Specifications:

* up to 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ULV SU9400 processor with Montevina chipset
* Intel integrated GMA 4500MHD graphics
* Windows Vista Ultimate on down
* 12.1-inch LED backlit capacitive touch-screen with EM Digitizer pen
* up to 5GB of DDR3 1066MHz (1×1GB, 1×4GB DIMM)
* up to 120GB 5400RPM SATA disk or 128GB SSD
* 802.11a/g/n WiFi and gigabit Ethernet
* SATA ODD
* 3.78-pounds (1.72-kg) with 6-cell battery
* eSATA, 2x USB 2.0, firewire, and ExpressCard 54 slot

Researchers at Rice University developed a new microchip that promises to run seven times faster and consume 30 times less electricity than today’s “best technology”. The project, which is supported by Intel and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency could result in new processors for cellphones that would enable users to recharge their phones not every few days, but every few weeks, the scientists said.The new processor shown discussed at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), uses common CMOS technology, but drops Boolean logic mathematical rules and adopts probabilistic logic, a new form of logic developed by Rice University professor Krishna Palem and his doctoral student, Lakshmi Chakrapani.

Called PCMOS, the chip runs on standard silicon, which means it can be produced with standard chip manufacturing equipment. Palem claims that the use of probabilistic logic results in 30 times less power consumption and an overall increased speed of 7x. (continuare…)

Increases of up to 20 per cent on all products take effect March 1

ASUS has announced an increase in prices of up to 20 per cent on all existing and upcoming notebooks and Eee Family products, effective March 1, 2009.

The current financial climate and an increase in the cost of computer parts and manufacturing operations were cited as reasons behind the price hikes.

The company said it is also restructuring its channel strategy, but offered no further comment.

ASUS recently debuted its ultra-thin netbook S121, and its latest Eee PC, the T91 which includes a touchscreen that swivels.

According to December findings by research firm, DisplaySearch, the global netbook market increased by 160 per cent from the second to third quarter of 2008. Acer enjoyed the top global spot in netbook sales, taking 38.3 per cent of the market to Asus’ 30 per cent.

1. Google

Faimosul motor de căutare în limba română. [google.ro]

2. Yahoo!

Personalized content and search options. Chatrooms, free e-mail, clubs, and pager. [yahoo.com]

3. YouTube

YouTube is a way to get your videos to the people who matter to you. Upload, tag and share your videos worldwide! [youtube.com] (continuare…)

1. Yahoo.com

Personalized content and search options. Chatrooms, free e-mail, clubs, and pager. [www.yahoo.com]

2. Google.com

Enables users to search the Web, Usenet, and images. Features include PageRank, caching and translation of results, and an option to find similar pages. The company’s focus is developing search technology. [www.google.com]

3. Youtube.com

YouTube is a way to get your videos to the people who matter to you. Upload, tag and share your videos worldwide! [www.youtube.com] (continuare…)

Pentru a ajuta cat mai multe organizatii sa profite de sporirea productivitatii si de beneficiile eficientizarii costurilor pentru noile sisteme de videoconferinta, Polycom Inc., liderul mondial in domeniul teleprezentei, videoconferintei si audioconferintei, a lansat un nou sistem de videoconferinta de inalta rezolutie, cu caracteristici performante, la un pret de lista de 3,099 Euro. Optimizat pentru a oferi inalta rezolutie si calitatea video a DVD-urilor, la o largime de banda foarte scazuta, Polycom QDX 6000, furnizeaza utilizatorilor cea mai buna valoare din clasa sa, avand o combinatie de calitati, caracteristici si performate gasite inainte doar la solutiile video mai scumpe, din clasa business.

“Nu veti gasi astazi pe piata, niciun alt sistem de videoconferinta care sa asigure la acest pret un nivel audio si video atat de ridicat calitativ, sau care sa aiba caracteristicile si performanta specifice unui Polycom QDX6000”, a declarat Joe Sigrist, Senior Vicepresident & General Manager Solutii Video, Polycom Inc.

Polycom QDX 6000 ofera companiilor si organizatiilor mici si mijlocii un widescreen si capabilitati de videoconferinta de inalta rezolutie, toate cu un ROI (return of investment) rapid, permitand astfel o reducere semnificativa a costurilor de transport si deplasare ale personalului. Multi clienti vor beneficia de o amortizare a investitiei doar din insumarea economiilor posibil generate de primele doua, trei intalniri de afaceri. (continuare…)

As netbook sales continue to pick up in a struggling world economy, Intel, which makes the processors found in many of those netbooks, is mulling over how best to profit from that market.

Intel is now preparing for the mass production of Google Android-based netbooks, a reliable source tells us, though for now we have few other details.

