Gigabyte
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Hands on with Gigabyte M912 and M724 convertible mini-tablets
Carving out the newest niche in the low-cost, mini-laptop, ultra-portable, *gasp* netbook category is the Gigabyte M912. As a convertible, touch-screen mini-tablet, the M912 runs Vista or Ubuntu Linux atop Intel's Atom processor. Unfortunately, it looks like it might be hampered by a 4-cell battery showing just over 1.5 hours of battery left on a 95% charge. The 7-inch M724 apparently shares the same chassis as the M912 but is meant for classrooms-only, not consumers. Uh, right. That was the original market for all these netbook-class machines as we recall.Read -- Gigabyte M912 Read -- Gigabyte M724
Gigabyte's M704 UMPC gets reviewed and unboxed
Quite a bit has gone down since November of last year, but if your memory is sharper than a tack, chances are you haven't forgotten about the M704. This stylish UMPC from Gigabyte was recently acquired, unboxed and reviewed by Mobile01, but we'll go ahead and warn you: the inability to read and comprehend Chinese could hurt your understanding. At least images are universally grasped, right? Check out the read link for the full rundown.[Via SlashGear]
Gigabyte M912 netbook in the trade-show wilds
More from Taipei. This time, it's Gigabyte's M912 low-cost laptop entry sporting Intel's soon-to-be ubiquitous Atom processor. After Computex kicks off tomorrow, anyway.Update: Sassy press shot and official specs after the break.[Thanks, Jacob G.]
Gigabyte's M912 gets some specs, possible photo
It's not yet clear whether the image above is actually Gigabyte's forthcoming M912, but at least we're starting to get a clearer picture of the Atom-based laptop's specs. We're thinking maybe this shot could be of another model, though, given the fact that the M912 only has VGA out listed, while we can clearly see what appears to be a full DVI port above. The rest of those specs, for your perusal: 8.9-inch WXGA (1280 x 768) convertible touchscreen display, LED backlight 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, max 1GB RAM 120, 160 and 250GB drive options 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR 1.3 megapixel camera, (3) USB 2.0 ports, SD, VGA, Ethernet 4 hour battery 9.2 x 7 x 1.65 - 1.1-inches, 2.6 pounds [Via jkkmobile, thanks Julionevada]
Gigabyte to apologize to ASUS, do laundry for next year
It's over before it even began. Gigabyte has agreed to publicly apologize to ASUS over that little Energy Processing Unit spat they've been having. As part of the reported agreement, Gigabyte will tone down its "defamatory" comments while maintaining a more subdued supposition that its own DES technology is superior to ASUS' EPU. See, no need to take the matter to court, no need to distract senior execs from executing the business plan. All it took was a little public humiliation (and soap) to make them pals again.
ASUS prepping to sue Gigabyte over "disinformation"
ASUS is firing up the legal team to address what it perceives as defamation on the part of Gigabyte. In the line of fire is ASUS' Energy Processing Unit, which Gigabyte claims isn't a technological change on the part of ASUS, but instead "numbers marketing" and "cheating end users." Gigabyte says ASUS also misrepresented the energy saving numbers on Gigabyte's competing DES motherboards, and had plenty of other nerdy trash talk for its rival. "How can you believe it? Everything [Asus] say are lies," was the money quote from a Tom's Hardware article on the subject, and ASUS isn't going to take it lying down. "This 'disinformation' is not only extremely damaging to ASUS but also completely misleading to the consumers. ASUS reserves the right to take legal action against any individual, organization or corporation which creates or spreads such rumors." We love a good nerd fight, and this is shaping up into a right proper one.
First Intel Atom based MID gets priced -- $1131!?
Intel's been making a lot of noise about MIDs for a while now, but we're going to guarantee that the entire category flops if this first wave of pricing info is accurate. Australian importer Tegatech's got the Gigabyte M528 up for pre-order, and while we're intrigued by the 800MHz Atom processor, 512MB of RAM, and 8GB SSD, we're certainly not willing to pay AU$1199 ($1131) to satisfy our curiosity -- especially since the Linux build was so half-baked when we played with this thing at CeBIT. Of course, this isn't official pricing (and it's actually dropped from AU$1549 since we first saw the listing), but let's hope this is even more inaccurate than usual, eh?[Via UMPC Portal]
Gigabyte's GK-K8000 gaming keyboard briefly spotted
If you weren't enthused about the SteelSeries 7G for whatever reason, Gigabyte looks to have another alternative headed down the pike. At the company's Spring Break event and Plug-Fest 2008, folks from Tweaktown were able to spend a few hurried minutes with the GK-K8000 gaming keyboard. We're told that "design issues" were holding 'em up from being released right now, but we get the impression that it's certainly nearing completion. Initial thoughts were that typing felt great and the unit itself seemed mighty sturdy, but why take our word for it? Hop on down to the read link for a few more snaps.
