Posts Tagged ‘Laptop’

Leap Motion Brings 3-D Motion Control Technology To Laptops And Desktops

May 23rd, 2012

Leap Motion has officially set the new standard for how we use desktop devices.

The world’s most accurate 3-D motion control device is said to revolutionize the way users control their laptops and desktop computers.

Leap Motion’s newest creation offers a motion control interaction space that will allow users to operate traditional desktop computer elements — windows, folders and icons — and interact with applications, using gestures made in the air.

By creating a three-dimensional interaction space, consisting of 4 cubic feet, The Leap controls the computer more precisely and quickly than a mouse or touchscreen, and as reliably as a keyboard, according to a statement released by Leap Motion.

Information Week’s Thomas Claburn notes that the Leap device produces an infrared light that reflects off objects in the four-cubic foot visible to its sensors, much like Microsoft’s Kinect.

Accordingly, The Leap device then interprets that data to direct the movement of objects on the screen of the connected computer.

“It was this gap between what’s easy in the real world but very complicated to do digitally, like molding a piece of clay or creating a 3-D model, that inspired us to create the Leap and fundamentally change how people work with their computers,” Leap Motion CEO and co-founder Michael Buckwald said in a statement.

Leap Motion expects its Leap device to be useful for basic computing tasks like navigating an operating system or browsing through web pages, 2D or 3D drawing, manipulating 3D data visualization systems, and playing computer games, including first-person shooters like “Rage” and “Call of Duty.”

Based in San Francisco, Leap Motion is a motion-control software and hardware company that develops 3-D motion-control and motion-sensing technology.

The $70 device is slated to ship “this winter,” as Leap Motion says it has already begun accepting requests for free developer kits.

Source:http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/344071/20120522/leap-motion-3d-technology-laptops-desktop.htm

Lenovo’s IdeaCentre A720 Now Available to Tingle All Ten Fingers

May 23rd, 2012

If you dig the all-in-one form factor, the Lenovo IdeaCentre A720 is about as compelling as it gets. After showing off the A720 at CES, Lenovo now has the AIO available for purchase, reports The Verge.

The A720 boasts a large 27-inch screen with 10-point multitouch support, and the display itself can be adjusted from -5 to 90 degrees. The highest-end version of the computer will have an Intel Core i7-3610QM processor, a 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GT620 graphics card, 8GB of DDR3-1600MHz memory, and a 1TB hard drive with a 64GB SSD. Buyers will also get a wireless keyboard and mouse, mini optical wheel mouse, Blu-ray combo ODD, built-in WiFi, an HD 720p webcam, 6-in-1 card reader, and IR remote, and HDMI in and out.

The aforementioned version of the A720 starts at $2,099, with two other versions starting at $1,949 and $1,849. The Verge noted that in any configuration, the A720 costs quite a bit more than what Lenovo said it would this January; around CES time, the company thought it would hit the market at closer to $1,299.

Lenovo expects shipments to land around the second week of June.

Source:http://hothardware.com/News/Lenovos-IdeaCentre-A720-Now-Available-to-Tingle-All-Ten-Fingers/

AMD powered Hp Dv6 Laptop Computer

May 22nd, 2012

Whether there’s a dad or a grad (or both!) on your gift list, a sexy new computer is always a really cool gift idea.

The HP Pavilion dv6-6c35dx laptop with AMD VISION technology delivers style plus substance making it the perfect gift for any dad who wants a premium notebook for stylish mobility — and that’s anyone who wants to escape from the apartment and take their laptop with them!

The Dv6 features a 15.6″ high-definition display for crisp, clear images with excellent visual quality and HD video is crystal clear through dedicated video playback technology powered by AMD. It includes Wireless Beats Audio for optimal sound experience when playing audio through headphones or external speakers, and supercomputing-like speed brings a blistering performance without the bulkiness. HP CoolSense Technology combines advanced hardware and intelligent cooling software for a noticeably cooler notebook. Its s design includes extras like a fourth USB port and second headphone jack, along with a longer lasting battery (something that those of us who travel all the time super-value!)

