monitor display setups and allows for increased productivity and organization.
Kingston Technology Celebrates 25 Years as the Leading Third-party Memory Maker
Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, announces that tomorrow marks 25 years in the business as the largest third-party manufacturer of computer and device memory. Kingston was founded on October 17, 1987 by CEO and co-founder John Tu, and COO and co-founder David Sun.
The entrepreneurial spirit of both owners and the success of the company have been recognized globally through the years. Kingston's core tenets of respect, loyalty, flexibility and integrity have created an exemplary corporate culture; one that guides its relationships with customers, partners and vendors, and to which Kingston owes its success.
The entrepreneurial spirit of both owners and the success of the company have been recognized globally through the years. Kingston's core tenets of respect, loyalty, flexibility and integrity have created an exemplary corporate culture; one that guides its relationships with customers, partners and vendors, and to which Kingston owes its success.
SilverStone Readies the Strider ST60F-PS 600 W Power Supply
At the end of this month SilverStone is set to introduce a new Strider Series power supply, a model called ST60F-PS which delivers 600 W and features an 80 PLUS Silver certification (80 Plus Gold at 230Vac). SilverStone's PSU measures 150 (W) x 86 (H) x 140 (D) mm and also has a fully-modular design, a single 12V (49A) rail, a 120 mm fan, and a MTBF of 100,000 hours.
The ST60F-PS is expected to cost about $120.
The ST60F-PS is expected to cost about $120.
AQ Audio SmartSpeaker Launches in the US
AQ Audio, an established UK audio leader, makes their debut in the United States with the launch of the AQ SmartSpeaker. After the SmartSpeaker's successful launch in the UK, the company introduces the device which was highly regarded for its acoustic clarity and unique left and right channel separation. Also new to the AQ SmartSpeaker is AQ Direct mode which permits users to break free from the Wi-Fi network and enjoy AirPlay technology anywhere. Although it has AirPlay capabilities built for Apple, it also empowers Android and Windows users via a special DLNA Certified App available at the Google Play Store and via Microsoft's "Play To" feature.
AirPlay Function. AQ Direct Freedom.
Apple enthusiasts will enjoy the AQ SmartSpeakers' simple and intuitive one-touch Airplay set up. AirPlay lets you stream not only your iTunes Libraries but Internet Radio stations, Spotifiy, audio from films or TV programs and other popular music Apps. The innovative AQ Direct technology will enable the freedom to listen to music anywhere and connects again seamlessly to your AirPlay network. AQ Direct is ideal for giving your iTunes library freedom from over 50 meters.
AirPlay Function. AQ Direct Freedom.
Apple enthusiasts will enjoy the AQ SmartSpeakers' simple and intuitive one-touch Airplay set up. AirPlay lets you stream not only your iTunes Libraries but Internet Radio stations, Spotifiy, audio from films or TV programs and other popular music Apps. The innovative AQ Direct technology will enable the freedom to listen to music anywhere and connects again seamlessly to your AirPlay network. AQ Direct is ideal for giving your iTunes library freedom from over 50 meters.
EVGA Step-Up Program Extended in Europe to 6 Months
EVGA has just announced that European customers, who purchase an EVGA-branded graphics card or motherboard between October 16 and December 21st will be able to participate in its Step-Up Program within a 180-day period (that's double the standard time frame). The Step-Up Program allows people to trade-in their EVGA card or board and upgrade to a greater performance model.
To beef up this promotion even more, EVGA has decided that people who get a card/board until December 21st won't need to purchase an Extended Warranty to quality for the Step-Up Program (the extended warranty is a requirement for the standard 90-day Step-Up Program).
To beef up this promotion even more, EVGA has decided that people who get a card/board until December 21st won't need to purchase an Extended Warranty to quality for the Step-Up Program (the extended warranty is a requirement for the standard 90-day Step-Up Program).
Samsung's Windows 8 PC Lineup Now Available for Pre-Order; In Stores October 26
Samsung Electronics America Inc., a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, today announced details about its upcoming Windows 8 mobile PC and All-In-One product lines. Building on its leadership position in the PC and tablet market, Samsung is bringing premium computing power, elegant design and an intuitive user experience to its PCs along with seamless convergence across devices, thanks to Samsung AllShare Play. In addition, Samsung offers a range of unique applications across devices including Samsung Quick Starter, and exclusive S Pen apps such as S Note and S Memo.
"Samsung has seen extraordinary growth in the mobile PC category over the past few years, and we're now taking our success to the next level by connecting the PC to other devices in the home or office through our convergence technology, Samsung AllShare Play," said Mike Abary, senior vice president of consumer IT product marketing at Samsung Electronics America. "The launch of Windows 8 provides an inflection point in the evolution of the PC. Samsung has always focused on pushing the boundaries of design to create truly remarkable products that consumers and businesses want. We're confident that we will continue to lead the future with our thoughtful, powerful approach to the computing experience."
"Samsung has seen extraordinary growth in the mobile PC category over the past few years, and we're now taking our success to the next level by connecting the PC to other devices in the home or office through our convergence technology, Samsung AllShare Play," said Mike Abary, senior vice president of consumer IT product marketing at Samsung Electronics America. "The launch of Windows 8 provides an inflection point in the evolution of the PC. Samsung has always focused on pushing the boundaries of design to create truly remarkable products that consumers and businesses want. We're confident that we will continue to lead the future with our thoughtful, powerful approach to the computing experience."
MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti HAWK Pictured
MSI is working on a premium factory-overclocked graphics card based on the GeForce GTX 650 Ti, giving it the coveted HAWK brand extension attached with top performance-segment graphics cards from its lineup. The card uses the same exact PCB as the one used in MSI's GTX 650 Ti Power Edition; the Cyclone II cooler is swapped for the beefier Twin Frozr IV, and clock speeds increased beyond those of the Power Edition OC (although not disclosed). Pricing and availability information is not available, but we expect the card to be launched a little later this month.
Foxconn Admits to Breach of Anti- Child Labor Laws
Foxconn admitted to employing interns as young as 14 years, in what is a breach of labor laws in China, where the minimum age for such employment is 16. The company, in a statement accessed by CNET advised that it found the matter "not only a violation of China's labor law, it is also a violation of Foxconn policy," and that "immediate steps have been taken to return the interns in question to their educational institutions." The company launched an investigation and promises action against permanent staff members who allowed the breach in regulations to happen. This development follows a strain of bad PR for Foxconn, which recently suffered riots in some of its facilities due to imposition of strict quality standards in manufacture of iPhone 5.
Mad Catz Announces New Range of G.L.I.D.E. Professional Gaming Surfaces
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. announced today a new range of G.L.I.D.E. Professional Gaming Surfaces ("G.L.I.D.E."). Utilizing advanced materials, the G.L.I.D.E. has been designed and tested to greatly enhance sensor tracking performance when compared to other mouse mats or gaming surfaces currently available.
"We believe the new G.L.I.D.E. range will prove to be the ideal companion for our R.A.T. gaming mice," said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. "The announcement of the G.L.I.D.E. range continues our strategy of growing our portfolio of premium gaming products which resonate with the passionate gamer."
"We believe the new G.L.I.D.E. range will prove to be the ideal companion for our R.A.T. gaming mice," said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. "The announcement of the G.L.I.D.E. range continues our strategy of growing our portfolio of premium gaming products which resonate with the passionate gamer."
AMD Cuts Prices of Socket FM1 APUs
Following the announcement of its second-generation A-series desktop APUs earlier this month, AMD is set to reduce prices of its older A-Series desktop APUs in the socket FM1 package, according to a DigiTimes report. Prices of the entry-level A4-3300 dual-core APU, for example, are expected to go down from US $46 to $30; and A4-3400 from $48 to $35. AMD also decided to cut price of its "Trinity" A4-5300 dual-core socket FM2 APU from $53 to $30, making it an attractive lure to the new platform, stepping up competitiveness against Intel Celeron. This information comes from sources among Taiwan-based motherboard makers, there's no word on when the new pricing could take effect.
In Win Announces BX141 Series Gaming Cases
In Win announced the BX141 series ATX full-tower gaming PC cases. Designed to support EATX, ATX, and uATX motherboards, the BX141 is available in two variants, the BX141G (gray), and BX141W (white). Measuring 245 x 562 x 593 mm (WxDxH), and weighing about 10.9 kg, the cases are made of 0.8 mm-thick SECC steel panels and ABS plastic. The design is characterized by a largely perforated front that serves as 5.25-inch drive bays or front-fan intakes; and a large blue acrylic window on its side panel.
Drive storage includes three 5.25-inch drive bays, and eight 3.5-inch/2.5-inch drive trays, split between two detachable cages of five and three trays, respectively. The drive cages can be detached to make room for extremely long graphics cards, or additional water-cooling components (such as pumps, reservoirs, etc.). Ventilation includes two red LED-lit 140 mm front intake fans, one 140 mm drive cage conveyer fan, a 140 mm rear exhaust, a top 120 mm exhaust fan, and space for two at the bottom, both which can be removed to make room for a 240 mm wide radiator.
Drive storage includes three 5.25-inch drive bays, and eight 3.5-inch/2.5-inch drive trays, split between two detachable cages of five and three trays, respectively. The drive cages can be detached to make room for extremely long graphics cards, or additional water-cooling components (such as pumps, reservoirs, etc.). Ventilation includes two red LED-lit 140 mm front intake fans, one 140 mm drive cage conveyer fan, a 140 mm rear exhaust, a top 120 mm exhaust fan, and space for two at the bottom, both which can be removed to make room for a 240 mm wide radiator.
Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 RT Priced, Starts at $499
Microsoft put price tags on some of its most important upcoming products, Surface with Windows 8 RT. The prices were revealed by Microsoft Store US, and covers three models based on storage capacity and Touch Cover (cover with keyboard and trackpad). The lineup starts at US $499 with Surface 32 GB without Touch Cover. For $599, you get the same model, with the Touch Cover. Leading the pack is Surface 64 GB with Touch Cover, priced at $699. The store is accepting pre-orders for all available color options of Surface and Touch Cover. Orders will delivered as early as by October 26.
TSMC Selects Cadence Virtuoso and Encounter Platforms for 20 nm Design Infrastructure
Cadence Design Systems, Inc., a leader in global electronic design innovation, announced today that TSMC has selected Cadence solutions for its 20-nanometer design infrastructure. The solutions cover the Virtuoso custom/analog and Encounter RTL-to-signoff platforms.
The TSMC 20-nanometer reference flows incorporate new features and methodologies in both Encounter and Virtuoso that take into account newly important wire characteristics, timing closure and design size considerations.
The TSMC 20-nanometer reference flows incorporate new features and methodologies in both Encounter and Virtuoso that take into account newly important wire characteristics, timing closure and design size considerations.
Seagate Expands Its Enterprise Hard Drive Portfolio
Seagate Technology today announced three new enterprise-class hard disk drives (HDD) optimized for traditional data centers and emerging cloud infrastructures.
Perfect for cloud bulk data storage, the Seagate Enterprise Value HDD provides up to 3 TB of storage in a low-power configuration that is perfect for efficiently and affordably storing the ever-growing amount of unstructured data typically stored in the cloud. The company also announced its next generation of highly-reliable hard disk drives, the Seagate Enterprise Capacity 3.5 HDD featuring the industry's widest range of capacities (1, 2, 3 and 4 TB) of secure data storage for robust data center usage and the Seagate Enterprise Performance 10K HDD which delivers best-in-class performance and built-in security for optimized storage efficiency and data protection.
Perfect for cloud bulk data storage, the Seagate Enterprise Value HDD provides up to 3 TB of storage in a low-power configuration that is perfect for efficiently and affordably storing the ever-growing amount of unstructured data typically stored in the cloud. The company also announced its next generation of highly-reliable hard disk drives, the Seagate Enterprise Capacity 3.5 HDD featuring the industry's widest range of capacities (1, 2, 3 and 4 TB) of secure data storage for robust data center usage and the Seagate Enterprise Performance 10K HDD which delivers best-in-class performance and built-in security for optimized storage efficiency and data protection.
ASMedia xHCI 1.0 Host Controller Gains USB-IF Certification with MCCI USB 3.0 HSS
MCCI Corporation today announced that ASMedia leveraged MCCI's USB 3.0 host system software stack for Windows and onsite support to achieve USB-IF SuperSpeed logo certification for its xHCI 1.0-compatible ASM1042 USB 3.0 host controller. ASMedia is the leading Taiwanese supplier of xHCI-compatible host controllers. This newly certified product joins the company's existing portfolio of USB controllers that have been USB-IF certified using MCCI's software.
First-generation USB 3.0 host controllers were built to the xHCI 0.96 specification, which was revised in xHCI 1.0 to add features and improve compatibility with legacy devices. These revisions affected both hardware and system software, requiring that the new versions be re-tested.
First-generation USB 3.0 host controllers were built to the xHCI 0.96 specification, which was revised in xHCI 1.0 to add features and improve compatibility with legacy devices. These revisions affected both hardware and system software, requiring that the new versions be re-tested.
Intel Atom Gets Feature-Set Overhaul in "Avoton" for Micro-Servers
With ARM gaining a foothold in the micro-server market, with multi-core processors, Intel is stepping up its response. A key component of Intel's next-generation "Edisonville" micro-server platform, Atom "Avoton" will be designed with a formidable feature-set over what the current-generation Atom "Centerton" offers, according to a MyDrivers report based on a leaked company slide.
Atom "Avoton" will be built on Intel's 22 nm silicon fabrication process, with anywhere between 2 to 8 cores, backed by 1 MB to 4 MB L2 cache. The cores will be designed to support out-of-order processing, correcting a longstanding limitation of Atom processors. The cores will likely be designed with a balanced instruction set to maximize performance per Watt. Processors in the Atom "Avoton" series will be clocked around 2.40 GHz, and will support Turbo Boost technology, which drives core clock speed up to 2.70 GHz. Another big feature change is an expanded IMC, which will support dual-channel DDR3-1600 / DDR3-1600L memory. Enterprise features such as ECC memory and Intel VT, will be included. The chips will likely be built in FCBGA packages. TDP for these chips will be under 20W.
Atom "Avoton" will be built on Intel's 22 nm silicon fabrication process, with anywhere between 2 to 8 cores, backed by 1 MB to 4 MB L2 cache. The cores will be designed to support out-of-order processing, correcting a longstanding limitation of Atom processors. The cores will likely be designed with a balanced instruction set to maximize performance per Watt. Processors in the Atom "Avoton" series will be clocked around 2.40 GHz, and will support Turbo Boost technology, which drives core clock speed up to 2.70 GHz. Another big feature change is an expanded IMC, which will support dual-channel DDR3-1600 / DDR3-1600L memory. Enterprise features such as ECC memory and Intel VT, will be included. The chips will likely be built in FCBGA packages. TDP for these chips will be under 20W.
Tacens Intros Radix 6 Series PSUs
Tacens announced the sixth-generation of its Radix series power supplies. The series includes 550W, 650W, 750W, and 850W models; all of which feature single +12V rail designs, and over 85% efficiency (according to the company), making them 80 Plus Bronze eligible. The 550W variant features a single 6+2 pin PCIe power connector, the 650W and 750W models feature two, and the 850W model features four. All four are cooled by 140 mm Aura Pro fans. In addition to the four standard Radix ATX v2.3 PSUs, Tacens also introduced two Radix Eco series PSU models, 500W and 400W. The Radix Eco 500W sticks to the standard ATX form-factor, while the 400W model is built in the SFF ATX form-factor. Both Eco models lack PCIe power connectors.
Elecom Announces a Pair of New Gaming Headsets
Elecom Japan announced two new lines of foldable gaming headsets, the 3.5 mm plug-compatible HS-HP20 series, and USB-compatible HS-HP20U series. The two are available in four color options, including black (HS-HP20xBK), blue (HS-HP20xBU), red (HS-HP20xRD), white (HS-HP20xWH). The basic design is common between both models, featuring 40 mm stereo headphone drivers, 32-ohm impedance, 100 mW maximum input, and 20 to 20,000 Hz frequency response; and a microphone that's suspended on a hinged flexible arm, with poly-directional pickup, 2.2-ohm impedance, 100 to 10,000 Hz frequency response, and -46 ± 3 db SNR. The headset can be folded along three joints. Slated for mid-November, the HS-HP20 is expected to be priced at 2,940 JPY (US $37.3), while the HS-HP20U is expected to go for 3,360 JPY (US $42.6).
LG Outs 23-inch M2352J-PM Smart TV-Monitor in Japan
LG released the M2352J-PM, a 23-inch Smart TV/monitor in Japan. It embeds an IPS LCD panel with LED backlit illumination. As a monitor, it features 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution (no surprises here), 178° V/H maximum viewing angles, 250 cd/m² maximum brightness, mega-contrast (5,000,000:1), and 14 ms (GTG) response time. Display inputs (relevant to PC display) include three HDMI, and a D-Sub (VGA) connector. As a TV, it features Home Dashboard software that gives you access to most common internet features, including YouTube, a web-browser, and access to e-mail. It features a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port for internet connection. TV connectivity and subscriber access technologies local to Japan are included. It is slated for late-October.
Rosewill Announces SilentNight and Tachyon PSUs
Rosewill announced the SilentNight 500W fanless PSU and Tachyon 550W. The two 80 Plus Platinum-compliant PSUs were launched earlier today. The SilentNight 500W appears to be based on a Super Flower platform, and uses a chunky aluminum heatsink that makes direct contact with hot components such as FETs, to cool itself, without needing a fan. It features sufficient cabling for a mid-range dual-GPU gaming PC, including a pair 6+2 pin PCIe connectors, 8-pin EPS, 24-pin ATX, and up to six SATA power connectors. It uses a partially-modular cabling layout.
The Tachyon 550W, on the other hand, uses a slow (quiet) temperature-controlled 140 mm fan to cool itself. It packs an identical contingent of cables to the SilentNight 500W. Both models feature single +12V rail designs, modern regulatory compliances, and protection against a variety of electrical anomalies, such as over/under voltage, overload, short-circuit, overheat, etc. The two will occupy price points around US $100.
The Tachyon 550W, on the other hand, uses a slow (quiet) temperature-controlled 140 mm fan to cool itself. It packs an identical contingent of cables to the SilentNight 500W. Both models feature single +12V rail designs, modern regulatory compliances, and protection against a variety of electrical anomalies, such as over/under voltage, overload, short-circuit, overheat, etc. The two will occupy price points around US $100.
ADATA Announces Premier Pro SP600 Solid State Drive
ADATA announced a new line of affordable client SSDs, the Premier Pro SP600 series. Built in the 9.5 mm-thick 2.5-inch form-factor, the drives take advantage of SATA 6 Gb/s interface. Available in 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB capacities, the Premier Pro SP600 series is driven by JMicron JMF661 processor, and features 20 nm-class MLC NAND flash memory. The drives offer sequential read speeds of up to 360 MB/s, and up to 130 MB/s writes. Random access performance numbers provided to us include 40,000 IOPS 4K random reads, and 30,000 IOPS 4K random writes. The drives pack most common client SSD features, including TRIM, NCQ, and 40 b/KB ECC. The 32 GB, 64 GB, and 128 GB variants are priced at US $49.99, $69.99, and $99.99, respectively.
