May 23 - Dell Expands Desktop Computer Line with
Two Powerful, Space-Saving Products. Big performance in small
packages is the hallmark of two new Dell Dimension(tm) desktop computers
introduced in the United States today.
First available to consumers and small business customers in Japan,
the Dimension 4600C, with its small form factor chassis, is now available
to customers in the United States. Its minitower counterpart, the
Dimension 4600, also features a compact chassis, but offers nearly
the same level of expandability as its predecessor, the Dimension
4550.
"Consumers and small businesses tell us every day they need
versatile desktops that occupy less space," said Mark Vena, director
of Dimension product marketing. "These two new products fill
that need, and have the power to handle digital photo editing, management
of a music collections, creation of digital video, and other multimedia
tasks, as well as standard office productivity applications."
At less than 13 inches tall, the Dimension 4600C is 60 percent smaller
than the 4600 and the smallest Dimension chassis the company has offered
in the United States. Its size makes it an ideal system for use in
dorm rooms, apartments or any place where space is limited. It features
eight USB 2.0 ports, two of which are front-accessible, that make
it easy for customers to connect devices like digital cameras, external
hard drives and MP3 players.
Customers who require even more external expandability can order
the 4600C with an optional PCI card that includes a modem, two front-accessible
PCMCIA slots and two IEEE 1394 ports, one of which is front-accessible.
This card allows customers to easily connect their digital video camera
or import digital photos directly from a Compact Flash memory card.
Pricing Information
Starting at $799(a), the Dimension 4600 contains all the functionality
of the 4600C and offers more internal expandability options. It can
accommodate up to two optical drives, such as a DVD-ROM and a CD-RW;
two internal hard drives; sound cards like the Creative Labs Audigy(tm)
2; and graphic cards such as the Radeon(tm) 9800 for consumers who
want to play the latest 3-D games at smooth frame rates.
For $1,129, the Dimension 4600 includes a 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor,
512 MB DDR-SDRAM memory at 333 MHz, a 60 GB hard drive, a 16X DVD
drive, and 17" (16.0" viewable) CRT monitor.
Priced starting at $999, the Dimension 4600C includes a 2.4 GHz Pentium(R)
4 processor, 256 MB of shared DDR-333 memory, a 30 GB hard drive,
a 24X CD ROM drive, integrated graphics and 15" flat panel monitor.
For more information, go to www.dell.com/dimension.
May 23 - IBM Unveils New ThinkCentre
Line of Desktops. IBM today announced the first models of its
redesigned PC line, the new ThinkCentre desktop, offering innovative
new ThinkVantage Technologies that will help customers reduce system
operating costs and increase productivity. With a significantly smaller
footprint, the ThinkCentre S50, as well as the M50 and A50p, feature
an easy access, tool-free chassis design, simplifying maintenance,
upgrades and service for customers. They're available immediately.
"Maintaining thousands of desktops and notebooks across our
campus can be a daunting task," said Phil Lyles, director of
information technology at Clemson University, which is deploying 1,000
new IBM desktops, including the new ThinkCentre S50 and M50 models.
"Reducing maintenance and support costs is extremely important
to the Clemson IT staff. Adopting tool-free designs helps save our
staff members time, and the potential for utilizing a technology like
Rapid Restore Ultra means that our students, faculty and staff members
would be able to recover from software problems more quickly, without
wasting time with a help desk."
All new ThinkCentre models announced today are equipped with IBM
ThinkVantage Technologies such as Rapid Restore Ultra, which help
education and corporate customers alike to dramatically reduce the
number of deskside service visits and help center calls, resulting
in significant productivity and dollar savings.
Higher performance, easier maintenance
The ThinkCentre S50, M50 and A50p all feature a new internal architecture
that capitalizes on the hyper-threading capabilities of Intel's Pentium
4 processor, which improves performance by multitasking. New ThinkCentre
models also include a tool-free chassis design, which simplifies and
enhances usability.
Encased in a durable steel chassis, components inside the machine,
such as the hard disk and memory, can easily be removed by the customer,
making the PC serviceable and upgradeable, helping to limit the downtime
and cost associated with on-site support. Cable routing is bundled
out of the way for easy access to components and cable ends and user
"touch points" are colored blue to be easily identified
by the user.
ThinkCentre desktops also feature an innovative "caddy"
that surrounds the hard disk drive, locking it into place without
the use of tools or screws. Rubber bumpers on the caddy decrease vibration
and deliver quieter operation. Other mechanical improvements have
been made to the overall design of the new ThinkCentre PCs, including
improved air flow and reduced noise.
Select ThinkCentre models feature IBM ThinkVantage Technologies that
improve security and simplify PC "fleet management" for
IT organizations, including Rapid Restore Ultra. Rapid Restore Ultra
provides a one-button backup and recovery solution that can easily
restore previously saved data, settings and applications after a software
failure. All of the ThinkVantage Technologies help meet new requirements
for flexibility and dynamic reconfiguration of global organizations
moving toward an on-demand business model.
Three New Ways of Thinking
The ThinkCentre S50 is a feature-rich global enterprise PC offering
image and platform stability in an extremely small form factor. Featuring
a space-saving design with dimensions of just 12.2 inches wide by
14.1 inches deep by 3.3 inches high, the ThinkCentre S50 is 62 percent
smaller than a traditional IBM desktop and allows for flexible placement,
either horizontally or vertically.
Responding to customer feedback, IBM designed the ThinkCentre S50
to feature an internal power supply, two full-size PCI slots, three
bays, and an industry-standard desktop optical drive. These features
allow customization and easy upgrading, which is uncommon for a small
form factor PC.
IBM also today introduced the ThinkCentre M50, with enhanced support
for Red Hat and SuSE Linux. The M50 provides stability and manageability
for the enterprise and is available with three improved mechanical
designs. Each of these models shares a common system board and software
image (per operating system), giving flexibility and image compatibility
to organizations purchasing various models of the M50. Images on the
S50 and M50 are compatible, enabling a single image to be deployed
across multiple platforms. Both the S50 and M50 offer global models
available in 68 countries and workhorse models that feature 12 months
of planned hardware stability.
IBM is also announcing today the ThinkCentre A50p, a multimedia-centric
machine offering a wide range of optical drives and video graphics
adapters with up to 128MB DDR memory . Later this year, IBM will introduce
its value-priced ThinkCentre A30, designed for small and medium-sized
businesses, education and government customers who need a robust desktop
at an economical price.
Pricing and Availability
The ThinkCentre S50 desktop, ThinkCentre M50 and ThinkCentre A50p
are available immediately through www.ibm.com.
IBM personal computers are also available through select business
partners.
Prices for the ThinkCentre A50 desktop start at $599, prices for the
ThinkCentre S50 start at $729, and prices for the ThinkCentre M50
start at $979. Prices for the ThinkCentre A50p start at $699. The
ThinkCentre A30, announcing later this year, will start at $469.
May 23 - SPEC Validates AMD Opteron Processor's
Claim as Highest Performing Processor. AMD (NYSE:AMD) today announced
the official confirmation and posting of performance benchmark scores
that demonstrate the AMD Opteron(TM) processor as the highest performing
2P and 4P server processor in the world.
The 57 scores approved and posted by the Standard Performance Evaluation
Corp. (SPEC) validate the AMD Opteron processor-based system's performance
lead in several categories including:
-- Highest recorded 2P and 4P SPECweb(R) 99 scores, breaking for
the first time the 10,000 barrier on a 4P system
-- Highest recorded 2P and 4P SPECint(R)_rate2000 scores
-- Best scaling 1P to 2P to 4P SPECfp(R)_rate2000 scores
-- Highest recorded 4P SPECweb 99_SSL scores
-- Highest recorded 1P, 2P, and 4P SPECjbb(R) 2000 scores
"SPEC confirms what we've claimed all along," said Marty
Seyer, vice president and general manager of AMD's Microprocessor
Business Unit. "AMD Opteron is the highest performing processor
for 2P and 4P servers, providing our customers with breakout performance
in 64-bit computing while protecting their investments in 32-bit applications
and programs."
On the SPEC benchmark tests, which are considered among the most
important for servers, the AMD Opteron processor achieved scores that
were up to 144 percent greater than competing 32-bit server processors
and 43 percent higher performing than servers based on competing 64-bit
processors.
SPEC is a non-profit organization that oversees benchmarks that measure
the performance of high-performance computers. Additional details
about SPEC testing standards and requirements can be found at www.spec.org.
AMD Opteron benchmarks scores can be read at www.amd.com/opteronperformance.
