Hey, look! Full-size systems from ASUS

Lest you be mistaken, ASUS makes full-size systems, too. In addition to introducing its Eee Box SFF PC at Computex today along with adding WiMAX to its Eee PC minilaptop, ASUS had its first gaming desktop on display along with its G70 gaming laptop. The Ares Gaming PC serves up the expected high-end components, including an Intel Core 2 Extreme CPU, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, and support for either Nvidia Quad SLI or ATI CrossfireX graphics. It'll carry up to 4TB of drive space and keeps all its parts running smoothly with a liquid-cooling system. As for the case itself, ASUS claims the design "draws upon ancient and modern armor concepts from both Eastern and Western cultures for a uniquely designed upper faceplate". I'd say it looks vaguely similar to Alienware's tried-and-true design. Though the Ares was seen earlier this year at CeBIT, ASUS still isn't talking price or availability; I'll update this post should my query to ASUS be met with any concrete figures or dates.
Read more »

Expect Dell's "mini-Inspiron" at Computex Taipei

Here's more on Michael Dell's baby sub, earlier scooped by Gizmodo. Engadget now has a clearer picture--literally and figuratively--of the "mini Inspiron".

It's apparently an 8.9-incher and offers a choice of Windows XP Home or Ubuntu Linux, 8-in-1 card reader, integrated Webcam, media playback buttons, and wireless connectivity. And like the one which started it all, the ASUS Eee PC, this Dell will be priced to kill at a sub-US$500 tag. More details will have to wait till Computex Taipei kicks off on June 3 when the PC tradeshow will also unveil other players' offerings in the mini-notebook arena. Until then, feast on the above pictures, courtesy of Engadget.

Via Engadget

Sony next with cheap mini notebook?

PCWorld reports that Sony seems to have a small, low-cost notebook with a processor from Via ready. This computer was spotted during the WiMax Expo in Taipei, at a booth run by manufacturer Quanta. The properties windows of the laptop listed Sony as the manufacturer, which most likely indicates that Quanta is producing this device for the Japanese computer giant. When quizzed, the representative manning the booth "quickly closed the properties window and declined to explain why Sony was listed as the manufacturer".

Sony notebooks have always been targeted at the high-end market. This, on the other hand, is based on Via's open-source OpenBook reference design--meant to bring down the cost of notebooks. This would imply a very big shift in Sony strategy for the notebook market. It's all speculation for now, but we should expect more information in the coming months as Quanta says the notebook will ship in Q3.

Via Engadget | Image credit: Via

Atom-based Eee PC previewed; WiMax version in the works

Computex doesn't kick off until tomorrow, but ASUS has already offered a preview of the Atom-based Eee PC 901 at the WiMax Expo today, PC World reported. The Eee PC 901 will be outfitted with a 1.6GHz Atom processor along with 1GB of memory, a memory card slot, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 8.9-inch screen, and come in Linux and Windows XP flavors.

Like the current crop of Eee PCs, there will be both black and white versions of the ultraportable laptop. Rated battery life is between 4 and 6 hours and the Linux model will come with a 20GB SSD, while the XP version will have a 12GB SSD.

ASUS is expected to officially announce its 901 and 1000 series Eee PCs tomorrow at Computex in Taipei. The company couldn't be reached to comment if there will be price cuts for the current models, particularly the 900 series that was just unveiled two months back.

Via PC World

ASUS to launch laptops with instant-on feature

Five new laptop models from ASUS will incorporate DeviceVM's Splashtop instant-on software, the computer maker recently said.

The ASUS M70T, M50V, M51T, F8Va, and F8Vr will be the first laptops on the market to include the "rapid-start platform".

We've seen the technology, which ASUS has licensed from DeviceVM and rebranded as Express Gate, before. It was first introduced last fall on a single ASUS motherboard, and recently expanded to ASUS' full P5Q series of motherboards.

Splashtop differs from the instant-on media players already found on many laptops because it's actually an embedded Linux OS with both Firefox and Skype. The advantages are threefold: The quick on/off feature means you don't have to wait to load Windows when you want to hit the Web--a boon for travelers who just want to hop online for a few minutes while waiting to board a flight. It also means you can turn off your laptop while in transit, instead of wasting battery life on hibernate mode. And the Linux base means the Splashtop browser isn't vulnerable to viruses that target the Windows OS.

The laptops announced are expected to be available at the end of June or early July. More laptops featuring the Splashtop technology are expected in the coming months, though a detailed release schedule hasn't been released yet.

Via Crave CNET

Crave is...

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about cool gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.

Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.

Crave for...

» Mobile Phones (2223)

» Digital Cameras (977)

» Notebooks (1232)

» PC & Peripherals (1309)

» Handhelds (584)

» Printers (82)

» Home AV (1143)

» Music & Play (890)

» Gadgets (1479)

» Future Tech (393)

» Green Tech (172)

» Lifestyle (157)

» Luxury (22)

» Home Appliances (57)

» Cars (99)

» Games and Gear (247)

» Software (94)

» Web (114)

Previously...

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Hot Topics

Subscribe to
Crave

What's Hot

apple apple inc. apple iphone apple ipod asia battery camera game google inc. iphone microsoft corp. microsoft windows mobile phone photograph singapore smart phone software sony corp. video

Today on CNET |  Reviews |  Crave |  Blogs |  CNET TV |  Digital Living |  Downloads