HP Pavilion HDX Entertainment Notebook

Enter the Dragon

Summer - that time of the year when days become longer and warmer. It's also the cue for big budget, CGI-bloated Hollywood blockbuster movies to start flooding the cinemas. Getting into this spirit is a revitalized HP, fresh from its recent triumphs in the marketplace, with its latest, and biggest ever blockbuster of a notebook, a 20.1-inch wide creation with an appropriately Hollywood nickname - the Dragon. The actual name however is a more mundane and longwinded one, HP Pavilion HDX Entertainment Notebook PC and apparently, it's so new that HP has not yet christened it with a proper model name/number.

Following in the footsteps of rivals like Dell and Acer, which already have such unconventionally large 'notebooks' models available - we have previously reviewed the Dell XPS M2010 - HP is merely capitalizing on the trend of increasingly powerful, consumer desktop replacement notebooks that are larger than ever. Consumers are taking to 17-inch notebooks for their performance, widescreen displays and multimedia capabilities and manufacturers are convinced that taking a notch further to 20-inches and above is feasible for a certain select desktop replacement (DTR) user group.




HP joins the mammoth notebook club with this impressively large 20.1-inch widescreen notebook, which they have dubbed the 'Dragon'

But with a bulk and weight that would have been unimaginable for a notebook a few years ago - the HP Pavilion HDX weighs around 7kg alone, excluding the substantial mass of its power adapter - would these machines fit the typical definition of a 'notebook' which has always been associated with portable computing machines? We'll find out with this preview of an engineering prototype of the HP Pavilion HDX. Since this is only a prototype, we were warned that some features and functions might not work properly. The specifications of this machine (the version for the Asia Pacific region) have also not been finalized at the moment so we will list the technical specifications relevant for this preview below. More likely than not, these specifications will be changed for the actual retail unit when it is available sometime in July.

HP Pavilion HDX Specifications

Processor and Chipset
* Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7700 (@2.4GHz)
* Intel PM965 (ICH8)

Operating System
* Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

BIOS
* Supports DVD/CD-ROM and USB boot

System Memory
* 2GB DDR2 System Memory
* 2 x DDR2 SO-DIMM Slots

Video & Display
* ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 XT
* 256MB Dedicated video memory
* Up to 1GB total available video memory
* Built-in HDTV hybrid analog/digital tuner
* 20.1-inch WSXGA+ HP Ultra Brightview Widescreen Display
* Native resolution: 1680 x 1050

HDD
* 200GB x 2 (Dual SATA hard drives)
* 4200RPM

Optical Drive
* SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer

Communication
* Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection & Bluetooth

Audio
* Altec Lansing speaker system - 4 panel mounted and integrated HP triple bass reflex sub-woofer
* Full 8-channel analog output ports on the system support up to 7.1 external speaker configurations

Front & Side I/O Ports
* 4 x USB 2.0 ports
* HP Expansion Port 3
* 1 x RJ-45 (LAN)
* VGA analog output
* 1 x 4-pin 1394 FireWire port
* 1 x eSATA port
* 1 x HDMI output
* Integrated 5-in-1 card reader
* Headphone and microphone jacks
* 1 x ExpressCard/54 slot

Rear I/O Ports
* DC Power connector
* Audio (Rear, Center/Sub, Front) outputs
* Built-in HDTV hybrid tuner's ports: NTSC/ATSC (with F-Jack adaptor) input, S-Video Input, Blaster (IR emitter), Stereo audio input

Miscellaneous
* Integrated webcam with built-in array microphone
* 180W AC adaptor
* 9-cell Lithium-Ion battery

Dimension & Weight
* 474mm (L) x 340mm (W) x 58.4mm (H)
* ~7.03kg

Bundled Software and Accessories
* HP Total Care Help & Support Center
* HP QuickPlay
* HP Photosmart Premier
* PC Recovery (Softthinks Restore Solution)
* Roxio Backup MyPC
* Roxio Creator Premier
* muvee autoProducer 6.0
* Microsoft Works
* Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60 Day Trial version)
* Adobe Reader 8.0
* Serif WebPlus 10
* Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (60 days complimentary live update)

Continue....

