New MacBooks, higher premiums

Spec for spec, Apple machines have always been, and probably always will be, more expensive than their Windows counterparts. Even after value-adding iLife, the hardware of a MacBook still commands a significant premium.

But just how much more? Tech blog Gizmodo did a pretty good table showing how much extra the Cupertino company is charging for the honor of owning a Mac laptop. According to the writeup, the margins for lower-end machines are much higher than top-of-the-line models. In fact, scoring a last-generation MacBook Pro, which costs much lower than the new midrange version, makes more economic sense as both sit in the same performance bracket.

But seriously, no matter what anyone says, we think Apple's new design will sell like hotcakes. After all, buying a Mac is more than just about performance, it's also about style.

Via Gizmodo

Cool your laptop with Chinese opera

Back when I was a kid, we had to blow on our laptops (and carry them 10 miles in the snow, by the way) to keep them cool. These days, you young whippersnappers have things a whole lot easier.

Take the Chinese Beijing Opera USB laptop cooling pad. Just plug it in. It contains three quiet built-in fans to dissipate hot air from underneath your notebook and keep your system cool. But it's also a decorative nod to the high drama of Chinese opera.

The cooling pad is powered via a retractable USB cable, and is light and portable, weighing about 680g. An added bonus: That fierce-looking red, white, and black face mask might scare off laptop thieves.

The cooling pad goes for US$24.99 online, excluding shipping. Rhythmic accompaniment not included.

Via CNET Crave

IDC: Netbook shipments up, expect constrained IT budgets

Worldwide PC shipments were up 15.8 percent in the third quarter, slightly lower than expected.

Just over 80 million PCs were shipped around the globe during the third quarter, according to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker report released Wednesday. The popularity of Netbooks helped to disguise an industry that looks to have continued tough times ahead. Budgets for buying PCs were constrained as the quarter progressed, and IDC says there's more where that came from.

"IDC expects the ongoing economic woes in the US to further impact consumer and commercial PC spending during the holiday season," said Doug Bell, IDC PC analyst.

One of the bright spots, however, was Acer, which grew five times faster than the rest of the market in the third quarter and shipped 10 million PCs. It found success pushing Netbooks in the US, but especially in the EMEA, or Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions.

If the current economic roller coaster continues, perhaps even more buyers could start looking to Netbooks because of their lower price tag. For more see our report on Gartner's similar findings.

Via CNET News

HSDPA Eee PC 901 gets cozy with SingTel

As previously reported, the first HSDPA-enabled Eee PC 901 was just itching to make an appearance in Singapore. The question was, who would get dibs on this mobile machine?

Turns out SingTel, famed for being the first to bring the iPhone 3G to Singapore, is the lucky winner. Priced at S$898 (US$648.80), the Eee PC 901 will go at a discounted price of S$498 (US$359.80) to subscribers of the Mobile Broadband plan but only if they sign up between October 18 and November 14 this year.

HP wants to be touched... again

Consumers itching for something to spend their money on this holiday season--all two of you--may be interested in Hewlett-Packard's continued touchscreen aspirations.

On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reported that HP plans to release a touchscreen-enabled laptop by year's end. Price and exact release date were unavailable at this time.

Last year HP released the TouchSmart IQ770 and this year the IQ505. Both are touchscreen desktops that were HP's first major forays into the technology.

According to the article, the new laptop is only the latest in a series of touch-oriented devices, including an upcoming line of cell phones that will become a priority of HP's consumer strategy.

WSJ sources commented that HP is "building a whole family of touch". The sources went on to say that HP is working on a line of consumer cell phones that feature touch screens and the first such phone will be introduced in Europe this year. HP plans to start selling the phones through a US cellular carrier within the next year or so, according to the article.

The article also mentions that HP is planning to introduce a new 10-inch screen Netbook this year. The Netbook will reportedly not have a touchscreen however.

Via CNET Crave

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