Posts filed under 'Hardware Tech'
Averatec Inc., a leader in innovative mobile computing products, today announced the expansion of its 17-inch widescreen infotainment notebook family with the introduction of the , the company’s first notebook to incorporate dual-core processing.Designed to deliver outstanding performance, the notebook is powered by the new AMD Turionâ„¢ 64 X2 dual-core mobile technology, today’s most advanced processor developed for mobility. Since each core features its own cache, the processor offers sufficient resources to handle even the most demanding tasks effortlessly, such as complex 3D simulations, streaming media files, large database management, video editing and sophisticated user interfaces.
“Averatec recognizes that users demand the most advanced technology to keep up with today’s processor-intensive digital computing and entertainment applications,” said Saeed Shahbazi, president of Averatec. “By incorporating AMD’s newest multi-core technology in Averatec’s latest notebooks, we are able to provide our customers with the increased performance and faster responsiveness that delivers maximum productivity as well as a rich multimedia experience.”
The dual-core processor in Averatec’s AV7170-EC1 notebook delivers exceptional multi-tasking and multi-threaded performance for both 32- and 64-bit environments. In addition, it is designed to be fully compatible with the next generation 64-bit Windows® operating system, Microsoft® Windows Vistaâ„¢.
Built to deliver overall improved system throughput, the Averatec 7170-EC1 provides a fast 100GB SATA hard disk drive operating at 7,200RPM and DDR2 memory operating at 533MHz for quicker system response. The computer comes standard with 1GB of memory, and can be user-upgraded to 2GB. The AV7170-EC1 also provides the latest nVIDIA® GeForce® integrated graphics card to support the latest games and entertainment software titles.
Optimized to support today’s mobile user, the AV7170-EC1 takes full advantage of AMD’s PowerNowâ„¢, a power management technology that delivers performance on demand and can extend the notebook’s battery life by as much as 65 percent.
Reflecting the look of other models in the 7100 Series, Averatec’s AV7170-EC1 offers sleek black and silver styling, a trim 1-inch profile and weighs in at an industry-light 7.2 pounds. The notebook features a super-bright 17-inch WXGA+ widescreen display with Averatec’s distinctive AveraBriteâ„¢ technology, providing users with a brighter, crystal-clear screen that is ideal for displaying DVDs, videos, digital photos or graphics-intensive presentations.
The AV7170-EC1 offers advanced power management tools and the latest wireless technologies to keep users easily connected while traveling, or in home or office networks. Integrated Gigabit Ethernet, which is up to 10 times faster than standard 100-Mbit Ethernet, provides the highest performing wired network connection available today. A full-featured notebook, the AV7170-EC1 offers a standard full-size keyboard with a separate full-size numeric keypad, a built-in dual-layer DVD/CD burner and an integrated 5-in-1 media card reader that supports xD, MS, MS PRO, MMC and SD memory card formats.
The notebook’s IEEE 1394 FireWire interface and three high-speed USB 2.0 ports facilitate fast digital video, audio and data transfer so users can spend less time downloading entertainment and more time enjoying it. Finally, the AV7170-EC1 supports both a PCMCIA PC Card slot, as well as the latest PC Express Slot, ensuring PC expansion needs are covered.
The AV7170-EC1 is offered with Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition installed and comes fully loaded with a trial version of ZoneAlarm® Internet Security Suite, providing customers with comprehensive online protection. This best-of-breed firewall, anti-spam and antivirus software is designed to provide comprehensive protection against malicious hackers, spyware, worms, identity thieves, spam and data theft.
In addition, the notebook includes a full trial version of Phoenix FirstWare Recover Pro software that stores user data, applications and the operating system in the secure, host-protected area (HPA) of the hard drive. After the trial period, users will still have the factory recovery solution available to them. This free feature will restore the computer to its original factory condition in the event of virus or malware attacks causing damage to the system.
The AV7170-EC1 is offered at an estimated street price of $1,149.99, and initially will be offered exclusively at Costco stores nationwide. Like all of Averatec’s high-performance notebooks, the notebook is backed by a one-year limited warranty (six months for the battery) and one-year, toll-free technical support available 24/7.
July 6th, 2006
Stroage, storage, storage. That’s what a media center laptop needs and Toshiba’s new 2.5 inch hard drive gives you just that.
