Foxconn claims employee who committed suicide had history of misplacing prototypes, does nothing for its case

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This is one story that only gets more
bizarre with each passing day. The 25-year-old Foxconn employee who

committed suicide this month, apparently after one of the
iPhone prototypes he was responsible for went missing, is now
reported to have misplaced other prototypes previous to this
instance. According to Foxconn (who spoke with the New York
Times), his employer and the company charged with
manufacturing all of Apple's handsets, Sun Danyong had had products
go missing "several times," but that he had gotten them back.
Foxconn itself is the subject of some mystery in all this, after a
security officer connected to the company was
suspended and turned over to the Chinese government --
apparently in connection with the case. Sun Danyong was reportedly
interrogated and possibly beaten after the prototype went missing,
though Foxconn and those connected with the company have denied
this. Foxconn has confirmed that Sun Danyong's family was paid
roughly $44,000 and given an Apple laptop as compensation for his
death.






Thanks: Engadgetmobile

Foxconn increases compensation to family of worker who committed suicide

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Foxconn hasn't exactly been helping itself much lately in the
sad case of an employee of the company who committed suicide
after apparently misplacing an iPhone prototype, with it first
noting that the worker had a history of misplacing such
prototypes, and then going on to offer his family a rather meager
compensation of $44,000 and a free Apple laptop. It now looks to be
trying to improve things somewhat, however, with a Foxconn official
saying that the company has now agreed to pay Sun Danyong's parents
360,000 yuan (or about $52,600) in compensation up front, plus an
additional 30,000 yuan (or $4,385) every year thereafter. Of
course, that official is speaking on the condition of anonymity, so
things could still well change, and it goes without saying that
this likely won't be the last we hear of this story.

Thanks: Engadgetmobile

17-inch unibody MacBook Pro gets disassembled, examined

The battery on the now-shipping 17-inch unibody MacBook Pro may not be removable for average, warranty-abiding users, but that didn't stop the folks at iFixit from removing it and just about everything else that isn't soldered on. As you might expect, however, apart from that over-sized battery, the internals aren't too different from the 15-inch unibody MacBook Pro, although the 17-incher unsurprisingly has a pair of noticeably larger fans to keep everything cool, and iFixit describes the component density as "amazing." Hit up the link below for the complete teardown, and try your best not to imagine a matte black MacBook Pro after catching sight of that battery.


Thanks: Mac Rumors

• WinSplit Revolution splits up your widescreen monitor space
• Toshiba Qosmio X305-Q725 reviewed: a nice performer, but it's still ugly

Toshiba Qosmio X305-Q725 reviewed: a nice performer, but it's still ugly

Toshiba's Qosmio X305-Q725, which was unveiled amidst a flurry of other gizmos at CES, boasts the same incredibly controversial motif as the higher-end X305-Q708, but with an MSRP of $2,700 (versus $4,200 on the Q708), it's at least a wee bit more affordable. The benchmarking crew over at HotHardware decided to put this newer, marginally more affordable iteration to the test in order to see if it still performed under pressure, and by and large, it did. While it couldn't go toe-to-toe with higher-end desktops, the GeForce 9800M GTX GPU, quad-core processor and SSD helped it to blaze through everyday tasks and hold its own in the gaming arena. Our biggest issue is the omission of a 1,920 x 1,200 display, but we suppose that's why there's the more expensive alternative. Hit up the read link for pages upon pages of test results and impressions.

Thanks: Engadget

• Shuttle ships liquid-cooled SDXi Carbon SFF gaming PC
• Edit Google Docs Spreadsheets on your iPhone

Lenovo said to be prepping 12-inch IdeaPad S20 netbook

This one's nowhere near official just yet, but DigiTimes is reporting that Lenovo is set to expand its netbook line to include a 12-inch model in the form of the Atom-powered IdeaPad S20 (no doubt not too dissimilar to 10-inch S10 pictured above). While there's expectedly no word on complete details, DigiTimes does say that the netbook would come equipped an Atom N280 processor and Intel's GN40 chipset, along with Windows XP, and cost about $586. It also says that since the 12-inch screen size falls outside of Intel's definition of a netbook, Lenovo would have to pay the full, non-preferential price for the Atom processor (about ten bucks more), although it's not clear if that's also been the case with something like the Dell Mini 12, which also pairs an Atom processor with a 12-inch screen.


Thanks: The Inquirer

• Dell Latitude XT2 multi-touch tablet with 11-hour battery now official (starts at $2,399)
• Hark! Dell Mini 12 kitted with an SSD

gScreen creating rugged dual-screen laptop for animated frogs and Navy frogmen

After spending some time with Lenovo's dual-screen wonder, the W700ds, we were left with somewhat mixed feelings. Having two screens is nice, but at 11 pounds it's not something you really want to take anywhere -- certainly not onto the battlefield. That's just where the gScreen TITAN M-1 is supposedly headed, a ruggedized version of the decidedly rendery 15-inch dual-screen G400 notebook pictured above, intended to meet the military's MIL-STD-810F conditions for operating in generally extreme conditions. Internally it'll be rocking an Intel QX9300 CPU (also found in Lenovo's W700-series), 4GB of memory, and 500GB of storage. This model and other non-rugged versions ranging from 13.3- to 17-inches are said to be releasing throughout the year, but we'll believe it when we see a photograph that wasn't whipped up in 3ds Max.

Thanks: Engadget

Acer Aspire One D150 reviewed, AT&T 3G deal 'only the beginning'

At last, after seeing it unboxed and fiddled with on camera last week, we've got out first in-depth review of the 10.1-inch acer Aspire One D150, courtesy of Laptop. How does the Intel Atom N270-based machine fare? Excellent for its $350 price tag, although the keyboard and touchpad don't compare favorably with the pricier Eee PC 1000HE or Samsung NC10. As for battery life, the 5800mAh-rated 6-cell had a very impressive 7 hour and 57 minute runtime, which is 49 minutes longer than the 1000HE and 38 minutes over HP's Mini 2140. Of course, seeing as most consumers will end up with the 4400mAh batteries, a more likely estimate is 5 hours per charge. Additionally, the site had a Q&A session with Acer VP of Product Marketing Sumit Agnihotry, who said that $100 Aspire One with AT&T 3G deal is "only the beginning" and they're developing a plan to offer discounted laptops with an hourly-use program. There's also talk of incorporating NVIDIA's Ion platform into future computers. Hit up the read links below for the full review and more deets from Agnihotry.

Thanks: Engadget

• IBM Tivoli comes to the cloud
• German Mac clone company thinks Germany doesn't have laws

Toshiba packs NB100, A350 with 3G and ships them off to EMEA

Toshiba has announced that its Satellite A350 and NB100 would soon be finding their way into Europe, Middle East, and African (EMEA) markets with an added bonus: HSPA technology. We've got precisely nada on the price tag for these iterations, however, which normally retail for around $800 and $500 without 3G. If you're on the lookout for a laptop with some extra portability, both models are expected to hit retail channels first quarter of this year.


