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Intel Intros New Pentium SU2700 CULV Chip, GS40 Chipset

Mark Edward Soper — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:03:41 -0500

As we told you about earlier today, Intel is taking the Pentium brand name for another go-round, this time for its CULV processors for ultra-thin notebooks. And Intel has wasted no time in rolling out the first CULV processor to get the Pentium name, the Pentium SU2700.

Introduced this week at the 2009 Computex Taipei trade show, the Pentium SU2700 is a 1.3GHz dual-core processor that has a TDP (thermal design power) requirement of only 10 watts (about the wattage output of a couple of typical night lights). The SU2700 uses Intel's 45nm process, and includes 2MB of L2 cache.

Typically, a new Intel processor is matched with a new chipset, and in this case, the Pentium SU2700's running mate is the Intel GS40 Express chipset. The Intel GS40 Express chipset includes integrated graphics that support MPEG4/H.264 video acceleration, integrated HDMI output, and acceleration for Windows Vista's Aero desktop. The GS40 also supports dual-channel DDR3 memory running at 667 or 800MHz and an 800MHz system bus. The GS40 is paired with the ICH9M I/O Controller hub to provide up to six PCI Express x1 I/O ports, up to four Serial ATA host adapters, Intel HD audio, and up to 12 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 ports. For a schematic diagram and much more technical information about the GS40 and ICH9M, download the Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family Graphics Memory Controller Hub (G)MCH Specification Update (PDF format).

Seagate Replica Backup Appliances Designed to Do One Thing Well

Mark Edward Soper — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:09:25 -0500

This week, Seagate announced its latest backup devices, the Replica backup appliance family. Replica is available in two versions: a single-computer 250GB model ("Single PC") and a 500GB version ("Multi-PC") that also includes a dock.

Replica's 'plug it in and forget it design' is intended to make it a close hardware equivalent to online backup services in terms of ease of use, but it's not designed to be as flexible - or as fast - as a traditional USB hard disk. Seagate refers to Replica as a "backup applicance" for good reason: the included software makes a backup copy of your entire system, and you get a bootable recovery disc that helps you restore your system in case your system drive dies.

While you have the option of restoring the entire PC, or just dragging individual files from Replica back to your PC in case you deleted your latest draft of the Great American Screenplay, Replica won't do drag and drop copying from your PC to Replica. Seagate's reasoning: if you want an external hard disk, get yourself a Seagate FreeAgent or FreeAgent Go, or a Maxtor OneTouch or OneTouch mini. By contrast, Replica is designed for users who don't want to think about anything after installing the software and plugging the drive into a free USB port.

Estimated pricing on the Single PC version is $129.99, with the Multi-PC version expected to sell for $199.99. Look for Replica to hit store shelves in May.

From my perspective, Replica might be a handy solution for folks who need backup, and only backup. However, am I the only one who is noticing how large laptop and desktop hard disks are getting these days? No matter how easy Replica is to use (and it sounds about as easy as it can get), what happens when you fill up the unit? What do you think? Is Replica just fine as is, or should Seagate include bigger drives? Hit Comment, backup experts, and tell us what you think.

Seagate Replica Multi-PC version illustration courtesy of Computer Shopper.

Amazon Opens its eBook Store to Apple Users

Andy Salisbury — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:25:31 -0600

A lot of people already have iPhones and iPod Touches, and it looks like now this gigantic target audience can double these handy devices as an Amazon Kindle, all thanks to a free app.

The Amazon Kindle app, which is currently available on Apple’s App Store, is completely free and gives users of it full access to the 240,000 eBooks currently available on Amazon.com (for the same price as Kindle users, of course).

While there are plenty of people that have already adopted the Kindle, one can’t help but think that plenty of them that have both are kicking themselves right now. After all, a backlit screen alone can turn the tide of battle!

Image Credit: Amazon, Apple

Asus Debuts Lamborghini-Themed Luxury Notebook

Andy Salisbury — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:29:00 -0600

At this week’s CeBIT Asus unveiled the latest in their luxury notebook line, the Lamborghini VX5.

