Nov 22 - SOTEC America Delivers Affordable Notebooks
for Consumers. SOTEC America, Inc. has launched its first thin
and light notebook, the SOTEC 3120X, which boasts a built-in optical
drive for playing DVDs and burning CDs, for under $1,000.
The aggressive American subsidiary of SOTEC Co., Ltd.,
is committed to establishing itself as the emerging leader in the
world computer market by creating stylish, innovative computer products
and marketing them at affordable prices. Their premier introduction,
the SOTEC 3120X notebook, is available now in a variety of retail
stores, including Office Depot, Wal-Mart, and Sam's Club, as well
as online at Bestbuy.com, OfficeDepot.com, Walmart.com, and Samsclub.com.
The Japanese parent company, SOTEC Co, Ltd., founded in 1984, is
ranked among the top five notebook engineering companies in all of
Japan. Headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and publicly traded on NASDAQ
Japan, the international company has consistently been top-rated in
service in the Japanese market, and is competing in the same market
segment as global players such as SONY and NEC.
"The decision to branch out to American consumers is based on
our belief that hip, innovative, affordable notebooks are essential
for the dynamic, mobile lifestyles that drive this country,"
said Saeed K. Shahbazi, president of SOTEC America. "Our unique
notebooks, and other computer products we will be introducing here,
will meet the notebook consumers' demand for portability and functionality
at the right price."
Drawing upon its expertise in creating powerful products that accommodate
small spatial needs for Asian consumers, SOTEC America is introducing
to US markets a new, affordable choice in stylish thin and light notebooks.
Priced under $1,000, the colorful and unique SOTEC 3120X is a mere
1.3" thin and a feather-weight 4.4 pounds with a 12.1" XGA
TFT screen.
This thin and light notebook boasts a record number of built-ins,
including a DVD+CD-RW combo drive, a 56K data/fax modem, a 10/100
network card, multiple USB ports, stereo speakers, and a microphone.
Driven by an Intel(R) 1.2 GHz Mobile Celeron processor, the SOTEC
3120X has 256MB PC 133 SDRAM of memory with a 256KB Advanced Transfer
Cache and a 20 GB hard drive.
The SOTEC America website cna be found at www.sotecglobal.com.
Nov 22 - IBM to Build World's Fastest Supercomputers
for U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham
announced that The Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded IBM a contract
valued at $216 to $267 million to build the two fastest supercomputers
in the world with a combined peak speed of up to 467 trillion calculations
per second (teraflops).
These two systems will have more combined processing power than the
combined power of all 500 machines on the recently announced TOP500
List of Supercomputers.
The first system -- called ASCI Purple - will offer the Department
of Energy the world's first supercomputer capable of up to 100 teraflops,
more than twice as fast as the most powerful computer in existence
today. ASCI Purple will consist of a massive cluster of POWER-based
IBM eServer(TM) systems and IBM storage systems.
This supercomputer represents a fifth-generation system under the
ASCI Program. ASCI Purple will serve as the primary supercomputer
in the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Advanced Simulation and Computing
program, commonly known as ASCI. The DOE's National Nuclear Security
Administration's (NNSA) Stockpile Stewardship Program will rely on
ASCI Purple to simulate the aging and operation of U.S. nuclear weapons,
helping ensure the safety and reliability of the nation's stockpile
without underground testing.
The second supercomputer, a research machine called Blue Gene/L,
will employ advanced IBM semiconductor and system technologies based
on new architectures being developed in the ongoing partnership between
IBM and the DOE for the government's ASCI Program.
When completed, Blue Gene/L will have a theoretical peak performance
of up to 367 teraflops with 130,000 processors running Linux. It will
have the capability to process data at a rate of one terabit per second,
equivalent to the data transmitted by ten thousand weather satellites.
The supercomputer will be used by the three NNSA laboratories (Los
Alamos, Sandia and Lawrence Livermore) and the ASCI University Alliance
collaborators as well as other DOE laboratories in the future.
Blue Gene/L will be used to develop and run a broad suite of scientific
applications including the simulation of very complex physical phenomena
of national interest, such as turbulence, prediction of material properties,
and the behavior of high explosives.
"Blue Gene/L represents a leap forward in the ASCI strategies
of accelerating computing development," said Mark Seager, assistant
director for Advanced Technologies for Livermore's Computation Directorate.
"It's like having an electron microscope instead of a magnifying
glass."
The IBM and ASCI collaboration delivers the most reliable and cost-effective
platform for the ASCI program while exploring alternative technologies
to accelerate the development of high performance systems.
In addition to ASCI Purple, IBM also delivered Lawrence Livermore
National Lab's (LLNL) previous most powerful supercomputers -- ASCI
White, unveiled in August 2001, and ASCI Blue Pacific, unveiled in
October 1998. ASCI Purple will be delivered in stages with the first
IBM eServer systems arriving next year.
Through IBM's technology advances, high performance computing power
can increase while the physical space requirements decrease. ASCI
Purple will supply more than eight times the computing power of ASCI
White. The new machine will be installed in a dedicated building known
as the Terascale Simulation Facility, currently under construction
at LLNL in California.
The 100 teraflop ASCI Purple system will be powered by 12,544 POWER5
microprocessors, IBM's next generation microprocessor. These processors
will be contained in 196 individual computers with a total memory
bandwidth of 156,000 GBs, the equivalent of 31,200 DVD movies every
second. All of the computers are interconnected via a super-fast data
highway with a total interconnect bandwidth of 12,500 GB. ASCI Purple
will run IBM's AIX 5L operating system.
The system will also contain 50 terabytes of memory (50 trillion
units), which is 400,000 times more capacity than the average desktop
PC and two petabytes of disk storage (two quadrillion units), the
content of approximately one billion books.
IBM cnabe found online at www.ibm.com.
Nov 22 - Personal Computing
Environments Showcases New Workstation Designs. Personal Computing
Environments yesterday unveiled its first series of ergonomic and
powerful multimedia computing environments that turn the idea of a
traditional workstation inside out.
They make people the comfortable centerpiece of a system
that puts high performance computing, information and entertainment
technology at their fingertips.
A striking frame design extends one or more flat panel
monitors directly overhead and in front of the user, and integrates
the computer, chair and footrest into the base. The environments are
completely customizable, from colors and chair options to hardware,
software and peripherals. And they are designed to be expandable to
the point of creating a 5x5 foot sphere-like unit that renders the
desk obsolete.
"We're
going to make it hard for anyone who experiences one of our environments
to ever go back to a workstation or desk-and-chair set up," says
Benjamin Moglin, co-founder and chief technical officer. "Personal
computing environments offer lifestyle and productivity benefits for
anyone who uses a computer, especially if they're at risk for repetitive
stress injuries. We place people in an ergonomically correct position,
and each unit can be built-to-order to a group or individual's needs
and desires."
The inaugural "PeaceMaker" and "MasterPeace"
editions were developed for the professional/home office market, and
gaming/entertainment enthusiasts. The units include Intel Pentium
4 processors (at 2.0 GHz and 2.8 GHz, respectively), up to 2 GB RAM,
a Pioneer A04 Recordable DVD/CD burner and Creative or Cambridge Soundworks
5.1 surround sound systems.
Prices for PeaceMaker start at $4,000, and MasterPeace
at $7,600. For the "My Peace" option, which begins at $9,000,
company designers co-develop with the buyer his or her dream computing
environment, which may include options like a luxury massage chair
and two 22" flat panel monitors. The Peace One series can be
ordered through www.mypce.com.
Nov 22 - PaceBlade Introduces
New Tablet PC. PaceBlade Technology publicly unveiled their PaceBook
Tablet PC at COMDEX in Las Vegas, November 18-22. This innovative
new computer will be on display at PaceBlade's booth at the Microsoft
Pavilion.
Fusing 3-in-1 technical innovation and sleek ergonomic style, the
PaceBook Tablet PC created a buzz among attendees at Microsoft's Tablet
XP launch in New York earlier this month.
"Companies, resellers and VARS looking for maximum flexibility
in mobile computing solutions demonstrated a huge demand for the PaceBook
Tablet PC," said Eric Djie, President, PaceBlade Technology,
Inc. "The PaceBook fills distinct needs for sales forces, the
medical community and many other industries, while managing to be
both rugged and stylish."
The PaceBook Tablet PC distinguishes itself in key ways: it has a
larger 12.1" screen. It utilizes numerous input systems: a digitizer
pen system; a TouchScreen, allowing handwriting recognition; voice
recognition; and the new Windows XP function called "Ink."
The PaceBook Tablet PC also provides an on-screen "virtual keyboard"
that accepts typed input just like a regular keyboard. A light portable
physical keyboard instantly turns the PaceBook into a powerful notebook
or an IR-connected ergonomic desktop system. With one touch, the PaceBook
goes from landscape to portrait mode.