Exceleram Announces New Memory Modules and 8GB Dual Kits with Hynix CFR Chips
Exceleram announced some new memory modules and 8 GB dual channel kits with Hynix CFR chips. "Our new "X Series" is now ready," said Mr. Kent Lee, Marketing Director, Exceleram. Following is the Overview of the X Series with the Hynix CFR Chips:
- E30106X 2GB (1x2GB) 1333MHz, CL9, 1.5V, w/o Heatsink
- E30112X 4GB (1x4GB) 1333MHz, CL9, 1.5V, w/o Heatsink
- E30149X 4GB (1x4GB) 1600MHz, CL11, 1.5V, w/o Heatsink
- E30146X 4GB (1x4GB) 1600MHz, CL9, 1.5V, w/o Heatsink
- E30150X 4GB (1x4GB) 1866MHz, CL9, 1.65V, w/o Heatsink
- E30138X 8GB (2x4GB) 1866MHz, CL9. 1.65V, Black Sark Heatsink
Logitech Unveils the Broadcaster Wi-Fi Webcam
Today Logitech is expanding the ways in which you can stream and create videos with its new Logitech Broadcaster Wi-Fi Webcam. Made for video professionals, bloggers and hobbyists, this new webcam gives you flexibility to do more than other webcams, including live streaming, shooting videos from two different angles or video chatting on your favorite Mac computer.
The Logitech Broadcaster Wi-Fi Webcam makes it easy to create professional-looking high-definition videos from your Mac, whether you're a professor recording a lecture or a musician demonstrating how to play the guitar. You can stream live video directly to Ustream, and use an iPad, iPhone or Mac to control and preview the video. The Logitech Broadcaster can also act as a second video camera, adding a complementary perspective to capture content beyond your Mac's embedded webcam. And, its wireless connectivity gives you the ability to shoot from virtually any angle you want. For richer and more dynamic video content, you can easily capture the two views and stitch them together.
The Logitech Broadcaster Wi-Fi Webcam makes it easy to create professional-looking high-definition videos from your Mac, whether you're a professor recording a lecture or a musician demonstrating how to play the guitar. You can stream live video directly to Ustream, and use an iPad, iPhone or Mac to control and preview the video. The Logitech Broadcaster can also act as a second video camera, adding a complementary perspective to capture content beyond your Mac's embedded webcam. And, its wireless connectivity gives you the ability to shoot from virtually any angle you want. For richer and more dynamic video content, you can easily capture the two views and stitch them together.
D-Link Selects Broadcom HomePlug AV Technology for New Powerline Adapters
Broadcom Corporation, a global innovation leader in semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications, today announced that D-Link, a global leader in connectivity, is now shipping a new line of Powerline Adapters powered by Broadcom innovation. Achieving superior network reliability and range with two Ethernet ports for maximum flexibility and convenience, the D-Link DHP-328AV offers consumers a low-hassle, high-value way to stream media, surf the web or connect to multiple devices like media players. Visit www.broadcom.com to learn more.
D-Link selected the Broadcom BCM60321 HomePlug AV Powerline Communications (PLC) system-on-a-chip (SoC) for its higher level of integration and performance. Optimized for the toughest network conditions where electrical interferences are high, the BCM60321 offers improved Internet coverage and more reliable Internet streaming throughout the home. With Broadcom technology, the user experience also improves when using high-bandwidth, delay-sensitive applications like media streaming, videoconferencing, VoIP and online gaming.
D-Link selected the Broadcom BCM60321 HomePlug AV Powerline Communications (PLC) system-on-a-chip (SoC) for its higher level of integration and performance. Optimized for the toughest network conditions where electrical interferences are high, the BCM60321 offers improved Internet coverage and more reliable Internet streaming throughout the home. With Broadcom technology, the user experience also improves when using high-bandwidth, delay-sensitive applications like media streaming, videoconferencing, VoIP and online gaming.
Samsung Readies a Fleet of Windows 8 Ultrabooks and All-in-One PCs
Samsung is working on a fleet of devices that take advantage of Microsoft's new Windows 8 operating system. These include touch-capable Ultrabooks, tablet hybrids, and all-in-one desktops. Samsung's Windows 8 Ultrabook lineup begins with Series 5 Ultra Touch. Starting at $809.99, these 13-inch Ultrabooks are powered by Core i3 "Ivy Bridge" dual-core processors (upgradable to Core i5 for $50 extra), 4 GB of RAM, 1366 x 768 pixels touchscreen display, and 500 GB HDD accelerated with 24 GB cache-SSD. It tips the scales at 1.73 kg. Samsung's second Ultrabook in the new lineup is the premium Series 9 Ultra Touch, starting at $1,300 for 13-inch and $1,400 for 15-inch.
Moving on, Samsung has two lines of Windows 8-loaded notebooks, starting with Series 3, which is available in a variety of hardware and screen size options, priced in the range of $450 to $900; and Series 7 15-inch notebook, which starts at $1,100. Samsung's new all-in-one lineup begins with Ativ SmartPC 500T and 700T, powered by Intel Atom Z2760 and Core i5, respectively, with memory ranging between 2 GB to 4 GB, featuring 64 GB to 128 GB SSD storage. The 500T starts at $649.99, while the 700T starts at 1,199.99. Samsung's mid-range all-in-one offering is the Series 5, which starts at $800, featuring a 21.5-inch HD screen. Its premium all-in-one PC offering is the Series 7, which starts at $1,100 for 23.6-inch and $1,700 for 27-inch variants. These devices will be launched closer to that of Windows 8, slated for October 26.
Moving on, Samsung has two lines of Windows 8-loaded notebooks, starting with Series 3, which is available in a variety of hardware and screen size options, priced in the range of $450 to $900; and Series 7 15-inch notebook, which starts at $1,100. Samsung's new all-in-one lineup begins with Ativ SmartPC 500T and 700T, powered by Intel Atom Z2760 and Core i5, respectively, with memory ranging between 2 GB to 4 GB, featuring 64 GB to 128 GB SSD storage. The 500T starts at $649.99, while the 700T starts at 1,199.99. Samsung's mid-range all-in-one offering is the Series 5, which starts at $800, featuring a 21.5-inch HD screen. Its premium all-in-one PC offering is the Series 7, which starts at $1,100 for 23.6-inch and $1,700 for 27-inch variants. These devices will be launched closer to that of Windows 8, slated for October 26.
Microsoft Rolls Out 2012 Xbox LIVE Update
Today we're starting to roll out the official release of the update to Xbox LIVE subscribers around the world. To ensure a stable release, this will be a gradual deployment across subscribers and regions over the course of the next week. Our initial deployment will reach approximately three million consoles worldwide, with additional users being updated over the course of a couple weeks. Don't panic if you don't see an immediate update, just keep checking back in.
Introducing Catzilla: A New 3D Graphics Benchmark
Time to put your new generation GPUs through a refreshingly new benchmark, Catzilla. This synthetic benchmark uses a scripted 3D scene approach, much like 3DMark and Heaven. Developed by Polish studio Plastic Image, Catzilla is a cross-API benchmark designed for OpenGL 4.0 and DirectX 9 or 11, and the Windows platform (64-bit and 32-bit Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8). The benchmark uses a parallel graphics engine that takes advantage of multi-core CPUs. For now we know little more about the upcoming benchmark, but you can sign up at their website to participate in a closed-beta.
Henrique de Castro Named Chief Operating Officer of Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. announced today that Henrique de Castro has been hired as chief operating officer (COO). Reporting directly to Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer, de Castro will be responsible for strategic and operational management of Yahoo!'s sales, operations, media and business development worldwide.
"Henrique is an incredibly accomplished and rigorous business leader, and I'm personally excited to have him join Yahoo!'s strong leadership team," said Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo!. "His operational experience in Internet advertising and his proven success in structuring and scaling global organizations make him the perfect fit for Yahoo! as we propel the business to its next phase of growth."
"Henrique is an incredibly accomplished and rigorous business leader, and I'm personally excited to have him join Yahoo!'s strong leadership team," said Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo!. "His operational experience in Internet advertising and his proven success in structuring and scaling global organizations make him the perfect fit for Yahoo! as we propel the business to its next phase of growth."
Monday, October 15th 2012
Today's Reviews
Cases
Cooling
Game Controllers
Graphics Cards
Motherboards
NAS
Notebooks
Storage
Akasa Venom Power 850 W Review
Akasa enriched their Venom Power PSU series with two new models, featuring Gold efficiency. Today we will take a detailed look at the Venom 850 W which utilizes semi-modular cable design and has a strong +12V rail that can deliver up to 70 A of current, making it suitable for systems equipped with two high-end VGAs.
Case Western University Researchers Develop Tech Aimed at Making 2 TB Optical Discs
Case Western Reserve University researchers have developed technology aimed at making an optical disc that holds 1 to 2 terabytes of data -- the equivalent of 1,000 to 2,000 copies of Encyclopedia Britannica. The entire print collection of the Library of Congress could fit on five to 10 discs. The discs would provide small- and medium-sized businesses an alternative to storing data on energy-wasting magnetic disks or cumbersome magnetic tapes, the researchers say. To push technology to market, the leaders of the effort have launched a company.
"A disc will be on the capacity scale of magnetic tapes used for archival data storage," said Kenneth Singer, the Ambrose Swasey professor of physics, and co-founder of Folio Photonics. "But, they'll be substantially cheaper and have one advantage: you can access data faster. You just pop the disc in your computer and you can find the data in seconds. Tapes can take minutes to wind through to locate particular data."
"A disc will be on the capacity scale of magnetic tapes used for archival data storage," said Kenneth Singer, the Ambrose Swasey professor of physics, and co-founder of Folio Photonics. "But, they'll be substantially cheaper and have one advantage: you can access data faster. You just pop the disc in your computer and you can find the data in seconds. Tapes can take minutes to wind through to locate particular data."
OCZ Technology Comments on Status of Form 10-Q for the Second Fiscal Quarter 2013
OCZ Technology Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: OCZ), a leading provider of high-performance solid-state drives (SSDs) for computing devices and systems, today announced that it was unable to file its Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 (Q2'13), which ended on August 31, 2012, on time as the Company's financial statements are still under review.
The Company continues to work diligently to complete the financial review. While we are hopeful that the review will be completed in the near future, we cannot currently estimate the exact date. Thus we are also unable to estimate the filing date of the Form 10-Q.
The Company continues to work diligently to complete the financial review. While we are hopeful that the review will be completed in the near future, we cannot currently estimate the exact date. Thus we are also unable to estimate the filing date of the Form 10-Q.
AVADirect Now Accepting Pre-Orders For Windows 8 In Select Configurations
AVADirect, a leading custom PC builder known for providing uniquely customizable configuration, has begun to accept pre-orders for the highly anticipated Microsoft Windows 8 operating system, listed in appropriate configurations.
Since 2009, Microsoft has been working hard on providing the next era of Microsoft operating systems, Windows 8. The newest operation system from Microsoft, scheduled to release October 26th, promises to increase performance, functionality, and productivity in many forms of added features and support. As part of AVADirect's mission to provide the latest and greatest hardware, AVADirect also aims to provide the latest and greatest of Microsoft operating systems while available. Currently, AVADirect prominently offers Windows 7 versions, and Linux pre-load options with limited support. End-users can take advantage of the pre-order immediately and be one of the first to receive a pre-installed Windows 8 desktop, workstation, or notebook.
Since 2009, Microsoft has been working hard on providing the next era of Microsoft operating systems, Windows 8. The newest operation system from Microsoft, scheduled to release October 26th, promises to increase performance, functionality, and productivity in many forms of added features and support. As part of AVADirect's mission to provide the latest and greatest hardware, AVADirect also aims to provide the latest and greatest of Microsoft operating systems while available. Currently, AVADirect prominently offers Windows 7 versions, and Linux pre-load options with limited support. End-users can take advantage of the pre-order immediately and be one of the first to receive a pre-installed Windows 8 desktop, workstation, or notebook.
Steam Greenlights Over 20 More Games
Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Counter-Strike, Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, Portal, and Team Fortress) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced the second set of titles proceeding to worldwide distribution opportunities through Steam Greenlight. This second wave of titles was originally targeted to include at least 10 titles. Given the number and quality of games submitted, and the ship date of many of the top-ranking titles, the decision was made to increase the size of this group.
Steam Greenlight is a new platform feature that enlists the community's help in selecting some of the next games to be released on Steam. Launched on August 30, Greenlight allows developers and publishers to post information and media about their game in an effort to convince Community members that their game should be released on Steam.
Steam Greenlight is a new platform feature that enlists the community's help in selecting some of the next games to be released on Steam. Launched on August 30, Greenlight allows developers and publishers to post information and media about their game in an effort to convince Community members that their game should be released on Steam.
ASUS Adds 11.6-inch Q200E Touch Notebook to its Windows 8 Lineup
In addition to the VivoBook X202 and TAICHI 21 seen last week, ASUS is gearing up to release another 11.6-inch notebook running Microsoft's Windows 8. Seen below is the Q200E, a 0.9-inch-thick machine with an aluminum casing that features an 11.6-inch touchscreen, a 1.4 GHz Core i3 processor, 4 GB of RAM, a 500 GB hard drive, integrated graphics, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, a webcam, one USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports, and an HDMI output.
The Q200E is backed by a one-year warranty and costs $549.99.
Source: Liliputing
The Q200E is backed by a one-year warranty and costs $549.99.
Windows 8 Gets "Overwhelmingly Negative" Response from Vendors, Expectations Plummet
An analyst with Topeka Capital, who was touring Asia, meeting sources among supply chains, brings bad news to Microsoft investors. Analyst Brian White notes that the sentiment (among vendors and parts of the supply chain) about Windows 8 remains "overwhelmingly negative." Expectations from Microsoft's new client operating system plummet, as vendors don't see much activity following the October 26 launch.
"Although October is expected to be the sweet spot for the notebook ramp for Windows 8, and further follow through is likely in November, we were warned of idle facilities in December," notes White. "One of our contacts does not expect Windows 8 to be material until the second-half of 2013," he added. In related news, the industry is also reeling from a disappointing reception from Intel's 2011-12 pet project in the client computing space, Ultrabook. "...the enthusiasm around the Ultrabook ramp has also deteriorated as the cost structure remains too high under Intel's specifications," White notes.
"Although October is expected to be the sweet spot for the notebook ramp for Windows 8, and further follow through is likely in November, we were warned of idle facilities in December," notes White. "One of our contacts does not expect Windows 8 to be material until the second-half of 2013," he added. In related news, the industry is also reeling from a disappointing reception from Intel's 2011-12 pet project in the client computing space, Ultrabook. "...the enthusiasm around the Ultrabook ramp has also deteriorated as the cost structure remains too high under Intel's specifications," White notes.
Dell to Continue to Offer Windows 7 After Windows 8 Launch
PC giant Dell will continue to offer Windows 7 pre-installed on its Precision, Optiplex, and Latitude brands of notebooks and business desktops, post-Windows 8 launch, the company said. Dell's gaming PC subsidiary Alienware, too, will offer Windows 7 as an option. Microsoft has been generally laxed about OEMs offering older versions of Windows pre-installed, after the launch of a newer one. PC makers were allowed to pre-install PCs with Windows Vista for two years after the launch of Windows 7, however, Windows XP was allowed to be loaded for nearly a decade after its launch.
"We're still moving our business customers from [Windows] XP to Windows 7," said Alison Gardner, director at Dell. "The OS migration for a large company is no small feat. We make it easier but it takes some planning and work," he continued. "For Alienware customers, they know what they want and we give them that choice," Gardner continued. Analysts expect Windows 7 to maintain its popularity post Windows 8 launch, at least with computing devices that lack touch interface.
"We're still moving our business customers from [Windows] XP to Windows 7," said Alison Gardner, director at Dell. "The OS migration for a large company is no small feat. We make it easier but it takes some planning and work," he continued. "For Alienware customers, they know what they want and we give them that choice," Gardner continued. Analysts expect Windows 7 to maintain its popularity post Windows 8 launch, at least with computing devices that lack touch interface.
Synopsys and TSMC Collaborate for 20 nm Reference Flow
Synopsys, Inc., a global leader accelerating innovation in the design, verification and manufacture of chips and systems, today announced 20-nanometer (nm) process technology support for the TSMC 20 nm Reference flow. This includes Synopsys Galaxy Implementation Platform support for the latest TSMC 20 nm design rules and models. The collaboration between TSMC and Synopsys on 20nm technology allows designers to gain performance, power efficiency and chip density advantages while achieving predictable design closure with the industry-proven Synopsys RTL to GDSII solution.
TSMC's 20 nm Reference Flow addresses 20 nm design challenges with a transparent double patterning aware design flow enabling double patterning technology (DPT) compliance, pre-coloring capability, new RC extraction methodology, DPT sign-off, and integrated design-for-manufacturing (DFM). The new Reference Flow's transparent DPT enablement reduces DPT design complexity, achieves required accuracy, minimizes 20 nm design flow setup and learning curve, and accelerates 20 nm process adoption.
TSMC's 20 nm Reference Flow addresses 20 nm design challenges with a transparent double patterning aware design flow enabling double patterning technology (DPT) compliance, pre-coloring capability, new RC extraction methodology, DPT sign-off, and integrated design-for-manufacturing (DFM). The new Reference Flow's transparent DPT enablement reduces DPT design complexity, achieves required accuracy, minimizes 20 nm design flow setup and learning curve, and accelerates 20 nm process adoption.
Kaspersky Lab Discovers "miniFlame," a New Virus Designed for Cyber Espionage
Today Kaspersky Lab announced the discovery of miniFlame, a small and highly flexible malicious program designed to steal data and control infected systems during targeted cyber espionage operations.
miniFlame, also known as SPE, was found by Kaspersky Lab's experts in July 2012, and was originally identified as a Flame module. However, in September 2012, Kaspersky Lab's research team conducted an in-depth analysis of Flame's command & control servers (C&C) and from the analysis found that the miniFlame module was actually an interoperable tool that could be used as an independent malicious program, or concurrently as plug-in for both the Flame and Gauss malware.
Analysis of miniFlame showed there were several versions created between 2010 and 2011, with some variants still being active in the wild. The analysis also revealed new evidence of the cooperation between the creators of Flame and Gauss, as both malicious programs can use miniFlame as a "plug-in" for their operations.
miniFlame, also known as SPE, was found by Kaspersky Lab's experts in July 2012, and was originally identified as a Flame module. However, in September 2012, Kaspersky Lab's research team conducted an in-depth analysis of Flame's command & control servers (C&C) and from the analysis found that the miniFlame module was actually an interoperable tool that could be used as an independent malicious program, or concurrently as plug-in for both the Flame and Gauss malware.
