ASUS Lamborghini VX7SX 15.6-inch Laptop

Here's a look at another upcoming 15.6-inch laptop from ASUS, the Lamborghini VX7SX. Featuring the Lamborghini emblem on the lid of the machine, this powerful system is packed with a 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 LED-backlit display, a 2.0GHz Intel Core i7-2360QM quad-core processor, a 1.5GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M graphics card, up to 16GB DDR3 RAM, a 750GB hard drive or 500GB hybrid drive, a 2.0MP webcam, a DVD or Blu-ray drive, an 8-in-1 card reader, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, a USB 3.0 port, an HDMI port and is pre-loaded with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS. Price will start at 1,995 Euro (about $2,825). [LaptopSpec]
source: TechFresh

ARM to challenge Intel's dominance in notebooks

Market research firm IHS believes that Intel's 30-year processor dominance in notebooks may get serious competition from ARM. By 2015, ARM will have captured a notebook share of 23%, IHS predicts.

"Starting in 1981, when IBM first created its original PC based on Intel's 8088 microprocessor, the X86 architecture has dominated the PC market," said Matthew Wilkins, principal analyst of computer platforms for IHS. "Over the next generation, billions of PCs were shipped based on X86 microprocessors supplied by Intel and assorted rivals – mainly AMD. However, the days of X86's unchallenged domination are coming to an end as Windows 8 opens the door for the use of the ARM processor, which already has achieved enormous popularity in the mobile phone and tablet worlds."

By 2015, ARM notebook shipments will hit 74 million units, up from an estimated 7.6 million in 2012, according to IHS. Windows 8 is predicted to be the major driver of ARM notebook sales. Microsoft announced last January that Windows 8 will also be running on ARM systems. IHS believes that ARM will be most successful in the value notebook space and devices that cost less than $700. ARM chip suppliers will include Nvidia, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments.
source: 2DayBlog.com

Apple refreshes MacBook Air with Sandy Bridge, Thunderbolt, and backlit keyboards

Finally, the highly anticipated update for the MacBook Air has arrived. No ARM processors, no new looks, just some speed bumps, Disney bolts, and trendy backlit keyboard. But that's good, because that's what we like about the MacBook Air. Oh yeah, Lion's tagging along this time!

Apple's gone and freshened up its 13-inch and 11-inch ultraportables — the second such update in nine months. Although the industrial design hasn't changed much since the last generation, both models step up to Sandy Bridge Core i5 and i7 processors, Thunderbolt ports, backlit keyboards, and, of course, OS X Lion.

The 11.6-inch flavor starts at MYR 3,099 with 64GB of solid-state storage, 2GB of memory and a 1.6GHz Core i5 processor. The higher-end of the two configurations costs MYR 3,699, with the extra six hundred ringgit doubling your RAM and storage. Yes, it is expensive to own an Apple, but I'm pretty sure you don't care when you're getting this.

The 13-inch Air, meanwhile, starts at MYR 3,999 with a 128GB SSD, 4GB of RAM, and a 1.7GHz Core i5 CPU. Step up to the MYR 4,999 model and you'll get a 256GB SSD instead. That's a grand's bump for doubling the size of your SSD. Your choice, of course.

Regardless, you're looking at Intel HD 3000 graphics across the board, along with FaceTime webcams, two USB ports (plus an SD slot on the 13-inch version), 802.11n WiFi, and Bluetooth 4.0. The two differ when it comes to resolution and battery life: the 11-incher has a 1366 x 768 panel and is rated for up to five hours of battery life, whereas the 13-inch model has a 1440 x 900 screen and promises up to seven hours of juice. And it's still bloody thin.

As for that 1.8GHz Core i7 CPU, it'll set you back an extra MYR 304 on the 13-inch version, and MYR 457 for the 11-inch version. Whichever size you choose, it's only an option for the higher-end configuration. Hit the source link to view the limited specs to choose from, and buy one to join the Mac gang.
source: 2DayBlog.com

White MacBook killed for consumer, only for educational institute, we salute

Do you notice anything above? New MacBook Air, new Mac Mini, and the Mac OS X Lion screen. But there's also something missing. Looks like Apple may have dropped one important product from its store during today's new product rush. It seems as if there may indeed be some meat to those recent rumors that the company is doing away with its white plastic piece of laptop goodness — at the very least, the thing is nowhere to be seen in its current online lineup. Apple has confirmed that the MacBook has, in fact, been discontinued. However, while the notebook will be discontinued for individual consumers, Apple will continue to make it available to educational institutions. Is the MacBook Air overshadowing its elder sibling, or is Apple up to something else?
source: 2DayBlog.com

Chromium OS running on a MacBook Air, the perfect notebook with the perfect OS? Not quite.

