It seems like ages have passed since we tested internal HDD, so we decided to introduce you one hard disk. Full name of this model, WD Caviar SE16 6400AAKS-00A7B0 reveals to eagle-eye so many things. This HDD has 16MB cache memory and 640GB capacity. Connection with motherboard is accomplished through SATA2 standard.
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Most users are irritated with noise that their computer makes. Therefore, we can find on the market numerous “silent” solutions that will solve that particular problem. Yet, there is always “BUT”. With summer heats on the way it is just impossible to cool your processor with passive cooler. But, Cooler Master has a solution even to this problem.
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Since the number of motherboards based on AMD 780G chipset gets bigger and bigger, we decided to compare them forthright and to identify possible differences. Popularity of this chipset is shown in accessibility of motherboard based on it, superb integrated graphics and few more useful options. This kind of systems are great for multimedia computers because 780G will provide for this type of machines enough performances and of course, like any ATi, good display of colors.
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We get used to test fast RAM memories from Kingston Company. Hyper X brand was, until now, associated with fastest RAM modules. Still, Kingston decided to utilize this very recognisable brand on other Kingston products. So, thanks to that we were introduced to Kingston DataTravel HyperX USB flash memory. Of course, right from the start, we figured that we got one very fast device (brand name can tell you a lot), but we couldn’t know, how fast...
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Radeon HD4800 series of graphics cards is real refreshment in these days. Every new generation of GPU brought a big shift in performances and ATi this time showed us that top model graphics chip (RV770) doesn’t have to be expensive. Based on experience from previous HD3850 and HD3870 models, we expected that new model HD4870 will dominate in middle-high class, with lower price and higher performances than other competitors. But, we were wrong… Tests showed something quite unexpected. Still, before benchmark results let’s see what new GPU offers.
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Microsoft came out with latest service pack for XP, four years after SP2 was released. XP itself is very stabile system with SP2 installed, so SP3 is considered as not so innovative like it was SP2. The essence of this service pack is to bring all patches for XP that are released until now. Beside patches attended for safety of your OS, SP3 also contains few new additions that should provide better network collaboration, easier administration etc.
After yesterdays sneak-peak, today we have full news. Panasonic introduced the Toughbook CF-U1, a Rugged Ultra mobile PC for extreme Environments. “Panasonic builds the new Toughbook CF-U1, but our customers designed it,” said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. “The form and functionality is a direct result of more than two years of feedback we solicited from an array of government and commercial organizations seeking to address the needs of a broad range of mobile users. We’ve responded with a highly portable and durable device that offers integrated features such as an LCD touchscreen, solid state drive as well as an optional fingerprint scanner for user authentication. Data capture is enabled using 1D and 2D barcode and RFID readers and a 2-megapixel digital camera. The Toughbook CF-U1 offers full-shift battery life, a sunlight viewable screen and seamless connectivity with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G-mobile-broadband internet connectivity, all within an extremely rugged package for maximum reliability.”
CF-U1 comes equipped with new low power Intel Atom processor. Measuring 2.2" (H) x 7.2" (W) x 5.9" (D) and featuring a weight of 2.3 lbs, the Toughbook CF-U1 has a magnesium alloy chassis encased with ABS and elastomer that offers protection from bumps and drops of up to 4 feet and makes it resistant to the 'elements'. CF-U1 operates on the full-function Windows XP and Windows Vista, features QWERTY keyboard. Rain, spill, dust and vibration-resistant PC operates with 16GB solid state removable drive (32GB optional) and 1GB memory, and twin batteries enable battery replacement without disrupting operation. Available worldwide in August, 2008 it is expected to be available at an estimated street price of $2,499.
Matrox just announced latest line-up of graphics cards. M-series include five cards, built around Matrox's multi-monitor graphics technology and feature passive cooling systems. These quad-capable display cards offer native PCIe x16 performance, and support for independent or stretched mode on up to four monitors simultaneously as one large desktop or with independent resolutions.