May 23 - HP Claims Fastest Server using
Itanium 2 Processor 6M. HP (NYSE:HPQ) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT)
today announced the world record benchmark result of 707,102 transactions
per minute (tpmC) on the Transaction Processing Performance Council's
TPC-C benchmark, establishing a new high water mark for commercial
transaction processing on a non-clustered system.
At a price to performance ratio of $9.13/tpmC, customers using HP
Superdome, Microsoft(R) SQL Server(TM) 2000 and Windows Server(TM)
2003 Datacenter Edition can achieve industry-leading performance and
scalability at a lower cost than any other high-end solution on the
market.
Building on their innovation, HP and Microsoft demonstrated the most
powerful transaction performance solution with an HP Superdome server
based on the forthcoming Intel(R) Itanium(R) 2 processor 6M (code-named
Madison), running the 64-bit version of Windows Server 2003 Datacenter
Edition for Itanium-based Systems and SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
(64-bit), with HP StorageWorks MSA1000 storage.
"HP's strong alliances with Microsoft and Intel enable us to
deliver enterprise-class solutions based on open standards that meet
the needs of our customers," said Scott Stallard, senior vice
president, HP Enterprise Storage and Servers. "While competitors
continue to tout expensive, proprietary systems, HP's portfolio of
industry-standard solutions on IA-32 ProLiant and Itanium 2-based
HP servers offer customers the agility, accountability and return
on investment they expect in building an adaptive enterprise."
"Microsoft and HP made history today with an unprecedented 707,102
transactions per minute," said Gordon Mangione, corporate vice
president for SQL Server at Microsoft. "We are very excited about
this result because it continues to demonstrate to customers Microsoft's
price/performance advantage over proprietary solutions. This, combined
with our world record clustered result, solidifies SQL Server and
Windows Server as the true price/performance leader for database systems."
Today's result with Microsoft builds on the performance leadership
the HP Superdome server has established since its introduction three
years ago. The server is on track to deliver up to triple its current
commercial performance over the next several years. Through simple
processor upgrades, Superdome customers can benefit from long-term
performance scalability, flexibility and investment protection over
competitive offerings. This summer, HP plans to release the Superdome
server based on the Itanium 2 processor 6M (Madison).
SQL Server and Windows Server have proven world-class scalability
in scale-up and scale-out solutions, with leading price/performance
across the industry benchmarks including today's benchmark result
with HP. The dramatic increase in speed and performance has been fueled
by the recently announced 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2003 and
SQL Server 2000. This increased performance comes at a low cost of
ownership for customers, as Microsoft server software is more manageable
and less expensive to own and operate than proprietary systems. The
scalability and price/performance advantage of 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft
platforms enable customers to choose software that will grow along
with their needs as they deploy data-intensive applications.
HP and Microsoft's solution demonstrates the ability to scale performance
across transaction processing workload levels. With today's result,
HP and Microsoft hold the top position in single-system TPC-C benchmarks
running one, two, four and 64 CPUs as well as the top three positions
in clustered TPC-C benchmarks all running Intel Xeon and Itanium processors.(2)
This range of performance leadership provides assurance to customers
that HP and Microsoft can help customers meet their needs as their
IT requirements grow.
More information on Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition is available
at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/.
More information on SQL Server 2000 is available at http://www.microsoft.com/sql.
More information about the HP Superdome server and its record-breaking
benchmarks is available at www.hp.com/products1/servers/scalableservers/superdome/itanium.html.
May 23 - America Online Launches AOL
Instant Greetings Service. America Online, Inc., the world's leading
interactive services company, today launched AOL(R) Instant Greetings(TM),
a new feature that combines two favorite online activities -- instant
messaging and sharing greeting cards.
AOL(R) members can send an unlimited number of free, animated and
personalized greetings to others on the AOL service as well as to
members of the AOL(R) Instant Messenger(TM) service with the same
ease of sending an instant message.
AOL Instant Greetings are not displayed in a single browser window
but instead move across the computer screen with rich animation and
sound. With a selection of more than 150 characters and scenes, AOL
Instant Greetings can be used for any occasion, whether to wish someone
Happy Birthday; good luck; feel better; or just to let another person
know "I'm thinking of you." They are also great for sharing
everyday sentiments such as "feeling happy" or "having
a bad day."
"AOL Instant Greetings really take advantage of the best that
AOL offers -- fun, convenience and the connection among members --
and we know they'll make a lot of people smile," said Jim Riesenbach,
Vice President and General Manager of AOL Core Products for America
Online.
"E-Greetings are a hugely popular online activity and with AOL
Instant Greetings we're providing another way for people to stay instantly
in touch, share everyday sentiments and commemorate any occasion.
Over the years, we've also seen firsthand the power of AOL's instant
messaging features and their impact on how people communicate. And
now, as easily as sending an instant message, AOL members can share
a personalized greeting that will animate immediately across the computer
screen of their friend or loved one."
AOL audiences send more than one billion instant messages every day
and more than 25% of AOL members are active users of online greetings,
sending three million online greetings each month. More than 60 percent
of AOL members on AOL 8.0 use the service's unique "expressions"
features to personalize their instant messages and e-mails with animated
Buddy Icons, Buddy Sounds, colorful backgrounds and stationery.
Sending an AOL Instant Greetings message is quick and simple. AOL
members can select from dozens of greetings in a number of occasion
categories -- from "Love and Caring," "Inspiration"
or "Just Because." Members can further personalize their
Instant Greetings message with their own text as well as preview an
AOL Instant Greetings message before sending it. If the recipient
is not online, the AOL Instant Greetings message can be automatically
delivered via e-mail.
Availability
AOL Instant Greetings messages are free to send and receive and are
available now at AOL Keyword: Instant Greetings. AOL members using
AOL 8.0 or AOL 8.0 Plus can send and receive AOL Instant Greetings
messages. Additionally, AOL members using AOL 7.0 and AIM(R) users
with version 5.1 or later can receive AOL Instant Greetings messages.
For more information, visit www.aol.com.
May 22 - Intel Announces New Pentium
4s and Hyper-Threading Technology Chipsets. Intel Corporation
today announced three Intel® Pentium® 4 processors supporting
Hyper-Threading (HT) Technology** and a trio of chipsets enabling
faster and more feature-rich corporate and consumer PCs at mainstream
price points. The new Intel Pentium 4 processors -- 2.80C, and 2.60C,
and 2.40C GHz -- come equipped with HT Technology and an advanced
800 MHz system bus that allows information to flow to and from the
processor more quickly.
Also launched today were the Intel® 865G and 865PE chipsets,
formerly code-named Springdale, supporting HT Technology and Intel's
advanced 800 MHz system bus and other industry leading features that
deliver excellent performance for desktop computer users. The chipsets
improve productivity and enable richer digital media, gaming, and
broadband experiences.
The 865G chipset marks the beginning of the new Intel® Stable
Image Platform Program unveiled at the Intel Developer Forum in February.
Previously code-named Granite Peak, the program provides at least
12 months of chipset hardware and software driver stability for corporate
PC buyers. The program provides software image stability that IT managers
can use to more easily manage the deployment and maintenance of their
PC environments.
The combination of HT Technology, a faster system bus and innovative
technologies such as integrated graphics and Gigabit Ethernet for
the desktop - plus a new stable platform program - make these computing
platforms ideal for corporate and small business PC upgrades and purchases.
"In choosing Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology
PCs, corporate IT organizations get more PC performance and responsiveness
while minimizing the impact of such essential background tasks as
virus checking, email encryption and file compression, resulting in
higher performance, manageability and a more secure infrastructure,"
said Louis Burns, vice president and general manager of Intel's Desktop
Platforms Group.
"Platforms featuring Hyper-Threading Technology and the Intel
865 chipset reaffirm Intel's commitment to increase IT and end user
productivity while reducing the cost of ownership for corporate PCs
by advancing the PC at all price points."
Home users also benefit with these new HT Technology-enabled PCs,
giving them the power to do more at the same time without sacrificing
performance. For instance, users can smoothly record live TV (Personal
Video Recorder) while gaming without impacting playback quality, or
they can play their favorite game while encoding the latest music
in the background. The new platforms also enable such new usage models
as editing family video to produce DVD movies that can be shared with
friends and families.
The Intel 865G and 865PE chipsets are designed specifically to support
the Intel Pentium 4 Processor with HT Technology and Intel's advanced
800 MHz system bus. They also include a high-performance AGP8x graphics
interface for an advanced graphics experience, integrated Hi-Speed
USB 2.0* and Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s (150MB/s).
