Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

We heard a lot of different performance claims about Vista SP1 in past few month, and now that it’s finally (sort of) here, it’s time to bust out the stopwatches and see what’s what. According to CNET, early tests of SP1 indicate that while there are some performance enhancements to be had, they’re mostly driver related — so if you’ve been updating all along, you won’t see much of an improvement. What’s worse, certain tasks like copying files to USB 2.0 hard drives have gotten around 50 percent slower, a speed hit that overshadows the other filesystem improvements in SP1. All in all, though, it looks like SP1 is a worthwhile update — just don’t expect anything to get noticeably faster.

Filed under: Cellphones, Desktops, Laptops, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Although Apple has said that it’s still on track to ship 10 million iPhones by the end of 2008, it looks like that rumor about scaled back production may have been true after all: several analysts are now reporting that the company’s pulled back iPod touch, iPhone, and MacBook production for Q1. Of course, Apple is known for managing its channel inventory pretty ruthlessly, so it’s not known if this is a permanent decrease or just a reaction to what some analysts are calling “overbuilding” in Q4, but there is some good news out there — strong sales of the iMac have led to a forecasted 35 percent production increase. You know, the last time the economy soured, Steve promised that Apple would “innovate out” of the downturn — we’d say some new MacBook Pros would be a fine start this time around, eh?

[Via X-bit Labs, thanks Mack]

Filed under: Laptops

ASUS certainly got our attention with its ultraportable U6S laptop, and it looks like it piqued the interest of the folks at HotHardware as well, who’ve now turned out a full review of the diminutive, leather-bound system. While they expectedly found a few shortcomings with laptop — namely, lackluster battery life (even for an ultraportable) — they found a lot more to like about it, including “excellent” performance, plenty of features (including HSDPA), low heat and noise, an always-welcome LED display, and “cool leather palm rests,” although that last bit is certainly a matter of taste.Best of all, that all comes at a relatively reasonable $1,650 price tag, which leads HotHardware to declare the U6S “one of the best values in the luxury notebook niche.”

Filed under: Laptops

Well, would you look at that. The image we’re certain your eyes are fixated on above is indeed the first look at Lenovo’s forthcoming X300 ultraportable, and it’s being provided courtesy of Walt Mossberg. ‘Course, if we were betting souls, we’d guess that nifty office envelope won’t be bundled in, but hey, crazier things have happened. As if a photo wasn’t enough, Walt also clued us in on a few more specs, namely the inclusion of a removable battery, three USB ports, WiFi, an integrated Ethernet jack and optional GPS / WWAN to boot. Heck, users will even be able to order this 3.12-pound critter with Windows XP if they so choose. You getting all this, Apple?

Share This

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

In the oddball acquisition of the day, Dell just swept up email services provider MessageOne in a $155 million cash deal. How odd? Get this, MessageOne was co-founded by Michael Dell’s brother Adam who now manages investment funds — the very funds with partial ownership of MessageOne which Michael and his genetic crew are investors in. As such, Michael, his wife, and kids will receive $12M from the deal, Adam about $970k, and their parents about $450k. For Michael’s part, Dell says that he will donate his family’s proceeds direct to charity and was excluded from negotiating the acquisition. Still, we can’t help but question the merits of such an acquisition when the only comparison that comes readily to mind is Apple’s dot Mac service — a service Apple is rumored to be shifting to Google in order to focus on core business. Don’t get us wrong, we get Dell’s whole Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business strategy, but do they really expect to compete directly with Google and MicroHoo while staying true to their PC roots?

[Via New York Times]

Filed under: Laptops

For those out there (yes, we know you’re out there) who’ve been refreshing Fujitsu’s on the internet webstore like mad just waiting for its cute-as-a-button LifeBook P8010 to become available — well, we’re probably telling you something you’re already quite aware of. Nevertheless, we’re sure everyone else not absolutely infatuated with the aforementioned machine (but still keenly interested in it) would love to know that it has indeed escaped from the FCC’s lair and is now ready to be shipped to your door. Thankfully, Fujitsu will let you customize it to the hilt, but those looking to get in and out can snap up a low-end configuration for $1,699.

[Thanks, Jack]

Share This

Filed under: Laptops

Acer’s little low-cost laptop plans just emerged from the rumor closet. Chairman J.T. Wang says they’ll launch a cheap-o, 7- to 9-inch laptop in Q2 or Q3 of 2008. That puts the world’s number 3 computer maker in direct competition with the Eee PC and CloudBook in the burgeoning low-end laptop market. However, Acer should really re-think their expected price point of “around $470.” After all, Dell’s full, 15.4-inch laptops start at just $499.

Filed under: Laptops

For those out there (yes, we know you’re out there) who’ve been refreshing Fujitsu’s on the internet webstore like mad just waiting for its cute-as-a-button LifeBook P8010 to become available — well, we’re probably telling you something you’re already quite aware of. Nevertheless, we’re sure everyone else not completely infatuated with the aforementioned machine (but still keenly interested in it) would love to know that it has indeed escaped from the FCC’s lair and is now ready to be shipped to your door. Thankfully, Fujitsu will let you customize it to the hilt, but those looking to get in and out can snap up a low-end configuration for $1,699.

[Thanks, Jack]

Share This

Filed under: Laptops

Acer’s little low-cost laptop plans just emerged from the rumor closet. Chairman J.T. Wang states they’ll launch a cheap-o, 7- to 9-inch laptop in Q2 or Q3 of 2008. That puts the world’s number 3 personal maker in direct competition with the Eee Personal computer and CloudBook in the burgeoning low-end laptop market. However, Acer should really re-think their expected price point of “around $470.” After all, Dell’s full, 15.4-inch laptops begin at just $499.

Share This

The modular QuickShell concept lets you pack light for trips by enabling users to only “snap on” what’s needed. Click here for first picture in gallery.

For example, you could have one module for rock climbing, one for base jumping, and one for snowboarding. You just snap on which ever module you need to the strap skeleton which comes with comfy padded shoulder straps and pockets for extra goodies

[via YankoDesign]

Via Techeblog

Share This