The PaceBook Tablet PC has an 867MHz Transmeta Crusoe processor,
a 20-60GB hard disk drive, 256-640MB PC133 internal memory, 12.1 inch
TFT (1024x768 pixels), FinePoint Innovations MagicPoint Digitizer,
TouchScreen, IEEE1394, 2x USB, and a 10/100Mbps network adapter, 56K
Modem.
Find more information, see www.paceblade.com.
Nov 22 - SMC Announces New Dual Band
2.4GHz/5GHz Wireless PCI Card. SMC Networks the company that takes
the work out of networks with high-performance, easy-to-use connectivity
products for business and home, today introduced its newest dual band
802.11a/802.11b wireless network adapter, the EZ Connect(TM) 2.4GHz/5GHz
Universal Wireless PCI Card (SMC2302W).
Designed to connect desktop computers to either 802.11a or 802.11b-compliant
wireless networks, the SMC2302W is the perfect choice for evolving
networks, providing connectivity now with a built-in migration path
for the future. The versatility of the new SMC2302W lets users optimize
network connectivity and provides the ultimate in speed, coverage,
security, and flexibility for today's wireless users.
When placed in an 802.11b-compliant network, the SMC2302W adapts
automatically, and connects using its standards-compliant 802.11b
mode to operate at speeds up to 11 Mbps. A system administrator's
dream, the new 2.4GHz/5GHz Universal Wireless PCI Card comes with
an EZ Installation Wizard that makes driver and utility installation
a breeze; a site survey utility that displays a listing of all available
wireless access points on the network, and the ability to create and
save multiple profiles for different wireless LAN settings.
Available Dec.15, 2002 at a U.S. List price of $159.99, the SMC2302W
is backed by SMC's Limited Lifetime Warranty, superior technical support,
and outstanding reputation for quality.
For more information about SMC Networks or its products, visit www.smc.com.
Nov 22 - Wireless Networks of All Types
Will Permeate Society. Wireless networks of varying types, capabilities
and ranges are slowly pervading society.
Advanced 2.5G and 3G cellular networks are only the beginning as
other technologies, including wireless local area networks (WLAN),
Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID) and even ultra wideband
(UWB) networks are deployed. Cumulative revenues garnered through
the global adoption of these technologies, excluding cellular, will
likely exceed $33 billion by 2007, according to Allied Business Intelligence
(ABI).
Wireless technologies, nearly ubiquitous for voice communications,
will begin to penetrate new applications and platforms, including
industrial management and transportation. Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID), for example, is now poised to revolutionize supply chain management
through its ability to remotely identify crates, boxes and even individual
items through "smart-labels." ABI research indicates that
these applications represent merely 1% of total RFID transponder shipments
today, increasing to represent about 46% of all shipments by 2007.
Even the family car will be wirelessly enabled. "By 2007, Bluetooth
and WLAN nodes will be common features for the automotive platform.
Initially geared towards telephony applications, Bluetooth nodes will
soon serve additional functions, including remote vehicle diagnostics,"
according to Frank Viquez, Director of Automotive Technologies at
ABI. The industry research firm expects 19% of all vehicles to become
equipped with Bluetooth by 2007.
Much of the information collected by these so-called personal area
networks (PAN) will still rely upon the widely available cellular
networks. "The 2.5G and 3G networks will bridge the gap between
the localized PAN and the broader Internet. All of these wireless
technologies will be codependent upon each other," says Edward
Rerisi, Director of Wireless Research at ABI. "In a sense, these
various network configurations will feed demand for the other segments,"
adds Mr. Rerisi.
More details can be found at www.alliedworld.com.
Nov 21 - Dell Announces New Handhelds.
The waiting has ended. Dell today unveiled its first handheld computer
brand, Axim, at the Comdex 2002 trade show.
The first model, the X5, is based on Microsoft® Windows Powered
Pocket PC software and is available in either $199 or $299 configurations
after $50 mail-in rebate or $50 discount (regularly $249 and $3491,
respectively). Both configurations feature dual-slot (CompactFlash®
and Secure Digital) expansion capability, sleek design and standard
one-year, next-business-day Advanced Exchange service .
"Until today, handheld users have either had to pay a premium
for a full-featured system or live with some compromises," said
John Medica, vice-president and general manager of Dell Client Products.
"We've learned a great deal about this market by listening to
customers and waiting for the relevant technologies to standardize,
and everything we've learned has gone into the Axim X5. We're pleased
to be able to deliver a new level of value and accessibility to the
handheld marketplace."
The $299 Axim X5 configuration is powered by the Intel® Xscale™
processor at 400MHz and offers 64MB of SDRAM, along with 48MB of Intel
StrataFlash ROM. The built-in Secure Digital and CompactFlash slots
can host a number of devices ranging from 802.11b wireless adapters
to memory expansion.
A brilliant 3.5-inch transflective TFT color display is standard
on both Axim X5 configurations, with 240x320 (QVGA) resolution. The
unit's sync/recharge cradle (standard on $299 configuration) has an
extra battery charge slot that accommodates either a spare standard
battery (1440 mAh) or the available high-capacity (3400mAh) battery.
Users with lower memory and speed requirements can opt for the X5's
$199 configuration, which has an Intel Xscale 300MHz processor, 48MB
of SDRAM, 32MB of Flash ROM and a USB sync cable instead of a cradle,
along with all the other features of the $299 unit. Both units will
be offered with a wide variety of accessories, such as folding and
snap-on keyboards and leather carrying case.
"We're truly excited that Dell is bringing the power and flexibility
of the Pocket PC to customers at such a tremendous value," said
Juha Christensen, Microsoft corporate vice-president of the Mobile
Devices Division. "The Axim X5 delivers a no-compromises Pocket
PC experience and opens the door for a broad range of customers to
enjoy the benefits of using it."
The Dell Axim will initially be available in the U.S. and Canada,
with plans for other regions in early 2003.
Information on Dell and its products can be obtained at www.dell.com.
Nov 21 - Explosive Recordable DVD Growth
Predicted. Sharing the podium at the Comdex Recordable DVD Council
(RDVDC) press conference today, Andy Parsons, senior vice president
for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., and Tony Jasionowski, North American
RDVDC managing director, took a "no smoke, just fire" approach
to presenting the facts about the new milestones that are driving
DVD burner sales.
After making their presentations, Parsons and Jasionowski left little
doubt that the new DVD drives eliminate the performance, compatibility
and price barriers to creating and sharing home movies and personalized
videos.
In addition to providing read and write support for two or more
recordable DVD formats established by the DVD Forum (DVD-RAM, DVD-R,
DVD-RW), the multi-format DVD burners also provide CD-R/RW read/write
support and play back commercially recorded DVD videos. Recently introduced
multi-format DVD burners also offer the new 4x DVD-R write-once technology
(equivalent to 36x CD-R performance), a rewriteable format, and very
aggressive pricing.
"Products incorporating the DVD Forum standards were available
for nearly three years before proprietary formats emerged," said
Jasionowski. "The majority of recordable DVD products in use
today are based on DVD Forum formats. In addition, the DVD Multi drives
are produced by five big-name manufacturers, not just one. And,"
he continued, "according to IDC reports on the first two quarters
of this year, DVD Forum-based products are maintaining their lead.
Delivering what we promise, when we promise it and ensuring backward
compatibility with earlier format versions have been key factors in
drawing new customers and building channel relationships."
Multi-function drives that support the DVD Forum formats are already
on retail shelves with street prices below $300, and some media manufacturers
are shipping DVD-R discs that retail for $1 or less. With 4x DVD-R
support, the new drives can fill a 4.7GB 4x DVD-R disc to capacity
in about 15 minutes. The recorded discs can be played by most PC and
TV DVD players.
Parsons emphasized that the drives he and Jasionowski were talking
about are actually shipping and aren't just reference designs. He
also noted that DVD-R is the common denominator among the vast majority
of DVD writers available now and those that are soon to enter the
market. To illustrate his point, Parsons provided attendees with new
data showing that DVD-R media represents 75 percent of all blanks
manufactured.
IDC has predicted that shipments of recordable DVD drives will increase
from more than 3 million drives this year to nearly 50 million in
2006. While video editing is one of the most popular home applications
and the primary application used with DVD burners, part of the projected
growth in recordable DVD sales will come from computer data storage
applications, including high-speed backup and archiving.
The recordable DVD standards established by the DVD Forum and the
logos that confirm compliance with these standards have been key factors
in gaining support from Hollywood as well as the leading computer
and software producers. The DVD Forum is an industry association whose
200+ members include all major DVD manufacturers as well as the leading
DVD software developers and DVD media producers around the world.
Visit the Council's website at www.rdvdc.org/english.