Analysis of miniFlame showed there were several versions created between 2010 and 2011, with some variants still being active in the wild. The analysis also revealed new evidence of the cooperation between the creators of Flame and Gauss, as both malicious programs can use miniFlame as a "plug-in" for their operations.
CyberPowerPC Announces Zeus Storm Desktop Gaming Systems
CyberPower Inc. www.cyberpowerpc.com, a global manufacturer of custom gaming computers, today announced the Zeus Storm series - a powerful trio of desktop gaming computers equipped with cutting edge processors from Intel and AMD, godly NVIDIA and AMD graphics, and a host of performance peripherals that will prompt your opponents to batten down the hatches and take cover.
A "storm" is coming and CyberPowerPC does not want gamers to be left out in the cold. The Zeus Storm series includes three models that stand ready to battle. Customers can select from the Zeus Storm 1000 with 8-Core AMD Zambezi processors, which allow you to immerse yourself in the most advanced 3D games and achieve extreme mega-tasking.
A "storm" is coming and CyberPowerPC does not want gamers to be left out in the cold. The Zeus Storm series includes three models that stand ready to battle. Customers can select from the Zeus Storm 1000 with 8-Core AMD Zambezi processors, which allow you to immerse yourself in the most advanced 3D games and achieve extreme mega-tasking.
Seasonic Unveils the New X-Series 650 W, 750 W and 850 W Power Supplies
Since its launch in 2010, the 80 PlusR Gold X-series has received countless top reviews and awards. The Seasonic X-series has become the choice of enthusiasts who seek high quality, performance and efficiency.
The new generations of the highly popular X-Series models are made for enthusiasts who are looking for the superior 80 PlusR Gold efficiency label. The new X-Series will include the following models:
- X-Series 650 W / 750 W / 850 W - Enhanced performance
- X-Series 1050 W / 1250 W - Heavy-duty workload and top end performance
The new generations of the highly popular X-Series models are made for enthusiasts who are looking for the superior 80 PlusR Gold efficiency label. The new X-Series will include the following models:
- X-Series 650 W / 750 W / 850 W - Enhanced performance
- X-Series 1050 W / 1250 W - Heavy-duty workload and top end performance
NVIDIA Releases CUDA 5
NVIDIA today made available the NVIDIA CUDA 5 production release, a powerful new version of the world's most pervasive parallel computing platform and programming model for accelerating scientific and engineering applications on GPUs. It can be downloaded for free from the NVIDIA Developer Zone website.
With more than 1.5 million downloads, supporting more than 180 leading engineering, scientific and commercial applications, the CUDA programming model is the most popular way for developers to take advantage of GPU-accelerated computing.
With more than 1.5 million downloads, supporting more than 180 leading engineering, scientific and commercial applications, the CUDA programming model is the most popular way for developers to take advantage of GPU-accelerated computing.
Transcend Announces RDF5 USB 3.0 Equipped Multi-Format Card Reader
Transcend announced the RDF5 multi-format card reader, which takes advantage of USB 3.0 SuperSpeed interface. At roughly the size (measures 56 x 24 x 9 mm) and shape of a capped USB flash drive, the RDF5 supports SDHC, SDHC, and micro-SDHC/SDXC. The reader sports a piano-black top with gold lettering, and graphite body. A power/activity LED is located on its top. It is priced at €12.50.
Leadtek Unveils the WinFast GTX 660 Graphics Card
After releasing GeForce GTX 660 Ti, Leadtek Research Inc, a world-leading maker of professional gaming graphics cards, announces its high-level GeForce GTX 660 graphics card today. With all the features of the NVIDIA Kepler, the GTX 660 delivers smooth graphics performance at 1080p. The dual fan SKU will be available later.
The GTX 660 features a GPU Boost function for users to make dynamic clock adjustment for optimal performance/watt. With 960 CUDA cores, the GTX 660 delivers a base clock and boost clock speed up to 980 MHz and 1033 MHz to automatically adjust the clock according to the needs of gamers.
The GTX 660 features a GPU Boost function for users to make dynamic clock adjustment for optimal performance/watt. With 960 CUDA cores, the GTX 660 delivers a base clock and boost clock speed up to 980 MHz and 1033 MHz to automatically adjust the clock according to the needs of gamers.
Genius Announces HS-410F Foldable Headband Headsets
Genius is an international leading company in computer peripherals launched the Genius HS-410F, is an easy to carry, lightweight, foldable headset with a convenient in-line volume control and rich audio quality. The lightweight soft leather ear pads stay comfortable even after long hours of use. The 3-way foldable structure is designed for easy storage. For online chatting, HS-410F has a convenient in-line microphone and a volume control without using your PC. The in-style ear tattoo pattern design makes you stand out from the crowd. Genius HS-410F also comes in two distinct colors Black or Yellow.
New Acer T2 Series Displays Designed to Maximize Touch Benefits of Windows 8
Acer America today is bringing its Acer T2 Series touch displays to customers in the U.S. and Canada. Featuring a premium blend of aesthetics and performance, these slender and elegant monitors include the Acer T232HL with a 23-inch screen and the Acer T272HL with a 27-inch screen. Both displays are Windows 8 compliant, enabling consumers to take advantage of the features in Windows 8 with a 10-point multi-touch screen, whether using a new PC or an old PC upgraded to the new operating system.
The new displays tout edge-to-edge glass in an elegant design that will enhance any room in the home. Supported by an asymmetrical stand, the monitors have an aesthetically-pleasing look. The stand enables users to view images tilted back up to 80 degrees, which is practically flush with the desk for enhancing comfort and ergonomics to make the most of the capacitive-touch capabilities. This tilt feature is especially beneficial for touch-friendly activities like playing games, viewing photo albums and cookbooks as well as Web surfing. The monitors also come with VESA mounts for hanging them on a wall.
The new displays tout edge-to-edge glass in an elegant design that will enhance any room in the home. Supported by an asymmetrical stand, the monitors have an aesthetically-pleasing look. The stand enables users to view images tilted back up to 80 degrees, which is practically flush with the desk for enhancing comfort and ergonomics to make the most of the capacitive-touch capabilities. This tilt feature is especially beneficial for touch-friendly activities like playing games, viewing photo albums and cookbooks as well as Web surfing. The monitors also come with VESA mounts for hanging them on a wall.
Acer Announces Aspire 5600U and 7600U All-in-One PCs
Acer America today announced that it's delivering two elegant all-in-one (AIO) desktop models featuring Windows 8 to customers in the U.S. The Acer Aspire 7600U and 5600U Series were built to deliver all aspects of digital life into a stylish entertainment hub that can be enjoyed by every member of the family. Sporting an extremely slim profile of less than 1.4 inches and a clean design, these AIOs will enhance any room in the home.
TSMC Seen As Only 20 nm ASIC Supplier to Apple in the Next 2 Years
Market analysts with Citigroup Global Markets Inc. see TSMC as being the only company able to supply chips built on the 20 nanometer silicon fabrication process to Apple, for its quad-core systems on chip (SoC). J.T. Hsu, a market research fellow with Citigroup points out that Apple began verifying TSMC's 20 nm manufacturing capabilities in August 2012, and could begin risk production (preliminary batches with accepted risk of low-yields) as early as by November 2012. If all goes well, mass production (high-yield) could begin by Q4 2013. TSMC could hike its capital expenditure to the range of US $11-12 billion in 2013-14.
European Commission Plans Criminal Case Against Microsoft
According to a report, European Commission is planning to level a criminal case against Microsoft for failing to meet the conditions laid down by the judgement of a 2009 case that forced Microsoft to strip its Internet Explorer browser from Windows operating system copies sold in the EU, and presenting new installations of the OS with a browser selection menu. With the advent of Windows 7 SP1, the browser selection menu was not implemented for tens of millions of PCs (out of an error, Microsoft argues). The new case could lead to penalties in billions of Euros for Microsoft.
ASUS Unveils the ROG TYTAN CG8480 Windows 8-based Gaming Desktop PC
ASUS today launches the ROG TYTAN CG8480 - a gaming desktop with an Intel Core i7-3770K processor with Turbo Gear function that enables full 4-core CPU instant overclocking to reach a maximum speed of 4.2 GHz. It comes equipped with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 2 GB GDDR5 graphics card that supports up to four monitors, while the 128 GB SATA3 SSD delivers greater data access speeds than generic HDDs. Audio quality is further enhanced by an ASUS Xonar DX sound card, providing up to 35 times clearer audio than onboard audio codecs, giving gamers an audio advantage over their opponents. All this powerful hardware is housed within an intricately designed polygonal chassis with built-in indicators that glow from blue to red depending on the overclocking mode it is in.
MSI Announces New Radeon HD 7750 with 2 GB DDR3 Memory
For those who prefer more (albeit slower) video memory, MSI announced a new Radeon HD 7750 graphics card featuring 2 GB of DDR3 memory, compared to the 1 GB GDDR5 standard. The new card, bearing model number R7750-PMD2GD3, features custom design PCB and cooling solution. The PCB is 16.8 cm long, and relies on the PCI-Express slot for power. The cooler, on the other hand, consists of a full-length shroud, covering a round fan-heatsink with spirally-projecting aluminum fins, ventilated by a 70 mm MSI Propeller Blade fan.
The GPU is clocked at 800 MHz, with the memory running at 1.60 GHz (DDR3-effective). The 2 GB of memory is spread across a 128-bit wide interface. Display outputs include one each of dual-link DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort. Based on the 28 nm "Cape Verde" silicon, the Radeon HD 7750 packs 512 Graphics CoreNext stream processors, 48 TMUs, 16 ROPs, and a 128-bit wide memory interface. It features PCI-Express 3.0 x16 interface, and supports the latest graphics APIs, including DirectX 11.1. MSI did not reveal pricing.
The GPU is clocked at 800 MHz, with the memory running at 1.60 GHz (DDR3-effective). The 2 GB of memory is spread across a 128-bit wide interface. Display outputs include one each of dual-link DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort. Based on the 28 nm "Cape Verde" silicon, the Radeon HD 7750 packs 512 Graphics CoreNext stream processors, 48 TMUs, 16 ROPs, and a 128-bit wide memory interface. It features PCI-Express 3.0 x16 interface, and supports the latest graphics APIs, including DirectX 11.1. MSI did not reveal pricing.
Thermaltake Announces Evo Blue 2.0 Series PSUs
In 2009 with aesthetic design in mind, Thermaltake launched the first gaming PSU series - the Evo Blue which stands out from the crowd with different and refreshing appearance. This fall, Thermaltake launches the next generation gaming PSU series - the Evo Blue 2.0 Series. Evo Blue 2.0 is the world's first "turbocharged" concept PSU designed for gamers and enthusiasts to take on the growing surge of PC games and gaming hardware.
Logitech Introduces the Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810
Today Logitech announced the expansion of its keyboard lineup with the Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810. Compatible with Windows, iOS and Android devices - and with a layout designed for Windows 8 - this rechargeable keyboard uses Bluetooth connectivity to pair with up to three devices simultaneously. Your keyboard can be connected to your PC, tablet and smartphone and you can easily switch among them with the push of a button.
"It's increasingly common for people to use more than one device over the course of the day, and we saw an opportunity to help ease the transition among screens with the Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard," said Mike Culver, vice president of brand development for consumer computing platforms at Logitech. "Using Logitech's heritage of high quality and reliability, this keyboard combines the functionality and design people expect with simultaneous multi-device pairing, which they will appreciate."
"It's increasingly common for people to use more than one device over the course of the day, and we saw an opportunity to help ease the transition among screens with the Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard," said Mike Culver, vice president of brand development for consumer computing platforms at Logitech. "Using Logitech's heritage of high quality and reliability, this keyboard combines the functionality and design people expect with simultaneous multi-device pairing, which they will appreciate."
Intel Celeron To Get "Ivy Bridge" Micro-Architecture in Early 2013
By early 2013, Intel's "Ivy Bridge" micro-architecture will have finally trickled down to the most-affordable (and one of the largest) market-segments. The company is planning to launch three new Celeron socket LGA1155 processor models based on the 22 nm "Ivy Bridge" silicon. The three include the class-leading Celeron G1620, affordable Celeron G1610, and its energy-efficient variant, the Celeron G1610T. The three are dual-core chips that lack HyperThreading, and are configured with 2 MB of L3 cache, DDR3-1333 MHz memory clock limit, and 650 MHz iGPU clock.
The Celeron G1610 is the most affordable of the three, it is clocked at 2.60 GHz, with a TDP of 55W. The Celeron G1620 is the fastest among the three, with 2.70 GHz clock speed, and the same 55W TDP. The Celeron G1610T achieves a TDP of just 35W, with a significantly lower clock speed of 2.30 GHz. The three will occupy sub-$100 price-points. The three will by compatible with current 6-series and 7-series chipset-based socket LGA1155 motherboards.
The Celeron G1610 is the most affordable of the three, it is clocked at 2.60 GHz, with a TDP of 55W. The Celeron G1620 is the fastest among the three, with 2.70 GHz clock speed, and the same 55W TDP. The Celeron G1610T achieves a TDP of just 35W, with a significantly lower clock speed of 2.30 GHz. The three will occupy sub-$100 price-points. The three will by compatible with current 6-series and 7-series chipset-based socket LGA1155 motherboards.
Green House Unveils New, Industrial Grade SD Memory Cards
Green House today announced a new family of MLC-based SD memory cards, the GH-SDI-WMA. Going from 2 GB to 32 GB in terms of capacity, the cards deliver read and write speeds of up to 20 MB/s and 16 MB/s, respectively, they can operate at -25 to +85 degrees Celsius, and include technologies that prevent data loss.
The GH-SDI-WMA cards are backed by a three-year warranty.
The GH-SDI-WMA cards are backed by a three-year warranty.
NZXT Announces the Crafted Series Phantom 820 ATX Full-Tower Case
NZXT announced the next-generation of its Crafted Series Phantom line of premium gaming PC cases. The first model in the lineup is the Phantom 820. This ATX full-tower features a stylish new design that builds on the "edgy" design scheme of the original series. Measuring 210mm x 473mm x 490mm (W x H x D), the ATX full-tower case is designed for XL-ATX, E-ATX, ATX, mATX, and uITX motherboards. The case is designed with enough room for multiple 35 cm-long graphics cards, and water-cooling equipment, for which additional room can be made by removing portions of the drive cages.
The case includes room for four 5.25-inch drive bays, and six 3.5-inch (convertible to 2.5-inch) drive trays spread across two detachable cages. There are a total of nine expansion slots. The motherboard tray is surrounded by rubberized ducts that help with cable and coolant tubing management. Ventilation includes 200 mm front-intake, 200 mm side intake (below an acrylic window), 140 mm rear and top exhausts. Ample front-panel connectivity is included, with a number of USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, in addition to audio. Made primarily of SECC, the Phantom 820 uses high-grade gunmetal ABS exteriors. Backed by a 2-year warranty, the Phantom 820 is priced around US $250. Find reviews at the sources.
The case includes room for four 5.25-inch drive bays, and six 3.5-inch (convertible to 2.5-inch) drive trays spread across two detachable cages. There are a total of nine expansion slots. The motherboard tray is surrounded by rubberized ducts that help with cable and coolant tubing management. Ventilation includes 200 mm front-intake, 200 mm side intake (below an acrylic window), 140 mm rear and top exhausts. Ample front-panel connectivity is included, with a number of USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, in addition to audio. Made primarily of SECC, the Phantom 820 uses high-grade gunmetal ABS exteriors. Backed by a 2-year warranty, the Phantom 820 is priced around US $250. Find reviews at the sources.
GIGABYTE Introduces SkyVision WS100 Wireless HD Sync Device
Enjoying favorite videos on your HDTV without any wire is no longer a dream. GIGABYTE does even more than you thought! GIGABYTE announces a whole new product line this year, which can make your daily life more convenient and provide you an amazing visual extension. GIGAYTE SkyVision WS100 with WHDI 1.0 (Wireless Home Digital Interface) technology can seamlessly transmit your 1080p high-definition videos or Blu-ray movies from any HDMI-ready device to HDTV.
Just by plug and play, the compact and streamline designed SkyVision WS100 can help you creating the best wireless video experience ever! Digital contents can be simultaneously transmitted (latency less than 1 ms) to your display and the transmission range is up to 10 meters! Enjoy full HD media playback on your larger screen in a neat environment has never been easier.
Just by plug and play, the compact and streamline designed SkyVision WS100 can help you creating the best wireless video experience ever! Digital contents can be simultaneously transmitted (latency less than 1 ms) to your display and the transmission range is up to 10 meters! Enjoy full HD media playback on your larger screen in a neat environment has never been easier.
Microsoft Sculpt Mobile Keyboard Pictured
Microsoft is applying the design principles of its September-launched Sculpt Comfort desktop keyboard on a new product targeting Windows 8 tablet-docked desktops and notebooks, the Sculpt Mobile. Measuring 355 x 167 x 13 mm (WxDxH), and weighing 438 g, the Sculpt Mobile is a compact wireless keyboard that uses Bluetooth to talk to its host device. It features a compact 87-key QWERTY layout in a number of IMEs. Pictured below is the Japanese + English keyset. Powered by two AAA-size batteries, the Sclupt Mobile can work up to 5 months with typical usage before needing a battery replacement. It can maintain a range of 10 meters with its included USB Bluetooth dongle, which can vary, if using the tablet's in-built Bluetooth transceiver. Slated for November 2, the Sculpt Mobile is expected to be priced at 4,935 JPY (US $63).
Sunday, October 14th 2012
Today's Reviews
Cases
Cooling
CPU Coolers
Graphics Cards
Notebooks
Processors
PSUs
Sound Cards
New EU Energy Guidelines Could Cripple High-End Graphics Cards
One of the biggest consumer electronics markets, EU strictly regulates materials, radio-emissions, and energy-efficiency of consumer electronics items eligible for sale in its member states. A new such energy-efficiency regulation is taking shape that specifically mandates integrated graphics cores and discrete graphics cards to live up to certain energy standards. This has GPU maker AMD worried that it could affect next-generation chips, as they could be barred from sales in the EU.
The EU classifies graphics cards on the basis of on-board memory bandwidth, which is a reliable means of segregating the various market segments. The various classes are tabled below. The top tier "G7" is classified as graphics cards with 128 GB/s or above memory bandwidth. EU wants to cap graphics cards from achieving bandwidths above 320 GB/s (possible with 6.67 GHz at 384-bit width, or 5.00 GHz at 512-bit width). The EU sees memory bandwidth as proportionate to power-consumption. It's possible that the EU sees today's hardware more than sufficiently fast to handle games, and every new generation that increases performance does so with increases in power-consumption. With the sheer size of the EU market, GPU makers could be deterred from making low-volume high-performance products for the rest of the world as well.
