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Figuring out which NVIDIA GPUs are defective -- it's a lot
So now that HP's joined Dell in releasing information on which laptops have those defective NVIDIA GPUs, we can sort of piece together which chips are faulty -- and just as had been rumored, it looks like basically every Geforce 8600M and 8400M chip is affected. That's not good news for NVIDIA, which has been saying that only "previous-generation" chips were problematic -- unless the chipmaker is planning on updating the hugely popular 8x00 series sometime, say, now, that's not exactly true, now is it? Other affected chips appear to be in the GeForce Go 7000 and 6000 lines, as well as the Quadro NVS 135M and the Quadro FX 360M, but that's just looking at model numbers, and we can't be exactly sure. We'd say that if you've got a machine with any one of these GPUs, it might be wise to call in and see what your laptop maker is going to do -- and it would be smart for NVIDIA to come right out and say exactly how big and how bad this problem really is.Read - Dell list of machines and patchRead - HP list of machines, extended warranty info
Intel, HP, and Yahoo to build joint cloud-computing research labs
Sure, it's all well and cute to think of "cloud computing" as being a magical data-fairy, but storing and processing all your fancy new CalDAV-enabled Google Calendar entries and MobileMe emails costs money, kid -- and that means it's hard for researchers to accurately simulate and build cloud research projects, since they don't have the resources to build large enough data centers. HP, Intel, and Yahoo are teaming up to alleviate that problem, though -- the three behemoths are going to build six cloud-computer research data centers around the world, stocked with anywhere from 1,000 to 4,000 nodes each, with the goal of bringing them online later this year for pre-selected researchers to work on scaling, security, management, and new applications for the cloud. Three of the data centers will be hosted at HP, Intel, and Yahoo, and the other three will be at the University of Illinois, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, and the Steinbuch Centre for Computing in Germany.
HP merging Voodoo with consumer PC unit
Just weeks after "reinventing" Voodoo with the Envy 133 laptop and Omen gaming desktop, it looks like HP's had enough -- it's decided to straight-up merge the specialty PC shop with its core consumer business, and sell its products alongside the Compaq Presario and HP Pavilion lines. Yeah, that'll make Voodoo seem totally hardcore. For it's part, HP says it's always been planning on this kind of merger, and that the move will make Voodoo product easier to buy worldwide and faster to get with no change in service for existing customers, but it's also oddly ambiguous on whether the Voodoo name will live on -- saying only that it's "likely," but that a decision hasn't been reached. All this means that it's even weirder that HP has both the Voodoo and Blackbird gaming lines, of course -- any bets on which one gets axed first?Read - PC World articleRead - HP CTO Raul Sood's blog entry on the merger
HP Blackbird 002 Exhilaration Edition gets unboxed
Apparently some folks have $6,600 to toss on a gaming PC, and thankfully, those folks -- we won't mention names -- invested in a camera to let us all live vicariously. HP's Blackbird 002 Exhilaration Edition, which packs a pair of NVIDIA's potent GeForce GTX 280 cards, has landed in the home of one lucky gamer, and there's a good selection of pictures to prove it. You know where to head from here.[Thanks, bioender]
Former HP exec pleads guilty to stealing IBM trade secrets
Well, that didn't take long. Atul Malhotra, the HP executive charged with stealing printer market data when he left IBM and sending it to his new colleagues at HP with the genius-level subject line "For Your Eyes Only," has pled guilty to one count of theft of trade secrets. Malhotra probably made the right choice -- he specifically requested the information just before he left IBM and HP itself investigated and turned him in when he was found sending it around, so the case against him was pretty airtight. It's not clear what his plea deal is, but sentencing is scheduled for October 29, and he can get up to 10 years in the clink with a fine of up to a quarter-million dollars. Crime don't pay, kids.
Former HP VP charged with stealing IBM trade secrets
The printer market isn't exactly full of the most interesting news, but it's still big money, and big money tends to bring out the worst in people -- like former HP VP Atul Malhotra, who was just charged with stealing trade secrets from his former employer IBM and emailing them to other HP execs. Apparently Malhotra requested some confidential sales data two months before he went from the three-letter company to the two-letter one, and when he got there he hit up some other senior execs with the files -- marking the subject line "For Your Eyes Only." Yeah, that's an effective way to keep a lid on things. Malhotra was fired from HP in 2006, so all this went down some time ago, and HP says it actually conducted an internal investigation about the matter before firing Malhotra and reporting the theft to both IBM and the authorities. Sure, sure -- but we'll know what's up when the next HP AIO is running a Cell chip.