Nov 21 - SiS LAUNCHES Pentium 4 SiS655
Hyper Threading(TM) Chipset. Silicon Integrated Systems Corp.
(SiS), a leading supplier of core logic and graphics chipsets, today
launched its second-generation AGP 8X core logic chipset, the SiS655.
The SiS655 is the first Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 (P4) chipset on the
market to have dual channel DDR333, providing double the bandwidth.
"With the SiS655, we've optimized the power of the P4 platform
and added SiS technologies and knowhow to create the most powerful,
feature-packed and affordable solution available today for the high-end
computing market," said Michael Chen, senior vice president,
Integrated Product Division, SiS.
The SiS655 supports the Pentium(R) 4 processor with FSB up to 533
MHz, AGP 8X interface, dual channel DDR333 memory controller and the
SiS MuTIOL(R) 1G technology, connecting the SiS655 with the South
Bridge SiS963. The SiS655 dual channel DDR333 memory controller fully
optimizes the Intel P4-based system performance, doubles the memory
bandwidth up to 5.4 GB at advanced 128-bit mode and concurrent 2x64-bit
mode, and provides flexible DIMM configuration to enable the dual
channel advantage. The SiS655 also supports Hyper Threading(TM) technology.
The SiS655 is paired with the South Bridge SiS963, which features
the IEEE 1394a high-speed connector, USB 2.0 and Dual ATA133/100/66
IDE Channels. Utilizing SiS' MuTIOL(R) 1G technology, the SiS655 and
SiS963 combination also provides the widest data bandwidth.
For more information, visit www.sis.com.
Nov 21 - Dell Debuts New Family of Networked
Storage Systems. Dell today announced a new line of industry-standard
storage systems designed to help small- and medium-sized businesses
and corporate workgroups easily add, consolidate and manage information
in a variety of network environments.
The Dell PowerVault(TM) 775N, 770N and 725N network-attached storage
(NAS) systems offer the performance, high availability and expansion
features to manage data between applications running Microsoft(R)
Windows(R), Novell(R) NetWare(R), UNIX, Linux, and Apple Macintosh(R)
operating environments. The NAS systems can be set up in as little
as 15 minutes with minimal IT expertise, and can be managed remotely
from any location using intuitive Web-based management tools.
PowerVault 770N & 775N
Leveraging Intel(R) Xeon(TM) processors and Windows Powered operating
systems, the PowerVault 770N and 775N are ideal for file sharing,
e-mail, multimedia, software distribution and application server support.
The NAS systems can accommodate up to 17TB with the addition of SCSI
drives, or up to 40TB by connecting to Dell EMC storage either as
a direct-attached array or through a storage area network (SAN). This
SAN Gateway allows customers to expand their networks by adding to
existing storage resources. Both systems offer I/O slots, redundant
power and Embedded Remote Access Management utilities to facilitate
fast, powerful and easy configuration of the systems.
The rack-optimized, 2U PowerVault 775N and 5U PowerVault 770N for
rack and tower environments are available worldwide today for prices
starting at $4,999.
PowerVault 725N
The PowerVault 725N, recently awarded "Editor's Choice"
honors by PC Magazine, is the only NAS system in its class to use
Intel Pentium(R) 4 processors and ServerWorks' Grand Champion(TM)
SL core logic technology to offer performance and scalability required
for growing businesses. This centralized network storage system installs
in minutes and can be "plugged in" virtually anywhere in
the network, with support for up to 3GB of DDR SDRAM and dual-gigabit
ports for load-balancing and failover capabilities. Ideal for small
offices and workgroups, the PowerVault 725N will begin shipping this
month for prices starting at $1,799.
"Dell storage systems offer fast, reliable access to data on
the network with price and management advantages that lower the cost
of owning, utilizing and maintaining storage," said Russ Holt,
vice president and general manager in Dell's Enterprise Systems Group.
"These new PowerVault products, together with our powerful Dell
EMC SAN systems, give customers a breadth of networked storage solutions
that will grow as their data requirements evolve."
Available with the new products are Premier Enterprise Support and
Deployment services, which feature dedicated technical account managers,
engineer-to-engineer remote support, advanced PowerVault remote software
support, and on-site(1) hardware installation provided by Dell Professional
Services.
For more information on Dell PowerVault storage and services, please
visit www.dell.com/powervault.
Nov 21 - Intel Refreshes Intel Xeon Processor
Portfolio Lineup. Intel Corporation has introduced a dozen Intel(R)
Xeon(TM) processor family products including new processors, chipsets
and platforms for Intel-based servers and workstations. Today's product
introduction marks the company's largest enterprise product launch
to date and comes seven years after the company shipped its first
multiprocessor-capable chip in November 1995.
Intel also delivered innovations for workstation computing, including
advanced graphics and connectivity capabilities, support for faster
memory and Hyper-Threading Technology, which delivers performance
gains to workstation applications and multitasking environments.
"Intel has consistently invested and innovated our way through
the current economic downturn," said Richard Dracott, group director
for Intel's Enterprise Platforms Group. "As a result, we're able
to deliver an outstanding line of industry-leading enterprise products
that will provide greater performance, innovation and outstanding
value for IT investments in 2003 and beyond. Today's introduction
of Intel Xeon processor products will contribute to achieving analyst
predictions that 2003 will see revenue from Intel-based servers for
the first time exceeding RISC-based server revenue."
Intel has begun shipping four new Intel Xeon processors (built on
its industry-leading 0.13 micron process technology) designed for
two-way servers and workstations at speeds up to 2.8 GHz with 512
KB integrated cache. The new processors add support for a faster,
533 MHz front side bus -- the physical connection between the processor
and a chipset.
In addition, Intel launched three new chipsets today. When used
with the new processors and faster bus, the Intel(R) E7501 chipset
for two-way servers will help to improve system performance by more
than 25 percent. This platform is also optimal for the embedded computing
market segment where communication solutions such as load balancing,
network security, traffic management, voice over IP and Web caching
require more generous I/O throughput and memory performance.
The Intel(R) E7505 chipset, formerly codenamed "Placer,"
is for two-way workstations using Intel Xeon processors and the Intel(R)
E7205 chipset, formerly known as "Granite Bay," is for single
processor, entry level workstations based on the Intel(R) Pentium(R)
4 processor.
Both workstation chipsets support USB 2.0 and are the first from
Intel to include support for AGP 8x, which provides twice as much
bandwidth as AGP 4x, for graphics intensive applications. Intel's
AGP 8x graphics interface is built directly into the chipset's memory
controller hub, which helps eliminate latencies introduced by a separate
graphics controller.
All three chipsets support dual-channel dynamic data rate (DDR) memory,
while the Intel E7501 and E7505 chipsets also support 64 bit PCI/PCI-X
for high bandwidth I/O connectivity.
Intel also announced five new server platforms based on the new
processors and chipsets, which enable customers to quickly bring new
server solutions to market. The platforms support the latest technology
such as two Intel(R) PRO/1000 MT Server Network Connections, embedded
serial ATA, Ultra320 SCSI, AGP 8x and Intel(R) Server Management version
5.5. The server platforms will begin shipping in two weeks and into
the first quarter.
Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com.
Nov 21 - SiS Launches SiS755 Chipset
to Support AMD Hammer Platform. Silicon Integrated Systems Corp.
(SiS), a leading supplier of core logic and graphics chipsets, today
unveiled the SiS755 to support the AMD(R) Hammer processor platform.
The SiS755 is compliant with all AMD(R) Hammer processors with HyperTransport(TM)
interface and supports AGP 8X and MuTIOL(R) 1G technology.
The SiS755 provides a fast, powerful and affordable solution for
the high-end performance computing market. Paired with the SiS963,
a South Bridge peripheral interface, the SiS755 is loaded with powerful
multimedia functions, including 5.1 Channel AC'97 2.2 Audio, 10/100Mb
Ethernet, Home PNA2.0 and Dual ATA133/100/66 IDE Channels. The SiS755
supports six PCI slots and six USB 2.0/1.1 ports.
"The SiS755 is another example of SiS' commitment to getting
to market first with new technologies and products for our customers
and to supporting both the Intel and AMD platforms," said Michael
Chen, senior vice president, Integrated Product Division, SiS.
The SiS755/SiS963 combination utilizes MuTIOL(R) 1G technology to
provide a fast and seamless connection between the North and South
Bridge. The MuTIOL(R) 1G is a SiS proprietary data bandwidth transfer
technology with 1GB/sec transfer speed and bi-directional 16-bit data
bus at 533MHz operating speed.
To further ensure maximum bandwidth and transfer speeds, the SiS755
integrates high performance HyperTransport(TM) compliant bus driver
and technology with 8/16 links support to achieve a transfer bandwidth
of up to 6.4GB/sec.
For more information, please visit www.sis.com.
