Sure the Inspiron Mini 12 might be no more but this hasn’t stopped Dell from announcing a new 11.6 inch notebook in the form of the Inspiron 11z. You’ll note that Dell isn’t calling this a netbook – instead referring to the 11z as a “laptop” but the truth is – it’s got all the makings of a netbook (including the price) minus the Intel Atom processor on the inside.

Specs for the Inspiron 11z include:

• Intel Celeron 723 processor clocked at 1.2 GHz
• Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32 bit
• 2GB RAM
• Intel  GS45 + ISH9M SFF-enhanced chipset
• Intel GS45 integrated graphics
• 11.6 inch 1366 x 768 HD TLF WLED display
• Stereo speakers rated at 1watt per channel
• Integrated single digital microphone bundled with camera
• 250GB 5400 RPM SATA HDD
• 3 cell 24 WHr Li-Ion battery
• Integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi
• Ethernet
• HDMI
• 2 USB ports
• 3 in 1 card reader

Two negatives with the 11z – the paltry 3 cell battery and the 92 percent keyboard. Disappointing given the larger 11.6 inch form factor of the system. The 11z can be purchased for a mere $399.

[Check it out via NetbookTech]

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TriGem USA (also known as Averatec) announces their latest lightweight notebook system today called the Averatec N3400. Featuring an aluminum-clad design, a starting weight of less than 4 pounds, a 13.3 inch display, and a dual core Intel processor, the N3400 will have an affordable starting price of $799.

Full specs of the N3400 include:

• Intel Pentium dual core T3400 2.16GHz processor
• 13.3 inch WXGA display
• 3GB RAM – expandable to 8GB
• 250GB SATA HDD
• External USB Super-Multi 8x dual layer DVD/CD reader/burner
• Three USB 2.0 ports, microphone input jack, headphone/external output jack, VGA connector
• 4 in 1 memory card reader with support for MS, MS PRO, MMC, SD cards
• Bluetooth, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
• Intel GMA X4500HD graphics
• Intel GM45 chipset
• 1.3 megapixel webcam
• Windows XP Home Premium
• Measures 12.8 x 9 x 0.40~0.98 inches
• Weighs 3.8 lbs

The specs, looks, and pricing certainly make the N3400 appealing – about the only question is – how does it actually perform. Waiting for some product reviews!

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: TriGem USA, Averatec N3400, notebook

Yes Virgin America – I love you.

I love the fact that you’ve equipped many of your planes with Wi-Fi connectivity. Sure it costs $12.95 for the flight but hey – if you’re used to paying for Internet access at hotels or hotspots, then this is pretty much the norm. It makes a cross-country flight so much more enjoyable!!! (and yes.. it lets me blog away on my Samsung netbook.. LOVE IT)

Happy Friday everyone!

Technorati Tags: Virgin America Wi-Fi

For those of you that are fans of both Transformers and playing mobile phone games, you’ll be happy to hear that Glu Mobile will be launching a new game based on the upcoming summer movie – the Transformers Revenge of the Fallen. The new game will launch worldwide in conjunction with the world premiere of the movie from Paramount which will take place on June 26th. Excuse me if I say that I’m a bit more excited with the upcoming movie than with the mobile game itself.

Technorati Tags: Glu Mobile, Transformers Revenge of the Fallen mobile game

Acer didn’t just announce a new 23 inch monitor and call it quits for the day. The company also announced several new desktop PCs that are destined for the U.S. market. The new desktops include the small form factor Acer Aspire X3200, X1700, and X1200 systems and the high end gaming rig, the Aspire Predator G7710 desktop PC.

All four of the new systems feature a built-in card reader, audio jacks, and front accessible ports for easy access. The X1200, X1700, and X3200 towers measure a mere 10.4 x 4 x 14.4 inches.

The X3200 features the following:

• Windows Vista OS
  AMD Phenom X4 or X3 processor
• NVIDIA GeForce 8200 chipset
• 4GB RAM
• Up to 640GB SATA HDD
• NVIDA GeForce 8200 graphics or NVIDIA GeForce 9300GE graphics
• VGA and HDMI ports

The X1700 features the following:

• Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor E2200 (2.4GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
• Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit with SP1
• 4 GB RAM
• NVIDIA GeForce 7100 Chipset and nForce 630i
• Integrated NVIDIA GeForce G100 with 512MB Discrete Graphic Card
• 640GB SATA 7200RPM Hard Drive
• Super Multi Double-Layer DVD+RW, DVD-RAM Drive Featuring Labelflash Technology
• 14-in-One Digital Media Card Reader
• 9 USB 2.0 Ports (5 Front, 4 Rear)
• HDMI Port
• eSATA Port
• Amplified Stereo Speakers (USB Powered)
• Acer USB Keyboard
• USB Optical Mouse

The MSRP for the X1700 is $479.99.

