Lenovo B570-1068AJU 15.6-Inch Laptop For Just $299.99

Here's another budget-friendly laptop for you to grab from Lenovo, the B570-1068AJU. Available via BestBuy for just $299.99, the system offers a 15.6-inch 1366 x 768 LED-backlit display, a 2.1GHz Intel Pentium dual-core processor, an Intel HD Graphics 3000, a 3GB DDR3 RAM, a 320GB hard drive, a built-in 0.3MP webcam, a DVD writer, a 6-in-1 card reader, WiFi, an HDMI port, a 6-cell battery and runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS. [Product Page]

Intel says CPU prices irrelevant in Ultrabooks

An Intel executive recently called for an industry-wide effort to bring the prices of the devices down and indicated that it will not be up to the chipmaker to hit price points that resonate with consumers.

“More work needs to happen in the ecosystem. Even if we're giving the chips away for free, we couldn't hit the price point we want to hit if we don't work with the rest of the industry,” vice president of sales and marketing and general manager for the Asia-Pacific region Navin Shenoy told Reuters in an interview.

That is a bold statement that may not sit too well with some of Intel's best customers, who are scrambling to get ultrabooks out for retail prices of less than $1000, which means that the actual cost to build those devices is somewhere in the $600 to $700 range.

According to Shenoy, about 40 percent of the consumer PC market may be occupied by ultrabooks by the end of next year, but this price-aggressive approach indicates that all Intel may be shooting for is a replacement of an existing market and not the opening of a new market – or a future market that builds on currently evolving trends, such as touch input models. As thin as ultrabooks are, they still follow the same general idea the original notebook, the 1984 Compaq LTE had: a keyboard and an attached screen.

Touch never made sense on mainstream notebooks before and I would express some doubt that touch will suddenly make sense if notebooks are simply as thin as a Macbook Air, which the ultrabook trend aims to replicate.

ASUS UX31E ZENBOOK Ultrabook

ASUS is about to release their latest ultrabook ‘UX31E ZENBOOK' into the market. This ultra-portable laptop comes with a 13.3-inch 1600 x 900 LCD display, an Intel Core i7-2677M processor, an Intel QS67 Express Chipset, a 4GB DDR3 RAM, a 128GB/256GB SSD, an SD card slot, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, a USB 3.0 port, a micro HDMI port and runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS. The UX31E ZENBOOK will become available in November for 109,800 Yen / $1,440 (128GB model) or 129,800 Yen / $1,700 (256GB model). [ASUS]

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime images leaked

A week ago, the CEO of Asus unveiled the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime for a quick glimpse during the AsiaD conference. The Transformer Prime will be the successor to the original Transformer which is still on the market (and doing quite well, sales-wise) right now. The Transformer Prime will have a quad-core Nvidia Kal-El processor and a fresh new design. The new tablet will come with a keyboard dock just like its predecessor.

Toshiba Dynabook R741 14-Inch Notebook

Toshiba is gearing up to launch their newest 14-inch notebook, the Dynabook R741. Powered by a 2.50GHz Intel Core i5-2520M processor, the system features a 14-inch 1366 x 768 LED-backlight display, an Intel HM65 Express Chipset, an Intel HD 3000 graphics card, a 2GB DDR3 RAM, a 250GB hard drive, a DVD Super Multi Drive, an SD card slot, WiFi and runs on Windows 7 Professional 32-bit (SP1) OS (Standard Configuration). The Dynabook R741 will go on sale from October 28th for 226,800 Yen (about $2,985). [Toshiba]

Upcoming Dell XPS 14z L412z 14-inch Laptop

Dell will launch the XPS 14z L412z on November 1st, 2011. Measuring 0.9-inch thin and weighing 4.36 pounds, this ultra-portable laptop features an Intel Core “Sandy Brigde” processor with up to 8GB of RAM, a 13.3-inch (1366x768) LED backlight display, a 1GB of nVidia GeForce GT 520M graphics, a 1.3MP web camera, a slot-style DVD writer and a choice of 750GB 7,200rpm hard disk drive or a 256GB SSD. The Dell XPS 14z L412z also supports the nVidia Optimus technology and the Intel Wireless Display technology. Its 8-cell battery offers up to 6-hour of operation time. Other specs include 802.11n Wi-Fi, Gigabit LAN, Bluetooth, HDMI, DisplayPort, a USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 and a 7-in-1 media card reader. The Dell XPS 14z L412z 14-inch laptop is priced at $999 upwards, depending on the specification. [Laptoping]

