Laptops & Desktop News

Old School Computer Band Rocks Bohemian Rhapsody (Poorly)

2009-04-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

I can't think of a more old school, geeky tribute to Queen than a band comprised of an Atari 800XL, 8-inch floppy disk, 3.5-in hard drive and HP Scanjet 3C. If only it sounded better.

The composer, YouTube user bd594, says what you hear is 100% pure, straight from the machines themselves—no effects or sampling were used. In the case of the Scanjet, the "vocals" were recorded in four separate parts using the one machine.

The aforementioned Atari 800XL is tickling the ivory on lead piano/organ, while a plucky Texas Instruments Ti-99/4a shreds on lead guitar. Rounding out the bunch are the floppy drive on bass and the hard drive clanging cymbals. As many have suggested already, the "instruments" could use a good tuning or ten.

On a related note, Scanjet symphonies seem to be in the air right now. Must be spring. [YouTube via Matrxisynth - Thanks, Matrix]

gizmodo.com

Braille E-Reader Concept Raises Dots with E-Ink

2009-04-20T10:01:00.000-07:00

By John Mahoney,

Braille books are mighty thick, so while I remain skeptical of standard e-book readers' utility, a braille version would make it much easier for the blind to carry books with them.

This particular concept was designed by Seon-Keun Park, Byung-Min Woo, Sun-Hye Woo & Jin-Sun Park, and it uses an electroactive polymer to raise the braille dots when a charge is passed through certain areas of the screen.

And for those familiar with braille, it's probably easier than listening to Kindle's disputed text-to-speech robot.

[Yanko Design]

gizmodo.com

Toshiba updates Qosmio and Dynabook SS RX2 laptops

2009-04-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

by Nilay Patel,
It's sort of funny that Toshiba's packing the Cell-based SpursEngine HD video co-processor into most of the Qosmio line when it still refuses to offer Blu-ray drives, but we guess some wounds just don't heal. In any event, Japanese customers can now pick from a whole host of updated Qosmios with clock-bumped Core 2 Duos and GeForce 9600M GT graphics, including the ¥320,000 ($3,241) 18.4-inch Qosmio G50 and the ¥210,000 ($2,119) 15.4-inch Qosmio FX, as well as a new 1.4GHz 12.1-inch Dynabook SS RX2 with 128GB SSD for ¥280,000 ($2,840). Great, but hey Tosh -- what we really want to see is the SpursEngine chip stuffed inside one of your new netbooks, you know? Think about it. Check the SS RX2 after the break.
engadget.com

Shuttle intros Atom 330, SUSE Linux-packin' X270V nettop

2009-04-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph,
Go 'head, Shuttle -- break on out of that shell! The company notorious for pumping out the same barebone rectangle with a different model name and a few extra ports has finally seen fit to do something a touch different, and what we're dealt is the X270V. This so-called Mini-PC relies on Intel's 1.6GHz Atom 330 to push the computations, while up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM keeps things in order. There's also gigabit Ethernet, 6-channel audio, a PS/2 connector for the retro folks, six USB sockets and VGA / DVI outputs. Shuttle also claims this bugger is energy efficient, though it doesn't go into great detail about just how much it'll save you each month. Oh, and it also comes loaded with openSUSE 11 (a Linux flavor, for those unaware). Interested? Move to Europe and plop down at least €299 ($390).

[Via Slashgear]
engadget.com

How would you change HP's Mini 1000 Mi?

2009-04-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph,
Judging by recent PC shipment reports, HP's had a pretty good run in Q1, and we fully suspect that a good chunk of those sales are in the netbook category. The outfit's Mini 1000 Mi was highly anticipated and chock full of promise, though we're not totally convinced the whole Mi interface lived up to the mile-high hype. So, now's your chance to tell us -- did it? Are you pleased with the software? Do you feel the user interface attracts or detracts? Could the hardware use a retooling? Are you totally looking forward to the 2000 Mi (or 1000 Mii, whatever HP settles on)? Feel free to blast our your really real opinions in comments below -- we'll be listening.
engadget.com

Video: Epson's multitouch X-Desk is your next coffee table

2009-04-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph,
When you think about it, it makes perfect sense for Epson to get into the touch-surface game -- most of the larger versions are projector-based, and Epson's been making great little beamers for quite some time. Showcased earlier this year at ISE 2009 alongside a multitouch air hockey table, the Core 2 Duo-powered X-Desk boasts a 1,024 x 768 resolution panel and possesses the ability to recognize up to 16,000 objects using "Smart Tags." Also of note, gesture recognition software enables users to actually speak to the table and see results, though there's no word on whether raising your voice or blurting out obscenities improves efficiency. Like all of these things, we've nary a clue when they'll really be available for the layperson to purchase, but you can certainly live vicariously by hopping past the break.

[Via AboutProjectors]

engadget.com

Windows 7 RC coming May 5 for public consumption, out now for MSDN / TechNet subscribers?

2009-04-20T08:59:00.000-07:00

by Ross Miller,
It's not as good as gold, but according to Microsoft's Partner Program website, Windows 7's release candidate is due out to the masses on May 5, a bit earlier than the BBC report had previously noted. MSDN and TechNet subscribers can apparently download the new build now, although Ars Technica is reporting it may not be up just yet. There's always the chance that this date was posted in error or will be pushed back, so in the meantime, perhaps marking your calendar with pencil or erasable pen isn't such a bad idea.

