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

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

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

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

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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

Technorati Tags: Vacation over, Japan C

GearLog has a hands-on review of the Motorola EQ5 Wireless Travel Stereo Speaker unit here on their website. The EQ5 utilizes Bluetooth wireless connectivity to connect to stereo sources such as mobile phones and digital music players. The unit also comes with a 3.5 mm jack which allows it to be used with audio devices lacking Bluetooth support. The speakers also double as an external speakerphone unit when paired with a Bluetooth enabled handset. Other features include:

• SRS WOW HDTM enhanced audio technology
• Measures 4.6 x 2.55 x 0.59 inches and weighs 100 grams
• 8 hour play time
• Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
• Noise-reduction and echo-cancellation technology
• Discreet desk-stand
• microUSB connection for charging and power

GearLog loves the sound quality coming from the EQ5 but unfortunately finds the price a bit hefty at around $120 dollars. You certainly get what you pay for here. Here’s a blurb from the review:

When you hear the great sound these slim pocketable speakers deliver, you’ll want to connect them to every portable device you own.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Motorola EQ5 Wireless Travel Stereo Speaker, GearLog, Review

On the desktop front, Seagate announced the 1.5 terabyte Barracuda 7200.11 hard drive which is their eleventh generation drive for desktop PCs. This also marks the largest jump in drive capacities ever – 500GB from the previous mark of 1 terabyte. Features of the 7200.11 include:

• Four platters and PMR technology
• SATA 3Gb/second interface
• Up to 120MB/second data rate
• Also available in 1TB, 750GB, 640GB, 500GB, 320GB, and 160GB capacities

On the notebook front, Seagate introduced two new Momentus drives – the 5400 RPM Momentus 5400.6 2.5 inch drive and the 7200 RPM Momentus 7200.4 2.5 inch drive. These Momentus drives are fourth generation notebook drives from Seagate and feature:

• SATA 3Gb/second interface
• PMR technology
• Capable of withstanding up to 1,000 G’s of non-operating shock and 350G’s of operating shock
• G-force Protection – free fall sensor technology  that helps prevent drive damage and data loss upon impact

The Momentus 5400.6 is available in sizes from 120GB to 500GB with an 8MB cache. The Momentus 7200.4 is available in 250GB to 500GB capacities with a 16MB cache.

The Barracuda 7200.11 1.5 TB desktop drive will be available in August and the two Momentus drives will begin shipping in Q4.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Seagate, Barracuda 7200.11, Momentus 5400.6, Momentus 7200.4

DivX announced that the upcoming byd:sign LCD HDTV’s (models DC-1902DWB and DC-1902DWW) have received their official DivX certification making them the first LCDs to achieve this in Japan. Features of the byd:sign DC-1902DW displays include:

• 1440 x 900 resolution
• 300 cd/m2 brightness
• 500:1 contrast ratio
• Integrated DVD player
• USB ports
• SD/MemoryStick/MMC reader
• 8 ms response time
• HDMI v. 1.2 support
• Measures 494 x 412 x 130 mm
• 19 inch display

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: byd:sign, DC-1902DWB, DC-1902DWW, DivX Certification

Today’s the big day of course.. the day Steve Jobs takes the keynote stage at WWDC 2008 and declares… well umm… we assume the new iPhone and probably other things.. So, if you’re like me and you’re not actually there, then your best bet is to follow the live notes that are being posted on a variety of websites out there. Here’s a short summary of links for you to peruse:

• CNET
• PC World
• Engadget
• Appleinsider
• Gizmodo
• Ubergizmo
• Gear Live

That should be enough right? Live blogging used to be really “cool” but gee.. nearly every major website does this nowadays.. Kinda takes the “coolness” out of it doesn’t it?

Technorati Tags: Apple, Steve Jobs, WWDC 2008

Looking for a way to reduce the clutter on your desktop? Try combining a few things into one unit. That’s what iHome is trying to do with their new iH69 and iH70 computer speakers – the first to integrate an iPod dock. Both models support docking iPod models and both can charge, play, and sync iPods while they are docked at the base of the speaker. The iH69 and iH70 feature iHome’s Reson8 speaker chambers and come with a sync switch, volume controls, and a headphone jack for private listening. The iH70 adds higher wattage and a full function remote control. You can purchase the iH69 for $99.99 and the iH70 for $129.99.

Technorati Tags: iHome Audio, iH69, iH70, Apple iPod

The press release also contains an open letter to Jerry Wang, CEO and Chief Yahoo! of Yahoo!. In the open letter, Microsoft not only outlined why they were abandoning the offer, but they laid out the points as to why they were not going forward with a hostile takeover attempt of Yahoo!.

If Microsoft moved on a hostile takeover attempt, they believed Yahoo! would take steps to make the company “undersirable as an acquisition for Microsoft.” In short – Yahoo! would get in bed with Google which we’ve seen over the last few months – especially in the area of paid search ads.

What became clear from all of this was how critical a piece online advertising was to Microsoft. Microsoft was worried about Yahoo’s idea of using Google paid-search ads on Yahoo!’s own search engine. Doing this would trump the use of Yahoo!’s own Panama ad engine which would eventually result in the possible loss of valuable software engineers from Yahoo! This is made evident in the second bullet outlined in the open letter – “Given this, it would impair Yahoo’s ability to retain the talented engineers working on advertising systems that are important to our interest in a combination of our companies.” While Microsoft has spent time and money to develop their own ad system, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Microsoft was interested in Yahoo’s Panama system and its engineers. This really shouldn’t be too surprising given how strong online advertising has been over the last several years and in particular, how strong Google has been in the overall market. Microsoft has struggled to keep pace with Google in the search arena but has definitely failed to keep pace with Google in the advertising market. Acquiring Yahoo would certainly help Microsoft draw closer to Google – at least in terms of technology and advertising clients.

So is this the end of the Microsoft-Yahoo! saga? Perhaps for now.. but you can be sure that if Yahoo’s stock price continues to sag, many shareholders will certainly be peeved that Yahoo did not accept Microsoft’s offer.

[Check it out]

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