Thanks: Notebook Italia

• AMD's new Phenom II chips take on Intel

HP UK spurns Linux in its new netbook offerings

Looks like anyone in the U.K. hoping to buy a new hp netbook with Linux is going to be sorely disappointed. For reasons unspecified, the company's decided not to offer the Mini 1000 or the Mini 2140 with a pre-install of Linux -- standard options for the U.S. versions of both. Current U.K. HP Linux offerings include the 2133, but it's an older model, so the lack of it for the newer models may signal a trend moving forward. HP will apparently offer its Ubuntu-based Mobile Internet Experience as a download, however, so all hope's not dead. Well, you can't always get what you want, can you?

Thanks: Engadget

• First impressions with the Eee PC 1000HE and its delectable keyboard
• S1Digital intros P500 media Center, updates ProLine Series of HTPCs

Apple delays 17-inch MacBook Pro shipments

Apple is having trouble getting its new 17-inch MacBook Pro out to customers.(Credit: James Martin/CNET News) apple is going to need a little more time to get its new 17-inch MacBook Pro out the door. Last week Apple updated its order page for the new MacBook Pro unveiled at Macworld 2009 to reflect a shipping lead time of 7 to 10 days. But AppleInsider now reports that those who preordered the systems from Apple have been told not to expect their systems before February 19. Apple didn't provide an exact explanation for the delay but told customers via e-mail that "wrapping up the new 17-inch MacBook Pro is taking a few days longer than we projected," according to AppleInsider. The company had promised to ship the new systems by the end of January when it first announced the notebooks.

Thanks: cnet.com

• iBook G4 benchmarked against hackintosh netbook, comes out even
• Panasonic's Toughbook 52 upgraded, shows its touchier side

Panasonic's Toughbook 52 upgraded, shows its touchier side

After watching its Toughbook 19 and 30 siblings get a makeover, Panasonic's CF-52 wasn't about to miss out on all the fun. The semi-rugged laptop has a few new tricks up its armored sleeve, chief among them an optional 13.3-inch XGA touchscreen with integrated stylus holder, dual overhead keyboard light, and intel GM45 video controller. If you're not the touchy-feely type, the 15.4-incher is still around, swapping tactile interface for WUXGA resolution and an ATI Radeon HD 3650. Both models sport Intel Core 2 Duos with vPro technology, 2-4 GB DDR2 RAM, Bluetooth and 160GB HDD. Look for these babies to hit retail shelves -- and still work -- later this month for an estimated starting price of ?1851 ($2677).

Thanks: engadget

• Eurocom lays claim to Core i7-equipped Clevo D900F
• Viliv's S5 MID goes haptic, will move you in March

Lenovo's American CEO steps down, Chinese leadership returns

After leaving Dell to become chief executive of Lenovo, Bill Amelio is stepping down from his post as CEO. Amelio joined Lenovo to help with the integration of IBM's PC business. The so-called "amicable" departure comes with the announcement of a quarterly loss three-times higher than expected. The US executive has been replaced by Lenovo's Chairman Yang Yuanqing who will continue to live and work from Lenovo's North Carolina office -- Yang's board leadership duties will now be assumed by Lenovo's co-founder, Liu Chuanzhi. That puts Lenovo back into the hands of executive Chinese leadership as it attempts to recapture ground given up to HP and Acer in corporate sales. And with IT bugdets slashed in a bid to keep corporations afloat, the executive changes are meant to accelerate Lenovo's strategy to dominate China's PC market, grow its business into emerging markets (specifically India and Russia), and expand upon its burgeoning sales to individual consumers. Seems like a reasonable move to us.


Thanks: Bloomberg

• Google Latitude coming to other devices, iPhone included
• Affixa integrates webmail with Windows

First impressions with the Eee PC 1000HE and its delectable keyboard

We were pleased to see Asus responding to its critics by unveiling the new 1000HE at CES, offering a far more pleasant keyboard that finally moved the right shift key just a bit to the left. With the new model about to ship, Laptop Magazine has been able to stack one up against an older 1000 model and play a little game of "One of These Things" to spot the differences between the two. There weren't many, just that chiclet-style keyboard, which was rated as "just better," and the new 1.66GHz Atom N280 CPU, replacing the elder's 1.6GHz N270. Unfortunately the slight bump in clock and bus speed (from 133MHz to 167MHz) didn't make any noticeable change in performance, but if this thing can deliver on its promise of 9+ hours on a charge we don't think anybody will mind.

Thanks: Engadget

• EyesRelax is a better way to enforce computer breaks
• Google's GDrive inches closer to becoming a reality

iBook G4 benchmarked against hackintosh netbook, comes out even

Apple's been pretty resistant to putting out an OS X netbook, and we might have an inkling why -- according to benchmarks run on a hackintosh'd MSI Wind variant, Apple's OS runs just about as well on your average 1.6GHz Atom / 1GB RAM machines as it does on a four-year-old iBook G4. Sure, the Atom boots a bit faster and outperforms the G4 on simple tasks, but it slows way down when the going gets tough. Of course, the iBook was a much larger machine than most netbooks out there, but with numbers like this we'd say those of you searching for an OS X netbook can skip the EULA violations and just hunt down an old 12-inch PowerBook G4. Check out all the stats at the read link.


Thanks: Engadget

• Netbook in a suitcase: all the shortcomings of a subnote in a large, inconvenient package
• Intel: use our CPU (not their GPU) for game coding

Viliv's S5 MID goes haptic, will move you in March

Viliv has been showing some potential lately with its touchable upcoming products, the clean looking S7 netbook tablet and S5 MID. We received some further information on the latter of those two this morning, most notable being the inclusion of haptic feedback that should make its 4.8-inch, 800 x 480 screen feel a little more tactile. We also got confirmation that the device will be running windows XP hidden behind a custom UI overlay that, we presume, will be similar to the one we saw running at CES on the S7. Still no price, but the company is aiming for a march release domestically. Our fingers are tingling with anticipation.

Thanks: Engadget

• Access Windows 7, Vista exFAT partitions in XP
• Yahoo! Briefcase is finally being put out of its misery

Eurocom lays claim to Core i7-equipped Clevo D900F

Remember all those Clevo laptops revealed last month? While we're expecting more information at CeBIT 2009, those crazy Canadians at Eurocom have gone ahead and spilled the beans on the 17-inch D900F. As conjectured, the 11.9-pound behemoth's packing an equally-mighty Intel core i7 processor in 2.66, 2.93 and 3.2GHz varieties. It's also got three 500GB hard drives totaling 1.5TB of space, 8GB DDR3 RAM, an nvidia G280 GPU, and a Blu-ray burner. Launch date is May 1, although according to Notebook Reviews we shouldn't expect to get our hands on it until Q4 2009. No word on pricing, but we suspect this powerhouse is gonna burn a giant hole in our pockets from both the inside and out.


Thanks: Notebook Reviews

• Mac tidbits: 17-inch MacBook Pro shipping, new iMacs soon?
• Maingear intros Remix workstation for the creative professional

Mac tidbits: 17-inch MacBook Pro shipping, new iMacs soon?