Lenovo IdeaPad S205 11.6-Inch Notebook On Sale For $549

Normally priced at $649, the Lenovo IdeaPad S205 is currently on sale over at Lenovo online shop for $549 ($100 off). So here are the specs: an 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 LED-backlit display, a 1.65GHz AMD Fusion E450 processor, an ATI Mobility Radeon 6310 graphics card, a 4GB DDR3 RAM, a 500GB hard drive, a 1.3MP webcam, WiFi, an HDMI port, a 6-cell battery and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS. Interested? [Product Page]

Kouziro Frontier ND 15.6-Inch Notebook

Kouziro Frontier hits back with a new 15.6-inch notebook, the ND. Powered by a 2.20GHz Intel Core i3-2330M processor, the system comes with a 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD monitor, an Intel HM65 Express Chipset, an Intel HD 3000 graphics, a 2GB DDR3 RAM, a 320GB hard drive, a DVD Super Multi Drive, WiFi and runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (SP1) OS (Value Model). The ND sells for 56,800 Yen (about $745). [Product Page]

ASUS Zenbook gets taken apart, peaceful parts found intact

It's certainly not very Zen, but AnandTech has pried open ASUS' 11.6-inch ultrabook to see exactly what makes it all tick. The Zenbook's innards are all tightly packed together inside the oh-so-thin casing, with the UX21′s slim-line cooler covering both of the Intel Core i7-2677M processors. The 128GB model has been given an ADATA SDD, while the bigger 256GB version runs on SanDisk storage, with the WiFi card contorted to squeeze inside the aluminum alloy body. ASUS has extended its design sensibilities outside of the tightly-packed casing, with the Microsoft serial number and certificate transplanted to the power unit, which leaves the Zenbook's slick design lines and finish peacefully untainted.

Gigabyte P2532N 15.6-inch Multimedia Notebook

Amazon has started selling the Gigabyte P2532N 15.6-inch multimedia notebook. Priced at $1,385.79, the laptop is powered by a 2nd generation Intel Core i7-2630QM processor (2.0GHz-2.9GHz) with Intel Turbo Boost technology, a full HD (1920×1080) LED backlight display, a 2GB nVidia GeForce GT 550M with the Optimus technology, an 8GB of DDR3 RAM and a 750GB 7200rpm hard disk drive. The Gigabyte P2532N also offers several connectivity options such as a USB 3.0, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0+ HS, an HDMI port and a 1.3MP digital camera. [Amazon]

Moshi Zefyr 2 High-Efficiency MacBook Cooler Review

People are always concerned with keeping their laptop computers running cool.  Laptops can run hot because they usually have small fans to save space inside, and they are often used on soft surfaces that can block the cooling vents.  There are a variety of products designed to cool laptop computers.  Some, like lap desks, are designed to keep you and your computer cool while you use them sitting on your legs.  Others, like the Zefyr 2 from Moshi, are better used on your desk, or even on that lap desk.  I was sent a Zefyr 2 High-Efficiency MacBook Cooler to test with my 13″ MacBook.  Does it keep my MBP running cooler?

The Zefyr 2 is designed for use with MacBooks of all sizes.  Moshi says the Zefyr 2 will work with the white 13″ MacBook, the 13″/15″/17″ MacBook Pro, and with the 2010x2011 13″ MacBook Air.  The Zefyr 2 is made of aircraft-grade aluminum and white plastic.  It's about 12.9″ long X 2.8″ wide at the widest point X 0.9″ tall at the highest point when opened up.  It closes to about 7.25″ long X 4″ wide.  It weighs 12.4 ounces.

As I mentioned, the Zefyr 2 folds at the middle for storage.  As you open it, you'll see a USB plug is stored inside.  You can tell from the top picture that a small magnet is located inside that pulls the USB plug out of it's storage cavity as you open up the Zefyr 2.  I wasn't thrilled about putting a magnet of any size under my laptop, but it doesn't seem to have done any harm.  There are two rubber pads, the darker gray half-circles at the left, that protect the bottom of the laptop and keep it from sliding off the stand.  (By the way, the small black smudge you see near the bottom right corner is discoloration where the bottom of my MacBook rubbed against the Zefyr 2.  Perhaps they should put some rubber pads on that end, too.)  The disk-shaped metal piece on the right is the pivot point for opening the cooler.

When opened, it becomes evident that the Zefyr 2 has a wedge shape.  This slants the laptop while it's sitting on the Zephyr.