The EU classifies graphics cards on the basis of on-board memory bandwidth, which is a reliable means of segregating the various market segments. The various classes are tabled below. The top tier "G7" is classified as graphics cards with 128 GB/s or above memory bandwidth. EU wants to cap graphics cards from achieving bandwidths above 320 GB/s (possible with 6.67 GHz at 384-bit width, or 5.00 GHz at 512-bit width). The EU sees memory bandwidth as proportionate to power-consumption. It's possible that the EU sees today's hardware more than sufficiently fast to handle games, and every new generation that increases performance does so with increases in power-consumption. With the sheer size of the EU market, GPU makers could be deterred from making low-volume high-performance products for the rest of the world as well.
Quanmax Announces QBOX Mini-1000 Series
IPC, digital signage, and panel PC maker Quanmax announced the QBOX Mini-1000 series of pocketable based on Intel x86 platform. Measuring just 130.11 x 83.06 x 19.2 mm (DxWxH), weighing 174 g, or roughly the size and weight of a portable hard drive, the QBOX Mini-10x0 is driven by an Intel Atom E640T embedded processor clocked at 1.00 GHz, with 512 KB cache, and 3.5W TDP; up to 1 GB of DDR2 memory; featuring D-Sub (QBOX Mini-1000) or HDMI (QBOX Mini-1010) display outputs, up to three USB 2.0 ports, stereo audio with line-in/mic, and mPCIe and mSATA slots for expansion. This pocket-sized PC is sufficiently powered to serve as a nettop.
Liantec Announce ITX-QM77 Motherboard for IPC and SFF PCs
Liantec announce ITX-QM77 industrial Mini-ITX Intel QM77 Ivy Bridge Mobile motherboard solution. The ITX-QM77 is based on Mini-ITX form factor and Intel Ivy Bridge (IVB) computing platform, supports Intel 3rd generation Ivy Bridge and 2nd generation Sandy Bridge Core i3 / i5 / i7 mobile processors, 16 GB of memory capacity, onboard dual Intel Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, DVI, HD audio, SATA-III 6Gbit/s, and SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports. The ITX-QM77 also offers x16 PCI Express slot and onboard MiniCard socket with x1 PCI Express and HiSpeed USB 2.0 interface for additional expansion.
With Intel latest Ivy Bridge platform, the ITX-QM77 provides advanced graphics computing capacity with Intel HD Graphics 4000 GPU, supports Microsoft DirectX 11, OpenGL 3.1, and OpenCL 1.1. Besides, the ITX-QM77 also supports x16 PCI Express 3.0 bus interface with 8 GT/s of data transfer rate on the expansion slot, suitable for add-on graphics or I/O card that need more data transfer bandwidth.
With Intel latest Ivy Bridge platform, the ITX-QM77 provides advanced graphics computing capacity with Intel HD Graphics 4000 GPU, supports Microsoft DirectX 11, OpenGL 3.1, and OpenCL 1.1. Besides, the ITX-QM77 also supports x16 PCI Express 3.0 bus interface with 8 GT/s of data transfer rate on the expansion slot, suitable for add-on graphics or I/O card that need more data transfer bandwidth.
AMD to Slash Nearly a Third of its Workforce
AMD is reportedly working to cut its workforce by nearly a third, about 20 to 30 percent, according to sources who spoke with All Things D. That's anywhere between 2,200 to 3,300 jobs. The sources say the cuts could affect employees in engineering and sales, departments that have been spared in previous rounds of cuts. The cuts will be deep enough to show that AMD is scaling back its product offerings. It's likely that the cuts could be announced along with the company's quarterly results due on October 18.
AMD CEO Rory Read is said to have assembled a team of business consultants from McKinsey & Company and BCG to guide the company through the process. McKinsey's will handle the job cuts, while BCG will be consulting on a "grand strategy" that could take the company forward.
AMD CEO Rory Read is said to have assembled a team of business consultants from McKinsey & Company and BCG to guide the company through the process. McKinsey's will handle the job cuts, while BCG will be consulting on a "grand strategy" that could take the company forward.
ASUS Introduces the VivoBook S400 14-Inch Touch Ultrabook
Yet another ASUS-branded Windows 8 mobile PC has went up for pre-order this week and it is a 0.8-inch-thick ultrabook boasting a 14.1-inch (1366 x 768) touchscreen. Named VivoBook S400, ASUS' creation runs Windows 8 Home Premium (64-bit) and features a 1.7 GHz Core i5-3317U processor, 4 GB of RAM, a 24 GB SSD, a 500 GB (5400 RPM) hard drive, Intel GMA HD graphics, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, an HD camera, plus one USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports.
The VivoBook S400 costs $699 and will ship on October 26.
The VivoBook S400 costs $699 and will ship on October 26.
BenQ Announces the VW2230H and VW2430H VA Monitors
BenQ has this week introduced a couple of new, shiny widescreen monitors, the 21.5-inch VW2230H and the 24-inch VW2430H. Both models feature an asymmetrical design, a white coating, a mobile phone holder (that little green thing), and make use of LED backlighting and a VA panel.
BenQ's displays have a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, a 4 ms (GtG) response time, a 5,000:1 contrast ratio, 250 cd/m2 brightness, D-Sub, DVI and HDMI connectors, and come with the Senseye 3 Human Vision Technology offering seven pre-set viewing modes - Standard, Movie, Game, Photo, sRGB, Reading, and Eco.
The VW2230H and VW2430H will become available early next month priced at 169 Euro and 219 Euro, respectively.
BenQ's displays have a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, a 4 ms (GtG) response time, a 5,000:1 contrast ratio, 250 cd/m2 brightness, D-Sub, DVI and HDMI connectors, and come with the Senseye 3 Human Vision Technology offering seven pre-set viewing modes - Standard, Movie, Game, Photo, sRGB, Reading, and Eco.
The VW2230H and VW2430H will become available early next month priced at 169 Euro and 219 Euro, respectively.
Saturday, October 13th 2012
ASUS Debuts the VivoBook X202 Touch Notebook
For those put off by TAICHI 21's second display and its price tag ASUS has introduced a simpler, but still touch-enabled, and Windows 8-loaded, laptop, the VivoBook X202. Priced at $599, the X202 is 0.9-inch thick, it runs Windows 8 Home Premium, and features an 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) LED-backlit touchscreen, a 1.8 GHz Core i3-3217U processor, 4 GB of RAM, Intel GMA HD graphics, a 500 GB hard drive, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, a 0.3 megapixel camera, a 3-in-1 card reader, one USB 3.0 port, an HDMI output, and a 2-cell battery (battery life is up to 5 hours).
The VivoBook X202 is available for pre-order and is set to ship on October 26.
The VivoBook X202 is available for pre-order and is set to ship on October 26.
Seasonic Launches the New Lineup of the Platinum Series PSUs
The launch of the Seasonic Platinum series has achieved great success last year. The fully modular Platinum-860W and Platinum-1000W power supplies have won numerous accolades and became standards of excellence for the 80 Plus Platinum design throughout the entire industry.
This year, by presenting an extended family of the Platinum series, Sea Sonic's strength in innovation once again takes center stage to lead the way towards solutions that require the highest efficiency and top performance. The new lineup of Sea Sonic's Platinum series will span the output range of 400 to 1200 watts. All units of the family come equipped with our patented Fully Modular DC Cable design that maximizes output, ensures the stability of the crucial 12V rail and, at the same time, provides ease of integration and ensures forward compatibility.
This year, by presenting an extended family of the Platinum series, Sea Sonic's strength in innovation once again takes center stage to lead the way towards solutions that require the highest efficiency and top performance. The new lineup of Sea Sonic's Platinum series will span the output range of 400 to 1200 watts. All units of the family come equipped with our patented Fully Modular DC Cable design that maximizes output, ensures the stability of the crucial 12V rail and, at the same time, provides ease of integration and ensures forward compatibility.
ASUS TAICHI 21 Dual-Display Convertible Notebook Up For Pre-Order
With two weeks to go until the official launch of Windows 8, ASUS has given the green light to pre-orders of its Win8-running TAICHI 21 convertible notebook featuring two 11.6-inch touchscreens. The back-to-back displays of the TAICHI 21 have an IPS panel, support up to 10-finger touch, and offer a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
ASUS' multiple monitor mobile machine runs Windows 8 Home Premium (64-bit), is less than an inch thick, and also packs an Intel Core processor (a 1.7 GHz i5-3317U or 1.9 GHz i7-3517U), Intel GMA HD graphics, 4 GB of RAM, a 128/256 GB SSD, stereo speakers with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower technology, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, dual HD cameras, two USB 3.0 ports, and a 6-cell battery enabling up to 5 hours of operation.
The TAICHI 21-DH51 with a Core i5 CPU and a 128 GB SSD costs $1,300 while the 21-DH71 with a Core i7 chip and a 256 GB drive goes for $1,600.
ASUS' multiple monitor mobile machine runs Windows 8 Home Premium (64-bit), is less than an inch thick, and also packs an Intel Core processor (a 1.7 GHz i5-3317U or 1.9 GHz i7-3517U), Intel GMA HD graphics, 4 GB of RAM, a 128/256 GB SSD, stereo speakers with Bang & Olufsen ICEpower technology, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, dual HD cameras, two USB 3.0 ports, and a 6-cell battery enabling up to 5 hours of operation.
The TAICHI 21-DH51 with a Core i5 CPU and a 128 GB SSD costs $1,300 while the 21-DH71 with a Core i7 chip and a 256 GB drive goes for $1,600.
iBUYPOWER Now Offering Pre-Orders On Windows 8
iBUYPOWER is excited to announce that it is now taking pre-orders on new gaming systems with Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. Starting October 12, 2012, customers may pre-order a lightning fast gaming system from iBUYPOWER with the highly anticipated Windows 8 operating system. Pre-ordered systems will be prioritized for delivery after Windows 8 launches.
"iBUYPOWER is dedicated to offering the latest and greatest technology for gamers," said Darren Su, Vice President of iBUYPOWER, "the flexibility to offer things the moment they become available on the market is something we're very proud to be able to accomplish."
"iBUYPOWER is dedicated to offering the latest and greatest technology for gamers," said Darren Su, Vice President of iBUYPOWER, "the flexibility to offer things the moment they become available on the market is something we're very proud to be able to accomplish."
Friday, October 12th 2012
Today's Reviews
CPU Coolers
Desktop PC
Graphics Cards
Input Devices
Motherboards
Notebooks
ASUS Introduces the Windows 8-Ready 21.5-inch ET2220 All-in-One PC Series
ASUS, a global leader in the new digital era, today announces the launch of the ET2220 All-in-One PC Series. This elegant 21.5" All-in-One PC features a frameless 10-point capacitive touch display, SonicMaster audio technology, USB 3.0, HDMI connectivity and VESA mount compatibility.
Stylish and ergonomic, space-saving design
The ASUS ET2220 sports a unique space-saving photo frame-inspired design, with a frameless 21.5" FHD LED-backlit display that can be tilted from 16° to 45° to give users an ergonomic viewing position. Its smart and elegant design gives it a silver stand that can also be used as a carrying handle, and also features an intricately-designed speaker mesh.
Stylish and ergonomic, space-saving design
The ASUS ET2220 sports a unique space-saving photo frame-inspired design, with a frameless 21.5" FHD LED-backlit display that can be tilted from 16° to 45° to give users an ergonomic viewing position. Its smart and elegant design gives it a silver stand that can also be used as a carrying handle, and also features an intricately-designed speaker mesh.
Windows 8 Pricing Revealed
Microsoft's biggest launch of the year, Windows 8, may be under two weeks away, but there are still a couple of things Redmond managed to keep secret despite consumers getting a fair look-and-feel of the new operating system with pre-launch Consumer Previews. A large volume of Windows licenses are sold through hardware vendors, where the operating system is sold pre-installed on PCs and notebooks. The rest is sold as packaged software, through conventional retail channels.
As packaged software, the two variants of Windows 8 (Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro) will be available as upgrade and full-version. The upgrade package lets you move from an existing installation of Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, to the new OS. The Windows 8 Pro Upgrade is listed at an introductory price of US $69.99. For the same price, you get Windows 8 Pro Pack, which is a card with a software key to Windows 8 Pro (any architecture), no installation media. The OEM (builder) packages of Windows 8 (standard), which includes a key and installation media is sold in 64-bit and 32-bit variants, each priced at $99.99. Lastly, there are similar 64-bit and 32-bit packages for Windows 8 Pro, each priced at $139.99. Newegg.com is accepting pre-orders.
As packaged software, the two variants of Windows 8 (Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro) will be available as upgrade and full-version. The upgrade package lets you move from an existing installation of Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, to the new OS. The Windows 8 Pro Upgrade is listed at an introductory price of US $69.99. For the same price, you get Windows 8 Pro Pack, which is a card with a software key to Windows 8 Pro (any architecture), no installation media. The OEM (builder) packages of Windows 8 (standard), which includes a key and installation media is sold in 64-bit and 32-bit variants, each priced at $99.99. Lastly, there are similar 64-bit and 32-bit packages for Windows 8 Pro, each priced at $139.99. Newegg.com is accepting pre-orders.
CyberpowerPC Debuts its "Fang Taipan" Gaming Notebook
Cyberpower Inc., a global manufacturer of custom gaming computers, today announced its Fang Taipan, the most customizable gaming laptop with twin NVIDIA GPUS, 3rd Generation Intel Core Processors and enough memory and add-ons to make the most demanding games and applications sizzle.
The CyberpowerPC Fang Taipan is a laptop beast that wields a lethal dose of power. It can accommodate two NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680Ms in SLI mode ; a full range of Intel Core i7 CPUs including the fastest i7-3940XM (3.0GHz) Extreme Edition Ivy Bridge Mobile Processor; and features up to 32 GBs of dual-channel DDR3 memory for gaming at unparalleled speeds. According to CyberpowerPC, this triple-threat marks the absolute pinnacle of mobile computing power.
The CyberpowerPC Fang Taipan is a laptop beast that wields a lethal dose of power. It can accommodate two NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680Ms in SLI mode ; a full range of Intel Core i7 CPUs including the fastest i7-3940XM (3.0GHz) Extreme Edition Ivy Bridge Mobile Processor; and features up to 32 GBs of dual-channel DDR3 memory for gaming at unparalleled speeds. According to CyberpowerPC, this triple-threat marks the absolute pinnacle of mobile computing power.
First Devices Based on AMD Z-Series APUs Arrive in November
AMD is eyeing a slice of the Windows 8 tablet pie with its Z-Series "Hondo" dual-core x86-64 APU, which was launched earlier this week. According to sources among Taiwan-based notebook makers, the first devices based on the chips will arrive as early as this November. The company, however, did not disclose design wins or the companies working on products around its chip. AMD Z-60 will face off with Intel's recently-launched Atom Z2760 dual-core chip, designed for the same class of devices. Built on the 40 nm "Brazos 2.0" silicon, the Z-60 packs two x86-64 cores, and Radeon HD 6250 DirectX 11 graphics. Its TDP is just 4.5W.
AMD A10-5800K Cracks 7.446 GHz
Beating their own OC record of 7.384 GHz set earlier this week, overclocker alvinkenzo took the $122 AMD A10-5800K APU all the way up to 7446.41 MHz, achieved with a base clock frequency of 120.1 MHz and 62.0x multiplier. The core voltage was set at 1.992V, and one of the two modules were disabled, a discrete graphics card was used. Memory speed wasn't tinkered with, at DDR3-1600 MHz, a pair of G.Skill-made modules were used in dual-channel configuration. Seating it all was MSI FM2-A85XA-G65 motherboard. The CPU-Z validation for the feat can be found here.
Gigabyte Revises the Radeon HD 7770 OC - For the Worse
Gigabyte quietly slipped in a revision of its Radeon HD 7770 OC graphics card (model: GV-R777OC-1GD Rev 2). The revision, while otherwise identical to the original, features lower factory overclock speeds. While the original features 1100 MHz core with 1250 MHz (5.00 GHz GDDR5-effective) memory, the revision ships with 1050 MHz core, and 1125 MHz (4.50 GHz GDDR5-effective) memory. Based on a custom-design Ultra Durable 2 PCB, with a custom-design cooling solution that uses a quiet 100 mm fan, Gigabyte's Radeon HD 7770 OC retails for US $129.99.
Dell Delivers New Line Up Of Best-In-Class Windows 8 Devices
Dell is helping customers touch the future with a refreshed portfolio of business and consumer PCs built for Microsoft Windows 8, designed to provide a more intuitive computing experience and address evolving customer desires. Dell's new systems deliver on the promise of new advances in computing: a leading-edge and intuitive touch experience, the security and manageability required by today's always-on pace and the design aesthetic, style and precision workmanship customers demand.
Today Dell is making available for pre-order three new PCs in its upcoming fall portfolio: the XPS 12, XPS One 27 and Inspiron One 23. The systems are currently available to customers in the United States and will be available worldwide in the coming days. Further, Dell is offering Windows 8 as an option on its current XPS, Inspiron, Latitude, OptiPlex and Precision brands.
Today Dell is making available for pre-order three new PCs in its upcoming fall portfolio: the XPS 12, XPS One 27 and Inspiron One 23. The systems are currently available to customers in the United States and will be available worldwide in the coming days. Further, Dell is offering Windows 8 as an option on its current XPS, Inspiron, Latitude, OptiPlex and Precision brands.
MSI AE2712 Windows 8 All-in-One PC Pictured
Here is the first picture of MSI's upcoming performance all-in-one desktop based on Windows 8, the AE2712. As its model number might suggest, the AE2712 derives its name from its 27-inch display. The display is touch-capable, and features 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution. Under the hood is an Intel Core "Ivy Bridge" processor; a variety of CPU, memory, and graphics options will be available. MSI will launch the AE2712 close to that of Windows 8. More details are awaited.
SilverStone Unveils the Sugo SG09 SFF PC Chassis
SilverStone is now preparing the release of a new PC case, a SFF (small form factor) model called Sugo SG09 that supports micro ATX, mini ITX and DTX motherboards. Set to become available in about two weeks, the chassis measures 220 (W) x 295 (H) x 354 (D) mm, it weights 5.3 kg, and features two front-placed USB 3.0 ports, one (slim) 5.25-inch bay, two 3.5-inch and four 2.5-inch bays, and three pre-installed fans (one 120 mm spinner at the rear, one on the side and a 180 mm Air Penetrator on top).
The Sugo SG09 supports CPU coolers up to 165 mm tall and graphics cards up to 13.3-inch long, and is set to cost 90 Euro.
The Sugo SG09 supports CPU coolers up to 165 mm tall and graphics cards up to 13.3-inch long, and is set to cost 90 Euro.
OCUK Launches Windows 8-Equipped Gaming Desktops
Ahead of the much anticipated launch of Windows 8, Overclockers UK are pleased to announce the launch of Windows 8 editions of a selection of their bestselling PCs. With system choices to appeal to all, from casual home users to hardcore gamers, customers can pre-order a brand new Windows 8 PC today.
There is no denying that the entirely new Windows interface is a big change, but behind the flashy new interface, you'll be pleased to find that Windows 8 successfully builds on everything you loved about Windows 7. A major benefit of Windows 8, is that it is an operating system that works seamlessly across all of your devices, from your desktop PC through to your touch screen tablet and it's also slick, quick and highly customisable.
