Super Warehouse

Acer Aspire One D250 Laptop - Review

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:17:00 +0000

Acer’s new Aspire One D250 laptop, launched few months back, is a low cost, ultra portable laptop which has quickly become a popular travel companion for folks on the go.

The new Acer Aspire One D250 laptop is thinner and lighter than its predecessor Acer Aspire One D150. It weighs 2.24 pounds and is only 0.8-inches thick. The standard 10.1-inch LCD display screen has a resolution of 1024x600 pixels with sharp colors. A webcam is also integrated on top of the screen. This Acer laptop has a battery life of only 3 hours with included 3-cell battery, but more than 7.5 hours with the optional 6-cell battery. Other features include Wi-Fi connectivity, a 160GB internal hard drive and the Acer Signal Up technology for easy access to available networks.

This Acer laptop is light, slim, attractive and comes at a low price. However, keyboard is small and it lacks Bluetooth connectivity.

Other specifications are:
Processor: Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz)
RAM installed: 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM
Operating System: Windows XP Home SP3
Battery: 3-cell Lithium ion

Acer Aspire One D250 laptop is priced at $303.99 only and is available to order.

Steps to Avoid Hard Drive Crash

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:35:00 +0000

Though hard drive crash is a phenomenon that can occur any time; leading to loss of your confidential documents, precious pictures and other files; initiating few steps can prevent you from being a victim.

1) Install an Internet Security Suit that has firewall protection, antivirus protection and real time scanning capabilities. Scan your computer often and remove any infected files.

2) Avoid overheating your hard drive. Place your computer in a cool place. Take extra care with laptops since their fans are at the bottom and may cause trouble.

3) A shock or a bump to hard drive can also cause it to crash. So, avoid shocking or bumping it. Always carry your laptops in a padded case.

4) Back up all your data regularly. In the event of a crash, you’ll have your data backed up and won’t lose anything. The backup program included in Microsoft Windows XP works well.

5) Run a registry cleaner to organize your operating system’s registry.

6) Download updates and service packs recommended by your operating system.

7) Defrag hard drive once in a while. This gathers all your scattered data into convenient locations.

8) Clean your cookies and temporary internet files regularly. They are the main source for virus in your computer.

In the event, your hard drive crashes, first step would be to buy a secondary hard drive and try to recover your data from the crashed hard rive.

Toshiba’s NEW and the BEST Mini Notebook: NB205-N312

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:41:00 +0000

Toshiba's reasonably priced NB205 is packed with a collection of fantastic features and more than 9 hours of battery life. With 1.6GHz Intel Atom N280 CPU, 1GB of RAM, and a 160GB 5400-rpm hard drive, NB205 has become the best recommended 10.1 inch notebook. The 3.1 x 1.6 – inch touchpad is the largest in 10-inch class.
Toshiba NB205 comes with Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition (SP3) operating system. Also, In addition to Toshiba’s HDD Protection and Zoom Utility software, Bluetooth Stack (for easy Bluetooth setup), ConfigFree (for connecting to a network), and PC Health Monitor (for keeping the notebook running smoothly) are included.
Above the display screen is a 0.3-megapixel webcam, which provides extremely clear images in a video chat. Hidden below the front edge of the system are the dual stereo speakers.

With pass-through USB port, that enables users to charge USB-powered devices while the computer is off, and weight starting at 2.93 lbs, it is also the best solution for folks on the go. This notebook also provides an internal accelerometer to protect the hard drive in case of falls and offers wireless WAN support.

Mini NB205-N312 specs are:
Intel Atom Processor N280
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition (SP3)
1 GB of RAM
10.1 - inch widescreen
160GB 5400-rpm hard drive
Atheros® Wireless LAN (802.11b/g)
Bluetooth® V2.1 + EDR
Webcam and microphone built into LCD bezel
Headphone jack (stereo), Built-in monaural speaker, Microphone jack (mono)
Li-Ion (5800mAh, 6-Cell) Battery with 9 hours of battery life
2-USB (2.0), 1-USB (2.0) with Sleep and Charge

With great oversized touchpad, comfortable keyboard, amazing battery life and sleep-and-charge USB ports, Toshiba’s NB205-N312 is the perfect solution for everyone.

Toshiba NB205-N312 is available in stores with 1 year of warranty on battery, parts and labor.

Dell Adds to its Vostro Notebook Lineup

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:40:00 +0000

On Tuesday July 2, Dell revealed the latest addition to its growing line of Vostro laptops, the 12-inch Vostro 1220. Sporting a shiny red or black casing, Dell’s newest notebook is built for the budget-conscious consumer who doesn’t need all the high-end features, such as the Centrino vPro platform.

This compact, stylish laptop weighs in at just 3.35 lbs. and delivers up to 9 hours of battery juice, making it the perfect solution for on-the-go business travelers. As for the price tag, consumers have a choice between three different packages.

