BenQ has released the Joybook U101 netbook in Taiwan, this system features a 10.1" LCD display with 16:9 aspect ration, 1024 x 576 pixel resolution and 8ms response time. AFAIK this is one of the first netbooks with a 16:9 panel.
The Joybook U101 base model features the Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor, Intel 945GSE chipset, 1GB DDR2 memory, 80 or 160GB HDD, optional 4 to 16GB SSD, three USB 2. ports, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, Ethernet, 4-in-1 memory card reader, 1.3MP webcam and headphone/mic ports. The operating system is Windows XP but there will also be a version with Linux.
The system weighs around 1.1kg and features a 4-cell battery life, which should provide up to four hours of battery life. BenQ also sells 6-cell batteries and has plans to release a Joybook U101 netbook with 3G connectivity. It's available in white, black, pink and blue.
MSI has unveiled three new netbooks at a press conference in France; the MSI Wind U115, U110 and U120H.
The MSI Wind U110 will arrive in 2009, it will feature the Intel Atom Z530 1.6GHz processor and the Intel SCH US15W (Poulsbo) chipset which uses less power. The netbook has 1GB DDR2, 10" LCD display with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution, 120/160/250GB SATA HDD, 4-in-1 memory card reader, three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, mic/headphone ports, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, VGA output and a 1.3MP or 2MP webcam. The system weighs 1.1kg, measures 260 x 180 x 19-31.5mm and features a 6-cell battery which should result in a battery life of up to 8-10 hours.
The specifications of the MSI Wind U115 are very similar to the U110, the main difference seems to be that the U115 has a hybrid hard disk with flash memory and optional upgrade to 2GB DDR2 memory. The U115 will feature 80/120/160GB HDDs with 8/16/32GB SSDs.
Last but not least is the MSI Wind U120H, this netbook will feature a 3.5G HSDPA data network module from Ericsson. It will feature a Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, 945GSE + ICH7-M chipset, 1GB DDR2 memory, 10" LCD with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution, 80/120/160GB SATA HDD, 4-in-1 memory card reader, VGA-output, three USB 2.0 ports, mic/headphone ports, Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n WiFi and 1.3/2MP webcam. The netbook measures 260mm x 180mm x 9.75-33mm and just like the other two models it weighs just 1.1kg. The battery pack features 6-cells, but MSI doesn't list the battery life for this model.
MSI informed us their Radeon HD 4800 series, GeForce GTX 280, GeForce GTX 260 and GeForce 9800 GTX+ video cards are now bundled with Tomb Raider Underworld.
Before the launch of the game, MSI and EIDOS have worked very closely together to make the MSI graphic cards and Gaming Notebooks achieve the highest performance and compatibility in ‘Tomb Raider Underworld.’
MSI, considers Gaming as one of its main focus markets and is always trying to deliver the best gaming experience to gamers. Therefore, before the game was released, MSI tested the game with MSI graphics cards to verify and ensure the most smooth gaming experience and maximum performance can be obtained.
The Tomb Raider series, one of the best selling game series in the last 10-years, have been considered as one of the best classic action adventure games of all time. ‘Tomb Raider Underworld’, released by EIDOS after the huge success of its predecessor “Tomb Raider Legend”, features a totally new graphic engine developed exclusive for this game with DirectX® 10 support.
French computer site Le Journal du Geek published pictures of the MSI Wind Box, this new mini PC solution turns your LCD display into an all-in-one PC. The Wind Box is attached to VESA 75 or VESA 100 mounts, it features a Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor, 1GB or 2GB DDR2 memory and a HDD with a capacity of 160GB or 250GB. It also has 802.11b/g WiFi, three USB 2.0 ports, a memory card reader, 7.1 audio, Ethernet and Windows XP.
The MSI Wind Box measures 300 x 240 x 65mm and weighs just 500g. It will be available for around 200EUR in Q1 2009.
Nikon officially introduced the D3x dSLR camera, this model features a 24.5 megapixel CMOS sensor, 5FPS image shooting (7FPS in crop mode), ISO 100-1600 (expandable to 50-6400), 51 AF points, EXPEED image processing system, shutter lag of just 0.04 seconds, and 3" LCD display. The camera has a MSRP of $7,999 (7,999EUR) and you can find the full specifications over here (PDF).