Source hardwarezone

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NVIDIA Releases New ForceWare Drivers

New drivers for Windows XP and Vista users

This morning NVIDIA released new drivers for Windows Vista and XP users for GeForce 6 and newer graphic processors. The Windows Vista drivers are up to ForceWare Release 158 version 158.24 while Windows XP users are stuck with ForceWare Release 90 version 94.24.

The new Windows Vista Release 158 drivers increase 3D performance in applications, add PureVideo HD support, DirectX force vertical sync and an updated NVIDIA Control Panel. The driver supports DirectX 9, DirectX 10 and OpenGL APIs for single-GPU GeForce 6, 7 and 8-series configurations. NVIDIA only supports DirectX 9 and OpenGL on GeForce 6, 7 and 8-series SLI configurations.

GeForce 8 SLI users that want to take advantage of DirectX 10 support are steered towards the version 158.43-beta drivers. As with all driver releases, the latest ForceWare WHQL release has game and application compatibility fixes.

The Windows XP release 90 drivers add support for the new GeForce 7200 GS. The new driver supports PureVideo HD hardware acceleration of H.264, VC-1 and MPEG-2 high-definition video formats. NVIDIA has also improved video post-processing and added HDCP support for DVI and HDMI connectors. NVIDIA updates the new Control Panel as well.

Source dailytech

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Windows XP
Windows Vista 32-bit
Windows Vista 64-bit

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AMD to Announce New Naming System Next Week

Before Phenom, there's the Athlon X2 BE-2000-series

AMD will introduce a new modeling system for its processors. Under the new naming scheme, the performance rating goes away in favor of an alphanumeric model. AMD will also refer to the new Athlon 64 X2 models simply as AMD Athlon. AMD will drop the “64” suffix claiming it is no longer necessary to claim 64-bit support and allows for a shorter name.

The new naming scheme debuts early next week with the Athlon X2 BE-2350 and BE-2300 models. The new alphanumeric modeling system allows AMD to designate different models by thermal design power, processor series and speed.

The first two alphabetical characters of the model number indicate the processor class and TDP rating. AMD designates the Athlon X2 BE-series processors as sub-65-watt TDP models. The new Athlon X2 BE-2350 and BE-2300 feature 45-watt TDP ratings. AMD intends to release different processor classes as it becomes necessary.

The first numeral in the model number indicates the processor series and processor attributes, while the remaining three numerals indicate speed within the series and class. AMDs new modeling system names processors on a higher-is-better system.

AMD has prepared to launch the new Athlon X2 BE-2350 and BE-2300 early next week. Pricing for the new models is set at $91 and $86 for the Athlon X2 BE-2350 and BE-2300, per-processor in 1,000-unit quantities, respectively.

Source dailytech

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AMD Announces 9-watt Sempron 2100+

New Sempron for Socket S1 embedded and SBC systems

AMD today announced the latest addition to the embedded product lineup, the Sempron 2100+ processor. The new Sempron 2100+ has a thermal design power rating of nine watts. With the low TDP rating, the Sempron 2100+ is ideal for fan-less embedded systems.

AMD packages the Sempron 2100+ in a Socket S1 package. The Sempron 2100+ is compatible with the AMD M690T chipset. The new Sempron 2100+ is the first embedded targeted processor from AMD to feature AMD64 technology.

“By expanding our product portfolio with this new, very low power version of the highly successful AMD Sempron processor and extending the temperature support in our Geode line, AMD is delivering on our promise of customer-centric innovation for a range of embedded markets,” Embedded Computing Solutions Division Vice President Greg White said. “You will continue to see AMD offer our embedded customers the products and tools they need to get high performance, very low power products to market quickly.”

Expect the Sempron 2100+ to make its way into embedded and SBCs. AAEON and Arbor offer boards compatible with the new processor.

Source DailyTech

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Lite-On LH-2B1S Blu-ray Burner Review

Blue laser hardware is gradually becoming more affordable. On the consumer side, Blu-ray players such as the Samsung BD-P1000 are starting to approach the $500 price point. HD-DVD players are dipping below $300 for 1080i units like the Toshiba HD-A2, and you can pick up a 1080P Toshiba HD-A20 for under $400.

