Archive for the 'Hardware' Category
Corsair, a worldwide leader in high performance computer and flash memory products, today announced the HX1000W power supply unit (PSU), the world’s first 1000 watt PSU to be certified under the newly-created 3-way NVIDIA® SLI® Technology Certification Program from NVIDIA Corporation. The Corsair HX1000W will be debuted at the CeBIT 2008 show next week in Hanover, Germany on Corsair’s stand (Booth 40, Hall 21).
The HX1000W is the latest addition to Corsair’s award-winning HX-series of modular power supplies for the gaming and enthusiast community. Featuring a twin-transformer, true dual-rail design, DC-to-DC conversion and high-quality solid state capacitors, the HX1000W delivers the rock-solid performance and stability required for high-end enthusiast gaming systems.
Features of the HX1000W include:
· Designed for multi-core CPUs and multi-GPU systems
· Guaranteed to deliver its full 1000W output at 50ºC operating temperature
· Industrial grade solid-state capacitors rated at 105ºC for uncompromised performance
· True independent dual +12V rail design
· 140mm temperature-controlled fan for quiet, efficient cooling
With Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) and 80% or more energy efficiency across a wide range of loading conditions, the HX1000W PSU generates minimal heat during operation. In addition, the high quality, thermally-controlled double ball-bearing 140mm fan provides effective cooling and whisper quiet operation.
“Having the first 1000 watt power supply that is certified for 3-way NVIDIA® SLI® Technology is a great honor,” said Jack Peterson, VP Corporate Marketing. “The fact that the HX1000W meets the 3-way NVIDIA SLI Technology specification at a wattage rating that is up to 30% lower than some of our competitors highlights Corsair’s superior engineering expertise and world-class product development efforts,” continued Peterson. “Clearly, this is the ultimate power supply for enthusiasts and demanding customers who want the very best hardware in their gaming rigs.”
The Corsair HX1000W power supply unit (CMPSU-1000HX) will be available in late March through Corsair’s authorized distributors, resellers and e-tailers worldwide, priced at $279.99 USD MSRP. Corsair’s power supplies are backed by a 5-year Limited Warranty, complete customer support via telephone, email, forum and TS Xpress troubleshooting guide. For more information on Corsair HX1000W power supply, please visit: http://corsair.com/products/hx1000.aspx.
Other World Computing (OWC), a leading Mac and PC technology company, announced today that it is offering 4GB Memory Kits for Apple’s newly announced MacBook and MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models, which began shipping yesterday, February 26, 2008. OWC is providing memory for these new MacBook 13” 2.1GHz/2.4GHz Core 2 Duo Models and MacBook Pro 15” & 17” 2.4GHz/2.5GHz (including 2.6GHz optional configuration) Core 2 Duo models. OWC memory is available in modules and kits of up to 4.0GB for these models as well as the previous MacBook Pro models.
OWC is an Apple Developer Connection Premiere member and its memory upgrades meet Apple’s electrical and mechanical design requirements. OWC maintains an active state-of-the-art test lab to ensure the highest product quality and reliability and provides a lifetime of high-performance reliable operation backed with a Money Back Guarantee and OWC’s Lifetime Advance Replacement Warranty.
OWC’s 4.0GB Memory Upgrade Kits are available immediately, priced at $95.99 (configured as two 2GB memory modules). Additional savings are also available for customers who take advantage of OWC’s trade-in program, which provides $20 cash back for the trade-in of two 1GB modules.
Other World Computing (OWC), a leading Mac and PC technology company, announced today new Superdrive optical drives for all Mac computers, including Mac Pro; PowerBook G4 Titanium 15”, 12/15/17” Aluminum; iBook G4; PowerMac G3, G4, G5; iMac G4; and eMac.
Whether upgrading from a read-only drive, replacing an older Superdrive or adding additional optical drive, OWC’s Superdrives are priced right and are Plug & Play easy to install. OWC offers the newest, fastest, and quietest SuperDrive technology from Pioneer, including 20X DL SuperDrive DVR-115D to read and write DVDs, CDs, and dual-layer DVDs. Capacity for dual layer DVDs is 8.5GB at speeds of 10X; regular DVDs for 4.7GB capacity at 20X; and CDs for 700MB at 40X.