Apple's new 17-inch MacBook Pro is shipping on schedule.(Credit: Apple) A couple of tidbits surfaced Friday related to Apple's current and future Mac lineup. First of all, the 17-inch MacBook Pro introduced at Macworld 2009 is now shipping, MacNN discovered. Apple is quoting a 7- to 10-day lead time for shipments from its online store, which means it won't arrive until February, but Apple had only promised to start shipping the notebook by the end of January. It doesn't seem to be available in Apple's retail stores yet; at least, it wasn't available at the downtown San Francisco store as of Friday. Secondly, AppleInsider reports that Apple resellers are being told to expect limited quantities of 24-inch iMacs in the coming weeks, which generally means that the current model is being phased out. There have been several signs that Apple is planning to tweak the iMac in the coming weeks, most recently via an analyst report suggesting Apple was weighing whether to use dual-core or quad-core processors in the new models.

Thanks: cnet.com

• Trusted Computing Group spec to be foundation of storage encryption
• Intel said to be prepping eight- core Xeon for launch next month

Acer confirms plans for Linux, SSD-equipped 10-inch Aspire One netbooks

It wasn't making any promises on launch day, but Acer has reportedly now confirmed that it will indeed be offering both Linux and SSD options on its new 10-inch Aspire One netbook, though you won't be able to get either option right out of the gate. Expectedly, the Linux distribution on tap is Linpus Linux, and it looks like the only SSD option will be a 16GB drive -- no word on pricing for either, unfortunatly. There's also no firm word on a released date, though it'll apparently be some time after the mid-February roll out of the Windows XP-equipped model.


Thanks: Engadget

• Dell to take $280 million fourth-quarter charge
• Dude, Putin is so not getting a Dell

Acer uncages AMD-powered Ferrari 1200 ultraportable

Wow, has it really been almost a year since Acer's Ferrari 1100 ultraportable was released from the garage? Believe it or not, the proper successor to the aforesaid machine is just now getting its inspection sticker, and it's apparently planning to hit the streets of Britain in the near future. The Ferrari 1200 arrives with an elegant LED-backlit 12.1-inch panel, a carbon fiber cover, a unique ventilation design that "echoes the exhaust pipes of F1 cars" and an "anodized-metal touchpad that resembles the brake and acceleration pedals of a Ferrari car." Corny? Sure, but it's good to know you aren't paying a premium for a logo and nothing more, right? At any rate, you'll also find a bundled BT wireless mouse, an optional Xpress VoIP phone, WiFi module, an AMD Turion X2 Ultra CPU, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a SATA HDD and a fingerprint reader for good measure. Mum's the word on pricing / availability, but we'd bank on "expensive" and "soon."

Thanks: Engadget

• Create PDF from web pages in Chrome, Opera, or on your iPhone
• Lian-Li's PC-888: if the Burj Al Arab were a PC chassis

Forget chocolates, Samsung offers pink NC10 for Valentine gifting

If a pink MSI Wind isn't the way to your significant other's heart, Samsung has an alternative for you in the form of a rose-colored NC10. The similarly-spec'd 10.2-inch netbook sports a 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, and Windows XP Home. Additionally, it's got a suspiciously-long 7-hour battery life and anti-germ keyboard. UK retailer dabs has it listed for ?316 ($434) with VAT and a February 9 release date. Let's just hope she doesn't lament the color choice come March.


Thanks: Portable Monkey

• Specs for HP's Mini 1100 pop up, ExpressCard/54 slot is a go

Specs for HP's Mini 1100 pop up, ExpressCard/54 slot is a go

Looks like HP's web monkeys are filling in the product pages for those unannounced Mini 1100s we spotted earlier -- spec pages for the 1133CL, 1135NR, 1140NR and 1141NR have been posted, and those rumors of an ExpressCard/54 slot are apparently true. It sounds like the 1141NR is the Vivienne Tam edition -- it comes with a "Vivienne Tam sleeve" -- but apart from that and Bluetooth in the 1135NR and 1140NR, they've all got the same 10.1-inch 1024 x 576 display, 1.6GHz Atom N270, 1GB RAM, 60GB drive, and three-cell battery. No idea why HP's got so many different confusing model numbers for what seems like the exact same product, but we're guessing we'll find out more soon -- hopefully there's a bit more sense behind this silliness than with the Eee alphabet soup.

Thanks: engadget

• The 10- inch Acer Aspire One takes some beauty shots

The 10-inch Acer Aspire One takes some beauty shots

Sure, the 10-inch Acer Aspire One isn't what you'd call classified material, but most of the leaked pictures we've seen so far have been pretty low-rent -- so this latest batch of leaked photos showing the Atom-powered netbook all gussied up for the camera might stir some deeper feelings in that cold heart of yours. It looks like we'll be getting multiple colors in addition to that new non-stupid trackpad button layout, so that's fun -- we're quite taken with the red model here. Now if Acer would just hurry up and tell us what we already know. More shots at the read link.

Thanks: Engadget

• Sony doth protest too much: don't call the VAIO P a netbook?
• Video: OQO model 2+ MID gets unboxed, previewed

Atari Touch Tablet unboxed 25 years after the fact

Are you an artist wishing to unchain the shackles of traditional media, looking for a way to catapult yourself and your work into the 20th Century? A chap named Benj Edwards has been kind enough to unbox for us Atari's Touch Tablet, a classic piece of kit from the bygone age of 1984 that -- alongside the Atari Artist software -- lets users manipulate the size, location and color of shapes and lines. Digitally. The software comes in two versions: the four color version for those of you with 16K RAM, and the 16 color version for those of you with 24K powerhouse workstations. When you're done with your pixel-based Mona Lisa, you can back it up to a cassette -- which will sit in a box in your parent's garage until your older sister gets around to taping an REO Speedwagon album over it. What are you waiting for? Hit that read link.

Thanks: engadget

• ASUS spices things up with 16-inch F50 / 17.3-inch F70 laptops
• Dell Adamo to hit the streets in the second half of 2009 ?

Video: OQO model 2+ MID gets unboxed, previewed

We were pretty stoked about the OQO model 2+ when we got to spend a few quality minutes with it at CES this year, and apparently actually getting one delivered to your house is even more spectacular. The cool cats over at MID Moves were able to score one of the Gobi / OLED-equipped handhelds for review, and rather than making us wait until all opinions were formed, they've hosted up a nice preview video along with a few high quality unboxing shots. Initial impressions seem pretty positive, with the SSD helping things along quite significantly. Granted, we would've preferred a WiFi-on battery life of more than two hours, but what fun would it be to not have a single gripe to harp on? More pictorial delight is in the read link, and the vid's just past the break.





Thanks: Slashgear

• youtube begins adding download links on select videos
• AMD earnings: more fear, uncertainty and doubt?

ASUS spices things up with 16-inch F50 / 17.3-inch F70 laptops

At first glance, there's nothing exceptionally, um, exceptional about the new F50 and F70 lines from ASUS, but upon further investigation, each family does actually do a decent job of differentiating. Both crews sport the "new generation Infusion styling," which is reportedly exactly like looking at the Aurora Borealis (really, ASUS?), and they also boast Full HD (1080p) panels, an HDMI port and a fresh "Chocolate keyboard" which melts in your mouth, not in your hand. The whole lot also features the Express Gate instant-on OS, and hardware geeks will appreciate the upwards of 1TB of hdd space and optional Blu-ray drive. Per usual, ASUS isn't dealing prices or ship dates, but you can have a look at all possible configurations down in the read link. One more shot is after the break.


