09/28, 4:50pm
Three new BenQ projectors have dual HDMI inputs
BenQ has recently said it will soon begin shipping three new HD projectors for us in home theater installations. The three projectors are pitched to tech-savvy home theater enthusiasts, and the front-projection W600, W1000 and W6000 all work on Texas Instruments-based DLP front projection chips. The W6000 is the most feature-packed of the three, with 1080p, native 24fps support, a 50,000:1 contrast ratio and 2,500 ANSI lumens of brightness.
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09/06, 7:50pm
BenQ Joybee GP1 review
BenQ is no stranger to the office projector space and their new pocket projector, the Joybee GP1, packs some innovative features. Boasting a lampless LED light source and an integrated USB video reader, the Joybee is designed to be a one-size-fits-all but also budget-priced pocket projector. With a $499 price tag, could the Joybee really offer the ultimate in portability without sacrificing image quality and ease of use? Our GP1 review answers this in detail.
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09/01, 4:40pm
BenQ outs CULV notebooks
BenQ recently announced the launch of two notebooks powered by Intel's Consumer Ultra Low Voltage (CULV) processors. This includes the 13.3-inch Joybook S35 and 14-inch Joybook S43. Processor choices include a 1.4GHz single core Core 2 Solo, 1.3GHz Core 2 Duo SU7300, 1.2GHz Celeron 723 or 1.3GHz Celeron 743 chips. Both sport a 1366x768 resolution along with high brightness and contrast levels thanks to LED backlit screens. Graphics processing is thanks to an ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330 GPU on the S43 or Intel's integrated GMA4500M GPU on the S35.
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08/14, 5:10pm
BenQ intros V-series LEDs
Electronics maker BenQ has recently introduced two new LED-backlit monitors, the 24-inch V2400 Eco and 21.5-inch V2200 Eco. The V2200 Eco is said to be the world's first widescreen LED monitor of its size. Either has a 1080p resolution, and BenQ claims zero light leakage for both, helping them to achieve a very high 5,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. The Eco in the name comes from an eco mode that reduces power consumption by 30 percent by managing brightness, power and contrast settings as well as totally mercury-free LED-lit panels.
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07/29, 12:15pm
BenQ intros 24-inch LCD TV
BenQ on Wednesday announced the upcoming release of a new LCD TV, the 23.6-inch MK2442. The set is meant to act as a secondary unit or for dorms, where it can double as a computer display. The MK2442 outputs at 1080p (1920x1080) with the option of handling 24FPS movies without conversion. For all sources, it has a 5ms average pixel response time as well as a dynamic contrast ratio of 10,000:1. An HDMI 1.3 input feeds the set with both audio and video signals. Computer inputs aren't mentioned but should be available.
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07/10, 2:20pm
BenQ MID S6 with Win XP
BenQ on Friday revealed that it was launching a version of its MID S6 with Windows XP in its native Taiwan. The Mobile Internet Device is being launched in tandem with Far EasTone and not only replaces BenQ's custom Linux interface with the Microsoft OS but takes advantage of the built-in 3G as well: besides mobile data beyond the built-in Wi-Fi, it also lands built-in VoIP. Hardware is slightly modernized with an 800MHz Atom Z500 and an 8GB SSD giving it better performance and storage for the more resource-heavy OS.
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06/30, 12:00pm
BenQ Joybook Lite U102
BenQ recently announced the release of its latest netbook PC, the Joybook Lite U102. The PC is powered by Intel’s 1.6GHz Atom CPU, 1GB of RAM and sports a 10.1-inch, 1024x600 resolution LED-backlit screen as well as built in Wi-Fi, all of which are par for netbooks. Where the U102 breaks from the norm is with its 250GB hard drive and optional 3G access. There is a dedicated shortcut key for switching between the two types of wireless networks.
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06/16, 4:00pm
BenQ Joybook Lite T131
BenQ recently announced the upcoming release of its ultra-portable netbook, the 13.3-inch Joybook Lite T131. Weighing in at just under 4lbs, the 13.3-inch T131 sports a 1.6GHz AMD Sempron 200U processor based on the same platform as the Athlon Neo and which should give performance better than netbooks without a major increase in bulk. A minimum of 1GB of RAM is onboard, as is an ATI Mobility Radeon X1270 graphics chipset that can drive HD video playback. The standard 250GB hard drive -- a 320GB drive is an option -- comes preloaded with Windows Vista Home Basic.
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06/05, 2:15pm
BenQ Android in 2010
BenQ late Thursday confirmed that it was developing its first devices to use Google's Android as an operating system. Both a smartphone and a netbook are due to use the mobile OS and should be available sometime next year. What features they would have isn't definitive at this stage, though Android is designed around touchscreen interfaces for phones and requires relatively little hardware to run smoothly either on phones or on full computers.