Offering PCI-Express connectivity, the M9120 PCIe x16, M9125 PCIe x16, M9120 Plus LP PCIe x16, M9120 Plus LP PCIe x1 and M9140 LP PCIe x16 all cards have 512MB. Priced from $259 (M9120 PCIe x16) to $599 (M9140 LP PCIe x16), all come with 3 years warranty. Cards are WHQL-certified on both Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista, and ship with unified drivers for variety of systems. All M-Series graphics cards will be available in Q3/08.
Dell introduced “Studio”, new laptop family, designed stylish and colorful. Studio 15 and 17 machines, equipped with 15 and 17-inch LCDs, combine sleek designs, striking visual color elements and personalization options with features such as standard built-in webcam, capacitive touch media control buttons, slot load drives, and optional mercury-free LED displays and built-in mobile broadband. All offered with Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 pre-installed, the Studio notebooks are powered by Core 2 Due CPUs clocked at least at 2 GHz, 2 or 3GB of DDR2 RAM, have 160 or 250 GB SATA hard drives and have graphics systems based on either the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 or AMD's Mobility Radeon HD 3450 or 3650.
Dell made six optional color choices, including new Plum Purple and Tangerine Orange, in addition to Flamingo Pink, Midnight Blue, Ruby Red, Spring Green or standard Jet Black. Dell will allso offer optional color-coordinated accessories and peripherals like backpacks and slip covers, mice, ear buds, etc. They are allready available starting at $799 (Studio 15) and $999 (Studio 17).
When you look at operating systems market it’s quite obvious who dominates in this area. In all sorts of “windows” variants, Microsoft definitely leads. At the moment Microsoft is present on the market with two generations of OS, Vista and XP (XP can be categorize at this moment as “old school”). Both OSs are present in two basic variants: 32-bit and 64-bit. Vista also has several variants that don’t have differences in performances, the only differences are additional options that can satisfy users’ needs.
Most of the typical home theater PC can’t record HD content from cable providers. There are some solutions to record programming from pay channels, but, even then it is possible to record only one or two programs.Cannon PC has announced a new home theater PC that allows you to record a whopping six programs at one time. The PC runs on windows Vista and uses Vista Media Center which normally only supports a pair of cable cards. Cannon PC has modified the system to work with six cable cards and still not use all the PCs available resources. Pricing and availability of the machine are unknown at this time.
Cannon PC demonstrated last week this capability to a select group of people and allso posted a video on YouTube and on their web site. The video shows the actual ATI Digital tuners, the Recorded TV section showing the 6 current recordings, the Performance Monitor showing how little impact the process has on performance and resources and the smooth video playback while all this is taking place. "We believe we are the first company to demonstrate such capabilities. Since Windows Vista for Media Center natively only supports 2 Cable Cards, we had to figure out how to modify the system in order to have it properly recognize more than 2 cards in the system" said Gregg Cannon of Cannon PC.
Microsoft came out with latest service pack for XP, four years after SP2 was released. XP itself is very stabile system with SP2 installed, so SP3 is considered as not so innovative like it was SP2. The essence of this service pack is to bring all patches for XP that are released until now. Beside patches attended for safety of your OS, SP3 also contains few new additions that should provide better network collaboration, easier administration etc.
When you look at operating systems market it’s quite obvious who dominates in this area. In all sorts of “windows” variants, Microsoft definitely leads. At the moment Microsoft is present on the market with two generations of OS, Vista and XP (XP can be categorize at this moment as “old school”). Both OSs are present in two basic variants: 32-bit and 64-bit. Vista also has several variants that don’t have differences in performances, the only differences are additional options that can satisfy users’ needs.
Most of the typical home theater PC can’t record HD content from cable providers. There are some solutions to record programming from pay channels, but, even then it is possible to record only one or two programs.Cannon PC has announced a new home theater PC that allows you to record a whopping six programs at one time. The PC runs on windows Vista and uses Vista Media Center which normally only supports a pair of cable cards. Cannon PC has modified the system to work with six cable cards and still not use all the PCs available resources. Pricing and availability of the machine are unknown at this time.