Major tech companies joining forces to create massive patent shell company
Yeah, we hate patent trolls as much as anyone, but the Wall Street Journal says that a group of major tech companies have created a patent shield organization to fend off trolls that sounds to us like it'll eventually just be an even worse troll. The foundation, called the Allied Security Trust, will take $250,000 in buy-in money and $5M in escrow from member companies -- Verizon, Google, Ericsson, HP, and Cisco are apparently the founding corporations -- and use it to buy up patents to prevent future litigation. After a member company buys a patent, it will grant itself a non-exclusive license and sell it to AST, which will then license it to the other members. Of course, that means that AST will eventually own a large number of patents on common technology, which means it could very well become a aggressive patent litigant itself. Not to worry, says AST CEO Brian Hinman: the group will "never be an enforcement vehicle," and it isn't anyone's intention to "make money on the transactions." Sure, sure -- but any time players this big start putting this much potential cash on the line, we're not going to take random promises at face value. See you in Marshall, boys.
HP MediaSmart Connect brings digital media to your HDTV
Yeah, you may be burning that midnight oil, but your weariness isn't the reason you're certain you've seen this thing before. Touted at CES as the MediaSmart Receiver, the re-dubbed MediaSmart Connect is finally available for pre-order. Just as we heard before, this unit takes full advantage of Extender for Windows Media Center technology, and although it possesses no internal storage space, it will pull in digital media from around your home (and a variety of online media outlets) and pipe it straight to your HDTV. The unit plays nice with other UPnP- and DLNA-compliant devices and includes 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, an Ethernet port, HDMI / component jacks and support for MPEG2/4, DivX, XviD, WMV, MP3, WMA, AAC, JPEG and BMP files (among others). Prospective buyers can get their order in today for $349. %Gallery-25330%
HP Blackbird 002 Exhilaration Edition nabs NVIDIA GTX 280 graphics
Alienware was making some noise earlier today about being first out the gate with NVIDIA's new GeForce GTX 280 cards, but HP's gaming division isn't about get shown up: it's launching the HP Blackbird 002 Exhilaration Edition which features two GTX 280 cards in SLI today, and it says it'll be shipping almost a month sooner than Alienware for $6,600 -- just over a thousand dollars less than a similar Area-51 setup. That's fightin' talk, people -- hopefully these two will get their prices down to something actually reasonable by the time this is all over.
HP to finally ship the iPAQ 900 series business phone
We first heard about HP's iPAQ 900 / 914 3G Business Messenger in September of last year, and after a series of delays (which seem to be endemic to the iPAQ line), it looks like the device is finally set to start shipping. Nothing much has changed, except that a Windows Mobile 6.1 device with a 2.46-inch display, WiFi, GPS, HSDPA, and a 3 megapixel camera isn't exactly the hot sheets it was almost a year ago. That said, that chubby case hides a 1800mAh battery, which should let enterprise users get their business on for the better part of a full day. Should be shipping around the world starting June 30, although specific worldwide dates will vary.[Via WMPoweruser and Phone Scoop]Read - HP press releaseRead - Hands-on at Mobinaute
Voodoo PC teaser video hints at new machines
First Voodoo's home page had that little fire problem, and now this super-dramatic teaser video's making the rounds -- we'd say there's probably a new Voodoo desktop and laptop in store for us on June 10, by the looks of things. Vid after the break.
HP wants to buy EDS, assure acronym superiority over IBM (update: it's official)
We're not usually too down with enterprise-services action, but it's hard not to notice HP's $12-13B bid to buy out rival Electronic Data Systems. EDS is best remembered for that "Herding Cats" Super Bowl commercial, but things have been rough lately -- the company just posted 62 percent decline in first-quarter profits. Still, EDS remains a leader in technology outsourcing, and HP seems to think that it'll be better able to take down Big Blue's powerhouse services and consulting group if they merge. The deal isn't done yet, but we should know how things go soon.Update: The deal is done. HP confirmed that it's buying EDS for $25 per share or $12.5 billion. EDS will be rebranded, "EDS -- an HP company" in recognition of its own corporate blandness.
DivX support finds its way into HP, LG HDTVs
There's no other way to say it, DivX is on a roll in 2008 (that small Stage6 stumble is already a fading memory). If support from Blu-ray players and videogame consoles wasn't enough, DivX Certification has snaked its long arm directly into HDTVs, with "over 80 models" from HP and LG slapping on a sticker indicating users can simply plug a USB drive in and play their entirely-legitimately-owned content. Expect that number to grow, since DivX is also working with AMD, Chips and Media, Broadcom and Trident to include support in other chipsets powering digital TVs near you. Now how about we see some of that content?