[Via Ars Technica; thanks, John]
engadget.com

XO Generation 1.5 promises some beefed up internals while we wait for XO-2 to change everything

2009-04-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

by Paul Miller,
We're pretty stoked to see that upcoming dual-screen sequel to the XO, OLPC's promised XO-2. Until then, OLPC is sprucing up the insides of its current design with a new VIA C7-M processor that can be clocked between 400MHz and 1GHz depending on the task at hand. Alongside the new processor the "Generation 1.5" model will sport a hot new VX855 chipset that can handle 3D graphics, HD video, and general management duties, and should be able to do it with a smaller footprint and less power consumption. The screen will likely remain the same, but might be tweaked slightly to improve brightness and efficiency, and the whole package should be built with components that will be more likely to drop in price. Developers should get the main board by May, with prototypes for testing going out in August and we suppose wide availability sometime after that.
engadget.com

GiiNii's Movit Mini Android tablet coming in October, Movit Maxx in January

2009-04-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

by Ross Miller,
We were pretty stoked by GiiNii's Movit Mini when we got some hands-on time with it at CES this year, and while the 4.3-inch, Android-powered tablet was originally due out in the middle of this year, the company's now targeting an October 1st ship date for the Mini and January 1st, 2010 for the 7-inch Max. Specs look to be the same as before, although given the new date we'd say Cupcake is now all but guaranteed. Mum's still the official word on pricing, but last we heard the Mini was expected to cost "less than the iPod touch" -- here's hoping the company manages to keep that goal.

engadget.com

Acer's AT&T 3G-infused Aspire One now at $79 -- price war imminent?

2009-04-20T08:50:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph,
Yeah, we definitely dig where this is headed. With Verizon's subsidized HP Mini 1000 about to hit store shelves at any moment, the AT&T 3G-equipped Aspire One has taken a tumble from $99.99 to $79.99. Just so we're clear: you can actually buy a name brand netbook now for under 80 bones. 'Course, you'll be stuck in a two year data contract with AT&T, and you'll actually have to insert yourself into a pair of pants in order to get the machine from a Radio Shack store, but surely that's a compromise you're willing to make. Here's hoping this leads to free-on-contract netbooks (or close to it) in the very near future. Right, American carriers?

[Thanks, Sharukh]
engadget.com

HP Firebird 802 gaming rig gets $500 price drop

2009-04-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

by Donald Melanson,
Well, it's only been available for a few short months but HP has already seen fit to give its flagship Firebird 802 gaming desktop a fairly sizable price drop -- $500, to be specific. That includes a $150 cut to the $1,799 base price and a $350 instant rebate that brings the price down to a pretty darn reasonable $1,299, questionable keyboards aside. For those that haven't been pricing gaming rigs lately, that'll get you a Core 2 Quad 9400 processor, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and dual NVIDIA GeForce 9800S graphics cards (with 512MB of DDR3 memory on each card). Of course, any price drop of this size also invariably bring of the question "why?" and, in the case, the reasons are still a bit hazy. While HP discontinuing the line outright seems to almost certainly be out of the question, a slight revision does seem at least possible, if not necessarily imminent -- although, any way you shake it, $500 off is $500 off, so we're not complaining.

[Thanks, Ali]
engadget.com

OCZ outs its first Mini-PCIe SSDs in 16GB / 32GB capacities

2009-04-20T08:46:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph,
Just as Buffalo did in December of last year, OCZ Technology is busting out a duo of netbook / notebook-ready SSDs in 16GB and 32GB capacities. Obviously aimed at the smaller, more low-cost machines, the company's first ever Mini-PCIe solid state drives are a so-called "affordable flash-based storage option to significantly increase the capacity for netbooks." The pair will be available in SATA and PATA interfaces, which will deliver read speeds of up to 110MB/sec and write speeds as high as 51MB/sec (or 45MB/sec [read] and 35MB/sec [write] for the PATA versions). Regrettably, there's no mention of price, but you can bet these will come packed in a specced-out version of the firm's Neutrino.
engadget.com

Velocity Micro's Atom N270-packing NoteMagix M10 coming this month for $380

2009-04-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

by Ross Miller,
Largely under the radar since its CES debut -- and even then there wasn't much to say, frankly -- Velocity Micro's 10.2-inch NoteMagix M10 is on sale with an April 30 estimated ship date. Base price is $380, and color notwithstanding (it comes in red, blue, and black), the only customization option really is a DVD writer for $70. What you do get, however, is the usual spec list that comes along with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, along with the pleasant surprise of a 6-cell battery. The big question now is if there's really enough here to divert attention from any of the other, more dominant brands in this hyper-saturated netbook market.

[Via PC Launches]
engadget.com

Toshiba 10-inch Dynabook UX's got talent

2009-04-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

by Thomas Ricker,
How much would you pay for an Intel Atom N280-based netbook? $300? $400? How about $600. That's the tax-inclusive starting price for Toshiba's 10.1-inch Dynabook UX followup to its dowdy NB100. While ditching the wooly-eyebrowed chub infecting most 1.6GHz N280 netbooks, the UX remains saddled with 945GSE graphics (not GN40), a 10.1-inch, LED backlit 1024 x 600 pixel resolution and 160GB disk. A bit steep considering CULV thin-and-lights are about to flood the market. Get up tight with the Tosh chicklets after the break.

engadget.com

Samsung's 10.1-inch N120 netbook now on sale

2009-04-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

by Darren Murph,
Samsung's long-awaited (okay, so we made that part up) N120 netbook has finally transitioned from "might ship someday, maybe" to "oh, I'm definitely shipping." Consumers interested in the 10.1-inch, 2.8 pound netbook can surf over now to Amazon and order one up in black or white for the not-totally-tantalizing price of $465.99. If you've forgotten what all that buys you, here's a rundown, and feel free to say it with us in unison: 1.6GHz Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, Windows XP Home, a 1,024 x 600 resolution panel, 6-cell battery, a 3-in-1 multicard reader, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and an Ethernet jack for good measure. Oh, and there's a "2.1-channel" sound system, for whatever that's worth.

[Thanks, Chuckles McGee]
engadget.com