On the PC front, events have moved a little more slowly. Blu-ray burners have dropped in price by about a third. For example, the Sony BWU-100A we reviewed late last year initially weighed in at $750, but you can now find it for $599. The HD-DVD front for the PC has been somewhat slower to materialize. External HD-DVD drives from HP are available, as is the Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive, which works fine on a PC. But both are HD-DVD ROM drives, not burners. The Toshiba SD-H903A internal HD-DVD burner has supposedly shipped, but you can't find it anywhere, and review samples from Toshiba haven't been available either.

It's also inevitable that combo drives that can handle both types of disks will become available. We recently previewed the LG GGW-H10N, but it's believed that particular drive will cost well over $1,000. Though this LG drive is a full-featured Blu-ray and DVD burner, HD-DVD support is limited to playback of HD-DVD ROM disks only.

Now Lite-On is jumping into the fray. The company famous for driving down prices of DVD recordable drives is shipping the LH-2B1S Blu-ray Burner, which can be found for under $500 (check prices). While a five hundred dollar drive isn't exactly a budget product, it does demonstrate that the price of blue laser technology is starting to come down from the stratosphere.

Let's take a closer look. Continue...

Source extremetech

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AMD Releases ATI Catalyst 7.5

Another month, another new driver release

AMD today released the latest ATI Catalyst 7.5 drivers for Windows XP and Windows Vista. As with previous ATI Catalyst releases, graphic driver support is limited to the ATI Radeon 9500-series or newer graphics cards.

The new ATI Catalyst 7.5 drivers introduce DirectX 10 support for ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT graphics cards in Windows Vista. DirectX 10 support is available on single-card and CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT configurations. Windows XP users will not receive DirectX 10 support.

Also new to the ATI Catalyst 7.5 drivers is support for the second-generation ATI Theater 650 multimedia products. Second-generation ATI Theater 650-based products meet Windows Media Center DRM requirements and broadcast flag support. The new drivers also improve TV quality.

ATI X1950 XTX owners should see improved OpenGL performance with the new ATI Catalyst 7.5. Performance improvements of 13-18% in Doom 3 and Quake 4, and 15.6% in Prey with anti-aliasing, anisotropic filtering and resolutions 1920x1200 or higher are touted with the ATI Catalyst 7.5 driver set. The ATI Radeon X1950 Pro and X1650 XT receive mild improvements up to 14.1% as well.

As with every ATI Catalyst driver release, ATI Catalyst 7.5 resolves issues in Doom 3, Quake 4, Lego Star Wars II and Serious Sam in Windows Vista. AMD has also resolved issues in Call of Duty and Just Cause under Windows XP.

Download

Windows XP
Windows XP 64-bit
Windows Vista-32bit
Windows Vista 64-bit

Source dailytech

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Top 5 All-Purpose Laptops (5)

Lenovo ThinkPad T60p Widescreen



CPU: 2-GHz Core 2 Duo T7200
Display Size (inches): 15.4
Wide Screen: Yes
Total HD Size (GB): 100
Min. Weight (lbs.): 6.2
Price When Reviewed: $2199


Corporate wide-screen ThinkPad includes workstation graphics.

The ThinkPad T60p Widescreen is Lenovo's first wide-screen corporate laptop with workstation graphics. Its 256MB ATI Mobility FireGL V5250 graphics chip is optimized for OpenGL, the programming environment of choice for many big-name game developers and other 3D-modeling professionals. The WSXGA+ screen has the high, 1680-by-1050-pixel resolution needed to do detailed graphics work. The screen is quite dim, however, despite being rated at 200 nits. This drawback isn't a deal breaker, but even compared to the 150-nit-rated standard-aspect 14-1-inch Lenovo ThinkPad T60, the Widescreen definitely looks a little darker.

Our $2199 test machine was otherwise very nicely designed. Equipped with a 2-GHz Core 2 Duo 7200 processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 100GB hard drive, it was a good performer. In WorldBench 6 Beta 2, it earned an admirable speed score of 73. The battery, an upgrade in our notebook from the standard six-cell to a nine-cell, lasted a lengthy 4.5 hours. The T60p Widescreen is also well equipped for wireless communications, with draft-n (and 802.11a/b/g) Wi-Fi support as standard and cellular broadband as an option. At only 6.2 pounds, it truly is a mobile workstation.

The T60p Widescreen has all of the same great ThinkPad features as the smaller T60, including a top-notch keyboard with dual pointing devices and a modular bay for using two batteries at once. But only the strongest eyes will want to squint at this machine's dim screen for long.

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