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Toshiba redesigns four Satellite families, intros Sleep-and-Charge USB ports


Just in case a completely ho hum 17-incher wasn't enough to keep your attention this morning, Toshiba is trumpeting its "design prowess" by introducing four "re-imagined" Satellites. As of today, the 13.3-inch U400, 14.1-inch M300, 15.4-inch A300 (pictured) and 17-inch P300 have all been ever-so-slightly refreshed with the outfit's Fusion Finish, Feather-Touch multimedia keys, white LED accents and built-in Dolby Sound Room technology. Additionally, Tosh is unveiling its totally useful Sleep-and-Charge USB ports, which enable users to charge up their portable gadgetry via USB regardless of whether the laptop is powered on / off or in Sleep mode (so long as it's tethered to an AC outlet, of course). Check out the gloating in full below.

Read - Toshiba Demonstrates Design Prowess with Four Re-Imagined Satellite Laptop
Read - Toshiba Unveils Innovative Sleep-and-Charge USB Ports

Panasonic Toughbook 19 gets Core 2 Duo, expanded memory


While Panasonic's rugged Toughbook 30 has been strutting its stuff with a Core 2 Duo within, the poor, poor Toughbook 19 has been going without. No more, however, as Panny has just announced that it'll be boosting the speed and expanding the memory available in the beastly convertible tablet. Available now, the 5.1-pound rig is stuffed with a 1.06GHz U7500 processor (2MB L2 cache), up to 4GB of SDRAM, 80GB shock-mounted HDD, 10.4-inch daylight-readable display, a battery good for around seven hours, optional integrated WWAN / GPS / 2-megapixel webcam and a magnesium alloy case that won't mind getting trampled. So, what's the price for such an (almost) impossible-to-destroy machine? $3,199 and up, we're afraid.

Wait, there's more! Dell's Latitude D630 / D830 go Penryn


Uh, we figured this whole Penryn update thing was all taken care of by now, but for whatever reason, Dell has found it quite pleasing to roll out said chips to its machines on a one (or two) at a time basis. Just a day after the new processors landed in the Precision M2300 and M4300 -- and merely two days since they crawled within the M6300 -- the Round Rock powerhouse has seen fit to hook up the all-business Latitude D630 and D830. Effective immediately, interested consumers can snatch up one (or both, we 'spose) of the aforementioned machines with a 2.5GHz T9300 or 2.6GHz T9500, both of which include 6MB of L2 cache. Meanwhile, prospective M1530 buyers are becoming increasingly incensed at Dell's apparent negligence of their favorite machine.

[Thanks, Juha]
Read - Latitude D630
Read - Latitude D830

Apple MacBook, MacBook Pro get refreshed with faster CPUs, multi-touch



Aw snap. It finally, really happened... kind of. Apple has just dropped a nasty refresh on its MacBook and MacBook Pro lines, knocking the processor speeds up, and giving the Pros that tasty multi-touch the MacBook Air has been sporting. Still, they couldn't break off an even slightly new form-factor for us? Both lines are sporting Intel's downsized new Penryn chips, which should make your lap and / or battery quite happy. Right now we're seeing updates to the GPU memory, an LED backlight (option!) for 17-inchers, as well as LEDs on all the rest of the Pros (sorry again MacBookers). New specs on the MBPs include a CPU boost to a base speed of 2.4GHz all the way up to 2.6GHz, that suspiciously new 3MB or 6MB L2 cache on the CPUs, added RAM to the graphics cards (up to 512MB for the higher-end 15-inch, and all 17-inch models), and of course the new trackpad. On the MacBook front, things look even more familiar, with only minor bumps to speed (2.1GHz up to 2.4GHz) and CPUs. Both new lines get hard drive increases, with the MBPs rocking 200GB or 250GB options, while the MBs range from 120GB all the way up to 250GB. Ports, weight, and size all appear to be just the same for both lines, undoubtedly to the chagrin of many readers, and Apple is skimping on the Apple Remote across the line; it's now a $19 add-on. Full SKU rundown after the break.

Update: Just to make it totally clear, Apple confirmed to us that the processors are indeed Penryn, as noted above. As for future updates and notable omissions in this round, they had little to say.