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06/03, 3:10pm
BenQ inros new Joybook
Taiwanese hardware maker BenQ on Tuesday announced the upcoming release of its latest ultra-portable netbook PC, the 2.9lb, 11.6-inch Joybook Lite U121 Eco. Sporting a screen resolution of 1366x768 and a 16:9 aspect ratio, combined with the availability of large-capacity storage drives and an HDMI output, the Joybook Lite U121 Eco is intended as a minor media hub. Processing power comes from a 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z520 that, with the optional six-cell battery, gives it a life expectancy of eight hours. A three-cell battery is the default choice.
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05/18, 1:35pm
BenQ C1220 and C1020
BenQ has started the week with the appearance of two compact cameras with slight edges over other competing models in the class. Both the 10-megapixel C1020 and 12-megapixel C1220 switch out the typical 4:3 ratio, 640x480 video recording mode for a 16:9 720x400 format better-suited to modern TVs. They can also zoom while capturing video and have a smile detection mode for still shots.
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03/05, 11:35am
BenQ intros Joybook S57
BenQ on Wednesday announced the release of the new Joybook S57, a media-centric notebook with a 15.6-inch, LED-backlit screen capable of a greater-than-720p (1366x768) resolution. The high-spec screen, which also has a relatively quick 8ms response time, plays movies at their native 16:9 ratio. The system is also taxed only lightly when playing HD video from the optional Blu-ray combo drive thanks to hardware decoding on an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 graphics chipset, which also brings mid-range gaming to the notebook.
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02/18, 4:10pm
BenQ nScreen AIO PCs
BenQ on Wednesday announced it has developed two all-in-one PCs, part of its nScreen range, with the 18.5-inch i91 and 21.5-inch i221. The two PCs sport 16:9 aspect ratio displays and built-in 1.3-megapixel webcams. The i221 can display 1080p resolution images, while the i91's maximum resolution is fixed at 720p, or 1366x768. BenQ is touting ease of use for all members of the family, including seniors, as the PCs' strong suit. The large, radio-like knob on the bottom corner of the diplays allows users to power on the machine, adjust its volume, brightness and other functions.
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01/20, 7:35am
BenQ G Series 16 9 LCDs
BenQ has quietly added to its G series LCDs with several new 16:9 aspect ratio computer displays that are said to lower prices and complement the 16:10 models that form the bulk of the line. The refresh starts off with the G2410HD and G2411HD/HDA, a round of 23.6- and 24-inch 1080p displays that tout an Advanced Motion Accelerator feature which the company claims improves both response time as well as brightness. Their input also ranges from just VGA on the G2411HDA to the addition of DVI on the G2410HD; these plus HDMI and stereo speakers are included on the G2411HD.
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12/01, 4:00pm
BenQ intros 10.1" Joybook
BenQ has released its Joybook Lite U101 netbook in its home market of Taiwan. The netbook sports a 10.1-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio screen with an LED backlight unit that provides a resolution of 1280x800 pixels and a response time of 8ms. It uses an Intel Atom CPU rated at 1.6GHz and can be ordered with either 120GB or 160GB hard disks or 4GB or 16GB solid state drives preloaded with either Linux or Windows XP Home. Graphics processing is handled by the onboard Intel 945GSE chipiset while built-in memory is rated at 512MB, upgradeable to 1GB.
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11/13, 3:00pm
BenQ MP624 projector
In Japan, BenQ announced the upcoming release of its MP624 DLP projector with 1024x768 resolution and 2500:1 contrast ratio along with a 3,000 lumens brightness level. BenQ foresees the MP624 will be used for business presentations or home entertainment use. It uses a 0.55-inch DLP chip and a 200W lamp with a life rating of 4,000 hours.
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10/20, 7:50am
Intel Demos Moorestown
Intel today at the start of its fall Developer Forum showed off a working example of a Moorestown-based device, putting the chipset on track for its 2009-2010 launch window. The chipmaker has yet to describe the device but reiterates that the technology should be much more effective for mobile Internet devices (MIDs) and ultra-mobile PCs. Through a 45 nanometer process as well as a redesign of the processor itself, the idle power alone will represent just a tenth that of an Atom system today, Intel claims.
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10/17, 1:55pm
Joybook Lite U101 ships
BenQ's JoyBook Lite U101 -- only recently revealed -- is now on sale in Hong Kong, reports say. The 10.2-inch netbook was originally expected to ship in November, following the release of an 8.9-inch system. English-language slides from BenQ have meanwhile disclosed some more features, such as the use of a 10.1-inch 16:9 LCD display, rather than one in the 4:3 or 16:10 formats more common to both notebooks and netbooks. The screen is also LED backlit, which provides uniform color and better power efficiency.
