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Apple quietly updates AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule, promises improved performance

by Darren Murph posted Oct 20th 2009 at 12:43PM

Just as it did in March, Apple has subtly updated both the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule, this time improving performance on both. According to new testing between today's model and yesterday's edition, the AE Base Station (which ships within three days for $179) can hum along at up to 25 percent faster thanks to undisclosed tweaks to the antenna design, while the Time Capsule's improved antenna promises the same. Just as before, both of these devices support dual-band 2.4GHz / 5GHz transmissions, though we can't seem to find an "802.11n draft" phrase anywhere on either page. Apple hasn't gone out of its way to say that both of these are certified with the final specification, but it's certainly a possibility. Finally, the new Time Capsule promises Time Machine backups in Snow Leopard that are some 60 percent faster than before; we're not sure whether to celebrate with new buyers or weep with existing ones, but it should ship within three days for $299 (1TB) / $499 (2TB).

Read - Updated AirPort Extreme
Read - Updated Time Capsule

iMac line updated with 16:9 displays, quad-core Core i5 / i7 model

by Joshua Topolsky posted Oct 20th 2009 at 12:01PM

After months of speculation, Apple has unveiled some completely new iMacs, featuring 21.5-inch and 27-inch 16:9 displays and all-aluminum enclosures. The new widescreen IPS panels are LED-backlit and have 178-degree viewing angles -- the 21.5-inch iMac has a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, while the 27-incher comes in at a staggering 2,560 x 1,440. Ports are the same as the outgoing model with the addition of an SD card slot and video-in on the 27-inch (via a special cable), and the wireless keyboard is now standard (as is the all-new Magic Mouse). Pricing tiers haven't changed much: there's a low-end $1,199 21.5-inch model with a 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics, 4GB of RAM and a 500GB drive, a $1,499 model that bumps things up to 1TB of storage and ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics, while the base 27-inch config starts at $1,699 with the same bumped specs. All of those can be custom-configured with up to a 3.33GHz Core 2 Duo, but it's the top-end $1,999 27-inch model that'll bring the real heat when it ships in November; it's packing a 2.66GHz quad-core Core i5 processor (with a 2.8GHz Core i7 available for $200 more) and Radeon HD 4850 graphics. Not a bad little refresh -- but it looks like all you Blu-ray fans are going home alone again. Check the full specs list after the break.

Gallery: iMac line updated with 16:9 displays, quad-core Core i5 / i7 model

Continue reading iMac line updated with 16:9 displays, quad-core Core i5 / i7 model

Apple gives Mac mini a spec bump, adds dual-HDD Mac mini server

by Joshua Topolsky posted Oct 20th 2009 at 12:01PM

Apple's high-noon extravaganza is touching just about every aspect of the company's consumer lineup today, and considering just how long it's been (okay, so maybe not that long) since the Mac mini saw any love, we're thrilled that it's amongst the crowd seeing updates today. The new $599 Mac mini configuration gets fitted with a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo CPU (up from 2GHz), 2GB of RAM (up from 1GB) and a 160GB hard drive (up from 120GB). The $799 build features a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB of memory (up from 2GB) and a 320GB hard drive (same as before), and both machines sport the same GeForce 9400M GPU and 8x SuperDrive as they did in March. The most intriguing news on the mini front, however, has nothing to do with the standard rigs.

Apple is today introducing an all new machine in the Mac mini server, a system that's formed in the exact same enclosure as the standard mini but without an optical drive of any kind. Instead, there's room for an additional hard drive, and the $999 model ships with two 500GB HDDs. It also includes Snow Leopard Server (unlimited clients), a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, a GeForce 9400M GPU and the same port assortment (meaning no mini-DisplayPort) as found on the other guys. It's hard to say just how well something like this will do, but we're guessing Apple doesn't much mind if it remains a niche product. Catch Apple's official blurb after the break.