Thanks: Engadget

• Turn any USB flash drive or HDD into a bootable Windows 7 installer
• Lenovo trots out new trifecta of unexciting desktops

Uninspired Archos 10 netbook announced

Archos is totally getting in on the netbook game with the announcement of their own branded model (actually just a re-packaged Hasee MJ125), the Archos 10. This little 10.2-incher (with 1024 x 600 resolution) is going to pack a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 1GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive, with a 3-cell battery, WiFi, and three USB ports -- nothing to get too excited about, for sure, but we'll wait with breath bated for word on pricing and availability.

Thanks: DAPreview

• Prevent snoops from recovering your erased files
• battery maker Boston-Power fills coffers to expand

Battery maker Boston-Power fills coffers to expand

Laptop battery maker Boston-Power on Wednesday said it has raised $55 million to expand its manufacturing, and develop lithium ion batteries for transportation and potentially other applications. The Series D round was led by Foundation Asset Management, the investment arm of a Swedish foundation, along with existing investors Oak Investment Partners, Venrock, GGV Capital, and Gabriel Venture Partners. Altogether, 4-year old Boston-Power has raised $125 million.

Boston-Power founder and CEO Christina Lampe-Onnerud holds a Sonata lithium ion battery cell.(Credit: Martin LaMonica/CNET Networks) Boston-Power's first product a long-lasting battery called Sonata, is available for Hewlett-Packard laptops. While the run time of current laptop batteries starts to degrade after about 150 charges, the Sonata can go for 1,000 charges without the same degradation, according to the company. It can also be charged quickly, getting 80 percent of capacity in half an hour. The Westborough, Mass.-based company has sought to make its batteries environmentally sustainable as well by not using PVC plastic or heavy metals--cadmium, arsenic, or mercury--in the manufacturing process. With the fresh funding round, Boston-Power intends to boost its manufacturing, and develop batteries for cars and potentially for utility-level energy storage, co-founder and CEO Christina Lampe-Onnerud said. "We took on the mission of creating a more satisfying experience with laptops, and now we can go into transportation more seriously," Lampe-Onnerud said. The funding--a sign of confidence in an energy technology company--comes at a time when many clean-tech start-ups are having to scale back with layoffs in order to preserve cash. Certain technology areas, including energy storage and energy efficiency, however, are better placed than others.

Thanks: cnet.com

• Olidata Conte ultraportable makes its shiny debut
• Dell Mini 10 hands-on

Olidata Conte ultraportable makes its shiny debut

It doesn't look like this one was actually on display at CES, but Italy's Olidata does seem to have taken the opportunity to announce its shiny new Conte ultraportable, which takes square aim at the growing ranks of 13.3-inch ultra-thin laptops out there. From the looks of it, this one will be available in two different versions: one with a 16:10, 1280x800 display, and one with a 16:9, 1366x768 display, each of which will come equipped with a small form factor Core 2 Duo processor, optional built-in 3G or WiMAX, and a promised battery life of more than four hours (or seven with an extended battery). The 16:10 model will also add a few bonuses like Intel Turbo Memory, a fingerprint reader, a backlit keyboard, and 3GB of RAM as standard. Sadly, there's no indication of a release' round these parts just yet, but both models will supposedly be hitting Europe in May for "less than €1,000" (or somewhere under $1,300).

Thanks: engadget

• Dell's 22- inch UltraSharp 2209WA LCD monitor surfaces
• Asus's Eee PC 1000HE pulls the shift key in from right field

Asus's Eee PC 1000HE pulls the shift key in from right field

Eee's 1000H is generally held to be one of the more complete netbook packages out there, but the placement of the right shift key to the starboard side of the up arrow drives many a touch-typist bonkers. Welcome, then, to the 1000HE, or "extended." It features a chiclet-style keyboard that slightly increases the size of each key, but more importantly has a slightly revised layout, moving that shift key to the left. New too is a six-cell pack full of 2.9 amp batteries (versus 2.7 amps in the 1000H), said to add another hour to the Eee's life, up to a total of 8.7 according to Asus. Finally, the company announced an "HAE" model that sports 802.11n, Bluetooth, and presumably a higher price tag. No word on what that price will be on either model, though, or when you might be able to get your fingertips on them.

Thanks: Engadget

• Viliv's S7 ultra-portable gets official specs, but not a release date
• Sony's flexible OLED mockups

Viliv's S7 ultra-portable gets official specs, but not a release date

s7 s>
Viliv's S7 "productivity MID" got announced in August at the Intel Developer Forum, and, while we were impressed by the form factor and the promise, it's always hard to get too excited without a full spec sheet and an MSRP. Now at CES we're still in the dark about price (and availability), but are finally hearing just what's going on under the keyboard; Atom processors in 1.3GHz and 1.6GHz flavors, a 7-inch, 1024 x 600 screen, 1GB of RAM, and either 16GB worth of SSD or 60GB served up on platters. Wireless connectivity is handled over 802.11b/g, WiMAX, and HSDPA, and the device promises "blueray HD video playback" -- which we're taking to mean it can display 1080p footage without completely choking, but we're not sure just where that video would come from given the lack of optical drive. But, hey, look at that sexy picture! Rest assured we'll prop this up against a VAIO P as soon as we can get our hands on one.

Thanks: UMPC Portal

• Video: Viliv S7 hands on and VAIO P comparo
• HP's TouchSmart all-in-one PC slips on its business socks

Dell's 22-inch UltraSharp 2209WA LCD monitor surfaces

Dell Canada is good for being the first to show off new LCDs, and yet again we're getting an early look at a forthcoming monitor courtesy of the Great white North. The 22-inch UltraSharp 2209WA will evidently arrive with a 1,680 x 1,050 resolution, 300 nits of brightness, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, 178-degree viewing angles and a 5-millisecond response time. It also features VGA and DVI connectors, four USB 2.0 ports and an undisclosed price tag. It'll supposed ship in one to two weeks, but given that there's not even an image available yet, we're not so sure we'd bet the farm on that estimate being accurate.

Thanks: whirlpool

• Live from dell 's Adamo press event!
• White dell Adamo pictures leak out

Dell Mini 10 hands-on

We just caught up with the Dell Mini 10, and while it's not as crazy hot as the white Adamo, it's still pretty sweet -- much nicer looking than the Mini 9, and more compact than the Mini 12. No wonder Dell's calling it a "perfect 10." The multitouch trackpad is really similar to the one on the newest Macbooks, but it's a little less intuitive -- the buttons are pushed into the corners, so a middle press doesn't do a lot. On the other hand, it's a little more useful -- not only can you do the usual zooming and scrolling, laying three fingers on the pad brings up a slick little launcher screen. Too bad we don't have pricing or availabilty -- if this thing comes in at a reasonable number, it's going to be our favorite netbook. We stacked the 10 up against the 9, the 12, and a MacBook Air, check it all out in the gallery below!
Thanks: engadget

• Vista to Windows 7 upgrade date and details revealed
• Video: ASUS AIRO laptop with amazing sliding keyboard

Video: ASUS AIRO laptop with amazing sliding keyboard

ASUS was kind enough to take its beautiful AIRO laptop out from behind the glass at CES for an Engadget exclusive look at the functional sliding mechanism. The design raises the keyboard to cool the hot running components beneath allowing for a fan-less, convection-cooled design. Unfortunately, this prototype is just a chipset-less mechanical shell. Raise the lid and the keyboard slides back smoother than a greased-up Pete Rose. This allows for a larger, more comfortable wrist rest from which to slap those angled keys. Sexy? oh yeah, with mojo to spare. Check the video after the break.