I've to admit, the Apple MacBook Air is indeed a perfect ultraportable notebook, but what about Mac OS X? Some may, but some won't agree. Anyway, does it hurt your brain to look at the picture above? That'd be Chromium OS — running on a MacBook Air! Pretty much the definition of “worlds colliding,” this feat is brought to you by Hexxeh, whose most recent mind-warping project put Chrome on an iPad. The platform-mixing maestro says in this case everything works except Bluetooth, owing to a lack of support. But hearty souls who seek to follow in his footsteps, take heed: there's no dual-boot option, and you will lose OS X — so perhaps this is a job for your now outdated model. Click the source link for 14 easy steps to turning your svelte laptop into Frankenstein's monster. And oh yeah, that thing behind on the left, that's a Chrome pillow. Jelly?
source: 2DayBlog.com

Apple Mac Mini gets speed bumps, and slim down too, but no more mouth to eat your disc

The Mac mini is yet another Mac to be updated with Intel's Sandy Bridge CPUs and Thunderbolt. The Mini saw its last update on June 15th 2010 so a refresh was widely expected and also a bit overdue in Apple's traditional product lifespan cycle. There are no major chassis changes to the new Mac mini (sans the missing CD/DVD slot). Like the previous generation, there are three models: two consumer variants and a server. The Mac mini lineup has been like this since late 2009 when the server model was first introduced.

The most obvious change is a drop in price: the entry-level Mini is now MYR 1,899 and the high-end is MYR 2,499. The server model retains its MYR 3,099 price tag. This is definitely good news.

As for the hardware updates, the two most obvious ones are Core i5 and Core i7 Sandy Bridge CPUs and Thunderbolt. Those are dual-core Core i5 processors by the way. Every Mini now comes with one Thunderbolt port as well, which replaces the Mini DisplayPort, just like in the 2011 MBPs. A smaller update is that all models now come with 1333MHz DDR3, similar to the rest of the Mac lineup. The consumer models also come with 500GB HDDs instead of 320GB while the server model's storage remains unchanged (2x500GB 7200rpm).

Now let's see what the 'surprise' is this time. First, the high-end Mini now comes with a discrete AMD Radeon HD 6630M GPU. This is the first Intel Mac mini to adopt a discrete GPU. The old PPC Mac minis used discrete GPUs but since the transition to Intel CPUs in 2006, the Mac mini has been stuck with IGPs – first Intel GMAs and then NVIDIA since early 2009. It will be interesting to see how Apple has managed to find space for the discrete GPU and its cooling, especially because the Thunderbolt controller is a discrete chip as well. We applaud the move though. While Intel HD 3000 was great improvement from Arrandale graphics, it's still not all that great for gamers. Talk about a super tiny HTPC that lets you plays games at decent fps.

AMD 6630M is actually based on the same Whistler core as 6750M and 6770M found in MacBook Pros and iMacs. What you get are 480 shaders at 485MHz, which is 115-240MHz (19-33%) less than 6750M's and 6770M's. Thus the graphics performance won't be as good as in iMac and MBP but 6630M will still be a huge step up from Nvidia 320M and Intel HD 3000. There's no word on GPU clocks.

The second intriguing aspect of new Mac minis is the server model: It now comes with a quad core CPU. This appears to be the same i7-2635QM as found in $1799 15" MacBook Pro. The previous generation server model came with a 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo so this will be a huge upgrade in CPU performance. It will again be interesting to see how Apple has handled the extra heat as i7-2630QM has TDP of 45W compared to P8800's 25W.

Third, there is no more SuperDrive (ODD)! This would be the most drastic change around here. Apple is distributing nearly all of their software through Mac App Store now (including new OS versions), reducing the need for an optical drive. This move is logical and I wouldn't be surprised to see MBPs following Mac mini. There is always the option of an external ODD if you really, really need one. But hey, when is the last time you actually use your ODD?