And, like some of our other dad/grad gift finds, we’re giving one away!

Source:http://mygloss.com/giveaways/giveaway-amd-powered-hp-dv6-laptop-computer/

From laptop to legion – turning one computer into many

May 17th, 2012

A recently launched Kickstarter-funded project aims to bring $50 thin clients to schools and small businesses, allowing them to turn almost any computer into a multi-user hub.

Thanks to ongoing advances in multi-seat Linux development, manufacturer Plugable was able to base its machines on Fedora, rather than proprietary software, though it also works with Windows Multipoint Server. By doing away with licensing costs, Plugable founder Bernie Thompson says the company can ensure an attractive price. The Kickstarter effort is in place to help the company realize “economies of scale” necessary to drive the cost down.

“Every other solution out there has a software license cost per seat. This doesn’t,” he asserts.

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The device – which connects a monitor, mouse, keyboard, headphones and microphone to a parent computer via USB 2.0 – has no memory, hard drive or CPU, according to Thompson. “[The client's] behavior is purely determined by the machine it connects to,” he says.

While this does mean that each thin client is limited both by available system resources – more clients mean more resource drain – and the capabilities of USB graphics connectivity, Thompson says that the average information worker should be able to function with little trouble.

The fact that most PCs don’t use the majority of their system resources all the time, coupled with some optimization technology, helps address those performance concerns – though things like gaming and high-definition video are always going to be problematic.

Thompson is a former employee of DisplayLink, and that company’s technology is at the heart of Plugable’s products. Much of his current business involves DisplayLink hardware for use in multi-monitor setups, he says.

However, he also credits developers at Red Hat with having done a lot of the heavy lifting as far as implementing this easy-to-use client technology. That said, some of the Kickstarter funding will go toward ironing out bugs in Fedora that could complicate his device’s use.

Schools and non-profits are expected to be among the most enthusiastic customers for the device, Thompson says, along with anyone else who needs “lots of machines for the minimum possible cost and the minimum possible maintenance.”

Simplicity, according to Thompson, is paramount.

“If it’s not plug-and-play, it’s really not reachable by normal users,” he says.

Source:http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/424781/from_laptop_legion_-_turning_one_computer_into_many/?fp=4&fpid=1976458394#closeme

Lenovo Shows Off Next-Gen Business Ultrabook, Introduces New ThinkPad Laptops

May 16th, 2012

Lenovo revealed the upcoming ThinkPad X1 Carbon laptop which the company is calling the lightest 14-inch Ultrabook in the industry. This ultrabook weighs less than three pounds thanks in part to its premium carbon fiber rollcage. Other key features include 3G connectivity, Lenovo RapidCharge, and Intel vPro technology. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Ultrabook will be available this summer.

Lenovo also announced a new portfolio of ThinkPad laptops in the T, X, L and W Series. The new models feature 3rd Generation Intel Core processors, Lenovo Enhanced Experience 3.0 (EE 3.0) with RapidBoot technology, and a new ThinkPad Precision keyboard. Select models also offer 4G LTE mobile broadband connectivity. Among the new models you’ll find the ultraportable ThinkPad X230, the ThinkPad X230t convertible tablet, the ThinkPad T430/430s/530, the ThinkPad W530 mobile workstation, and the ThinkPad L430 and L530 business-oriented laptops. Lenovo also announced improved ThinkPad USB 3.0 docking solutions. The new ThinkPad laptops will be available in early June.

Accelerate Channel Partner Conference in Las Vegas previewed the upcoming ThinkPad X1 Carbon laptop, the lightest 14-inch Ultrabook™ in the industry.1 With an amazingly thin and extremely powerful design, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon shatters the mold of traditional laptops. Also today, Lenovo announced a new portfolio of ThinkPad laptops in the T, X, L and W Series built to power small businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and large corporations. The laptops range from models designed for extreme portability to mobile workstation performance.