Intel also offers these chipsets with optional built-in RAID capabilities
utilizing the latest Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s interface for accelerated
disk I/O. Additionally, the Intel® 865P chipset, was also launched
today. The Intel 865P chipsets offer the above features with support
for Intel's 400MHz and 533MHz system buses.
The Intel 865G chipset supports dual-channel DDR400/333/266 memory,
providing exceptional performance across a full range of multimedia
and 3-D intensive applications. It also incorporates a new generation
of integrated graphics, named Intel® Extreme Graphics 2, and is
targeted at the high-volume business and consumer desktop market segments.
Platforms based on the Pentium 4 processor with HT Technology and
the Intel 865 chipset are well suited for the next major transition
in networking: Gigabit Ethernet. PCs based on these platforms combined
with Gigabit Ethernet allow users to finish such network intensive
tasks as filing backups faster while simultaneously conducting a database
query or performing other processor intensive tasks.
The 865G chipset also offers a dedicated networking bus based on Intel's
new Communications Streaming Architecture (CSA). CSA works in conjunction
with the new Intel® PRO/1000 CT Desktop Connection to double the
Gigabit Ethernet networking bandwidth available on today's PCI bus
based solutions.
The Intel 865PE chipset with support for 800MHz system bus and dual-channel
DDR400 memory, works with today's advanced AGP8x graphics cards to
provide flexibility for consumers, and higher end performance for
graphics intensive applications. A third chipset, the Intel 865P,
supports dual-channel DDR333/266 memory, AGP8x graphics cards and
both 533 and 400 MHz system buses.
For computer makers and system integrators, Intel also announced
availability of five desktop motherboards: ATX form factor Intel desktop
boards D865PERC, D865PERL and D865GBF, and the smaller micro-ATX form
factor Intel desktop boards D865PESO and D865GLC.
Pricing and Availability
In 1,000-unit quantities, the Intel Pentium 4 processors 2.80C, 2.60C
and 2.40C GHz with HT Technology are priced respectively at $278,
$218 and $178.
The Intel 865G chipset is priced at $44 with integrated software RAID,
$41 without RAID. The Intel 865PE chipset is priced at $39 with integrated
software RAID, $36 without. The Intel 865P chipset is priced at $36
with integrated software RAID, $33 without.
Systems and motherboards with these processors and chipsets are currently
shipping in volume from a variety of computer and motherboard manufacturers
worldwide.
Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com.
May 22 - BFG Technologies Announces
Two Asylum Graphics Cards Powered By NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 GPU.
BFG Technologies, Inc, a leading supplier of advanced 3D graphics
cards for PCs, announced today that it will add two new Asylum(TM)
graphics cards to its product lineup based on the NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM)
FX 5900 graphics processing unit (GPU) by NVIDIA Corporation.
"The latest additions to the Asylum family of 3D graphics cards
deliver the next level of cinematic quality gaming hard-core PC enthusiasts
crave," said Scott Herkelman, executive vice president of marketing
for BFG Technologies. "These Asylum cards will enable consumers
to play current and next generation DirectX(TM) 9.0 games the way
they're meant to be played, with all settings maxed out."
"The FX 5900 is able to outpace the Radeon 9800 PRO in all relevant
benchmarks and can reclaim the performance throne for NVIDIA, concluded
Lars Weinand, hardware editor for Tom's Hardware Guide (www.tomshardware.com)
"The card offers unrivaled FSAA speed combined with very good
anisotropic filtering image quality and performance, thanks to the
new Detonator FX driver, giving it a comfortable lead over its rival."
Asylum(TM) GeForce FX 5900 Ultra - Features include 256MB memory
with 256-bit memory bus, and a 450MHz core clock, This card also offers
the added flexibility of multimedia and multi-display support with
its VGA, DVI, Video-In / Video-Out connectors, Ulead(TM) VideoStudo
6 SE editing software and NVIDIA(R) NVDVD(TM) 2.0 multimedia software.
Expected availability in June, 2003. MSRP $499
Asylum(TM) GeForce FX 5900 - Offering 128MB memory with 256-bit memory
bus, a 400MHz core clock, VGA, DVI, Video-In / Video-Out connectors,
Ulead(TM) VideoStudo 6 SE editing software and NVIDIA(R) NVDVD(TM)
2.0. This card offers all of the top end features and benefits of
its older brother, including NVIDIA(R) UltraShadow(TM) technology
to accelerate the rendering of shadow volumes which is critical for
next generation software titles. Expected availability in June, 2003.
MSRP $399.
About BFG Technologies, Inc.
BFG Technologies is a privately held U.S. based supplier of premium
ASYLUM(TM) brand 3D video cards based on award-winning NVIDIA(R) graphics
technology. BFG Tech is dedicated to bringing the latest high quality,
high-tech multimedia products to PC and gaming enthusiasts at competitive
prices. BFG Tech's ASYLUM brand 3D graphics cards are available in
the U.S. at Best Buy, CompUSA, Wal-Mart, Fry's Electronics and within
premium Alienware(R) gaming systems.
For more information about Asylum GeForce FX and other BFG products,
please or visit www.bfgtech.com.
May 22 - Panasonic Debuts Centrino-Certified
Rugged Notebook PC. Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, the
leading provider of ruggedized portable computers, today announced
the introduction of the Toughbook(R) CF-73, a ruggedized-for-business
computer based on the latest Intel(R) Centrino(TM) Mobile Technology.
Featuring the most advanced wireless connectivity options in its
class and over 5.5 hours of battery runtime, the CF-73 is a completely
redesigned and technologically enhanced successor to the highly popular
Toughbook(R) CF-72.
"Once again, Panasonic has taken the industry lead with the
world's first Centrino mobile technology-powered, semi-rugged notebook
that supports wireless LAN (802.11) and integrated wide-area wireless
(CDMA or GPRS) in a notebook weighing less than 6 lbs. In a recent
edition of Business Week*, notebook PC failure was quoted as high
as a staggering 35% as soon as the PCs leave their docking stations,"
notes Rance Poehler, president of Panasonic Computer Solutions Company.
"The new Toughbook(R) 73 will provide today's user with powerful
notebook performance that is designed to take the demands of being
on the road. It is also a presentation portable with video and audio
performance equaling that of a desktop with a high-end monitor and
detached speakers," comments Poehler.
"And, of course, the CF-73 gives customers a full measure of
renowned Toughbook(R) durability," Poehler added. "A user
can close the light-weight Toughbook 73, grab the handle and leave
the office without having to use a carrying case. The 73 is also durable
enough to go through airport security screening without needing the
plastic trays for protection. The Toughbook 73 is the ultimate in
high-end, full-function, desktop-replacement machines for white and
blue collar applications," further notes Poehler.
Intel(R) Centrino(TM) Performance and Power
The Toughbook(R) CF-73 is powered by a 1400MHz Intel(R) Pentium(R)
M processor with 1MB on-die L2 cache, 400Mhz system bus, enhanced
SpeedStep(TM) technology with multiple voltage and frequency operating
points, and 256MB of DDR266-RAM (768MB max.).
Wireless-World Ready Connectivity
The Toughbook(R) 73 provides heretofore unheard of connectivity and
convenience options in an executive-class notebook computer.
Only two screws control access to a wireless configuration area supporting
simultaneous mounting of any two of the following types of devices:
Wireless LAN, Bluetooth(TM), or Wide-Area Wireless (GPRS or CDMA).
A Diversity Wireless LAN antenna, a Bluetooth(TM) antenna, and a Wide-Range
Wireless Whip antenna are all sleekly integrated into the unit's screen
case.
Wired connectivity capabilities include an integrated 100 Base-TX/10Base-T
LAN port, a 56K V92 modem, two Type II PC slots (one of which can
be used by a SmartCard), two USB 2.0 ports, a serial port, ext. monitor
port, audio I/O ports , and docking station connector.
Durability, Longevity, And Security By Design
In the Toughbook(R) tradition, the CF-73 is engineered and built
by Panasonic to provide maximum reliability and performance for power
users on mission-critical assignments. Business-ruggedization features
include a full magnesium-alloy case manufactured in Panasonic's own
state-of-the-art casting facility, a shock-mounted and isolated hard
drive, a proprietary cooling system incorporating an optimized heat
pipe and remote heat exchanger, reinforced USB and PC Card connectors,
re-engineered and upgraded port covers, and protective ribs on the
case bottom.
A quick-release-lever provides access to the unit's hard drive bay
and makes user compliance with corporate and public-agency security
regulations requiring separate storage for notebooks and data devices
easier than ever before.
