News Bits: Vista Patch Released, Intel Adjusting CPU Prices, CompUSA Store Closings

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Patch released for Windows Vista

Microsoft has issued a patch for Windows Vista which solves a problem with the network adapter component. The update, KB929451, prevents a network adapter from registering invalid IP addresses into a DNS server when an adapter's GUID is changed according to Microsoft.

Read More (TGDaily)

Toshiba gaming notebooks now feature Windows Vista

Toshiba today announced three new additions to its gaming notebook lineup: the Satellite P100-ST9752, Satellite P100-ST9762 and Satellite P100-ST9772, all of which feature Windows Vista Ultimate.

Windows Vista Ultimate features a Game Explorer in the Start menu, which allows for browsing of your favorite games in addition to other information such as when a game was last played, genre, ratings, and alerts for when patches are available.

The Toshiba Satellite P100 is a 17&quot; widescreen notebook weighing in at 7.1 lbs. It features ultra fast Nvidia GeForce Go7900GTX graphics and a DVI-D out port, which gives gamers the ability to hook up to external high-definition displays. Processing power is provided by the Intel Core 2 Duo.

The Toshiba P100 gaming notebooks have a starting price of $1,999 and are available only through ToshibaDirect.com.

Read More (Business Wire)

Intel to adjust CPU prices soon

Intel is planning to cut prices on selective Pentium 4 and entry-level dual-core CPUs from 5 to 10% before April 22. Intel is adjusting its pricing earlier than anticipated because AMD had announced price cuts on its single- and dual-core Athlon 64 desktop processors during the middle of February. Most of the Intel price cuts will focus on Pentium 4, Celeron D, and Pentium D processors.

Read More (DigiTimes)

CompUSA to close over half of its stores

CompUSA announced today that it will be closing 126 of its stores across the United States, leaving 103 stores in 39 states and Puerto Rico. Four were closed last week, and the rest will be closed in the next 60 to 90 days. Once the closings have been completed, CompUSA will get a cash infusion of about $440 million.

CompUSA has faced tough challenged over the past few years; users have migrated to less expensive online retailers. Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, and Circuit City have also taken away from CompUSA's market.

Read More (Ars Technica)

Man dies using laptop while driving

A 28-year old Californian man died when his Toyota Corolla met with a Hummer head on. California Highway Patrol said the man most likely lost control of his vehicle because he was typing on a laptop.

The laptop was still powered on and plugged into the cigarette lighter after the crash. The occupants of the Hummer were injured but not seriously; they were treated and released.

Read More (TGDaily)

 

Driving while on a notebook?

Idiot!

 

Its dangerous to even use your mobile (cell phone), but to use a laptop whilst driving is amazing!

 

I think they call that natural selection, don't they?

 

Darwin Award!!!

 

RE: The crash and the notebook article

Local news reports as of today (02/28/2007) state that the issue of the victim's use of the notebook "is still under investigation" by the CHP, much less definite than the quote above.

Possibly he was merely charging the laptop enroute (i.e. that's why it was plugged in), or using it in connection with a GPS device for route finding...

So the victim was not necessarily "typing away" while driving, something obviously not a smart thing to do......

---Zip

 

I know it's not a nice thing to say, but if the guy was typing while driving, I can't really feel sorry for him.

 

CompUSA is a un-friendly retailer. No wonder they are going out of business. I have visited numerous locations across the USA, and almost all the clerks are run by college age kids (basically, my age) and so they couldn't give a hoot about customer service. Usually, unless I know the guy in the store personally (which is likely) they are arses.

To combat that, they had instituted a policy for "commissions" on expensive items. That made the sellers hostile, so they took it away.

Better to save $$ and buy online, it's always worth the wait.

 

Is intel cutting prices for Core 2 Duos as well (insert question mark here) Or just Pentiums (insert question mark here) (argh! my keybored just turned french(insert question mark here))

question mark button = É wtf!!! help someone (insert question mark here) how to I fix this!!!

 

Oh woot, my internet works in Vista again! (considers going back -.-)

 

This would solve one or two major issues...

 

Only in California.......

And I never liked CompUSA. Their prices were always high and their promotions the past few years have been poorly executed. Closing stores happens, but wow that's a lot. Definitely another case in bad management. This is a huge problem in the USA today. I'm sure CompUSA is attempting to position themselves to be purchased by another company like Staples or Office Depot. It's coming in a year probably. I remember when Sears dumped on us skilled sales-leading employees over the course of 2 years, closed stores, and then got bought out by Kmart. CompUSA is doing the same sort of positioning. Management gets rich and retires for the rest of their lives while the people lower on the food chain just see worsening conditions.

 

I also could care less about comp usa.

Their entire purpose to me is dvds on black friday.

Axe em all, circuit city, good guys..... just worthless

 

dropping prices on cpu's a whole 5-10%......not like it will make a difference on the consumer end of the food chain. It is only done as an incentive to lure retailers/mfg's to keep using those products while Intel has a surplus...really does mean nothing to the consumer.

yeah, what stamar said!!

 

I'm not displeased to see so many people pissing on CompUSA's grave.

My experiences with them have been awful, their policies and customer service have been consumer-unfriendly at best. I'm actually hoping the store in the area I used to live is one of the ones to get closed, but they get good business there so it isn't likely. Is "How to be a bastard" part of their customer service training or what?

 

I gotta admit I've done this once. No navigation system, and no time to print directions out cuz I was late. Was glancing at Google maps while on Interstate 101. To my credit I was in the middle lane, and I made sure there was no traffic within 5 seconds in either direction. And the map was already pulled up, no typing. Just glancing to my right for 2 or so seconds at a time.

 

Alright, first of all i spoke with some employees of compusa as when i was in there the morning the primary owner of CompUSA announced he was taking out his investment in the company and they said they were closing almost all locations on the West coast.

In WA here the only one to be left will be on in eastern WA (spokane)
Which sucks because Ive always had good expiriences at least with my local store, the employees were very knowledgable and knew WTH they were doing most of the time. haha.

anyways it will be sad to see them go but I am buying a new laptop soon so maybe there will be a nice blowout/closing sale for me to take advantage of. ^_^




Also, definitely DONT drive while on a laptop.
(unless of course you are a trained cop who apparently somehow gained this ability)

 

heh...Goverment campaigns shouldn't be "Don't drink drive" but "Dont type drive"


I reckon a Dell and Acer merger wouldnt happen. Both are in the top 5 notebook manafactuer list, they're both big and rivals.

It's a shame CompUSA are closing. They're shop in Minneasota was great

 

ummmm...and HP & Compaq were what again?

 

That is a very big cutback by CompUSA. I agree that their prices are not the best--actually generally on the high side. Their sales staff are also somewhat clueless--but I think that goes for a lot of tech stores. We just got a Best Buy in my area recently and I must say that I was expecting more. Their prices aren't very good either (here anyway).

But in my area--CompUSA is one of the better places to go for a lot of things (assuming you don't have the time to buy online or want to pay the extreme shipping charges we pay over here). And they are very good on returns.

I'm guessing my local CompUSA is safe since the last time I was there I didn't see any posted closure notices.