Nov 20 - ATI Ships ALL-IN-WONDER
9700 PRO. ATI Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq:ATYT) (TSX:ATY) announced
that the ALL-IN-WONDER(R) 9700 PRO is now shipping.
ATI's new flagship multimedia video card, ALL-IN-WONDER
9700 PRO is available for USD $449.00 and complements ALL-IN-WONDER(R)
RADEON(TM) 8500DV at USD$199 and the value-priced ALL-IN-WONDER(R)
RADEON(TM) 7500 at USD$149.
"The world's fastest video card, ALL-IN-WONDER 9700 PRO, combines
the advantages of the world's best RADEON(TM) 9700 PRO and THEATER(TM)
200 chip technology with the newest version 8.0 of our long-standing
and industry leading MULTIMEDIA CENTER software suite," said
Rick Bergman, Senior Vice President, Marketing and General Manager,
Desktop, ATI Technologies Inc.
"As the only product of its kind, ATI is proud to offer the
ALL-IN-WONDER 9700 PRO as our newest and world's fastest graphics
solution for the holiday season, an ideal gift for the astute computer
user to enhance any home theater, study, work or play environment."
In addition to the amazing features the family of ALL-IN-WONDER products
offer, ALL-IN-WONDER 9700 PRO provides an exceptional hardware and
software bundle including:
-- REMOTE WONDER(TM) - Offers remote control via RF (radio
frequency) for instant easy access to all the multimedia
features (TV, video, DVD - and more) from any other room in
the house or office (requires USB - universal serial bus) -
thus providing a 30-foot User Interface in the palm of your
hand;
-- HDTV Component Video Adapter - Component Output (YPrPb)
enables unique support for a non-interlaced display in the
family room for DVD, personal video recording (PVR), gaming
and other Windows-based applications;
-- Pinnacle Studio 8 (ATI Version) - As a full-featured product
with additional ATI-based bonuses, Pinnacle Studio 8 SE
delivers powerful features for consumer video editing;
-- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind - Full version of the epic,
open-ended single-player game offers amazing visuals and uses
the latest shader technology to achieve high visual quality;
-- Gemstar's GuidePlus+ - An intelligent free integrated program
guide (North America only) allows user to view and search TV
listings by category, actor/performer, or date. Schedule and
record programs at the click of a mouse - all the benefits of
a PVR without the monthly fees; and,
-- MatchWare Mediator 7 - Enables the ability to combine text,
pictures, videos and sounds to build stunning presentations in
a few minutes plus create web sites with streaming video and
Flash(R) executables.
For more information, visit ATI at www.ati.com.
Nov 20 - HP Delivers New
Compaq Notebooks with 16" Screens. HP (NYSE:HPQ) today introduced
a new line of notebook PCs that offers customers the advantages and
performance of a desktop PC combined with the mobile convenience of
a notebook.
The Compaq Presario 3000 series delivers traditional desktop PC performance
with the added feature of a large 16-inch display -- nearly the same
viewable area as a 17-inch desktop monitor.
"Our customers were looking for a product combining powerful
desktop performance with mobility," said Kevin Frost, vice president
of worldwide notebook marketing, HP Personal Systems Group. "The
Compaq Presario 3000 notebook PC features a stunning 16-inch display
for full-screen viewing of many software programs, watching DVD movies
and playing PC games while not taking up much desk-space -- all at
a terrific value."
High-end Desktop Performance in a Notebook
Built to fit the lifestyle needs of customers, the Compaq Presario
3000 series notebook PC packs desktop-caliber features, including
up to a 2.4 gigahertz Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 processor and SiS M650
4X AGP graphics controller with 32 MB or 64 MB of shared video memory
--all integrated into a mobile notebook-size design.
These features, usually confined to desktop PCs, are now available
in a notebook PC weighing 8.09 lbs and 1.75-inches thin. The high-capacity
12-cell battery pack provides more than 3 hours of operation on battery
mode.
The Compaq Presario 3000 series notebook PC enables users to enjoy
excellent video performance as well as edit home photos and videos
as a result of its 16-inch wide viewing angle SXGA display, IEEE-1394
digital video port and four USB 2.0 ports.
Offering high-end desktop performance in a notebook design, the Compaq
Presario 3000 makes users' lives easier whether at work or play, at
home or traveling. The notebook's 10/100 Ethernet LAN and 56-Kbps
v.92 modem, plus its high-capacity lithium-ion battery, make staying
connected faster and more convenient than ever.
The Compaq Presario 3000 series notebook PC is expected to be available
in early December at an estimated U.S. retail price of $1,799. Detailed
specifications and additional product and purchasing information is
available at www.hpshopping.com.
Nov 20 - Panasonic Intoduces All-In-One
DVD/CD Burning Solution. The DVD industry is on fire this 2002
holiday season and Panasonic just turned up the heat with the December
availability of their Multi-format DVDBurner II.
Being spotlighted at this years COMDEX, Panasonic's DVD products
continue to lead the DVD market with innovation and interoperability
of the complete product line. The Panasonic branded DVDBurner II (LF-D521U),
is the company's next-generation combination DVD/CD that takes the
confusion out of buying a Recordable DVD drive - providing users the
compatibility, ease of use and cutting edge technology that they have
come to expect from Panasonic.
Meeting DVD Multi specifications, the new DVD drive builds on the
success of Panasonic's currently available DVD-RAM/R DVDBurner by
extending the drive's capabilities to include read/write support for
all Recordable DVD formats approved by the DVD Forum and read/write
support for CD-R/RW discs. Universal and affordable at $399, the DVDBurner
II enters the hot DVD market as it continues to amaze industry watchers
as the fastest growing electronics category in the market place.
"The availability of Panasonic's DVDBurner II will once again
change the recordable DVD landscape," said Charles Vidal, Panasonic
Product Manager, Panasonic Digital Imaging Solutions.
"By bridging CD and recordable DVD technologies, and computer
and consumer electronics applications, this drive will help to propel
the DVD market further by providing a single, cost-effective solution
for home video, personal computing and business storage/archiving.
With the new drive, users now have an all-in-one DVD/CD storage solution
that provides the security of write-once, the flexibility of rewriteable,
broad compatibility, and the ability to choose between 9.4GB, 5.2
GB, 4.7GB, 2.6GB or 650MB capacities."
When writing to a 4.7GB DVD-R General disc, the new drive achieves
speeds of up to 2x, with DVD-R playback at max. 6x. Reasonably priced
and readily available, the write-once DVD-R is considered the most
compatible of all DVD formats. The discs can be played back by most
of the DVD video players and DVD-ROM drives in use throughout the
world today.
With huge storage capacity, reliable data management and rewritability
up to 100,000 times. DVD-RAM discs are optimally suited for both the
PC and consumer recorder applications and by bridging the consumer
and PC worlds, expands the capabilities of recordable DVD. Because
it is RAM based, DVD-RAM can offer features that no other rewritable
DVD format can achieve. The disc's 2X write speed is equivalent to
at least 18x CD rate.
Price, Availability
The Panasonic brand DVDBurner II drive (LF-D521U) will begin shipping
in December, 2002 and, like the continuing DVD-RAM/R DVDBurner, will
be available for resale at retail. The Panasonic brand DVD Burner
II drive for retail sale will be priced at $399.
Visit Panasonic at www.panasonic.com.
Nov 20 - Fujitsu Debuts 2.3GB Removable
Storage Drive. Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. (FCPA),
a leading provider of storage solutions, today unveiled its new 2.3GB
magneto-optical (MO) removable storage product for the PC market --
the DynaMO 2300U2.
The DynaMO 2300U2, equipped with the Hi-Speed USB interface, is ideal
for consumers and professionals who require durable, high-capacity,
cost-effective external storage for intensive digital audio and video,
data backup, and demanding desktop applications at less than a penny
per megabyte.
The sleek new DynaMO 2300U2 is the external model of Fujitsu's already-popular
2.3GB capacity MO internal drive which is currently used for back
up and archiving applications in desktop publishing, medical imaging,
telecommunications, and government.
The DynaMO 2300U2 will be priced at $349 (US) and meets the 2.3GB
capacity sweet spot in the removable storage landscape that has not
been satisfied until today's product announcement. Additionally, Fujitsu
2.3GB media is priced at $20 (US) per disk, available in 5-packs.
Overall, the 2.3GB DynaMO products offer consumers an alternative
to magnetic storage solutions including Iomega(R) Zip(R) and Jaz(R)
drives.
"The capacity improvement to 2.3GB significantly adds to the
appeal of magneto-optical drives in the consumer PC market,"
said Wolfgang Schlichting, research manager, removable storage at
IDC. "MO technology, which has its heritage in the industrial
markets due to the technology's durability and long archival life,
is now also targeted towards mainstream consumers and professionals
who require the same durability for data intensive backup and archiving
in professional creative, and business computing applications."
