11/03, 6:50pm
Company changing focus following layoffs
The One Laptop Per Child Association, the manufacturer behind the OLPC notebooks, has axed its plans to build a dual-screen XO device, according to an Xconomy interview with the group's founder and chairman, Nicholas Negroponte. The second generation notebook, originally announced in May of last year, has been scrapped as OLPC instead focuses on adapting the first-generation XO with updated internals.
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09/04, 12:45pm
Dependent on industry progress
Samsung's first deployment of OLED notebooks should occur in about a year, an executive from the company explains. Samsung's head of worldwide sales and marketing for computers, Kyu Uhm, revealed the information at this week's IFA expo in Berlin. "Samsung is the largest OLED screen manufacturer. And as soon as it's available commercially for laptops we will adopt it," says Uhm. "Probably sometime Q3 next year."
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08/27, 6:50pm
gScreen dual-screen laptop
gScreen has previewed its upcoming Spacebook notebooks featuring dual 15.4-inch displays, according to Gizmodo. The device integrates two full-size screens that sit side-by-side when needed, while users can also slide the displays together to view a single screen. The chassis is also built around a 15.4-inch design, but with significantly more bulk necessitated by the displays and sliding mechanism.
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08/25, 10:50pm
Mobile Core i7, touch Win
MSI has confirmed the introduction of mobile Core i7 processors with several of its upcoming Windows 7-based notebooks . The company is set to ship 15.4- and 17-inch notebooks based on the Core i7 7200M, Core i7 8200M, and Core i7 920XM CPUs. Along with the high-end notebooks, MSI is also set to release a Wind U150 netbook featuring a touchscreen and Intel's next-generation Pine Trail platform.
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08/12, 5:15pm
Ultrathins in trouble?
Acer chairman JT Wang has admitted that the company's shipments of ultra-thin notebooks has not reached initial sales goals, according to the DigiTimes. The computer maker has adjusted its internal forecasts to reflect the changing conditions, reducing total shipment volumes for the third quarter from 30 percent to 20 percent. Fourth quarter volumes have been similarly reduced from 50 percent to 30 percent.
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07/23, 6:05pm
Maingear eX-L notebook
Maingear on Thursday introduced its latest high-end notebook, the eX-L 18, featuring dual 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280M GPUs and an 18.4-inch display with 1920x1080 resolution. CPU options include several Core 2 Duo components up to 2.8GHz, along with the quad-core Core 2 Extreme running at 2.53GHz.
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07/07, 11:00am
High MacBook Pro demand
The fastest 13-inch MacBook Pro and an entry-level 15-inch model are proving to be particularly popular with Mac shoppers, argues Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. Shipping delays at the Apple online store are currently between seven to 10 days for the pair, which is said to be unusually significant in that 13-inch MacBooks have not seen similar delays for over two years. At the time, delays were also just five to seven days.
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06/22, 11:00am
Apple vs. Dell ruling
Apple has been both vindicated and condemned in an advertising dispute with Dell, reports say. The latter company earlier filed a complaint with the National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, accusing Apple of potentially misleading the public by claiming its unibody MacBooks are the "greenest" notebooks on the market. Dell has asserted that its notebooks also meet high environmental standards, for instance by scaling down mercury, PVC and brominated flame retardant content.
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06/11, 8:45am
MacBook Pro teardown
Pictures of the new MacBook Pro being taken out of its box and disassembled have been posted by iFixit and a blogger on TQB. The blogger's photographs indicate that the packaging of the new Pro has not changed since its predecessor. iFixit has gone in-depth, pulling apart the entire computer and analyzing the differences between current and previous-generation systems.
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06/10, 3:20pm
MacBook clearout sales
Apple is pushing hard to get rid of older MacBooks still sitting in inventory, a company memo indicates. While having introduced new MacBook Pros on Tuesday, a number of outdated systems continue to be stocked at Apple Stores. "Our Macbook Family has been updated and all current stock of Macbook and Macbook Pros need to be sold," the memo tells store representatives, and various groups supplied by Apple. "All current in store computers are on a first come first serve basis."
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05/28, 9:40am
UK MacBook price hike
Apple's modest increase of specifications for the white MacBook -- including 800MHz RAM, a 160GB hard drive and a 2.13GHz CPU -- has led to a price increase in the UK, local Mac users note. Having formerly been priced at £719, the notebook now costs £749 in the region. In spite of having the same hardware, the US version has remained at $999.