Over Five Hours of Runtime
The unit's standard 3.8Ah lithium-ion battery pack provides power
for up to 5.5 hours of continuous runtime. Up to nine hours continuous
operation available with optional second battery. AC 100V-240V 50/60Hz,
auto-sensing/switching worldwide power supply included as standard
equipment.
Full Three-Year Warranty
Panasonic's Toughbook(R) CF-73 comes standard with a three-year limited
warranty including parts and labor and free overnight in/out shipping.
Panasonic's full line of notebook PCs for the mobile professional
can be found at www.panasonic.com/toughbook.
May 22 - HP Reports Second Quarter 2003
Results. HP (NYSE:HPQ) today reported financial results for its
second fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2003. Second quarter revenue
totaled $18.0 billion, compared to $17.9 billion in the prior quarter,
and non-GAAP operating profit totaled $1.14 billion, up 4% sequentially.
Non-GAAP operating profit was 6.4% of revenue, up from 6.2% of revenue
in the prior quarter. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) for
the quarter was $0.29, in line with the company's first fiscal quarter
and two cents above recent analyst consensus estimates.
"HP delivered a solid quarter with sequential improvement in
revenue and non-GAAP operating profit," said Carly Fiorina, HP
chairman and chief executive officer. "Enterprise Systems grew
3% sequentially with nearly break-even results, and HP Services grew
2% sequentially with solid profits. Personal Systems revenue was flat,
defying seasonal trends, with sustained profitability. And Imaging
and Printing grew 13% over last year, down 1% sequentially in line
with normal seasonality, with profit up 1% sequentially.
"One year after the merger, we've reduced structural costs by
$3.5 billion on an annualized basis. Our business model is generating
a more balanced revenue and profit mix, and our operating cash generation
capabilities -- more than $2.5 billion this quarter -- are proving
to be stronger than ever," said Fiorina. "Today, HP emerges
from the integration a stronger, bolder competitor with our sights
set firmly on leadership and growth."
Personal Systems Results
Personal Systems revenue totaled $5.1 billion, reflecting a solid
performance in the commercial market despite continued softness in
IT spending. Growth in notebooks, commercial desktops and workstations
was offset by seasonal weakness in U.S. consumer desktops and handheld
devices. Balanced performance in each geography offset normal U.S.
post-holiday declines.
Personal Systems operating profit was $21 million, compared to $33
million last quarter -- representing the group's second consecutive
quarter of profits. Operating profit was 0.4% of revenue, compared
to 0.6% last quarter. HP's business model improvements, including
significant cost structure reductions and re-engineered channel programs,
have enabled HP to drive competitive pricing in key markets while
preserving solid margins.
Highlights of the quarter include significant share gains for HP's
commercial and consumer notebooks, as well as new pricing strategies
for low-cost consumer desktops and entry-level personal workstations;
strong reception by consumers to HP's new low-cost iPAQ h1900 and
by enterprises to HP's wireless iPAQ h5450 handheld; and continued
improvements in HP's direct business and partner programs worldwide.
More information on this quarter's earnings is available on HP's
Investor Relations site at http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/investor/financials/quarters/.
May 22 - Worldwide Semiconductor Market
to Experience 8 Percent Growth in 2003. Following a relatively
strong first quarter in 2003 bolstered by better-than-expected semiconductor
sales in March, the worldwide semiconductor market is forecast to
grow 8.3 percent in 2003, with revenue totaling $168 billion, up from
$152 billion in 2002, according to Gartner Inc. (NYSE: IT and ITB).
In the first quarter of 2003, Gartner said the worldwide semiconductor
market would grow 8.9 percent in 2003.
"With quarterly sequential growth at about negative 3.5 percent
in the first quarter of 2003, but likely to turn mildly positive in
the second quarter, it appears that the industry is capable of growing
in the high single digits this year," said Richard Gordon, research
vice president for Gartner's semiconductor research group.
"However, even though some of the geopolitical uncertainty that
has been dogging the global macroeconomic environment receded with
the end of the war in Iraq, and with the severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS) outbreak seemingly more under control, indications
about the level of demand for semiconductors in the second half of
2003 remain stubbornly elusive."
Gartner analysts said that businesses are not yet feeling confident
enough to make the decision to invest putting a cautious outlook on
the onset of the long-awaited corporate PC replacement cycle.
Digital cellular handsets, flat-panel displays and digital video
consumer products are expected to have strong growth in 2003. The
cellular phone handset application continues to prop up the semiconductor
industry, driving above-average device market growth.
More information on Gartner's semiconductor research can be found
in the Gartner Semiconductor Focus Area at http://www.gartner.com/1_researchanalysis/focus/semimkt_fa.html.
May 21 - Fujitsu Packs Desktop
Performance in LifeBook N Series Notebook. Fujitsu PC Corporation
closed the performance gap between notebook and desktop computing
today, unveiling the all-in-one LifeBook(R) N Series notebook.
Packed with a powerful desktop CPU, integrated 802.11b/54g
wireless functionality and the latest multimedia advancements, including
a DVD-RW drive, a brilliant high-resolution 15-inch Multi-Domain Vertical
Alignment (MVA) display and an impressive graphics solution, this
latest addition to the LifeBook notebook family will certainly turn
the heads of digital media enthusiasts and mainstream users alike.
The first thing users are likely to notice is the notebook's beautiful
screen. The LifeBook N Series notebook is one of the only notebooks
on the market to feature a Multi-Domain Vertical Alignment display.
The 15-inch SXGA+ TFT MVA display can show twice as much data as standard
XGA LCDs and offers CRT-quality color with a 400:1 contrast ratio.
In addition, users are able to clearly view the screen from practically
any angle.
The LifeBook N Series notebook is also capable of tackling today's
most intense applications and 3D games. The notebook includes an Intel(R)
Pentium(R) 4 processor and an ATI(R) RADEON(TM) 9000 graphics chip
with 64MB of dedicated video memory. This powerful combination delivers
the ultimate performance and video capabilities comparable to desktop
PCs.
Fujitsu offers a variety of configurations, including a model with
an integrated DVD-RW drive for under $1,900. All Fujitsu notebooks
can be purchased through the company's retail and reseller channels
as well as at www.fujitsupc.com.
May 21 - Toshiba Announces Satellite
M20-S257 with Centrino Technology. The Satellite(R) M20-S257 extends
the flexibility and simplicity of mobile computing at an affordable
price point. The notebook features the new Intel(R) Centrino(TM) mobile
technology built specifically for the mobile user, enabling an enhanced
battery life and integrated wireless connectivity packaged in lightweight
form factor.
Modestly priced and designed for customers who need increased mobile
computing performance, the Satellite M20-S257 delivers the flexibility
needed to stay productive whether on the campus, on the road or at
home.
FEATURES: Satellite M20-S257
-- Intel Centrino mobile technology
-- Intel Pentium(R) M processor at 1.30GHz
-- Intel PRO Wireless Network Connection
802.11b(a)
-- Intel 855 Chipset Family
-- 256MB of RAM (expandable to 1024MB)
-- 30GB(b) hard disk drive
-- 14.1" diagonal TFT display
-- DVD-ROM/CD-RW multi-function drive
-- Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional
-- Integrated V.92 modem, 10/100 Ethernet and
fast Infrared port
-- Two USB 2.0 ports
-- Weight: 6.01 pounds
-- Optional dual Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11a/b) wireless
connectivity
Toshiba's new Satellite notebook is available through Toshiba's
sales team and authorized Toshiba distributors, dealers, retailers
or mail-order partners. Pricing: $1,549.
For more information visit the company's website at www.sell.toshiba.com.
May 21 - Fujitsu Unveils World's Smallest
Centrino Notebook PC. In what can be considered another milestone
in mobile computing, Fujitsu PC Corporation today introduced the world's
smallest full-featured notebook PC to incorporate Intel(R) Centrino(TM)
mobile technology.
Starting at $1,549, the new LifeBook(R) P5000 notebook bridges the
gap between ultraportable and full-feature computing. At first glance,
the notebook looks and feels like an ultraportable. However, this
3.4-pound notebook breaks all the norms. It is powered by an Ultra
Low Voltage Intel(R) Pentium(R) M Processor 900MHz and features the
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless Network Connection 802.11b and Intel(R) 855GM
chipset. The combination of technologies was designed specifically
for mobile applications and works in concert to deliver superior performance,
wireless capabilities and extended battery life.
