HP HDX family expands

The original HP HDX was nicknamed the Dragon for a good reason. Not only was the top cover decorated with the mystical animal motif, this desktop replacement also sports a monstrous 20-inch display. The descendents of the HDX Dragon are more petite, but just as fearsome as their forebear.

The HP HDX16 and a HDX18 are 16-inch and 18.4-inch desktop replacements, respectively. Targeting the premium home entertainment market, the HDX16 can be outfitted with a full-HD panel and Blu-ray drive, while the HDX18 has a full-HD screen and next-generation optical format as standard features. Common between both models is the HP Triple Bass Reflex subwoofer, HP MediaSmart (which is more fully featured than HP QuickPlay), 512MB Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics and a hybrid TV tuner. The only difference between them is that the HDX18 can be fitted with dual hard drives.

These new HDX models were just announced today at the HP launch in Hong Kong. Our journalist is on the ground and will report pricing and availability details soon.

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.5.5

Apple has released the latest version of Leopard, with bug fixes and security updates accompanying the fifth update to the operating system.

The company sent over a list of improvements about 30 minutes ago, and the full list of fixes and improvements should be up on Apple's Web site any moment with the update itself popping up in Software Update. Two notable updates from the "General" section were a fix for the video playback problems that affected some MacBook Air owners, as well as a puzzling bug "in which some Macs could unexpectedly power on at the same time each day", which would be the first time I've heard that one.

In any event, let us know if you have any problems installing the new update. It's hard to believe, but it's getting close to a year since Leopard was first released.

Via Crave CNET

Eee PC 1000H gets a price drop

ASUS' 10-inch Netbook just got cheaper in Singapore, with the price for the Eee PC 1000H Netbook going for S$838 (US$595.34), S$50 (US$35.52) less than when it was first launched.

The Eee PC 1000H is the largest member of ASUS' Netbook family which includes 7- and 8.9-inch models. Targeting users who need a larger screen and a keyboard for work, the the Eee PC 1000H differs from the Eee PC 1000 in that the latter uses a 40GB solid-state drive instead of a larger conventional harddisk.

However, for those already set on paying the auspicious price tag (the Chinese consider the numeral eight lucky), you can get the Eee PC 1000H decked out with a 160GB harddisk instead of merely 80GB in the original. The prices in other Asia markets will be adjusted in the near future as well.

Reading the Apple tea leaves: Cheaper MacBooks coming?

In the wake of Tuesday's Let's Rock Apple event, our own Tom Krazit posited a round of possible MacBook updates in October. More circumstantial evidence today, in the form of revised estimates by AmTech Research analyst Shaw Wu.

Silicon Alley Insider reports that Wu is cutting his Apple revenue estimates for the remainder of 2008 and for fiscal 2009, citing a belief that even affluent consumers are feeling the financial crunch, and that Apple may respond with lower prices.

"We continue to believe that MacBook Pro and MacBook are due for refreshes with more radical redesigns, likely at a special event later this fall. In addition, we are picking up that MacBook Air could see a minor refresh and potential price cut to increase its value proposition as build plans have slowed from earlier robust levels as customers have opted for MacBook or MacBook Pro instead."

Via CNET Blogs

Virtual personal assistants make life easier

Too busy to book airline tickets, order takeout food, or call your parents? For US$19 per month, virtual personal assistants from AskSunday.com will run 10 such errands for you.

Welcome to the world of online errand outsourcing, where on sites like AskSunday.com and GetFriday.com, ordinary people can get assistance with everyday tasks, for a small amount. SFGate recently ran an Associated Press article on the phenomenon, citing the growing number of Web sites that are making it easier to outsource virtual errands overseas to countries like India, China, and Bangladesh.

Some of the more unusual tasks handled by GetFriday.com include:


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