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05/27, 1:05pm
ASUS G51 notebook
ASUS has uncovered a new gaming-oriented notebook, the G51. Similar in concept to competing Alienware systems, the G51 uses a stylized "robot" design, in addition to providing high-end performance specifications. Unusual in the latter regard is the option of a Core 2 Quad processor, clocked at either 2 or 2.26GHz. More mundane Core 2 Duo configurations can be clocked anywhere between 2 and 3.06GHz.
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05/05, 12:55pm
3G MacBooks after all?
Apple may indeed have an interest in merging 3G cellular broadband into Macs, a job listing hints. The company recently announced an opening for a communications QA engineer, who would work full-time within the Mac Hardware Group at the company's Cupertino headquarters. While mentioning routine duties for such a position, the listing also asks for someone who can test driver bugs relating to "3G Wireless WAN" connections, alongside Bluetooth, Ethernet and Wi-Fi.
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04/30, 1:05pm
New Dell Studio art picks
Dell has substantially extended the amount of art available for its Studio notebooks, according to an announcement. Buyers of 15- and 17-inch models can now choose from 120 more designs, for a total of over 200. The art is divided into categories such as artists, patterns and plain colors, as well as a special (PRODUCT) Red series, which directs $20 of Dell's profit from each computer towards combating AIDS in Africa.
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04/20, 5:50pm
DealNN: Apple 24" display
Today's featured DealNN deal is on the Apple LED 24-inch cinema display. It is regularly priced at $899, but until April 30th DealNN readers can save $100 instantly dropping the price to $799. That's the same cost for a refurb. model from the Apple store. The LED cinema display is is designed to work seamlessly with Mac notebooks via the mini display port and universal MagSafe connector and features a built-in iSight camera, microphone and speaker system.
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03/09, 1:50am
Asus G71Gx
Asus has expanded its line of G-series gaming notebooks with the G71Gx. The device is based on Intel's Centrino 2 platform and features the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M GPU with 1GB of DDR3 VRAM, doubling the graphics memory of the previous G71. The company also integrated three SODIMM slots, allowing configurations with up to 12GB of RAM, while a 17-inch display offers a resolution of 1920 by 1200 pixels.
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03/03, 10:10pm
Asus U and UX notebooks
Asus has expanded its computer offerings to include the new U and UX series of ultra-thin notebooks. Both will offer LED-backlit displays that automatically adjust the brightness for the environment. The U models will offer a 15.6-inch display, Intel Core 2 Duo processor, NVIDIA GeForce G105M GPU and hard-drive capacities up to 500GB. The touchpad features lights that follow the user's fingertips, while the keyboard will also offer backlighting.
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03/03, 11:20am
Minor MB, MB Pro updates
Without calling attention away from new desktops, Apple has also provided minor updates to its notebook computers. The top-end version of the 15-inch MacBook Pro is now equipped with a 2.66GHz processor by default, instead of 2.53GHz. The 17-inch Pro continues to come standard with a 2.66GHz processor of its own, but like the updated 15-inch system, now has the option for a 2.93GHz chip for an extra $300. The base 15-inch Pro is unchanged with no new processor options.
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02/10, 1:05pm
Intel holds on price cuts
OEMs should not expect price drops on Intel notebook hardware until at least June, according to industry sources. Cuts had been rumored after a drop in the company's net income for the fourth quarter, as a means of boosting sales. Simultaneously, however, it was worried that a reduction would cause significant damage to notebook builders, who in some cases may be carrying large inventories of full-priced components.
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02/05, 10:40am
Checkthrough laptop bag
Skooba Design has announced the Checkthrough Messenger, a new notebook bag made to go through airport X-ray screening with the computer still inside. A slimmer version of company’s original checkpoint-friendly bag, the Messenger nevertheless comes with over a dozen compartments, pockets and organizers. The notebook section of the bag holds a variety of sizes, including 15 to 15.4-inch models, most 16- and 17-inch machines, and all Apple portables.
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01/30, 12:55pm
India's $10 notebook
The Indian government is indeed laying plans for the sale of a $10 notebook, according to a regional newspaper. Although the government is at one point said to have retracted the pricetag, adding a zero to the end, DNA writes that a prototype of a $10 (500 rupee) notebook will go on display in Tirupati on February 3rd. The computer was jointly developed by the Indian Institute of Science and Indian Institute of Technology, and is a part of a plan dubbed the National Mission on Education.
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01/30, 9:15am
17-inch unibody MBP ships
The new unibody version of the 17-inch MacBook Pro has started shipping, its Apple Store product page reveals. Shipping information has quietly switched over from pre-order status, to an estimated delivery time of seven to 10 business days. The timeframe is still significantly longer than that for other MacBook Pros, which are shipping within 24 hours.