Here are the specs for the Vostro 1220 Base Package ($799):

• Intel Celeron 900 processor
• 160 GB SATA hard drive
• 2GB of RAM
• Windows Vista Home Basic

Here are the specs for the Vostro 1220 Business Package ($899):

• Intel Core 2 Duo T6670 processor
• 250 GB SATA hard drive
• 3GB of RAM
• Windows Vista Home Basic

Here are the specs for the Vostro 1220 Ultimate Performance Package ($1029):

• Intel Core 2 Duo T6670 processor
• 320 GB SATA hard drive
• 4GB of RAM
• Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit

In addition to these features, all three versions of the Vostro 1220 come with an ExpressCard, SD card slot, and Integrated Ethernet Network. According to recent research, worldwide shipments of 12-inch notebooks are expected in increase approximately 35 percent from the year 2008 to 2009. In response to this trend, Dell has designed their latest laptop for superior performance, enhanced security, and increased battery life.

The Vostro 1220 model comes with a 30-day no-obligation return policy, and it’s available on store shelves now.

Possible Family Pack for Windows 7

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:16:00 +0000

According to recent reports, Microsoft will offer consumers a “Family Pack” edition of Windows 7, which will include a shared license for three computers in one household. The following clause will allegedly appear in the license details of the Family Pack for Windows 7:

“If you are a ‘Qualified Family Pack User,’ you may install one copy of the software marked as ‘Family Pack’ on three computers in your household for use by people who reside there. Those computers are the licensed computers and are subject to these licensing terms.”

On the other hand, retail copies of Windows 7 Home Premium include this agreement:

“One Copy per Customer. Except as allowed in Section (2), you may install one copy of the software on one computer. That computer is the ‘licensed computer.’”

So what are the system requirements for Windows 7? Generally speaking, laptops and desktop computers will need the following features in order to run Microsoft’s latest product:

• 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• 1GHz or faster processor (32-bit or 64-bit)
• DirectX graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher drive
• 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB hard disk space (64-bit)

In 2007, Microsoft offered a two-license Family Pack for Windows Vista Home Premium, which was retailed at $159. However, the company has refused to confirm or deny rumors about an upcoming Family Pack for Windows 7.

Experts predict a $189 price tag, since it would undercut Apple’s multi-license bundle by ten dollars. Of course, there’s no real way for Microsoft to prevent widespread abuse, such as business users three single students splitting the cost three ways.

The official release of Windows 7 is set for October 22 of this year, but you can still pre-order the software for a discount price through July 11.

Firefox 3.5 Finally Launches

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:19:00 +0000

After a lengthy waiting period, Mozilla is finally ready to release Firefox 3.5 to the public today on Tuesday, June 30. The latest edition of Firefox actually began its life as a straight-forward update to Firefox 3.1. However, the suggested changes became so extensive that Mozilla decided to modify the version number to Firefox 3.5.

Featuring a multitude of advancements, the open-source browser has already received positive feedback in terms of performance and speed. In fact, many sources agree that the improvements in speed alone make it well worth the upgrade. According to Mozilla, Firefox 3.5 is twice as fast as its predecessor, thanks to the brand new TraceMonkey JavaScript Engine.

The innovative browser now supports HTML5 audio and video, which is something that’s been discussed quite a bit lately. Plus, it will come with a private browsing mode, allowing users to keep it locked at their own discretion.

Some of the other new features include:

• Electrolysis, a new project that’s designed to improve isolation between plug-ins and tabs
• A project called Weave that synchronizes passwords, bookmarks, preferences, and several other settings across multiple browsers
• Snowl, a system that attempts to unify messaging applications from various sources such as email, RSS feeds, Web forums, social networks, etc.
• Jetpack, a new framework for add-ons that uses basic Web page design standards

In addition to those features mentioned above, Firefox 3.5 also comes with enhanced search tools, as well as new capabilities for playing audio and video files. Experts are now recommending that consumers download the latest version of Firefox right away. These days, websites are becoming extremely complex, meaning they require more efficient, more powerful browsers.

Within the last year, Firefox has gained roughly 3 percentage points of the market share, taking it to about 22.5 percent. Despite these significant advances, Mozilla’s newest release still faces numerous challengers, including Internet Explorer 8, Google Chrome, and Apple’s Safari—just to name a few. The upgraded Firefox browser is currently available for download for Mac, Linux, and Windows systems.

Ricoh Introduces New Line of Color Printers

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:19:00 +0000

On Thursday June 25, Ricoh Americas Corp. announced the release of its new color inkjet printer series, the Aficio GX e3300N/GX e3350N GelSprinter. These affordable printers are specifically designed to provide a high-quality, duplexing alternative to standard inkjet and laser technology. Unlike traditional toner cartridges, the new line of printers incorporate a quick-drying, water-resistant gel that eliminates blurring, smearing or smudging for more professional-looking results.

