Posts in Notebooks
Toshiba R500: How did they fit it all in?
Darius Chang | Jun 06, 2007
When we first had a glimpse of the then-embargoed Portege R500, the first thought which came to mind was how Toshiba managed to cram an optical drive into such a slim chassis.
Like the Sony VAIO G series, the Toshiba Portege R500 is an enterprise-classed 12.1-inch ultraportable that does not sacrifice features for weight savings. At 1.09kg with a footprint of 283 x 215 x 19.5mm, only those who consider lifting a beer mug as exercise will find the R500 a chore to carry around. The R500 has a strong set of data security and the physical protection expected of a business machine. However, it is not based on the Santa Rosa chipset and thus does not offer the features of the Centrino Pro platform like the Intel Turbo Memory or IT management applications.
So how did Toshiba do it? According to the company: "To achieve this ultracompact footprint, Toshiba utilized its proprietary High Density Mounting Technology process to create a miniature motherboard with dual-sided component mounting." The optical drive was also miniaturized to a slim 7mm.
In July, users can opt for a solid-state harddisk on the R500 for even greater weight savings, though be prepared to pay a pretty penny for the flash-based machine.
Apple unveils upgraded MacBook Pro laptops
Caroline McCarthy | Jun 06, 2007
The laptops are still available in three models: Two 15.4-inch versions that retail for S$3,388 (US$2,267.28) and S$4,188 (US$2,802.65) and a larger 17-inch edition that costs S$4,688 (US$3,137.25). But with the update, the lower-end 15-inch model is now equipped with 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors (previously, it had a 2.16GHz chip); the higher-end 15-incher and the 17-incher now come with 2.4GHz processors, up from 2.33GHz. These new processors are indeed Intel's latest Centrino (or Santa Rosa) chips, which were introduced in early May.
All three MacBook Pros additionally can now be upgraded from 2GB to 4GB of RAM at an extra cost, and have faster Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics cards designed for media-intensive animation and gaming.
The 15-inch models also have an energy-efficiency boost, with LED-backlit displays; Apple has touted these not only as power-saving but also mercury-free.
The announcement follows another Apple laptop upgrade in May, when the company released new versions of its lower-priced MacBook machines. Those laptops received processor and memory upgrades in addition to a hard drive space boost (which was not part of the MacBook Pro boost), but did not come with Santa Rosa processors or LED-backlit screens as had been rumored.
The last major update to the MacBook Pro laptops was in October, when they were first manufactured with Intel Core 2 Duo processors.
It's shaping up to be a hot summer for Apple. The company is expected to make more product announcements--though no one's really sure what they will be--at its Worldwide Developers Conference next week. And then the iPhone will hit US stores on June 29.
Computex: ASUS ultramobile Eee PC
Darius Chang | Jun 05, 2007
At the annual Computex event kicking off today in Taiwan, ASUS has introduced an ultramobile device designed to keep the user connected wherever he may be.
Like the Fujitsu LifeBook FMV-U, the ASUS Eee PC runs off an Intel Mobile processor and is fully compatible with Windows and Linux. Named after the ideals of easy to learn, work, play; excellent Internet experience and excellent mobile computing experience, the Eee PC sacrifices raw power to keep its form factor at a handy 225 x 165 x 35mm, while weighing only 890g. The unit is also fully connected, with access to both wired and wireless networks though its modem, Ethernet port, 802.11b/g and Bluetooth radios.
Nice touches include the use of a solid-state harddisk that is resistant to shock and drops. Sitting on the hinge just under the 7-inch display is an integrated Webcam for video conferencing. This convertible mini-notebook can be used in the Easy mode for quick navigation or switching into the more familiar desktop interface.
Sony to launch FZ and TZ series in Asia
Darius Chang | Jun 05, 2007
Expect some serious gear envy in June as Sony will be introducing two new lines, the TZ and FZ series, with some surprises in store.
The FZ notebook may seem to be a update of its mainstream FE series, but Crave UK mentions that the top-end configuration comes with a Blu-ray drive option, making it the most portable way to carry a next-generation optical drive. Its entertainment roots are evident with a transflective 15.4-inch widescreen and HDMI port. Based on the Santa Rosa platform, we expect it to make quick work of any multimedia tasks.
But if portability is important for you, the 11.1-inch TZ laptop might appeal to you. Sharing the same genealogy as the ultralight TX series, Sony has somehow found space to fit in an optical drive in its exceptionally small chassis. Surprisingly, the TZ notebook is not based on the latest Santa Rosa platform, according to Crave UK. However, the unit does come with a fingerprint scanner and a new MacBook-style keyboard. A solid-state harddisk is also an option, though that choice might not be available to Asia-Pacific consumers.
VAIO FZ series | VAIO TZ series
New 13-inch Dell laptop leaked
Dan Ackerman | Jun 05, 2007
It's getting pretty hard to keep a secret these days, especially when it comes to laptops. Eagle-eyed bloggers already managed to rain on the Santa Rosa parade in early May, and we've since seen leaked laptops from Sony and Lenovo.
The latest unplanned product announcement comes from Dell, where Engadget has managed to get its hands on some promo literature for the upcoming Dell XPS m1330, a new 13-inch laptop. Purported highlights include:
The real highlight of the XPS m1330 is its small size, even for a 13-inch laptop. It weighs around 1.8kg and is super thin, going from 22.1mm in the front to 33.8mm in the rear. No pricing or availability info has been released (or leaked) yet, so stay tuned for more details on this impressive-looking system.
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