HP 2133 Mini-Note PC on sale now
Just in case you've been burying your face in those glowing reviews of HP's latest UMPC, here's a quick heads-up to inform you that the 2133 Mini-Note PC is actually available to order. As of this very moment, prospective buyers can select a unit of their own at HP's website, and with five models ranging from $499 to $849, we're sure there's a Mini-Note for you in there somewhere.[Thanks, Tharp]
HP Mini-Note 2133 officially official, reviewed
It's a full 24 hours after we expected it, but with looks this hot we're not surprised the HP Mini-Note 2133 is fashionably late. Specs are exactly what we'd heard and what was up on Amazon earlier: 2.6 pounds, Via C7-M processor, 1280x768 8.9-inch screen, full QWERTY keyboard that's just 8 percent smaller than normal, and a variety of configurations ranging from a $499 1.0GHz Linux-powered unit with 4GB of flash and 512MB of RAM to a maxed-out $749 config with a 1.6GHz processor, 120GB drive and Vista Business. Laptop managed to score some hands-on time, and from the video it looks like this thing might actually be as popular as HP is predicting -- except for those crazy side-mounted vertical mouse buttons, which are totally messing with our heads. Still no word on availability, but it seems like HP's ready to go -- anyone taking the plunge right away?Read - HP press releaseRead - HP specsUpdate: Plenty of early reviews are in. Things are looking good so far, check 'em out:Read - Laptop hands-on video (scroll down)Read - jkOnTheRun checks it outRead - Notebook Review, um, reviewRead - Notebooks.com blows it outRead - PC Mag review (4/5)
HP 2133 shows up on Amazon as the Mini-Note PC
It looks like the rumors of HP launching the sexy 2133 UMPC today were off the mark, but it certainly does seem like the diminutive laptop is coming soon -- placeholder pages for an "HP 2133 Mini-Note PC" have popped up at Amazon and other retailers. That's the first we've heard of the Mini-Note name, which is interesting in terribly uncreative way, but we're slightly more intrigued by the addition of a 1.0GHz SuSE model with 4GB of flash instead of a hard drive -- we'd originally heard that the 2133 would come in such a configuration, but none of the specs we'd seen so far had mentioned it. Of course, an empty Amazon product page with no pricing information doesn't make the 2133 any more official, but we've got a feeling it's pretty close -- come on HP, we know you're confident, let's see what you're hiding back there.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Read - Amazon product page for the 1.2GHz / 120GB configRead - Amazon product page for the 1.0GHz / 4GB flash config Read - Product listing on compsource.com
HP sends server customers virus-infected USB keys
We've seen a couple viruses make their way into the manufacturing process and onto shipping products, and it looks like HP Australia and its enterprise customers are the latest victims. USB keys shipped with some HP Proliant servers are infected with the Fakerecy and SillyFDC viruses, and the company's issued an alert saying that any up-to-date virus scanner should be able to tackle the nasties. It's a pretty low-grade threat -- the key is only used to install floppy disk drivers and neither virus is particularly destructive, but all you server admins Down Under might want to check your rigs just to be sure.[Via The Register]
HP UMPC 2133 specs revealed, street date of April 7th?
We'd been hearing that HP's slick UMPC 2133 was going sport VIA processors, and now we've got some more info to back that up -- we just received what appears to be a full spec list for the upcoming machine, and it's VIA C7-Ms all around, with graphics courtesy of a VIA Chrome 9 chipset. According to our source, these will hit on April 7th, and it looks like those pricing whispers were pretty accurate as well: $600 will buy you a 1.2GHz C7-M, a 120GB drive, 1GB of RAM and Vista Home Basic, while $749 bumps you up to 1.6GHz and Vista Business and adds Bluetooth, another gig of RAM, and a bigger battery. There's also a mysterious $849 Vista Basic model listed as having "regional" availability (the others are listed as "Smart Buy") with Bluetooth and bigger battery, but we don't see why it's more expensive than the Vista Business version. Regardless, what really caught our eye was the $549 model that shares the same specs as the $600 unit, but looks to be running SuSE Enterprise -- another rumor that's come true. That could be the one that HP expects to sell like hotcakes -- after all, the goal is to have people buy these "without a thought," and that's certainly not going to happen at $749. We'll see soon enough, we suppose. Full spec sheet after the break.
HP launches the 13.3-inch dv3000 laptop in Asia
It's been a while since the HP dv2000 laptop made its original appearance, and it looks like HP's giving the newest version a new model number as well as a slight redesign -- say bonjour to the dv3000. Based around an oh-so-hip 13.3-inch display, the overall look of the machine is basically the same as the older model, but it's slightly smaller. Inside, you're looking at a 2.5GHz T9300 Penryn Core 2 Duo, GeForce Go 8400M graphics with HDMI out, 2GB of RAM, a 160GB disk, VGA webcam, a dual-layer burner, and an unusual combo USB / eSATA port that we'd like to take a closer look at. Not a bad piece of kit for $1,399 -- too bad it's only coming out in Asia around May.%Gallery-18905%
iPaq 210 finally ships, gets reviewed
For an otherwise-generic PDA, the iPaq 210 has already led a controversy-filled life filled with numerous delays, canceled pre-orders, retracted and clarified official statements from HP, and even a website bug that constantly promised shipment in two weeks -- but now it's finally here, and according to the crew at Brighthand, all that bake time seems to have paid off. The 210's 4-inch VGA-res screen drew high praise, of course, but what really set the 210 apart was the wealth of connectivity options -- with both CF and SDHC slots, the 210 can store up to 64GB of data, and transfer it over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, and USB 2.0. The only issues seem to be a touchscreen that requires a firmer touch than usual and that high $450 MSRP -- but if you're among the few still in the market for a standalone PDA, the 210 is probably worth checking out.