The VX5 will pack some impressive hardware under the hood, including an Intel Core 2 Quad processor, 4GB DDR3, and an Nvidia GeForce GT 130M graphics processor, but more importantly it will feature a massive 1TB SSD. It’s expected that the SSD is Puresilicion’s, which was announced earlier this year and has impressive 240 MB/sec sustained read speeds and 215 MB/sec sustained write speeds.

There’s no mention as to how much this laptop will cost or when it’s expected to release. But what we can gather is that this notebook will be pricey.

Image Credit: Asus

Asus Demos Wiimote Wannabe at CeBIT

Andy Salisbury — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:20:05 -0600

This morning Asus showed off one of their newest gaming related products, the Eee Stick, which is intended to get more people into gaming. The Eee Stick will come in many different colors, and oh yeah, they look and act exactly like a Wiimote.

There’s no word yet on what crowds Asus hopes to get with their Eee Sticks, but it is clear that they’re looking to make their own stake in the casual gaming crowd.

Currently there’s no word on pricing or availability.

Image Credit: Engadget

Windows Vista Compatibility Center Helps Users Determine What Works

Mark Edward Soper — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:32:42 -0500

Microsoft has long offered hardware compatibility information for different versions of Windows, including Windows Vista. Remember the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)? You can access the current versions of the HCL and Windows Catalog listings for Windows versions from NT 4.0 and 98 through Windows Vista here. The Windows Vista HCL, now known as the Windows Logo'd Products List, is available here.

Until now, though, Microsoft has dropped the ball on making software compatibility easy to determine. With a renewed emphasis on marketing and customer satisfaction this summer, Microsoft has now created an easy-to-use one-stop shop for determining which hardware and software products will work with Windows Vista, the new Windows Vista Compatibility Center (WVCC).

Using the WVCC

To track down compatibility information, you can either search by product category (hardware and software) and product name, or browse hardware and software categories. Use Search to find one or two products; I recommend using Browse to find information for several products from the same vendor, or different vendors' products in a common category or sub-category.

Categories Galore

Hardware categories include Cameras & Photo; Printers & Scanners; MP3 & Media Players; TV Devices; Communications Devices; Mice, Keyboard & Input Devices; Displays; Networking; Graphics Cards & Components; Storage Devices.

Software categories include Business & Home Office; Communications & Internet; Graphics & Printing; PC Gaming; Kids' & Educational; Hobbies & Personal Improvement; Photo & Video; Music & MP3; Utilities; Assistive Technology; Development Tools; Enterprise Applications.

Within each category, you can select a subcategory to help focus your search, and you can then scroll through the list, arranged by vendor, to find your product. To help you find products more quickly, though, I recommend you use the filters on the left side of the screen to help find results more quickly: a list of common vendors for each product category, compatibility levels (certified, works with, or not compatible), 32-bit or 64-bit.

By default, the WVCC lists items in terms of relevance, but you're better off changing the sort option to product name (A-Z or Z-A) or, for products made by different companies now listed under the new owner's name, use publisher's name (A-Z or Z-A).

Getting the Details

The individual listing for each product uses a green checkmark to indicate Compatible, a yellow triangle with ! to indicate Action Recommended (such as an upgrade), a red X to indicate Not Compatible, or a black ? to indicate Status Unknown.

Even if a product is listed as Compatible, click the product listing for more information, as you might need to install updated drivers using the provided link. Other links provided include the vendor's website, support site, and contact information, as well as more detailed product information. Separate tabs for 32-bit and 64-bit compatibility help you determine if a particular product is 64-bit ready.

Redmond Says: Feedback Wanted

A thumb-up/thumb-down voting system on each product entry gives you the opportunity to indicate if the information is accurate. To correct inaccurate compatibility information, or to fill in the blanks for Status Unknown products, click the Let Us Know link and provide the information requested.

Maximum PC Says: Ditto!

You might already have a handle on most of the information provided by the WVCC for your favorite products, but do you think it will help you with unfamiliar products? Will you be using it to answer other users' questions? If you're on the fence about moving to Vista, does this website help you make up your mind? Have you found any mistakes? Tell us.