Some of the BTO options are also new. The base model gets the option for a 750GB 7200rpm HDD but the high-end and server model can sport a 256GB SSD. That alone isn't a big deal but the high-end Mini has an option for a 750GB HDD + 256GB SSD. That's not a big surprise given that the ODD is gone now so there is space for a second 2.5" HDD. Whether there will be a second SATA port in one-drive configurations is still unknown but that would leave the option of a 3rd party SSD as a boot drive. The high-end Mini also offers an optional i7-2620M (2.7GHz dual core).

All in all, the 2011 Mac mini update is a good one. There are several welcome additions to the lineup, such as a discrete GPU. The prices are a lot more reasonable now too. Before, it made very little sense to buy Mini because a few hundred more got you an iMac with better specs and IPS panel. At MYR 1,899, the Mac mini makes sense and is a great option for a first time Mac buyer. You get great spec, a very nice package, and even authentic operating system, compared to those PCs.

The updated Mac mini comes with Lion pre-installed (Lion Server in server model) and is available from the Apple Online Store with estimated shipping time of 24 hours.
source: 2DayBlog.com

Deal of the Day - Dell Inspiron 620s 'Sandy Bridge' Core i5 Slim Tower

Today's LogicBUY Deal is the newest slim tower Inspiron 620s Core i5 with "Sandy Bridge" cpu for $499.99. Features: 6GB memory, 1TB hard drive, 1GB Radeon HD 6450 graphics, in classic black or 4 other system colors. Can be customized.

$794.99 – $125 off – $170 coupon code = $499.99 with free shipping

This deal expires July 19, 2011 or sooner. Check the above link for more details on this deal, and check the LogicBUY home page for other deals.
source: The Gadgeteer

MacBook Air gets Chromium OS port

Remember the early days when we actually saw Mac computers run on Intel-powered processors? Well, weirder amalgamations have happened in the industry since then, those that one would never have thought would happen. Today, we bring you news that the Chromium OS has been ported over to the MacBook Air, which isn't a bad thing entirely. After all, certain quarters claim that the MacBook Air is nothing but an expensive netbook with a starting price of one grand, while Chromebooks from Samsung and Acer are touted to be overpriced netbooks at $349 apiece for the cheapest model. Guess to see your MacBook Air with a Chromium OS port treads middle ground in the argument, no?

This is made possible thanks to seasoned Chrome OS hacker Hexxeh – the wonders of open source. Of course, this does not mean you will get official Chromebook capabilities all the way to the end, since no hardware-specific security features or boot speed optimizations are available. According to Hexxeh, the Chromium OS build on the MacBook Air will boot up in around 22 seconds, which is extremely zippy.

The downside to it? You will need to erase OS X first before Chromium OS is installed onto the MacBook Air's SSD. While dual-booting is an option, neither Hexxeh nor Apple are willing to step forward with official support, so proceed at your own risk if you know how.
source: Ubergizmo

Acer reveals WiDi-packed Aspire 5755 laptop for the UK

Although it doesn't pack full HD visuals with its 15.6-inch display at a 1366 x 768 resolution, one impressive feature about the 5755 is the built-in WiDi (Wireless Display technology), so you can easily view movies on a larger display without having to worry about cables strung across your living room.

Other specs include Intel Core processors up to a Core i7-2820QM, NVIDIA's Optimus-enabled GeForce GT 540M graphics, up to 8GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, and it's available with either a Blu-ray or DVD drive.

The 5755 is currently UK only and starts at £899 (about $1,440). We can only hope we'll see this coming stateside sometime in the future.
source: Akihabara News

HP Pavilion 2000-210US Budget Laptop

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has quietly released a new budget notebook namely the Pavilion 2000-210US. This affordable notebook has a charcoal gray chassis and a glossy BrightView screen. Based on the Intel Pentium P6200 dual-core CPU, the HP Pavilion 2000-210US features an Intel HD graphics, a 3GB RAM, a 320GB HDD, a DVD burner, a webcam, and the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium OS. Other specs include three USB 2.0 connectors, a VGA output, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, a media card reader, and a multi-touch trackpad. The HP Pavilion 2000-210US is priced at $428 at Walmart. [Laptoping]
source: TechFresh