eMachines rolled out several new products today for the back-to-school season including three new value-oriented desktop PCs and two new widescreen LCD displays.

The new systems are the eMachines T3656, T5274, and W3653. All three machines have:

• SuperMulti DVD drive
• 15 in 1 digital media card reader
• Six USB ports
• 6 channel HD audio and amplified stereo speakers
• Preloaded with Microsoft Works 9.0
• Windows Vista with Service Pack 1

The T3656 features:

• Intel Celeron processor
• 1GB RAM
• 160GB HDD
• MSRP of $299.99

The T5274 features:

• Intel Pentium Dual-Core processor
• 2GB RAM
• 320GB SATA II HDD
• MSRP of $399.99

The W3653 features:

• Intel Celeron Dual Core processor
• 1GB RAM
• 320GB SATA II HDD
• 17 inch widescreen LCD display
• MSRP of $498

On the display front, there are two new eMachines widescreen LCD displays - a 17 inch widescreen LCD and a 19 inch widescreen LCD.

The 17 inch model E17T6W features:

• 1440 x 900 resolution
• 600:1 contrast ratio
• 8ms response time
• MSRP of $189.99

The 19 inch model E19T6W features:

• 1440 x 900 resolution
• 800:1 contrast ratio
• 5ms response time
• DVI with HDCP
• MSRP of $209.99

Technorati Tags: eMachines, T3656, T5274, W3653, E17T6W, E19T6W

HP aims to bring workstation performance at PC prices with the introduction of the new HP xw4550 Workstation system. For as low as $599, you can get a system which features:

• Second Generation AMD Opteron processor Model 1212 running at 2GHz
• 2 GB RAM
• 160GB 7200RPM SATA HDD
• NVIDIA Quadro FX 290 graphics
• 16X SATA SuperMulti LightScribe DVD burner

On the higher end, for $1349 you get a system which features:

• Second Generation AMD Opteron processor Model 1220 running at 2.8GHz
• 4GB RAM
• 250GB 7200 RPM SATA HDD
• NVIDIA Quadro FX 570 graphics
• 16X SATA SuperMulti LightScribe DVD burner

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HP xw4550 Workstation, Opteron, AMD,

MSI’s upcoming Wind desktop PCs are set to launch in Asia and in Europe starting in July. These systems feature a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, and a DVD drive. With starting prices at $199, these desktop systems are initially targeting the business audience. Consumer systems should hit the market sometime in the September time frame - just in time for the back-to-school season to really kick into gear.

Truth is.. with the possibility of an Atom based Dell Studio Hybrid system coming out shortly, I just can’t get excited by these MSI desktop systems anymore.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: MSI Wind Desktop, PC

It’s back-to-school season for Gateway as they’ve announced new updates to their line of notebooks and desktop PC systems. On the notebook side, the following lines got new models - the Gateway P, M, and T-series of notebooks. Several new models across all three lines now feature Intel Centrino Technology and Intel Core 2 Duo processor support. Other features on these notebooks include integrated Wi-Fi, integrated multimedia panel , touch-sensitive slide volume controls, front-access audio ports, DVD burner, and integrated web-cam. Some models feature HDMI support for digital audio/video output.

Some of the new notebook models include:

Gateway M-6848:

• Intel Core(R) 2 Duo T5750 processor
• 4GB of DDR2 SDRAM
• 250GB hard drive
• 802.11a/b/g
• Multi-format DVD-R/RW with LabelFlash technology
• Vista Home Premium 64-bit with SP1
• Garnet Red color
• MSRP of $799.99.

Gateway T-6836

• Intel Core(R) 2 Duo T5750 processor
• 4GB of DDR2 SDRAM
• 250GB hard drive
• 802.11a/b/g
• Multi-format DVD-R/RW with LabelFlash technology
• Vista Home Premium 64-bit with SP1
• Pacific Blue color
• MSRP of $799.99.

On the desktop PC side of things, several new models are now available for the Gateway FX, DX, and GT series of systems.

For the FX line, there’s the new FX4710 which features:

• New industrial design with streamlined black casing and silver trim
• LED status lights for key activities
• Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 processor
• 6GB RAM
• Overclocked NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT graphics
• Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit
• MSRP of $1,149.99

On the DX lineup, you’ve got new systems such as the DX4710 and DX4200. These systems feature the new industrial design from the FX4710 and feature the following:

DX4710:

• Intel Core 2 Quad processor Q6600
• Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit
• 6GB of RAM
• 22 inch widescreen HD LCD
• MSRP of $999.99

At $999.99, this certainly is an interesting price point considering you get a large widescreen display AND 6GB of RAM. The Q6600 processor is a bit slower in speed but heck - it’s still four cores.

