Archives for May 2008
Drop the claw for lobsters
John Chan | May 14, 2008
We've all seen these machines. You pop in a coin or two and control a claw to pick up a soft toy or some sweets. Here's one with a twist--you play for live lobsters. According to this photo taken in Osaka, Japan, 200 yen (about US$2) will give you a chance to lower the claw to catch, well, a clawed creature. It's a bargain given how expensive lobsters are, but chances are, like most of these machines, they're rigged to pay out at intervals.
You know all those cases of little boys getting stuck inside these soft toy machines because they try to reach the toys through the exit door? Well, don't let your child try that on this machine, because aside from getting embarrassing stares from the rapt audience, we suspect he'll be in for quite a pinch.
Via Boing Boing Gadgets | Photo credit: Gavin Anderson on Flickr
Get me a washbasin that sings
Damian Koh | May 14, 2008
You know we used to say so-and-so product comes with everything but the kitchen sink? Looks like we'd have to use another parody with the X-Light Surround basin because it really is a washbasin. It's not quite a full-fledge kitchen sink, yet, but close enough. The light-diffusing acrylic polymer basin designed by Jan Puylaert and the guys over at Italian company WET comes with a built-in amplified speaker system that connects to an MP3 or portable CD player. And yes, it dispenses water as well.
Via Trendir
MSI dishes specs for its Wind mini-notebook
Matthew Elliott | May 14, 2008
MSI put out a vague news release that detailed some, but not all, of the specifications of its upcoming and unfortunately named Wind mini-notebook. At the top of the release, it states the 10-inch notebook will "feature the new Intel Processor", but it failed to explain what that processor might be. An Intel Atom processor is a safe bet; the chips are expected to be released this June.
The only mention of pricing in the release reveals that MSI Wind configurations will start at less than US$500 in early June. The MSI Wind is available, however, for preorder at Expansys, which lists a S$764.95 (US$503.26) price for a Linux-based model and a S$834.95 (US$549.31) price for a Windows model (and a ship date of June 27). Expansys states that the processor as a 1.6GHz Intel processor. I'd hazard a guess that the Wind will use the 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 chip. Available colors for the models on Expansys are white, black, and pink.
The MSI Wind news release does reveal that there will be two configurations, one based on Novell Linux and another based on Windows XP Home. Both models will feature a 10-inch, LED-backlit screen with a 1,024 x 600-pixel resolution, the Intel 945GMS chipset, Bluetooth and an 80GB hard drive. Common features also include three USB ports, a card reader, an integrated Webcam, and 802.11b/g Wi-Fi.
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Dell XPS M1730 gets a major graphics boost
Darius Chang | May 14, 2008
When we first reviewed the XPS M1730, its dual Nvidia GeForce 8700M GT graphics engine took gaming benchmark scores to new heights. As possibly the first SLI laptop in Asia, it truly deserved the title of extreme gaming rig and won our Editors' Choice award.
So how can you improve an already fast machine? Make it faster, of course. Dell is now offering the high-end dual Nvidia GeForce 8800M GT video cards for an extra S$960.86 (US$632.14) to the starting price. It may seem steep, but with a score of almost 13,500 on 3DMark06 (as tested by our US labs), this monster will eat even the most resource-intensive games for lunch and still have room for dessert.
There is one small thing, though. Dell's MediaDirect 3.3 software is not compatible with the Nvidia GeForce 8800M GT drivers. As such, upgrading to the new graphics card means losing pre-boot entertainment features. Dell is working on an update to the application but, according to its engineers, will require the user to reformat and reinstall the entire operating system. Hardly an elegant solution but that's the price to pay for an extreme gaming experience.
A bucket full of printing needs
Leonard Goh | May 14, 2008
Before printing, the CP770 can automatically adjust the brightness of images for optimum print results or to correct red-eye effects. While making the 300 x 300dpi print, the printer also applies a thin overcoat of lamination over the paper to prevent smudging and to extend the longevity of the picture.
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