Gallery: Apple gives Mac mini a spec bump, adds dual-HDD Mac mini server

Continue reading Apple gives Mac mini a spec bump, adds dual-HDD Mac mini server

Dell adds dual-core SU1400 CPU, other options to Inspiron 11z

by Darren Murph posted Sep 30th 2009 at 10:21PM

Dell's 11.6-inch Inspiron 11z just went on sale last month, and already the outfit is opening up the options for those not entirely pleased with the single $399 model. Starting today, a $479 configuration is available to ship with a 250GB HDD and Vista Home Premium (with a Windows 7 upgrade, of course), and if that's still not enough, prospective customers can soon select their 11z in a variety of colors. We're talking Alpine White, Ice Blue, Jade Green, New Cherry Red, Passion Purple and Promise Pink, with the latter contributing $5 to breast cancer research. As for optional hardware upgrades, you can slot a dual-core Pentium SU1400 CPU in there alongside 4GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. As of this very moment, Dell has yet to open up the CTO doors, but we're guessing an admin is on that as we speak. Right, Dell?

Updated iMac lineup rumored for near-term release

by Darren Murph posted Sep 24th 2009 at 3:01PM

Do you know how old the current iMac is? Half a year. Or two years, if we're talking form factors. In terms of major Apple design overhauls, six months isn't a very long time, but considering that the all-important holiday shopping season is about to kick off, it follows logic to think that Apple would update its most consumer-facing Mac lineup in preparation. AppleInsider seems to have a pretty good read on a purported refresh, noting that a thinner chassis (predictable, but appreciated) and all-around lower prices are on tap. We're told that the enclosures could closely mimic the firm's new Cinema Displays in terms of industrial design, and while details on actual specification changes are next to nil, we are told that a few amenities "not previously available" would become so. Who's down for throwing out wild suppositions? (And no, Blu-ray doesn't count.)

Polycarbonate MacBook to live on, be redesigned?

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 25th 2009 at 5:54PM

It might seem like Apple's been ignoring its non-Pro MacBook line lately -- even doing hardware updates on the sly -- but consumers haven't, and they've been lapping up that solitary SKU with unabated enthusiasm. No surprise then that Cupertino would have bigger plans on the horizon, and AppleInsider claims Apple's engineers are already hard at work on an "industrial design overhaul" for the humble 13-incher, with some configurations expected to come in under the current $999 price point. Great news if you're lusting after a Mac, but still want to be able to buy groceries -- right, Giampaulo?

Packard Bell imedia lineup gets an Acer-inspired refresh

by Vladislav Savov posted Jul 3rd 2009 at 4:47AM

Packard Bell recently overhauled its logo in an effort to keep up with the times, but are its offerings up to the same task? The new imedia lineup immediately recalls the recently announced M-series desktops from Acer, and that's no accident. The innards are remarkably similar too, with the top models sporting Core 2 Quad or AMD Phenom II X4 processors, a 1.5GB GeForce GT230, HDMI out, Blu-Ray combo drive and a maximum of 8GB DDR3 memory and 1TB of storage. While none of the specs are on the blistering edge of innovation, there's plenty of power there and keen pricing could make them an attractive proposition. The entry-level Celeron-based units start at £299 ($490) in the UK.

Intel to officially refresh laptop chips next week?

by Darren Murph posted Mar 27th 2009 at 9:51PM

We had a hunch this refresh was coming, and according to information gathered by CNET, it's all going down on Monday. The 2.53GHz SP9600, complete with its 6MB of cache memory and $316 sticker, will reportedly be revealed alongside the 1.6GHz SU9600, which will be pegged at $289. Furthermore, we should see a single-core 1.4GHz SU3500 ($262) with a thermal envelope of only 5.5 watts, which will obviously cater to those really, really low-power applications where horsepower isn't a concern. Interestingly, these newfangled pieces of silicon won't be those rumored CULV chips we heard about in January, as those won't be good and ready 'til summertime. There's also a slight chance that we'll hear a bit more on Intel's reemergence in the GPU field, but we're not holding our breath quite so much on that. Dig in below for lots more, or just be patience and wait for the 30th. Totally your call.