The 200GB dual-platter MK2035GSS is Toshiba’s first Perpendicular Magnetic Recording drive to incorporate tunnel magneto-resistive recording (TMR) head technology (no, we don’t know what that last bit means either, but it sounds impressive). PMR technology enables bits of data to be stored in a perpendicular format rather than longitudinally and, thus enables the magnetic disc to store significantly more data in the same space.The new drive sets a density record, says Toshiba, although the outright capacity record for a drive is held by Seagate’s 750GB full size monster. The Toshiba MK2035GSS drive is also light weight at 98 grams which is an important consideration with laptop storage.
“As a leading partner for mobile PC manufacturers, we’ve listened to our customers’ needs for high-capacity storage in a small form factor to enable the advanced multimedia applications and enriched usage experience that consumers are demanding today,” said Scott Maccabe, vice president and general manager, Toshiba SDD. “Our technology innovation in PMR has laid the foundation for delivering the industry’s highest capacity and areal density in the standard mobile drive form factor. It’s a win-win combination for mobile PC manufacturers who want to differentiate their offerings with features that attract high-end consumers.”
Toshiba will start mass production for the 2.5-inch 200GB MK2035GSS HDD in August 2006
Source: [l=http://www.mediacenterpcworld.com/news/747]Media Center PC World[el]
June 6th, 2006
Dell and Google have announced that all Dells PC will start shipping with a suite of Google software preinstalled. Eric Schmidt, chief executive of Google hinted at the possibility of more to follow in the partnership at a later date.
The current deal will see Google desktop search installed on all Dell PCs and a co-branded web homepage. Google will also be the default search engine in Internet Explorer.
As most Dell customers leave their PCs in the same configuration as they come out of the box, this should see even more penetration for Google into the home PC market. The Windows equivalents will also be installed, but will not boot up unless the users changes the relevant settings - so, not at all then in all probability.
“Windows lacks certain features, and Dell figured out a way to add them,” said Schmidt.
May 26th, 2006
Samsung today announced that it is exhibiting the first commercial prototype of a Hybrid Hard Disk (HHD), the much-anticipated next generation hard drive for notebooks and PCs that integrates NAND flash memory with rotating magnetic storage.
“We see the HHD as the most advanced and cost-effective means of improving the performance of a notebook computer’s storage functionality,” said Jon Kang, senior vice president, technical marketing group, Samsung Semiconductor. “The Samsung HHD addresses the two biggest consumer desires: extending battery life and improving boot and resume performance.”
The hybrid storage device leverages the benefits of both magnetic and solid state storage without compromising the cost of the computer housing it.
The high densities of magnetic storage technology are preserved, while the exceptionally low power, high reliability and fast read/write access of advanced NAND flash technology enhance overall value at minimal additional cost. With an HHD, consumers receive a system that boots or resumes up to twice as fast as conventional HDDs, lasts 20-30 minutes longer on battery and is up to five times more reliable.
“Hybrid hard disks and Windows ReadyDrive Technology are integrated advancements that improve the performance and reliability of computers using Windows Vista, especially notebook computers,” said Mike Sievert, corporate vice president, Windows Client Marketing at Microsoft. “We are very pleased to see Samsung moving so rapidly with HHD technology to prepare for high-volume production in time for the Windows Vista launch.”
The Hybrid Hard Disk eliminates the need for the hard disk to constantly spin whenever a computer is operating on battery power, and is less susceptible to damage from jarring or being dropped since it is idle most of the time.
Every time the cache is filled, the rotating drive spins to “flush out” or transfer data from the cache, spinning only a few seconds every 10-20 minutes. The Samsung HHD architecture uses the fastest flash device on the market as cache, Samsung’s OneNAND flash with 108MB/s read and 18 MB/s write data-rates. The functionality of the H-HHD is automated by the high performance HDD SOC which supports 3.0G Native Command Queuing SATA and an OneNAND interface. The HHD saves between eight and 25 seconds of boot-up time and extends battery life by about 8-10 percent depending on the model of computer.
In addition, the HHD allows PC manufacturers to deploy value-added features, such as direct media experiences with instant-boot functionality and accelerated processing for specified applications.
Samsung will sample its HHD with customers beginning next quarter and it will ship in large quantities by January, in conjunction with the Windows Vista rollout.
May 18th, 2006
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with HP, today announced a voluntary recall of 15,700 laptop batteries.