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10/08, 4:15pm
BenQ adds 10MP DC C1060
BenQ on Tuesday unveiled its newest digital camera, the DC C1060, which features a 10-megapixel sensor and 3X optical zoom when recording 720x400 videos in 16:9 format or 640x480 videos at 30fps in the Motion JPEG format. For added grip and an upscale look, BenQ equipped the DC C1060 with a leather grip, while users view and frame photos via a 2.7-inch LCD screen. The digital camera also sports an ISO setting of 3200 for use in low-light environments.
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10/06, 4:35pm
BenQ S6 MID going global?
The previously announced BenQ S6 mobile Internet device (MID) that launched in Italy will be making its way to other markets soon, as indicated by BenQ’s global product page for the gadget. The device uses an Intel Atom processor running at 800MHz and a 4.8-inch, 800x480 touchscreen for data access that is faster than 3G but not quite up to 4G network speeds. A video user guide has also surfaced, showcasing the device’s Free Surf user interface.
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09/26, 12:45pm
BenQ debuts S6 MID
BenQ has launched a new mobile Internet device (MID), according to reports out of Italy. The S6 is based on Intel's mobile Atom processor, and uses a 4.8-inch touchscreen for navigating a PlayStation 3-like menu system. Although music, photos and videos are said to be important functions, the focus is of course on Internet access, which can be delivered through either Wi-Fi or 3G cellular connections. Users can view both e-mail and a web browser.
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09/19, 4:25pm
BenQ intros slim digi-cam
BenQ on Friday unveiled the thinnest digital camera, at less than 0.7 inches (16.8mm) thick at its slimmest point, to have a 3-inch LCD screen, the 10-megapixel E1050. The E1050 has 32 distinct still image or video shooting modes as well as a red eye remover feature. The 3x optical zoom lens and the E1050’s software allows 16:9 aspect ratio, 848x480 videos to be captured for a proper fit on today’s HDTVs. Another setting sizes videos for direct YouTube uploads.
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09/12, 1:35pm
BenQ Joybook Lite
BenQ has decided to join the netbook market, according to reports. The company is said to be working on two such systems, both under the Joybook Lite moniker, with an 8.9-inch model due in October and a widescreen, 10.2-inch edition shipping in November. The systems should be equipped with Windows XP and Intel Atom processors, as well as built-in 3G connectivity. Pricing should be equivalent to $468 US, though this is based off of a domestic Taiwanese figure.
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08/29, 2:05pm
BenQ MP513 Projector
BenQ is wrapping up its week with the addition of a new entry-level projector. The Taiwan-area company's MP513 DLP projector is being sold equally to home theater users as well as business users but centers primarily on its quietness. A mix of dampers and better airflow keep the device's noise output down to 26 decibels in its low-power mode and prevents its incidental sounds from overriding movies or presentations.
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08/20, 11:05am
BenQ G2200WT and G2400WT
BenQ on Wednesday formally rolled out two G series desktop LCDs aimed at artists or others who want extremely adjustable displays. The 22-inch G2200WT and its 24-inch G2400WT sibling rotate 90 degrees for tall portrait resolutions but also travel as much as 5.1 inches upwards; the movement is twice as much as with similarly-adjustable displays and promises a near-ideal viewing angle. Either also spins sideways to show content to those nearby and tilts back and forward for unusually steep viewing angles.
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08/08, 7:25am
BenQ E900HD and G900HD
BenQ is concluding its week with the launch of two displays it believes will match two hotter trends. The designer E900HD and the simpler G900HD both have 18.5-inch, 1366x768 displays that match the same 16:9 ratio and resolution of a 720p-capable HDTV and are better-suited to watching HD content without black bars. Through a unique backlighting system, however, the company says it can produce the same 300-nit brightness as most displays by using a two-lamp backlight versus the four that would otherwise be necessary. That reduces the power use to just 30W and cuts the amount of toxic mercury in the panel by half, BenQ says.
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07/03, 10:40am
BenQ May Drop Phones
BenQ may shift much of its handheld business from cellphones to Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), according to unofficial reports from within the company. The contacts claim that the launch of an Intel Atom-based MID in the summer (pictured) will signal the start a transition to where most every mobile device from BenQ will fulfill similar roles, which include basic web browsing and e-mail access as well as media playback and video conferencing. Cellphones will only be made as customers request them, according to the claims.