Thanks: Engadget

• Open Source Free Download Manager v3 adds tons of new features
• OQO officially launches Gobi / OLED-equipped model 2+, we get hands-on

VAIO P in-depth impressions

Yeah, we saw this when it first hit the FCC, nabbed blurrycam spyshots before the debut, got the drive-by snaps of the laptop at launch, and pitted this thing against an assortment of laptops the other night, but now that we've finally gotten some quality time with the thing, we've got a better idea of what the VAIO P is -- and isn't -- capable of, outside of inspiring deep, deep gadget lust and nerdy debates about netbook terminology. Check out our thoughts and some video after the break.

Design

At first blush, this thing is just stunning. It's impossibly thin, light and "short," seemingly designed to merely accommodate a keyboard and a screen, nothing else. The glossy top along with the perimeter buttons, lights and ports are distinctly VAIO, which should probably tell you as much as you need to know about the aesthetics -- Sony isn't breaking a lot of new ground here design-wise.
The shiny lid is incredibly smudgable, but while the screen on the flip side is fairly glossy, it's not distractingly so, and the utterly sharp and bright screen LCD cuts through any glare that might occur -- still, you're in for a bit of trouble using this thing outdoors. And that resolution? It's pretty dang squint-inducing, but for some reason it's clear enough to actually be usable, and if it's not there are zoom in and out function keys to make the experience a bit easier on the eyes -- just make sure to get your glasses prescription checked before you drive yourself to blindness.

We found the keyboard a bit stiff at first, but it's been growing on us -- the hard button presses are somewhat reassuring. The layout is very natural, and we were touch typing in no time, something we can't say for a majority of our netbook experiences. The trackpoint-style pointer has grown on us as well, and we actually appreciate the subtleties of its movement as compared to a touchpad, since the high resolution screen requires some very specific mousing to be able to work with. We're also big fans of the mouse button layout, perfectly placed below the spacebar. If you're a real ninja, you can actually click with the trackpoint, but it's a bit sensitive, so we're still building up to it.
Unfortunately, as well as much of this seems laid out, we're still having a bit of trouble with the form factor. It's difficult to use on a lap or when lying down, and even when flat on a desk there's some awkwardness to the "shortness" of it all. There's no palm rest, so as thin as the laptop is, there's still a bit of a lift to the keyboard, which isn't exactly angled to meet our fingers.

More exciting is the incredibly small power brick, which can be attached to a small breakout box that has a VGA port and Ethernet, and plugs into a small proprietary port on the side.
Performance
This is probably going to be the main pain point with this laptop. Windows Vista is a hefty load to bear, and even with a stripped down XP install or Linux distro, Atom is Atom -- all that sexiness doesn't make it go away. Perhaps the best illustration of this fact is Sony's own XMB, which has a dedicated shortcut button under the keyboard, is slow to load and choppy to use, ironic for an interface that runs just fine on a $200 PSP.

We've seen worse netbook web browsing experiences, but we certainly wouldn't call this "snappy." Scrolling is choppy, and pages take three or four times longer to load than on a "real" computer. It's better than smartphone browsing, but it doesn't seem like $900 worth of surfing.
Other aspects of the OS seem a little better -- Word launches pretty fast, and we haven't had any trouble hopping into connection utilities and connecting to WiFi and EV-DO. Sony's proprietary apps and utilities are, as always, the real killers (in the negative sense of the word), and we're guessing a clean install that lets us avoid those entirely is the safest way to avoid slowdowns and frustration. Our other thought here is that Window 7 -- well enough optimized -- could be the P's real killer app, so we'll be looking into that.
Wrap-up
So yeah, it's not the netbook that will replace your laptop, not by a long shot, but there's some cool stuff happening here. $900 worth of cool things? That's your call.

Thanks: engadget

• Microsoft ces ninja booth tour: hello Windows 7
• Windows 7 Beta goes public

ASUS debuts 18.4-inch W90 gaming laptop at CES 2009

Got an itch for a gaming laptop that's big enough to span the laps of both you and your lover? ASUS has you covered. Here in the desert, the outfit has introduced a potent 18.4-inch gaming rig with a 1080p panel, twin ATI mobility radeon HD 4870 X2 GPUs, three RAM slots (a world's first, mind you) stuffed with 6GB of DDR2 memory, a Core 2 Duo processor, a half dozen (seriously) Altec Lansing speakers and a Turbo Gear function that will enable users to overclock the system and boost performance by as much as 25%. A few more configurations are available, including one with a 17-inch panel, an NVIDIA graphics option, dual HDDs, an optional Blu-ray drive and enough ports to put your average desktop to shame.

Thanks: Engadget

• Gateway's UC Series contains its first 13.3- inch notebook
• Gateway trots out bargain-minded 15.6- inch MD Series notebooks