The new Hi-Speed USB interface, implemented on Fujitsu's new DynaMO
2300U2 drives, allows data transfer speeds up to 60 MB/sec -- 40 times
faster than the data transfer using the USB 1.1 interface.
The new 2.3GB DynaMO 2300U2 drive is supported as a Hi-Speed USB
device on systems enabled with Hi-Speed USB 2.0 running Win XP Home
Edition and Win XP Professional.
In non-enabled systems, the DynaMO 2300U2 is supported as a Hi-Speed
USB device in OS environments including Win XP, Win 2000, Win 98/98SE/ME,
MacOS 9.1 -- Mac10.1.x by using third party Hi-Speed USB adaptor cards
or as a Standard USB device without a third party adaptor. Note that
third party adaptors provide OS drivers for Hi-Speed USB.
Additionally, the new drive is fully backward compatible with earlier
versions of Fujitsu's 3.5" MO disks in 128MB, 230MB, 540MB, 640MB,
and 1.3GB capacities.
Availability
The DynaMO 2300U2 will be available in December 2002. For interest
in purchasing and for more information on Fujitsu's current line of
MO drives and media, please visit Fujitsu's MO website at www.MOstorage.com.
Nov 20 - Ricoh Announces 4x DVD+RW/+R
Drives. Ricoh Company, Ltd, a co-technology developer of the CD-RW
and DVD+RW rewritable formats, announced its next generation DVD/CD
writable drives and media products.
The new internal 4x speed DVD/CD drive boasts the highest DVD recording
speed and allows 4.7GB of data to be burned onto a 4x DVD+R disc and
a 4x DVD+RW disc in less than 15-minutes. Ricoh also announced its
entry into the notebook computer market with an industry first low-powered,
slim-line drive. Ricoh has scheduled to ship drives and media during
1Q of 2003.
"The new 4x internal DVD+RW/+R drive and 2.4x DVD+RW/+R notebook
drive will support Mt. Rainier specifications of CD-RW/DVD+RW allowing
users to write to DVD by using simple drag & drop operation with
the next generation of Windows OS (Longhorn)," says Steve Van
Vorst, Ricoh's U.S. National Sales and Marketing Manager.
"DVD+RW/+R format can meet demands of various applications from
video recording to data storage. Especially with the DVD+RW Video
Recording format (DVD+VR format), users can record video on a DVD+RW
disk in real time and can add video or delete and edit video content
retaining playback compatibility with almost all DVD movie players."
Today's computer and consumer electronics applications look to use
one, cost-effective medium for home entertainment and PC applications.
With Ricoh's core technology, DVD+RW/+R products bridge CD and DVD
writing with the convergence of consumer video recording and business
storage requirements. Computer users can customize and edit home movies
from tape to DVD discs and then view them in nearly all DVD-ROM drive
and DVD movie players.
Similarly, DVD+RW consumer recorders are available to record broadcasts
that can be edited on a computer with a DVD+RW drive. As a result
of the convergence, industry analysts expect writable DVD drive sales
to surpass 30 million drives by 2005. Ricoh is the technology leader
in the development of DVD+RW/+R technology for both the desktop and
notebook computer market and continues to support the leading software
vendors.
For more information about Ricoh DVD+RW, visit Ricoh's web site at
www.ricoh-usa.com.
Nov 20 - Trend Micro Announces PC-cillin
2003. Trend Micro(TM), Inc. (Nasdaq:TMIC); (TSE:4704), a leader
in network antivirus and Internet content security software and services,
today announced PC-cillin(TM) 2003, the newest version of its award-winning
consumer and SOHO security suite.
PC-cillin 2003 is a comprehensive security solution
for Internet users, designed to secure them from malicious attacks
when using email, instant messaging, or Web traffic whether they are
on a dialup, wireless or broadband network. It combines advanced virus
detection and cleaning with an integrated personal firewall.
PC-cillin 2003 leverages the same antivirus technology as Trend Micro's
enterprise-class products, while keeping it easy and affordable for
the home user. In addition to our dependable pattern based technology,
Trend Micro's patented heuristic scanning technology defends users
from new, unknown script-based threats based on their actions rather
than how they are written. PC-cillin now comes with a trojan/worm
cleaning capability to automatically remove these threats and repair
the damage they leave behind. Fast, convenient and intuitive, PC-cillin
2003 remains easy for consumers and SOHO customers to install and
operate.
"Trend Micro is pleased to offer our most complete consumer
security package yet," said Alvin Graylin, Product Group Manager,
Trend Micro." PC-cillin 2003 delivers cutting-edge antivirus
and firewall technologies in an integrated easy-to-use solution. It's
an ideal security choice for home users, students, and small businesses
-- in fact, anyone using a PC, Laptop or PDA."
Key Benefits:
-- Advance Outbreak Alert PC-cillin 2003's
industry-first advance warning service uses
the research and knowledge of TrendLabs(TM), Trend Micro's
global network of antivirus and support centers, to inform
users of new virus outbreaks. Users can then obtain the latest
virus pattern file to protect themselves before viruses get to
their PC.
-- Wireless Internet Protection
While it's very convenient to be able to surf the Web from any
location with a wireless connection, downloading files can be
potentially dangerous. With PC-cillin 2003, users can boost
protection and secure their PCs with a single click, stopping
viruses from entering or being passed on to other users.
-- Enhanced Email Security
More than 87% of virus threats are received through email.
PC-cillin 2003 scans messages and attachments retrieved from
POP3 mail servers and attachments from Web mail servers,
offering protection from the largest source of viruses.
-- Integrated Personal Firewall
Always-on and rapid download benefits of broadband Internet
connections bring an increased threat of hacker attacks. With
PC-cillin 2003, users can choose xDSL, cable, or satellite
connectivity and utilize personal firewall's "smart"
technology that allows for deeper virus detecting scans of
email.
-- Toll-free support
PC-cillin 2003 users receive toll-free technical support by
phone during business hours, and by email 24 hours a day.
Trend Micro is the only comprehensive solution provider to
offer this service for their consumer and SOHO customers.
Pricing and Availability
Trend Micro's PC-cillin 2003 will be available later this week for
download at the Trend Micro website, www.trendmicro.com
at a price of $49.95.
Nov 19 - HP Introduces New IPAQ Handhelds.
HP (NYSE:HPQ) today expanded the world's No. 1 selling Pocket PC family
by announcing the thinnest and lightest Pocket PC ever -- the HP iPAQ
Pocket PC h1910 -- priced at only $299.
In addition, the company introduced the HP iPAQ Pocket PC h5450 --
the industry's first handheld to integrate biometrics security, wireless
LAN network access (802.11b) and Bluetooth wireless capability.
"HP continues to drive the future of computing with innovative
handhelds that connect people and businesses with their critical information,"
said Alex Gruzen, senior vice president and general manager, HP Mobile
Computing Global Business Unit. "With the introduction of the
thin and light iPAQ Pocket PC h1910 and the wireless iPAQ Pocket PC
h5450 with enhanced security, we continue to drive industry-leading
innovation with industry-leading value."
Thinnest and Lightest Pocket PC on the Market
The award-winning iPAQ Pocket PC h1910 is designed for the individual
on the go, offering an ideal combination of features and distinctive
design to fit an active lifestyle.
The thinnest and lightest Pocket PC on the market, the device features
the same legendary screen technology as the HP iPAQ Pocket PC h3900
series and the new h5450. This transflective liquid crystal display
combines the rich color saturation and high contrast of a backlit
TFT display, while maintaining the ability to view the screen outdoors
in bright sunlight.
The iPAQ h1910 has 64 MB RAM, a secure digital (SD) expansion slot
for additional storage, a removable slim battery and a synchronization
cable. This model is powered by Microsoft(R) Windows(R) for Pocket
PC 2002 and the 200-MHz Intel(R) X-Scale PXA250 applications processor
for accelerated multimedia and security. This model is available in
the United States and has an estimated street price of $299.
A variety of optional accessories are available, including a USB
cradle with an extra battery slot for charging, extra styli, a spare
lithium-ion slim battery and auto adapter.
Versatile Wireless iPAQ Pocket PC with Enhanced Security
Designed for the mobile professional, the feature-rich HP iPAQ Pocket
PC h5450 is a versatile wireless device with enhanced security. This
robust model offers a true "office in your pocket" and is
the industry's first handheld to integrate biometrics security, wireless
LAN and Bluetooth.
A thermal biometric fingerprint reader helps to ensure that critical
data is protected from unauthorized access. The fingerprint registration
process authenticates the owner's unique fingerprint, allowing access
with a simple fingerprint swipe. Users also are given the option to
combine this with a PIN and/or password.
