News Bits: Apple PowerBook Update, Acer Aspire 9500, Intel Yonah Benchmarks

Apple PowerBook Updates Introduce Higher Resolution Screens

Apple has finally given users something that has been much requested in the past -- a higher resolution screen PowerBook offering.The 17-inch PowerBook comes with a 1680-by-1050 pixel resolution (36 percent more viewing area than the previous generation), the 15-inch PowerBook offersa 1440-by-960 pixel resolution display (26 percent more than the previous generation). Apple also claims that the15 and 17 inch models also have brighter displays. The 17 inch for example, said Apple, is up to 46 percent brighter then previous models.

In regards to battery life, Apple said the 15 and 17 inch PowerBooks each provide up to an additional hour of rechargeable battery life. Other newer features include anATI Mobility Radeon 9700 graphics with 128MB DDR dedicated video memory (15 and 17 inch models), built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), integrated 802.11g WiFi wireless networking, a scrolling track pad, Mac OS X version 10.4 "Tiger" and iLife '05, a suite of digital lifestyle applications.

The $1,499 12-inch model is clocked at 1.5GHz and includes 512MB of PC2700 333MHz DDR SDRAM, an 8x SuperDrive, 80GB hard disk drive, DVI, VGA, S-video and composite video support, two USB 2.0 ports and FireWire 400.

The $1,999 15-inch PowerBook features a processor clocked at 1.67GHz, an 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support, 512MB of PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM running at 333MHz, expandable to 2GB, 80GB hard drive, analog and optical digital audio input and output, Gigabit Ethernet, illuminated keyboard and ATI Radeon Mobility 9700 graphics with 128MB DDR video memory and Dual-Link DVI support, to support Apple's 30-inch Cinema HD Display.

The $2,499 17-inch PowerBook features a double-layer 8x SuperDrive, 1.67GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 120GB hard drive and the other features found on the 15-inch model.

More: http://www.apple.com/powerbook/

Acer Aspire 9500 17" Notebook Release

Acer Americalast week introduced theAcer Aspire 9500 series, a family of 17" wide-screen notebooks designed for the work and entertainment needs of professionals in SMB and SOHO environments and home users.

The 9500 series ishighlighted by a 17" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite color TFT LCD, and optional features such as ATI Mobility Radeon X700 graphics, analog and digital TV tuner and Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition.

In addition to the performance offered by either an Intel Pentium M or Intel Celeron M Processor and up to 2GB DDR2 533 SDRAM, the Acer Aspire 9500 series also features Acer's 17" WXGA widescreen CrystalBrite color TFT LCD. The Acer CrystalBrite display is managed either by an ATI Mobility Radeon X700 graphics card with 128/256 MB dedicated video memory or by the Intel 915GM integrated 3D graphics card featuring Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900. In addition, DualView technology support allows simultaneous viewing of the LCD and an external monitor.

Intel Yonah Benchmarks

A German website, ComputerBase.de,claims to havebenchmarks from Intel Yonah based machines. Intel "Yonah" is the codename for the upcoming dual core processors due out in January/February of 2006.

Google Translated Version of Yonah Benchmarks (original in German)

California Highway Patrol Nabs Gateway's Convertible Notebooks-- Gateway
Selected for Its Unmatched Customer Service and Willingness to Meetthe Organization's Unique Challenges

Remember these guys from the 80s TV show CHiPS? If they were still on the force they'd have a Gateway notebook

Gateway, the nation's third largest PC company, was selected by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to bring convertible notebook technology to one of the nation's most renowned law enforcement agencies. The $1.7 million deal for Gateway's convertible notebooks was secured based on the company's responsiveness and sales service to the organization.

The CHP plans to place 1,088 Gateway convertible notebooks in patrol vehicles to assist officers in accessing the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Common Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems (CLETS) databases and to efficiently communicate with dispatch centers alleviating large amounts of radio traffic. The notebooks also allow officers to prepare and submit all of the necessary reports required during their work shift. The device's form factor enables the CHP to take advantage of the vehicle's existing notebook brackets for cost-effective and faster installation. Additionally, Gateway will provide the CHP with an extended 4-year warranty on the systems.

 

Now since the Compaq B1800 looks a lot like their V2000, V4000 and R4000 notebooks, do you guys think HP will make their own version of the B1800? I'd really like them to make a "DV" version of this, with the sexy black case and Quickplay feature.

 

Well I'm just happy to see this make it over to the U.S., I think HP is concerned that smaller sized notebooks do well in Asia (especially Japan and S. Korea) but the American market still prefers the 15.4" screen. I think they're releasing it under Compaq branding as that's their business line and ultraportables fit better there, I don't know if it'll make it to the consumer side and I sort of doubt it, but that price is pretty darn good for a business machine, and the integrated optical drive on a widescreen laptop of that size is very, very rare and a lot of people will be thrilled about this.

 

oh no, I just realized I screwed up on that article. Or rather, Engadget was my source and they screwed up first. That availability is for AUSTRALIA and not USA. We're still left waiting here

Incorrect information I removed below:

Compaq Presario B1800 12.1-inch Laptop with Integrated Optical Drive Released

HP has released the Presario B1800 in the USA, it was previously only being sold in Asia. The Presario B1800 sports a brushed metal exterior that exudes class. Under the lid is a 12.1-inch WXGA BrightView screen that gives that immersive experience when viewing movies. With a starting price of US$1,199. Weighing well under 2kg, it has an integrated optical drive -- not a typical thing in this size laptop, and enough connectivity options for most users. The B1800 comes with a 1.73GHz Pentium M processor (Sonoma), Intel integrated graphics and up to 2GB of RAM.

Compaq B1800 Product Link



So compact, it'll fit in your handbag -- or briefcase if you're male

 

Oh.....darn it. Yeah I was a bit confused when I looked around at the HP's site in America and found no trace of them selling it. Darn you Engadget for getting my hopes up!!

 

I find it interesting that Gateway is offering the CHP obsolete laptops!

 

Now that is funny.

 

hmm, well the press release actually never stated which tablet they'd be providing, it could be the newer one I suppose ( http://www.gateway.com/programs/convertible/features.shtml?cmpid=index*convertible_overview*body*14_widescreen_display*programs/convertible/features~~shtml) but with government agencies and business' you never know, they often do choose older more established technology over anything brand new. I worked somewhere that was set in their ways on the ThinkPad T23 and kept buying them 2-years after IBM released it. Which is why IBM often produces notebooks for much longer than you think seems logical -- business buyers like to standardize and it costs them money to always be upgrading and having different machines. Still, I'm not sure if that's the case here.