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06/20, 9:05am
BenQ E2200HDA
BenQ on Friday claimed an industry first by updating its E series computer displays with a new, extra-sharp model. The E2200HDA is the first known desktop LCD to use a 16:9 aspect ratio that fits widescreen HD content without the black bars that come with most 16:10, non-native screens. It also stands as one of the most densely-packed displays outside of pro-level hardware: while measuring an uncommon 21.5 inches diagonally, the screen provides a full 1920x1080 resolution and will display 1080p content from Blu-ray, game consoles, or other sources without losing any detail.
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04/30, 2:15pm
BenQ's new C36 music phone
BenQ on Wednesday announced its newest handset, the C36 music phone, which replaces the company's C30. Like its predecessor, the C36 uses top-mount controls for its integrated FM tuner, MP3 library and 1.3-megapixel camera shortcut. The camera is capable of recording AVI format movies and can be utilized as a webcam when connected to a PC via the C36's miniUSB port. The dual-band GSM phone features a 2-inch screen with a 176x220-pixel resolution.
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04/23, 3:00pm
BenQ's new digital cameras
BenQ on Wednesday unveiled three new digital cameras with the DC C750 and DC C850 from the company's Compact & Classical range along with the DC E800 in the Elegant & Stylish range. The 8-megapixel E800 incorporates a 2.7-inch LCD screen and is able to shoot 640x480-pixel 15fps video or 30fps MJPEG movie format at half the resolution. The 3x optical zoom camera has a maximum low-light sensitivity setting of ISO 1600.
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04/16, 4:30pm
BenQ Joybook R45
BenQ announced its newest laptop, the Joybook R45, on Tuesday. The R45 sits near the top of the R-series and is aimed at style-conscious users with its soft-touch, leather-like surfaces, complemented by high-spec multimedia and connectivity hardware. The 14.1-inch LCD features a 1280x800-pixel resolution and displays videos thanks to NVIDIA's GeForce 8400M G graphics card with HDMI output. Bluetooth connectivity is integrated, and the R45 was designed with VoIP communication in mind thanks to noise-cancelling software.
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04/01, 11:30am
BenQ T60
BenQ on Friday revealed details of its super-slim T60, measuring just over a third of an inch (8.9mm) thick and packing a 2.2-inch 320x240 resolution LCD screen along with a 3.2-megapixel camera. Software includes a caller black list function that screens out user-selected numbers. BenQ is pitching the GSM phone as a high-quality fashion accessory akin to fountain pens and money clips.
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03/17, 8:10am
BenQ V2400W
BenQ this morning hoped to upturn the LCD business with the launch of the V2400W. Purportedly inspired by the B-2 stealth bomber, the 24-inch LCD's casing uses a new plastic injection technique that both curves the back of the display and makes it one of the thinnest of its kind: the display is about 2.4 inches at its thickest point and 0.9 inches at its thinnest, the company touts. The display also stands out through a thin bezel and a touch-sensitive control panel.
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01/15, 11:35am
BenQ X800
BenQ has revealed a new extra-slim camera it hopes will appeal to those for whom even most point-and-shoot models would be too thick. The X800 produces 8-megapixel shots but measures just 9.8mm (0.39in) thick courtesy of a prism-based 3X optical zoom lens that lets it fit in tight pockets. In spite of this, the camera can shoot macro images at roughly the same distance and contains a large 3-inch LCD for live previews. Its image processor allows face detection and includes modes to use high sensitivity (up to ISO 4000) to compensate for fast movement or dark scenes without using flash.
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12/20, 9:25am
BenQ Joybook Q41
BenQ today provided the surprise of a completely new entry in its Joybook portable line. The Q41 is the first notebook from the company to offer an external display for Windows Vista's SideShow feature: a 2.5-inch LCD on the outer lid lets users access e-mail, media, and simple games from the system even while turned off. Completely unique to BenQ, however, is the SideShow display's VoIP feature: owners can place Internet phone calls without having to boot up the main system and start conventional software, the company boasts.
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12/14, 1:35pm
BenQ high-ISO X835 camera
BenQ has introduced a new digital camera, the X835. The eight-megapixel compact is notable mainly for its high ISO sensitivities, which allow it to capture images with ambient light where it might otherwise need flash; although visual noise may increase dramatically, the camera can handle up to ISO 2000 in still mode, or up to 6400 when recording a movie. This contrasts with most compacts, which tend to limit themselves to ISO 800 or 1600. Video consists of 30fps MPEG-4 shot at VGA resolution.
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12/05, 3:00pm
BenQ X-series LCDs
BenQ on Wednesday inaugurated the X series, its first complete line of LCD displays made just for gamers and others who demand fast response times. Aside from a checkered flag pattern at the base to reflect its gaming pedigree, the X is the first line to include two different gaming modes: an action mode adjusts the color and response for first-person shooters and most typical games, while a racing mode does the same for the typical camera views found in driving simulations.
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