There is no denying that the entirely new Windows interface is a big change, but behind the flashy new interface, you'll be pleased to find that Windows 8 successfully builds on everything you loved about Windows 7. A major benefit of Windows 8, is that it is an operating system that works seamlessly across all of your devices, from your desktop PC through to your touch screen tablet and it's also slick, quick and highly customisable.
Gigabyte Outs F2A85XM-D3H Micro-ATX Socket FM2 Motherboard
Gigabyte made a late addition to its socket FM2 launch lineup, the F2A85XM-D3H. Based on the AMD A85X chipset, the micro-ATX motherboard builds on its feature-set with a few legacy connectivity options. The APU socket is powered by a 5-phase VRM that draws power from an 8-pin EPS connector. It is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots supporting up to 64 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1866 MHz memory, and a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot. The memory is powered by a 2-phase VRM. Other expansion slots include one each of PCI-Express 2.0 x1, PCI-Express 2.0 x4 (long slot, wired to the A85X FCH), amd legacy PCI.
All eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports from the A85X FCH are wired out as internal ports. Display outputs include DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. The four USB 3.0 ports from the chipset are split in groups of two between the rear panel and on board as headers. Other connectivity includes 6-channel HD audio with 8-channel digital TOSLINK output, gigabit Ethernet, eight USB 2.0 ports, and headers for COM (serial), LPT (parallel), and trusted platform module. The board is driven by dual-UEFI firmware. It is built using Gigabyte's Ultra Durable 4 Classic construction. It is expected to be priced around US $129.99.
All eight SATA 6 Gb/s ports from the A85X FCH are wired out as internal ports. Display outputs include DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. The four USB 3.0 ports from the chipset are split in groups of two between the rear panel and on board as headers. Other connectivity includes 6-channel HD audio with 8-channel digital TOSLINK output, gigabit Ethernet, eight USB 2.0 ports, and headers for COM (serial), LPT (parallel), and trusted platform module. The board is driven by dual-UEFI firmware. It is built using Gigabyte's Ultra Durable 4 Classic construction. It is expected to be priced around US $129.99.
Biostar Releases the A55MLV FM1 Motherboard
Taiwan-based Biostar Microtech has this week released a new motherboard supporting AMD's FM1 APUs (A8, A6, A4 and E2 Series). Dubbed A55MLV, the board is powered by the AMD A55 chipset, has a micro ATX for factor, and features two DDR3-1866 memory slots, four SATA 3.0 Gbps ports, plus one PCI-Express x16 and one PCI slot.
The A55MLV also has 10/100 Ethernet, 5.1-channel audio, and a D-Sub output, and is selling for 40 Euro.
The A55MLV also has 10/100 Ethernet, 5.1-channel audio, and a D-Sub output, and is selling for 40 Euro.
VTX3D Introduces its HD7990 6 GB Graphics Card
A leading brand of graphics card maker - VTX3D, today unrolls the VTX3D HD7990, serving PC enthusiastic with most extreme gaming performance. The HD7990 utilizes the advanced 28 nm architecture and PCIE 3.0 design to maximize GPU performance, even allowing greater OC ability with dual BIOS switch button embedded on bracket, which offers default mode and OC mode to choose, showing the most unrivaled performance than ever.
Fitted with 6 GB of GDDR5 memory connected via high speed 384bit x2 memory interface, VTX3D HD7990 is clocked at 900 MHz by default setting and 925 MHz at OC mode, both together with 1375 MHz for memory, revealing monster-like power for the most demanding games. The HD7990 also features ultra deluxe design with digital PWM, multi phases design and UHB, ensuring stability and reliability voltage for GPU with minimum conduction losses and lower temperatures at load.
Fitted with 6 GB of GDDR5 memory connected via high speed 384bit x2 memory interface, VTX3D HD7990 is clocked at 900 MHz by default setting and 925 MHz at OC mode, both together with 1375 MHz for memory, revealing monster-like power for the most demanding games. The HD7990 also features ultra deluxe design with digital PWM, multi phases design and UHB, ensuring stability and reliability voltage for GPU with minimum conduction losses and lower temperatures at load.
TSMC Tapes Out CoWoS Test Vehicle Integrating Wide I/O Mobile DRAM Interface
TSMC today announced that it has taped out the foundry segment's first CoWoS (Chip on Wafer on Substrate) test vehicle using JEDEC Solid State Technology Association's Wide I/O mobile DRAM interface. The milestone demonstrates the industry's system integration trend to achieve increased bandwidth, higher performance and superior energy efficiency.
This new generation of TSMC's CoWoS test vehicles added a silicon proof point demonstrating the integration of a logic SoC chip and DRAM into a single module using the Wide I/O interface. TSMC's CoWoS technology provides the front-end manufacturing through chip on wafer bonding process before forming the final component. Along with Wide I/O mobile DRAM, the integrated chips provide optimized system performance and a smaller form factor with significantly improved die-to-die connectivity bandwidth.
This new generation of TSMC's CoWoS test vehicles added a silicon proof point demonstrating the integration of a logic SoC chip and DRAM into a single module using the Wide I/O interface. TSMC's CoWoS technology provides the front-end manufacturing through chip on wafer bonding process before forming the final component. Along with Wide I/O mobile DRAM, the integrated chips provide optimized system performance and a smaller form factor with significantly improved die-to-die connectivity bandwidth.
Buffalo's Thunderbolt + USB 3.0 Portable SSD to Ship Next Month
Buffalo has today announced that its newest, SSD-equipped MiniStation portable drive will become available early next month. Pictured below, Buffalo's drive measures 81 x 130 x 23 mm, it weights 260 grams, it has an aluminum body, both Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 connectivity, and is capable of transfer speeds of up to 382 MB/s (via Thunderbolt).
This dual interface offering is backed by a one-year warranty, it comes with Thunderbolt and USB cables, and will ship in 128 GB (~ $496) and 256 GB (~ $796).
This dual interface offering is backed by a one-year warranty, it comes with Thunderbolt and USB cables, and will ship in 128 GB (~ $496) and 256 GB (~ $796).
ELSA Announces GeForce GTX 660 and GTX 650 SAC Series Graphics Cards
ELSA announced a pair of new SAC (silent air-cooling) series graphics cards based on the GeForce GTX 660 and GTX 650. Likely originally made by Inno3D, ELSA's graphics cards feature an easily removable cooler shroud that lets you clean the fan assembly and the heatsink. The GTX 660 SAC uses a dual- 75 mm fan cooler that can keep the card running at 25 dBA, and up to 8°C lower than NVIDIA-reference cooler. It is clocked at 980 MHz core, 1033 MHz GPU Boost, and 6.00 GHz memory. It packs 2 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 192-bit wide memory interface.
ELSA's GeForce GTX 650 SAC, on the other hand, features a more compact PCB, with a single 85 mm fan that keeps the card running with a noise output of 24 dBA, and below 60°C. Its core is clocked at 1085 MHz, and memory at 5.00 GHz. It packs 1 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide memory interface. Both cards include ELSA's GPU Optimizer software that lets you tweak clock and fan speeds. Slated for market release on October 25, the ELSA GTX 660 SAC is expected to be priced at 25,800 JPY (US $328); the ELSA GTX 650 SAC, on the other hand, is slated for October 18, and is priced at 12,800 JPY (US $163).
ELSA's GeForce GTX 650 SAC, on the other hand, features a more compact PCB, with a single 85 mm fan that keeps the card running with a noise output of 24 dBA, and below 60°C. Its core is clocked at 1085 MHz, and memory at 5.00 GHz. It packs 1 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide memory interface. Both cards include ELSA's GPU Optimizer software that lets you tweak clock and fan speeds. Slated for market release on October 25, the ELSA GTX 660 SAC is expected to be priced at 25,800 JPY (US $328); the ELSA GTX 650 SAC, on the other hand, is slated for October 18, and is priced at 12,800 JPY (US $163).
Thursday, October 11th 2012
Today's Reviews
Cases
Graphics Cards
Memory
Mouse
NAS
Notebooks
PSUs
ZOTAC GeForce GTX 650 Ti AMP! Edition 2 GB Review
The ZOTAC GeForce GTX 650 Ti AMP! Edition comes with a large overclock on both GPU and memory. Having 2 GB GDDR5, it also features twice the memory capacity than most other GTX 650 Ti cards. Will these improvements provide enough performance and is pricing low enough to make the card competitive?
KRK Systems Rokit 5 Active Speakers Review
KRK Systems are known for their high-end studio monitors. Today we will be taking a good hard look at their entry level model dubbed Rokit 5. Instead of the usual studio use we see how usable they are as PC speakers.
Block & Leviton Launches investigation of OCZ for Possible Violations
Block & Leviton LLP, a Boston -based law firm representing investors nationwide, is investigating possible securities law violations involving OCZ Technology Group, Inc. ("OCZ" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: OCZ).
The investigation is related to allegations that certain statements issued by the Company between July 10, 2012 and October 10, 2012 concerning OCZ's financial performance were knowingly false and misleading when made. On Wednesday, October 10, 2012, the Company issued a press release announcing that it was delaying the filing of its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, which ended August 31, 2012. The press release also disclosed that the Company's second quarter revenue will be "materially lower" than its previous guidance released on September 5, 2012, which was in the range of $110 to $120 million, "principally due to the impact of customer incentive programs," and that the Company expects to report a "significant net loss." Shortly after the release of this news, shares of OCZ dropped nearly 42 percent from a close of $3.15 on October 9, 2012 to close at $1.88 per share on October 10, 2012.
The investigation is related to allegations that certain statements issued by the Company between July 10, 2012 and October 10, 2012 concerning OCZ's financial performance were knowingly false and misleading when made. On Wednesday, October 10, 2012, the Company issued a press release announcing that it was delaying the filing of its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, which ended August 31, 2012. The press release also disclosed that the Company's second quarter revenue will be "materially lower" than its previous guidance released on September 5, 2012, which was in the range of $110 to $120 million, "principally due to the impact of customer incentive programs," and that the Company expects to report a "significant net loss." Shortly after the release of this news, shares of OCZ dropped nearly 42 percent from a close of $3.15 on October 9, 2012 to close at $1.88 per share on October 10, 2012.
Sony Unveils Its First Hybrid Ultrabook And Mobile Tabletop PC For The U.S. Market
Sony today introduced its first mobile Tabletop PC for the U.S. market, the VAIO Tap 20 PC, and its slider hybrid, the VAIO Duo 11 Ultrabook, combining innovative hardware designs with rich touch experiences powered by Windows 8. Alongside the new state-of-the-art PCs, there's an elegant T Series Ultrabook and portfolio of VAIO PCs that put touch right at the heart of the personal computing experience.
Built with Sony's innovative digital imaging, sound and TV technology, the latest VAIO Touchworld collection features bright, responsive 10-point multi-touch screens with engaging interactive applications, family computing options and new experiences in mobile productivity.
Built with Sony's innovative digital imaging, sound and TV technology, the latest VAIO Touchworld collection features bright, responsive 10-point multi-touch screens with engaging interactive applications, family computing options and new experiences in mobile productivity.
AMD Announces Preliminary Third Quarter Results
AMD today announced that revenue for the third quarter ended September 29, 2012 is expected to decrease approximately 10 percent sequentially. The company previously forecasted third quarter 2012 revenue to decrease 1 percent, plus or minus 3 percent, sequentially. The lower than anticipated preliminary revenue results are primarily due to weaker than expected demand across all product lines caused by the challenging macroeconomic environment.
The company now expects third quarter gross margin to be approximately 31 percent; less than the previous expectation of approximately 44 percent primarily due to an inventory write-down of approximately $100 million due to lower anticipated future demand for certain products.
The company now expects third quarter gross margin to be approximately 31 percent; less than the previous expectation of approximately 44 percent primarily due to an inventory write-down of approximately $100 million due to lower anticipated future demand for certain products.
Marshal Rolls Out Tiny Akitio 2.5-inch SATA NAS
Japanese company Marshal announced the MAL-4725NAS, a compact NAS box which can enclose a 2.5-inch SATA HDD or SSD. Driven by a 750 MHz ARM 11MP processor, the box features 256 MB of RAM and the same amount of NAND flash storage to house its Linux-based operating system (Fedora 12 ARM). Its software provides most consumer NAS features including FTP, SMB, print server, NFS, AFP, DLNA, and iTunes. Gigabit Ethernet is its only network interface. The 2.5-inch drive bay supports drives as thick as 12.5 mm. Its limited local storage can be expanded with flash drives, enclosures, and other mass-storage devices thanks to an eSATA and two USB 2.0 ports. Measuring 123 x 123 x 33 mm, it weighs about 536 g. Slated for October 20, it is priced at 13,800 JPY (US $176).
Disappointing Ultrabook Shipments Won't Derail SSD Market in 2012
Although the near-term prospects for ultrabooks have dimmed significantly, the solid state drives (SSDs) employed by these next-generation notebooks and other products are so diversified in their uses and so compelling in their value proposition that their growth outlook has decreased only slightly.
SSD shipments in the first half of this year amounted to 12.9 million units, according to the IHS iSuppli Memory & Storage Service at information and analytics provider IHS. Shipments reached 10.5 million in the third quarter and will rise to 17.5 million units in the fourth, amounting to a total of 28.0 million units in the second half-more than double the total shipped during the first six months of the year, as shown in the figure below. This is down from the previous forecast of 13.0 million in the third quarter and 20.0 million in the fourth.
SSD shipments in the first half of this year amounted to 12.9 million units, according to the IHS iSuppli Memory & Storage Service at information and analytics provider IHS. Shipments reached 10.5 million in the third quarter and will rise to 17.5 million units in the fourth, amounting to a total of 28.0 million units in the second half-more than double the total shipped during the first six months of the year, as shown in the figure below. This is down from the previous forecast of 13.0 million in the third quarter and 20.0 million in the fourth.
EK Introduces the EK-Supreme LTX CSQ Water Blocks
EK Water Blocks, premium computer water cooling gear provider, has released a refreshed line-up of the best value-for-money series water block - the EK-Supreme LTX.
EK-Supreme LTX CSQ (LTX stands for Light XTreme) is a universal Intel socket CPU waterblock for the advanced enthusiast users. It has been designed to lower the production costs yet still offer the EK quality branded CPU waterblock at the best price.
EK-Supreme LTX CSQ (LTX stands for Light XTreme) is a universal Intel socket CPU waterblock for the advanced enthusiast users. It has been designed to lower the production costs yet still offer the EK quality branded CPU waterblock at the best price.
Panasonic Unleashes the Toughbook SX2
Panasonic, an industry leader in rugged, reliable mobile computers since 1996, today announced the next generation of its business-rugged notebook PC line, the Toughbook SX2.
With advanced features such as 14.5 hours of battery life, an Intel Core i5-3320M vPro processor (3 MB cache, up to 3.3 GHz) with Intel Turbo Boost Technology and a lightweight, drop-resistant magnesium alloy design, the Toughbook SX2 is engineered to meet the standards of quality for which Toughbook mobile computers are known while providing maximum portability for highly valued executives and professionals.
With advanced features such as 14.5 hours of battery life, an Intel Core i5-3320M vPro processor (3 MB cache, up to 3.3 GHz) with Intel Turbo Boost Technology and a lightweight, drop-resistant magnesium alloy design, the Toughbook SX2 is engineered to meet the standards of quality for which Toughbook mobile computers are known while providing maximum portability for highly valued executives and professionals.
Western Digital Unveils the My Net Wi-Fi Range Extender
WD, a subsidiary of Western Digital, and a world leader in external storage and solutions for today's connected life, today unveils its My Net Wi-Fi Range Extender to expand wireless home networks into out-of-reach areas of the home.
Following the introduction of its first line of wireless home networking products, the acclaimed My Net family of HD dual-band routers, the selectable dual-band My Net Wi-Fi Range Extender provides faster, stronger and more reliable wireless network coverage to computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, media players, smart TVs and other Wi-Fi connected devices that suffer from a weak Wi-Fi signal within the home.
Following the introduction of its first line of wireless home networking products, the acclaimed My Net family of HD dual-band routers, the selectable dual-band My Net Wi-Fi Range Extender provides faster, stronger and more reliable wireless network coverage to computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, media players, smart TVs and other Wi-Fi connected devices that suffer from a weak Wi-Fi signal within the home.
Vizio Unveils Holiday PC Lineup
VIZIO, Inc., announced today its holiday line-up of Windows 8-based PCs, highlighted by a 24" and 27" All-in-One Touch PC with 10-finger capacitive touchscreen displays. Equipped with stunning full HD 1080p displays and an impressive 2.1 audio system with subwoofer, the VIZIO All-in-One Touch PC brings entertainment directly to the user's fingertips for a fast and fluid Windows 8 experience.
Along with the introduction of the stunning 24" and 27" All-in-One Touch PCs, VIZIO's PC lineup includes two Ultrabooks and a Notebook - the VIZIO14" and 15.6" Thin + Light and 15.6" Notebook. These new models arrive in time for the holidays with key enhancements that make them the ideal choice for users looking for optimal performance in a beautifully designed, premium PC. Both the Thin + Light and Notebook models feature an enhanced multi-gesture touchpad that allows users the ability to navigate Windows 8's touch-centric features using the same swipe, tap and pinch gestures as they would on the screen of the All-in-One PC. Elegantly combining exceptional performance, premium entertainment and touch functionality, the entire VIZIO PC line-up for Windows 8 places the power to create unique experiences at the fingertips of each user.
Along with the introduction of the stunning 24" and 27" All-in-One Touch PCs, VIZIO's PC lineup includes two Ultrabooks and a Notebook - the VIZIO14" and 15.6" Thin + Light and 15.6" Notebook. These new models arrive in time for the holidays with key enhancements that make them the ideal choice for users looking for optimal performance in a beautifully designed, premium PC. Both the Thin + Light and Notebook models feature an enhanced multi-gesture touchpad that allows users the ability to navigate Windows 8's touch-centric features using the same swipe, tap and pinch gestures as they would on the screen of the All-in-One PC. Elegantly combining exceptional performance, premium entertainment and touch functionality, the entire VIZIO PC line-up for Windows 8 places the power to create unique experiences at the fingertips of each user.
Acer Debuts Aspire M5 Ultrabooks With Touch and All-Day Battery Life
Acer America today announced the Aspire M5 series of Ultrabooks, available exclusively at Best Buy stores in the United States. Featuring Windows 8, the slim and stylish Aspire M5 series combines the portability of an Ultrabook with powerful performance, 8-hour battery life and outstanding value. Select models also include 10 point touch for easily navigating digital media and Windows 8 touch apps.
"Many consumers desire the mobility of an Ultrabook, but still require the larger displays, optical drives, all-day battery life and value offered in a more mainstream notebook PC," said Scott Ledterman, vice president of retail sales, Acer America. "The Aspire M5 series delivers that perfect combination of portability and performance for mainstream consumers, and goes a step further with premium features like touch input. We are delighted that Best Buy will offer the M Series line exclusively to their customers this holiday season."
