Archive for the ‘Laptops and PCs’ Category
That new MacBook Pro’s 7200 RPM HDD singing you too many ballads lately? As promised, Apple today released a new firmware update to silence that troublemaker. If it doesn’t come up through automatic system update, you can obtain Hard Drive Firmware Update 2.0 (catchy name, eh?) via the read link. Admit it, you’re gonna feel just a teensy bit lonelier once your laptop stops chirping so much.
Update: Apple today also released Bluetooth Firmware Update 2.0.1, which alongside various bug fixes improves compatibility with the company’s wireless mouse and keyboards on all machines with the Broadcom chipset — that includes all unibody laptops and any Mac released in 2010.
We’ve always loved the super-expensive VAIO TT with a passion, but apparently the netbook onslaught was just too much for the well-reviewed 11.1-inch machine to take: it’s gone from Sony’s US website, and we’re guessing that it’s not going to return. That’s too bad, since we’ve always felt the TT was one of the more beautiful laptops ever made, and while we could never justify its fully kitted-out $4,450 price tag, we always had one on our want list. Hopefully Sony has some grander plans for this size point than the sadly-generic VAIO W — in the meantime, light a candle and check our unboxing and hands-on gallery below.
Update: We just heard back from Sony — yep, the VAIO TT is gone, and it’s not coming back. Shed a tear, will ya?
With Windows 7 on the horizon, multi-touch support in tow, people are suddenly interested in tablets all over again; a form factor that didn’t quite revolutionize portable computing as envisioned by an enthusiastic Bill Gates showing that first prototype way back in 2001. And with an Apple event just weeks away (presumably), fanboys of both persuasions seem convinced that tablets are once more the future of mobile computing. Manufacturers are certainly on board. Case in point: Kohjinsha, that just announced its EX6 convertible tablet with 1366×768 pixels slathered across a 11.6-inch LED-backlit capacitive resistive touchscreen. Inside you’ll find a 1.6GHz Atom N270 and 945GSE chipset, up to 2GB of memory and 160GB of disk, 802.11n WiFi, gigabit Ethernet, a pair of front and back-facing cameras, 2600mAh battery, 2x USB, and slots for SDHC/microSDHC, ExpressCard 34 cards, and even DVDs. Unfortunately, it’ll be shipped with XP when it hits retail at the end of this month for ¥59,800 (about $635) — something we expect you’ll rectify on October 22nd. As to whether it’ll support multi-touch under Win7, well, anybody see the appropriate sticker?
We were all excited for Lenovo’s NVIDIA ION-powered IdeaPad S12, which was gonna be the first netbook to market with the HD-capable chipset — but alas, it was not yet meant to be. Gizmodo reports the company has decided to delay the portable until the end of October, just after Windows 7’s launch on the 22nd. By then it’ll have to face competition from Samsung, whose $599 N510 will launch first in September, and possibly a rumored HP device coming in the next few weeks. We can take solace in the fact that the ION upgrade will only add $50 to the current $499 tag, but having to wait
Hannspree’s efforts in the netbook market are finally coming to the US with today’s launch of the 10-inch HannsNote, and frankly, we’re still pining for something a little less vanilla from the company. Sure, it’s the same 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor and assorted specs we’ve come to know and sort of like, but this is the company known for devising some of the most ridiculous televisions we’ve ever seen, including a whole series of plush animals with monitors in their bellies. A $380 price tag isn’t gonna win a lot of people over without a little flair, so please, do us all a favor and stick the components inside of a teddy bear, make his stomach the screen and his feet each one half of the keyboard. We’d buy that.
Dell might have axed the Mini 12, but it seems like there’s quite a few models waiting to fill the void — we just saw the Inspiron 11z go on sale this morning, and now there’s a mysterious link for an “Inspiron Mini 13″ showing up on the Dell Canada site. We’re assuming that means the hot new Inspiron 13 that launched in Singapore last month is about to make its North American debut with Mini branding — and although calling a 13-inch machine with a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo and ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330 graphics a “Mini” seems a little odd, we can’t say we’d be surprised if it came to pass. We’re digging for more, keep a sharp eye.
Dell may have ditched the 12-inch Mini netbook, but for those still looking for something a touch larger than 10-inches, there’s the all-new Inspiron 11z. Strictly classified as a “thin-and-light,” this three-pound machine measures in at just one-inch thick and ships with a 1.2GHz Celeron 723 processor, a 1,366 x 768 LED-backlit panel, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 250GB (5400RPM) SATA hard drive, GS45 integrated graphics, WiFi, a 3-cell battery and nary an optical drive to speak of. There’s also a 1.3 megapixel camera, twin stereo speakers, an Ethernet port, three USB sockets, a 3-in-1 multicard reader and an HDMI output, though we get the feeling Windows Vista won’t be too happy with the hardware. Thankfully, you can drop your $399 now and snag Windows 7 on the cheap here in just a few months.
Suzuki, huh? No, not that Suzuki. Singapore-based Suzuki Technology Private Limited calls itself a “value for money” brand, and has stuffed quite a bit of “value” into the Neutron 701 MNI. With basic netbook parts under the hood, and a rather exceptional complement of ports (ExpressCard and S/PDIF in a netbook? Yes, please!), the 701 really sets itself apart with its swivel tablet display. Sure, 7-inches isn’t a lot of room to work with when you’re touching Windows, but it’s a nice “twist” at least. No word on price or availability.
Guys, the MacBook Micro has been announced. You’re going to love it. It’s three things: a Powebook from 1998, a student’s art project, and a really short email. We hear it may boast a camera, too. Check out the gallery below to see this wonder of modern technology doing its thing… you will not be disappointed.
12 hours. That, according to LG, is the new benchmark by which all wannabe long-lasting laptops will have to measure up. Of course, we’ve seen similar aftermarket solutions before, but it’s good to see a manufacturer stick a flag in the ground — and a big rump on the back — in the race for the highest endurance netbook. And boy is the X130 a netbook: 1024 x 600 resolution, 10-inch screen and the predictable Atom N270 et al. Koreans can grab one now for 789,000 Won ($639), with almost worldwide availability to follow shortly. Check out our review of the X120 for a flavor of LG’s history in the market, while we go look for actual benchmarks undermining that legendary battery life claim.