“Replacing an existing optical drive or even adding an additional drive lets you enjoy the latest DVD and CD authoring performance and reliability,” said Larry O’Connor, President, Other World Computing . “For most Macs, this is an incredibly easy upgrade and one of great return for anyone who’s currently making or planning to make their own DVDs or CDs.”
OWC makes it easy to upgrade to fast DVD/CD burners compatible with the latest software, such as Apple iLife, Apple Discburner, Roxio Toast, NTI Dragonburn, and other CD/DVD authoring applications. Superdrives are available immediately from OWC priced starting at $29.99. Online installation guides and videos show users how to quickly install. For more information, see: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives/superdrives/.
Universal Remote Control, Inc., the leader in control system design and manufacturing for home and professional entertainment systems, will introduces the wireless, dual-use KP-900 Wireless Keypad at this Spring’s Electronic House Expo, beginning Mar. 13 in Orlando, Florida.
The KP-900 is a powerful keypad remote that controls all audio and video equipment in a home, simplifying and automating the operation of even the most complex Home Theater system to achieve an extraordinary combination of power and flexibility. It can be mounted on a wall AND used as a handheld remote, making it ideal for retrofitting into homes with existing entertainment systems, as well as for new homes.
Universal Remote Control’s KP-900 Wireless Keypad
Four simple screws attach the KP-900’s bracket to a wall, eliminating the expense and inconvenience of running new wires or opening the wall to add new wires. The keypad can be mounted in any room, and anywhere in a room. It can be used on the wall in its bracket, independently as a handheld, or affixed to a refrigerator or other metal surface thanks to a built-in magnet. The keypad is compatible with iPods and other portable music players, and comes in three decorator-friendly finishes — white, light almond and black.
The KP-900 is equipped with a bright, easy to read, backlit LCD screen, and injection-molded backlit buttons with laser-etched labeling. Six buttons to the right of the screen are labeled based on what a user is watching or listening to, and change accordingly. Someone ‘Watching TV,’ for example, will see a list of buttons useful to that activity. If he selects ‘DVD,’ the buttons will automatically change to control the DVD — making operation of the system simple, fluid and intuitive.
To further enhance customized installation, the keypad comes with three sets of keycaps for the top buttons. One set has no labels. The other two simplify volume control (Volume Up, Mute and Volume Down) and transport control (Seek–, Shuffle and Seek+). They help installers more perfectly adapt the keypad to specific systems and user preferences, and cannot be removed once installed.
Any Room, Anywhere
We told you about the new i-mate Ultimate 8502 and 9502 yesterday and we have pix of both now from i-mate. Here you see the 9502 opened, ala Sidekick, in all its glory. You can see nice large pictures of both releases from the previous announcement.
Sierra
Wireless today announced that Fujitsu Siemens Computers has once again selected Sierra Wireless embedded modules to provide HSPA network connectivity to selected models in the LIFEBOOK product line of professional notebook computers. New platforms incorporating Sierra Wireless modules are expected to roll out over the course of 2008, including the new LIFEBOOK P8010, which is scheduled for commercial launch in March. The LIFEBOOK P8010 notebook is featured this week in the Sierra Wireless pavilion at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (located at AV99, on the Avenue).
“Sierra Wireless advanced technology and excellent design made it the right choice for our LIFEBOOK notebook series,” said Andreas Thimmel, Senior Vice President Volume Business, Fujitsu Siemens Computers.
“The fully featured LIFEBOOK notebook line is highly regarded around the world for its performance and innovation,” said Jim Lahey, vice president, EMEA for Sierra Wireless. “We highly value our collaboration with Fujitsu Siemens Computers, and look forward to continuing to work with the company to provide mobile professionals across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa with reliable integrated mobile broadband solutions that enable them to work from wherever they need to be.”