To take it one step further, the LifeBook P5000 notebook is equipped
with a modular bay that accommodates either a DVD/CD-RW drive, a second
battery or a weight saver module. The optional combination drive,
coupled with a 10.6-inch wide-format display, transforms the notebook
into a full-fledged multimedia solution. While on the road, users
can watch DVD movies and burn CDs or they can insert the optional
second battery for up to 10.5 hours of battery life. A weight saver
also fits into the bay to shed around a half pound.
"From the beginning, Fujitsu has introduced mobile computing
solutions that deliver superior performance in extremely small, lightweight
form factors," said Sara Nelson, vice president of marketing,
Fujitsu PC Corporation. "The LifeBook P5000 notebook continues
this tradition. Never before has any notebook offered so much power
and functionality in such a small package."
All Fujitsu notebooks can be purchased through the company's retail
and reseller channels as well as at www.fujitsupc.com.
May 21 - Satellite Television Subscriber
Satisfaction Continues to Rise. An expanding product line, quality
services and competitive pricing continue to remain the key to customer
satisfaction and retention in the direct broadcast satellite industry,
according to a survey of current DBS subscribers released today by
the Taylor Research & Consulting Group during SkyFORUM, the satellite
service industry's top financial symposium held in New York.
Of the 1,500 telephone interviews between very recent (within three
months) and longer-term DIRECTV and Dish Network subscribers conducted
in April 2003, 84 percent indicated overall satisfaction with their
DBS service.
DBS scores improved by five percentage points from a similar survey
conducted in 2002, driven by improvements in such areas as programming
channels, trouble-free installation, good value for the money, and
quality customer service among the reasons for becoming or remaining
DBS customers.
The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association commissioned
Taylor Research to conduct the survey with several goals in mind:
to assess the present DBS-cable competitive environment; understand
what drives DBS subscription; gauge DBS customer satisfaction; evaluate
DBS subscriber programming needs and interests; and, to weigh interest
in new technologies, like DVR, VOD, satellite radio, and HDTV.
The survey also found substantial interest among DBS subscribers
in several of the new technologies available to satellite and cable
customers. The product with strong interest is the digital video recorder,
with 27 percent of new and longer-term subscribers interested in the
technology.
Other products that customers were interested in were HDTV (23 percent),
digital audio radio services (satellite radio) - or DARS -(18 percent),
and video on demand (14 percent), which was described to respondents
as a service currently available to digital cable subscribers with
a per-use fee and pause, fast-forward, and rewind features.
In keeping with results consistent to a similar survey conducted
last year, 58 percent of the respondents said that digital cable was
not available in their community, and 31 percent were not aware of
digital cable at all, whether they lived in cities, suburbs, or in
rural areas. Only 24 percent of new DBS subscribers said that they
had considered digital cable before subscribing to DBS.
In general, most new DBS subscribers cited lower pricing and/or better
programming selection as the main reason they chose DBS over digital
cable.
The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (www.sbca.com)
is the national trade organization representing all segments of the
satellite industry.
May 21 - Fujitsu Introduces Indoor/Outdoor
Tablet PC. Fujitsu PC Corporation today gave mobile computer users
the power to work and play virtually anywhere with the first indoor/outdoor
Tablet PC to feature a Reflective front light display. An option for
the latest Fujitsu Stylistic(R) ST Series Tablet PC, this unique technology
offers extraordinarily clear text and graphics under practically any
light condition -- even outside under direct sunlight.
"The latest generation of the Stylistic ST Series Tablet PC
delivers on our commitment to anytime, anywhere computing," said
Sara Nelson, vice president of marketing, Fujitsu PC Corporation.
"The Fujitsu Stylistic ST Series Tablet PC has proven to be one
of the most flexible PCs in existence. The indoor/outdoor display
adds to this flexibility, transforming not only how but where we compute."
Available only on the Fujitsu Stylistic ST Series Tablet PC, the
reflective front light display enhances the 10.4-inch screen so applications
can be clearly seen in a wide variety of light environments.
Under direct sunlight, the display gets even brighter rather than
becoming washed out. In low light conditions, the display's front
light can be adjusted to cut through the darkness and enhance viewability.
This adaptive feature gives users the freedom to carry their Fujitsu
Tablet PC wherever work or play takes them. Together with a high capacity
battery and Wi-Fi(R) capabilities, users can be more productive throughout
their day, whether they are on campus or in the field. The optional
nine-cell high capacity battery provides up to an impressive seven
hours of battery life.
Weighing a mere 3.2 pounds and measuring an ultra-slim 0.88 inches
thin, the Stylistic ST Series Tablet PC is small enough to be comfortably
carried, yet powerful enough to be used as one's primary PC.
The latest generation features an Ultra Low Voltage Intel(R) Pentium(R)
III Processor 933MHz - M and can be equipped with up to 768MB of system
memory and a massive 60GB hard drive. Users can complement their Tablet
PC with a keyboard in the Fujitsu attache case or place it on their
desk in the optional tablet dock.
The Stylistic ST Series Tablet PC is currently shipping and sold
through the Fujitsu direct sales force, Web site and channel partners.
Pricing starts at $1,999 for a base configuration. Models with the
indoor/outdoor display start at $2,199.
More information on Fujitsu PC Corporation's complete line of mobile
computing solutions is available at www.fujitsupc.com.
May 21 - Online Shopping Decisions Significantly
Impacted By Enhanced Security. A new U.S. consumer study from
MasterCard International has revealed that enhanced security features
are key motivators influencing future online purchasing on retailers'
Web sites.
Assurance that personal information would be kept private, a guarantee
that consumers would not receive unwanted e-mails as a result of purchases
and an extra layer of security for credit card transactions were among
the most important factors influencing the degree to which consumers
would make purchases online. More than 1,000 consumers participated
in the study, "MasterCard Internet Consumer Segmentation Research,"
which was conducted during fourth quarter 2002.
"MasterCard International is committed to working with Internet
retailers to enhance the level of security they can offer consumers
and enable them to take advantage of the ever growing Internet marketplace,"
said Steve Orfei, senior vice president and head of MasterCard International's
e-Commerce and e-B2B Center of Excellence. "Internet retailers
should take a close look at this study as it indicates that extra
security programs and assurances will motivate consumers to shop online."
Key Findings
While motivators to future online purchasing vary considerably by
consumer segments identified in the study, research findings indicate
that online security is a broad-based issue that impacts all segments.
For example, when polled about major factors influencing future online
purchasing:
-- Seventy-three percent of study participants agreed that
enhanced security features would influence their decision to
purchase online in the next three months.
-- Seventy percent of respondents are concerned with security and
fraud issues.
-- Sixty-one percent of respondents are concerned that their
credit card number will be intercepted by "hackers."
The research shows that the following security-enhancing features
have high potential to alleviate security concerns and to increase
Internet purchasing in the future:
-- Privacy assurance.
-- No unwanted e-mails.
-- Extra layer of security for online purchases.
-- Security endorsement on site.
Additionally, the research demonstrates that as the length of time
a person spends online increases, the "breadth and depth"
of Internet usage increases as well. The least experienced group --
"Technology Skeptics" -- had an average online tenure of
3.8 years and an average of only four online activities performed
regularly, while the most experienced group -- "Confident Core
Users" -- averaged 5.9 years online and 10 activities.
n addition, Technology Skeptics' activities were mainly communications-related,
while Confident Core Users' activities encompassed a variety of areas
including shopping, travel and information access. These results suggest
that as current users become more comfortable with the Internet, the
breadth and depth of their activities will continue to grow.
MasterCard can be reached through its Web site at www.mastercardinternational.com.
May 20 - New Sub-Four-Pound
Dell Latitude Notebook Makes Mobile Computing Easier. Customers
looking to lug less but still access the latest in notebook computer
technology can choose a new ultraportable Dell Latitude notebook.
The Latitude D400, a full performance sub-four-pound notebook computer
that comes standard with integrated wireless, Smart Card reader and
Gigabit Ethernet, now available to customers worldwide, Dell announced
today.
"The D400 is the smallest member of our Latitude D-Family but
it delivers big performance and investment protection required by
today's IT managers," said John Medica, senior vice president
and general manager of Dell's product group. "We hear every day
from customers who tell us they want lighter notebooks with no compromises.
We designed this notebook and others in the D-Family, with them in
mind."
Dell's Latitude brand continues to deliver the highest customer satisfaction
ratings for notebooks as scored by Technology Business Research in
its quarterly Corporate IT Buying Behavior and Customer Satisfaction
Study. For the 19th consecutive quarter, Dell notebooks rank No. 1
in the study, with superior customer satisfaction ratings versus their
competitors.