Gigabyte's GSmart Smart Touch UI shown on video
Check it -- Gigabyte has just revealed details about a swank new user interface for its GSmart mobiles, and it has been coined Smart Touch. Sadly, multi-touch gestures aren't supported, but it does handle dragging / dropping and gives users oodles of customization options. Comically enough, the note on the new UI actually admits that it "works like [the interface on the] iPhone," but it claims to be superior due to its tight-knit integration and more "useful and interesting features." Sure, alrighty. We'll let you be the judge on this one -- jump on past the break for an excruciatingly long demonstration vid. [Via the::unwired]
Gigabyte M912 low-cost laptop to feature Intel's Atom CPU
Remember that mention that Gigabyte was looking to dole out some sort of low-cost PC later this year? Can't discern that from the hordes of other similar notices from nearly every other computer maker out there? Fret not, as DigiTimes has it that the aforesaid firm will indeed be rolling out a budget-priced subnote as early as June. More specifically, the M912 will feature an 8.9-inch panel (resolution still unknown) with an Intel Atom CPU, and according to "sources," it'll support either Linux or Windows XP and could come stocked with Bluetooth. Unfortunately, the most critical point (yeah, price) is still left to our imagination.
Vodafone Germany launching two DVB-T sets next month
Germany's been one of the European countries protesting the hardest against the EU's selection of DVB-H as the union's mobile TV standard of choice -- and for good reason, seeing how it already had a nice little chunk of cash sunk into T-DMB. We're not sure if this is Germany's version of passive-aggressive civil disobedience or if this is just how they plan on rolling for the time being, but Vodafone Germany is actually looking at rolling out a pair of phones next month that simply pull down plain ol' DVB-T signals -- the kind generally destined for home televisions, not pockets. This obviously gives the service a far larger footprint and content profile right off the bat, but the tradeoff is that DVB-T was never designed for the small screen and suffers from a greater power draw than either DVB-H or T-DMB. Anyhoo, the phones in question are the Windows Mobile-powered g-Smart t600 from Gigabyte alongside LG's HB620T clamshell. Both are expected to go out the door for about €100 ($159) on contract, apparently, which is just as well seeing how the t600 lacked 3G data last time we checked in on it. Who'd really trade fast data for television that's going to drain your battery faster than you can say "David Hasselhoff," anyway?[Via the::unwired]
Gigabyte's new M700 UMPC and M528 MID
If you're still confused about this whole UMPC vs. MID debate, perhaps Gigabyte can help. The company is launching a pair mobile devices at CeBIT, the VIA-based UMPC M700 and the Centrino Atom (Menlow) powered M528 MID. The latter device is running on the exact same reference design Aigo is using for its MID, and the Linux OS seemed altered but certainly of the same stock -- and still really half-baked. Specs include an 800MHz Menlow chip, 512MB of RAM, 4GB SSD storage, 4.8-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen, GPS, Bluetooth 3.0 and a 3 megapixel camera. HSDPA is easily added via a mini card option that plugs in via USB. The M700 (pictured) is a tad more ambitious, with a VIA C7-M 1.2GHz processor, Windows Vista Home Premium, 2GB of RAM, a 1.8-inch 40GB / 60GB HDD and a 1024 x 600 7-inch touchscreen. There's no hardware keyboard, but you can type via a UMPC-style software keyboard, and real kicker here is a dock for the computer that lets the M700 power a desktop setup, complete with disc drive. No word on price or release date for either of these.%Gallery-17501%
Gigabyte intros HSDPA devices for Euro market
As expected (sort of), Gigabyte's GSmart division came packing at MWC this year with a small army of WinMo handsets ready to battle -- and this time, they're taking the war to Europe. The headliner is the MS808, featuring HSDPA and GPS alongside support for a healthy majority of the world's digital TV standards: DVB-T, DVB-H, T-DMB, and ISDB-T. Unfortunately, it doesn't actually feature the cool skeleton view currently showing up on GSmart's website, but you get the idea. Also being shown are the MS800, MS820, and MS804 -- the last of which looks suspiciously like the O2 Xda Denim -- all with the same integrated HSDPA and GPS as the MS808, but lacking the television tunerfest. Separately, Gigabyte announced that its phalanx of new handsets will feature Garmin's Mobile XT software and are all cocked and loaded to be unleashed on an unsuspecting (or at this point, suspecting, we suppose) European market in the near future, leaving the glut of Windows Mobile Professional hardware packed with more choice, more confusion, and arguably less differentiation than ever. There are worse problems to have, we suppose.Read - GSmart Unveils 3.5G Mobile TV and GPS PDA Phones at Mobile World Congress 2008Read - GSmart introduces 3.5G GPS PDA phones with GARMIN Mobile XT to European market
Gigabyte's g-Smart MW700 and MS800 ready to rumble at MWC?