Nikon Inc. today announced the D3X, an FX-format digital SLR featuring extreme 24.5-megapixel resolution and superb low-noise capabilities, which provides professional photographers with commercial-quality image performance in a familiar and extraordinarily versatile D-SLR form factor. In conjunction with the groundbreaking Nikon FX-format D3, the D3X tops off a collection of flagship level, rugged, professional caliber digital single lens reflex cameras engineered to excel in all types of professional photographic disciplines from photojournalism and sideline sports, to commercial in-studio applications.
The foundation of the enhanced performance of the D3X is its FX-format, 24.5-megapixel (6048 x 4032) CMOS sensor providing commercial, high fashion, fine art and landscape photographers with the extreme resolution, dynamic range, color depth, detail and sharpness that clients demand. Whether creating catalogs, magazine covers, billboards or gallery prints, the large 5.94-micron pixel size and high signal to noise ratio produces vibrant images with breathtaking image fidelity while reducing lost highlights and shadows, and ensuring smoother tone reproduction with minimized noise. With full resolution shooting speeds of up to five frames-per-second (fps), and 14-bit files, that when processed are approximately 138 MB, the D3X offers today's photographic artists an extreme level of performance and versatility ready for demanding assignments in the studio or on location.
“In 2007, the 12.1-megapixel FX-format D3 delivered groundbreaking digital SLR image quality, coupled with incomparable high ISO, low noise performance and high-speed handling. In doing so, the D3 broke photographic barriers, enabling photographers to work in ways never before possible,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon Inc. “Now, the new 24.5-megapixel FX-format D3X D-SLR provides the extreme resolution and high dynamic range capabilities needed to meet the extraordinary needs of photographic disciplines such as high fashion, commercial advertising and fine art. The D3X delivers this remarkable capability while fitting seamlessly within the Nikon system, taking full advantage of Nikon’s world-renowned collection of NIKKOR lenses and Speedlights.”
To re-emphasize the importance of image quality above all else, the D3X delivers an incredible level of digital SLR performance to provide photographers with extremely high resolution, exceptional dynamic range, phenomenal total gradation and outstanding color reproduction. Image files can be recorded as TIFF, JPEG or NEF (RAW) formats in either 12- or 14-bit compressed or uncompressed formats, and recorded to UDMA compatible CompactFlash™ cards for optimum speed. Photographers can save image files directly to the dual card slots as overflow, backup, or as separate file formats to different cards. Building on the D3X's flexibility, users have the creative option to shoot in the 5:4 crop mode with 20.4-megapixel resolution, the ideal format for creating 8 x 10-inch portraits. While using DX-format lenses, faster continuous shooting of up to seven frames per second can be achieved at a resolution of 10.5 megapixels.
The exceptionally low noise of the D3X is essential to any professional commercial application, and it provides photographers with an ISO range of 100 to 1600, expandable to 50 (Lo-1) and 6400 (Hi-2). The ultra smooth tones and lack of grain at ISO 1600 as well as at low sensitivity settings result in smooth, natural skin tones and exacting detail that, before the D3X, required larger and far costlier studio-bound camera systems.
ASUS has launched the stylish Eee PC 1002HA netbook in the US for $499, this model features a 10" LED-backlit LCD display and the Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor. It has an argent grey chassis with classy brushed aluminum finish and features Super Hybrid Engine, this technology enables you to change the speed of your processor by pressing a button.
This netbook has the Intel 945GSE + ICH7-M chipsets, 1GB DDR2 memory, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, 160GB HDD, 1.3MP webcam, stereo speakers, 4-in-1 memory card reader, VGA-output, three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet and headphone/mic ports.
With a size of 264mm x 181mm x 27.6mm (W x D x H) and weight of 1.2kg the 1002HA is thinner and lighter than the 1000H, but at the cost of 2 hours of battery life. The new Eee PC 1002HA has a 4200mAh battery which should provide 5 hours of battery life in Windows XP, while the 1000H has a battery life of up to 7 hours.
HKEPC compiled two tables with all the launch information of AMD's upcoming Phenom II processors and the new 45nm Athlon processors which will be released in the first half of 2009:
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