HP has received 20 reports of batteries overheating, including two in the United States. One minor burn injury has been reported. Eleven cases of minor property damage were reported.
The recalled lithium ion rechargeable batteries are used with various HP and Compaq notebook computers. The recalled batteries are a subset of those manufactured in early January 2005, and will have a bar code label starting with L3.
The batteries were sold as part of laptop systems between January 2005 andh December 2005, and also as standalone battery packs.
Consumers should stop using the ‘L3′ coded batteries immediately and contact HP to determine if the specific battery is one of the ones being recalled, and if it is, receive a free replacement battery.
For additional information, visit the HP Battery Replacement Program Web Site at www.hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement.
April 21st, 2006
To meet fast-growing market demand for portable storage, Maxtor today announced it is shipping the new Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition drive, the company’s first small form factor external storage solution.
Designed with the mobile professional in mind, the slim, elegant and portable solution is the latest addition to the award-winning Maxtor OneTouch product family. Weighing in at approximately seven ounces, it is the first mobile storage solution in the industry that comes fully loaded with the latest software innovations to protect and manage digital content, including automated backup, data encryption, data synchronization and system rollback to restore applications and operating system while keeping digital files current.
“There’s been mounting interest from our global network of retailers and distributors to provide a strong portable offering,” said Mike Williams, vice president and general manager, Maxtor Branded Products Group. “Our latest innovation lets people easily take their digital content with them so they can access it whenever and wherever they need it. It also makes it easy for people to back up and synchronize business data and files, or to share and enjoy photos, music and video while away from home or office. It safely and simply unleashes digital content from the desktop.”
An increasing number of executives, small business owners, students and creative professionals are going mobile. A recent IDC research study predicts that the global mobile worker population will grow by more than 200 million users between 2004 and 2009. According to IDC’s analysis, there will be more than 850 million mobile workers during 2009, representing more than one-quarter of the global workforce. The United States, the country with the most mobile-enabled workers in 2004, is expected to reach over 70 percent penetration by the end of the forecast period.
“With the fast rise of mobile computing, our retailers are eager to supply the market with sleek and trusted storage for people on the go,” added Williams. “The Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition provides a high level of security for mobile users, along with some innovative software features
that make it easier to manage and protect files.”
To make it simple to share and update data and files between home and office, the Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition includes Maxtor Sync, a software feature that automatically synchronizes files between two or more computer systems on the same operating platform. Another innovation now standard across Maxtor’s third-generation external storage family is a system rollback feature that reverts a PC’s applications and operating system to a healthier point in time, while preserving current data. The feature helps combat spyware or adware that can slow a system to a crawl, or even bring it to a halt. Like all Maxtor OneTouch storage and backup solutions, the smallest member of the family includes automated backup software to ensure valuable files and content are backed up on a set schedule or with the touch of a button, a pioneering feature that Maxtor introduced to the marketplace in 2002.
The sleek, portable system, finished in titanium metallic paint, is equipped with black rubber side panels molded to fit above the housing on all sides, providing non-skid “feet” as well as added vibration protection. Because of its rugged industrial design and compact size, the system can be stowed and transported easily in a purse, backpack or briefcase.
For added data security, which is a particular concern for on-the-go business users, the Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition drive includes two levels of security: software encryption to safeguard its contents if the drive is ever lost or stolen, and Maxtor DriveLock(R), embedded firmware that further restricts data access should it fall into the wrong hands. The firmware is designed to deny access without the correct password even if the internal hard drive is removed from the casing and attached to another computer.
The Maxtor OneTouch III Mini Edition comes in a 60GB or 100GB capacity and easily connects to a Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP computer via a USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 port. Currently available at major U.S. retailers, distributors and online stores, as well as at http://www.maxstore.com, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 60GB is $149.95 and $199.95 for the 100GB. Worldwide availability varies by region.
April 18th, 2006
Alcatel today announced that it has successfully completed contract negotiations with BT, confirming Alcatel’s participation as one of the preferred suppliers to the operator’s next-generation network transformation program - the 21st Century Network (21 CN).
Alcatel will provide its 7750 Service Router and 5620 Service Aware Manager for 21CN’s Metro node. The Metro node is a critical part of BT’s 21CN and is the point at which traffic is intelligently managed, directed and delivered over the MPLS core. “Service and subscriber aware” switching is provided by these Alcatel solutions whereby traffic is assigned Quality of Service priorities based on the service to which it relates.