Such an effort could yield Android netbooks as early as this year, but 2010 remains a more likely scenario. (continuare…)

ABI research released the results of a survey today called “U.S. Consumer Interest in Netbooks,” which found that of more than 1000 netbook users, only 11% used theirs as their primary household computer.

Sales of netbooks in 2008 were in excess of 11 million, and analysts began to track the effect it was having on notebook and desktop sales. In November, marketing executives from Acer and Asus estimated between 8-20% of netbook buyers were lost notebook sales.

ABI’s Philip Solis says, “While their low price does cause some consumers to view netbooks as a replacement for a laptop given the current economic conditions, the majority view a netbook as being a secondary device.” An overwhelming 79% of those surveyed relegated netbooks to the backup tier.

Earlier this month, Microsoft trumpeted a series of sales numbers for the Xbox 360, including that in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Xbox had extended its lead over the PS3 by more than 1 million units. Not so, says Sony.

In a wide-ranging interview with EuroGamer, David Reeves, who heads up Sony’s operations in Europe, says Sony’s numbers show that the two consoles are “absolutely neck-and-neck” in the region.

“What happened was, we overtook them, and they dropped the price,” he says. “It’s almost as if we’ve gone ten rounds as Mohammed Ali and we’re still standing, because we didn’t drop the price. We held firm.”

“Now, going into the remaining rounds and the next seven years, we are going to be very strong. The last few weeks have shown we are clearly number two in the market. I’m as confident as I was before.”

Reeves’ statement is noteworthy because Europe has traditionally been strong ground for the PS3 (Thus, the significance of Microsoft’s claimed lead).

At another point in the interview, Reeves says the PlayStation 3 is likely to remain the most expensive video game console on the market. He says that before Sony will cut the PS3’s price, the company will have to cut down on the cost of making the video game consoles.

“I’m not saying we don’t need to do it – we are expensive,” he says.

That statement also stands out, considering that Sony has said that while the sticker price on the PS3 might be more than the Xbox, its console presents a much better value.

The total server shipments to the Taiwan market in the third quarter of 2008 reached 19,208 units, drops of 10.7% on quarter and 8.7% on year, while total revenues reached US$70.8 million, a drop of 31.5% compared to the same period a year earlier, according to IDC.

For the x86-based server segment, shipments in Taiwan reached 18,589 units in the third quarter of 2008, drops of 10% on quarter and 8% on year. The top-five vendors were Hewlett-Packard (HP), IBM, Dell, Asustek Computer and Acer with a combined market share of 88.5%, a drop from the 90.3% of the previous quarter.

Benefiting from growth in its 2-way server line, HP became the largest vendor in Taiwan in the third quarter of 2008.

Although overall x86-based server shipments dropped in the third quarter, x86-based blade servers saw a growth of 51% on quarter.

For the non-x86-based server segment, shipments in Taiwan reached 619 units in the third quarter, drops of 27% on quarter and 17% on year.

The top-three non-x86 server vendors in Taiwan were Sun Microsystems, IBM and HP with a combined market share of 92.2% in the third quarter, IDC said.

The use of the Qualcomm MSM7600 baseband processor represents the first time iSuppli’s Teardown Analysis Service has detected a part from this manufacturer in a RIM product. Previous teardowns noted that RIM employed Marvell chips for this function. For example, the Bold used Marvell Technology Group’s PXA9xx Integrated Baseband processor. The Qualcomm part not only provides support for the EVDO air standard, making it a more of a worldwide phone, but it also eliminates the need for multiple basebands and radio frequency chains, saving some cost.

At an estimated price of US$34.82, the MSM7600 accounts for 17.2% of the Storm’s total component cost. Qualcomm also provided two RF transceivers and a power management IC for the Storm, giving the company a 21.1% share of the total component costs for the product. (continuare…)

The BlackBerry Storm 9530 from Research in Motion (RIM) carries a combined materials and manufacturing cost of US$202.89, according to a teardown conducted by iSuppli. This cost includes all parts and manufacturing costs for the Storm but excludes other expenses, including Intellectual Property (IP), royalties and licensing fees, software, shipping, logistics marketing and other channel costs.

In the US, Verizon is selling the Storm for US$249.99 with a US$50 rebate, bringing the balance to US$199.99 – the same selling price point as iPhone. However, carriers like Verizon and AT&T sell their mobile phones at subsidized pricing, so the actual price and materials/manufacturing margin for the product is difficult to determine.