Ricoh is just one of many companies that are trying to enhance productivity without increasing costs. In an effort to help consumers deal with the challenging economic climate, the network-ready GelSprinters come with an economical color mode, which produces color graphics and crisp text for about the same cost-per-page as black-and-white printing.

As a leading provider of office equipment, Ricoh’s products help businesses share information by allowing users to control the input, output, and management of documents. Ideal for small offices and busy workgroups, the next-generation Aficio printers deliver 35-second warm-up times and print speeds up to 29 pages-per-minute. Plus, the 250-sheet paper tray ensures minimal interruption, so users can stay productive for longer periods of time.

The latest Ricoh printers also offer a variety of environmental benefits to help consumers “green” their home or workplace. For instance, the Aficio e3300N/GX requires only 36 watts of electricity when in-use, making it ENERGY STAR Version 1.1 compliant. In addition, the GelSprinter series reduces landfill waste by using permanent print heads and consumables that qualify for Ricoh’s recycling programs.

These environmentally-friendly printers are competitively priced and available for purchase now.

HP Introduces New Web-Connected Printer

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:58:00 +0000

Hewlett-Packard has revealed the world’s first Web-connected printer, a new multifunction touch-screen device that provides easy access to digital content without the need for a computer. Users can print recipes, directions, weather information, maps, and coupons with the simple touch of a finger.

Designed to empower busy families, the new HP printers allow consumers to view and print web pages on demand in an easy-to-read format. Whether you need to print coloring pages for the kids or movie tickets for the nearby theater, this Web-connected device is the ideal solution to your active lifestyle.

Hewlett-Packard has reinvented the consumer printing category with an entirely new platform that’s powered by touch and empowered by the Web. As with all HP printers, their latest product delivers laser-quality text and professional-looking photos from the first page to the last. With faxing, scanning and copying abilities, this all-in-one printer gives you the tools you need to stay connected wherever you go.

Later this year, Hewlett-Packard plans to release the HP Apps Studio, which will allow users to create and share their own apps. Consumers can then customize their printing experience using the extra-large and simple-to-use 4.33-inch TouchSmart panel.

The world’s first Web-connected printer features both wired and wireless capabilities, and it can print from either Bluetooth-enabled devices or WiFi-enabled computers. This innovative printer has been dubbed the HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web, and it will hit store shelves in the fall for a hefty $400.

Acer Launches New Aspire One D250 Netbook

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:35:00 +0000

Acer just launched its new Aspire One D250 netbook, which features a large 160 GB internal hard drive and a built-in card reader for additional storage options. With only a 10.1-inch form factor, the Acer D250 is the ideal solution for users who need to be online at all times. Acer has successfully combined style and functionality in a slim, sleek design—without sacrificing performance. This refined, ultra-portable PC is available to consumers in four different colors: black, white, blue, and red.

Take a look below to learn more about the product’s technical details:

• Processor: Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz, 553 MHz FSB)
• Memory: 1GB DDR2 SDRAM 667 MHz
• Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition
• Display Resolution: 1024 x 600
• Network: Fast Ethernet 10/1000Mbps Integrated; Wi-Fi Certified
• Battery Life: Approximately 3.2 hours
• Webcam: Integrated CrystalEye Webcam 0.3 Megapixels

The Acer Aspire One D250 also includes the following software: Microsoft Works with Office Home and Student 2007 Trial; Acer Recovery Management; Google Setup; Google Desktop; Adobe Flash Player 10; Adobe Reader 9; McAfee Internet Security Suite; plus a few others.

The integrated webcam comes with a digital microphone, so you can stay connected through video calls, consultations, and conferences. Plus, users can navigate with a multi-gesture touchpad that enables zooming, browsing and flipping through pages.

Consumers can purchase this netbook along with a one year warranty for about $500. Measuring only 1-inch thick and weighing just 1.11 Kg, the Acer Aspire One D250 makes the perfect traveling companion and helps you increase productivity wherever you go.

Adobe Acrobat Now Offers Paid User Accounts

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:09:00 +0000

Today on June 14, Adobe is removing Acrobat.com from beta and converting it into a business with paid user accounts. The Web-based productivity services will offer paid subscriptions, giving business users a new way to collaborate on document creation. The 5 million currently registered users can still keep the free version, but there are a few limitations which can only be unlocked by upgrading to one of two premium plans.

The first option is Premium Basic, which enables users to convert 10 PDFs per month and to join online meetings with up to 5 people for a monthly fee of $14.99. Premium Plus, on the other hand, allows users to convert an unlimited number of PDFs and to join online conferences with up to ten people for $39 per month.

The present version of Adobe Acrobat provides numerous services including a Presentation application (similar to Microsoft’s PowerPoint), a Web meeting application called Adobe Connect Now, and a word processing application named Buzzword. In addition to these features, Adobe will introduce a spreadsheet service called Acrobat Tables, which can be previewed starting today.

