Parallels Desktop 5 for Apple Mac Is Available Now

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Parallels announced the availability of the new Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac today. Parallels Desktop 5 allows you to run Windows 7 or Linux next to your Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

According to performance research conducted by Crimson Consulting Group, Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac performs 22% faster than the nearest Windows-on-Mac competitor in standard productivity testing of Windows 7 64-bit on a MacBook Pro. In addition, version 5 is up to 300% faster for virtual machine operations than the previous version. For 3D and graphics performance, tested under the industry standard 3Dmark 2006 Professional test suite the new version performs up to 7 times better. Read more

Posted on Wed, 4 Nov 2009 03:28:49 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Kingston Offers new SSD Desktop Upgrade Solution

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Kingston has announced its latest desktop SSD upgrade kit. The new kit is a bargain and is designed to be a boot drive for the OS. The SSDNow V Series 40GB Boot Drive is the latest edition to the family of drives and is available for as low as $84.49 after rebates at Newegg.com.

The full retail price of the drive isn't much more than the discounted price after rebates. The 40Gb boot drive sells for $115 and will ship on November 9th. The drive has a sequential read speed of 170MB/sec and 40MB/sec write speeds. The drive uses a 2.5-inch form factor. Read more

Posted on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

HP Unveils Cheap Compaq Desktop and Notebook PCs

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HP has announced several new computers recently and among them are a pair of new and cheap Compaq systems. The new computers include the Compaq Presario CQ61z and the Presario 4010f desktop. The notebook has the HP piano black imprint finish with a silver panel for the palm rest and touchpad. The screen is a 15.6-inch HD display with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Power for the notebook comes from a six-cell battery. I'm not sure what CPU is included in the notebook, but it won’t be a high-end unit considering the machine sells for $399 after a $100 instant rebate good from October 18th to December 19th. Read more

Posted on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Dell Laptops and Desktops Get Year of Napster

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Dell and Napster announced that select Dell computers would start shipping with a year of free Napster service. The machines will ship with a year of instant access Napster service including 60 MP3s of the consumer's choice and 12 months of music on demand listening from the Napster catalog.

Select Dell desktop and notebook computers shipping in the US, UK, and Germany will offer the free music service. Some Dell PCs purchased at Best Buy in the US will also be sold with a Napster icon on the desktop offering access to the Napster catalog. Read more

Posted on Mon, 5 Oct 2009 07:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Dell launches Vostro 430 business desktop

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Dell has added a new desktop computer to its Vostro business line called the Vostro 430. The machine is optimized for Windows 7 due to launch this month and has a starting price of $699. Dell offers a wealth of options that will push that starting price up significantly.

The Vostro 430 can be fitted with Intel Core i5 or Core i7 CPUs and has graphics options from both NVIDIA and ATI. The machine also has lots of expandability options with support for up to 16GB of RAM and two 1TB HDDs. Read more

Posted on Fri, 2 Oct 2009 08:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Logitech Wireless Desktop MK700 Debuts

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Logitech today announced the Logitech Wireless Desktop MK700. This low-profile keyboard features concave Logitech Incurve keys that position your fingers properly, and their softly rounded edges invite your fingertips to glide from key to key.

And to make sure you won't skip a beat while typing, an integrated LCD dashboard keeps you in touch with the status of important keyboard functions. Read more

Posted on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:52:33 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 with Windows 7 Smart Features unveiled

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Microsoft unveiled the Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 keyboard and mouse. The Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 is ergonomist-approved and utilizes a Comfort Curve layout that encourages natural wrist posture with a slight six-degree curve.