Through high-speed wireless LAN networks, the HP iPAQ Pocket PC h5450
allows access to information when connected to a corporate network
or wireless "hotspot," making it an ideal component of any
mobile business solution. The iPAQ h5450 also can connect to a Bluetooth
phone to access remote data while waiting for a flight, meeting with
customers or sitting in a hotel.
Continuing HP's leadership in providing the best handheld display
technology, the iPAQ h5450 incorporates a dazzling transflective display.
The device also includes a secure digital input/output (SDIO) expansion
slot, removable slim battery (1250mAh,) 64 MB of RAM and up to 20
MB of iPAQ File Store (non-volatile flash storage).
This model is powered by Microsoft Windows for Pocket PC 2002 and
a 400-MHz Intel X-Scale PXA250 processor for accelerated multimedia
and security. The estimated street price is $699.
Visit HP iPAQ Pocket PC Solutions Catalog Web site at www.hp.com/go/ipaqsolutions.
Nov 19 - NETGEAR Announces Full Line
Of 54 Mbps 2.4 GHz Wireless Products. NETGEAR Inc., a worldwide
provider of easy-to-use, high performance networking products, today
announced the launch of a full line of 54Mbps 2.4 GHz wireless products,
including a PC Card, Access Point and Router, with projected availability
in the first quarter of 2003.
This next generation wireless technology is based on the 802.11g
draft specification and delivers faster speeds while protecting customer
investment in existing wireless networks.
With speeds of 54Mbps, NETGEAR's new wireless product line delivers
faster performance than other existing wireless technology in the
2.4 GHz frequency range, while maintaining backward compatibility
with all other standards-based products in that spectrum NETGEAR's
new line also delivers next generation wireless security with the
deployment of Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), Advanced Encryption Standard
(AES) and Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP).
"Now that customers have gotten a taste of the freedom and mobility
of wireless networking, they are seeking faster speeds and greater
security, but do not want to lose their investment in their existing
wireless equipment," explained Patrick Lo, CEO and chairman of
the board of directors of NETGEAR. "NETGEAR is at the forefront
of the next generation of wireless networking with the launch of the
first line of 54Mbps 2.4Ghz wireless products that meets these customer
needs."
Backed by an industry leading three-year warranty and 24/7 technical
support, the NETGEAR line of 54Mbps 2.4GHz wireless products including
a PC Card, Access Point, and Router are projected to be available
in the first quarter of 2003, via retailers, commercial resellers,
direct marketers and e-commerce sites.
For more information visit the company's Web site at www.netgear.com.
Nov 19 - Panasonic Unveils New e-wear(TM)
Multimedia A/V Recorder. Panasonic's e-wear™ 4-in-1 SD A/V
recorder combines a digital video recorder, digital still camera,
digital audio player and digital voice recorder in one pocket-sized
package.
The
tiny SV-AV10 utilizes SD technology the compact, high-capacity storage
medium developed for audio, video and computer applications to record
multiple media using just one format. Audio and video recorded on
the unit and saved on the removable SD Memory Card can be downloaded
to a PC to store, edit and e-mail. Once the files are saved to a PC,
the SD Memory Card can be used again and again. The SV-AV10 includes
a USB SD reader/writer.
The SV-AV10 can record approximately 30 minutes of MPEG-4 video,
or about 880 JPEG images, in the standard mode (QCIF, 200kps) on an
included 64MB SD Memory Card. It can also play back MP3 and AAC audio,
and functions as a voice recorder as well. It has a built-in flash
for snapping digital photos.
Still images and video can be viewed on its flip-out, 2-inch LCD
screen. Incredibly, the unit's footprint is smaller than a business
card. Weighing less than 3.5 ounces (without battery), this unique
device is always ready-to-wear and primed to party. The SV-AV10 e-wear™
4-in-1 SD A/V recorder has a manufacturer's suggested retail price
of $399.95. It is available in silver, red and blue.
To print out digital photos on the spot, Panasonic also offers the
SV-P10 e-wear portable printer. This mini color thermal printer measures
1.18"H x 3.35" W x 2.68" D and weighs just 6.5 ounces
(without battery). It prints out JPEG and TIFF images at 203dpi with
256 color gradations, onto 2.7" x 1.5" sheets.
Each sheet takes about one minute to print. Users can put a single
photo or 4 photos on one sheet. On a full battery charge the SV-P10
can print about 45 sheets. The SD-compatible SV-P10 printer has a
built-in USB terminal and includes an AC adaptor and power cord, rechargeable
battery pack (Lithium-ion battery) and carrying pouch. It has a manufacturer's
suggested retail price of $199.95.
Visit Panasonic at www.panasonic.com.
Nov 19 - Minolta Introduces 5 Megapixel
DiMAGE 7Hi Digital Camera. Minolta Corporation expands its digital
camera line with the introduction of the new sleek and stylish Single
Lens-Reflex (SLR)-type Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi. Based on the award-winning
DiMAGE 7 and incorporating improved features from its sister model
- the top-of-the-line DiMAGE 7i - the new DiMAGE 7Hi has been further
enhanced with features such as a built-in flash synchronization terminal
making it a versatile digital imaging tool in the studio and on location,
as well as everyday use.
With a 5-megapixel resolution, 7x optical, 2x digital zoom lens and
superior GT Lens technology, the DiMAGE 7Hi is a complete digital
imaging center that can control all the essential elements for high-quality
photography: sharpness, exposure, contrast, color, and saturation.
With 12-bit A/D conversion and Minolta's image-processing technology,
CxProcess, what you see will be what you get. In addition, image quality
choices have been improved with the inclusion of a new extra-fine
image setting.
"With the introduction of the new DiMAGE 7Hi, Minolta makes
it easier and more affordable to bring digital imaging into the studio,"
said Jon Sienkiewicz, vice president of marketing, Minolta Corporation's
Consumer Products Group. "Differing from its sister model, the
DiMAGE 7i, this new camera's built-in flash synchronization terminal
and extra-fine image setting are sure to please the professional level
photographer as well as advanced amateurs looking for the best digital
photography has to offer. Building on the success of the award-wining
DiMAGE 7 series of digital cameras Minolta is proud to now offer a
broad line of high quality digital cameras each designed for different
applications and different users."
The new DiMAGE 7Hi features a 2/3 inch-type CCD image sensor with
5-megapixel effective resolution. The camera incorporates a 7x zoom
apochromatic Minolta GT LENS with two anomalous dispersion (AD) glass
elements for color accuracy and dual aspherical elements which, combined
with a 2x digital zoom, provides a compact lens design with a wide
image capture range. The optical zoom lens range is 7.2mm - 50.8mm
(equivalent to 28mm -200mm in 35mm).
The Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi features a 3-point wide AF system for fast,
accurate focusing, a Flex Focus Point for precise control over the
focusing area and a Direct Manual Focus (DMF) to make instant adjustments
to the autofocus.
Just like the DiMAGE 7i, the DiMAGE 7Hi's AF system is almost twice
as fast the original DiMAGE 7, and the capturing interval has been
reduced to make a more responsive camera. In the program and aperture-priority
exposure modes, the shutter speed tops out at 1/4000 second. The new
high-speed continuous-advance drive mode allows successive images
to be captured at approximately 3 frames per second even with high-quality
TIFF and RAW images. UHS (Ultra High Speed) continuous-advance can
capture approximately 7 frames a second to compete with most professional
film cameras.
The DiMAGE 7Hi features three image-quality settings - extra fine,
fine, and standard - to produce JPEG files with varying degrees of
image compression. To preserve all the detail in an image with no
compression, the super-fine setting creates a high-quality TIFF file
and the RAW setting creates a Minolta RAW data file. This RAW data
can be opened in the supplied DiMAGE Viewer software and saved with
an 8-bit or 16-bit color depth.
A new built-in flash sync terminal allows the DiMAGE 7Hi to be connected
to professional studio and location flash systems. Simply plug the
flash's PC cord into the terminal. Designed for center-negative and
center-positive polarities, the camera is compatible with most studio
and location lighting systems.
The DiMAGE 7Hi can record high-quality 16-bit audio with still and
moving images. Along with standard QVGA digital movies, three new
movie functions allow greater creative freedom.
The Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi and DiMAGE 7i will be available side-by-side
at retail at differing price points. The DiMAGE 7Hi is available now
with an estimated street price of $1,299.
For more information, visit Minolta's Web site located at www.minoltausa.com.
Nov 19 - Consumers Will Spark 200% Rise
in Recordable DVD Sales in 2003. Recordable DVD drives, media
and applications will experience dramatic growth next year and through
at least 2006, Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Research, told
attendees of the Recordable DVD Council (RDVC) ISV meeting here today.
Speaking to more than 100 executives from hardware, software and
solutions firms prior to the beginning of COMDEX, he emphasized that
sophisticated consumers and digital Darwinism or the laws of nature
should guide firm's product plans, not bold new experiments.