In the long run, Adobe wants to give people a new way to work together and edit documents simultaneously with frequent updating. This will let users know who’s working on what parts of the document, and it will also give them the ability to speak with one another from within the application. Users will also have the option of switching to “private view,” which lets them make changes without pushing them live to the main document.

Ideally, the new features will help people cut down on the number of emails or meetings that are typically required when creating any sort of business document. Erik Larson, the director of product management and marketing for Acrobat.com, hopes to provide people with simple, easy-to-use tools for collaboration so that consumers can actually enjoy working together when using them.

The company also expects to give people access to these applications and files on mobile devices. Although this feature won’t be available until later in the year, it’ll allow users to edit existing documents and even create new ones.

Intel's Next-generation Atom Processor

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:12:00 +0000

Earlier this month, Intel previewed the next-generation Atom processor chips, which will give rise to superior performance and lower power consumption. Code-named “Pine Trail,” these new processors will be a two-chip platform instead of today’s three-chip platform, enabling smaller and thinner designs with a lower overall cost.

Thanks to their reduced size, Intel's new N450 chipsets, will generate less heat than the existing Atom N270 and can therefore operate in laptops without a fan. Experts agree this will allow manufacturers to design even thinner and smaller notebooks. Other changes include support for faster DDR2 memory and integration of the processor, graphics and memory controller onto a single chip.

Below is a comparison of the N270 and N450 processor chips.

Intel Atom N270:

• CPU + Chipset: 3 Chips
• Clock: 1.6GHz
• Memory: DDR2-533
• IPG Clock: 1.33MHz
• Average Power: 4 Watts
• Cooling: Fan

Intel Atom N450:

• CPU + Chipset: 2 Chips
• Clock: 1.66GHz
• Memory: DDR2-667
• IPG Clock: 2.0MHz
• Average Power: 2 Watts
• Cooling: Fanless

With all these changes, the new Atoms will be cheaper for Intel to assemble and more energy-efficient. Intel has also revealed plans to dispense new chipsets that will allow desktop computers to access HD content by the end of the year. The new “Pine Trail” Atom is expected to hit shelves around Christmas time, though a specific date has not yet been determined.

Apple Officially Releases Safari 4

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:47:00 +0000

On Monday June 8, Safari 4 finally came out of beta. In addition to several other enhancements, Apple has allegedly refined problems that users experienced with the beta. The most dramatic changes include a new interface and a new Javascript engine called Nitro. According to Apple’s claims, the Javascript performance has been upped by 50 percent, making the official version of Safari almost 8 times faster than Internet Explorer 8.

Many people will agree that the new look and feel of Safari is very similar to the other latest Web browser, Google Chrome. The unique curvature, black background, and reflective window bottom make this the most professional-looking browser on the market.

Users will also notice a slight modification in the progress indicator. Whereas Safari 3 displayed a blue bar that filled up as a page loaded, the new web browser does something slightly different. Safari 4 uses the small whirling circle that appears on the iPhone address bar, plus a solid indicator at the bottom of the page that says “Loading.” The latter indicator wasn’t part of the beta version, but instead was a last minute add-on due to user complaints.

The Top Sites feature, which was first introduced in beta, also appears on the Safari 4 interface. Top Sites displays your most commonly visited Web sites with a Cover Flow-style skin, which is basically a graphic way to browse your history and bookmarks. You can click the Edit button in the bottom left-hand corner to remove a site or to set it permanently in your Top Sites.

As the first non-beta browser to score 100/100 on the Acid test, Safari 4 is now a serious Web browser for serious Windows users, and its reputation among Mac users has certainly been bolstered. The completed version of the browser can now be downloaded from Apple’s website.

Google Squared Search Tool Goes Live

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:43:00 +0000

On June 3, Google Squared was launched, and it seems to have garnered mixed results. Google Squared is a new search tool that gathers information from various Web sites and displays it in an organized grid format. Designed to simplify the user’s search experience, Google Squared presents the information in an easy-to-read table with rows and columns.

A normal Google search will return an index of relevant Web sites, which the user then must filter through to find the information they need. With Google Squared, however, you could look at specific features of your search query or compare diverse attributes. For instance, if you were to type “computer printers” in the search bar, you’d get results for several different types of printers accompanied by a picture, a short description of its function, when it was invented, etc. Users can also customize the results table by adding a new column, such as a category for manufacturers or average price range.

The results presented in the table link to pertinent Web sites, which contain more detailed information on that specific topic. Users also have the option of saving their “Squares” or results grid, so they can come back to their findings later if they’re logged in. This feature will certainly come in handy for people that perform several different searches in a short amount of time.

Google Squared is far from complete, and early experiments left much to be desired. In fact, Google Squared did not come up with any results for “New York Mets third basemen,” but it did produce a list of prominent names when the query was widened to just “third basemen.” Most likely, this can be attributed to the fact that the Mets are known for having a revolving door at their third base position.