DX4200:

• AMD Phenom 9500 Quad Core processor
• 6GB of RAM
• ATI Radeon HD 3450 graphics
• MSRP of 749.99

Another quad core budget machine - let’s face it - quad core is becoming mainstream at these prices!

Finally, you’ve got the GT series which feature AMD Triple Core and Quad-Core processors, 4GB of RAM, and ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics.

Many of these systems are either available only at retails or at both retail and the online Gateway website.

Technorati Tags: Gateway, T, P, M series, DX, FX, GT, Laptops, Desktops

AOpen has a new line of barebones small form factor systems called the XCubox line. Models in this lineup include the LE200, LE210, and LE300. Both the LE200 and the LE210 support for the new Intel Atom processor while the LE300 targets the AMD processor platform and is designed for media center applications. Here’s what you really need to know:

LE200:

• On board single core Intel Atom processor
• Six USB 2.0 ports
• Stereo audio output
• 10/100 Ethernet
• Intel 945GC+ICH7 chipset
• Intel GMA950 graphics
• Supports single channel DDR-II 533/667 memory up to 2GB.
• Provides one low profile PCI slot, two SATA connectors, and ATA 133 connector.
• Storage bay supports slim optical drive, and two 3.5″ Hard disks with Multi-Purpose Drive Cage.
• Measures 200 x 106 x 321 mm and weighs 6.83 lbs

LE210:

• On board dual core Intel Atom processor
• Eight USB 2.0 ports
• 5.1 channel audio
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Detachable front panel with two hidden USB ports for flash disk, wireless modules etc
• Intel 945GC+ICH7 chipset
• Intel GMA950 graphics
• Supports single channel DDR-II 533/667 memory up to 2GB.
• Provides one low profile PCI slot, two SATA connectors, and ATA 133 connector.
• Storage bay supports slim optical drive, and two 3.5″ Hard disks with Multi-Purpose Drive Cage.
• Measures 200 x 106 x 321 mm and weighs 6.83 lbs

LE300:

• Supports AMD socket AM2 CPU Athlon 64X2, Athlon™64, and Sempron with 1600/2000MHz FSB.
• nVidia GeForce 7050 / nForce 630a (MCP68PVNT) chipset with PrueVideo graphics technology.
• Supports dual channel DDR-II 533/667MHz memory, up to 4GB.
• Dual display supports with HDMI and VGA port.
• Supports 7.1 channel high definition audio.
• Supports HDCP high definition video playback.
• Supports Gigabit Ethernet.
• Special designed detachable front panel with two hidden USB ports for flash disk, dangle of wireless module such as keyboard/mouse, Bluetooth, and wireless networking.
• Provides one low profile PCI slot, two SATA2 connectors, and ATA 133 connector.
• Storage bay supports slim optical drive, and two 3.5″ Hard disks with Multi-Purpose Drive Cage.
• Measures 200 x 106 x 320 mm and weighs 6.83 lbs

[Check it out via Ubergizmo]

Technorati Tags: AOpen, XCubox, SFF, Barebones

We all know that the typical PC design is just utterly boring looking. Sure, it’s gone through several iterations through the years - from your standard beige box to mini-towers to small cube form factors to car painted designs.. but in many ways, the PC is still recognizably a PC. Let’s fast forward into the future then. What will the next generation PC possibly look like? That’s exactly what Microsoft set out to do with their NextGen PC Design Competition. The competition itself is now over but you can see the design ideas on the NextGen Design Competition website here. The winning design, shown above, is entitled the “Napkin PC.” and yes.. I think it’s way cool. The interesting thing about the design - I believe it’s entirely plausible to create such a device. It might not be as thin as a piece of napkin quite yet but the Apple iPhone proves that a device like this is certainly possible. Here’s hoping some of these days actually see the light of day!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, NextGen PC Design Competition

HP has updated their touch-based all-in-one TouchSmart PC with the introduction of two new TouchSmart systems - the  TouchSmart IQ504 PC and the TV tuner equipped TouchSmart IQ506 PC.  Both systems feature a new redesigned form factor which significantly slims down the system, a touch screen display, a single power cord, next generation HP TouchSmart software, and an energy efficient Intel Core 2 Duo processor.