"When the computer industry stalled this year, IT manufacturers
and suppliers finally told the marketplace that the majority of technology
they bought to do everything was actually too complicated, too impractical
and too expensive," he said. "Many in the industry are now
approaching video and DVD with the same philosophy saying they will
succeed by delivering the all-in-one box that incorporates TV, DVD,
MP3, PVR, game console, home RF and more.
"These new life forms will appear and disappear because they
are based on what the company can do, rather than on what the consumer
wants," he emphasized.
Peddie, a leading digital media market researcher and consultant,
pointed out that people are buying digital cameras and camcorders
because they want to preserve memories, share them later with others
and simply for pure enjoyment. "Photography is an almost universal
pursuit," he said. "Regardless of a person's life stage,
education or profession, they like to create their own video content
and share it. This will provide the momentum for triple-digit sales
at least through 2006 for cameras, camcorders, DVD writers and creation
software."
During his presentation, Peddie said DVD Forum-standard DVD drives
had overcome the price and compatibility hurdles to stimulate consumer
demand. He pointed out that multifunction drives - supporting DVD-R,
-RW and/or -RAM as well as CD-R/RW - have street prices as low as
$249 and write-once media can be purchased for as little as $.60 a
disc. In addition, the new DVD recorders that incorporate both a hard
drive and DVD drive are priced under $500, making them affordable
for people to capture, edit and watch television programs on their
own terms.
For more information on Jon Peddie Research visit www.jonpeddie.com.
Nov 18 - Dell Offers Customers
New 3.06GHz Processor. Dell (Nasdaq:DELL) today announced availability
of the Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 processor running at 3.06GHz on select
Dimension(tm) and OptiPlex(tm) desktop computers, and Dell Precision(tm)
workstations.
Customers can purchase systems with a 3.06GHz processor utilizing
Hyper-Threading (HT) Technology, which can enable customers to do
more tasks in less time. The technology makes more efficient use of
processing power by utilizing moments of idle cycles that allow for
the processor to work on more than one request simultaneously.
Consumers using the HT-enabled Dimension 8250 system can expect better
overall performance when running multiple computing tasks. For example,
a customer can now convert a video clip from one format to another
while watching a DVD without interruption, or edit digital photographs
while adding to their digital music collection. Users can convert
their CD collection to a digital format while enjoying a CPU-intensive
game without sacrificing frame rate. Finally, a small business can
convert a document to PDF format while running a virus scan in the
background.
"We believe consumers who demand high-performance will find
our Dimension desktops with Hyper-Threading Technology appealing,"
said Mark Vena, director of Dimension product marketing. "The
systems offer the fast 3D graphic cards, 4X DVD writeable drives,
and hard drives that can provide more than 200GB of storage. We're
working every day to make better computing power available to our
customers at the best value, and to help keep Dimension the preferred
brand for performance."
Workstation professionals using the Dell Precision 350 will likewise
see performance benefits of HT Technology. Digital content creators
can render more animations in less time, and video editors can see
a performance increase in transitions and other complex visual effects.
Corporate desktop customers can order 3.06GHz models of the OptiPlex
GX260 and SX260.
Pricing and Specifications
A typical Dimension 8250 desktop configuration includes an Intel
Pentium 4 Processor with HT Technology at 3.06GHz, 512MB PC1066 RDRAM,
200GB hard drive, ATI's Radeon 9700 PRO graphics card, 4X DVD+RW drive,
a one-year limited warranty with next-business-day onsite service,
Windows(R) XP Home, and a Dell UltraSharp(tm) 18-inch flat panel monitor
for $2,999.
Information on Dell and its products can be obtained
at www.dell.com.
Nov 18 - MicronPC Introduces
New Millennia 910 Dream Machines. MicronPC, a Gores Technology
Group company, today introduced its high-performance Millennia 910i
and 910a, new additions to its Millennia desktop product line targeted
at consumers and small businesses.
The Millennia 910i features an Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 processor running
at 3.06GHz with Hyper-Threading technology, providing exceptional
performance and capability.
The Millennia 910a is one of the very first computer systems to offer
the new AMD(R) Athlon(TM) XP 2800+ with the nVidia(R) nForce(TM) 2
Chipset. These components merge superior memory, graphics and audio
technology, and provide cutting-edge performance, headroom and multimedia
capability.
As members of MicronPC's flagship Millennia desktop product line,
both the 910i and 910a are available in the Professional, Creative
Studio and Xtreme Series.
The Millennia Professional systems are designed for the business professional
and come bundled with today's most popular office software such as
Microsoft(R) Office(R).
The Creative Studio series is geared towards users who want to create
professionally styled digital media, and therefore includes software
such as Pinnacle Studio Version 8, the total video-editing solution.
Finally, the Xtreme systems offer a powerful foundation for high-end
gamers interested in building their own unique configurations.
"MicronPC offers customers a choice of desktops to meet their
individual needs," said Paul Petersen, MicronPC vice president
of product marketing and development. "The Millennia 910i, designed
for small office/home office users, increases value and performance
by offering the latest Pentium 4 processor at a competitive price.
The Millennia 910a is sure to please the most demanding of gaming
enthusiasts with the ultra-fast Athlon XP processor and nVidia nForce
chipset, unleashing blistering system performance."
About the Millennia 910i
The Millennia 910i features the new Intel 845PE Chipset, Intel Pentium
4 Processor with 533MHz FSB and Hyper-Threading technology, integrated
high-speed USB 2.0 and Firewire, as well as PC2700 DDR SDRAM.
About the Millennia 910a
The Millennia 910a features the NVIDIA nForce2 Chipset, the latest
AMD Athlon(TM) processors, PC2700 DDR SDRAM, and Integrated Dolby
Digital 5.1 Audio.
Both systems are offered at $1999. The Millennia 910i and 910a are
available for order directly from MicronPC at: www.micronpc.com.
Nov 18 - Panasonic Unveils Light 2.2
lb. Toughbook. Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, the leading
provider of ruggedized portable computers, today announced the release
of the 2.2-pound Toughbook CF-R1 sub-notebook, the most durable, power
efficient and technologically advanced computer in its class.
The Intel 800MHz SpeedStep Mobile Pentium III CPU-powered, 9.4"
x 7.2" x 0.93" (WLH), R1 features new thin-screen LCD technology
for increased brightness, reduced weight and decreased power consumption,
a 20GB low-power, shock-mounted hard drive, and a revolutionary dimpled-magnesium
case that dramatically reduces clamshell weight and bulk while providing
a full measure of impact protection.
Panasonic Computer Solutions Company president Rance Poehler described
the new model as a natural evolution of the Toughbook line. "Make
no mistake, the CF-R1 is a fully pedigreed Toughbook from its cast-magnesium
case, to its shock-mounted hard drive, to its armored screen-mounting
system," Poehler says. "We've always offered a full slate
of state-of-the-art portable computers ranging from fully ruggedized
MIL STD tested laptops to semi-ruggedized slimline notebooks. The
R1 is a reaffirmation of our commitment to offer our customers a one-stop
portable-computer solution.
"With the R1 we have created a high-performance, damage-resistant,
2.2-pound, aircraft-tray-table-friendly computer that the chiefs of
all those police departments-as well as top managers among our non-law-enforcement
clients--can slip into an attaché case and carry to budget
meetings, legislative hearings, and conventions."
Damage-Aversion Chassis Construction Decreases Weight And Bulk
The Toughbook CF-R1 has been engineered from the ground up to minimize
weight and bulk without sacrificing durability and performance. Its
ultra-thin dimpled-magnesium alloy case is-inch per inch--40 percent
lighter than previous Toughbook clamshells while providing the best
impact protection in its class. A bonnet-shaped, convex rear screen
case and reinforced metal screen-case edges provide additional impact
protect for the shock-dampened LCD and a stainless-steel clamshell
hinge ensures a tight, secure case closure over thousands of use cycles.
New LCD Technology: Brighter, Lighter, Less Power Hungry
The R1's anti-reflection-coated 10.4-inch XGA active-matrix LCD uses
thin-screen (0.4mm glass) construction that is 25 percent lighter
than previous units. A newly designed ultra power-efficient backlight
and the decrease in light absorption afforded by the thinner glass
produces an appreciable increase in perceived brightness. The LCD
panel is protected from impact by a floating mounting system and shock
damper. Maximum resolution supported by the unit's Silicon Motion
Lynx 3DM graphic card and 4MB of VRAM is 1024 x 768 pixels at 16M
colors.
Optimized Battery Technology And "Green" Peripherals Maximize
Runtimes
A newly developed four-cell high-capacity 2200mA/h lithium-ion battery
pack offers 10 percent more power output in a lighter package than
previous Toughbook six-cell units.