"Many consumers desire the mobility of an Ultrabook, but still require the larger displays, optical drives, all-day battery life and value offered in a more mainstream notebook PC," said Scott Ledterman, vice president of retail sales, Acer America. "The Aspire M5 series delivers that perfect combination of portability and performance for mainstream consumers, and goes a step further with premium features like touch input. We are delighted that Best Buy will offer the M Series line exclusively to their customers this holiday season."
New Acer Aspire V5 Series Notebooks: 30 Percent Thinner, Touch and Windows 8
Acer America today announced the Aspire V5 series, a popular range of thin and light notebooks will be available with Windows 8 beginning October 26 in North America. Ideal for consumers looking for impressive performance, style and full-featured mobility at an outstanding value, the Aspire V5 notebooks series has models suited for a wide range of consumers.
The Aspire V5 Series are 30 percent slimmer than previous value-based notebooks(2), making them extremely easy to handle on the go. Under one inch thin, the Aspire V5 series are available in three convenient display sizes - the 11.6-inch Aspire V5-171 is about 3 pounds, the 14-inch Aspire V5-471 is 4.63 pounds, and the 15.6-inch Aspire V5-571 version is just about 5 pounds. The notebook's chassis has a smooth and silky surface, making it comfortable to carry, available in either silver or black.
The Aspire V5 Series are 30 percent slimmer than previous value-based notebooks(2), making them extremely easy to handle on the go. Under one inch thin, the Aspire V5 series are available in three convenient display sizes - the 11.6-inch Aspire V5-171 is about 3 pounds, the 14-inch Aspire V5-471 is 4.63 pounds, and the 15.6-inch Aspire V5-571 version is just about 5 pounds. The notebook's chassis has a smooth and silky surface, making it comfortable to carry, available in either silver or black.
MSI Outs AE1921 All-in-One PC
MSI announced the AE1921 series entry-level all-in-one (AIO) PCs. Available in pearl-white and piano-black color options, the AE1921 derives its model name from its 19-inch (18.5-inch, to be precise) screen, which packs 1366 x 768 pixels resolution, matte surface, 5 ms response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, and 250 cd/m² brightness. Under the hood is an Intel Atom D525 dual-core processor clocked at 1.80 GHz, featuring 1 MB cache, HyperThreading, and x86-64 instruction set. The system features two DDR3 SO-DIMM slots, which is loaded with a 2 GB module.
Storage features of the AE1921 include a 320 GB 5400 RPM HDD, a DVD SuperMulti drive, and a 4-in-1 memory card reader. Connectivity includes 802.11 b/g/n WLAN, gigabit Ethernet, four USB 2.0 ports, 8-channel HD audio with built-in 6W stereo speakers, and a 1.3 MP web-camera. Measuring 476 x 365 x 49 mm (WxDxH), the AE1921 weighs about 7.7 kg. USB mouse and keyboard come included. Prices vary by region.
Storage features of the AE1921 include a 320 GB 5400 RPM HDD, a DVD SuperMulti drive, and a 4-in-1 memory card reader. Connectivity includes 802.11 b/g/n WLAN, gigabit Ethernet, four USB 2.0 ports, 8-channel HD audio with built-in 6W stereo speakers, and a 1.3 MP web-camera. Measuring 476 x 365 x 49 mm (WxDxH), the AE1921 weighs about 7.7 kg. USB mouse and keyboard come included. Prices vary by region.
ARM Announces POP IP Technology for Mali-T600 Series GPUs
ARM today introduced the first POP IP solution for ARM Mali-T600 series graphics processor units (GPUs). This latest offering of POP IP -- core-hardening acceleration technology that produces the best implementations of ARM processors in the fastest time-to-market -- is optimized for the Mali-T628 and Mali-T678 on TSMC 28 nm HPM process technology. Mali GPUs go into a variety of end devices, including a wide range of smartphones, from high performance to mass market, as well as tablets and smart TVs. It is critical that designers can optimize their Mali GPU for their selected end applications.
Developed in synergistic collaboration by ARM's Media Processing and Physical IP divisions, the optimized POP IP technology has been created to produce the most efficient GPU implementations at 28 nm. The POP IP enabled Mali-T600 series GPU implementation results in superior performance density/watt, and significant silicon savings. Benefits of this POP IP have been proven to deliver up to 27 percent higher frequency, 24 percent lower area, and 19 percent lower power than implementations which do not use POP IP.
Developed in synergistic collaboration by ARM's Media Processing and Physical IP divisions, the optimized POP IP technology has been created to produce the most efficient GPU implementations at 28 nm. The POP IP enabled Mali-T600 series GPU implementation results in superior performance density/watt, and significant silicon savings. Benefits of this POP IP have been proven to deliver up to 27 percent higher frequency, 24 percent lower area, and 19 percent lower power than implementations which do not use POP IP.
MSI Announces Radeon HD 7970 Lightning Boost Edition Graphics Card
MSI maintained the R7970 Lightning as its flagship AMD Radeon graphics card from March, even after AMD launched the Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition in June. The company finally decided to combine its R7970 Lightning board with the new "Tahiti XT2" Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition ASIC, creating the R7970 Lightning Boost Edition (BE). While the original R7970 Lightning shipped with 1070 MHz core and 5.60 GHz memory, the new R7970 Lightning BE ships with 1070 MHz core, 1150 MHz PowerTune Boost, and 6.00 GHz memory (288 GB/s). It packs 3 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 384-bit wide memory interface.
Most other features remain the same. The R7970 Lightning BE packs an enthusiast-grade 17-phase VRM, dual-BIOS, voltage-conditioning GPU Reactor module, and TwinFrozr IV cooling solution. Quite shockingly, MSI didn't take the opportunity to address the lack of dual-link DVI connectors in the original R7970 Lightning, the Lightning BE continues to have two single-link DVI, and four mini-DisplayPort connectors. The new R7970 Lightning BE could displace the original from its US $499.99 price-point.
Most other features remain the same. The R7970 Lightning BE packs an enthusiast-grade 17-phase VRM, dual-BIOS, voltage-conditioning GPU Reactor module, and TwinFrozr IV cooling solution. Quite shockingly, MSI didn't take the opportunity to address the lack of dual-link DVI connectors in the original R7970 Lightning, the Lightning BE continues to have two single-link DVI, and four mini-DisplayPort connectors. The new R7970 Lightning BE could displace the original from its US $499.99 price-point.
Cooler Master Debuts Two New Coolers - Blizzard T2 and Hyper T4
Cooler Master has today announced its newest CPU coolers, the Blizzard T2 and the Hyper T4. Priced at 14.90 Euro, the Blizzard T2 features four CDC (Continuous Direct Contact) copper heatpipes boasting a Dual Loop design, a 92 mm Rifle bearing fan operating at 2200 RPM, and offers support for Intel LGA 1156/1155/775 and AMD FM1/AM3+/AM3 /AM2 processors.
The Hyper T4 costs 24.90 Euro and has four Direct Contact heatpipes, a 120 mm PWM fan that can run at 600 to 1800 PRM, and support for Intel LGA 2011/1366/1156/1155/775 and AMD FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2 chips.
Both coolers will become available at the end of this month.
The Hyper T4 costs 24.90 Euro and has four Direct Contact heatpipes, a 120 mm PWM fan that can run at 600 to 1800 PRM, and support for Intel LGA 2011/1366/1156/1155/775 and AMD FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2 chips.
Both coolers will become available at the end of this month.
D-Link Introduces New PowerLine AV+Mini Adapter Starter Kit
D-Link today announced its latest addition to its PowerLine family of home networking solutions. The PowerLine AV+ Mini Adapter Starter Kit (DHP-309AV) instantly extends the reach of your current home network by utilizing your home's existing electrical wiring to extend your network to locations with limited or no Wi-Fi connectivity.
PowerLine technology delivers a high-performance, stable and secure signal throughout the home and connects a desktop, laptop or wired entertainment device in those hard-to-reach spots in your home, outdoor, and entertainment centers.
PowerLine technology delivers a high-performance, stable and secure signal throughout the home and connects a desktop, laptop or wired entertainment device in those hard-to-reach spots in your home, outdoor, and entertainment centers.
GELID Launches the Rev. 2 Silent Spirit CPU Cooler
Thermal Solutions specialist GELID Solutions unveils the 2nd revision of its multi-award winning Silent Spirit which is a top flow mid-range level CPU Cooler of its SILENT product line.
The "Rev. 2 Silent Spirit" features 4 sintered power heatpipes with Direct Touch Technology. The flattened copper heatpipes with direct contact to the CPU surface ensure maximum heat transfer from CPU to the aluminum fins. The heatsink is built in a unique shape and aligned at a specific angle to provide best air flow to a maximum surface. Therefore the Northbridge (chipset) heatsink and the voltage regulator modules located close to the CPU can be cooled as well.
The "Rev. 2 Silent Spirit" features 4 sintered power heatpipes with Direct Touch Technology. The flattened copper heatpipes with direct contact to the CPU surface ensure maximum heat transfer from CPU to the aluminum fins. The heatsink is built in a unique shape and aligned at a specific angle to provide best air flow to a maximum surface. Therefore the Northbridge (chipset) heatsink and the voltage regulator modules located close to the CPU can be cooled as well.
AMD Radeon RAMDisk Pitched as Trial
AMD's Radeon RAMDisk software, launched along with its desktop A-Series "Trinity" APUs, is being pitched to consumers as a trial software. A combination of A-Series "Trinity" APUs and AMD-certified memory lets you use the software to create a RAMDisk which works in conjuction with the primary HDD/SSD much in the same way as Intel Smart Response tech or NVELO Dataplex, it's just that the cache SSD is replaced by the system memory, an infinitely faster and more durable caching medium. The software juggles data from the primary drive to the RAMDisk based on its heat (frequency of access). Used with DDR3-1600 MHz memory, users could see data access speeds of up to 25.6 GB/s (gigabytes per second), a 1,700-times speedup over conventional HDD. When off the trial, a license to use the software can be bought for $19.
Logitech Announces Z553 Desktop Speakers
Logitech announced the Z553, a 2.1-channel speaker system for desktops and TVs. Its design takes inspiration from cylinders, and feature a black+red color scheme. Its satellites measure 90 x 137 x 160 mm (HxDxW), and each use a pair of 52 mm drivers with output (per satellite) of 10W. Its cylindrical 168 x 175 x 381 mm sub-woofer packs a 178 mm driver with 20W output. The speakers support a frequency-response range of 55 - 17,000 Hz. A wired control pod gives you power, volume, and headset jacks. All cables are wired red to gel with the color scheme. Market availability is slated for October 26. It is expected to be priced around $150.
ASUS Outs WiDi-Equipped P8Z77-I Deluxe Variant
ASUS released the P8Z77-I Deluxe/WD, a variant of the P8Z77-I Deluxe socket LGA1155 motherboard based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, in the mini-ITX form-factor. Essentially identical to the original, its WLAN controller features Intel Wireless Display Technology (WiDi), which lets you stream high-definition video to displays and projectors wirelessly. The P8Z77-I Deluxe/WD features a 10-phase Digi+ CPU VRM, two DDR3 DIMM slots, a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot, two each of SATA 6 Gb/s and 3 Gb/s ports, and connectivity that includes 6-channel analog and 8-channel digital audio, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort display outputs, and a number of USB 3.0 ports. ASUS could charge a small premium over the original's US $199 price-tag.
KINGMAX Launches the World's Most Revealing USB Flash Drive
Following a successful premiere at Computex 2012 (6/5-6/9), world-renowned memory manufacturer KINGMAX announces the October 5th launch of the world's most revealing COB (Chip-on-Board) type USB flash drive.
Flash drive UI-05 features dynamic casing design in which the chip is housed under a clear glass ceiling that is both waterproof and dustproof, made possible with PIP technology. Innovative imBGA engineering allows the glass casing on the top side of the UI-05 to reveal the drive's inner flash die and wire-bonding structure. A bright blue LED light on the tail end of the device indicates working status and helps forgetful users reminds users not to leave the drive behind.
Flash drive UI-05 features dynamic casing design in which the chip is housed under a clear glass ceiling that is both waterproof and dustproof, made possible with PIP technology. Innovative imBGA engineering allows the glass casing on the top side of the UI-05 to reveal the drive's inner flash die and wire-bonding structure. A bright blue LED light on the tail end of the device indicates working status and helps forgetful users reminds users not to leave the drive behind.
Mushkin Introduces New Line of Slim 7 mm Chronos Deluxe Drives
Mushkin, Inc., an industry-leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance and mission-critical computer products, today announced that its new line of slim 7 mm Mushkin Chronos Deluxe Solid-State Drives (SSDs) geared for the new generation of ultrabooks that has started shipping worldwide.
Continuing the tradition of Mushkin's award-winning Chronos Deluxe SSDs, the new drives unleash scorching-fast read and write speeds, cutting-edge SandForce technology, and unmatched performance for the dollar. Featuring high-speed synchronous MLC NAND, advanced controller technology, optimized NAND management and a SATA 6 Gb/s interface, Mushkin now offers enthusiasts the ability to upgrade their PC or notebook that pushes the limits of slim computing.
Continuing the tradition of Mushkin's award-winning Chronos Deluxe SSDs, the new drives unleash scorching-fast read and write speeds, cutting-edge SandForce technology, and unmatched performance for the dollar. Featuring high-speed synchronous MLC NAND, advanced controller technology, optimized NAND management and a SATA 6 Gb/s interface, Mushkin now offers enthusiasts the ability to upgrade their PC or notebook that pushes the limits of slim computing.
PC Shipments Set to Decline in 2012 for First Time in 11 Years
After entering the year with high hopes, the global PC market has seen its prospects dim, with worldwide shipments set to decline in 2012 for the first time in 11 years, according to the IHS iSuppli Compute Platforms Service at information and analytics provider IHS.
The total PC market in 2012 is expected to contract by 1.2 percent to 348.7 million units, down from 352.8 million in 2011, as shown in the figure below. Not since 2001-more than a decade ago-has the worldwide PC industry suffered such a decline.
The total PC market in 2012 is expected to contract by 1.2 percent to 348.7 million units, down from 352.8 million in 2011, as shown in the figure below. Not since 2001-more than a decade ago-has the worldwide PC industry suffered such a decline.
Wednesday, October 10th 2012
Today's Reviews
Graphics Cards
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti Benchmark Reviews
- MSI GTX N650Ti Power Edition Benchmark Reviews
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti Bjorn3D
- ZOTAC GTX 650 Ti AMP! Cowcotland (fr)
- MSI GTX 660 Ti Power Edition Guru3D
- Gigabyte GTX 650 Ti OC Hardware Secrets
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti Hardware.info
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti Hardwarecanucks
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti HardwareHeaven
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti Hexus.net
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti Hi Tech Legion
- ASUS GTX 650 Ti DirectCU II TOP Hi Tech Legion
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti HotHardware
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti LAN OC
- ASUS GTX 650 Ti DirectCU II TOP LAN OC
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti Legit Reviews
- ASUS GTX 650 Ti DirectCU II TOP Motherboards.org
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti Ninja Lane
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti Overclockers Club
- ASUS GTX 650 Ti DirectCU II TOP Overclockers Club
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti PureOverclock
- ASUS GTX 650 Ti DirectCU II TOP PureOverclock
- Gigabyte GTX 650 Ti OC PureOverclock
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti Rage3D
- ZOTAC GTX 650 Ti AMP! T-Break
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti Tech Kings
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti Tech Report
- NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti TechSpot
- Gigabyte GTX 650 Ti OC Vortez
- ZOTAC GTX 650 Ti AMP! Vortez
- EVGA GTX 650 Ti 2GB SSC OCaholic
Memory
PSUs
SSD
ASRock Z77 OC Formula Intel LGA 1155 Review
Like a high-priced premium sports car, the ASRock Z77 OC Formula races to the finish line, equipped with XFast speed. Bred with nothing other in mind than breaking clock limits while retaining full stability, ASRock has enrolled Nick Shih, to help them design one of the best overclocking-centric products.
ECS Announces Its First Ever Modmen PC Modding Competition
Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) today announces it is teaming up with Thermaltake, G.skill and various media partners to announce its first ever worldwide Modmen PC modding competition. Starting on October 11, 2012, ECS is searching for the Modmen of the year. The Grand Prize winner will become a Taiwan millionaire (approx. US $33,333). To register for the contest head to www.ecs.com.tw. All submissions must be sent before February 28, 2013. To be eligible for this contest all contestants need to have an ECS motherboard purchased after 9/20/2012 or have an ECS Golden Board.
There are two stages of competition. The first stage takes place online. The top 10 case modders will be determined by a combination of online votes and ECS' own modding judges. The modder with the most votes will win US $1,000. The top 5 PC modders that qualify for the second stage of the competition, besides winning cash and prizes, will be flown to Taiwan and given accommodation to compete at Computex for a chance to win the Grand Prize - approx. US$33,333. During the competition the top five contestants will showcase their mods at ECS' booth and a panel of accredited judges and the audience will determine the grand prize winner.
There are two stages of competition. The first stage takes place online. The top 10 case modders will be determined by a combination of online votes and ECS' own modding judges. The modder with the most votes will win US $1,000. The top 5 PC modders that qualify for the second stage of the competition, besides winning cash and prizes, will be flown to Taiwan and given accommodation to compete at Computex for a chance to win the Grand Prize - approx. US$33,333. During the competition the top five contestants will showcase their mods at ECS' booth and a panel of accredited judges and the audience will determine the grand prize winner.
Gartner Says Worldwide PC Shipments Declined 8 Percent in Third Quarter of 2012
Worldwide PC shipments totaled 87.5 million units in the third quarter of 2012, a decline of 8.3 percent compared with the third quarter of 2011, according to preliminary results by Gartner, Inc.
"A continuing slowdown in consumer PC shipments played a big part in the overall PC market decline," said Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner. "The third quarter was also a transitional quarter before Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system release, so shipments were less vigorous as vendors and their channel partners liquidated inventory.
"A continuing slowdown in consumer PC shipments played a big part in the overall PC market decline," said Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner. "The third quarter was also a transitional quarter before Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system release, so shipments were less vigorous as vendors and their channel partners liquidated inventory.
TechPowerUp GPU-Z v0.6.5 Released
TechPowerUp released the latest version of GPU-Z, the popular graphics subsystem information and diagnostic utility. Version 0.6.5 features the biggest complement of changes this year. To begin with GPU-Z can now reliably extract, save, and upload BIOS from NVIDIA GeForce Kepler family of GPUs. Boost clock detection for GeForce Kepler family is improved; and real-time memory clock monitoring for GeForce Kepler GPUs without Boost is fixed. A working ASIC-quality calculation method is implemented for GeForce Kepler GPUs.