Not to be outdone by E-TEN, Gigabyte's ready to pull some aces out of its sleeve for Mobile World Congress, too. If you can really call these "aces," that is. According to Russian site MyBestPDA, the g-Smart MW700 and MS800 are getting all geared up for MWC debuts with Windows Mobile 6 (possibly 6.1), 256MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, integrated FM tuner, and in the MS800's case, 3G data. Physically, both devices look the same -- which is to say very, very bland -- but then again, that's exactly how some Windows Mobile users like it. More on these devices, we presume, in a couple weeks from Barcelona.[Via Unwired View]
Gigabyte announces plans to launch low-cost computer in June
Another day, another promise of a low-cost computer, this one coming to us from the prolific folks at Gigabyte. According to DigiTimes, Gigabyte will be building its system itself (unlike its UMPCs and MIDs), and it'll be basing it on Intel's Basic Platform (otherwise known as Shelton). It'll also apparently pack a 7 to 9-inch LCD, which would seem to suggest that it's a laptop (which Shelton is also used for), although DigiTimes only describes the system as a "PC." Unfortunately, there's no word on what it'll cost, or any other details for that matter, but it'll apparently be ready by June of this year, by which time it'll likely have an even harder time to stand out from the budget-priced pack.
Gigabyte reveals M704 UMPC
Call us crazy, but Gigabyte's new M704 looks awfully familiar to the U60, but we'll give the nod to this bugger in the style department. Freshened up with a sleeker, sexier motif, the firm's latest UMPC packs a 1.2GHz VIA Esther ULV C7 processor, a VX-700 chipset, seven-inch 1,024 x 600 LED-backlit touchscreen, your choice of 40GB / 60GB hard drives, a multicard reader, twin USB 2.0 ports and a VGA output. On top of all that, you'll also find 802.11b/g WiFi, a Li-ion battery good for around three hours, a slide out QWERTY keyboard and a 1.3-megapixel CMOS camera. As expected, Gigabyte hasn't bothered to tell us when or where we'll find this machine on sale, and yeah, the price is still a mystery, too.[Via I4U News]
Gigabyte's Visuals: the USB gauge for your PSU
We don't want you to get your hopes all sky high for nothin', so we'll preface this by noting that Gigabyte's Visuals only operates with the firm's Odin GT-series of power supplies. For those still with us, this monitor-mountable gizmo enables users to keep a close eye on the temperature, power and fan speed of their PSU, and it gets all the juice / information it needs via USB. Granted, it's probably overkill for all but the most hardcore of overclockers, but no one here ever said that extravagance was necessarily a bad thing. Look for this one to land anytime for a currently undisclosed price, and hey, maybe next year Gigabyte will open up the compatibility list a bit, eh?[Via OhGizmo]
Details surface for O2's XDA Denim
We've seen the Gigabyte O2 Denim pop up a couple times in the past, once as the O2 XDA "Helen" and then it reappeared on the pages of our favorite Gov't site, the FCC. While not much new is gleaned with its confidentiality agreement expiring, feel free to browse the manuals -- if that type of thing makes you happy, we def enjoyed it -- in preparation for its expected launch this month. No news on pricing, of course, those cards are usually kept pretty close but you know we'll be here for ya with an update as soon as we hear word.[Via UnwiredView]
O2 reducing Asia Pacific presence, to eventually withdraw?
Though it doesn't even operate any networks of its own in the region, O2's Asia Pacific outpost has been known to release (or tease us with) some of the more lustworthy Windows Mobile devices out there. They apparently aren't lustworthy enough, though, with DigiTimes reporting that O2 is looking to reduce its footprint in that part of the world or -- horror of horrors -- withdraw altogether. The company has apparently stopped placing orders and taking delivery of existing ones from its Asian ODMs -- Quanta, Gigabyte, and Arima -- a pretty solid reversal from its recent trumpeting of four new Windows Mobile-based models for the second half of the year. O2 naturally claims that it's simply "adjusting its product strategy" and has no plans to withdraw, but with no new hardware in the pipe, what else could it possibly mean?[Via the::unwired]
Gigabyte follows up g-Smart i300 with i350
Shown recently at Taiwan's Computex shindig, the g-Smart i350 appears to be the most incremental of upgrades to its i300 predecessor, especially in light of the fact that the i300's been signed up to get a Windows Mobile 6 upgrade. Both rock a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, 802.11b/g, and integrated GPS, so it seems like the biggest boost for the i350 might be the move from a 2.4 inch QVGA to 2.6 inch VGA display (okay, we admit, that's a pretty big difference) and the addition of a fourth band of GSM support. We're not sure we're feeling the handset's sparkly white exterior, but we suspect it's one of those things you have to see in person before passing judgment.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