Numerous refinements still need to be made before this technology is ready for prime time. Nonetheless, this new tool could be of great use to those doing research on a particular subject matter—especially research involving historical and statistical data.

Microsoft Removes Three-App Limit for Windows 7 Starter

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:43:00 +0000

On Friday May 29, Microsoft announced its decision to lift the limitation from the Windows 7 “Starter Edition,” the entry-level version of Windows 7 designed specifically for netbooks. This restriction meant that users could only run three applications at once, which of course caused much uproar amongst consumers.

Microsoft originally added the limitation to try to encourage users to upgrade to a more expensive version of Windows. However, this 3-app limit probably wouldn’t have made much of a difference, since it didn’t include anti-malware services, Windows applets, or multiple incidents of the same application.

For the first time now, Microsoft is allowing Windows to be used globally, rather than just in emerging markets. The company is also positioning it as its least expensive Windows 7 option for netbooks.

Now that this three-application limit had been lifted, Windows 7 Starter will be even more appealing to consumers who want a small, portable PC for basic computing tasks, such as checking email, surfing the Web, and personal productivity.

Nonetheless, Windows 7 Starter is merely a subset of the other editions, since it doesn’t have:

• Multi-monitor support
• Personalization features for changing windows colors, desktop backgrounds, or sound schemes
• Aero Glass (which means you can only use the “Windows Basic” or other similar themes)
• DVD playback
• XP mode for those who want to run older Windows XP programs
• Domain support for business users

All in all, Windows 7 Starter should be decent for low-priced netbooks, but it offers virtually no room to grow before consumers are forced to shell out more money for a more expensive operating system.

Dell Releases Latitude 2100 Netbook for Education

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:19:00 +0000

Last week on May 18, Dell revealed its new Latitude 2100 netbook, which has been designed specifically for the needs of teachers, parents, and K-12 students. Weighing in at less than three pounds, the Latitude 2100 netbook offers many school-friendly features, including an optional touch screen for younger students who might have a difficult time using a mouse or keyboard. Perhaps the most interesting feature on Dell’s new netbook is the network activity light, which allows classroom instructors to monitor network use and identify those students who might be browsing the Web.

In addition to these innovative components, the Latitude 2100 comes with an Intel Atom processor and the choice of a three-cell or six-cell battery. In fact, consumers will have many options available to them. The netbook comes with a choice of three operating systems (Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Linux Ubuntu) plus two different kinds of internal drives (a standard hard drive or a solid-state drive).

Other noteworthy features include a tougher, more durable exterior that can handle the bumps and bruises often inflicted by young students; a small 10.1-inch screen that won’t take up much room in a crowded workspace; and a personalized window on the back of the PC where students’ names or school logos can be displayed. The Latitude 2100 is also equipped with a wireless communication suite that allows for more productive school days filled with exploration and teamwork.

Inspired by education in general, Dell has created this new netbook in the hopes of giving students the tools they need to thrive in the digital world. The Latitude 2100 is the ideal solution to enhancing student interaction and assessment. This latest Dell system is available in stores now with a starting price of $369.

Microsoft Adding Netflix to Windows Media Center

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:31:00 +0000

Microsoft has reportedly struck a deal with Netflix to add their online movie service to Windows Media Center, said both companies last week. The new feature will be included for Windows Vista computers as part of Microsoft’s campaign to provide people with more entertainment options on their PCs. Windows XP owners, on the other hand, will not benefit from this most recent addition.

As of now, Windows Vista users can only play back movies that are available for instant streaming, also known as “Watch it now” movies. However, once the Netflix application is brought to the Windows Media Center, users will be able to manage their DVD queues and also search the entire Netflix library. Despite this added bonus, customers still cannot view these movies instantly—they’ll have to wait for their DVDs to arrive in the mail, just like before.

This latest deal is part of Microsoft’s attempt to boost the amount of content available on Windows Media. Ideally, they want to alleviate the need to bounce around from Web site to Web site to search for movies, news, sports, and TV shows. Microsoft would prefer everything to be in on place, making it even easier for users to find the entertainment they want to watch. The vice president of Microsoft’s entertainment division has said, “We’re continuing to work with the top content providers today to make watching TV on the PC a mainstream experience for the future.”

Of course, those who own Windows Media Center must first subscribe to Netflix’s rental service in order to access their library. The new application will automatically appear as a “tile” in the Windows Media Center menu. The app will then guide users through the installation process before taking them to the log in screen.

Solid State Drives Shifting Into the Mainstream

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:40:00 +0000

Solid state drives (SSD) seem to be making their way off the shelves and into laptop computers of all shapes and sizes. Not too long ago, the only way consumers could use solid state drives was if they upgraded from a standard hard disk drive (HDD). But, that’s no longer the case.