ThinkPad X1 Carbon: The Lightest Professional Ultrabook

Created for those who demand the highest levels of performance, mobility, entertainment and design, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon exceeds Ultrabook™ specifications by using a premium carbon fiber rollcage to create a durable UltrabookTM weighing less than three pounds. Other premium features include 3G connectivity for anywhere anytime access, Lenovo RapidCharge for a near-full battery charge in 30 minutes, and Intel vPro technology for manageability.

“We crafted the ThinkPad X1 Carbon with premium carbon fiber material in order to make it incredibly thin and light, yet durable,” said Lu Yan, senior vice president, Think Product Group, Lenovo. “Our new ThinkPad laptop portfolio embodies much of the innovative thinking exemplified in the X1 Carbon, such as a backlit keyboard, super-bright high definition display, Dolby® Home Theatre® and rich communications features that balance business performance with personal use.”

ThinkPad Portfolio: Class-Leading Laptops

The new ThinkPad X, T, W, and L Series models include a platform of innovations that respond to key business needs. Featuring 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ processors and Lenovo Enhanced Experience 3.0 (EE 3.0) with RapidBoot technology, the laptops boot 40 percent faster than a typical Windows® 7 computer.2 Also the new ThinkPad Precision Keyboard extends across the new lineup and features a backlit option and modern, clean design. For a clear and rich audio-visual experience, the laptops include Dolby audio and super-bright 300 NIT HD+ panels. Communication becomes simple with the introduction of 4G long term evolution (LTE)/mobile broadband on select ThinkPad laptop models and the introduction of Lenovo’s upcoming contract-free mobile broadband. The new ThinkPad laptop family consistently exceeds military specifications giving mobile professionals the confidence to work anywhere under almost any condition.

A Road Warrior’s Dream – ThinkPad X230 Ultraportable

Designed for business professionals on-the-go, the ThinkPad X230 laptop delivers top performance with an amazing 24 hours of battery life packed into a compact, lightweight form.3 Despite its small size, the laptop’s ergonomic design with the optional Precision Backlit Keyboard makes the laptop comfortable and easy to use. A road warrior’s dream weighing less than three pounds, the ThinkPad X230 laptop features a super-bright 12.5-inch, 300 nit IPS wide-viewing display. Its 4G mobile broadband, a first for ThinkPad laptops, delivers blazing fast wireless connectivity.

Flexible and Powerful – ThinkPad X230t Ultraportable Tablet

The ThinkPad X230t convertible tablet with pen combines the functionality and performance of a 12-inch ultraportable laptop with the mobility and flexibility of a tablet computer. In addition to many of the same features as the X230, the X230t also has a convenient optional touch screen and is complemented by adding the optional ThinkPad laser mouse.

Uncompromised Power and Performance – ThinkPad T430/430s/530

Lenovo’s T Series laptops offer ThinkPad’s best combination of mobility and performance. Work endlessly with up to 32.5 hours of battery life on some configurations and perform at the highest levels with features like optional NVIDIA® discrete graphics.4 The T430s is the ThinkPad line’s lightest 14-inch laptop featuring docking and vPro. The Series’ best-selling T430 also has a very compact form. For users who want a larger screen size in a thin light form factor, the T530 offers a 15-inch full HD display with a 95 percent color gamut. Other performance and mobility features on the T Series laptops include USB 3.0, Lenovo RapidCharge and 4G mobile broadband.

Mobile Workstation Made Easy – ThinkPad W530

Packed with strong laptop performance, the ThinkPad W530 is an independent software vendor (ISV)-certified workstation for those who require extreme processor and/or graphic performance combined with mobility. The full HD, 270 nit wide-viewing angle display meets intensive GPU requirements with its 95 percent color gamut and a built-in color calibrator. Up to four additional displays can be connected when paired with the ThinkPad Dock. Ideal for designers who need a bright, clear and colorful screen that shows true color consistency, this mobile workstation also includes NVIDIA® Quadro® mobile graphics processors with second generation Optimus™ power management technology. The ThinkPad W530 comes ready to handle out-of-the-box with multiple professional applications such as CAD/CAM, GIS and 3D modeling.