GPU clock and temperature readings are improved for AMD "Trinity" APUs, and stability increased. Support is added for a large number of new GPUs, including AMD Radeon HD 7450A, HD 7730M, HD 7700M, FirePro M4000, W5000; NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti, GT 635M, GT 620M, GeForce 610M, GT 620 (GF119), GT 640 (GF118), Quadro 7000, Quadro K2000M; and Intel 4th Generation Core "Haswell" graphics. Release date and die-size measurements were added for a large number of GPUs. A large number of outstanding bugs were quashed.
DOWNLOAD: TechPowerUp GPU-Z 0.6.5 | TechPowerUp GPU-Z 0.6.5 ASUS ROG Edition
The change-log follows.
GPU clock and temperature readings are improved for AMD "Trinity" APUs, and stability increased. Support is added for a large number of new GPUs, including AMD Radeon HD 7450A, HD 7730M, HD 7700M, FirePro M4000, W5000; NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti, GT 635M, GT 620M, GeForce 610M, GT 620 (GF119), GT 640 (GF118), Quadro 7000, Quadro K2000M; and Intel 4th Generation Core "Haswell" graphics. Release date and die-size measurements were added for a large number of GPUs. A large number of outstanding bugs were quashed.
The change-log follows.
Intel Readies Nine Socket LGA1150 Desktop Boards for Q2-2013
Intel's 4th generation Core processor family will introduce socket LGA1150, and 8-series chipset. The company's own Desktop Board division plans as many as nine motherboard models for March 2013. The three 8-series chipset models making up the lineup are Z87 (high connectivity options, overclocking features), H87 (high connectivity options), and Q87 (essential connectivity, enterprise client features).
Intel plans as many as four motherboard models on the overclocking-ready Z87 chipset, two each in the Extreme Series and Media Series. The Extreme Series models include the DZ87KLT-75K "Kinsley Thunderbolt," DZ87KL-70K "Kinsley" (sans Thunderbolt); the Media Series models include DZ87CA-55K "Carryville," and DZ87CO-50K "Colebrook." The H87 lineup includes DH87MC "Meadow Creek," DH87RL "Round Lake," and DH87FB "Flat Bay." Among the Q87-based models are the DQ87RG "Rainbow Ridge" and DQ87PG "Spring Cave." Their specifications are tabled below.
Intel plans as many as four motherboard models on the overclocking-ready Z87 chipset, two each in the Extreme Series and Media Series. The Extreme Series models include the DZ87KLT-75K "Kinsley Thunderbolt," DZ87KL-70K "Kinsley" (sans Thunderbolt); the Media Series models include DZ87CA-55K "Carryville," and DZ87CO-50K "Colebrook." The H87 lineup includes DH87MC "Meadow Creek," DH87RL "Round Lake," and DH87FB "Flat Bay." Among the Q87-based models are the DQ87RG "Rainbow Ridge" and DQ87PG "Spring Cave." Their specifications are tabled below.
Iomega Announces Availability of StorCenter px12-450r Network Storage Array
Iomega, a global leader in data protection, today announced the worldwide availability this month of the new Iomega StorCenter px12-450r Network Storage Array, multi-protocol networked data storage for small and medium business, remote office/branch office installations and distributed enterprises. The StorCenter px12-450r features the new Intel Xeon Processor E3-1200 v2 Product Family, 8GB RAM, improved user supportability and the option of 4TB hard disk drives (HDD). Additionally, the StorCenter px12-450r utilizes the latest version of the EMC LifeLine software, an advanced operating system that makes EMC's enterprise class expertise and cloud capabilities available to a broad range of users.
AMD to Host 2012 Data Center Efficiency Summit
AMD today announced that it will host the Silicon Valley Leadership Group's fifth annual Data Center Efficiency Summit on Oct. 24 at AMD headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif. Thanks to AMD's efforts to reduce data center power with solutions such as the SeaMicro Freedom Fabric, AMD was chosen to host the one-day event that brings together hundreds of data center experts, technology vendors and government leaders to learn about the latest data center innovations and to share best practices.
With its acquisition of the breakthrough SeaMicro micro server technology, AMD has put itself at the forefront of data center efficiency technology. Andrew Feldman, former CEO of SeaMicro and now corporate vice president and general manager of the Data Center Server Solutions group at AMD, will be the host representative and deliver the opening speech.
With its acquisition of the breakthrough SeaMicro micro server technology, AMD has put itself at the forefront of data center efficiency technology. Andrew Feldman, former CEO of SeaMicro and now corporate vice president and general manager of the Data Center Server Solutions group at AMD, will be the host representative and deliver the opening speech.
OCZ Announces Filing Extension for Form 10-Q and Revised Q2 Revenue Estimate
OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance solid-state drives (SSDs) for computing devices and systems, today announced that it will file a Form 12b-25, Notification of Late Filing, with the Securities and Exchange Commission that allows the Company to extend the deadline to file its Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 (Q2'13), which ended on August 31, 2012. With this extension, if the Form 10-Q is filed by October 15, 2012, the Form 10-Q will be deemed to be timely filed.
The Company's financial statements are still under review. The Q2'13 revenue will be materially lower than the September 5th preliminary revenue range of $110 to $120 million. This new revenue estimate and filing delay is principally due to the impact of customer incentive programs which were discovered subsequent to the preliminary announcement during the normal close process, and which the Company will be reporting as a material weakness in its Form 10-Q. The Company also expects to report negative gross margins and a significant net loss for Q2'13 and will hold a conference call today at 7:00am Pacific Time (10:00am Eastern Time).
The Company's financial statements are still under review. The Q2'13 revenue will be materially lower than the September 5th preliminary revenue range of $110 to $120 million. This new revenue estimate and filing delay is principally due to the impact of customer incentive programs which were discovered subsequent to the preliminary announcement during the normal close process, and which the Company will be reporting as a material weakness in its Form 10-Q. The Company also expects to report negative gross margins and a significant net loss for Q2'13 and will hold a conference call today at 7:00am Pacific Time (10:00am Eastern Time).
OCZ Technology Appoints Ralph Schmitt as President and CEO
OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance solid-state drives (SSDs) for computing devices and systems, today announced its board of directors has appointed Ralph Schmitt as the Company's president and chief executive officer effective immediately. Ralph Schmitt has been a member of the Company's board of directors since April 2011.
"I am pleased to announce that OCZ's board has appointed Ralph Schmitt as the Company's president and chief executive officer," said Adam Epstein, OCZ's lead independent director. "Ralph's knowledge of OCZ's business, customers, and target markets along with his extensive management experience and technical expertise make him the ideal person to lead OCZ through the next phase of its development."
"I am pleased to announce that OCZ's board has appointed Ralph Schmitt as the Company's president and chief executive officer," said Adam Epstein, OCZ's lead independent director. "Ralph's knowledge of OCZ's business, customers, and target markets along with his extensive management experience and technical expertise make him the ideal person to lead OCZ through the next phase of its development."
NVIDIA Releases GeForce 306.97 WHQL Drivers
In wake of GeForce GTX 650 Ti launch, NVIDIA posted the latest WHQL-signed version of its GeForce software suite, version 306.97 WHQL. Recommended for Windows 8, the driver adds support for the newly-launched GPU, and is said to go well with Borderlands 2, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, and World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria. New performance and stability improvements are said to cover a variety of games. 3D Vision profiles were added or improved for a large number of games.
DOWNLOAD: NVIDIA GeForce 306.97 WHQL (International) for Windows 8/7/Vista 64-bit | Windows 8/7/Vista 32-bit
DOWNLOAD: NVIDIA GeForce 306.97 WHQL (International) for Windows 8/7/Vista 64-bit | Windows 8/7/Vista 32-bit
SilverStone Launches the Heligon HE02 CPU Cooler
Taiwanese company SilverStone Technology has just announced the (upcoming) European arrival of its latest high-end CPU cooler, the Heligon HE02. This new cooler, which can take on chips with a TDP of up to 150 W, measures 170 (W) x 130 (D) x 160 (H) mm, features a double cross-shaped heatsink with six 6 mm heatpipes and can be equipped with two 120 mm fans.
The Heligon HE02 supports Intel LGA775/1155/1156/1366/2011 and AMD Socket AM2/AM3/FM1/FM2 processors, and will become available this month priced at about 65 Euro.
The Heligon HE02 supports Intel LGA775/1155/1156/1366/2011 and AMD Socket AM2/AM3/FM1/FM2 processors, and will become available this month priced at about 65 Euro.
Drobo Further Extends Auto-Tiering Capabilities With New Hybrid Storage Systems
Drobo, makers of award-winning data storage products for businesses and professionals, today introduced several new models of its fast-growing family of business storage systems. Included in the group are both higher- and lower-end models of Drobo's flagship product, the Drobo B1200i, which features a unique patent-pending tiering technology that allows customers to easily and affordably enjoy both the performance benefits of SSD technology and the capacity of traditional hard drives (HDD) in a single system.
The new models, which include several higher-capacity and lower-priced versions of the Drobo B800 series, also embrace 3 TB hard-drive technology, giving Drobo customers even more affordable capacity with the traditional Drobo ease-of-use.
The new models, which include several higher-capacity and lower-priced versions of the Drobo B800 series, also embrace 3 TB hard-drive technology, giving Drobo customers even more affordable capacity with the traditional Drobo ease-of-use.
ARM Announces New High-Performance System IP
To address the significant increase in data over the next 10-15 years, and the demand for more energy-efficient network infrastructure and servers, ARM has announced the ARM CoreLink CCN-504 cache coherent network. This advanced system intellectual property (IP) can deliver up to one terabit of usable system bandwidth per second. It will enable SoC designers to provide high-performance, cache coherent interconnect for 'many-core' enterprise solutions built using the ARM Cortex-A15 MPCore processor and next-generation 64-bit processors.
LSI, a leading designer of intelligent semiconductors that accelerate storage, mobile networking and client computing, and Calxeda, an innovative supplier of disruptive SoC technology for the server market, are lead licensees for the CoreLink CCN-504 launch.
LSI, a leading designer of intelligent semiconductors that accelerate storage, mobile networking and client computing, and Calxeda, an innovative supplier of disruptive SoC technology for the server market, are lead licensees for the CoreLink CCN-504 launch.
Antec Releases Three Additions to the Performance One Series
Riding the market's newfound love for white cases, Antec released three additions to its Performance One P280 series. The three include a completely whitewashed variant of the P280, the P280-MW; a white version of P280 with an acrylic window on its side-panel, the P280-MW Window; and a black/graphite version of the P280 with windowed side-panel, the P280 Window. The P280-MW and P280-MW Window feature all-white exteriors with mostly-white interiors with a dash of black for the cable inlets and drive trays, which lend it an aesthetic contrast. The three retain the USP of the original P280 - silence, and feature noise-absorption material lining its panels.
The three are otherwise identical in specifications to the original P280. Made of SECC steel and ABS plastic, the P280 is an XL-ATX full-tower case with as many as 9 expansion slot spaces. It features three 5.25-inch and six 3.5-inch/2.5-inch drive trays. Ventilation includes two 120 mm front-intake fans (not included), two top 120 mm exhaust fans (2x TwoCool fans included), one 120 mm rear exhaust (included), and two 120 mm drive cage conveyers (not included). Measuring 570 x 225 x 520 mm, the P280 weighs roughly 9.8 kg. The three will reach stores on October 13.
The three are otherwise identical in specifications to the original P280. Made of SECC steel and ABS plastic, the P280 is an XL-ATX full-tower case with as many as 9 expansion slot spaces. It features three 5.25-inch and six 3.5-inch/2.5-inch drive trays. Ventilation includes two 120 mm front-intake fans (not included), two top 120 mm exhaust fans (2x TwoCool fans included), one 120 mm rear exhaust (included), and two 120 mm drive cage conveyers (not included). Measuring 570 x 225 x 520 mm, the P280 weighs roughly 9.8 kg. The three will reach stores on October 13.
Logitech's New Mice and Touchpad for Windows 8 Put You in Control
Today Logitech announced a new lineup of products designed for easy and intuitive navigation of Windows 8. Available later this month, the Logitech Wireless Rechargeable Touchpad T650, Logitech Touch Mouse T620 and Logitech Zone Touch Mouse T400 are each specifically designed to work with the Windows 8 touch interface.
"This new family of products takes the traditional mouse functionality you're used to and optimizes it for the navigation experience offered by Windows 8," said Mike Culver, vice president of brand development for consumer computing platforms at Logitech. "Our new mice and touchpad replicate the touch-screen experience that you've grown accustomed to on smartphones and tablets. With Windows 8 now offering up a similar touch experience, our products give you quick, easy and dynamic access to the core elements of the new interface."
"This new family of products takes the traditional mouse functionality you're used to and optimizes it for the navigation experience offered by Windows 8," said Mike Culver, vice president of brand development for consumer computing platforms at Logitech. "Our new mice and touchpad replicate the touch-screen experience that you've grown accustomed to on smartphones and tablets. With Windows 8 now offering up a similar touch experience, our products give you quick, easy and dynamic access to the core elements of the new interface."
WD Outs 8 TB My Book Duo and 4 TB My Book
Western Digital (WD) released new high-capacity variants of its My Book and My Book Duo external hard drives. The Thunderbolt-equipped My Book Duo series is expanded with a new 8 TB variant, which uses a pair of 4 TB drives in an internal RAID 0 configuration. Measuring 99 x 157 x 165 mm (WxDxH), the My Book Duo 8 TB weighs 2.26 kg. It uses an internal PSU, and features two Thunderbolt I/O ports that allow you to set up daisy-chains with other My Book Duo units, or other devices. The new 8 TB variant is priced at $849.99.
WD also introduced a 4 TB variant of its My Book USB 3.0 hard drive. The My Book encloses a single 4 TB hard drive. Measuring 48 x 135 x 165 mm (WxDxH), it weighs about 1.18 kg. It includes an internal power supply, and uses USB 3.0 SuperSpeed interface (backwards compatible with USB 2.0) to communicate with the host. It is priced at US $250.
WD also introduced a 4 TB variant of its My Book USB 3.0 hard drive. The My Book encloses a single 4 TB hard drive. Measuring 48 x 135 x 165 mm (WxDxH), it weighs about 1.18 kg. It includes an internal power supply, and uses USB 3.0 SuperSpeed interface (backwards compatible with USB 2.0) to communicate with the host. It is priced at US $250.
Green House Releases a 64 GB microSDXC Memory Card
Japanese company Green House has today introduced a new, high-capacity memory card, a microSDXC providing 64 GB of flashy storage. Dubbed GH-SDMRXC64G6, this card weights just 0.2 grams, is waterproof, has a three-year warranty, and delivers read and write speeds of up to 40 MB/s and 12 MB/s, respectively.
Green House's 64 GB microSDXC is bundled with an SD adapter and costs about $151.
Green House's 64 GB microSDXC is bundled with an SD adapter and costs about $151.
PNY Announces XLR8 GeForce GTX 650 Ti Graphics Card
PNY announced its XLR8 GeForce GTX 650 Ti graphics card. Based on an identical board design to Palit's offering, the card is likely originally manufactured by it. The XLR8 GTX 650 Ti features near-reference clock speeds, of 928 MHz core, and 5.40 GHz (GDDR5-effective) memory. It packs 1 GB of GDDR5 memory across a 128-bit wide memory interface. The card uses an aluminum fin heatsink that's ventilated by an 80 mm fan. Based on the 28 nm GK106 ASIC, the GTX 650 Ti packs 768 CUDA cores, 64 TMUs, and 16 ROPs. PNY's offering includes download coupons to five movies, and a 3-month subscription to E-Sports Entertainment (ESEA) Premium Video Game Network. It is priced at US $179.99.
I-O Data Readies a 27-Inch WQHD IPS Monitor
I-O Data has just announced a new addition to its monitor offer, a 27-inch model called LCD-MF271CGBR which features an IPS panel capable of a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. I-O Data's display also has an 8.6 ms response time, a contrast ratio of 1,000:1, a maximum brightness of 420 cd/m2, D-Sub, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort connectors, and two 2 W built-in speakers.
The LCD-MF271CGBR will ship at the end of this month.
The LCD-MF271CGBR will ship at the end of this month.
EIZO Announces a New 29.8-inch Monitor for Use in Examination and Operating Rooms
EIZO GmbH is expanding its portfolio of medical surgical monitors to include the RadiForce LX300W, a new, high-bright 4 megapixel monitor. This LCD color monitor in widescreen format is designed for use in operating rooms (interventional radiology, cardiology, surgery) and features a new cooling concept and flexible operating modes.
The RadiForce LX300W has a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels on a 29.8-inch screen, as well as high contrast ratio and brightness values (1100:1, 750 cd/m²). It is also equipped with an environmentally-friendly, durable LED (Light-Emitting Diode) backlight. The new monitor is an ideal, value for money solution for smaller examination and operating rooms. In such cases, individual monitors increasingly are being replaced by large-format screens capable of displaying multiple image sources simultaneously.
The RadiForce LX300W has a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels on a 29.8-inch screen, as well as high contrast ratio and brightness values (1100:1, 750 cd/m²). It is also equipped with an environmentally-friendly, durable LED (Light-Emitting Diode) backlight. The new monitor is an ideal, value for money solution for smaller examination and operating rooms. In such cases, individual monitors increasingly are being replaced by large-format screens capable of displaying multiple image sources simultaneously.
ORIGIN PC Launches Turbocharged NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti
ORIGIN PC announces the launch of the new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti graphics card in their award-winning line of high-performance desktops. In addition, customers who purchase their next ORIGIN PC Desktop with any NVIDIA GeForce GTX Graphics card can choose to receive a free copy of Assassin's Creed III for PC while supplies last. Go back through time to the American Revolution and hunt your enemies across beautiful landscapes with the most highly anticipated game of the year, Assassin's Creed III and step into the leading family of gaming graphics with the new GeForce GTX 650 Ti and its next-gen, NVIDIA Kepler architecture, 1080p HD brilliance, and rock-solid performance.
Lenovo Premiers Yoga and Debuts Family of Convertible Devices Designed for Windows 8
Lenovo today announced a new family of four convertible devices designed for Windows 8/RT to change the way people use PCs and redefine the future of mobile computing. For consumers, the touch-optimized family includes the IdeaPad Yoga 13, a foremost blend of play and productivity, Yoga 11, a svelte, all day mobile companion, IdeaTab Lynx, a premier dual core Intel Atom-based tablet, and for professionals, the ThinkPad Twist, a business-ready device that puts a new spin on the traditional convertible tablet.
"Our family of Ultrabook convertibles addresses the unique needs of consumers, businesses and everyone in between by creating high performance laptop-tablet combinations in new designs and different sizes," said Peter Hortensius, senior vice president, Lenovo, and president, Product Group, Lenovo. "We think these innovative convertibles are the best devices for a groundbreaking touchscreen experience, plus their multi-modes give people even more ways to use their PC."
