Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Linus Torvalds may have dabbled in Apple territory in the past, but he’s definitely not mincing any words about competing operating systems now. In a recent interview, Linus says that OS X is a “much better system” than Windows Vista overall, but that “in some ways is actually worse than Windows to program for.” Apparently these problems are rooted firmly in OS X’s file system (HFS and HFS+), which he describes as “complete and utter crap,” and even “scary.” Of course, Torvalds also took the opportunity to tout the many virtues of Linux, which he says is an “obvious choice for anything from full-blown PCs to phones or video players.” Damn straight it is.

[Photo courtesy of AP, thanks Ash]

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Filed under: Laptops, Peripherals

Lenovo seems to think this whole “brick” terminology for laptop power adapters is some sort of slight on the good name of AC/DC adaptation, and is releasing a slim new combo adapter to fight that negative stereotype perpetrated by a biased media. The new $119 90W brick measures a half-inch thick and is about the size of a deck of playing cards. It can power your ThinkPad, IdeaPad or Lenovo 3000, but is also built to charge most phones and PDAs, and some music players if you buy the optional connector tips. The adapter can charge two devices at once, is 25 percent lighter than Lenovo’s previous model, and is bricking up Lenovo’s online store as we speak.

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Filed under: Laptops

If you’ve been wishin’ and hopin’ for a new Dell laptop, you might want to hold off for a little bit. According to a speculative report over at CNET, the company is planning on upgrading laptop CPUs to Intel’s fancy new Penryn chips, though the PC-maker is remaining tight-lipped about just which models will get the spike, if any. Sure, we understand that Dell doesn’t want to cannibalize its sales by hyping up new systems, but since it’s highly likely these will be broadly adopted for laptops in the future, and HP, Sony, and Toshiba (amongst others) are onboard for the 45-nanometer CPUs, you’d think Dell would say something.

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Filed under: Laptops

We know you Toshiba lovers out there have been twiddling your thumbs for weeks on end just waiting, praying, hoping that the beastly X205-SLI would get updated with a Penryn chip. Thankfully for all four of you, the wait is over. Announced today, Tosh is cranking out the 17-inch X205-SLi2 and X205-SLi4, which both house a 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo T8100 processor, integrated HD DVD-ROM / DVD burner, built-in Harman Kardon speakers (with subwoofer) and twin 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT GPUs. As for the former, you’ll find 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a pair of 160GB 5400 RPM drives, a 1,440 x 900 resolution panel, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, 802.11a/g/n WiFi, webcam / microphone and a fingerprint reader to boot. The SLi4 ups the ante by tossing in an extra gig of memory, 7200 RPM HDDs, an external USB HDTV tuner, 1,680 x 1,050 panel and a bundled remote. Grab yours now for $1,999.99 or $2,499.99, respectively.

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The 20-inch “Holocube” is basically a stylish desk accessory that “packs a 40GB hard drive for storing up to 18 hours of compressed video, which can magically float at 1080i resolution within the cube at the flick of a switch.” Video after the break.

After years of promises, it seems that holograms are finally starting to gain a little traction, although the applications for the technology so far have been fairly limited. At least one company thinks that’s about to change, however, with it now touting its retro-styled Holocube as an all-purpose solution for company’s to advertise their products “like never before.”

[via Engadget]

Via Techeblog

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Yes, the HTC Magnum you see above is actually a working Windows Mobile-powered Smartphone. No word yet on pricing and availability. Click here for first picture in gallery.

This thing, whatever it is, looks real in the sense that it doesn’t seem to be photoshopped, plus the images in the screens actually look pretty high resolution. That’s is why we’re so puzzled by it

[via Gizmodo]

Via Techeblog

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Our friends over at Akihabara News recently got their hands on Epoch’s PC-Darts and provide us with a hands-on preview. Video after the break. Click here for first picture in gallery.

As you can see, the monitor will display the score, so no more cheating after a couple beers, huh? It also includes various game modes to make the fun last longer

[via AkihabaraNews]

Via Techeblog

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At first glance, these items (knife, briefcase, violin, camera, and guitar) may look normal, but they’re actually fully-functional weapons. Continue reading to see them all. Click here for first picture in gallery.

Via Techeblog

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At $80,000, the limited-edition (15,000) Fisker Karma is claimed to be the world’s first luxury plug-in hybrid. Its “Q DRIVE configuration consists of a small gasoline engine that turns the generator, which charges the lithium ion battery pack, powering the electric motor and turning the rear wheels.” Supposedly, the vehicle goes from 0-60mph in just 6-seconds — top speed of 125mph. Click here for first picture in gallery.

The Fisker Karma will offer partly self-contained climate control, as consumers will have the option to purchase a full length solar roof that will help charge the car and provide cooling for the interior cabin while the car is parked

[via Seriouswheels]

Via Techeblog

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Engineering students from France have hacked a Pekee Robot and gave it the ability to be controlled using a Nintendo DS. Video after the break.

The end result is a multi-use control rig run based entirely on Nintendo’s portable console, offering wireless command of the bot with the D-pad, touchscreen, motion sensors, and stylus strokes, as well as a target mode modeled after Super Mario 64 DS, and voice commands via the system’s mic

[via Engadget]

Via Techeblog

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