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01/16, 1:30pm
15-inch MacBook Air?
Apple is working on a larger version of the MacBook Air, a Taiwanese site claims. Though the current 13-inch Air is focused on being as thin and small as possible, Apple is said to be building a 15-inch model as a companion. The system would be based on Intel's "latest" ultra-low voltage Core 2 processors, but no other specifications have been proposed.
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01/05, 1:40am
New IdeaPad Y Series
Lenovo on Monday debuted its latest midrange "multi-touch" IdeaPad Y Series laptops that are smaller, thinner and lighter than the previous generation as well as its first 16-inch widescreen laptop, the IdeaPad Y650 built from Carbon Fiber. The IdeaPad Y Series, which also includes Y550 and Y450, focuses on HD entertainment and shares the same "modern soft black design" with an interlocked hexagon pattern on the top cover along with a discrete copper accent around the perimeter of the laptop. The carbon fiber-based IdeaPad Y650, allegedly the thinnest and lightest laptop in its class, weighs less than many 15-inch laptops -- only 5.6lbs and is just one inch thick at its thinnest point.
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12/31, 1:00am
Atom in more HP notebooks
Users may find Intel's mobile CPU in more notebooks if market leader Hewlett-Packard has its way: a new report says that HP is in negotiations with Intel to expand the use of Intel's latest mobile processor. Current restrictions limit the use of Atom series processors only in netbook PCs with up to 10.2-inch panels and HP hopes convince chip giant Intel to allow it to use Atom in new mini-note PC models with larger screen sizes. Taiwan-based notebook makers told Digitimes that HP's high-profile brand may help it succeed in convincing Intel to allow the use of the new mobile CPU in more HP mini-notebooks.
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12/30, 9:55am
New Intel quad-core chips
Intel has launched a new, low-cost quad-core mobile processor, as well as its latest mobile dual-core chipsets. The 2.53GHz Q9000 quad-core processor is significantly cheaper than the existing QX9300 and Q9100, but offers just 6MB of cache memory as opposed to the 12MB in its siblings. Acer has already announced a notebook with the new technology, the Aspire 8930G-7665. Designed for gaming, the system uses an 18.4-inch WUXGA screen and NVIDIA 9700M GT graphics.
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12/29, 10:45am
Quad-core Acer Aspire
Acer has begun selling the Aspire 8930G-7665, its latest notebook. The system is notable for using Intel's new Q9000 processor, one of the first mobile Core 2 Quad models. The chipset runs at 2.53GHz, and features a 12MB L2 cache along with a 1,066MHz front-side bus. This supports the 8930G's main purpose as a gaming PC, though many games cannot yet take full advantage of a quad-core processor.
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12/21, 5:00pm
Dell vs. Apple on greening
Dominant PC builder Dell has sharply criticized Apple for its environmental claims, a promotional blog post reveals. The company's community VP, Bob Pearson, has specifically taken aim at a recent MacBook ad, which suggests that the new unibody systems are the "greenest" notebooks on the market. Apple is only making broad claims without providing any long-term plans or even facts to back them up, says Pearson.
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12/16, 9:55am
Recession hits Mac sales
The current recession is beginning to harm Apple's US sales, writes the NPD Group. The research firm notes that in tracking November sales of Macs, numbers actually declined 1 percent year-over-year, while the computer industry as a whole grew 2 percent. Apple has generally seen continuous growth in recent years, and the trend was poised to continue until the development of the credit crisis in September.
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12/11, 5:45pm
Holiday electronics prices
Online retailers continue holiday sales on digital cameras, printers, notebooks, HDTVs and more. For a limited time PCconnection.com is offering a special bundle deal that includes a Nikon CoolPix 8MP digital camera, Epson Workforce color printer and 2GB SD memory card for $99.99 with FREE shipping. BestBuy.com has a range of great gift ideas for $50 or less that include the SanDisk Sansa 2GB MP3 player for $49.99, Family Guy volume five on DVD is priced at $29.99, Jabra Bluetooth headset for $39.99 and more.
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12/10, 1:20pm
Touchscreen Wind at CES
MSI will be demonstrating new touchscreen-enabled notebooks during January's Consumer Electronics Show, says the company's US sales director. Andy Tung notes that 10- and 16-inch touchscreen portables will be on display, the former of which should be a Wind netbook. It is uncertain if it will become a commercial product, says Tung, as a 10-inch screen may be considered too small for tablet functionality; it is confirmed however that MSI's touch-based Wind desktops will be coming to the US in 17-, 19- and 22-inch sizes.