"Our family of Ultrabook convertibles addresses the unique needs of consumers, businesses and everyone in between by creating high performance laptop-tablet combinations in new designs and different sizes," said Peter Hortensius, senior vice president, Lenovo, and president, Product Group, Lenovo. "We think these innovative convertibles are the best devices for a groundbreaking touchscreen experience, plus their multi-modes give people even more ways to use their PC."
Tuesday, October 9th 2012
Today's Reviews
CPU Coolers
Desktop PC
Graphics Cards
Input Devices
Keyboards
Motherboards
Mouse
Networking
Notebooks
ASUS GeForce GTX 650 Ti Direct Cu II 1 GB Review
The new ASUS GeForce GTX 650 Ti DirectCu II TOP comes with a 100 MHz clock increase out of the box, which gives the card an extra performance boost. It also features a DC II thermal solution that is ultra-quiet, despite its two fans.
MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti Power Edition 1 GB Review
Today MSI launches their new GeForce GTX 650 Ti Power Edition. This card comes overclocked out of the box, runs extremely quiet and has one of the lowest power consumptions we've ever seen. Especially Blu-ray power is ultra-low which might make it a candidate for a media PC.
ASUS Introduces the Windows 8-ready 27-Inch ET2701 All-in-One PC
ASUS today introduces the ET2701 All-in-One PC Series - an AiO PC with a frameless 10-point capacitive touch screen optimized for the Windows 8 experience through precise touch inputs. It utilizes a VA panel that delivers a wide-view 178° angle on both horizontal and vertical planes. The ET2701 is coupled with an enhanced version of SonicMaster technology, DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC technology, and a bundled external subwoofer that takes the audio and visual capabilities of AiO PCs to the next level.
Immersive crystal-clear audio through innovative technology
The ET2701 features built in SonicMaster technology optimized by audio experts - it features a finely-tuned digital signal processor that produces every note in pristine clarity with near-zero distortion. Also onboard is DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC ll audio technology, which delivers the most realistic, three-dimensional sensation of being completely surrounded by sound. The ET2701 comes with an external subwoofer with a 580cc resonance chamber dedicated to low-range frequency audio signals that provides a rich bass response never before heard in ASUS AiO PCs.
Immersive crystal-clear audio through innovative technology
The ET2701 features built in SonicMaster technology optimized by audio experts - it features a finely-tuned digital signal processor that produces every note in pristine clarity with near-zero distortion. Also onboard is DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC ll audio technology, which delivers the most realistic, three-dimensional sensation of being completely surrounded by sound. The ET2701 comes with an external subwoofer with a 580cc resonance chamber dedicated to low-range frequency audio signals that provides a rich bass response never before heard in ASUS AiO PCs.
V3 Gaming PC Launches Traverse Small Form Factor Desktop PC
V3 Gaming PC, manufacturer of high-end computer systems, has announced the availability of the Traverse Small Form Factor desktop gaming PC. This launch coincides with the release of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti graphics card which offers excellent performance at an incredible price. The Traverse desktop is designed to bridge the gap between large, ultra high-end desktop gaming PCs and the miniscule, underpowered small form factor PCs that have recently flooded the market.
The new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti graphics card is the latest in a series of superb products based on the "Kepler" GPU architecture that represents a significant upgrade over the previous generation in terms of both performance and functionality. NVIDIA's Kepler architecture brings massive GPU compute superiority and is designed to deliver faster, more power-efficient performance. The GeForce GTX 650 Ti is equipped with 768 CUDA cores arranged in the brand new SMX streaming multiprocessor configuration and 1 GB of high-speed GDDR5 memory. The card itself is diminutive in size, allowing compatibility with virtually all mainstream desktop enclosures, while offering a tremendous amount of performance at the price point.
The new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti graphics card is the latest in a series of superb products based on the "Kepler" GPU architecture that represents a significant upgrade over the previous generation in terms of both performance and functionality. NVIDIA's Kepler architecture brings massive GPU compute superiority and is designed to deliver faster, more power-efficient performance. The GeForce GTX 650 Ti is equipped with 768 CUDA cores arranged in the brand new SMX streaming multiprocessor configuration and 1 GB of high-speed GDDR5 memory. The card itself is diminutive in size, allowing compatibility with virtually all mainstream desktop enclosures, while offering a tremendous amount of performance at the price point.
LaCie Tops Portable Thunderbolt Speeds
Today LaCie announced that the Little Big Disk Thunderbolt Series, design by Neil Poulton, now features SATA III SSDs (6 Gb/s interface). With read speeds up to 635 MB/s, the LaCie Little Big Disk is the fastest portable Thunderbolt solution on the market. It can transfer a 50 GB project in less than two minutes or edit six uncompressed 422 streams at the same time. A game changer for content creators and professional users - the LaCie Little Big Disk delivers fibre channel rackmount speeds in a portable solution.
"We saw an opportunity to make the LaCie Little Big Disk even faster and jumped on it," said Erwan Girard, Professional Business Unit Manager, LaCie. "The new LaCie Little Big Disk can complete tasks in minutes that used to take hours. This saves our customers time and therefore money."
"We saw an opportunity to make the LaCie Little Big Disk even faster and jumped on it," said Erwan Girard, Professional Business Unit Manager, LaCie. "The new LaCie Little Big Disk can complete tasks in minutes that used to take hours. This saves our customers time and therefore money."
Call of Duty Under Religious Fire
All the turmoil in the middle east seems to be overflowing into the world of video games. Shack News has reported that the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 map 'Favela' and the re-release of 'Favela' in a Modern Warfare 3 DLC has been pulled from normal rotation for a texture "mishap" that quotes the phrase "Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty,". This isn't an inflammatory remark in unto itself. However the phrase's location in the level itself has been called into question. Some people apparently found it offensive that Allah was mentioned in a picture frame located in the level's bathroom.
To avoid any backlash from the Muslim community Infinity Ward promptly pulled the level and is scouring the rest of the game for the texture to be patched out in the near future. "We apologize to anyone who found this image offensive," Activision said in a statement. "Please be assured we were unaware of this issue and that there was no intent to offend." Activision also said, "Activision and our development studios are respectful of diverse cultures and religious beliefs, and sensitive to concerns raised by its loyal game players. We thank our fans for bringing this to our attention." and our development studios are respectful of diverse cultures and religious beliefs, and sensitive to concerns raised by its loyal game players. We thank our fans for bringing this to our attention."
To avoid any backlash from the Muslim community Infinity Ward promptly pulled the level and is scouring the rest of the game for the texture to be patched out in the near future. "We apologize to anyone who found this image offensive," Activision said in a statement. "Please be assured we were unaware of this issue and that there was no intent to offend." Activision also said, "Activision and our development studios are respectful of diverse cultures and religious beliefs, and sensitive to concerns raised by its loyal game players. We thank our fans for bringing this to our attention." and our development studios are respectful of diverse cultures and religious beliefs, and sensitive to concerns raised by its loyal game players. We thank our fans for bringing this to our attention."
Apacer Announces New Mini PCIe SSDs
With the ever-evolving technology and standard of transmission interface, Apacer launched its latest mPDM (mini PCIe Disk Module) modular SSD. It adopts "One lane PCIe 2.0" interface to satisfy the application requirement of high-speed transmission. Compared to PCle 1.0, the broadband speed is boosted to 5 Gb/s and the product capacity reaches up to 100 GB, which will offer higher transmission speed and larger storage capacity for high-end application such as network storage or enterprise servers.
The mPDM complies with AHCI advanced motherboard controller interface and the enterprise standard NVMHCI non-volatile memory host controller interface. Besides, the featured hot plug and plug-in-and-play functions ensure the compatibility and competitive edge of the ultra-small (50.8 x 29.8 mm) SSD.
The mPDM complies with AHCI advanced motherboard controller interface and the enterprise standard NVMHCI non-volatile memory host controller interface. Besides, the featured hot plug and plug-in-and-play functions ensure the compatibility and competitive edge of the ultra-small (50.8 x 29.8 mm) SSD.
Point of View Rolls Out its GeForce GTX 650 Ti Lineup
Point of View, a premier NVIDIA graphics partner and manufacturer of Android tablets, notebooks and other hardware, launches today the newest card of the GeForce 600 family: the POV GeForce GTX 650 Ti. The GeForce GTX 650 Ti sits nicely between the GeForce GTX 650 and the GTX 660 with an excellent performance and sweet price range! For all who have delayed their upgrade, this is the time.
As other GeForce GTX 600 graphics cards, the GPU is built on the next generation streaming multiprocessor SMX technology which drastically improves performance. The chip is produced on a 28 nm die-size - allowing higher clock speeds and is twice as power efficient as its GeForce GTX 550 predecessor. The GeForce GTX 650 Ti is running on 928 MHz and works with DDR5 memory running on 5400 MHz. The GPU itself is split up into 768 CUDA cores for parallel processing of graphics calculations.
As other GeForce GTX 600 graphics cards, the GPU is built on the next generation streaming multiprocessor SMX technology which drastically improves performance. The chip is produced on a 28 nm die-size - allowing higher clock speeds and is twice as power efficient as its GeForce GTX 550 predecessor. The GeForce GTX 650 Ti is running on 928 MHz and works with DDR5 memory running on 5400 MHz. The GPU itself is split up into 768 CUDA cores for parallel processing of graphics calculations.
EVGA Introduces the EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti
If you're passionate about first-person shooters like Call of Duty, massively multiplayer online games like World of WarCraft, or real-time strategy games like StarCraft II, then GeForce GTX is for you. Turbocharge your experience with the powerful performance of the EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti and enjoy the latest games in full 1080P HD with this next-generation NVIDIA Kepler architecture-based GPU.
EVGA will be offering four versions of the GeForce GTX 650 Ti. This includes a standard and SSC version, as well as 1GB and 2GB models. Please also note that both of the SSC versions will be bundled with a free key for Assassins Creed III that can be redeemed once the game launches.
EVGA will be offering four versions of the GeForce GTX 650 Ti. This includes a standard and SSC version, as well as 1GB and 2GB models. Please also note that both of the SSC versions will be bundled with a free key for Assassins Creed III that can be redeemed once the game launches.
Club 3D Announces its GeForce GTX 650 Ti Lineup
The Club 3D GeForce GTX 650Ti delivers exceptional performance at 35% faster than the GeForce GTX 560Ti reference board and 40% faster than the standard GeForce GTX 650 at only 29% higher price, offering excellent value. Featuring a non-reference design, the 80mm fan keeps the GPU temperature low at 31⁰C under idle and operate stable at 53⁰C under load (3DMARK 11 under Extreme preset settings). The aerofoil turboblades and dust repelling bearings designed to operate under extreme load conditions, provide a consistent 31.3dBA under load or idle.
With the short 146mm PCB size, this graphic card is designed for smaller system chassis, making it ideal for users who do not want to replace their computer case and convenient for HTPC users and boosting up the performance by up to 35% compared to previous generation GeForce graphics card*. The GeForce GTX 650Ti embodies the maturity of the 28nm NVIDIA Kepler architecture and offers support for the the PCI Express 3.0 bus interface allowing for the highest data transfer speeds.
With the short 146mm PCB size, this graphic card is designed for smaller system chassis, making it ideal for users who do not want to replace their computer case and convenient for HTPC users and boosting up the performance by up to 35% compared to previous generation GeForce graphics card*. The GeForce GTX 650Ti embodies the maturity of the 28nm NVIDIA Kepler architecture and offers support for the the PCI Express 3.0 bus interface allowing for the highest data transfer speeds.
KFA2 Debuts the GeForce GTX 650 TI EX OC
KFA2 a leading manufacturer of graphics cards based on NVIDIA GPUs, announced today the launch of the new KFA2 GeForce GTX 650 TI EX OC graphics cards, in addition to the previously launched GTX 650, the GTX 650 TI EX OC features double the amount CUDA cores creating a massive advantage in boost performance whilst still be offered at an very respectable midrange price! Whilst bundled with Assassin's Creed III, only available at participating online and in-store retailers.
The KFA2 GeForce GTX 650 Ti EX OC supports all of the latest graphics technologies gamers have come to expect and demand, including Adaptive Vertical Sync, PhysX, 3D Vision, and NV Surround. The custom Force Air Bracket is outfitted with DVI-I, DVI-D, and Mini-HDMI connections with support for up to 3 simultaneous displays.
The KFA2 GeForce GTX 650 Ti EX OC supports all of the latest graphics technologies gamers have come to expect and demand, including Adaptive Vertical Sync, PhysX, 3D Vision, and NV Surround. The custom Force Air Bracket is outfitted with DVI-I, DVI-D, and Mini-HDMI connections with support for up to 3 simultaneous displays.
Mad Catz Ships the Kunai Stereo Gaming Headset for PlayStation 3 And PlayStation Vita
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. announced today the shipping of the Kunai stereo gaming headset being released under the Company's TRITTON audio brand and compatible with the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and the PlayStation Vita portable entertainment system from Sony.
"The release of the Kunai demonstrates our commitment to the audio category, furthering our strategy to provide gaming headsets across all major hand-held, console, and PC gaming platforms." said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. "We believe the ability to use the Kunai both for gaming and as a lifestyle headset provides a unique opportunity for us to expand our market share and deliver innovative products to the passionate gamers." Additional information available here.
"The release of the Kunai demonstrates our commitment to the audio category, furthering our strategy to provide gaming headsets across all major hand-held, console, and PC gaming platforms." said Darren Richardson, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. "We believe the ability to use the Kunai both for gaming and as a lifestyle headset provides a unique opportunity for us to expand our market share and deliver innovative products to the passionate gamers." Additional information available here.
Sparkle Announces its GeForce GTX 650 Ti Lineup
A member of the Kepler GK106 family, the SPARKLE GTX650Ti features a 768 CUDA cores packed GPU and 128Bit 2048MB GDDR5 memory. The SPARKLE GTX650Ti offers all the advantages which Kepler offers, such as, lower power consumption, lower temperature, power efficient and an excellently designed. Furthermore, the SPARKLE GTX650Ti delivers high quality graphic experience which is competitive against anything else in its price segment. SPARKLE GTX650Ti supports all the latest graphic technology - Microsoft DirectX 11, NVIDIA PhysX, NVIDIA CUDA, NVIDIA Surround, Adaptive V-Sync is a smarter way to render frames. At high frame rates, V-sync is enabled to eliminate tearing, at low frame rates it's disabled to minimize stuttering.
MAINGEAR Arms All Desktops with the New NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti
MAINGEAR, an award-winning PC system builder offering custom desktops, notebooks, workstations is one of the first to add the new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti graphics solution that offers game-changing performance and lifelike experience in today's most demanding PC game titles at massively affordable price points.
The new Geforce GTX 650 Ti offers an entry point to the GeForce GTX family of high-performance graphics cards. With full DirectX 11 support that blows away older DirectX 10 card's performance by up to 8x, PC gamers will experience stunning graphics in 1080P HD brilliance. The NVIDIA GeForce turbocharged Ti performance is also 40% faster than the standard GeForce GTX 650 GPU.
The new Geforce GTX 650 Ti offers an entry point to the GeForce GTX family of high-performance graphics cards. With full DirectX 11 support that blows away older DirectX 10 card's performance by up to 8x, PC gamers will experience stunning graphics in 1080P HD brilliance. The NVIDIA GeForce turbocharged Ti performance is also 40% faster than the standard GeForce GTX 650 GPU.
ZOTAC Announces its GeForce GTX 650 Ti Lineup
ZOTAC International, a leading innovator and global manufacturer of graphics cards, mainboards and mini-PCs, today completes its GeForce Kepler lineup with the ZOTAC GeForce GTX 650 Ti and GTX 650 Ti AMP! Edition. The new ZOTAC GeForce GTX 650 Ti series enables gamers to step up to turbocharged GeForce GTX graphics and embrace the latest epic adventures in stunning detail with best-in-class performance.
"ZOTAC is pleased to offer a new sweet-spot graphics cards that delivers an amazing gaming experience and class-leading features with our GeForce GTX 650 Ti series," said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC International.
"ZOTAC is pleased to offer a new sweet-spot graphics cards that delivers an amazing gaming experience and class-leading features with our GeForce GTX 650 Ti series," said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC International.
Palit Outs its GeForce GTX 650 Ti
Palit announced its GeForce GTX 650 Ti graphics card. The card combines a compact PCB that's derived from NVIDIA reference design, and a custom design fan-heatsink. The Palit GeForce GTX 650 Ti base model runs at NVIDIA-reference clock speeds of 925/5400 MHz (core/memory). The GeForce GTX 650 Ti packs 768 CUDA cores, 64 TMUs, 16 ROPs, and a 128-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, holding 1 GB of memory. It is based on the same GK106 silicon as the GeForce GTX 660. The card draws power from a 6-pin PCIe power connector. Display outputs include D-Sub, dual DVI, and HDMI. Prices start at US $150.
Jun 16th, 2024 12:01 EDT
change timezone
Latest GPU Drivers
New Forum Posts
- Opinions on AI (262)
- when using only 2 out of 4 ram slots which 2 are best? (13)
- Free Games Thread (3880)
- my computer hit a wall and cant move data (49)
- Alphacool - problem with radiators - bad fin soldering? (30)
- RX 580 Sapphire Nitro 8gb | black screen when booting after disabling CSM and trying to turn on SecureBoot (14)
- Insyde software announces AI BIOS! (47)
- Optane 1600X 118GB - Lots of CDM benching and some thoughts (65)
- How to quickly & easily fix coil-whine(coil choke noise) (890)
- Should i upgrade my cpu (rtx 4070) ? (55)
Popular Reviews
- Pulsar Xlite V3 eS Review
- Aune AR5000 Headphones + S17 Pro Headphones Amplifier Review
- Upcoming Hardware Launches 2024 (Updated May 2024)
- VAXEE Outset AX Wireless (4K) Review
- Team Group T-Force G70 Pro 2 TB Review
- AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Review - The Best Gaming CPU
- Intel Lunar Lake Technical Deep Dive - So many Revolutions in One Chip
- NZXT H6 Flow RGB Review
- ASUS Radeon RX 7900 GRE TUF OC Review
- Thermal Grizzly KryoSheet Review - Tested on RX 7900 XTX with 475 W
Controversial News Posts
- Possible Specs of NVIDIA GeForce "Blackwell" GPU Lineup Leaked (132)
- NVIDIA RTX 5090 "Blackwell" Founders Edition to Implement the "RTX 4090 Ti" Cinderblock Design (118)
- AMD Ryzen 9000 Zen 5 Single Thread Performance at 5.80 GHz Found 19% Over Zen 4 (115)
- AMD Outs Ryzen 5000XT Processors for Socket AM4, an 8-year Old Socket (105)
- Nightmare Fuel for Intel: Arm CEO Predicts Arm will Take Over 50% Windows PC Market-share by 2029 (105)
- AMD Says Ryzen 9000 Series Won't Beat 7000X3D Series at Gaming (102)
- AMD Zen 5 Storms into Gaming Desktops with Ryzen 9000 "Granite Ridge" Processors (100)
- Biden Administration to Revive Trump-Era Tariffs on China-made GPUs and Motherboards (95)