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Sand, sea and solar power
Clear Blue Hawaii's latest product could be a boon to hardcore travellers and beach junkies. The Solarpac is a backpack with a built-in solar charger capable of charging mobile phones, mp3 players and (with an optional battery) even larger items such as laptops. It uses removable, flexible solar panels of military origin and generates over 6W of power, meaning that it would take 2-3hours to charge a mobile phone. Up to 12W can apparently be achieved by daisy-chaining modules together.
Convertible Lasers for summer
Epson has a record for often being the first to release new printer technologies, and it has done so again with the Aculaser 2600 series - a 'convertible' mono laser that can print in colour.
The 'convertible' idea behind it is simple. It can function as standard mono that uses black toner, and can later be made to print colour by adding colour toners. A bit like a standard colour Inkjet, but without the ink.
Unusually, the 2600 series uses four toners. Up to four black toners can be installed (for longer print life), or a combination of cyan, magenta, yellow and black for colour printing.
You can tailor the 2600 to your requirements by switching between these configurations.
We got the chance to put it through its paces at its launch in Rome yesterday, and were very impressed. Epson demonstrated it against rival products from HP, and in all the tests, the Aculaser 2600 finished printing before the others had even started.
We'll bring you a full review of the 2600 and information on the multifunction Aculaser CX11 for workgroups (also recently unveiled) very soon.
1 Gigabit Broadband (but not over here)
If UK Online’s 8Mb service made you gawp, be prepared to drown in your own drool.
Hong Kong Broadband Network (HKBN) has officially launched a staggering 1Gb service - yes, that’s a whopping 500 times faster than the 2Mb service that’s available to most people in the UK. The price for this lightning fast package? Just £120/month, and it’s available to over a third of Hong Kong’s 2.2 million households. If we ever get a similar package over here, let’s just hope ISPs don’t slap a 1GB cap on it. You can read Test Bed comments on capping and join in on the debate here.
It's not just good news for Hong Kong residents as far as broadband in concerned. Over here, we can rejoice in the fact that BT is slashing the prices of its packages by a whole £2. For the first three months only. New BT customers only. Wow.
Links: Hong Kong Immigration Dept
Microsoft dabbles with hybrid hard drives
According to a story on Electronic Engineering times, Microsoft and Samsung are working on a hybrid disk drive for use with the next generation Windows 'Longhorn' OS. Combining flash memory with a traditional rotating disk, the device should allow faster booting and reduced power consumption for notebook PCs.
Xbox 360 Unveiled?
Is this Xbox 360? Images apparently showing the next-generation console were leaked in the last few hours in what could prove to be a PR disaster for Microsoft. Xbox 360 was scheduled to be exclusively unveiled on MTV from May 12.
One of the images appears to show what could be a removable 40GB hard drive, but more interestingly the console does not appear to have controller ports, hinting at the possibility of wireless controllers as standard.
In a nod to the PS2, this depiction of Xbox 360 can be positioned standing either vertically or horizontally.
Oddly, it also appears to have a front-facing infra-red port, but we wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be something else entirely, given the almost certainty of the console being Wifi enabled.
Although these images look plausible, there is still some doubt as to whether this will be the final design. Eagle-eyed readers will notice that the first image has an eject button that is not consistent with the second image (thought to be a render).
Microsoft, as usual, is keeping tight lipped about whether the images are real, but the entire games industry appears to be lapping them up as gospel.
We'll try to put pressure on our contacts at Microsoft to unravel the truth. More as it happens.
Fluke VoIP Handheld tool
Another signal that VoIP has finally arrived - Fluke Networks, a well established network tool manufacturer, has released a new inline handheld VoIP Tester. Part of the NetTool model range, it is designed for technicians deploying VoIP phones. It should offer a quick way of troubleshooting problems with business VoIP installations.