This new desktop set combines the Microsoft Comfort Curve keyboard layout with a soft-touch palm rest to make the PC experience more comfortable. Read more

Posted on Tue, 4 Aug 2009 09:42:45 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Averatec D1005 All-in-One Desktop unveiled

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TriGem USA today announced the Averatec 22-inch D1005 all-in-one (AIO) computer.
The new 22-inch Averatec D1005 AIO features a 2.5GHz Intel Pentium dual-core E5200 processor, 320GB hard drive, 3GB of memory, built-in WLAN wireless 802.11, Microsoft Vista Home Premium and a full-size USB keyboard and mouse. Read more

Posted on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:20:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Google Chrome OS to attack Microsoft Desktop Dominance in 2010

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Google has long been rumored to launch a desktop operating system. Well now they are doing it. Late yesterday Google announced Google Chrome OS.
Google says Google Chrome OS is their attempt to re-think what operating systems should be.

Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks. Later this year Google will open-source its code, and netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010. Read more

Posted on Wed, 8 Jul 2009 02:30:20 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Gateway SX and DX Back to School Desktop PC

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Gateway typically churns out netbooks and new notebook systems. Today the company is announcing a couple of new desktop PCs called the SX and DX series. The SX line is small form factor machines and the DX is a mini-tower line.

The SX line is aimed at the user looking for a machine for general productivity and casual gaming. The machines use Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 processor and 4GB of RAM with prices starting at $499.99. Storage for the small machine is to a 640GB HDD and the system has an integrated optical drive with DVD burner. Read more

Posted on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:19:58 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000 Review

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Today we are looking at the Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000. This is the first wireless mouse and keyboard combination from Microsoft to feature a BlueTrack mouse.

The BlueTrack mouse offers better and more accurate tracking on a variety of surfaces. The keyboard and mouse use wireless 2.4GHz technology with a 30-foot range for connectivity and work well. Read more

Posted on Tue, 2 Jun 2009 07:48:15 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

BumpTop 3D Computer Desktop Launches

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BumpTop has launched a new 3D desktop interface that looks interesting. The maker of the application says that it combines the feel of a real desk with the power of your PC. Using the application, you can spatially organize and share files and photos with the social contacts.

The application also adds sort and search functionality to the computer. BumpTop makes the files that are more commonly used larger and more prominent to make them easier to find. It also organizes documents on the computer into piles making them easier to find. Read more

Posted on Wed, 8 Apr 2009 09:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Dell Announces Customizable Desktop Computers

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Dell has announced new customization options for its line of Inspiron desktop computers. The new color options allow customers to customize desktops to their personal style much like Dell has been allowing users to customize colors on its line of notebooks.

The new Inspiron slim and mini-tower systems are now available in eight different colors. Dell says that it is the only major computer maker allowing users to choose colors on desktop computers. Dell says that the new Inspiron Slim and mini-towers are available today in China starting at $299 and will ship worldwide later this spring. Read more

Posted on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

HP Adds Multimedia Desktop and Displays to Line

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HP has pulled the wraps off its latest multimedia computer series called the HP Pavilion elite m9600 series featuring a powerful Intel Core i17 processor and features to support gaming, movies, and more. The machine can be optioned with i7 processors up to the 940 and can be ordered with up to 1TB of storage. System memory available is up to 12GB.

The computer also has bays integrated into the chassis for optional Personal Media Drive and Pocket Media Drive products. Options for the system include a Blu-ray drive and ATI HD 4850 graphics. Pricing starts at $949 with a Core i7 920 CPU, NVIDIA 9600 GS graphics, 500GB HDD, and a DVD burner. Read more

Posted on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:31:42 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

iBuyPower Unveils Desktop Gaming Machines

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iBuyPower is a small boutique builder of gaming desktop computers and it has announced its latest wares offering gamers the choice of Intel or AMD components. The Gamer Fire 640 - 3D is an AMD Phenom II X3 720 CPU machine that features a Gigabyte mainboard and offers NVIDIA graphics. The video card is the 9800GTX+ with 512MB of RAM.

