| News, Reviews, and Tips & Techniques |  |
|
| Apple Exploring Liquid Notebook Cooling Systems for Cooler Laps |
| |
MacNN reports on a newly published Apple patent application which details ongoing research into alternative cooling systems for notebook computers.
Specifically, Apple explores the possibility of a liquid cooling system for th...
|
| | 12/04/2008 2:51 AM (23h 9m ago) |
| When Blu-ray and laptops collide |
| | Sony's Vaio FW270 features a Blu-ray drive and a fair price.
If you're waiting for Blu-ray players to dip below the $99 mark before replacing your DVD player, let us offer an alternate solution: a Blu-ray-equipped laptop.
While Blu-ray drives first appeared on huge laptops with 18.... |
| | 11/27/2008 7:34 PM (7d 6h 25m ago) |
| Newsweek: Why we need better batteries |
| | Batteries are becoming the weak link in our high-tech lives as computers and other technology advances quickly but batteries--constrained by the laws of physics and chemistry--evolve very slowly. |
| | 11/26/2008 4:30 PM (8d 9h 29m ago) |
| Apple releases Safari 3.2.1 |
| | Filed under: Software Update
Apple just updated Safari to version 3.2.1. According to Software Update, "This update includes stability improvements and is recommended for all Safari users." Apple updated Safari only a few weeks ago, adding protection from phishing websites. If you've been paying attention to the Apple updates this week, then you know that they've done some heavy updating in this area. The past few days have seen updates to iPhone/iPod touch, iTunes, Apple TV, Pro Applications, Trackpad, and QuickTime.You can get the Safari update, or any other updates you might be missing, by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update). You can also download the installer packages from the Apple Support Downloads website.Thanks to monu, and others for the tips! TUAWApple releases Safari 3.2.1 originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
| | 11/25/2008 4:08 PM (9d 9h 52m ago) |
| Samsung starts mass production of 256GB SSDs |
| | (Credit: Samsung)
The main things keeping solid-state drives out of the mainstream are their high costs and low capacities. Currently, 128GB SSDs sell for around $400, far more expensive than comparable traditional mechanical drives while still holding less data.
Samsung's aiming to fix that with its new 256GB SSD, ... |
| | 11/24/2008 5:42 PM (10d 8h 17m ago) |
|
| | 11/24/2008 5:41 PM (10d 8h 18m ago) |
| Ease Your Holiday Travel: TSA Announces "Checkpoint Friendly" Laptop Bag Procedures |
| | To help streamline the security process and better protect laptops, TSA recently encouraged manufacturers to design bags that will produce a clear and unobstructed image of the laptop when undergoing X-ray screening. A design that meets this objective will enable TSA to allow laptops to remain in bags for screening.If you intend to use a "checkpoint friendly" laptop bag once they are on the market, make sure to check that: - Your laptop bag has a designated laptop-only section that you can lay flat on the X-ray belt - There are no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on-top of the laptop-only section - There are no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section - There is nothing in the laptop compartment other than the laptop - You have completely unfolded your bag so that there is nothing above or below the laptop-only section, allowing the bag to lie flat on the X-ray belt Remember, a well designed "checkpoint friendly" bag must be packed appropriately if you intend to leave your laptop in your bag for screening. |
| | 11/20/2008 3:25 PM (14d 10h 35m ago) |
| Toshiba Introduces Half-Terabyte 2.5-inch Hard Disk Drive With Ultra-Quiet Acoustics and Enhanced Durability |
| | State-of-the-Art Design Features Provide a Valuable Storage Solution for High-Capacity Mobile PCs, Game Consoles, Printers and External Storage
Toshiba Storage Device Division (SDD), the pioneer in small form factor hard disk drives (HDDs), today announced a half-terabyte 5,400 RPM, Serial-ATA (SATA) 3.0 Gb/s 2.5-inch HDD with a number of enhanced features that improve the user [...] |
| | 11/19/2008 5:15 PM (15d 8h 45m ago) |
| Sony batteries involved in another recall |
| |
Updated at 2:15 p.m. PDT with the names and quantities of notebooks affected by each manufacturer.
More than two years after the largest battery recall in the electronics industry, Sony batteries have been fingered again as the culprit in more than 40 worldwide incidents of laptops overheating.
