Computex2008
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DarFon exhibits luminous keyboard, giggling mouse at Computex
There are literally thousands of wacky gadget variations floating around Computex, but one that's caught the eye of our Chinese counterparts is this snazzy DarFon keyboard. As you can tell by the picture above, the keys sport some luminous qualities, and the board is constructed from lacquered metal, said to give it a "burnish." Apparently the company was also showing off a mouse which would giggle when you touch it and gets upset if someone you "don't like" emails you (don't ask us how it knows). Creepy? Yes. Are we ready to pre-order? Definitely. More pics after the break.Read - DarFon 1Read - DarFon 2
AMD gets official with ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3800 and PowerXpress
AMD's on a roll at Computex, and it's keeping the stream alive with two more decently important announcements. First off, the company is making the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3800 official, which is said to "triple top-of-the-line graphics performance in comparison to the previous generation ATI Mobility Radeon GPUs." The unit also enables laptop makers to include CrossFireX technology for the first time, so yeah, there's that. Moving on, we've got the low down on its PowerXpress technology, which enables users to "double or triple the performance of the integrated graphics processor when plugged into a wall socket or extend their battery life by over an hour while on the go." In actuality, it's a variant of ATI Hybrid Graphics Technology for lappies, giving folks the option to switch between a Mobility Radeon HD 3400 series GPU and an integrated AMD M780G without the need for a reboot. If your eyebrows just perked up, you can snag said tech on select Fujitsu-Siemens machines right now. All the gory details are linked below -- enjoy!Read - ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3800 gets officialRead - ATI PowerXpress shipping on select Fujitsu-Siemens laptops
AMD LIVE! Home Cinema platform debuts for a second time
Aside from the obvious PR blitz, we can't really figure out what AMD is doing here. You see, its AMD LIVE! Home Cinema platform was actually introduced way back in January of 2007, yet it seems pretty confident that this stuff is brand new at Computex. Whatever the case, we can now assume that a new aspect has been added in to "enable solution providers to address the growing home entertainment arena through a consistent, highly-capable design." The package also supports Phenom X4 9000 / X3 8000 CPUs and ATI Radeon HD graphics, and it's obviously designed to be used on HTPCs, mini-towers and otherwise vanilla desktops. If you're interested in wading through the mess that is the press release about this "new" technology, be our guest via the read link below.
Mio's Lovebird becomes G50 while LEAP K1 shows both sides of itself
Mio's got quite the interesting duo set up at Computex: the Windows Mobile 6.1-packin' G50 and the two-faced LEAP K1. As for the former, you may know it better as the Lovebird, but it seems a more corporately accepted monicker was chosen at the last minute for the quad-band GSM handset. As for the latter, this mysterious creature actually has two faces to fondle -- one of which packs a traditional numeric keypad, while the other features an expansive panel perfect for serving up routes. Check the links below for more details on both.Read - Mio G50Read - Mio LEAP K1
Sapphire Technologies demoes new 3D monitors and drivers at Computex
Sapphire Technologies is showing off some new 3D gear at Computex this week, with a pair of 3D monitors and a new stereoscopic graphics driver on display. The driver works with ATI graphics cards to send a polarized image to the dual-layer monitors, which displays a 3D image to viewers with special glasses. Details on the monitors are pretty sketchy, but Sappire says it's not working with Zalman and that it'll have something on the market in the "next couple of months." Great -- now just ditch the shades and we'll be all good.
Ozmo / Intel trumpet WiFi PAN for low-power devices, Bluetooth says "what?"
Look out, Bluetooth -- Ozmo Devices has its eyes set squarely on you. Okay, so maybe this whole thing isn't as adversarial as advertised, but there's no denying that the aforesaid company's latest initiative will target the exact same devices that BT is embedded within now. Ozmo has announced a partnership with Intel at Computex that will extend the latter company's Cliffside WiFi Personal Area Network (PAN) technology to "low-power devices." Essentially, WiFi radios that suck less juice nowadays would take on dual roles -- accessing WLAN networks and doing the duties typically reserved for Bluetooth -- which would enable devices to have one less component stuffed within bulking things up. As of now, there's been no takers on the design, but word on the street has Belkin already testing the approach out for kicks and giggles (or maybe something way more serious).[Via DailyWireless]Read - Ozmo Devices' press releaseRead - WiFI PAN explained
Engadget Chinese goes hands-on with Acer Predator
Aw, snap. Our Chinese branch just happened upon Acer's totally unmistakable new gaming rig at Computex, and while they couldn't spend enough time with it to confirm or deny whether it really was faster, better, stronger or longer than anything else, they did manage to capture a few shots. Granted, that little "Don't Touch" sign technically makes this a hands-off, but either way, we're sure you'll enjoy the close-ups found in the read link below.