The X1200 system features:

• Windows Vista Ultimate or Home Premium
• AMD Phenom quad core processor
• NVIDIA Hybrid SLI graphics
• NVIDIA GeForce 8200 chipset
• 7.1 channel HD audio
• Optional Blu-ray drive
• HDMI port
• Nine total USB 2.0 ports, IEEE 1394 port, and multi-card reader

As for the gaming rig system, the Aspire Predator G7710 desktop PC features:

• Intel i7-940 processor
• 6GB DDR3 memory (up to 12GB total)
• 1 TB of storage (four 3.5 inch easy swap HDD bays)
• RAID 0, 1, 5, 1+0 modes
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Dual Gigabit ports
• Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Sound Card
• Logitech G11/G15 gaming keyboard and G5/G9 gaming mouse
• Optional Blu-ray drive

Technorati Tags: Acer, Aspire X3200, Aspire X1700, Aspire X1200, Aspire Predator G7710 desktop PC

Ah this should be an interesting week ahead of us folks.

Today of course is Macworld – THE last Macworld that Apple will be a part of which means… this is the last Macworld where we’ll see.. Steve .. err I mean Phil Schiller of Apple (I know.. ho hum..).

Oh and in case you didn’t already hear about this – Steve finally shared with the entire world yesterday what was going on with his health. No – he wasn’t getting skinny because of a reoccurrence of cancer but is in fact suffering from a “hormone imbalance”. Anything more on the topic? Don’t count on it as Steve’s last line in his public letter was “So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.”

So we’re left with Phil manning the helm today..

This is also the week we’re heading off to Las Vegas to attend CES 2009 (drum roll please) and yes.. this will be the week we’ll see lots and lots of new product announcements – some good.. and some not so good of course. It’ll take us several days I’m sure to digest everything that comes out of this week but it should be an interesting week to be sure. If you’re into technology; into gadgets; into computers – then this is YOUR week.. (but next year .. it’ll be boring since Macworld (if there is still one) will no longer have Apple).

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ThinkComputers has a review out for the MSI R4830-T2D512 OC Radeon HD 4830 512MB Video Card here on their website. I have loads of respect for those of you who review graphics cards (and motherboards too!). I used to review them here and there in the past and let me just tell you something – it gets utterly boring running benchmark after benchmark over and over again – reporting how one graphics card beats out another by a mere 50 3DMarks or something like that. In any case, luckily there are folks who can appreciate this so thank goodness for that! OK.. so I digress now.. here’s what ThinkComputers thought of the MSI card:

“The Radeon HD 4830 ends up being an impressive card, and MSI really did a good job with it.”

Meanwhile, Overclockers Online has published a review of the eStarling Impact7 WiFi Digital Frame here on their site. Here’s what they thought of the eStarling frame:

“eStarling has taken the digital frame and merged it with social networking features to help you connect with friends and families. The built in WiFi makes it a cinch to send pictures to the frame directly from your computer, through email or even from your cell phone.”

Here’s another review from ThinkComputers. This time it’s of the Booq Boa Slimcase M Laptop Bag – a pretty nifty sling like laptop bag with an utterly strange company name if you ask me. In any case, if you’re looking for a bag that doesn’t look like every other messenger bag, make sure to check out this case. Here’s a snippet from the review:

“This is another great bag from Booq. They really make some very unique bags and are one of the only companies that I know using the vertical design.”

EverythingUSB has a new review out for the Kingston Data Traveler 150 Flash Drive. Here’s their verdict:

“Sleek and slender, the Kingston Datatraveler 150 is well designed and functional USB flash drive with a good read and decent write performance, something you would expect from one the world’s leading memory manufacturers.”

Techware Labs has a new review out for the Ikonik Zaria A20 PC Case. Here’s a snippet:

“The Ikonik Zaria A20 is definitely a nice case. It’s got a lot of high end features, and plenty of room for installation.”

Technorati Tags: Review Roundup

We here at Krunker.com just want to wish all of you a very safe and happy Thanksgiving! Eat lots of food and get ready for loads of shopping in a few short hours!

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ViewSonic brings touch-screen technology to digital photo frames with the introduction of two new 8 inch models – the DPG801BK and DPG807BK. Both frames feature SwifTouch touch-screen technology which allows users to press hidden control buttons that illuminate to show menu selections only when needed. Pictures can be uploaded to the digital photo frames either through the use of a thumb drive, memory card, USB cable, or PC.

The DPG801BK looks as follows:

The DPG80BK looks as follows:

Other features include:

• 512MB of internal memory
• Photos can be displayed individually or in an image slideshow with transition effects and audio
• Zoom up to 16x on a single photo
• Browse thumbnails
• 800 x 600 resolution
• 4:3 aspect ratio
• 500:1 contrast ratio
• Supports JPEG, BMP, MP3

The DPG801BK also supports Motion JPEG while the DPG807BK supports MPEG1, MPEG4, and Motion JPEG.

Both the DPG801BK and DPG807BK are available now for $129.

Technorati Tags: ViewSonic, DPG801BK, DPG807BK, Digital Photo Frames

LG announced a new touch-screen handset this week called the KP500. The KP500 features quad band GSM support, a three inch display, and a built-in stylus useful with the integrated handwriting recognition capabilities. The handset also comes with a built-in accelerometer which automatically rotates the display when you change the handset’s orientation.  No word on pricing but LG claims the KP500 will be affordable. Expect the LG KP500 in October.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: LG, KP500, Touch-Screen Handet