Click for a larger view

In addition to the half-circle pads on the top, the bottom has rubber ridges that keep the cooler from sliding on the tabletop.  One side of the stand is all white plastic (bottom image).  Here you'll find the power switch for the fan and the storage silo for the USB plug.  There's a groove in the end and along the side of the plastic piece that the USB cable fits into for compact storage.  The other side of the cooler has two rectangular openings (image 2nd from bottom).  These are funnels that channel the air from the fans across the bottom of the laptop as it sits on the Zefyr 2.

You place the Zefyr 2 under the laptop so that the plastic piece on the Zefyr is facing the back of the laptop and the funnel openings are facing under the laptop to the front.  The laptop is slanted, but it's not lifted completely off the tabletop.  You can see the front end of the laptop is still touching the table in the above photo.  You can also see that the USB plug has a USB port on the end.  It's nice that you can use the Zefyr 2 without giving up one of the 2 USB ports on the MacBook Pro.

I tried using the Zefryr just as a stand at first, so I could get a feel for typing with it.  The laptop is held at a much lower angle than some of the stands I've tested.  Typing is comfortable, but the screen isn't as elevated as with some stands.  I then tried it for a while with the fan on low.  The fan at the low speed was fairly quiet, but I could hear it when the room was really quiet.  I could hear the fan well when it was running at the high speed.  When the room was noisier, the fan noise blended in.  In a quiet room, the sound was enough to really irritate me.  I'm the sort of person who panics when I hear a fan noise at all.  My laptop is almost always dead quiet, and when I hear a fan noise from it, I know something's not right.  That said, the fan noise probably won't bother most people.

I've done a few laptop cooling stands lately, so I'm just going to quote myself a bit to describe how I measured the temperatures.  To test the cooling claims, I used the MagicanPaster app from the Mac app store to measure the CPU, battery, and disk temperatures to quantify the cooling function of the stand.   I used the MagicanPaster app to see the internal temperatures of my laptop as I used it in normal conditions.  I don't use my laptop under carefully-controlled testing facility conditions.  I do use it in a temperature-controlled room.  I do a lot of surfing, photo editing, word-processing, emailing, and the like on my laptop.  I am not a gamer.  I started out with the laptop just sitting flat on my laptop table.  I never took a temperature reading immediately after waking up the laptop.  I would wait until I had been using the laptop for more than an hour before I took a temperature.  After I had collected several temperatures with the laptop sitting on the table, I put it on the Zefyr 2 stand and took several temperatures (collected as described above) using the stand with the fan completely off.

Click to enlarge

These temperatures show that there is little difference in operating temperatures when the laptop is on a tabletop or when it is sitting on the Zefyr 2 with no fan running.

Click to enlarge

My next set of readings were collected with the fan running at the low speed.  I then took a set of temperatures with the fan running at high speed.  It does seem that the battery and disk temperatures seem a bit lower overall with the fan running than without a fan.  I don't see an obvious reduction of the CPU temperature when compared to the temperatures collected with no fan running or with no stand at all.

Click to enlarge

I also ran a flash test to see how the stand cooled while my laptop was being used at heavier load than normal.  I used the Flash Stress Test at the Munsie Games website.  The stress test exercises your computer by displaying a lot of images on your screen in a 30-second burst.  I started by testing with no stand.  I took a starting temperature reading, then I ran the test two times, immediately back-to-back, then re-checked the temperatures using MagicanPaster.  I waited a couple of hours before I was back at my computer to run a test with the Zefyr 2.  I only checked cooling using the high-speed fan setting.  You can see my computer started out a bit cooler with the Zefyr 2 test.  You can see the stress test didn't seem to have any effect on the battery and disk temperatures.  The CPU temperature seems a bit lower with the fan, but the starting temperature was lower and the difference between starting temp and ending temp is virtually the same for both stress tests.

The Zefyr 2 is well made, and their aluminum construction looks nice with the MacBooks they are designed for.  They fold up nicely so you can take them along in your gear bag.  It won't completely elevate the laptop off your lap to keep your legs cool, but it can elevate the back of the laptop to slant the keyboard into a more comfortable typing position.  It draws power from your laptop to run the cooling fans, which won't be a problem if you're near a power source for your laptop but may be a problem if you're trying to make the battery last while traveling.  Once again, I'm just not able to definitely say that the Zefyr 2 keeps your laptop significantly cooler.

Dell Latitude ST promo video shows off stylus, docking station

Looking forward to Dell's latest Windows slate? Point your peepers here, the outfit's Malaysian site just unleashed a promo video showing off the firm's Latitude ST tablet. The preview confirms that the 10-inch tablet will sport front and rear cameras, HDMI-out, a built-in stylus and an Intel Atom processor. The Latitude ST can also be paired with a familiar looking docking station, leaving us to wonder if we're looking at Dell's 'Peju' Tablet in its final form.