E-Lead's Noahpad shows up with larger keys, multi-touch
Though we're really no closer to figuring out the master plan behind E-Lead's perplexing Noahpad, at least the company is warming up to the idea of a more usable keyboard (of sorts). Judging by the demo unit set up at Computex, the keys are now a tad larger and multi-touch support is also thrown in. If you just can't get enough of one of today's most eccentric lappies, head on down to the read link for a smattering of hands-on photographs and a trio of videos.
Intel introduces P45 and G45 Express chipsets
Sure, all the Intel action lately has been about Nehalem and Montevina, but that doesn't mean the company's not busy tweaking its existing products, and it introduced the new P45 Express and G45 Express chipsets today at Computex. The new chipsets all support FSB speeds of up to 1.3GHz and DDR3 RAM speeds of up to 1.06GHz and have PCI Express 2.0 slots, but the G43 and G45 include X4500 / X4500HD integrated graphics while the P43 and P45 do not. Expect to see this kit under the hood of desktop Intel systems relatively soon -- now, if we could just get going on that Montevina launch, we'd be all set.
Intel Nehalem system demonstrated at Computex
It doesn't look as if much has changed with Nehalem since Intel showed the thing off at IDF, but rather than staring at still images and imagining just how fast said processor can churn through data, TweakTown hosted up a video to really get the point across. According to them, the demo setup was wicked fast at everything it did, and while representatives wouldn't divulge the clock speed, whispers have it right around 3.2GHz. Check out the vid just after the cut, and be sure to peep the full writeup in the read link below.[Thanks, Lin Mei]
GeCube's 10.2-inch netbook gets stuck with VIA C7 processor
Talk about being behind the eight ball. With the Eee PC 901 and 1000 getting official, not to mention the onslaught of potent competitors, GeCube's 10.2-inch alternative isn't likely to steal much of the spotlight in Taipei. Nevertheless, the seemingly unnamed machine is ready to fight the losing battle with a 1.6GHz VIA C7-D processor, 512MB of DDR2 RAM (with an additional slot open), 1,024 x 600 resolution panel, 80GB SATA hard drive, stereo speakers, Ethernet, WiFi and three USB 2.0 jacks. Reportedly, the unit will come loaded with gOS (but it will support Windows XP if that's more your style), and while no price is mentioned, we'd suggest keeping it remarkably low until a Nano / Atom shows up inside.
AMD jumps into the netbook game, challenges opponents to a duel
Clearly not content with letting Intel, VIA, and now NVIDIA own the market on the architectures of miniature, budget laptops, grumpy underdog AMD showed off what look to be some reference designs that would sit nicely next to the Eees of the world. At Computex 2008, the company unveiled two models: a white, 8.9-inch Linux laptop with 1GB of RAM, an AMD CPU, the ATI RS690 chipset, and an almost MacBook-like black XP-based model with a 7-inch 1280 x 600 display (that's some pixel density!), a 60GB or 80GB hard drive, and 1GB of RAM.Update: We've got some video of the black model, apparently a touchscreen device, in action after the break.[Thanks, Nikolas; Via jkkmobile]
Canonical makes Ubuntu Netbook Remix official at Computex
Not like we weren't totally expecting this or anything, but Canonical has chosen Computex as the expo where it will officially showcase Ubuntu Netbook Remix. Hailed as a "reworked desktop image of Ubuntu built specifically for a new category of portable internet-centric devices," the operating system will probably not be too foreign for those familiar with the standard Ubuntu Desktop Edition. We are told that this flavor will feature a launcher that enables users to "get online more quickly and have faster access to their favorite applications," and that it "leverages Moblin technologies optimized for the Intel Atom processor." Unfortunately, devices pre-loaded with UNR aren't apt to ship until "later in 2008," though OEMs interested in getting in while there is still room on the bandwagon are encouraged to hit up Canonical. Full release waiting after the jump. %Gallery-24185%
NVIDIA gets official with GeForce 9M series of laptop GPUs
NVIDIA's not just going after the MIDs and smartphones of the world -- oh no, it's making sure your future notebook has the necessary oomph to blaze through Crysis without folding in on itself. Announced today at Computex, the aforesaid outfit has officially introduced its GeForce 9M series of laptop GPUs alongside a new graphics innovation dubbed Hybrid SLI. Slated to launch this summer in Intel- and AMD-based rigs, the GPUs will boast a multi-core architecture, PureVideo HD, full support for Blu-ray Profile 2.0 / BD-Live and a graphics engine that delivers "up to 40% faster performance than the previous generation of GeForce notebook GPUs." As for the Hybrid SLI technology, this simply enables a pair of the company's GPUs (one low-power and one wicked fast model) to work together to save power and dole out maximum performance when needed. Head on past the cut for more of the nitty-gritty. %Gallery-24184%
Eee PC 1000 breaks cover before Computex
We were expecting to see ASUS's 10-inch Eee PC 1000 make the scene tomorrow at Computex, but it looks like French site Blogeee.net scored some early pictures of the long-rumored Atom-based machine. No detailed specs yet, but hit up the read link for the rest of the glamour shots.