New MacBook Pro part numbers leaked?


If you've been replying to our earlier post on Apple rumors by repeatedly typing "MacBook Pro update" across the screen, you'll be happy to hear this latest news. AppleInsider claims they have confirmed three new Apple part numbers which are showing up in both the Best Buy and Apple inventory databases. The numbers, MB402LL/A, MB403LL/A, and MB404LL/A, have appeared on these systems with the prices of $1,999, $2,499, and $2,799 in tow -- leading some (read, all) to believe that they may be those new laptops everyone's been talking about. Of course, we haven't seen these inventory management systems with our own, bloodshot, sleep-deprived eyes, so don't be too disappointed when it turns out this was just a really, really specific typo.

Update:
Apparently AI had an actual typo in their part numbers (which we reprinted) -- they've been fixed.

[Thanks, Mark]

Apple Tuesday: super special MacBook Pro, iPhone SDK... or nothing at all?


As you may or may not know, Apple has made some sort of announcement -- however minor -- every Tuesday since the beginning of 2008. The internet is currently stacked floor-to-ceiling with guesses of what this last Tuesday in February will bring. Many are speculating that it's going to be the often-discussed, never-seen MacBook Pro update, while others are certain that this will be the day old Jobsy unveils iPhone's supposedly-delayed SDK to the world. Still there are those who believe this Tuesday will see the launch of the Apple Robot Army, while many think that we're going to finally get a look at that iShrink shrink ray that's been long-rumored. Of course, it's possible this will be a heaping dose of iNothing. We want to know: what do the talented, handsome, and infinitely-wise readers of Engadget think we'll see tomorrow?

Read - More New Apple Products... This Tuesday?
Read - Tuesday's Coming

80GB PS3 goes missing from Sony Style site


Look, we're not trying to say anything, but that 40GB model looks real, real lonely sitting there on its own. Could it be possible that all those juicy rumors of a refreshed, resized PS3 package are actually coming to fruition? Maybe -- or maybe Sony is just downsizing big time... but we doubt it.

[Thanks, Jason]

Update: Reader Chris points out that the 80GB PS3 is still on the site, accessible and purchasable through the 40GB model's page. Still, seems a little suspicious to us.

Is Sony's PS3 getting a redesign?

According to T3 magazine and a "particularly well-informed insider," the PS3 is due not just for hard drive updates, but a total design revamp down to a slimmer and smaller package sometime in the Fall. If you believe what you read, the refreshed console will sport all the same specs, but will receive a fresh coat of paint, a trip through the shrinking machine, and probably a lightened load. Of course, this is all just wild speculation coupled with salacious, magazine-selling 3D renders of the phantom device, as Sony denies the existence of an update and we don't really know who this source is. On the other hand, the company pulls this kind of ditzy "who me?" stuff whenever it's got a new product up its sleeve -- though we're not feeling the timing on this shocker.

Sony killing 80GB PS3, introducing 120GB or 160GB model with Dual Shock 3?

According to Ars Technica, Sony has some big plans for a PlayStation 3 refresh, starting with a phase-out of the 80GB model. According to an "inside source" -- which Ars claims has been consistently right on video game-related predictions -- the console-maker's new plot is starting to take shape, holding fast to a two-SKU approach on packages, upping the hard drive capacity on systems, and including the Dual Shock 3 controller. The new bundles will take the high / low road, with the source stating that the 40GB model will remain on shelves, while the 80GB, Spider-Man 3-inclusive system will disappear, only to be replaced with a 120GB or 160GB configuration. Of course, right now these are just words on a screen, though in light of Best Buy's recent stock changes, there certainly is an air of movement over at Sony.

[Thanks, Khattab]

Nintendo denies DS Lite rumors... maybe

Despite what you've been hearing about this fancy, extra "lite" DS Lite coming to town, Nintendo would like to tell you otherwise... sort of. In a response to analyst's claims that a new system -- thinner, with larger screens and on-board storage -- was headed out in the near future, the company said that the news was, "Rumour and speculation and we are not commenting further." Tough talk, right? Well, while that sounds all doom-and-gloom -- it's not quite a denial. If anything, one might conjecture that Nintendo doesn't want all you holiday shoppers holding off on wallet-bashing purchases in the hope that something newer and / or better is just around the corner. Of course, we could just be speculating.

