Apple revamps iPod lineup

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 24, 2005 - 7:43 AM PST Category: CE More Info: http://www.apple.com/ipod Apple revamped its iPod mini lineup with increased battery life of up to 18 hours and higher capacity (6 GB). The players are now also available in new shades of green, blue and pink, in addition to the traditional silver. Prices went down as well with the 4 GB iPod mini selling for USD 199 and the 6 GB for USD 249. Apple also introduced new iPod Photo players with 30 GB (slim) and 60 GB capacities. Prices are USD 349 and USD 449 respectively. The new Camera Connector lets users connect directly to digital cameras. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top

OCZ adds PC4000 to Gold VX series

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 23, 2005 - 7:18 PM PST Category: Memory More Info: http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_el_ddr_pc_4000_gold_vx OCZ has added a PC4000 memory to its Gold Voltage eXtreme series. This line is designed do operate at a high voltage to increase the speed and stability. Running at 3.3 volts, the memory is capable of 2-2-2-8 timings. Available in the form of 512 MB modules, the PC-4000 Gold VX has integrated gold mirrored copper heatspreaders and sports Extended Voltage Protection (EVP), allowing up to 3.5 volts within the warranty, and Ultra Low Noise 2 (ULN2) technologies. The modules are optimized for use on Athlon 64 motherboards. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top

Lexmark suffers setback in DMCA case

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 23, 2005 - 9:41 AM PST Category: Printer More Info: http://www.scc-inc.com/SccVsLexmark Lexmark suffered a new setback in its case against a company called Static Control Components (SCC) envolving technology designed to allow use of generic cartridges in printers. The US Courts of Appeals, Sixth Circuit denied a request to consider reimposing a injunction against SCC. In 2002, Lexmark filed a lawsuit claiming that SCC’s Smartek chips violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Later, a judge issued a preliminary injunction banning the selling of Smartek chips, but this was lifted in October 2004. The case is going to trial next December. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top

Gigabyte introduces new Neon coolers

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 23, 2005 - 8:24 AM PST Category: Cooling More Info: http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/AirCooling/Products_List.aspx?AirC... Gigabyte has introduced its new Neon Cooler 775 (for Pentium 4 and Celeron chips) and Neon Cooler 8 (for socket 939 Athlon 64s) series of CPU fansinks targeted at PC gamers and casemodders. The coolers are available in standard and Pro versions, with the latter providing a fan speed controller operated through a rotating dial. The Cooler 775 Pro is compatible with both Voltage Regulation (VR) and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) on supporting motherboards. The series sports an extended fin profile and a 11 cm fan. The Cooler 8 uses a 9 cm fan. Both employ a fan duct to reduce noise levels. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink top

New CAS2 XPERT memory from Corsair

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 23, 2005 - 5:41 AM PST Category: Memory More Info: http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair/xms_xpert.html Corsair has introduced a new DDR400/PC3200 product on its XPERT lineup with 2-3-3-6 timings on Intel platforms and 2.5-3-3-6 on AMD ones. The TwinXP1024-3200C2 consists of a matched pair of 512 MB modules with black cast aluminum heatspreaders. The XPERT series uses an integrated microcontroller and embedded sensors to measure voltage, temperature and frequency and show it on an alphanumeric display. The modules also have two rows of memory activity LEDs. Corsair expects retail prices under USD 300. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top

Point of View announces SLI bundle

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 22, 2005 - 9:55 AM PST Category: Video More Info: http://www.pointofview-online.com European VGA company Point of View has announced a new bundle sporting two of its own GeForce 6800 GT PCI-E card and a ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe motherboard. The GT Gaming Deluxe Bundle takes advantage of Nvidia´s SLI technology which allows simultaneous use of multiple video cards. The GeForce 6800 GT is clocked at 350 MHz and features 16 pixel pipelines, 256-bit interface and 256 MB of 2.0 ns GDDR3 memory clocked at 1 GHz. The A8N-SLI Deluxe is a nForce4 board aimed at socket 939 Athlon 64 chips. It brings features such as Serial ATA II, NV firewall and dual Gigabit LAN as well as ASUS´ proprietary overclocking technologies. The pack, set to be available in the beginning of March, includes three games: Hitman Contracts, Shellshock and Thief. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top

Archos launches 100 GB media player

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 21, 2005 - 7:26 PM PST Category: CE More Info: http://www.archos.com/products/prw_500697.html Archos has announced a new member of its HD-based line of portable media players with digital video recording capabilities. The Pocket Video Recorder AV4100 stores up to 100 GB of data and allows the user to schedule shows to be recorded. A cradle connects the device to video sources such as a TV or a set-top box through USB 2.0. The AV4100 sports a 3.8-inch color screen and external speaker. Optional accessories include a 4-in-1 CompactFlash Adaptor, FM radio & remote control, 5 V car adaptor and carrying case. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top