The D400 comes with Intel's Centrino(tm) Mobile Technology, featuring
Intel's new Pentium(R) M processor with lower power requirements that
contribute to longer battery life, and Intel's PRO/Wireless 2100 (802.11b)
solution. Customers can also choose Dell's TrueMobile(tm) 1300 (802.11b/g)
or TrueMobile 1400 (802.11a/b/g) wireless solutions. The D400 weighs
3.7 lbs and is priced starting at $1,499.
Innovations across the entire Latitude D-Family portfolio can be
found in standard features and chassis design, Medica said. The D400
includes the new D/Bay, an external modular bay that connects optical
and storage devices to the notebook via a powered USB 2.0 port. The
D/Bay allows for an additional hard drive, floppy drive or optical
drive, including the new DVD+RW(f) drives, to be connected to the
notebook. This creates a virtual 2nd spindle that can be carried as
needed.
The D400 includes an integrated Smart Card reader, Gigabit Ethernet
capability, USB 2.0 ports, dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) wireless antennas
and optional Bluetooth connectivity. Another standard feature is Dell's
QuickSet program, a customizable software application that allows
users to easily control power-management settings, monitor system
status, enlarge icons for high-resolution displays, and more.
The D400 also is compatible with all the D-Family docking solutions,
including the D/Dock, D/Port and D/View notebook stands.
More information about the Latitude D400 and other members of the
D-Family can be found at http://www.dell.com/latitude.
May 20 - Logitech Dual Action Pad Delivers
Two-Fisted Fun. Logitech (Nasdaq:LOGI) (Switzerland:LOGN) today
announced that the Logitech(R) Dual Action(TM) Pad, previewed last
week at the E3 tradeshow in Los Angeles, will be available this summer
on retail shelves in the U.S. and at www.logitech.com.
Pricing is not yet available.
"Many of today's games require dual analog control, but until
now there have been few good dual analog controllers available,"
said Fred Swan, Director of Marketing for Logitech's Audio and Interactive
Entertainment Business Unit. "The Logitech Dual Action Pad boasts
a new, smaller design, and is loaded with features that gamers need
to help stay at the top of their game, including dual analog control."
The lightweight design features two rubber-capped analog joysticks
that provide total control with a silky smooth 360-degree motion,
while an eight way D-pad allows for precise movements within a game.
In addition, four responsive triggers and six buttons give gamers
the right stuff for eliminating the competition with ease. Compatible
with both a PC and a Mac, the gamepad offers a "plug and play"
USB connection.
The Logitech Dual Action Pad includes the acclaimed Logitech(R) Gaming
Software for PC that allows gamers to customize many aspects of the
gamepad's performance. Also included on the disc are two software
packages from GameSpy Industries, Inc. The GameSpy(TM) Arcade(R) offers
many features to enhance online gaming and also includes Roger Wilco(TM),
a voice chat application that allows gamers to talk to each other
while playing multiplayer online games.
For more information about Logitech and its products, visit the company's
website at www.logitech.com.
May 20 - Sampo America Ships Value-Priced
High-Performance 50-Inch HDTV Plasma Display. Sampo America, a
leading provider of advanced display technologies for consumer and
business applications, today announced it has begun shipping its 50-inch
PME-50X6 plasma display, the newest addition to its award-winning
plasma display family.
Priced at an MSRP of $6,999, the PME-50X6 is an affordable full-featured,
high-performance large-format plasma display solution that enables
consumers and businesses to experience the space-saving, performance
enhancing aspects of plasma technology at industry-leading pricing
without having to sacrifice quality and features.
The PME-50X6, which features a 1366 x 768 native resolution, incorporates
Sampo's MotionDSC(TM) Digital Processor an advanced digital image
processor that generates smooth motion video with minimal video artifacts.
The quiet display also incorporates a host of value-added features
including: picture-in-picture and side-by-side picture, 3:2 pull-down
for film scan conversion, dual high-definition component video inputs,
HDTV signal compatibility, user-selectable color temperature controls,
a standard DVI-D with HDCP interface, optional TV tuner, and an integrated
premium sound system consisting of built-in speakers, integrated audio
amplifier and BBE(R) and SRS(R) sound processors.
"The rapid growth of Sampo's market share reflects the fact
that we're becoming the go-to provider of high-performance, value-priced
video display solutions in the consumer and business segments,"
explained Brian Ballard, director of sales for Sampo America. "Our
customers have spoken and, like the award-winning 42-inch PME-42S6,
the addition of the PME-50X6 promises to become another popular solution
in both the consumer and business markets."
Addressing the stringent video display requirements of commercial
users, Sampo's PME-50X6 features an enhanced set of picture adjustments,
accessible through on-screen menus and a full-featured remote control.
Other business-friendly features include a wide viewing angle, front
panel lockout, and low power consumption.
Designed to provide the best value in the category, the PME-50X6
incorporates a full feature set including: advanced digital image
processing, internal video scaler, line doubler, standard DVI-D interface,
3D Digital Comb filter, picture-in-picture, side-by-side picture,
3:2 pull-down, digital zoom modes, dual HD component video inputs,
discrete calibration memory by video input, direct input selection
keys, discrete power on/off, built-in internal amplification and speakers,
BBE(R) Sound maximizer, SRS(R) Sound Processing, bass extension circuitry,
selectable fixed/variable audio outputs, and HDTV signal compatibility.
Connectivity options for the PME-50X6 include: composite, S-Video,
high-definition component video, DVI-D with HDCP and RGB inputs for
computer applications, RGB output for loopout functionality and an
RS-232 remote control port.
An optional NTSC TV/CATV tuner module expands the monitor's capabilities
to include cable or over-the-air television reception capabilities
with convenience functions such as Closed Caption decoding, favorite
channel programming, and channel lock and V-Chip parental control.
Sampo's plasma displays are available through specialty audio/visual
retailers. The PME-50X6 is now available at a list price of $6,999.
Sampo America is available at www.sampoamericas.com.
May 20 - Coming Soon: The Multimedia Chat
Room. Chat rooms may soon really be what their name suggests:
places where people can meet and talk at will -- almost in person,
but through the Internet. Just as in today's chat rooms it will be
possible to see who is available on-line in advance of joining, and
participants will be able to exchange written messages with each other.
However, these meetings will also support voice and video communication,
allowing an intensity of interaction so far only possible in face-to-face
meetings. This is one of the visions shared by some 80 multimedia
experts who met last week in Geneva for this year's Spring Forum on
Rich Multimedia Communications, organized by the International Multimedia
Telecommunication Consortium (IMTC) in collaboration with Wainhouse
Research.
A basic requirement for the realization of this vision is the convergence
of today's disjoint communication systems. For example, as Gurdeep
Singh Pall, General Manager at Microsoft's Real Time Collaboration
Business Unit, pointed out in his keynote address, since the telephone
system is not linked to the PC, the sharing of applications and data
is difficult.
"We have only begun to tap the power of presence. The integration
of PC and phone will allow people to be notified via instant messaging
about incoming calls, information about the caller to be displayed
automatically, and calls to be routed depending on the caller. The
information worker's productivity will significantly increase thanks
to better information access, sharing, and processing," Mr. Pall
said.
Of equal interest is the convergence of the traditional wireline,
cellular and WLAN (Wireless LAN)-based, a theme echoed by several
speakers, including Jan Buis of Proxim. "Such integration will
enable a person to place a call while in her office, leverage the
cost efficiencies of WLAN while there, but transparently transfer
the call to the cellular network when she leaves the office to drive
home."
As presented by Dr. Stephen Wenger, TU Berlin, another key factor
in the evolution to the multimedia communications, will be the widespread
implementation of new video standards. Paramount among these standards
is the new standard H.264, also known as MPEG-4 Part 10. Already "consented"
by the ITU-T and soon to go to ballot by the International Standards
Organization, H.264 yields the same quality as H.263 -- currently
the dominant videoconferencing codec -- at half the bandwidth, and
promises to supplant MPEG-2 as well. Especially 3G streaming and face-to-face
Video application as presented by Amir Wolf, Emblaze, and Peter Jantsch,
Vodaphone, will benefit from such new technology.
A very recent development in the industry was also intensely discussed:
the acquisition of PlaceWare, a leading Web conferencing company,
by Microsoft. This acquisition was announced some time ago, but just
closed. Participants agreed that this deal will have a huge impact
on the industry. "The increased involvement of Microsoft will
put multimedia communications into the centre of public awareness,"
suggested Denise Persson of Genesys Conferencing. "It will support
the strong upward trend in the implementation of advanced multimedia
systems we currently witness in the business world and in academia."