Sony ... |
| | 10/31/2008 3:44 PM (34d 10h 16m ago) |
| Laptop shipments exceed desktops in US for the not-exactly-first time |
| | Filed under: Desktops, Laptops
Hope you're eager to break into that Halloween candy early, because you've got some (re)celebrating to do. If you'll recall, we first heard that laptops accounted for over half of US retail computer sales back in 2003, and in June of 2005, we found that it was somehow worth getting jazzed over once more when it happened again. Here we are in the latter half of 2008 shaking our heads in disappointment, as IDC has amazingly discovered that notebook shipments into the US market have exceeded the 50% threshold for the first time evar. Go ahead and stock up on rave supplies early -- we get this weird feeling that we'll be doing this same song and dance in 2010 or so.[Image courtesy of DayLife]Laptop shipments exceed desktops in US for the not-exactly-first time originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
| | 10/29/2008 5:58 PM (36d 8h 2m ago) |
| Microsoft signals some improvements in Windows Vista SP2, |
| | It hasn't been too awfully long since Windows Vista SP1 hit the intertubes for real, but the Vista team is already talking up SP2. Granted, we all know Redmond is focused on moving beyond all of this Vista hoopla and forging ahead with Windows 7, but there's apparently still some work to do on the outfit's current OS. Unfortunately, the latest update isn't exactly enthralling, as we're given no set time frame for launch and we're not shown any forthcoming changes that really get our juices flowing. For instance, Vista SP2 will add Windows Search 4.0 for faster and improved relevancy in searches, the Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack, ability to natively record data on Blu-ray media and Windows Connect Now (WCN) to simplify WiFi configuration. Wait, did you just yawn? You did. We saw it. |
| | 10/26/2008 4:58 PM (39d 9h 2m ago) |
| New Family: Seinfeld/Gates Microsoft Commercial |
| | "New Family"... Seinfeld/Gates Microsoft commercial. Long version.First ad Shoe Circus. Very funny parody of Shoe Circus here (alternate ending, watch the very end). |
| | 9/12/2008 4:13 PM (83d 9h 46m ago) |
| Microsoft/Seinfeld Ad: Shoe Circus |
| | Microsoft has started running their new ads using comedian Jerry Seinfeld and Microsoft founder Bill Gates. The first in presumably a series of ads show Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld in Shoe Carnival. Seinfeld was reportedly paid $10 million for his work in this series of ads. The goal of the ads are to revamp Microsoft's image. |
| | 9/06/2008 4:43 PM (89d 9h 17m ago) |
| Sony recalls laptops for possible overheating |
| | Sony recalls Vaio laptops worldwide over wiring flaw that could cause overheating Sony Corp. is recalling 440,000 Vaio laptop computers worldwide because of a wiring flaw that could cause overheating.Sony said Thursday the recall involves 19 models in the Vaio TZ series manufactured between May 2007 and July 2008.The Tokyo-based consumer electronics company said improperly placed wires near the hinge connecting the body of the laptop and its display could wear quickly, causing a short circuit and overheating. A flaw in a circuit board inside the display could also overheat its rim.Sony has received 209 reports of overheating worldwide, including seven cases in which people received minor burns.The laptop problem comes two years after Sony had to engage in massive recalls of laptop batteries, which also caused overheating or even burst into flames. |
| | 9/04/2008 4:10 PM (91d 9h 50m ago) |
| TechForward - future proof your gadget’s value |
| | As we all know, every high-tech piece of equipment you buy will decrease in value as it gets further out of date. Well TechForward reckon that one person’s used gadget is another person’s treasure and they’re doing something about it. When you purchase your new gadget (MP3 player, notebook, TV, GPS etc) you can sign [...]
|
| | 9/03/2008 9:16 PM (92d 4h 44m ago) |
|
| Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks |
| | The Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks is a webcam designed specifically for laptops that features a high quality VGA sensor that is capable of video capture of up to 640x480 pixels and 30 frames per second as well as 1.3 megapixel still images. The webcam also includes a built-in microphone with Logitech's RightSound technology which reduces echoing and background noise for clear conversations. The QuickCam for Notebooks includes an adjustable clip that fits any monitor or laptop and a manually adjustable focus ring. It also features a snapshot button for taking still images and an activity light which indicates when the webcam is live. The webcam comes with bonus photo-editing software and a 2 year limited...
|
| | 11/17/2008 12:24 AM (18d 1h 36m ago) |
| Sony VAIO FW139E/H User Review |
| | The Sony VAIO FW139E/H is a 16.4" semi-desktop replacement notebook configured with an Intel Core 2 Duo P8400, which runs at 2.26GHz with a Front Side Bus speed of 1066MHz, 3GB of DDR2-800 RAM, an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 dedicated graphics card, and a 250GB HDD. This model is one of the first VAIO FW models to come out and is meant to be sold at retail stores.
|
| | 11/11/2008 6:55 AM (23d 19h 4m ago) |
| Hands on with the Sony Vaio TT ultraportable |
| | Sony's $4,300 Vaio TT is about as far from the standard $500 Netbook as possible.(Credit: CNET)
Sony's newly revamped ultraportable laptop, the Vaio TT, is a well-needed reminder that not every tiny laptop needs to be a low-cost, low-power Netbook-style system.