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12/05, 6:00pm
Holiday Apple deals
With the holiday season upon us many online retailers have have reduced their prices on Apple products. MacMall.com has a variety of iMac and MacBook Pro models at reduced prices, plus for a limited time take advantage of mail in rebate offers that drop the prices down to as little as $1,099.99 on the 2.4GHz, 20-inch iMac and $1,299 for the 15-inch, MacBook Pro.
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12/02, 1:05pm
Dell opens Design Studio
Dell has announced the opening of the Design Studio, a service for people buying 15- or 17-inch Studio notebooks. The company says it has commissioned over 100 works of original art from a number of different artists, such as Mike Ming, Brittany Waldner and Joseph Amedokpo. These can then be applied to the lid of a system being ordered, at a cost of $75. 52 of the images qualify under (PRODUCT) Red, which donates $20 towards controlling AIDS in Africa.
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12/02, 12:10pm
Apple liquid cooler patent
Apple has filed for patents on two different liquid cooling technologies, both intended to apply to future notebooks. Current MacBooks use air cooling, driven by internal fans; while this is sufficient, it is thought that future components -- such as faster video cards and quad-core CPUs -- may force Apple to use more efficient (and possibly quieter) cooling. Active and passive methods are being suggested.
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11/20, 12:55am
MSI VR220 YA notebooks
MSI has launched its latest series of notebooks, the VR220 YA Edition, available in black or pastel shades of blue, green, or pink. The devices feature Intel's Pentium dual-core processor and (integrated) GMA 4500M GPU. Memory options allow up to 2GB capacity with DDR2 667MHz modules, while the device also advanced Gigabit Ethernet or wireless 802.11b/g as well as N-networking. The magnesium-alloy case and a small 12.1 inch WXGA screen (1280x800 pixels, helps keep the overall weight under four pounds.
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11/18, 5:35pm
Forums: AppleCare deals
Today MacNN forum goers continue a heated debate about the differences between the new MBP vs. the early 2008 model MBP due to one member stating that they believe the early 2008 model was "the best ever made". One member finds advice and assistance from others when faced with sleep issues with their 2006 MacBook Pro. A list of good places to find deals on AppleCare can be found in this thread. A discussion of the new upgrade to Azureus, Vuze version 4, can be found here. Fresh-Faced Recruit, alia, recently got their first iMac and is looking for some tips and tricks in order to make the most of their Mac experience.
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11/11, 1:20pm
Dell (PRODUCT) Red Studios
Dell has taken the unusual step of announcing three new artwork options for its Studio notebooks, all under the aegis of (PRODUCT) Red. (PRODUCT) Red is a commercial initiative designed to trickle money to the Global Fund, an AIDS charity. For the purchase of each 15- or 17-inch Studio with (PRODUCT) Red artwork, Dell says it will send $20 of the money to the Global Fund.
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11/10, 11:25am
Apple, ASUS cut notebooks
Both Apple and ASUS have dramtically cut their notebook production going into the fourth quarter of the year, says the Commercial Times. The Chinese-language paper reports that the companies have slashed outsourcing by 20 to 30 percent, affecting Quanta Computer -- a Taiwanese company thought the be the main builder of unibody MacBooks -- and Pegatron Technology, which handles production for ASUS. ASUS has suggested that its fourth-quarter shipments will be limited to 1.7 million notebooks, preventing it from reaching its 2008 goal of 6 million.
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11/07, 6:25pm
Forum roundup: MBP woes
Today in the MacNN forums members discuss the practicality of the glass trackpad on the new MacBook and MacBook Pro in response to a picture that was posted of a MacBook Pro with a cracked trackpad. One member has invested in a new MacBook Pro only to discover that the aluminum body is uneven. A comparison of the MacBook Pro models from early 2008 versus late 2008 can be found in this thread started by one member who was trying to figure out what was more appealing about the new model. A thread was started by Mac Elite, selowitch, who is looking for a BitTorrent client for AppleTV. One member finds advice for Flash alternatives in this thread.
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11/04, 5:25pm
Forums: Snow Leopard
A recent topic of interest in the MacNN forums revolves around one user questioning the benefits of the rumored update to the Mac OS, Snow Leopard. One forum member expresses their interest in the Netbook segment that has been gaining in popularity, and hopes that Apple will be coming out with a model to compete. Complaints about the MacBook Air bogging down when viewing such websites as YouTube is the topic of conversation in this thread. Forum goers discuss Alsoft: DiskWarrior and its incompatibility with the new MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air models. Dedicated MacNNer, Robster1958, does not like the screen on the new MacBook and sparked a conversation comparing it to other competitors models.