Product information
VoIP model: £1,593 ex VAT
Microsoft goes 64bit
The official launch of Microsoft Windows 64bit will be announced today at WinHEC, based on the Windows 2003 Server Edition code base, it should offer performance increases primarily for memory hungry application. It will be available in XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows Server 2003 x64 Editions. However it wont be available in retail outlets, but OEMs are expected to provide the OS for new systems. The initial problem being drivers as these have to be native 64bit which not all hardware manufacturers have completed.
Brit gets Moore's Law $10,000 reward
Last week we blogged that Intel was prepared to pay a cool $10,000 for an origial copy of the 1965 Eletronics article written by Gordon Moore about his now infamous Law.
We've just read that a Brit unearthed a copy and is now $10,000 richer. Which just goes to prove that sometimes hoarding pays.
Colour is the Key
We've just got wind of a new range of USB keys from PNY - designed especially for the fashion-conscious PC user. The Color Attache range comes with interchangeable covers, allowing you to change the colour of your flash memory drive to your professional or pleasurable frame of mind.
PNY representative Alicia tells us that when she's feeling studious, she straps on the black matt cover, whereas the metallic pink covers are reserved for impressing her friends on a night out.
You'll be pleased to hear that each Color Attache drive is supplied with an additional cover. Four colour combinations are now available at the following recommended prices:
In 128 MB with blue metallic and blue matt covers (£24.99 VAT incl)
In 256 MB with pink metallic and black covers (£34.99 VAT incl)
In 512 MB with green metallic and green matt covers (£59.99 VAT incl)
In 1 GB with white metallic and black matt covers (£89.99 VAT incl)
Check out www.pny.co.uk for more details
AMD Launches Dual Core
AMD officially launched its dual core systems today with the Opteron 800 series, primarily for servers and workstations. The 200 Series processors for two-way servers and workstations will be available in late May, whilst desktop PC users will have the AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core processor brand although this will be officially launched in June 2005. Already vendors such as HP have announced a new range of servers based on the Dual Core AMD Opteron.
Keep a close eye on the Testbed, as we will have results available in the coming days.
Sleek! A mouse!
Notebook users wishing to add a splash of colour to their lives should take note of Saitek's stylish new range of optical notebook mouse. These have been designed with notebook users in mind, but unlike some portable input devices, they can also be used comfortably with a desktop PC.
Saitek's new mice are small enough to be extremely portable, but not so small that you have to control them with your fingers rather than your hand. We've been using them for a while now and are very impressed by their design. These ambidextrous mice come in a range of colours, have a rubberized non-slip scroll wheel and a translucent casing that lights up when the mouse is moved.
For more information visit www.saitek.com/uk
Ultra-fast Lightscribe from LG?
At a press event today, LG claimed it had developed a Lightscribe drive capable of burning a full disc label in just 5 minutes. This came as a shock to us since all the other Lightscribe drives we’ve seen take over 30 minutes to produce a full label. Interestingly, LG didn’t have any review samples to hand out at the event so we couldn’t test out its claim, but as soon as one arrives in the labs we’ll let you know.
Read more about Lightscribe here.
FSP go Green
FSP has just launched a power supply that satisfies both the latest WEEE* and ROHS ** directives from the EU.
The Green Power PSU has been designed as a lighter, quieter and more energy efficient supply that also uses fewer hazardous materials than standard supplies.
At full load the Green Power’s efficiency rate exceeds 85% and with a quoted noise level of 30 dBA at the same levels of load it’s also a quiet number too.
By using a combination of lighter high end components and a re-designed interior layout the Green Power weighs 600g less than other supplies in the FSP range.
* WEEE directive
** ROHS directive
Foxconn aim for the number one spot
You may not have heard of Foxconn, but that is all set to change following their appointment of two new distributors for the UK.
Foxconn are one of the largest computer electronics companies in the world and are aiming to be the number one motherboard supplier in the UK by the end of 2005, to this end they have appointed Actebis Distribution (UK) Ltd and Microtronica to handle distribution of their motherboards in the UK
New Ultra-portable from Acer
Acer has just announced a batch of new kit, including the new ultra-portable Travelmate 3000. With a 1.7GHz processor, 512MB Ram, and external dual layer DVD-RW drive, the Travelmate 3000 weights in at just 1.5Kg. It will be available for under a grand and we’ll be one of the first to get a review model in, so watch out for an in-depth analysis in PCW soon.