True to the Core – ThinkPad L430/530

Combined with the great features of the ThinkPad portfolio, the ThinkPad L430 and L530 laptops provide business users with an affordable PC without sacrificing performance. With a thinner and lighter design over its predecessor, the new L Series offers a high definition (HD) screen in either a 14-inch or 15-inch option.

Super Speed Docking – ThinkPad Series 3/USB 3.0 Dock

Users can maximize the power of the latest ThinkPad laptops with improved ThinkPad docking solutions. Lenovo enhanced the ThinkPad Series 3 docking stations with a USB 3.0 port that delivers 10 times the performance of USB 2.0. As the most compact USB 3.0 docking solution, the all new USB 3.0 Dock also packs in five SuperSpeed USB 3.0 data ports, dual beyond-HD video out, gigabit Ethernet and always-on mobile device charging. With common ThinkPad docking solutions, batteries, and power supplies, IT managers can swap hardware among employees to maximize their resources and minimize cost.

Industry Leading Services and Support

All ThinkPad laptops include Lenovo worldwide service and support including local language tech support. Lenovo offers a wide range of solutions for large businesses that help save IT departments time and money including transition services, accidental damage protection service and priority support. Additionally, Lenovo is offering a new option for Onsite Technician Installation of Customer Replaceable Units (CRUs) for ThinkPad laptops, which includes memory modules, optical drive, power supply, PCI cards, fan assembly and hard disk drive. This upgraded warranty option provides an authorized repair technician to install a part onsite to help less technical customers or those located away from company IT support desks.

Source:http://hothardware.com/News/Lenovo-Shows-Off-NextGen-Business-Ultrabook-Introduces-New-ThinkPad-Laptops/

Sony Announces 13″ and 15″ VAIO S Series Laptops

May 16th, 2012

The Ultrabook category is still alive and well, and in fact, still growing. Sony has just announced a new VAIO S, available in 13.3″ and 15.5″ screen sizes. The S Series 13 and 15 will ship with rigid cases crafted from magnesium, aluminium and carbon fibre (depends on model), with the S Series 15 models tipping the scales at below 2kg. All S Series feature a new slot-in optical drive (Blu-ray Disc or DVD), and the VAIO Display Premium is also available on S Series 13 models. Larger screen-size S Series 15 models feature a Full HD VAIO Display Plus, offering super-wide viewing angles.

Inside, you’ll get 3rd-gen Intel Core i7 quad-core CPUs, an optional SSD, NVIDIA GeForce hybrid graphics, and support for a docking station. There’s also an optional sheet battery that boosts battery life up to 14 hours for those long international flights. That’s impressive, right there. There’s no word on pricing yet, but as usual, we’re expecting the VAIO premium to remain.

Source:http://hothardware.com/News/Sony-Announces-13-and-15-VAIO-S-Series-Laptops/

Samsung Ships 17″ Series 7 Chronos Laptop, Starts At $1500

May 11th, 2012

It’s real, and it’s here. While 17″ notebooks have been around forever, they haven’t received a huge amount of praise and market traction compared to those thin-and-light alternatives. But that’s not stopping Samsung from getting into the ring, with the Series 7 Chronos acting as one of the most stately 17″ laptops we’ve seen to date. Offering a 3rd-gen Intel Core i7 CPU, JBL audio, an HD LED display, ExpressCache technology and and 1080p resolution, it’s able to offer gamers and multimedia junkies alike plenty of power. It’s also on the trim side (for a monster laptop), and there’s 8GB of RAM, a battery good for around 8 hours on a single charge, and NVIDIA’s GeForce GT 650M (2GB) on the graphics side. At 6.5 lbs., it’s no lightweight, but those who can handle the heft can buy one now in the U.S. starting at $1500.

The new Series 7 CHRONOS can truly serve as a desktop replacement, whether it’s being used for work or play, because we’ve integrated so many powerful features into our innovative design and engineering, resulting in the ultimate personal computing experience”

“The new Series 7 CHRONOS can truly serve as a desktop replacement, whether it’s being used for work or play, because we’ve integrated so many powerful features into our innovative design and engineering, resulting in the ultimate personal computing experience,” said Todd Bouman, vice president of marketing at Samsung Enterprise Business Division. “This product incorporates great features from our award-winning Series 7 CHRONOS line while offering consumers the newest, most powerful components available and a larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience without sacrificing the convenience of a laptop.”