The first ultraportable notebooks to offer solid state drives as an option were the Asus Eee PC and the Apple MacBook Air. However, several manufacturers are now designing their laptops and netbooks with solid state drives rather than hard disk drives. For instance, Dell’s 15-inch XPS M1530 notebook offers an “Ultra Performance” option, featuring twice the capacity and half the cost of drives offered up till now: 128GB for $450. Hewlett-Packard also gives consumers the choice of a large-capacity SSD, which is available in the 3-pound EliteBook 2530p.

While most SSDs have been aimed at the notebook market, they’re beginning to penetrate into the PC and server industry as well. Even in the gaming industry, solid state drives are becoming aggressively marketed as the best high-performance storage option. SSDs have shown they can surpass standard hard drives on almost every level—in particular, rpm benchmarks and input-output operations.

There are several advantages of solid state drives over standard hard drives, especially since the price of SSDs are continuing to decline. Some of the many improvements you’ll experience when upgrading to a SSD involve superior durability, higher performance, and greater reliability. Besides these performance gains, solid state drives also help out with weight and space constraints, which is a huge benefit to those who are constantly on-the-go. Also, thanks to practically heat-free emissions, SSDs tend to reduce cooling requirements and consume less battery power.

Within the next five or ten years, solid state drives will most likely become a common household item. In fact, we’ll probably start to see SSDs extend into many new market regions including applications for video cameras, railroad cars, mobile internet devices, and plenty of other areas.

Internet Explorer Use Continues to Decline

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Mon, 11 May 2009 22:03:00 +0000

In recent years, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer has lost a hefty chunk of the browser market. According to new web tracking data, IE will fall below the 50% mark by this time in 2011. Although Microsoft’s browser is in the process of getting its first update in two years, many critics in the web development community have now labeled Internet Explorer as the least-capable browser.

Not surprisingly, rival browsers have picked up IE’s losses. For example, Google’s Chrome has increased its share by 0.2 of a percentage point to 1.4%, while Mozilla’s Firefox climbed 0.4 of a percentage point to end the month with 22.5%.

In the last twelve months, Internet Explorer has been losing an average of about 0.7 percentage points per month. On the other hand, Firefox has gained an average 0.4% per month, bringing it one step closer to cracking its next major milestone of 25%. Unless Microsoft can stop the bleeding, IE will most likely lose its majority status within the next few years.

Even though Google Chrome. remains a Windows-only application, it’s experienced a nice little bump thanks to advertisements on Google’s homepage. If Google can strike deals with PC manufacturers to install the browser on new computers, Chrome would become a strong rival for the likes of Safari and Firefox.

Some of the major improvements to Internet Explorer include:

• Web slices—puts you in control of the information that’s most important to you. Now you can subscribe to specific content and keep track of things like sports scores, auction items, weather reports, and more.

• Smart Address Bar—offers useful suggestions from your browsing history, RSS feeds, and favorites. IE 8 makes web surfing fast, easy and efficient by matching the words you type in the address bar to simple domain names and previous websites visited.

• Enhanced privacy—gives you control over the protection of your personal information. Now you can browse and shop confidently wherever you go on the web, without leaving any trace of browsing activity or temporary Internet files.

Internet Explorer 8 is supported by Windows Vista , Windows XP, Windows Server , and several other operating systems. Despite these improvements to IE 8, Net Applications reveals a continuous, steady decline in Internet Explorer use. Net Applications is a popular tool that tracks and reports significant trends in browser and internet usage.

HP's New ProBook Notebook PC Line

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:30:00 +0000

HP has launched the new ProBook Notebook PC line, which combines advanced technical features with an attractive, chic design. Aimed specifically at small and medium-sized business users, the stunning notebook series delivers aggressive pricing, exceptional style, and a variety of configuration options. The latest HP notebooks are available with a 14-inch, 15.6-inch, or 17.3-inch widescreen display.

Every ProBook notebook features an innovative keyboard design on a raised surface, making it spill-resistant and easy to clean. Other features include a media card reader on the front, four USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI output, and an Express Card/34 slot.

Besides its low cost and clean look, the HP ProBook series offers a few different OS options, including XP, Vista, and SUSE Linux. The first models in the series (the ProBook 4410s and 4415s) come with a 14-inch 16:9 display, an optional Blu-Ray drive, and a choice of AMD or Intel processors. Wireless connectivity includes standard WiFi and optional built-in Bluetooth technology.

The higher end models come with an integrated keyboard and Gobi communications technology for integrated 3G capability. Multimedia enthusiasts can opt for additional GDDR2 video memory or a variety of UMA graphics controllers.

Pricing for the new HP Probooks starts at about $529, and increases with additional add-ons and features. However, unless you need the new portable PC right away, you may want to consider holding off until Windows 7 comes out.