The TouchSmart IQ504 PC features:

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5750
• Intel GM965 Express Chipset
• 4GB RAM
• 320GB 7200 RPM SATA HDD
• Slot loaded SuperMulti DVD burner
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Bluetooth
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• HD Audio
• 5 in 1 memory card reader
• HP wireless keyboard and mouse
• Integrated webcam
• Touch-enabled 22 inch widescreen display
• Built-in array microphone
• Measures 21 x 2.6 x 17.4 inches
• MSRP of $1299

The HP TouchSmart IQ506 PC features:

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5850
• Intel GM965 Express Chipset
• 4GB RAM
• 500GB 7200 RPM SATA HDD
• Slot loaded SuperMulti DVD burner
• NVIDIA GeForce 9300 M GS HD graphics
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Bluetooth
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• HD Audio
• 2.0 speakers
• Dual format NTSC or ATSC TV tuner
• HP Media Center remote control
• 5 in 1 memory card reader
• HP wireless keyboard and mouse
• Integrated webcam
• Touch-enabled 22 inch widescreen display
• Built-in array microphone
• Measures 21 x 2.6 x 17.4 inches
• MSRP of $1499

I do believe the new TouchSmart PCs will certainly give the iMac a run for it’s money (and definitely the Dell All-in-Ones too!)

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: HP, TouchSmart IQ504, TouchSmart IQ506

VoodooPC fans, rejoice. HP has announced two new product additions to the VoodooPC family - the Voodoo Omen desktop and the Voodoo Envy 133 notebook.

Voodoo Omen desktop:

• ASUS Striker Extreme II motherboard
• Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad Core processors
• Up to 8GB RAM
• Supports both NVIDIA SLI or ATI CrossFireX
• Supports RAID 0, 1
• Up to 6 SSD drives
• One or two Super Multi-Drive
• HD Audio
• Auxiliary LCD - 7 inch built-in auxiliary LCD for full function secondary display
• Advanced liquid cooling
• Tool-less architecture
• Top-loading cables
• Interior lighting
• Industry standard components
• Integrated copper cooling pipes
• Quick-release connectors
• Starting price of $7000
• Available by invitation only to customers who had previously purchased a Voodoo PC. Generaly availability later this summer

Voodoo Envy 133:

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SP7700 or SP7500
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
• 64GB SSD or 80GB HDD 4200 RPM
• Slot-loaded eSATA Super Multi Drive
• Intel Wi-Fi
• 13.3 inch LED display
• Multiple gesture touchpad
• Carbon fibre casing and fused composite glass covering the display
• External optical drive
• Proximity Sensor - recognizes when fingers are on keyboard and turns off the touchpad
• Dolby Sound Room support
• Measuring just over half an inch thin
• Weighs less than 3.4 lbs
• Voodoo IOS (Instant-On Solution) makes this the fastest loading system from HP ever
• Personalize with Voodoo Allure paint colors
• High quality backlit keyboard
• Measures 12.65 x 9.04 x 0.70 inches
• Available this summer
• Starting price of $2099

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Voodoo Omen, Voodoo Envy 133

LG Electronics is introducing two new computer desktops designs - the XPion R10MP and the S10MP. One system comes in a traditional mini-tower desktop design while the other features a slim case design. Both desktops have similar specs:

• Intel Core 2 Duo E8300 processor
• Intel P45 chipse
• 2GB RAM
• 1TB HDD
• NVIDIA GeForce 8500G GPU with 512MB RAM
• HDMI support
• 14 in 1 card reader
• DVD burner

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: LG Electronics, XPion R10MP, XPion S10MP

Shuttle is branching out a bit with the introduction of the Shuttle D Series D10 system. According to the press release, the D10 is a “digital home appliance” designed to be a standalone media center system. Standalone here means it comes with an embedded 7 inch touch panel that displays a media server gadget application designed to deliver various applications.

Shuttle claims that the D10 can be used in applications such as home surveillance simply by adding in surveillance software and hardware.

There will be three different versions of the graphical user interface powered by Linux or Windows. With the user interface, users will be able to access and control multimedia content via the Internet or intranet storage.

There really isn’t a whole lot on this device as of yet so I’ll reserve my thoughts for now. Truth is - doesn’t it look like a regular Shuttle SFF system with an embedded display? If so - it’s simply Shuttle trying to find a different target market for a product that they’re good at developing which is small form factor PCs.

The picture above came from PC Magazine here.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Shuttle D10, Digital Home Appliance