Gateway trots out bargain-minded 15.6-inch MD Series notebooks

We were all about what Gateway was doing with its MC Series, and if you were too with the exception of the price, here's your sign. Launching today alongside the 13.3-inch UC Series is the bargain-minded MD Series. The 15.6-inch machines tout a lowly 1,366 x 768 resolution panel, support for Intel or AMD chips, a 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 (or a GMA 4500MHD), 160/250/320/500GB SATA hard drives, up to 4GB of DDR2 memory, a 5-in-1 card reader, LabelFlash technology, WiFi, Ethernet, a DVD burner (Blu-ray is optional) and inbuilt speakers. There's also an HDMI 1.3 socket, four USB 2.0 connectors, VGA, audio in / out, ExpressCard and a six- or eight-cell battery to boot. The 7.7-pounder ships this month with Windows Vista Home Premium and a starting tag of $799.99. Full release is after the break.
New Lines Serve Range of Mobile Customers Looking for Mobility, Style with Latest Technology, Excellent Value
IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 8, 2009 – Gateway today launches two new notebook lines – the Gateway® UC Series and Gateway MD Series.
Optimized for multimedia enthusiasts on a budget, the new 15.6-inch Gateway MD Series notebook line leverages the fashion-forward style and the capabilities of the popular Gateway MC Series to deliver cinematic mobile entertainment and mainstream performance. It is available now at leading retailers. Prices for the MD Series start at $649.99; Gateway offers this model in several configurations.
The new Gateway UC Series is the company's first notebook with a 13.3-inch widescreen display, an ideal size for those looking for maximum productivity a highly portable, streamlined design. It is available now at leading retailers. Prices start at $749.99; Gateway offers several configurations.
"These two new offerings are the result of Gateway's focus on the needs of distinct mobile customers," said Ray Sawall, senior product marketing manager for Acer America. "These notebooks are incredibly different in terms of style and form factor, yet they both include best-in-class technology at incredible values. The entertainment and multimedia capabilities of the MD Series and the all-around mobility of the UC Series make them perfect for today's savvy customers who know what they're looking for in a new notebook."
Gateway MD Series – Cinematic Multimedia on a Budget
Digital media enthusiasts will appreciate the entertainment-ready MD Series with a 16:9 aspect ratio and high-definition 15.6-inch widescreen display that vibrantly delivers a first-rate viewing experience. The high-resolution 1366x768 display makes movies and digital content appear crisp and clear. Sharing video and audio externally is easy with the HDMI v1.3 media connection; it lets consumers connect to a display device for enjoying high-definition video and audio through a single connection. In addition, the line has the option for dedicated ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3650 graphics with DirectX 10 support and 512MB Confirmed Dedicated Memory for enjoying cinematic playback of games, graphics and video with 3D visual effects.
In addition, the Gateway MD Series is ready for entertainment at any time and in a range of lighting conditions. Illuminated Multimedia Touch Controls give consumers quick, easy access to their digital media and frequently-used entertainment programs. The ambient light sensor adjusts the display brightness according to the external lighting, so customers always have an excellent viewing experience.
Additional popular technologies allow customers to stay connected and be productive while on the go. The integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam lets consumers take and send video emails, voice over IP and still photos as well as enjoy live videoconferencing. Consumers can connect via 802.11a/b/g Draft-N with expanded wireless features, and all models include Gigabit Ethernet for a fast wired connection.
The premium design of the new MD Series is as impressive as its capabilities. Available in two colors, burgundy and black, the new notebook line features a sculptured design that blends materials and edges for a cohesive look and feel marked by the cover's distinctive branding stripe flanked by silver accents. Both burgundy and black feature a textured palm rest and polished keyboard surround.
The MD Series notebook line was designed to support a range of technologies that will meet consumers' daily entertainment and productivity needs while fitting into many budgets. The MD Series platform will offer processor technology from both Intel and AMD, including Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Athlon X2 and AMD Turion X2 processors. It can support up to 500GB of storage space and 4GB of DDR2 memory. Plus, the line was developed to support new technologies as they become more widespread, such as Blu-ray optical drives for enjoying the latest high-definition movies.
Gateway UC Series – Mobility and All-Purpose Performance
The new Gateway UC Series notebook line hits the sweet spot of mobile entertainment with an excellent pairing of a chic portable design, widescreen display and mainstream notebook performance. Gateway's first notebook PC with a 13.3-inch widescreen display, it sports a small footprint and lightweight 5.3-pound design that is idea for travel and taking to work and class. Consumers will get the latest in wireless technology for an enhanced wireless connection with Intel® WiFi 5100 Link (dual-band quad-mode 802.11a/b/g Draft-N) WiFi or Gateway 802.11 a/g Draft-N.
Performance-ready for the highly mobile consumer that needs to remain productive, the Gateway UC Series uses either Intel Centrino 2 or Intel Centrino Processor Technology, along with an Intel Core Duo, Intel Core 2 Duo or Intel Pentium processor. Customers can use the integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam to take and send video emails, voice over IP and still photos as well as enjoy live videoconferencing.
Entertainment on-the-go is fun and enjoyable thanks to the UC Series' many features. The touch sensitive media keys provide quick access to content, and a slot-load DVD+/- with LabelFlash technology makes saving, labeling and sharing content easy. Video and other applications look bright and crisp on the UC Series' 13.3-inch Ultrabright TFT LCD with a high 1280x800 resolution and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD. It also has an HDMI connector for sharing digital media.
All of this innovation comes in a chic and elegant design featuring a glossy moonstone casing. Customers will enjoy the comfort of the black brushed aluminum keyboard surround and palm rest. Also, the UC series has a round touchpad that is ideal for the way people navigate websites and programs today. Other features such as the brushed aluminum barrel hinges, metallic trim and rounded edges and corners shows the attention to detail given to this fashionable new line.
Configurations, Price and Availability
The Gateway UC Series and MD Series are available now in several different configurations at leading retailers in the U.S. The MD Series starts at $649.99, and the UC Series starts at $749.99.
The Gateway MD7801u is equipped with Intel Centrino Processor Technology and comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0GHz), 4GB of Dual Channel DDR2 667MHz Memory and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD. The huge 500GB(1) hard drive is ready for storing massive digital media and other files. The notebook comes with an 8X Multi-Format Dual Layer DVDRW w/ DVD-RAM featuring LabelFlash Technology(2) for labeling CD and DVDs after content is saved to it. It comes with an 8-cell Lithium Ion battery and has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $799.99. The Gateway MD7818u is also now available in the same SKU as the MD7801u, but comes in a burgundy chassis. It is also priced at $799.99.
The Gateway UC7807u comes with leading-edge technology including an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0GHz) with Intel Centrino Processor Technology, 3GB of DDR2 667MHz memory and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD. It is ready for storing and sharing digital media with a large 250GB(1) hard drive and a convenient slot-load 8x DVD Super-Multi Double Layer DVD-RW with DVD-RAM. It comes with a 6-cell Lithium Ion battery and has an MSRP of $799.99.
All models come either the powerful Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit or 32-bit Edition with SP1. They also come loaded with Microsoft Works 9.0 as well as a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007.
Gateway Limited Warranty, Service and Support
The Gateway MC-Series is backed by a one year limited warranty.(3) Gateway's commitment to quality and reliability is evident in its award-winning line of PCs as well as in its exceptional service and support programs. In addition to the company's standard limited warranty options, its extensive online support center helps customers maximize their PC investment; it gives them easy access to customer support representatives and information on important issues such as warranties, technical issues and upgrading.(4)
About Gateway
Since its founding in 1985, Irvine, Calif.-based Gateway has been a technology pioneer, offering award-winning products and world-class service to customers worldwide. Gateway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Acer Inc., the world's third-largest PC company. See www.gateway.com for more information.