Storm vs. iPhone

The Storm matches up with the iPhone 3G very well in terms of attributes and functionality. Both phones combine wireless voice communications with a range of other convergence features, including Internet access, email, built-in GPS, messaging and an integrated camera. (continuare…)

New multiyear deals expand IBM’s involvement in large-scale business IT projects to India’s Idea Cellular, Sweden’s Sony Ericsson and Spain’s Endesa. The agreements re-emphasize the role of IBM’s Global Services in bolstering the company’s bottom line even in the midst of an international downturn.

IBM announced Jan. 29 three multiyear agreements with global corporations to provide infrastructure and IT services on a worldwide scope. The moves could help bolster IBM Global Services, the company’s international business consulting and IT management division, whose 2008 revenues of $9.6 billion were down 4 percent from 2007. (continuare…)

With its market share in the personal computer business slipping, Dell may be the next computer company to enter the cell phone market.

According to The Wall Street Journal, engineers at Dell have produced two smartphone prototypes: one with a touch screen similar to Apple’s iPhone and another with a slide-out keypad. The prototypes reportedly use operating systems Android and Windows Mobile.

Dell would not comment on the article. (continuare…)

Japanese electronics giant NEC has become the latest company to announce huge job cuts, revealing on Friday that a major restructure would see the loss of roughly 20,000 employees.

The cuts will come from NEC’s Japanese and worldwide operations.

The company estimated that it lost ¥129bn (£1.01bn) over the past nine months owing to a slow mobile market, falling demand for its semiconductor offerings and an unfavourable currency exchange rate.

NEC’s huge losses are a stark contrast to forecasts made just three months ago, when the company predicted a yearly profit of ¥10bn (£78m). The latest projection drops the earnings estimate by ¥305bn (£2.4bn).

The job cuts will be among the largest in what has been a crippling wave of layoffs throughout the technology industry. AT &T cut 12,000 jobs in December, and Sprint Nextel cut 8,000 employees cut last week.

The NEC total still falls far below the 30,000 employees who lost their jobs when electronics retailer Circuit City was forced to liquidate after filing for bankruptcy protection.

For modern computing technology, you can’t really find many companies that are more committed to bringing the cutting edge to the consumer than Nvidia — and perhaps for that reason, the graphics company isn’t entirely thrilled with the Intel Atom, at least not in its current implementations.

In fact, Nvidia is still trying to wrap its head around the whole netbook idea. “We’re all trying to figure out what a netbook is. From my perspective, anything that has an X86 processor and has Windows running on it is really a PC,” said Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang in an interview with Laptop. “If I were to ask a million people, What do you call something with a Microsoft operating system called Windows and X86 processor from Intel, I would think that 99.9999 percent of them, except for the Intel marketing person, would call it a PC.” (continuare…)

Rather than choosing between dual-core or quad-core processors for an expected revision to the iMac, Apple may have decided to use both.

Shaw Wu of Kaufman Brothers, who just last week opined that an iMac refresh was around the corner, thinks Apple has resolved its dilemma over using quad-core or dual-core processors for the new systems by creating two tiers in the iMac line: a high-end version with a quad-core chip, and a low-end version with a dual-core chip. Apple currently offers two different screen sizes (20-inch and 24-inch) for the all-in-one iMac, and offers two different configurations for each size. (continuare…)

Wistron chairman Simon Lin has said that the company will not compete for netbook orders in 2009 since netbook products do not provide much toward overall profitability, however, he is optimistic about 11.6-inch panel-based ultra-thin notebooks and believes they could replace netbooks in the market.

Wistron has also received four large orders for its all-in-one PC lines and will start shipments later this quarter.

As for the company’s acquisition of Lite-On Technology’s display business, Lin admitted that LCD monitor inventory was rather high during the initial stages after the acquisition, but returned to a healthy level in December.

Lin pointed out that the utilization rate of Lite-On’s display business after the acquisition was only half of total capacity and Wistron is slowly increasing it.

Lin believes overall PC market demand should rebound in the second quarter this year.

BYD Electronics, the Hong Kong-listed OEM handset subsidiary of China-based BYD Company, plans to venture into the production of OEM netbooks.

While optimizing its own capability in the manufacture of molds and batteries, BYD may use an R&D team from China-based PC maker TCL to develop its netbook-manufacturing capability.

The reports indicated that BYD is eventually following the development steps of its handset clients in China, many of whom have begun to develop white-box netbooks for the China market.

It may cost Taiwan notebook makers as much as 1.6 million yuan (US$231,884) to develop a mold for the production of one netbook model. However, the OEM white-box netbook makers in China are able to reduce the mold cost to as low as 300,000 yuan, according to the reports.

Some China-based notebook vendors, including Tsinghua TongFang and Haier, are now outsourcing the production of their netbooks to OEM makers – a trend which is likely to propel more China-based companies like BYD to move into the OEM netbook production.