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11/03, 6:50pm
Belkin FlyThru case
Belkin has introduced the FlyThru notebook case, designed for air travel. The case is compliant with TSA checkpoint standards, which permit agents to view a device through a clear window instead of taking it out of a bag. Travelers need only unzip the FlyThru and place it flat on a screening belt. Polyester is utilized for the outer protection, while a softer tricot material lines the inside. The accessory pockets are designed to retain items even when the case is lain flat.
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10/31, 6:35pm
Forum roundup: iMac
Today in the MacNN forums members discuss different kinds of non-Apple backup software in response to one members question. One forum goer is considering upgrading to a new MacBook from their PowerBook G4 and has some questions. One Fresh-Faced Recruit finds advice from other forum members on which new Mac model to get, the MacBook or MacBook Pro. A comparison of the iMac and the Mac Pro can be found here in response to one possible new Mac owners question. Text issues with one members system are addressed in this thread.
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10/30, 12:40pm
AT&T/Lenovo 3G notebooks
Carrier AT&T and PC builder Lenovo say they have collaborated on a project meant to drive down the cost of 3G broadband on notebooks. Buyers of Lenovo notebooks in the ThinkPad T, X and SL series will get a free 30 days of AT&T's DataConnect service, if they sign up for a two-year contract; more critically, models with the necessary Ericsson module will not cost any more than a regular version, which the companies claim will save as much as $150 per computer. The arrangement is being targeted mainly at small- to medium-sized businesses.
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10/29, 12:35pm
Intel/ASUS 'community' PC
Hardware makers Intel and ASUS have announced a new project, which the two companies say is designed to foster a "community-designed" PC. Through the creation of a website called WePC, the corporations say they hope to gather suggestions for the ideal qualities of a new computer, to be produced at an unspecified point in the future. Some participants are expected to be awarded prizes, but neither the prizes nor their criteria have been formalized.
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10/27, 12:55pm
GeForce 9400M prospects
Apple's latest MacBooks are poised to lose their graphics advantage in short order, a new report suggests. Acer, ASUS, Dell and HP have confirmed plans to launch notebooks with NVIDIA's GeForce 9400M integrated graphics chip, which has been described as substantially faster than many other integrated chips currently in use. Some of these companies claim that the 9400M could spread to as many as 20 percent of Intel-based notebooks, branching out from MacBooks, which were the first with the technology.
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10/24, 4:40pm
Forum roundup: Applecare
Rumors that production of the Mac mini will stop has caused concern for some members of the MacNN forums, and others hope that a better replacement is in the works. Forum goers debate the practicality of buying Applecare in response to one users question "is Applecare worth it?" Members discuss the performance differences between the 5400 and 7200 hard drive speeds in the new MacBook and MacBook Pro. Long time forum member, Simon, started a thread looking for some assistance with iCal. FTrain, a Junior Member of the forums, started a thread in hopes of finding an answer to a problem they are having when starting up their "white dome" iMac.
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10/17, 5:20pm
Forum roundup: MBP vs Dell
Forum roundup: Today in the MacNN forums goers discuss the differences between the new MacBook Pro lineup compared to other high end notebooks such as the Dell Precision M6400. A poll has been started to determine what new system would prove to be a better deal, the MacBook or the MacBook Pro. Strange bubbles have begun to appear under the glass of some forum goers iPhones and they converge to discuss possible solutions. A list of the best sites to find music can be found in this thread. One Senior User of the MacNN forums recently began experiencing slow network speeds with their Mac Pro and turned to the forums for assistance in resolving this issue.
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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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10/16, 6:00pm
Notebook market strong
DisplaySearch, a marketing forecast company, anticipates the notebook PC market to remain strong for the remainder of 2008 and into 2009, while other industries will struggle through the economic slump. Many customers have been replacing their desktop systems with notebooks, creating a trend that the analysis expects to continue. Another primary factor, the popularity of mini-notebooks, has been figured into the numbers. The company expects the mini devices to grow by 23 percent quarter to quarter and 38 percent year to year for the third quarter of 2008.
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10/15, 2:40pm
Apple ships new MacBooks
MacNN can confirm that Apple's newly announced MacBooks are now shipping, coming out of Shanghai, China. The Apple Store is listing waits of one to three business days, with free shipping on standard configurations (as well as next business day delivery for ony $16); custom orders extend waits to anywhere between two and four days. In practice however, some notebooks are being delivered on a next-day timeframe, regardless of the Apple Store's promise of five-day free shipping and two- to three-day expedited shipping. In addition, retails stores are also reporting shipments of the new laptops, including the San Francisco store, which received its first shipment of new laptops this morning at 11 am PT.
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