Filed under: Features, Laptops

We got a good long look at those new Gemstone Blue notebooks from Acer, the Aspire 6920 (16-inch) and 8920G (18.4-inch). We can’t say we’re crazy about the “CineTouch” controls to the left of the keyboard, and both laptops — while certainly thin for their class — are still bulky enough to make our chiropractor take pause. That said, Acer is certainly working a lot more design polish into its product, and the specs are, as ever, quite lovable. Hit up the read links below for official PR from Acer.

Read - Aspire 6920
Read - Aspire 8920G

Filed under: Laptops

Acer’s never had an international press conference in New York before, but there’s a first time for everything, and the company used the occasion to launch the second generation Gemstone laptops. Coming in a special blue (”Gemstone Blue,” how wild), the new 16- and 18.4-inch machines feature 16:9 1080p screens, 1.5GHz Penryn processors, 512MB NVIDIA 9650m GS graphics, and those Blu-ray drives we heard about. The graphics chip is at the center of Acer’s new CineReal system, which offloads BD playback to the GPU and provides Dolby headphone output (and real 5.1 sound on the bigger model). Battery life is estimated at 2.5 hours on the 16-inch and three hours on the 18.4, but what’s really impressive here is the pricing: starting at $900 and up, with decently spec’d configs hitting around $1,700. Should be shipping in a month or so, according to Acer. Two more pics after the break.

Continue reading Acer unveils the second-gen Gemstone

Filed under: Laptops

We’ve been inundated with e-mails from Alienware m15x owners who have shelled out thousands of bucks in order to take home a serious piece of gaming hardware, only to find that their machine is overheating and / or developing cracks in the frame for no apparent reason. If you’ll recall, this isn’t the first time the laptop aficionados over at Notebook Review got all worked up over an issue with the m15x, but it seems the latest round of quirks have pushed the community over the edge. So, have any of you out there awoke to see your machine slightly more damaged than it was the night before? Are things getting way too heated for anyone’s comfort? Let us know what’s up in comments below.

Update: Alienware pinged us to state that the linked response below is in fact authentic, and that the company is “aware of the issue and working hard to figure out what’s going on.”

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read - Area-51 m15x owners experience overheating and cracking issues
Read - Alienware’s reply to the issue (confirmed as authentic by Alienware)

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Filed under: Laptops

That friends, is Acer’s teaser for a new “notebook Personal computer concept” set for release in New York later today. We’re not sure what it is, but it’s not very often that the unveiling of a concept device (which might or may not be manufactured) warrants a press event hosted by a company’s president. In this case, Acer’s Vista-hatin’ prez, Gianfranco Lanci. Whatever it is, that hint of a multi-media, touch controller is not something we’d anticipate to see on their Eee PC killer.

[Thanks, Daniel]

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Soul Calibur 4 for the Xbox 360 offers “new gameplay modes, characters and enhanced features with unprecedented 3D modeling and animation.” Video after the break. Click here for first picture in gallery.

The unrelenting pursuit of two legendary swords continues when Soulcalibur IV is released in 2008. Developed by Project Soul (the legendary team behind Soul Blade and Soulcalibur I-III) Soulcalibur IV re-introduces classic warriors from the series as well as introduce new characters that bring new conflict and intrigue

Via Techeblog

This color changing concert hall, located in France, will be “used for everything from sporting events to theater performances.” Click here for first picture in gallery.

Using a combination of glass bricks and fluorescent lights with color filters, the building displays a serene color spectrum across the entire length of the structure

[via Gizmodo]

Via Techeblog

This Minority Report-like touch interface enables users to move, resize, or flip objects without the need for special equipment. Video after the break.

Needless to say, there’s no indication as to where this particular bit of technology is headed next, but it seems safe to assume that it’ll become a fixture of trade shows for years to come

[via Engadget - FreshCreation]

Via Techeblog

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It’s sheer eye candy. Samsung’s “DesCom” concept seamlessly “integrates the computer into the desktop surface.” Click herefor one more picture.

Looks great when all together, but when the computer is gone you are left with a desk that has the only distinction of having an uneven surface. I love the idea but I think the negative surface created by the absence of the computer needs to be filled in or have another use

[via Yankodesign]

Via Techeblog

Designed for people living in third world countries, the Aquaduct hopes to offer an affordable solution for clean water. Video after the break. Here’s how it works:

It’s got a tank on the back that can be used to store and transport water, and while the user is pedaling, water is pumped through a filter into a ‘clean’ tank on the front of the bike. If you get to your destination before all of your water is purified, flip a clutch on the side of the bike, and you can pedal in place to purify the rest

[via OhGizmo]

Via Techeblog

Fifth Gear’s Jason Plato takes the Maserati GranTurismo out for a road test in this segment. It sports a naturally aspirated 4.2L V8 that generates 405hp. Video after the break. Click here for first picture in gallery.

It is fitted with an automatic gearbox and equipped with an adaptive control system which adjusts the gear-shifting mode to the driving style and the driving conditions

[via Seriouswheels]

Via Techeblog