Read - Intel CPU details
Read - Intel GPU details

HP silently upgrades Pavilion dv4t, actually makes it tempting

by Darren Murph posted Mar 20th 2009 at 7:28AM

Shh... don't make too much racket while tweaking the website, else prospective buyers might actually notice that we're upgrading machines! Color us confused, but we can't figure out for the life of us why HP has taken that tactic of late. Within the past few weeks, we've seen not one, not two, but three of its Pavilion laptops get updated with nary a peep from HP itself. This go 'round, the dv4t is getting fitted with a LED-backlit display, Espresso Black and Moonlight White color options, integrated WWAN (Verizon or AT&T), a 500GB HDD and optional NVIDIA GeForce G 105M (512MB) graphics. There's also a Blu-ray option, integrated HDTV tuner and a 12-cell battery to choose from, but we'd only spring for those if money ain't a thang.

[Thanks, Cezar]

HP issues software update for MediaSmart Server

by Darren Murph posted Jan 23rd 2009 at 9:02AM

It's been forever and a day since HP issued a MediaSmart Server update, but now -- at long last -- owners can suck down some more new software in order to implement a few minor changes. The HPMSS-1.3-R1 update adds in a Rollback feature, improves image processing performance in HP Photo Webshare, corrects error messages displayed using SSL and TZO certifications and removes unnecessary temperature sensor displays. Give it a go and let us know how things turn out, will ya?

[Thanks, Duane]

Axiotron tweaks Modbook for better, stronger, faster performance

by Darren Murph posted Dec 5th 2008 at 2:40AM

Axiotron has the upgrade bug again, and it's making a litany of small, useful improvements to its Modbook that add up to a seriously improved machine. For starters, the rig now has a new hardware controller board for improved sleep, battery and system performance. Moreover, a fresh bonding process for the AnyView LCD panel and paper-emulating ForceGlass screen cover results in a "better contrast ratio, a firmer etched drawing surface, and decreased parallax between pen tip and cursor." Also of note, the updated beast incorporates the company's QuadCoat process, which protects the top shell with a liquid metallic coating and decreases the weight to 5.3-pounds. The Modbook starts at $2,249 by itself, or users can convert their non-aluminum Core 2 Duo-based Macbook into one starting at $1,299.

Toshiba refreshes pretty much every Satellite A / U / L-series ever

by Darren Murph posted Oct 14th 2008 at 10:01AM

Toshiba aimed at the suits yesterday with the introduction of its Satellite Pro S300 and S300M, and today it's finishing things off in one fell swoop. The Satellite U405 (pictured), Satellite M305, Satellite M305D, Satellite A355, Satellite A305, Satellite L305 and Satellite L355 are all being refreshed today in order to cram in newer (read: zippier) Intel / AMD CPUs, face recognition software, USB Sleep-and-Charge ports, an eSATA combo port, built-in FM tuner and ATI Hybrid CrossFireX graphics in select models. Outside of a few expected increases in speed, capacity and capability, there's nothing here to really cheer about -- particularly if you were never hot with passion about the designs in the first place.

Gateway updates bevy of laptops / desktops in one fell swoop

by Darren Murph posted Jun 30th 2008 at 12:31PM

Merely months after Gateway thrilled your soul with the introduction of all sorts of new desktops, the outfit has apparently received the upgrade bug. Starting right now, the 17-inch P-Series, 15.4-inch M-Series and 14.1-inch T-series laptops can be ordered with Intel's latest Core 2 Duo chips, more spacious hard drives and dual-layer DVD writers. For those eying a tower, the FX Series, DX Series and GT Series now provide (up to) a Core 2 Quad Q9300 CPU, 6GB of RAM, an overclocked NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT and price tags starting as low as $549.99. For more on these absolutely riveting upgrades, hit the read link and try not to fall out of your seat.

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

by Darren Murph posted Apr 1st 2008 at 10:59AM

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. 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

by Darren Murph posted Mar 25th 2008 at 12:00AM

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.

Continue reading Panasonic Toughbook 19 gets Core 2 Duo, expanded memory