Bluetooth Technology Gets Faster with Bluetooth 3.0

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:24:00 +0000

The next generation of Bluetooth technology, also known as Bluetooth 3.0, is supposed to hit the market soon, delivering transfer speeds up to 160 times as fast. The new specs are designed to increase the wireless standard’s bandwidth by a considerable margin and transform Bluetooth into the product it should’ve been a couple years ago. Right now there are more than one billion devices that utilize Bluetooth technology, but once the 3.0 version goes public at the end of this month, that number is expected to increase dramatically.

Manufacturers of home entertainment devices and consumer electronics can now design their products to transmit larger media files, including photos, videos, and more.
For instance, the new “high speed” technology could be used to transfer digital photos from a camera to a computer, or music files from a PC to an MP3 player. Also, the new Bluetooth 3.0 technology could be used to stream video from a camcorder to an HDTV.

The new technology is designed to be completely backwards compatible with older Bluetooth devices. Thanks to the reliance on 802.11, which is the same protocol used by routers and WiFi modules, electronic devices utilizing Bluetooth 3.0 will experience increased power savings and built-in enhanced power control. As a result, consumers will enjoy enhanced performance, better battery life, and improved responsiveness.

Some other benefits consumers will experience with this new technology include:

• Mass download photos to laptops, desktop computers, and printers
• Wirelessly synchronize music libraries between PC and music player or phone
• Send videos from phone or camera to PC or television

Manufactured products supporting the new Bluetooth 3.0 aren’t expected to hit the market for another 9 to 12 months.

Oracle Agrees to Buy Sun for $7.4 Billion

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:49:00 +0000

Early Monday, April 20, 2009, Oracle announced it had signed a definitive deal to purchase Sun Microsystems for $7.4 billion. According to Oracle, they will pay $9.50 per share in cash; which is $7.4 billion, or $5.6 billion net of Sun’s cash and debt. This deal comes after Sun rejected an offer from IBM a few weeks prior. Reportedly, Sun did not like the terms that IBM was offering.

Sun Microsystems is one of many companies Oracle has acquired in the last few years including BEA, PeopleSoft, and Siebel. Oracle claims, however, that acquiring Sun will contribute $1.5 billion to Oracle’s non-GAAP operating profit in the first year, increasing to over $2 billion in the second year. This would make the Sun acquisition more profitable per share contribution in the first year than for the acquisitions of BEA, PeopleSoft, and Siebel combined.

Sun offers Oracle a large market share in the hardware and server OS business; which Sun established its name through during the dot-com boom. While Oracle currently does not have business in the hardware and server OS business, Sun’s Solaris has been a successful platform for Oracle’s database business. Due to their close partnership for 20 years, both companies feel this is a natural evolution of their relationship.

The largest area of common interest for the two companies is their support for Java software. Both companies claim Java is the most important software Oracle has ever acquired. Oracle believes Java is critical to Oracle’s middleware and that the company’s middleware offerings are on track to be as big as its database storage business. Oracle believes the acquisition of Sun combines best-in-class enterprise software and mission-critical computing systems.

While the deal with Sun will not provide as big a reach that its former suitor IBM would have, the buyout of Sun will provide Oracle a combined hardware / software business model similar to IBM’s, which it currently competes with in the database market.
We can likely expect great integrations of servers and server OS software with Oracle’s powerful Exadata database machine.

More Details Surface About Microsoft's New Zune HD

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:58:00 +0000

After some pictures leaked last Saturday April 11, more unverified details and technical specifications of the Zune HD have now surfaced. Rumor has it that Microsoft’s new media player will be a serious competition for the Apple iPod Touch.

The Zune HD will apparently feature a Web browser, a larger multitouch screen in a 16:9 aspect ratio, and support for wireless syncing to laptops and desktop computers. Available in 16 and 32GB models, Microsoft’s new device will have a HDMI TV out port on the side and most likely support 3D Xbox games.

It’s also possible that the Zune HD will have a camera that allows you to shoot videos in HD with as much as 32GB of storage space. If this is true, the cost of Microsoft’s new media player will be higher than the latest generation of Apple’s iPod Touch.

In addition to these new-and-improved features, an updated software version will supposedly make the Zune platform even better. While a portable HD device that delivers 720p quality will certainly turn some heads, it’s hard to say if it will really outshine the iPod Touch. We can expect to see the new gadget hit the market sometime this fall.

Microsoft: Updates and New Releases Keep Rolling Out

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:56:00 +0000

Microsoft Corp. had released its latest edition of its Internet Explorer Web browser, IE8, on March, 19th, 2009 after almost a year of beta testing. Now, Microsoft is starting to push IE 8 updates to current IE users. Microsoft plans to start around the third week of April to send notifications through Automatic Update to users still using the following: users running IE6 or IE7 on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Server 2008. Microsoft will start with select users and then eventually expand to the entire user base.

These updates will not auto-install on any user’s machine. They will receive a Welcome screen that offers the user the choice to install now, later, or to not install at all. Users will need to opt-in to install the most current Internet Explorer Web browser IE8.