Apple offers PCI Express RAID Card in Mac Pro


As if Cupertino didn't give you enough to chew on today, it looks like the Mac Pro received a small update as well. 'Course, it seems pretty minute until you check out the pricetag ($999, for those wondering), but nevertheless, users looking to maximize their machine can now opt for a PCI Express RAID card to come built right in. The card promises "up to 304MBps of sequential read performance in RAID 0" and supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 0+1, and Enhanced JBOD. Moreover, it sports 256MB of cache and an integrated 72-hour battery for protection, and while the machine ships with each hard drive individually configured in the Enhanced JBOD level, you can migrate the drives into a RAID setup of your choosing without reinstalling OS X by tapping into Apple's RAID Utility software.

[Thanks, Alex]

Apple refreshes Mac mini, now with Core 2 Duo


While we certainly had a fairly solid idea that Apple would be unveiling a new breed of iMacs and a snazzy new set of keys, you can color us mildly surprised to see a Mac mini refresh thrown in for good measure. Available today, the newly revamped minis arrive in two basic configurations, the first of which includes a 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo, 1GB of RAM, and an 80GB hard drive for $599, while $200 more will buy you a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo, the same 1GB of RAM, and a 120GB hard drive. Both units come with Front Row and an Apple Remote, iLife '08, OS X 10.4, a DVI-to-VGA adapter, and the same cute box we've come to know and love. Those looking to CTO can toss in an extra gigabyte of RAM, bump the HDD to 160GB, and throw in one of those oh-so-sexy keyboards while you're at it. Best of all, they're slated to ship within 24 hours.

Sony's 1.80 PS3 firmware enables 1080p upscaling for games and movies

Hot on the heels of an 80GB Korean-bound (and US, too?) PlayStation 3 comes news that Sony is planning on seriously upping the abilities of the PS3 with a forthcoming firmware update. Compared to minor changes that have occurred in the past, this one looks to be fairly substantial, so we'll cut to the chase and give you the skinny. First off, firmware v1.80 will enable "upscaling of PlayStation / PlayStation 2 games and DVD movies up to a full 1080p when viewed on a compatible HDTV set." Of course, that "up to" bit frightens us a bit, but we'll take any progress we can get. Moving on, PSP users will enjoy Remote Play on their PSP across the internet, which will allow them to "access their PS3 anywhere in the world where a broadband internet connection is available." Additionally, owners can now view multimedia stored on a DLNA-enabled media center PC "seamlessly," and there will even be an option to print images stored on the console's HDD or inserted media to a "selection of Epson printers." The best part: it's out tomorrow.

[Via PS3Fanboy]

Digital NARM to bring about Zune feature updates?

You don't have to look far to see that the Zune rumor mill has been workin' overtime of late, and while the only conclusive pieces we're seen thus far involve various shades of red, Digital NARM could potentially shed some much-needed light on a bevy of questions. According to the docket, Christina Calio is set to speak about "hot new stuff" in regard to Microsoft's Zune for half an hour on May 1st. Interestingly, ClicZune has it that her speech title previously boasted about "exciting updates on developments in Microsoft's new innovative device," but unless our weary eyes have seriously deceived us, that little diddy has since vanished. Still, any latent updates shouldn't come as a surprise considering the position the player is in, but it looks like we're stuck waiting a few more days to find out what Christina's schpeel will reveal.

[Via ClicZune]

Video walkthrough of Xbox 360 Spring Dashboard update

You know how it goes: pictures are fabulous, but videos are probably the next best thing to handling it yourself. In this case, a video walkthrough is about as close as you're going to get to May 7th whilst still chillin' in April, and considering you already know just about everything you can ever desire about the impending update and QWERTY thumboard, why not relearn it all again care of an "official" on-screen walkthrough? You know you can't resist, so be sure to hit the read link and pull up a chair, because you're going to get tired of standing after 25 or so minutes.

[Thanks, Buck]



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