Thanks: Engadget

• MSI's upgraded Wind U100 gets tested and overclocked
• New Mac mini mentioned in third party press release

Gateway's UC Series contains its first 13.3-inch notebook

HP's doing it, Dell's doing it -- heck, everyone is pumping out 13.3-inch notebooks these days, so it's quite refreshing to see Gateway finally joining the fray. The UC Series is getting birthed today with the introduction of the UC Series notebook, a 5.2-pound ultraportable that packs a Core 2 Duo / Pentium dual-core CPU, 1,280 x 800 resolution panel, ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 graphics (switchable to GMA 4500MHD), 160/250/320GB SATA hard drive choices, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a 4-in-1 multicard reader and support for a slot-loading DVD / Blu-ray burner. You'll also find the usual 1.3-megapixel camera, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Ethernet, built-in speakers, three USB 3.0 ports, VGA out, audio in / out, a 6-cell Li-ion battery and an HDMI 1.3 connector for good measure. It's slated to start shipping this month for a completely reasonable $799.99, though we imagine the nicer configurations will look a lot uglier in terms of value. Full release is after the break.New Lines Serve Range of Mobile Customers Looking for Mobility, style with Latest Technology, Excellent Value
IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 8, 2009 – Gateway today launches two new notebook lines – the Gateway® UC Series and Gateway MD Series.
Optimized for multimedia enthusiasts on a budget, the new 15.6-inch Gateway MD Series notebook line leverages the fashion-forward style and the capabilities of the popular Gateway MC Series to deliver cinematic mobile entertainment and mainstream performance. It is available now at leading retailers. Prices for the MD Series start at $649.99; Gateway offers this model in several configurations.
The new Gateway UC Series is the company's first notebook with a 13.3-inch widescreen display, an ideal size for those looking for maximum productivity a highly portable, streamlined design. It is available now at leading retailers. Prices start at $749.99; Gateway offers several configurations.
"These two new offerings are the result of Gateway's focus on the needs of distinct mobile customers," said Ray Sawall, senior product marketing manager for Acer America. "These notebooks are incredibly different in terms of style and form factor, yet they both include best-in-class technology at incredible values. The entertainment and multimedia capabilities of the MD Series and the all-around mobility of the UC Series make them perfect for today's savvy customers who know what they're looking for in a new notebook."
Gateway MD Series – Cinematic Multimedia on a Budget
Digital media enthusiasts will appreciate the entertainment-ready MD Series with a 16:9 aspect ratio and high-definition 15.6-inch widescreen display that vibrantly delivers a first-rate viewing experience. The high-resolution 1366x768 display makes movies and digital content appear crisp and clear. Sharing video and audio externally is easy with the HDMI v1.3 media connection; it lets consumers connect to a display device for enjoying high-definition video and audio through a single connection. In addition, the line has the option for dedicated ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3650 graphics with DirectX 10 support and 512MB Confirmed Dedicated Memory for enjoying cinematic playback of games, graphics and video with 3D visual effects.
In addition, the Gateway MD Series is ready for entertainment at any time and in a range of lighting conditions. Illuminated Multimedia Touch Controls give consumers quick, easy access to their digital media and frequently-used entertainment programs. The ambient light sensor adjusts the display brightness according to the external lighting, so customers always have an excellent viewing experience.
Additional popular technologies allow customers to stay connected and be productive while on the go. The integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam lets consumers take and send video emails, voice over IP and still photos as well as enjoy live videoconferencing. Consumers can connect via 802.11a/b/g Draft-N with expanded wireless features, and all models include Gigabit Ethernet for a fast wired connection.
The premium design of the new MD Series is as impressive as its capabilities. Available in two colors, burgundy and black, the new notebook line features a sculptured design that blends materials and edges for a cohesive look and feel marked by the cover's distinctive branding stripe flanked by silver accents. Both burgundy and black feature a textured palm rest and polished keyboard surround.
The MD Series notebook line was designed to support a range of technologies that will meet consumers' daily entertainment and productivity needs while fitting into many budgets. The MD Series platform will offer processor technology from both Intel and AMD, including Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Athlon X2 and AMD Turion X2 processors. It can support up to 500GB of storage space and 4GB of DDR2 memory. Plus, the line was developed to support new technologies as they become more widespread, such as Blu-ray optical drives for enjoying the latest high-definition movies.
Gateway UC Series – Mobility and All-Purpose Performance
The new Gateway UC Series notebook line hits the sweet spot of mobile entertainment with an excellent pairing of a chic portable design, widescreen display and mainstream notebook performance. Gateway's first notebook PC with a 13.3-inch widescreen display, it sports a small footprint and lightweight 5.3-pound design that is idea for travel and taking to work and class. Consumers will get the latest in wireless technology for an enhanced wireless connection with Intel® WiFi 5100 Link (dual-band quad-mode 802.11a/b/g Draft-N) WiFi or Gateway 802.11 a/g Draft-N.
Performance-ready for the highly mobile consumer that needs to remain productive, the Gateway UC Series uses either Intel Centrino 2 or Intel Centrino Processor Technology, along with an Intel Core Duo, Intel Core 2 Duo or Intel Pentium processor. Customers can use the integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam to take and send video emails, voice over IP and still photos as well as enjoy live videoconferencing.
Entertainment on-the-go is fun and enjoyable thanks to the UC Series' many features. The touch sensitive media keys provide quick access to content, and a slot-load DVD+/- with LabelFlash technology makes saving, labeling and sharing content easy. Video and other applications look bright and crisp on the UC Series' 13.3-inch Ultrabright TFT LCD with a high 1280x800 resolution and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD. It also has an HDMI connector for sharing digital media.
All of this innovation comes in a chic and elegant design featuring a glossy moonstone casing. Customers will enjoy the comfort of the black brushed aluminum keyboard surround and palm rest. Also, the UC series has a round touchpad that is ideal for the way people navigate websites and programs today. Other features such as the brushed aluminum barrel hinges, metallic trim and rounded edges and corners shows the attention to detail given to this fashionable new line.
Configurations, Price and Availability
The Gateway UC Series and MD Series are available now in several different configurations at leading retailers in the U.S. The MD Series starts at $649.99, and the UC Series starts at $749.99.
The Gateway MD7801u is equipped with Intel Centrino Processor Technology and comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0GHz), 4GB of Dual Channel DDR2 667MHz Memory and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD. The huge 500GB(1) hard drive is ready for storing massive digital media and other files. The notebook comes with an 8X Multi-Format Dual Layer DVDRW w/ DVD-RAM featuring LabelFlash Technology(2) for labeling CD and DVDs after content is saved to it. It comes with an 8-cell Lithium Ion battery and has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $799.99. The Gateway MD7818u is also now available in the same SKU as the MD7801u, but comes in a burgundy chassis. It is also priced at $799.99.
The Gateway UC7807u comes with leading-edge technology including an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0GHz) with Intel Centrino Processor Technology, 3GB of DDR2 667MHz memory and Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD. It is ready for storing and sharing digital media with a large 250GB(1) hard drive and a convenient slot-load 8x DVD Super-Multi Double Layer DVD-RW with DVD-RAM. It comes with a 6-cell Lithium Ion battery and has an MSRP of $799.99.
All models come either the powerful Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit or 32-bit Edition with SP1. They also come loaded with Microsoft Works 9.0 as well as a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007.
Gateway Limited Warranty, Service and Support
The Gateway MC-Series is backed by a one year limited warranty.(3) Gateway's commitment to quality and reliability is evident in its award-winning line of PCs as well as in its exceptional service and support programs. In addition to the company's standard limited warranty options, its extensive online support center helps customers maximize their PC investment; it gives them easy access to customer support representatives and information on important issues such as warranties, technical issues and upgrading.(4)
About Gateway
Since its founding in 1985, Irvine, Calif.-based Gateway has been a technology pioneer, offering award-winning products and world-class service to customers worldwide. Gateway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Acer Inc., the world's third-largest PC company. See www.gateway.com for more information.

