Archive for Computers

ZAGG talks ZAGGbox details

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on October 29th, 2009

zagg-logoYou may recognize the ZAGG name as the company who offers the full line of invisibleSHIELD protective films for notebooks and mobile phones. The film is fantastic and keeps your gadgets from getting scratched and marred. ZAGG has announced some details on a new product that is coming next year called the ZAGGbox.

The device serves several functions including storing, recording, and playing media. It can transcode video to a version for TV and for the iPod or iPhone at the same time. The device has a universal remote and can control other devices with an IR blaster.

Booq unveils laptop bag you work out of

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on October 29th, 2009

booqviperrush-sbWhen it comes to being a mobile worker, you need some gear if you are going to be productive at all. You need a notebook, a mobile phone and something to carry all that stuff in. The notebook bag is an important part of your gear and booq has unveiled a cool new laptop bag called the Viper Rush.

The bag comes in XL and M sizes with the M version fitting the 15-inch MacBook and the XL version working for the 17-inch MacBook and 15-inch PCs. The bag is semi ridged and is designed to allow you to work on your laptop without pulling it out of the bag.

GPU market grows over 21% in Q3 2009

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on October 27th, 2009

jpr-logoOne of the things that the computer industry is measured by is how many GPUs ship. The more GPUs that ship, the more computers ship. All computers have a GPU of some sort inside them today. The latest figures from Jon Peddie Research for Q3 2009 have been released.

The GPU market grew an impressive 21.2% compared to Q2 2009. AMD was the biggest gainer for the quarter with growth of 30% followed by Intel who grew 21% for the quarter. NVIDIA grew only 3.3% during Q3.

Notebook revenue slips as netbook shipments grow

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on October 12th, 2009

msi_wind_u110_eco-sbNetbooks have been very popular since they launched and the economy went bad. Many consumers are finding the low price point of the typical netbook to be hard to pass up. As sales of netbooks soar, overall revenues in the notebook category are slipping.

Research firm DisplaySearch has released its latest numbers for the notebook and netbook category and the value of the notebook PC market as a whole was $26.4 billion, up 10% quarter over quarter, but down 5% year over year. The netbook segment was the biggest growth category with an increase from last quarter of 37% and a year over year increase of 264%.

SGI Octane III personal supercomputer unveiled

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on September 21st, 2009

sgioctaneiiiSay supercomputer to most people and they think of the massive machines that take up entire rooms at colleges and laboratories around the country. The sort of computers that have massive power and consumer as much electricity as a mall.

SGI has announced a new computer that is the first in what it calls its line of personal supercomputers. The machine is a high-performance desk side cluster. Despite the machines high-performance it takes up the same amount of space as your average workstation.

CTL unveils 2go Classmate PC E10 netbook for kids

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on September 16th, 2009

classmate2go-sbI think that computers in schools are a great idea and every kid should have one. This would allow them to use computers instead of their books and perhaps lighten the 30-pound load it seems like they send home with my third grader. One of the most interesting netbooks specifically for school age kids is the CTL 2go Classmate PC E10 that debuted today.

The machine is a 10.1-inch laptop and it has an Intel Atom processor. The exterior of the machine is ruggedized to protect it from drops and water. Storage is to a 160GB HDD and the machine has 1GB of RAM inside.

Hannspree HannsNote netbook comes to America

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on August 21st, 2009

hannspreenetbookI am a notebook fan, but do we really need another of the same old machines on the U.S. market? I don’t think we do, what we need are netbooks that innovate either through lower pricing or interesting and compelling features.

HannSpree has announced that its me too HannsNote 10-inch netbook is now available in America. The little machine is a dead ringer for the MSI Wind and has the same old features we have been getting on our netbooks for the last year.

CTL 2go all-in-one Atom PC unveiled

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on August 3rd, 2009

allin4-sbIn theory, an all-in-one PC is a good way to save space and get a cleaner looking desktop. The reality is that for some users an all-in-one won’t do the job since most of the new ones being introduced are base don’t the Intel Atom. Gamers need not apply.

A company called CTL has announced an all-in-one PC that’s really more of a normal LCD with a holder on the back for an external Intel Atom-powered system. That means that you have a choice of monitor sizes from 17 to 23-inches and the machine can have an optional DVD drive.