Contributing to the R1's outstanding runtime of up to six hours are
a low-voltage (3.3) 20GB UDMA hard drive, a fanless cooling system,
an ultra-low-voltage (0.95V) Intel Speedstep CPU, Panasonic's re-designed
screen-backlight system and an advanced APM Rev. 1.2 power-management
system.
Pricing and Configuration
CF-R1P82ZVQM- Intel Speedstep 800MHz ultra-low voltage Mobile Pentium
III, 10.4" XGA TFT Active Matrix Display, 20GB HDD, 128MB RAM,
56K-100BASE-TX/10 BASE-T combo modem. Estimated Street Price: $1,850
Information on Panasonic's full line of notebook PCs for the mobile
professional can be obtained by calling at www.panasonic.com/toughbook.
Nov 18 - U.S. Online Shoppers
Will Spend an Average $235 for Holiday Internet Purchases. U.S.
consumers planning to buy gifts over the Internet expect to spend
an average of $235 for online shopping this holiday season, according
to a survey by GartnerG2 a research service of Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:
IT and ITB). Online spending by those consumers will account for more
than a quarter of the total $800 they plan to spend on gifts.
In September 2002, GartnerG2 surveyed 1,317 adults in the United
States by telephone to gauge their spending intentions this holiday
season. According to the survey, 98 percent of consumers who bought
holiday gifts online in 2001 plan to do so in 2002.
"Convenience factors are the primary motivators for overall
online buying," said David Schehr, research director for GartnerG2.
"During the holidays, convenience is even more important to consumers.
Saving time and effort in gift-buying activities was cited by consumers
as the No. 1 reason why they opt to go online for a portion of their
gift purchasing."
According to the survey, 58 percent of consumers planning to buy
gifts online considered as very important the ability to find what
they wanted in a catalog and then order it via the Web.
"As call center order operations begin to get backed up with
the pre-holiday traffic, an important option for retailers is to provide
online service and communicate to consumers," said Schehr.
While factors such as shopping any time of the day or night and avoiding
crowds and long lines at stores were cited as motivating factors for
consumers to shop online, consumers cited having gifts sent directly
to recipients and finding gift suggestions and guides online as the
least important factors driving online shopping habits.
"So retailers emphasizing the online channel this holiday season
should continue to focus marketing messages and site design toward
making the buying experience as fast and easy as possible," Schehr
said.
Worldwide online holiday sales in 2002 are projected to total $38.2
billion, a 48.4 percent increase from 2001. North America consumers
are expected to spend $15.7 billion online.
GartnerG2 is a research service from Gartner that helps business
strategists guide and grow their businesses. For more information
on the report and about GartnerG2 services, please visit www.gartnerG2.com.
Nov 18 - Panasonic Ships Its First Combination
DVD / Hard Disk Recorder. Panasonic has announced a manufacturer's
suggested retail price (MSRP) of $999.95 for its first combination
DVD/hard disk recorder. The product couples a DVD-RAM and DVD-R* recorder
with a built-in hard drive, providing great flexibility and compatibility.
Model DMR-HS2 allows the consumer to enjoy such unique features as
Time Slip , Chasing Playback and the ease of recording images from
a digital video camera via a DV input, as well as a PC card slot for
use with memory cards. Panasonic began shipping the product to retailers
in early October.
The DMR-HS2 can record a maximum of 52 hours (in the EP mode) of
video on its 40 GB hard disk drive, 12 hours on a 9.4GB double-sided
DVD-RAM disc, and 6 hours on a DVD-R disc.
With the Panasonic DMR-HS2 DVD recorder, consumers can watch what
they want, when they want. Panasonic's Time Slip and Chasing Playback
features allows users to watch a show in progress that's being recorded,
right from the beginning, while the show continues to record to the
end. The unit can also be programmed to automatically record their
favorite television shows every day or every week onto the hard disk.
In addition to recording new video content, the DMR-HS2 provides a
new medium for transferring VHS tape recordings to space-saving DVD-RAM
or DVD-R* disks or the internal hard drive.
DVD-RAM offers high storage capacity on removable media, high-speed
data transmission, exceptional picture and sound quality, fast, random
access memory and rewritability up to 100,000 times. The versatile
DMR-HS2 also allows users to record onto highly compatible DVD-R disks,
allowing them to share video recordings with virtually anyone with
a DVD player.
In addition, a built-in standard PC card slot enables users to download
and save digital images from an SD Memory Card, MultiMedia Card, Compact
Flash, Smart Media and other flash memory cards.
For the ultimate home theater experience, the DMR-HS2 features progressive
scan, delivering optimum picture quality when viewing a DVD movie.
Panasonic can be found online at www.panasonic.com.
Nov 17 - Sunday Shopping
Watch.
Best Sunday Deals - See our Best
Sunday Ad Deals Table below for specific system prices.
Weekly Comparison. Prices were generally the
as last week.
Laptops - Low-end and high-end laptops prices
were about the same as last week.
Desktops - Stores were again advertising 1.4
GHz Celeron systems, however we are no longer including these systems
in our pricing reviews as we believe they are obsolete.
Prices on 1.7 GHz Celerons were much higher.
Pentium 4 desktop prices were about the same as last week's. No new
Media Center PCs, that run Windows XP Media Center, were advertised
this week.
More AMD desktops were advertised this week, but processor speeds
were no greater than 2200+..
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 is offering 6 months of free MSN with any computer purchase.
They also have 24 month no-interest financing on all laptops and on
all Pentium 4 desktop packages.
Circuit City is offering
12 month no-interest financing and $100 instant gift cards with all
Pentium 4 processor desktop packages and all Intel Pentium processor
laptop purchases.
Office
Depot
has 6 months no payments, no interest financing for new computer purchases
over $298. Also, they are now offering Alienware build-your-computers
like Best Buy.
CompUSA is giving 12 month no
interest financing for desktop complete systems $749 and higher. They
are also offering $100 mail in rebates on Sony and Toshiba laptops.
Staples is offering 12 month no interest
financing for complete desktop systems and laptops.
Compare
to Online Prices - Compare the Sunday ad prices to
those being offered at DealTime, it searches over 160 online computer
stores.
New Oct
27 ** Shopping Alert on Lower Priced Celerons. The 1.7
GHz Celeron has replaced the 1.4 GHz and slower Celerons in the low-end
retail market. As the 1.7 GHz Celeron is socket compatible with
the Pentium 4, it is potentially upgradeable to faster Pentium 4 processors.
The older 1.4 GHz and slower Celerons cannot be upgraded without a
conversion kit.
Again, most of these low priced desktops have no AGP video expansion
slot, no onboard dedicated video RAM, no CD-RW drive, and very few
empty PCI expansion slots. These computers will be very difficult
to upgrade, and they have poorer performance than other desktops that
do not have integrated video chips on the motherboard.
Often by spending $200-$400 more for a Pentium 4 or Athlon XP based
system, you can get twice the performance, more features, and you
will have an upgradeable computer that will serve you well for another
3 years.
If you choose the $600 Celeron system to save a few bucks, keep in
mind that in a year or two you will probably want to replace it.
Shopping Alert on Lower Priced
Laptops - AMD Duron, AMD Athlon 4, and Intel Pentium III
laptops should only be purchased at significant discounts. These processors
have been superseded by the newer mobile AMD Athlon XP+ and the Intel
Pentium 4-M processors.
About Windows XP. It has been a little over 12
months since Windows XP began to be bundled with new computers. Windows
XP became available for separate purchase on October 25, 2001. For
more information on Windows XP see our Windows
XP Upgrade Guide.
Internet Rebates. Most stores are no longer
advertising 3 year Internet rebates. Check with your local store before
you buy. Please see our article, What
You Need to Know About Internet Rebates and Free PCs, for an in-depth
discussion of Internet Rebates.
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
|
|
Best Celeron Deal
|
HP 1.7 GHz complete system
|
$749
|
-$80
|
Circuit City, CompUSA
|
|
Best Low-cost
Pentium 4
|
Compaq 2.0 GHz complete system
|
$1049
|
-
|
Circuit City
|
|
Best High-end Pentium 4 System
|
Sony 2.4 GHz complete system
|
$1199
|
-
|
Best Buy, Circuit
City
|
|
Best High-end Pentium 4 System
|
HP 2.53 GHz complete system with DVD+RW
|
$1549
|
-
|
CompUSA, Circuit
City
|
|
Best Windows XP Media Center
|
None Advertised
|
|
|
|
|
Best Low-cost Athlon XP System
|
Compaq 2000+ complete
system
|
$879
|
|
CompUSA, Circuit
City
|
|
Best High-end
Athlon XP System
|
HP 2200+ complete
system
|
$1099
|
-
|
Best Buy
|
|
1. Best Low-cost Notebook
|
Compaq Athlon XP 1400+ with DVD
|
$949
|
-
|
CompUSA
|