Pentium 4 with EM64T and 2 MB of L2

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 20, 2005 - 9:01 PM PST Category: CPU More Info: http://www.intel.com/products/processor/index.htm?iid=HPAGE+header_pro... Intel has introduced its new 600 series Pentium 4 chips sporting EM64T extensions, 2 MB of L2 cache, Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) power management and no-execute security bit. The chips have 800 MHz FSB and are clocked at 3 GHz (630), 3.2 GHz (640), 3.4 GHz (650) and 3.6 GHz (660). Prices range from USD 224 (630) to USD 605 (660) in 1,000-unit quantities. Intel has also released a new Pentium 4 Extreme Edition clocked at 3.73 GHz and sporting a 1066 MHz FSB. It brings the same features as the 600 series except the EIST tech. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top

ATI ships mobile Radeon Xpress 200

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 20, 2005 - 7:17 PM PST Category: Video More Info: http://mirror.ati.com/products/radeonxpress200series/index.html ATI began shipping a mobile version of its Radeon Xpress 200 chipset. The company claims that it is the first PCI Express integrated DirectX 9 chipset for notebooks with AMD processors. Based on the Radeon X300, the Xpress 200M offers PowerPlay 5.0 power management and HyperMemory, which shares the capacity and bandwidth of dedicated video memory and dynamically available system memory. The chipset supports AMD processors with 800 MHz or 1 GHz HyperTransport bus, up to four PCI-E x1 lanes, four Serial ATA ports (RAID 0, 1), eight USB 2.0 ports and AC´97 audio. According to ATI, design wins include HP, Sharp, Medion, Acer, Targa, Gateway, NEC, Mitac, Arima, MSI, Compal, Quanta Sharp and Wistron. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top

Antec releases TruePower 2.0 PSUs

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 18, 2005 - 9:12 AM PST Category: Power More Info: http://www.antec.com Antec released a new line of power supplies called TruePower 2.0 promising a noise level of 21 dBA.The PSUs, available in a variety of wattages, come with a single 120 mm fan and dedicated fan-only power connectors. Other features include dual 12V outputs and voltage feedback circuitry. The PSUs have four serial ATA connectors and a PCI Express graphic card power connector. A detachable 4-pin section ensures backwards compatibility with ATX 20-pin motherboards. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top

Samsung produces DDR3 prototype

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 17, 2005 - 7:47 PM PST Category: Memory More Info: http://www.samsung.com/us/Products/Semiconductor/USNews/DRAM/DRAM_2005... Samsung announced that it has produced world´s first DDR3 DRAM device. The 512 Mb prototype works at 1066 Mb/s and will be commercially available in early 2006. The chip is set to operate on 1.5 volt and should have double the operational speed of DDR2 devices. Samsung expects DDR3 DRAM to be the standard for low power memory chips. It will be produced with 80 nm process technology. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top

SiS licenses Intel´s 1066 MHz FSB

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 16, 2005 - 7:14 PM PST Category: Motherboard More Info: http://www.sis.com/news/press/intel_fsb1066.htm SiS has signed a licensing agreement with Intel that will allow the company to manufacture Pentium 4 chipsets supporting 1066 MHz FSB. New versions of its 656 and 670 parts, though, will not be available until the second half of the year. The SiS656 is a PCI Express chipset currently supporting 800 MHz FSB and dual-channel DDR2-667 memory. The 656FX, with 1066 MHz FSB, will be sampled in the second quarter and enter mass production a quarter later. The 670 chipset, sporting Mirage3 DirectX 9-compatible integrated graphics, will only begin sampling in the third quarter. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top

USB to SATA bridge chip from Oxford

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 16, 2005 - 6:39 PM PST Category: Bus More Info: http://www.oxsemi.co.uk/pages/usb/index.html Oxford Semiconductor released a USB to SATA bridge chip that promises to simplify implementation of external hard drives and optical drives for PCs and Macs. The OXU921S chip is a 128-pin device with integrated SATA PHY, USB 2.0 PHY and ARM7 TDMI processor. The firmware allows compatibility with standard operating system drivers. The USB 2.0 link and PHY support full and high speed modes as well as backward compatibility with USB 1.1. Data transmission speed reaches 480 Mb/s and disk interface data rate is 150 MB/s. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top

BenQ also announces LightScribe burner

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 15, 2005 - 8:05 PM PST Category: Storage More Info: http://www.benq-eu.com/Products/DVDRewriter BenQ will soon release in the European market a DVD burner sporting HP's LightScribe technology. It basically allows users to burn labels directly on specially designed discs with a thin dye coating. The DW1625 DVD ReWriter offers performance similar to HP´s recently released 640i, writing dual-layer DVD+Rs at up to 2.4x, single-layer DVD+Rs at up to 16x and CD-Rs at up to 40x. Suggested retail price is Euro 99. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top

SanDisk announces 1 GB miniSD card

Author: Rodrigo Chia Date: February 15, 2005 - 7:39 AM PST Category: Memory More Info: http://www.sandisk.com/retail/minisd.asp SanDisk has announced a 1 GB miniSD memory card that will sell for USD 99.99. This means that 1 MB of storage will cost USD 0.10 compared to about USD 1.13 one year ago. The miniSD card measures 0.8 x 0.8 x 0.05 inches and is bundled with an adaptor for use in standard SD devices. It will be available in retail only in the second quarter. Print Version | Send to Friend | Bookmark This News | Permalink | Comments (0) top