Toshiba Adds Face Recognition to New Satellite Line

Topic: Notebooks and PCs

Toshiba has added an interesting feature to its new Satellite notebooks that allows users to log onto their notebook without typing or swiping a finger. The new Satellite U400, M300, A300, and P300 notebooks are all equipped with Toshiba Face Recognition software.

This software uses the built-in webcam to recognize the users face and log them into the notebook automatically. The software stores images of authorized users’ faces and logs them into personal accounts on the computer. The software will allow multiple users of one system to log into individual accounts as well. Read more

Posted on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:25:50 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Windows XP SP3 Release to Web delayed

Topic: Notebooks and PCs

Microsoft delays the general roll-out of the Windows XP SP3.

Microsoft encountered apparently a compatibility issue between Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) and the XP SP3 update. The problem even exists with the Vista SP1. Read more

Posted on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:19:53 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Alienware Introduces M17x Gaming Notebook

Topic: Notebooks and PCs

Alienware unveiled its most powerful gaming laptop ever this week called the Area-51 m17x. The notebook uses Intel Core 2 Extreme processors and NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTX graphics in SLI mode. The machine also has a 500GB HDD and can be optioned with up to 1.5TB of storage.

The notebook can be optioned with an integrated HDTV tuner built-in and has multiple graphics and CPU options available. The built-in sound system includes two speakers and a subwoofer. The battery is a 12-cell lithium ion. Screen size for the machine is 17-inch and the screen resolution is 1920 x 1200. The M17x starts at $2199 with a fully optioned rig going for over $6000. Read more

Posted on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:36:21 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Windows XP SP3 download Availability

Topic: Notebooks and PCs

A week ago we reported that Microsoft will publish Windows XP SP3 today. The plans have changed a bit as it seems.

MSDN subscribers have already been able to download Windows XP SP3 for a couple of days. A download to none MSDN members could be expected next week, if I interpret this post from Microsoft's Chris Keroack correctly. Read more

Posted on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

AT&T and Starbucks Launch In Store Wi-Fi

Topic: Notebooks and PCs

AT&T and Starbucks announced that they are beginning the roll out of the AT&T Wi-Fi service in company owned Starbucks stores nationwide. The implementation of the AT&T service will continue throughout 2008.

"With the power of our Wi-Fi network, and through our partnership with Starbucks, we're strengthening our ability to meet the needs of today's mobile consumer virtually anywhere and everywhere," Stephenson said. "Expanding our reach across company-operated Starbucks locations nationwide helps us bridge the gap between our wired and wireless offerings and affirms AT&T's commitment to connect people with their worlds, everywhere they live and work." Read more

Posted on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:32:21 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

New Apple iMac announced

Topic: Notebooks and PCs

The rumors from last week about Apple introducing new iMac computers become true. Apple announced new iMacs with more performance today. Whatever happened to Apple launching new products on Tuesday?

The updated all-in-one Apple iMac comes with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors and the most powerful graphics ever available in an iMac. Read more

Posted on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:29:47 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Psystar publishes Video showing Open Computer running Apple OS X

Topic: Notebooks and PCs

Psystar is still trying to convince us that despite heavy criticism that their Mac OS X clone dubbed Open Computer is for real. They have now turned to the video medium to spread the word about $399.99 Mac hardware.

The video published on their site (apparently made with an Open Computer) shows the Open Computer running Windows XP, Ubuntu, and Mac OS X. Read more

Posted on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Apple releases Boot Camp 2.1 to support Windows XP SP3

Topic: Notebooks and PCs

Apple is ready for Windows XP SP3. Why would they care about a Microsoft update? The dual boot tool Boot Camp is of course impacted when Microsoft is updating an OS. Apple is ahead a couple days with supporting XP SP3. Microsoft plans to officially release Windows XP SP3 on April 29th.

The new Apple Boot Camp 2.1 is available for download now. Read more

Posted on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:32:59 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Asus Introduces the Lamborghini VX3 Notebook

Topic: Notebooks and PCs

Asus introduced its latest Lamborghini ultraportable notebook today called the VX3. The notebook has a 12.1-inch WXGA LCD and runs on an Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 CPU. The machine has 4GB of DDR2 RAM and a built-in DVD burner.

Other features of the notebook include a pair of batteries with one 3-cell and one 9-cell. With the 3-cell battery the system weighs only 3.6-pounds and it measures 12” x 8.66” x 1.22”. The notebook also includes a HSDPA modem, Bluetooth, a finger print reader and it runs on Windows Vista. The machine comes in glossy black or yellow colors and retails for $3299. Read more

Posted on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:31:16 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Apple Mac Sales rise 51%

Topic: Notebooks and PCs

Apple announced its fiscal 2008 Q2 earnings with a surprising surge in Apple Mac sales by 51% compared with the same quarter a year ago.

Apple shipped 2,289,000 Macintosh computers during the quarter, representing 51% unit growth and 54% revenue growth over the year-ago quarter.
The Company sold 10,644,000 iPods during the quarter, representing one percent unit growth and eight percent revenue growth over the year-ago quarter. Quarterly iPhone sales were 1,703,000. Read more

Posted on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:33:43 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Averatec Introduces New Semi-rugged Laptops

Topic: Notebooks and PCs

Averatec introduced a pair of new semi-rugged notebooks called the Voya 4473 and the Voya 6494. The 4473 is a 14.1-inch notebook and the 6494 is a 15.4-inch notebook. Both notebooks feature semi-ruggedized magnesium allow frames and Intel dual-core processors.

The Voya 4473 has a 14.1-inch XGA display with a 1024 x 768 resolution. The internal components are drop and vibration resistant and the keyboard and touchpad are spill resistant. The CPU is an Intel Core 2 Duo T2080 at 1.73 GHz. Other features include 802.11 a/b/g connectivity and 1GB of DDR2 RAM. The machine weighs 5.7 pounds. Read more

Posted on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:34:28 CDT | by Shane McGlaun