Although there was a common feeling that it will take some time before
multimedia communications moves from the professional world into the
general public, conference participants were confident that these
new technologies would soon enter private households. "The chatrooms
of the future will be multimedia," said one participant, adding,
"Our kids will not use it, they will live it."
Further information on IMTC can be found at http://www.imtc.org.
May 20 - Microsoft, Intel and IP to Bring
Change to VOD Server Markets. With Video On Demand (VOD), Subscription
Video On Demand (S-VOD), Network Personal Video Recorders (N-PVR),
and "Anything On Demand" (X-VOD) all being made ready for
widespread deployment by service providers throughout the world, the
market for VOD servers is heating up, reports In-Stat/MDR (http://www.instat.com).
The high-tech market research firm expects that efforts on the part
of Concurrent Computer Corp., SeaChange International Inc., and nCube
to promote the market for VOD services are finally ready to pay off.
However, market dominance of these three players will begin to wane
out in 2006, as companies that make distributable servers take over
the market with lower cost points and smaller form factors.
"The 'big three' VOD server companies have worked hard to establish
this market, but Microsoft, Intel and the Internet are catching up,
providing lower bit rates for each VOD stream, and higher performance
at lower cost points," said Gerry Kaufhold, an analyst with In-Stat/MDR.
"Network-based Personal Video Recorders (N-PVRs) work best if
small, inexpensive, VOD servers are placed out near users, on the
edge of the network. Companies bringing these new distributable VOD
servers to market include Entone, Kasenna and MidStream Technologies."
In-Stat/MDR has also found that:
-- Microsoft's Windows Media 9 Series is being accepted as a new
compression standard for VOD services, providing DVD-like
quality at about 1 Megabit/second, and High Definition TV
(HDTV) at about 5 Mb/s. This reduces both storage requirements
and bandwidth consumption for VOD services, and will make some
new opportunities possible that were not available even just
one year ago.
-- New companies are appearing that have lower-cost VOD servers,
which take advantage of the ever-increasing performance of
Intel's Pentium line of central processing units (CPUs). Many
of these new solutions are using Microsoft operating systems,
development tools, and Windows Media 9 Series, to provide
robust VOD solutions. Internet Protocol has "grown up" enough
to support broadcast quality video services that run over
Ethernet. Specifically, Gigabit Ethernet is finding its way
into many VOD products and services.
-- Linux permits companies to create customized "extensions"
to
support VOD, and Linux does not require any licensing fees.
Microsoft has responded to the threat from Linux by reducing
their licensing costs and royalty fees, making Windows-based
VOD solutions much more attractive. Finally, MPEG-4 will,
eventually, reduce the amount of bandwidth needed to deliver
VOD. These five phenomena -- Microsoft, Moore's Law, Linux, IP
and MPEG-4 -- are likely to cause a changing of the guard
among manufacturers of VOD server products during the next
five years.
-- The value of VOD servers was about $196 million (U.S.) during
2002, and is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate
(CAGR) of about 32.7% through 2007.
May 19 - Dell's Q1 Revenue up 18 Percent.
Dell (Nasdaq:DELL) reported its best-ever fiscal first-quarter operating
results, recording exceptional growth and profitability in all product
and regional markets, and said second-quarter increases should also
be strong.
Dell worldwide shipments in the quarter ended May 2 were up 29 percent
from a year ago; volumes for the rest of the industry declined an
average 1 percent. Growth was robust outside the United States --40
percent in Asia-Pacific and Japan, and 29 percent in Europe, the Middle
East and Africa, as operating income in both regions nearly doubled
to record levels.
The company's 40-percent increase in server shipments was more than
four times the average of other suppliers. Dell accounted for almost
one-third of U.S. server volumes, and has led the category for more
than two years. Revenue from external storage systems was up 65 percent.
"The words and actions of customers are clear," said Michael
S. Dell, Dell's chairman of the board and chief executive officer.
"They're recognizing the performance and reliability of standards-based
enterprise computing, and choosing such servers and storage products
at an accelerating rate.
"Dell's unique ability is innovating, integrating and delivering
technology with the best possible value, and our execution in those
areas has never been better."
First-quarter operating profit as a percent of revenue was 8.5 percent,
Dell's highest in two and one-half years. Operating expenses were
a record low 9.8 percent of revenue, down from 9.9 percent a year
ago.
Information on Dell and its products can be obtained at www.dell.com.
May 19 - Hitachi Announces 7200 RPM
Notebook Hard Drives. Hitachi Global Storage Technologies made
hard drive history today by introducing new advances in miniaturization
technology to create a giant of a drive: The industry's first 7200
RPM mobile hard drive with breakthrough "femto" slider technology.
These developments give new-found mobility to users who were previously
"plugged-in" to their desktops for the performance advantage.
But users of the new Travelstar 7K60 mobile drive will not have to
give up battery life for the additional speed. The new 7200 RPM drive
offers power-consumption parity with its 5400 RPM counterpart, due
to Hitachi's newly miniaturized femto slider.
The femto slider -- or the tiny flying wing supporting the read/write
head above the surface of the disk -- reduces power consumption and
increases shock performance, adding to the overall superior mobile
experience of the Travelstar 7K60. At 60 gigabytes (GB) of storage,
the 7K60 is also the industry's most capacious 7200 RPM mobile hard
drive.
"The 7K60 changes the landscape for powerful mobility,"
said Bill Healy, general manager, Mobile Business Unit, Hitachi Global
Storage Technologies. "With desktop-equivalent performance, the
7K60 represents the pinnacle of mobile hard drive innovation; it gives
notebook manufacturers the key component they've been looking for
to develop a compelling desktop-replacement system."
IBM is the first to support Hitachi's 7200 RPM mobile drives and
will be shipping them in new, more powerful ThinkPad systems later
this summer.
"Travelstar drives have been a staple component of the IBM ThinkPad
line, and a consistent contributor to our leadership features and
innovative mobile technology," said Peter Hortensius, general
manager, Think products, IBM Personal Computing Division. "Our
customers demand the best technology, and Hitachi's new 7200 RPM notebook
drive delivers, helping to continue the ThinkPad tradition of excellence."
Within the same family, Hitachi also announced today the Travelstar
5K80, which earns its rank among the Travelstar elite with the industry's
highest performance and highest capacity at 5400 RPM. The 5K80 offers
capacities ranging from 20 to 80 GB. IBM plans to incorporate the
Travelstar 5K80 in several ThinkPad notebook models next month.
Additional information on the new Travelstar hard drives and femto
slider technology can be found atwww.hgst.com/travelstar.
May 19 - Kanguru Solutions 2GB USB 2.0
Flash Drive. Kanguru Solutions today announced the release a groundbreaking
new product, the 2GB KanguruMicro Drive 2.0(TM), a high speed USB2.0
flash drive with encryption and compression features.
"We are taking USB Flash Drives to the next level with the release
of this product." said Nate Cote, vice president of product management
for Kanguru Solutions, "This drive is an industry first on four
unique levels. First, it incorporates an embedded encryption program
(called KanguruGuard) that allows users to create a password protected
portion of their drive; second, the KanguruGuard also allows data
to be compressed, effectively doubling or even tripling the drive's
capacity. Third, it offers the new USB 2.0 standard, providing incredible
throughput speeds and last, its ability to store as much as 2GB make
it the largest capacity USB Flash Drive available today."
The encryption and compression features are built into the device
in the form of two special folders. One folder, called "Secret,"
allows any data that is placed into it to become both compressed and
encrypted, requiring a secure password for data access. The other
folder, called "Zip," offers the ability to compress files
so the user can compress non-confidential data as well to create more
space for more files.
This drive is equipped with 32-bit encryption but DES, 3 DES and
Blowfish encryption formats are available to the customer with this
product, upon request.
Measuring just 3 inches in length and weighing only 21g, the KanguruMicro
Drive 2.0 is an excellent storage solution for mobile users. Starting
at $39.95, it is available in capacities ranging from 32MB to 2GB.
The KanguruMicro Drive 2.0 is operational with Windows, Macintosh
and Linux, offers plug and play capabilities, and is driverless with
most operating systems. It also requires no external power and is
backwards compatible with USB1.1. Additionally, an optional desktop
docking station is available for added convenience.