Thanks: Engadget

• Exper Style's colorful 8.9- inch netbook rolls out in Turkey
• HP officially launches Firebird with Voodoo DNA

OQO officially launches Gobi / OLED-equipped model 2+, we get hands-on

We already knew a fresh OQO handheld would be headed to Digital Experience! here at CES, and lo and behold the model 2+ has arrived in our oh-so-fortunate hands. The 800 x 480 (native) OLED touchscreen was positively gorgeous to look at, and the Qualcomm Gobi dual-mode HSPA / EV-DO WWAN chipset was much appreciated. It's also sporting a 1.86GHz intel Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM, WiFi / Bluetooth, DirectX 9 and H.264 video decode support, 3.5 hours of battery life (7 hours on the double capacity cell), a world keyboard and a global power supply. The unit checks in at under a pound and can support 1,9200 x 1,200 external displays with HDMI / DVI / VGA interfaces. Get ready to lust after one (we already are) when it ships in 1H 2009 starting at $999.

Thanks: ArsTechnica

• HP greets us with 13.3-inch Pavilion dv3 entertainment laptop
• 17-inch unibody MacBook Pro with non-removable battery rumored for Macworld

ASUS EeePC T101H tablet netbook peeked at CES

ASUS had us so dazzled yesterday with the announcement of Eee PC T91 and and the S121 that we nearly didn't notice this guy -- the T91's bigger sidekick -- hiding in the "unannounced but still very much here" pile. There's precious little in the way of info, specs or anything else, but we know it's got a 10-inch display, and it's a very, very dapper tablet.

Thanks: engadget

• PowerBook G4 Titanium inelegantly modded into desktop
• Japanese DIYer shows asus how not to make an Eee Tablet PC

Sony VAIO P hands-on

We just grabbed a first look at Sony's new vaio P. At first glance, the screen is bright and ultrasharp -- certainly stretching the limits of our eyesight. We'd say the keys are a little bit light and shallow for our taste, but good as far as most "netbooks" go, and the "nipple," like all like pointers, will take getting used to and careful calibration, though it's definitely sensitive. It's certainly not hefty, but we'd say there's the standard amount of sony build quality, and while high for a netbook, $900 doesn't "feel" too far off. We love lightweight, but this netbook almost feels like it lacks innards, the real deal seems almost like it's a mock-up device. Videos of all its best sides after the break.



Thanks: Engadget

• AMD finally launches Phenom II and its Dragon desktop platform
• More VAIO P specs leak out

Sony gets official with VAIO P: world's lightest 8-inch netbook

Not that we really needed Sony to tell us something we already knew, but we certainly appreciate the gesture. The hotly anticipated VAIO P is for real, and it's coming in as the world's lightest 8-inch netbook at just 1.4 pounds. The Vista-based device packs an almost unbelievable 1,600 x 768 resolution LED-backlit XBRITE-ECO LCD display, 802.11n WiFi, 3G WWAN, Bluetooth, a battery good for four hours (eight hours with the optional high-capacity cell) and a GPS module for good measure. You'll also find an instant-on mode that launches directly into Sony's Xross Media Bar interface, and the inbuilt webcam will keep the video chats going well into the morning. It'll start shipping in early February (in garnet red, emerald green, onyx black, crystal white and classic black hues) for $900 and up, and you can peek the full release just after the break.
SONY UNVEils WORLD's Lightest 8-inch notebook
Full-Featured VAIO PC Fuses Style, Mobility and Connectivity for Anytime, Anywhere Computing
LAS VEGAS (CES Booth #14200), Jan. 7, 2009 – Sony today took the wraps off the world's lightest 8-inch notebook- the new VAIO® P Series Lifestyle PC.
About the size of a business envelope and roughly as thin as a cell phone, the VAIO Lifestyle PC weighs just 1.4 pounds and is small enough to slip into a jacket pocket or handbag while integrating full-PC features.
The model incorporates a high-resolution, 1600 x 768, LED backlit 8-inch ultra-wide display (diagonal), making it easy to view everything from entire spreadsheets to full web pages- no side-to-side scrolling necessary. It also incorporates Sony's XBRITE-ECO™ LCD technology, producing images in brilliant detail for razor-sharp viewing on-the-go.
Stylish enough to take anywhere, the unit is available in an array of eye-catching colors, including garnet red, emerald green, onyx black, crystal white and classic black. Matching carrying cases and Bluetooth® color-coordinated mice are available to complete the look.
"The VAIO P Series Lifestyle PC is your portal to the world, delivering entertainment and computing in a head-turning device that's small enough to put in your pocket," said Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. "Designed for the fashionista in all of us, it's the ideal companion."
Engineered to provide the feel of a larger notebook, the VAIO Lifestyle PC provides a convenient typing experience by extending the keyboard to the perimeters of the chassis maximizing the typing area. The spacing between keys has also been engineered to help reduce typing mistakes making it perfect for long fingernails.
The notebook incorporates built-in wireless WAN 3G Mobile Broadband, 802.11n wi-fi and bluetooth technologies. Users can toggle among various wireless options for the most efficient connection – Wi-Fi for working at a coffee shop; Bluetooth for peripherals; and Mobile Broadband service on the Verizon Wireless nationwide network when traveling outside the reach of hotspots (subscription required).
The unit features up to four hours of battery life with the included standard capacity battery and eight hours with the large capacity battery (sold separate).
It also incorporates real-time GPS functionality, making it easy to find restaurants, hotels or special sites of interest. Destinations can be found by simply typing in an address or keyword and then following the turn-by-turn directions. The Lifestyle PC even includes estimated drive times to let you know how far you are from a destination. No Internet connection is required in the United States or Canada.
The unit also has an instant-mode option that launches directly into Sony's Xross Media Bar™ interface, so you can rapidly boot up and access music, video, photos and the Web. A built-in webcam lets you video chat with family, friends and colleagues. A third-party service is required.
The PC comes with the Windows Vista® operating system, supporting office applications and all the software programs routinely found in full-size notebooks. A windows arrangement utility has been added to easily organize all open documents or websites with one touch, positioning them neatly along side each other on a single screen.
The VAIO P Series Lifestyle PC will retail for about $900. It will be available for pre-orders tomorrow online at www.sony.com/pr/pseries. It will also be sold at Sony Style® stores starting later this month and at other major retailers around the country beginning in February.

Thanks: Engadget

• HP's 12.1- inch Pavilion dv2 with Blu-ray -- don't call it a netbook
• Nano-powered "FreeStyle" netbook hands-on

Dell's XPS 1340 and 1640 get official, latter gets reviewed

The new XPS 1340 and 1640 laptops just appeared yesterday, and now (a mere day late) have been given the blessing of officialdom from Dell. Of course, we already knew all there was to know about them when it comes to specs, so rather more interesting is the first review of the bigger of the two, also called the XPS 16. The 2.4GHz machine scored high marks both when it comes to aesthetics and overall performance, but the thing got a little too hot for comfort, costs a good bit more than the competition, and those glossy screens are always controversial. Overall it sounds like a nice machine if you have the dough -- and don't mind a little glare.

Thanks: Engadget

• dell introduces 15.6-inch Inspiron 15 laptop: starts at $600
• YackTrack shows you all the places people are commenting