Apple releases new MacBook laptops

Apple announced on today that it has updated its MacBook laptops with faster processors, more memory and more hard drive space.

The new laptops are now available from Apple retail stores, product resellers and the company's online store.

The new consumer laptops, all of which are an inch thick and have a 13.3-inch display with 1,280 x 800-pixel widescreen resolution, are available in three models: White with the option of 2GHz or 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors, or black with the faster processor.

All three models are equipped with 1GB of RAM that can be expanded to 2GB of RAM. They also have built-in iSight video cameras, AirPort Extreme wireless cards capable of 802.11n wireless networking, two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire port.

The lower-end white MacBook, with a starting price of S$1,799 (US$1,294.90), comes with an 80GB hard drive; its 2.16GHz counterpart, which has a 120GB hard drive and a faster, double-layer support 8x SuperDrive DVD drive, costs S$2,188 (US$1,574.89). The black MacBook, identical to the faster white MacBook except for the color and a beefed-up 160GB hard drive, is priced at S$2,488 (US$1,790.83).

Apple also manufactures higher-end MacBook Pro laptops, which did not receive updates this week.

As reported on CNET's Crave blog on Monday morning, the new MacBooks do not include several features rumored to be included in their next iterations. Among those features are Intel "Santa Rosa" processors, solid-state hard drives and LED backlit displays.

USB Beverage Chiller

We've seen loads of USB heaters or plate warmers out there. This is the first USB Beverage Chiller we've come across that's actually designed to keep your drink cold rather than hot. So does it do the deed? The coldplate says it can chill to 45 degrees Farenheit (or 7.2 degrees Celsius). But anything that small and claiming to do the work of a chiller using just USB power sounds pretty dodgey. Still, if you're a USB collector and gotta have this, let us know if it's as hot, er, cool as it claims.

See larger image here

Price: US$29.99
Availability: Check it at ThinkGeek
Device: USB device
Specs: USB cable length 5ft, power consumption 5.75W, 5.25 x 3.25 x 1.4 inches

After a long wait, ATI's next-gen 3D cards arrive

ATI's new Radeon 2000-series 3D graphics cards (code-named R600) were at one point supposed to ship this January. After a few more months of fine-tuning (and plenty of Internet rumors), today brought the official launch of the 512MB Radeon HD 2900 XT. This card is designed to compete directly with Nvidia's 640MB GeForce 8800 GTS. Both CNET and GameSpot will have full reviews of this card up shortly.

The takeaway from the reviews around the Web is that the Radeon HD 2900 XT is loud, requires a lot of power, and stays competitive with Nvidia as far as performance and image quality, depending on the game. We found a similar conclusion in our soon to be posted review of a dual Radeon HD 2900 XT-equipped Velocity Micro desktop PC (which we rate and test differently then we would a standalone graphics card).

With no next-generation DirectX 10 games out yet and both cards' driver software still works in progress, we expect that the performance story will evolve over the next few months. We should also add that ATI has announced its mainstream Radeon HD 2400 and Radeon HD 2600 cards, to be released in June, as well as its complete line of Mobility Radeon 2000 series graphics chips. Since all of these cards and chips can decode HD video, even if Nvidia becomes the eventual 3D performance winner, there's still another battlefield on which ATI and AMD can come out on top.

Samsung YP-U3: Hunting down the shuffle

A new week and a new MP3 player. This time it's Samsung causing our saliva glands to work more overtime than a Chinese sweatshop, with the unofficial announcement of the YP-U3. The U3 is a flash-based MP3 player and is the successor to the YP-U1 and YP-U2.

It comes in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB capacities and supports MP3, WMA and good old OGG-format music files. There's a built-in RDS FM radio (very nice indeed, Samsung), a built-in USB plug (less nice) and it still sports a trippy blue LED on one end (oh dear).

Samsung told us this morning the YP-U3 is definitely going to be coming to the UK within the next two months, at the same time as the US release, but no price point has yet been announced.

The U3 is going after a similar audience as Apple's iPod Shuffle, but it does so with a significantly larger body and, like previous models, by having a non-color screen. However, we get the feeling that while this is a nice-looking little guy it's just not outstanding enough to make a significant impact on the market, unless it a) costs significantly less than the Shuffle's £55, or b) comes with an 8GB capacity--the latter being a definite no-chancer.

We'd love to have seen an 8GB version and feel such a capacity would do very well in a player of this size. We guess we'll just have to wait for the YP-U4 for that. Either way, it looks lovely and if it's cheap enough it'll do alright. Watch this space, Samsungites.

Via CNET UK Crave

Ashtray Clock

Nothing revelationary on the surface here. Just an ashtray with a clock. In fact, it's so subtle, your smoking buddy won't give it a second notice. But we like it. It's a good reminder that time's running out for those who persist in burning out their lungs. A countdown timer next? Wicked!

Via New Launches

Price: US$35.99
Availability: Check it at Merlin's Box
Device: Ashtray
Specs: N.A.

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