A division of Interactive Media Corporation, Kanguru Solutions manufactures
high quality, secure and portable computer storage peripherals that
have provided consumers with secure back-up solutions for more than
a decade. Interactive Media Corp. was established in Massachusetts
in 1992. For more information on Kanguru Solutions, visit their web
site at www.kanguru.com.
May 19 - Gartner Says Worldwide PC Industry
to Experience Single-Digit Growth. Despite economic uncertainty,
worldwide PC shipments and revenue are projected to experience a slight
increase in the second quarter of 2003, according to a preliminary
forecast by Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:IT)(NYSE:ITB).
Worldwide PC shipments are forecast to reach 30.7 million units in
the second quarter of 2003, a 6.4 percent increase from the second
quarter of 2002. On a revenue basis, the market is projected to have
worldwide revenue of $38.3 billion in the second quarter of 2003,
up 2.6 percent from the same period last year.
Gartner analysts said the strength of the global PC market going
forward depends on the timing and pace of the global economic recovery,
which is struggling to get under way.
"The good news for the global economy is that the U.S.-led war
against Saddam concluded more quickly and with fewer damaging economic
consequences than many expected," said George Shiffler, principal
analyst for Gartner's computing platforms and economics research.
"The bad news is that the global economy does not appear to be
experiencing the uplift that so many anticipated once the war was
concluded, at least not yet."
Gartner analysts said many of the deeper and more fundamental risks
to a general economic recovery overlooked in the run-up to combat
in Iraq appear to be re-asserting themselves.
"In the United States, prospects for a recovery remain mixed
and economists are increasingly split over whether 2003 GDP growth
will prove better or worse than 2002," Shiffler said. "The
outlook for the general economic recovery would be greatly enhanced
were Europe able to engineer some autonomous growth, but the prospects
for this remain poor because of weak confidence, the appreciating
Euro, and overly tight macroeconomics.
"The SARS outbreak in Asia is already having an appreciable
impact on select economies in the region, and there is a rising danger
that the outbreak could significantly impact the entire region if
intra-regional trade is severely disrupted."
Within the PC industry, the mobile segment is one of the areas vendors
are targeting for growth opportunities. Intel has garnered attention
with the launch of its Centrino program, and Gartner analysts said
Intel's new mobile processor platform will become the mainstream choice
of large enterprises.
"However, we do not expect Centrino to boost notebook sales
significantly in the short term because its main target, large scale
enterprises, usually take at least three to six months to evaluate
new technologies," Shiffler said. "At the same time, the
Tablet PC, which launched in November of 2002 has not made significant
inroads into the market yet. Our preliminary estimates show that Tablet
PCs only garnered about 1 percent of the total mobile PC shipments
in the first quarter of 2003."
Gartner analysts said PC shipments are projected to reach 136.9 million
units in 2003, a 6.6 percent increase from 2002. PC revenue is on
pace to total $170.6 billion in 2003, up 3.3 percent from 2002 revenue.
For more information, visit www.gartner.com.
May 19 - Warner Bros. Studios and Ubi
Soft Partner to Launch The Matrix Online in 2004. Warner Bros.
Studios and Ubi Soft(R) Entertainment, one of the world's largest
video game publishers, will co-publish The Matrix Online, the first
massively multiplayer online game based on Warner Bros. Pictures'
vastly influential Matrix property.
Under the terms of the worldwide exclusive deal, Ubi Soft will distribute
and manage the live game operations of The Matrix Online, while Warner
Bros. Studios will oversee all story and content development. Both
companies will supervise ongoing game development and marketing activities
for the game. Following the beta test in 2003, The Matrix Online is
expected to launch in 2004.
Set in a virtual, persistent online universe in which millions of
players around the globe can participate, The Matrix Online will feature
cutting-edge graphics, real-time martial arts combat and a rich storyline
that picks up where The Matrix Revolutions, the third chapter in The
Matrix film trilogy, leaves off.
The game is currently being developed for the PC by Monolith Productions,
an award-winning independent game developer, and EON Entertainment,
the company owned by the Wachowski Brothers, creators of The Matrix
trilogy.
"The Wachowski Brothers' vision for The Matrix is one that extends
far beyond the theatrical trilogy, and the world they have created
is so rich that we've chosen to tell inter-connected Matrix-related
stories in multiple mediums," said Joel Silver, producer of the
Matrix films. "Our goal in collaborating with Ubi Soft is to
create a multiplayer online game that reflects the trilogy's highly
stylized storytelling and innovative action, taking fans beyond the
boundaries of the movie screen and into a 'persistent world' where
they can fully explore the vast realm of the Matrix."
The Matrix Online partnership between Ubi Soft and Warner Bros. Studios
provides both companies with a unique opportunity to tap into the
enormous worldwide potential of online games, particularly in North
America and the growing Asian and European markets.
Fans can find the latest information about The Matrix Online at www.TheMatrixOnline.com.
May 18 - Sunday Shopping
Watch.
Best Sunday Deals - See our Best Sunday
Ad Deals Table below for specific system prices.
Weekly Comparison. This is another really good
week to go out and buy a laptop, desktop, or peripherals.
This Sunday's Special Discounts and Financing.
In addition to sales on specific items, the following store-wide sales
are advertised this week. (Note that these
ads are for the Dayton, Ohio area. Prices or offerings may be different
where you live.)
Best Buy has once again switched back to offering 6 Months of
free MSN with any computer purchase. They are also offering $150 mail-in
rebates on all desktop packages, $100 mail-in rebates on all laptops;
and 18 month no-interest financing.
Circuit City is offering
12 months no-interest financing and $100-$200 mail-in rebates on all
laptops and desktop packages.
Office
Depot
has 6 months no payment, no interest financing on purchases of $299
and higher.
CompUSA has 6 months no payment,
no interest financing on purchases of $199 and higher.
Staples has no store-wide promotions
this Sunday.
Compare
to Online Prices - Compare the Sunday ad prices to
those being offered at DealTime, it searches over 160 online computer
stores.
InfoHQ Related Shopping Pages
Shopping Alerts
- Our latest shopping advisories on buying digital cameras and camcorders,
desktop computers, laptops, and other computer items.
Windows XP
Upgrade Guide - All about upgrading to Windows XP.
What You Need to Know
About Dial-up Internet Service Rebates - The pros and cons of
'free' Internet service deals.
Definitions. A complete desktop system/package/complete
package is defined as a computer with monitor and printer
or scanner.
A build-to-order system is customized at the retailer
and then ordered from a computer manufacturer. In addition to the
computer's stated price, you still pay sales tax and shipping charges
(if you order direct from the vendor without going through the chain
store, you may not have to pay sales tax and you could get a better
warranty).
Caution about advertised prices.
When reading advertisements, read the fine print of the ad to make
sure you know what is being advertised and what it cost. For example,
many advertisers will show a complete system with computer, monitor,
and printer but advertise a price for the computer only.
* Prices discussed in this article. We report
prices after rebates and discounts are subtracted.
Items highlighted in Black are good deals.
Items highlighted in Red means prices have
gone up and the system is not a good buy this week.
Items in normal text means prices are about the same as the previous
weeks.
|
Best Sunday Ad Deals
|
|
Category
|
Product Description
|
Price* (see above)
|
Prices up or Down this Week
|
Store
|
|
1. Best Celeron
Deal
|
eMachines 2.2 GHz complete system
|
$439
|
-$40
|
Best Buy
|
|
2. Best Celeron
Deal
|
HP 2.3 GHz complete system
|
$669
|
-
|
Best Buy
|
|
1. Best Pentium 4 System
|
eMachines 2.53 GHz complete system
|
$789
|
|
Best Buy
|
|
2. Best Pentium 4 System
|
Compaq 2.4 GHz with 17 inch monitor
|
$799
|
-
|
Staples
|
|
3. Best Pentium 4 System
|
Sony 2.53 GHz complete system with 15"
flat panel and DVD-RW
|
$1229, $1229
|
-$250, -$200
|
Best Buy, Circuit City
|
|
1. Best AMD Athlon XP System
|
Compaq 2000+ complete system
|
$519
|
-
|
Circuit City
|
|
2. Best AMD Athlon XP System
|
Compaq 2400+ complete system
|
$769
|
-
|
CompUSA
|
|
3. Best AMD Athlon XP System
|
HP 2600+ complete system with 15 inch
flat panel
|
$1149
|
-
|
Best Buy
|
|
1. Best Low-cost Laptop
|
HP Athlon XP 1800+ with DVD/CD-RW
|
$799
|
-
|
CompUSA
|
|
2. Best Low-cost Laptop
|
HP Athlon XP 2000+ with DVD/CD-RW
|
$849
|
|
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