Enhanced Speed and Performance

Powered by a 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor, the 17-inch Series 7 CHRONOS delivers unrivalled speed right from the start, making it easy for users to accomplish tasks ranging from Internet browsing to watching videos. This new quad-core processor empowers users to speed through even the most demanding tasks and effortlessly multitask between applications, thanks to Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology. Through Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0.1 users can also access an automatic burst of speed whenever they need it.

The 17-inch Series 7 CHRONOS also offers exceptional start-up times and powerful overall performance, including web browsing speeds that are twice as fast (using Microsoft Internet Explorer), thanks to its innovative ExpressCache™ technology, developed by Diskeeper, which provides 8GB of flash memory on the motherboard. Additionally, the inclusion of Samsung’s Fast Start technology means that the laptop wakes up from hybrid sleep mode in as little as just two seconds, while Quick Boot has the notebook ready to go – from cold – in as little as 19 seconds, saving users valuable seconds of startup time.

The performance of the 17-inch Series 7 CHRONOS is further enhanced by the notebook’s extended battery life. In addition to uninterrupted performance of up to 8 hours on a single charge (based on MobileMark test scores**), Samsung’s Battery Life Plus technology keeps 80% of the cell’s original capacity, even after 1,500 charges.** This results in a battery that can last up to five times longer than other notebooks and ensures that CHRONOS users always have the power they need to be productive, anytime, anywhere.

Optimal Audio Visual Experience

The 17-inch Series 7 CHRONOS provides trendsetting consumers with the latest advances in multimedia technology. Powerful JBL® stereo speakers, a sub-woofer and HD audio processing result in an unrivaled auditory experience. Through this new audio integration with JBL, Series 7 CHRONOS users will enjoy clearer, richer sound, deeper bass and greater tone articulation when playing music and movies.

The 17-inch Series 7 CHRONOS provides a premium visual experience to match its high-end audio features. The next-generation full HD (1920×1080) high-resolution display features Samsung SuperBright™ technology, for a brilliant 300-nit screen (up to 40% brighter than traditional PCs) and a stunning range of color (up to 16 million). An anti-reflective matte screen results in images that look rich, vivid and crisp, with noticeable improvements in color depth, regardless of whether the user is indoors or out.

This visual experience is enhanced by the inclusion of NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 650M 2GB graphics, the latest NVIDIA graphics with hybrid technology, resulting in virtually faultless playback of movies, games and multimedia.

The Intel® Core™ i7 processor also augments the multimedia experience with a suite of built-in visual enhancements, improving the viewing experience for photos, videos and games. What’s more, you can sync your Series 7 CHRONOS to your TV using the Intel® Wireless Display (WiDi) and an adapter, allowing you to effortlessly view all your digital content on a larger screen.

Sleek, Elegant Design

Building on the design heritage of its smaller models, the 17-inch Series 7 CHRONOS has been crafted using modern brushed aluminum for a sleek, elegant appearance. The 17-inch Series 7 CHRONOS is just one inch thick and weighs just over 6.5 pounds.

Through its MaxScreen technology, Samsung was also able to greatly reduce the bezel of the 17-inch Series 7 CHRONOS, allowing a 17.3-inch display to fit in a smaller chassis. The result is a stunning viewing experience, which allows users to benefit from a large screen as well as an impressive design that is sure to be noticed everywhere.

Signature Samsung Technology

Samsung’s Support Center ensures all content stays safe and can help troubleshoot any particular problem. Accessible with a keyboard shortcut, the Support Center helps users manage their system settings or arrange for a tech-support web chat. Samsung’s Back-up & Recovery Solution also allows users to create and restore back-ups of system data on the device, or on a network or removable storage device.

Source:http://hothardware.com/News/Samsung-Ships-17-Series-7-Chronos-Laptop-Starts-At-1500/

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