Fujitsu Siemens Computers is the first PC OEM to utilize the GPS capability included in Sierra Wireless embedded modules, with a software application that supports the extension of location based services to upcoming notebooks. When supported by the mobile broadband network operator, this capability could provide features such as local find and locate for services such as fuel stations and restaurants, or navigation assistance using common software tools.
i-mate(tm) (London AIM: IMTE), the specialist in Windows Mobile powered devices, today unveils the latest devices in its Ultimate range, the Ultimate 9502 (picture) and the Ultimate 8502 at Mobile Congress World.
The Ultimate 9502 and 8502 are the latest devices from the Ultimate range, a collection of four devices in various forms to suit individual preferences, from classic PDA to a notebook replacement and were designed to provide the latest and best in phone and PDA technology. With a wide variety of features ranging from to HSDPA and HUSDPA connectivity to the 262k colour TFT screen , every component of the device is specified at a very high level.
The Ultimate 9502 represents the flagship of the Ultimate range and delivers an all in one Windows Mobile® device. Powered by 3.5G (HSDPA & HUSDPA), and WiFI and Bluetooth connectivity, the Ultimate 9502’s VGA display is perfect for multimedia viewing, or checking through maps using the its integrated GPS functionality for navigation. There are dedicated shortcut keys all around the 9502, allowing easy and fast access to often used applications.. The 9502 includes integrated support for Direct Video Out capabilities, providing you with the option to connect it to monitors or projectors and watch videos off it or even use Windows Mobile on a larger screen. This feature was especially included in a business sense so users can perform video conferencing or project slideshows and presentations from the phone itself, making it a viable alternative to a notebook.
The Ultimate 8502 delivers a customised out of the box experience in a slim line QWERTY keyboard form factor. With a 2.6 inch touchscreen with 65k colour TFT backlight, it is fully loaded with Microsoft Office Mobile giving users access to popular applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint on the go. This device also comes with built-in GPS navigation functionality offering users satellite navigation. The 8502 can play video clips directly and a variety of music file formats on the inbuilt Windows Media Player 10 Mobile media player.
“2008 sees i-mate(tm) continue to deliver on its iconic devices and sophisticated services,” said Jim Morrison, CEO, i-mate(tm). “The Ultimate range has already won plaudits on its design and strong specifications. The Ultimate 9502 and 8502 will continue to build on i-mate’s, the best of breed combination of innovation, design and technology. Each of our devices is designed with different users in mind giving our customers real choice.”
As part of i-mate(tm)’s service proposition, Mobile World Congress will also mark the launch of i-mate’s(tm) I-Q Services, a portfolio of services that ensure the best wireless experience out of the box. With I-Q, i-mate can immediately customise user devices, fully support devices on a 24/7 basis and fully protect and if necessary, remotely wipe devices that are lost of stolen. little as 48 hours. Mobile Operators can use i-Q to improve their services to the enterprise segment and to accelerate their time-to-market with new mobile devices to address the rapidly expanding mobile workforce. IDC estimates that the worldwide mobile worker population will grow to 878.2 million in 2009 to account for 21.3 percent of the global work force*.
Morrison concludes, “The mobile industry is starting to develop an approach where a customer can select a device based on what they want and need, not because they are restricted by available options. With the latest Ultimate devices powered by Windows Mobile and customised for the enterprise, we believe we are delivering what our customers are asking for.”
UPDATED: Take a look at our other post with showing the 9502 opened.
Other World Computing (OWC), a leading Mac and PC technology company and leading after-market supplier of memory upgrades for the Mac Pro, today announced its new “Quick Install” Guide for OWC Memory Upgrade Kits for the latest Mac Pro 8-Core Xeon models for the fastest, easiest installation a user can do on their own. Priced as low as $48.75 per GB, OWC memory upgrades offer a savings of well over 70% as compared to factory-installed and other competitors.
There are some slight changes to the memory riser configuration vs. the prior model, so users need to plan for a slightly different memory installation procedure. To simplify the process, OWC has created both a standard “Quick Install” Guide included with every Mac Pro 800MHz Memory set shipped and an online video installation guide to show just how easy it is to install. As OWC’s guide and online video affirms (see http://eshop.macsales.com/how_to_install/Apple/Mac_Pro_Memory_800Mhz_2008 for video), Mac Pro memory is an easily user installable upgrade.