In fact, the Vaio TT is about as far from the standard $500 Netbook as possible, given the relative physical similarities. The TT's highest-end configuration (named the TT190UBX), includes not only an Intel ULV (ultra-low voltage) processor, but a whopping 4GB of RAM, and even an internal Blu-ray recordable optical drive. The real star power, however, comes from an unprecedented 256GB solid state hard drive, which jacks the price up to an equally imposing $4,300. Naturally, less expensive versions are available, ditching the Blu-ray and giant SSD drive.
The Vaio's 11-inch screen follows the 16:9 aspect ratio trend we've seen in new 16- and 18-inch laptops (including, naturally, Sony's new multimedia laptops). The 1,366x768 resolution isn't too far removed from the 1,024x600 found on most Netbooks, but the extra RAM and Intel Core 2 Duo processor makes a difference, allowing it to run Windows Vista smoothly, instead of XP.
... |
| | 10/01/2008 3:47 PM (64d 10h 12m ago) |
| Sony VAIO Z: The Engadget Review |
| | Filed under: Laptops
Here's the thing: Sony's VAIO Z series of ultraportables doesn't get to be a part of the X300 / Envy 133 / MacBook Air / X360 club. We like it, it's a great laptop, but it's just too chubby to count as a cake cutter. So that said, there's really little point in comparing this thing to that sort of computer -- we'll just have to judge it on its own merits.The VAIO Z is the latest in Sony's long heritage of ultraportable computers, but lands itself decidedly on the beefy end of that spectrum. With discreet NVIDIA 9300M graphics and a Blu-ray drive, this is a full-fledged laptop (we've been testing out the $3,600-ish VGN-Z591U SKU). There's WWAN, SD and Memory Stick card readers, ExpressCard and an HDMI plug, and even the 16:9 13.1-inch screen is on the upper limit of Sony's ultraportable heritage. There's plenty of SSD inside, with dual SSD RAID option that makes no bones about this being a performer.Gallery: Sony VAIO Z: The Engadget ReviewContinue reading Sony VAIO Z: The Engadget ReviewPermalink | Email this | Comments
|
| | 9/03/2008 9:27 PM (92d 4h 33m ago) |
| Sony VAIO FW First Look |
| | The Sony VAIO FW is a brand new Centrino 2 platform notebook from Sony, offering a much needed facelift, as well as a 16.4" widescreen. What sets this apart from other widescreen notebooks is the aspect ratio of the screen lets movie aficionados enjoy a video without ugly bars above and below the screen. This first look will give you a glimpse of what this notebook has to offer, in general use as well as what to expect when watching various Blu-ray titles.
|
| | 7/28/2008 1:28 PM (129d 12h 32m ago) |
|
| HD Clone - the universal cloning tool |
| |
HD Clone is a free hard disk cloning program which will let you create and store an image of your disk in case of problems or failure. This sort of tool is uber useful for migrating your data to a new hard disk, or for restoring your stuff if your hard [...]
|
| | 11/15/2008 7:26 PM (19d 6h 33m ago) |
| Treesize Free - excellent freeware helps you identify space hogs on your hard drive |
| |
Treesize Free is one of my favourite freeware programs, because it’s so darn useful. Every so often I pop it open and press scan to take a look at the files and folders that are hogging space on my hard drive. And I never cease to be amazed at the results. [...]
|
| | 11/13/2008 9:07 PM (21d 4h 53m ago) |
| Kinetik bags - protect your notebook from the school of hard knocks |
| |
Computer peripheral company extraordinaire, Logitech, make a range of hard shell backpacks and briefcases for your notebook called Kinetik. Incorporating a padded sleeve inside for your notebook and expandable pockets for all your other goodies, the outside of the bag is a hard plastic shell to beef up protection and [...]
|
| | 10/09/2008 4:20 PM (56d 9h 40m ago) |
| HDD Health - keep tabs on your computer’s hard disk health |
| |
HDD Health is a simple little freeware utility that monitors the health of your hard disk. It tells you the temperature too. Basic yes, but useful most definitely.
HDD Health is a full-featured failure-prediction agent for machines using Windows 95, 98, NT, Me, 2000 and XP. Sitting in the system tray, it [...]
107 words | email this | permalink | no comments | digg this
related entries
HD Tune - check on your hard disk health for freeHealth Buddy.Revolution Health - online health goes all Rails and Web 2.0
|
| | 8/20/2008 5:49 PM (106d 8h 11m ago) |
|
|
|
|
|