Getac unveils 9213 rugged business notebook

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on July 10th, 2009

getac9213-sbRugged notebooks are typically more about function over form. They are often big, boxy machines that look like a suitcase more than a typical notebook computer. Rugged machines are also typically larger and heavier than standard machines.

Getac has announced its latest rugged notebook called the 9213. The machine is built with a magnesium chassis and a shock mounted hard drive and LCD. The notebook is designed to handle bumps, drops, and mishaps that go along with using a notebook on the road. The machine also has a spill resistant keyboard.

Ripple LOOK PC

Posted in Computers by Conner Flynn on July 8th, 2009

Ripple LOOK PCIf you are in the market for a PC that won’t take up much space,(Like none at all) then the new Ripple LOOK PC might be the one for you. It measures in at just 215mm x 235mm x 69mm. The mini desktop is powered by either an Intel Atom N230, N270 or N330 processor, 1GB or 2GB RAM, and a 160GB or 320GB hard drive.

We love the size, but they went the extra mile and also made the Ripple LOOK stylish, which we appreciate. Sadly for your desk, the Ripple LOOK PC is only available in Korea at the moment. No price info yet.

CrunchPad coming soon for about $300

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on July 6th, 2009

crunchpad-sbI have talked before about the CrunchPad when a prototype of the device was unveiled back in January. I though the device looked like a kid’s toy back then, thankfully the CrunchPad has been redesigned and is getting close to a launch date. The new design looks very Apple-like.

The NYT reports that Michael Arrington has incorporated a new company called CrunchTablet and is set to make an announcement in late July or early August with availability of the device coming soon after. The CrunchPad is said to cost under $300 and have a screen at least 12-inches.

Dynamism offers new Viliv X70 MID

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on June 10th, 2009

vilivx7-sbNetbooks are wildly popular today and odds are many of your friends have them. If you want to be different and stand out from the pack, albeit in a less functional way, a MID might be for you. Sure, they lack a real keyboard, but with Bluetooth, you can carry and external with you.

Dynamism has unveiled a new MID with a tablet form factor called the Viliv X70 series. The device is a touchscreen tablet that runs on netbook internals with an Intel Atom CPU running at 1.33GHz. The MID has a 7-inch WSVGA LCD with a resolution of 1024 x 600 and haptics touch feedback technology.

Maingear Pulse is world’s greenest gaming PC

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on June 5th, 2009

maingearpulse-sbOne thing that most gaming PCs have in common is that they pack the highest performance parts they can get their hands on into a rig that sucks down power like a Hummer slurps fuel. With more people looking to go green, I guess it was inevitable that a green gaming rig was launched.

Maingear has announced the Pulse gaming PC, which it claims to be the world’s greenest gaming PC. The rig is based on the NVIDIA Ion platform and it is also the world’s first upgradable Ion PC. The small form factor machine can be upgraded from Ion graphics to an NVIDIA 9800 ECO video card that needs 40% less power than a typical 9800 GT requires.

Maingear launches uber gaming PC

Posted in Computers by Shane McGlaun on June 4th, 2009

maingear-sbWhen it comes to gaming desktop PCs they tend to be packed with the latest hardware and massive price tags. PC gamers looking for a high-end rig have some nice machines to choose from, assuming the economy has left them any extra scratch.

For those who have the money, Maingear has announced a new gaming PC called the ePhex X58 Elite. The machine draws part of its name from the Asus X58 mainboard that allows the use of multiple video cards from NVIDIA and ATI.

PC-In-A-Vase

Posted in Computers by Conner Flynn on June 2nd, 2009

PC-In-A-VaseThis is a first. Normally we see PC guts or console guts stuffed into all kinds of things, but they are the result of hackers. This PC-in-a-vase was designed by an actual company, ECS. It’s actually an interesting glimpse into the future, when we will want to hide the PC and have it mesh more with our environment.

It has an Atom 230 system, a 2.5-inch HDD of unknown capacity, a Blu-Ray drive, 1GB of RAM and HDMI out, all in one package. Sometimes you just want a vase in your living space instead of a HTPC.





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