DosPara Prime Note Galleria GT-H Full HD Model 15.6-Inch Gaming Notebook

DosPara is bringing you their newest gaming notebook, the Prime Note Galleria GT-H Full HD Model. This BTO (Build To Order) high-performance system packs a 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD display, a 2.50GHz Intel Core i5-2520M dual-core processor, an Intel HM65 Express Chipset, a NVIDIA GeForce GT555M 2GB graphics card, an 8GB DDR3 RAM, a 500GB hard drive, a 1.3MP webcam, a DVD Super Multi Drive, a multi-card reader, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, an HDMI port and runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS (Basic Configuration). The Prime Note Galleria GT-H Full HD Model sells for 89,980 Yen (about $1,178). [Product Page]

Dell Vostro 3550 15.6-inch Intel Core i5 Laptop Price Cut

LogicBuy has started selling the Dell Vostro 3550 for only $549. Powered by the 2nd generation Intel Core i5 processor, the 15.6-inch laptop supports up to 6GB DDR3 memory, a 1GB ATI Radeon HD 6630M discrete graphics and a choice of DVD+/-RW optical drive or an optional Blu-ray drive. Additional specs include 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, two USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, eSATA and an 8-in-1 card reader. The Dell Vostro 3550 runs on the Microsoft Windows 7 OS. [Product Page]

Apple MacBook Pro (late 2011) line-up gets processor and graphics boost

If you meander on down to the Apple store this morning, you'll spot some nice little spec bumps to the MacBook Pro range - without any increase to the prices. For a start, you can now splash out on a faster AMD Radeon HD 6770M discrete GPU with your 15-inch or 17-inch lappie. Even better, there are some CPU improvements to be had: the 13-incher gets the option of a 2.8GHz Core i7 or a 2.4GHz Core i5 dual-core processor, instead of the previous entry-level 2.3GHz i5 (and it also gets its HDD notched up to a minimum 500GB, or max 750GB). The 15-incher now goes up to a quad-core 2.4GHz i7 - the same speedy processor that comes in the updated 17-inch variant. Oh, the cost/benefit dilemmas.

Chromebooks now available to enterprise and education customers with a pay-once option

Google made a big splash when it revealed plans to offer Chromebooks to enterprise and education customers under a subscription model. What's not clear is how much of a splash it actually made in those markets. While the notion of paying a monthly fee for three years, instead of buying a machine up front sounds like a game changer, some people just like the comfort of the familiar. To that end Google is now offering those same customers the option to purchase a Chromebook (with a year of support included) in one lump sum — $449 for the WiFi model or $519 for the 3G to educational customers, while business are looking at $559 and $639 respectively. After that first year is through, customers have the option to sign up for a monthly support contract, at $5 a month for education and $13 a month for enterprise.

Gateway NV55S02u 15.6-inch Laptop

The Gateway NV55S02u 15.6-inch laptop is now available for only $479.99. Powered by a 1.4GHz AMD A6-3400M Quad-core processor, the laptop runs on the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS and features a 4GB RAM, an ATI Radeon HD 6520G graphics and a DVD burner. The Gateway NV55S02u also offers several connectivity options such as 802.11n WiFi and HDMI. [Product Page]

AMD's Deccan and Kerala slated for Ultrabooks

AMD has reportedly made plans to launch the Deccan platform in 2012 followed by the Kerala platform in 2013, both aimed for the ultrabook-like form factor. The company is supposedly looking to increase its current 10-percent share of the global notebook CPU market by jumping into the new ultrabook craze.

According to reports, the company is slated to launch its Deccan platform in June 2012 which will feature 28-nm Krishna and Wichita-based APUs. It will then upgrade to the Kerala platform featuring Kabini-based APUs in 2013. However once AMD upgrades with the latter Kerala platform, the “extraordinary” improvement in overall performance and power consumption will supposedly put the company in a better position to compete with Intel's Ivy Bridge platform in 2012 and its Haswell platform in 2013.

On the traditional notebook front, the company has already launched its Llano-based Sabine platform to replace Danube. However, due to weak 32-nm yield rates and production issues stemming from Globalfoundaries, supplies of Llano APUs has been limited, which in turn may have an impact AMD's plans for the notebook market. Still, But AMD is pushing forward nonetheless with its Comal platform featuring Trinity-based APUs in 2012 followed by the Indus platform featuring Kaven-based APUs in 2013.

As for tablets, AMD is attacking the business sector this year with the Brazos platform and Windows 7. However by Q2 2012, AMD will launch the Brazos-T platform featuring Hondo APUs, and then the Samara platform in 2013.