OWC (FB-DIMM) 800MHz DDR2 72-Bit ECC fully-buffered Memory Upgrade Modules are available in matched sets of 1.0GB, 2.0GB, and 4.0GB modules for up to 32.0GB of total memory (see full pricing info below).
OWC Memory Module New Pricing:
2.0GB Matched Sets (1.0GB Module x 2) for as low as $60.00/GB
4.0GB Matched Sets (2.0GB Module x 2) for as low as $48.75/GB
8.0GB Matched Sets (4.0GB Module x 2) for as low as $85.94/GB
OWC has been providing memory to upgrade Apple computers for nearly 20 years. In August of 2006, OWC was the first to provide true Apple-Qualified memory for the first Apple Mac Pro Quad Xeon computers at independent prices and now without delay, has the new 800MHz memory available for these most recent Apple Mac Pro 8-Core Xeon models. OWC Memory Upgrade Kits provide premium quality, fully-tested modules that completely meet and/or exceed all Apple specifications. Utilizing superior components, including true Apple-Qualified heat spreaders, the modules provide a lifetime of high-performance, reliable operation backed by OWC’s Lifetime Advance Replacement Warranty.
Cash Back Trade-In Rebate
A cash-back rebate of up to $55 per set is also available from OWC for the trade-in of Apple factory memory. Available for immediate order, the OWC Memory Upgrade Kits consist of matched pairs of FB-DIMM modules manufactured to Apple’s stringent Mac Pro specifications, far exceeding JEDEC (the leading developer of solid-state industry standards) specifications. For additional information on OWC’s Mac Pro 8-Way Quad Xeon Memory Modules, See: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory or call toll free (800) 275-4576.
OWC also offers a full line of memory for upgrading nearly every Apple model made from the last twenty years, including MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac, PowerMac, and PowerBook computers. The full OWC Memory line, as well as a compatibility guide which directs customers to the correct upgrades for each specific Apple model, can be found online here: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/
Like it did with the Mac Pro just a week prior to Macworld, Apple has again upgraded some hardware without any fan fare. This time it was the highly speculated announcement at Macworld for the iPhone. Off a few weeks from the Apple-based trade show, the speculation was on mark and now current iPhone users feeling tight at the belt line can pay $499 for this beefier memory phone. Those that have been holding out for more memory now have their wish.
No details from Apple as to if any other hardware has changed internally as requests for details were ignored. So, it may be very possible other things were upgraded or maybe even added. Time and a firmware upgrade will only tell.
As a side note, the iPod touch also doubled its memory from 16 GB to 32 GB. Let the new iPhone rumors begin…
FotoNation, a leading provider of embedded imaging solutions for the imaging industry, announced today “ChromaFixTM” new one-step chromatic aberration correction technology. ChromaFix brings advanced image processing technology normally found in much higher-priced cameras to low-cost low-power devices, including consumer digital cameras and camera phones. ChromaFix is offered in several configurations: a software-only solution or coupled with FotoNation’s IP-Core hardware acceleration technology to achieve maximum performance.
Higher-end digital cameras often include sophisticated glass lenses that minimize aberrations. Low-cost consumer-level cameras and camera phones have different price/performance dynamics, resulting in lower quality optics through the use of plastic lenses. With ChromaFix, consumers can get high-quality results at a low cost.
An example of chromatic aberrations is the occurrence of purple fringes around high contrast edges in a photo, which is the result of a misalignment of the red, green and blue wave-lengths of light during focusing. The prevalence of purple fringing is dependent on the design of the optical system in the camera, including: optical light path, lens materials, aperture of the exposure and the design of the image processing system executed during image capture. The purple color results from the fact that most lens designs are optimized to focus based on the green wave lengths of light. The blue and red wavelengths of light fall out of focus and overlap, producing a purple color due to the additive properties of color perception (blue and red result in purple).
“We see tremendous potential in using digital technologies to correct optical aberrations that are currently present in consumer-level digital capture devices. FotoNation’s ChromaFix technology has been designed to leverage our expertise in bringing advanced image processing to low-power consumer devices,” said Eran Steinberg, CEO of FotoNation, Inc.
A demonstration is available at PMA. For more information, see www.fotonation.com.