In addition to the latest version of Internet Explorer, there is a lot of chatter about the new Microsoft Operating System, Windows 7. The latest build to be leaked on the web has a build date of April, 4th, 2009, at 12:55pm. Due to the fact this version is almost identical to the previous build 7068 and has only improved upon minor elements of the UI including wallpaper and character images leads many to believe Microsoft’s final release candidate is very close. While Microsoft has tried not to announce an official release date, it is believed the release will be later this year.

What does this mean for users who currently run an older Microsoft Operating System? Well, not a lot at the moment. However, Microsoft has announced it will pull the plug on free support for Windows XP on April 14th, 2009. Security patches will still be developed and released for XP until April 2014, but over time there will be fewer apps that support the OS, ultimately killing XP. Many people have updated to Vista, so this will not be a problem for these users, but people running XP will eventually need to upgrade to the newest version of Vista or Windows 7. If you use Windows XP, don’t be too worried. A large majority of users still run the XP OS, so you will never be suddenly left out high-and-dry.

You can upgrade your software now to Windows Vista, or buy one of the laptops currently for sale since it will be awhile before the new Windows 7 has been released and all of the bugs have been worked out. It might be a good idea to have an external hard drive because the new Windows 7 will require that many people do a complete install and not just an upgrade. It is safest to backup and save your data and applications to an external hard drive or networked storage, install the new software and then reload your files. This ensures you do not loose anything.

The good news is Windows 7 will supposedly blast past XP, Vista and previous Operating System builds in terms of performance. This is something I think we are all looking forward to.

New T-Mobile USB Laptop Stick

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:02:00 +0000

On Wednesday, March 25, T-Mobile announced the release of its new webConnect USB laptop stick, which provides seamless connectivity to the Internet through T-Mobile’s 3G high-speed data network or accessible WiFi. Designed specifically for on-the-go professionals or international travelers, the new T-Mobile webConnect is compatible with all of today’s laptops. Once it’s plugged directly into the USB port, the built-in software will automatically locate the best available Internet connection.

In addition to connectivity, the new T-Mobile laptop sticks can also double as external storage media. The small, portable accessory only weighs 1.5 ounces and measures 3.5 inches tall by 1 inch wide by 0.4 inch think.

So how much does it cost? Well, that all depends, because there are several pricing options available: a two-year contract for $49.99 (after rebate); a one-year contract for $99.99; or $249.99 with no contract. Service plans start at $59.99, and this gives you 5GB of wireless data per month. As an added convenience, the management software will monitor the amount of data you’ve used, so that you minimize any possible overage charges.

T-Mobile has lagged behind other major carriers when it comes to wireless connectivity and network accessories. However, they’re certainly making up for it now. As of the end of 2008, T-Mobile’s 3G high-speed data network is available in more than 130 U.S. cities. The company continues to expand its wireless broadband services, and by the end of 2009, the population currently covered by the network will have doubled, reaching nearly 200 million people in 230 cities across the U.S.

Skype for iPhone - App Available Today

noreply@blogger.com (Super Warehouse) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:23:00 +0000

For months, Skype has teased consumers with the launch of its popular net-based VoIP phone service for Apple’s iPhone mobile platform.

Well, it’s finally here. Tuesday, March 31, 2009, Skype is finally available and you can download Skype for iPhone now through the Skype website and directly from the iTunes App Store.

The Skype iPhone app is free and will allow users to make free calls using Wi-Fi to other Skype users as well as make calls to traditional landline phones at a reduced price. A version for the BlackBerry will be available sometime in May.

The one major drawback to the Skype for iPhone app is that you can not place calls over cellular networks, just through Wi-Fi. This means you are at the mercy of the strength, or weakness, of your Wi-Fi connection. However, you will save money by avoiding AT&T’s traditional wireless network. You can still chat or view who’s online through the cell phone network though.

Skype’s VoIP app for iPhone looks much more like iPhone apps than it does its desktop Windows counterpart. This is great if you love iPhone apps, but will disappoint anyone who is in love with the traditional Skype 4.0 for Windows. It has five convenient tabs at the bottom to organize and display your contacts, chats, calls, call history and your profile. You do gain the iPhone’s ability to filter your contacts, including filtering them alphabetically or by who’s online. You also gain the ability to take a photo within Skype to use as your avatar or pull one from the phone’s camera. Some features available on the desktop version not available on the iPhone app are full-featured conference calling, SMS, video, file transfer and voicemail. However, expect to see some of these great features added to the next version of Skype for iPhone.

iPod Touch users can also enjoy Skype, but they will need to purchase common laptop accessories such as a microphone, or headsets with an embedded mic to talk.

Skype for iPhone is yet another useful app built for the iPhone and other mobile phone devices. It seems like every month there is some new gadget or software that brings us to the next level in technology. Electronics seemingly make our lives easier and help us work and communicate more efficiently.