SanDisk launches pSSD drives for low-cost PC sector
SanDisk is all about adding those prefixes to solid state drives, and not quite a year after we were forced to learn what uSSD really meant, the same firm is now shoving pSSD into our dictionary. Launched at Computex, these new parallel ATA solid-state drives are designed for use in the booming low-cost laptop sector, and will be available in 4/8/16GB sizes. They'll also boast a streaming read speed of 39MB/sec and a streaming write performance of 17MB/sec. According to SanDisk, the modules will be built using the outfit's Multi-Level Cell (MLC) and Single-Level Cell (SLC) flash memory at fabrication plants in Yokkaichi, Japan, and while dollars and / or yen weren't talked about, you can get set to grab your own when they land in August.
ASUS R710 nav unit features HUD projections
ASUS is launching (and re-launching) a bunch of new gear at Computex, and somewhat lost in the shuffle is the R710 GPS, which looks otherwise ordinary but apparently features a built-in projector that allows it to present information on the windshield HUD-style. That's literally all we know -- the unit only scored one short paragraph in ASUS's Computex PR package -- but we're planning on sending our crew out to dig up some more details on this bad boy when the show opens tomorrow.
Final specifications revealed for ASUS Eee Box B202?
The week of Computex 2008 has begun, and you'd probably know just by checking out the onslaught of ASUS news here lately. Up next is the hotly-debated Eee Box B202, which we now know the final specifications for -- reportedly, at least. HotHardware has it that the mini desktop will exhibit a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, a 80/120/160/250GB hard drive, GMA 950 integrated graphics set, gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, optional Bluetooth, a multicard reader, 512MB/1GB/2GB of DDR2 RAM and an Azalia ALC888 audio chip; you'll also find a pair of USB 2.0 ports, DVI out and a headphone jack, but an optical drive is altogether missing. We're hearing that US configurations will range from $269 to $299 with your choice of Linux or Windows XP, with availability in mid-July.
ASUS' UFOTO UF735 digiframe doubles as secondary PC display
Finally, a little innovation in the midst of watered-down, me-too digital photo frames. Here we have the UFOTO UF735, which exhibits a 7-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, USB 2.0 connectivity, headphone jack, 128MB of built-in memory, integrated speakers, a multicard reader for handling JPEG / BMP / GIF / MP3 files and your choice of silver, pink or blue frame colors. Beyond those yawn-inducing stats, you'll find a swank sub-display function, which enables owners to use it as a secondary display (SideShow, anyone?) on their PC. As is customary for ASUS, it's not doling out pricing / release information just yet, but this one may actually be worth paying attention to when it finally lands.
Montevina and Puma-based ASUS notebooks leak out
With Intel's Montevina platform (hopefully) on the way and AMD's claim that "over 100" laptops will launch with Puma, it's kind of surprising that we haven't seen even more pre-release info on machines due to ship with the new chips, but apparently ASUS is getting ready to hit us with some new gear at Computex. Based on the existing M51 and M70 lines, the M51VR will feature a 2.26GHz Penryn P8400 with 3MB of L2 cache on Montevina's 1.06GHz bus, while the M51VA and M70VM (pictured) will get 2.53GHz T9400s with 6MB of cache. ASUS should also be showing off the Puma-based F5Z and X50Z laptops with 1.9GHz AMD Athlon64 X2 QL-60 chips, 667MHz buses, ATI Mobility Radeon HD3200 graphics and 15.4-inch screens at Computex, so it'll be interesting to see how these bad boys do side-by-side.[Thanks, Sergio]Read - ASUS Montevina laptopsRead - ASUS Puma laptops