The system also has 500GB of storage and a 20x optical drive with 4GB of RAM for $1349. The Gamer Paladin F830 -3D runs an Intel Core i7 CPU with an Asus P6T mainboard and 6GB of DDR3 RAM, Graphics on the machine are via NVIDIA's GTX 260 core 216 video card. Read more

Posted on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:28:13 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Do You Need a Notebook or Desktop Computer?

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When it's time to buy a new computer, many people first have to choose between a notebook and a desktop system. This choice is easy to make if you know that you need to use the system on the road. However, most people find that they end up using a notebook at a desk in the home or office rarely using it on the road.

Many people buy a notebook so that they can use it from the couch or at the kitchen table without being tied to the desk or one location in the home. Several of my friends like a notebook because they can use them from the couch while watching TV or browse the Internet. A media center PC will let you surf the net from the couch as well. Read more

Posted on Mon, 9 Mar 2009 12:00:00 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

A Look at the Future of the Desktop Computer

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For many years, the price difference between the desktop computer and a laptop computer were significant with a laptop costing much more than a comparable desktop computer. Today the gap between a desktop and a laptop is very small and often you can get low-end laptops for less than a desktop computer.

The price difference may be disappearing, but the performance gap still exists. One thing that many users fail to consider when they are deciding between a laptop and a desktop computer is that if the laptop and desktop cost the same, typically the desktop will still be more powerful. Despite that laptop computers have recently been shipping in higher number than desktops for the first time ever. Read more

Posted on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Dell Studio XPS 435 Desktop based on Core i7 unveiled

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Dell today launched the new Studio XPS 435 Core i7 Desktop PC.
The stylish Dell Studio XPS 435 is targeted to digital content creators looking for power potential and for tech enthusiasts who demand the latest and greatest at an outstanding price when compared to most other 'prosumer' performance systems.

The Dell XPS 435 features Intel Core i7 processors with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, up to 24GB DDR3 1066MHz Tri-Channel Memory, performance graphics up to ATI Radeon HD4870 1GB GDDR5 graphics and a 475W power supply. Read more

Posted on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:04:21 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Iomega Introduces 2TB and 4TB ix4 Desktop Storage Appliances

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Iomega has announced two new desktop storage appliances in its new StorCenter Pro ix4 NAS line. The company promises that advanced storage technologies allow the device to be running in only four clicks. Two models are available with one offering 2TB of storage and the other offering 4TB.

StorCenter Pro ix4-100 units use four drives and are powered by the EMC LifeLine software, which is a Linux operating system with applications to allow for data backup and serving. Multiple RAID configurations are supported and RSA enterprise security protection is offered. Read more

Posted on Fri, 6 Feb 2009 11:00:00 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB Desktop Drive Review

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Tweaktown tested the new gigantic 2TB hard drive known as the green Monster from WD (WD20WEADS).
Quote from the review: "Ten percent of all 3.5in hard drives sold today are in capacities of 1TB or greater, claims Mark Geenen, President of Trend Focus. For enthusiasts, that number would grow exponentially and with their low cost, rightly so. A few months ago Seagate launched their 1.5TB drive, but it has been plagued with firmware issues that are only now getting resolved. Just as with the graphics card world, hard drive manufacturers play the performance and capacity leapfrog game. In this round Western Digital was first to reach the finish line and the race was to 2 terabytes of storage capacity. Read more

Posted on Wed, 4 Feb 2009 17:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Lenovo Unveils Three New Desktop PCs

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Lenovo announced three new desktop PCs yesterday mere days after the end of CES 2009. The new desktop computers slot into its IdeaCenter K series line and the systems offer Core 2 Quad CPUs, up to 4GB of RAM, HD capability and DX10. Blu-ray is optional on the line as well.

Features in the line of computers include VeriFace facial recognition technology, which requires a webcam and a monitor to be purchased separately. The top-end model in the K series is the K230, which can be optioned with up to 8GB of RAM, Windows Vista, Core 2 Quad CPU and more. Read more

Posted on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:25:42 CST | by Shane McGlaun