The Alcatel 7510 Media Gateway and the 1300 Convergent Network Management Centre are also included in today’s announcement. This will be critical for BT in providing the essential connectivity needed as traffic is migrated from the PSTN to the new IP network.
BT Wholesale chief executive Paul Reynolds said: “With 21CN, BT and our suppliers are leading the world in next generation networks. Where we go with 21CN, others will follow, and the experience gained and expertise developed in this transformation of BT’s network will set the standard for other NGN deployments. We’re moving forward strongly with world class suppliers, and the first customers in the UK will start enjoying services over 21CN within 12 months.”
Jacques Dunogué, Alcatel Executive Vice-President Europe & South said: “By choosing Alcatel to provide them with part of their enabling telecoms infrastructure, BT is taking our long-standing relationship to new levels. Combined with our rapid rise to the number two position in the IP edge aggregation market, Alcatel starts 2006 with a strong market momentum in the IP network transformation arena.”
Alcatel’s sales and support operations based in Newport and Maidenhead in the UK will work with BT and the other selected vendors to deliver 21CN.
March 6th, 2006
Just as the capacity of flash memory is starting to infringe on hard drive territory, Seagate has unveiled a 12GB disc drive which is only 1 inch across. The company has even made it smaller than existing 1 inch drives by removing the connector and packaging, so we now have a 12GB drive that is smaller than its 8GB predecessor.
The drive is intended for use in mobile phones and portable music players. It uses perpendicular recording technology to cram more data onto the same size platter. Normal hard drives store data by placing charges horizontally on the disc. Perpendicular drives place the charges ‘upright’ meaning that more can be placed into the same area. The new ST1.3 Series also has 30% less power consumption than previous models.
“Portable, on-demand video is driving the next wave of revenue opportunity for the mobile phone and entertainment communities. As consumer adoption drives the demand for the availability of video content anytime and anywhere, the need for tiny, high-capacity hard drives becomes more apparent,” said Brodie Keast, Seagate’s general manager of consumer electronics.
However, at the same time as Seagate was trumpeting the ST1.3 at 3GSM in Barcelona, rival firm Cornice was unveiling 8GB and 10GB versions of its Dragon Series drives, which although smaller in capacity than the Seagate offering, have an even smaller form factor.
Look out flash ROM…hard disc technology isn’t quite dead yet.
February 14th, 2006
Intel have demonstrated a proof of concept chip with 45 nanometre technology. The Static RAM (SRAM) chip has more than 1 billion transistors and will either double the processing power or half the chip size, while showing the same speed and power as its 65nm predecessors.
Intel’s new baby isn’t ready for production, in fact it’s not even a prototype of a model planned for market. Instead Intel are just showing off the fact that they CAN. It is anticipated that processors using 45nm technology might be shipping in 18-24 months’ time.
January 26th, 2006
Seagate announced on Monday that it is shipping the Seagate Momentus 5400.3 - its new 2.5-inch notebook PC drive featuring perpendicular recording, a technology that permits greater data density. In fact the drive packs in 132GB per square inch, creating a 160GB total capacity. The Momentus 5400.3 currently uses Ultra ATA 100 connectivity.
Seagate won’t stop there though. They plan to incorporate perpendicular recording into their 1 inch and 3.5 inch ranges as well by the end of 2006.
Momentus 5400.3 drives were built to sustain 350 G’s of operating shock (900 G’s while powered down) and are covered by the company’s 5-year warranty.
“Seagate is helping system builders meet growing demand for notebook PCs with desktop capabilities by delivering 2.5-inch disc drives that provide some of the industry’s highest levels of power efficiency, ruggedness, performance and capacity,” said Karl Chicca, Seagate senior vice president and general manager, Personal Storage. “Our transition to perpendicular technology increases our ability to meet the needs of our growing customer base.”
“The trend is clear: the number of notebook PC users is growing, and they demand higher capacity disk drives,” said John Rydning, IDC’s research manager for hard disk drives. “IDC estimates that Notebook PCs with 80GB or more of disk drive capacity will grow from less than 10% of notebook shipments in 2004 to nearly 50% in 2006, providing opportunities for high-capacity mobile drives such as Seagate’s new Momentus 5400.3.”
January 18th, 2006
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