We were also shown a new range of digital cameras. With Acer declaring that it had decided to concentrate on the point-and-shoot market, we were surprised to see an 8megapixel model in the line up. When questioned whether there was a demand for 8megapixel point-and-shoot cameras, Acer replied that their research suggested there most certainly was. We were left wondering whether this research had simply highlighted the misconception that more megapixels equals better quality.
Moore's Law now worth $10,000
Looks like Intel is desperate for an original copy of Gordon Moore's original 1965 article in Electronics Magazine - so much so that it's offering a $10,000 reward for a mint copy via Ebay.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of publication of this article, which became the basis of 'Moore's Law', Intel's PR sent Test Bed a rather tatty PDF of the article made presumably from a rather tatty photocopy. So get digging in those lofts - Gordon deserves better than this!
Photo mouse mats
Fancy a customised mouse mat featuring one of your own digital photos? Head over to MyMousemat.com, upload your image file, pay your £5.99 (inc VAT and UK delivery) and in around 24 hours your personalised mat will be with you.
We tried out the service, and although the mouse mat's just a standard model with a textured surface, it's a great idea for gifts or even small-scale promotional use.
Lightscribe comes thick but not so fast
Users itching to get a Lightscribe DVD burner will be pleased to hear the HP DVD 640i is now available from a number of UK retailers.
Lightscribe technology allows users to burn data onto CDs or DVDs, and can also burn silkscreen-quality labels directly to the label surface of compatible media.
You can look forward to a full review of the product in the June issue of PCW, and if you wait a little longer, we'll also bring you our a opinion of Benq's DW1625 Lightscribe writer in a forthcoming web review.
We've got our own views on Lightscribe, but we'd like to know whether you think the technology is viable. Is a system that can take upwards of thirty minutes to burn a single CD label something worth investing in?
Unlimited 512k broadband for under a tenner
If you're after dirt-cheap ADSL with absolutely no usage cap, check out UK Online's Broadband 500 service. With a monthly fee of just £9.99, this 512k package sets the new standard for cheap broadband. Unfortunately, it's only available to those connected to an Easynet LLU (local loop unbundling) exchange - UK Online also uses Easynet's LLU exchanges to provide its super-fast 8Mb service.
While it's good to see such a cheap 512k service, we don't expect to see many ISPs follow suit. Most buy IPStream broadband packages direct from BT Wholesale at a set cost and can't reduce their prices any further without making a loss. However, what this move from UK Online highlights is the advantages ISPs have when they use their own exchange equipment rather than buying direct from BT. As such, we expect more ISPs start using LLU services in the future.
Head to UK Online to find out if you can receive this package and watch out for the definitive guide to broadband in the July issue of PCW.
Have you had experience with UK Online or do you know a better package? If so, leave a comment.
Fourth Catalyst driver package of the year
Today ATI annouced the fourth Catalyst certified drive package of the year -
Catalyst 5.4.
The new driver package is the first from ATI to include support for Windows XP x64 edition as well as updates for Windows 2000 and XP. Also updated is the Catalyst Linux driver.
The package also includes a new feature for ATI's Control Center - a setup wizard for a PC display using HDTV.
Download the package from ATI's website
iPod gadget
If you fancy sharing your musical taste, the PocketParty is for you, two mini speakers with a 1 watt stero output clicks into the top of your ipod. Ideal for those trips to park or for some casual music with friends. Self powered using a single AA battery it wont drain your ipods battery and at 38g its not bad going. The sound is pretty good, overall a handy accessory to the ipod but at 1 Watt theres a limit to how big your party can be.
£24.99 inc VAT Product Information
Fastest DDR2 modules from Kingston
Kingston Technology has announced details of its latest DDR2 modules for the HyperX range.
The unbuffered HyperX DDR2 750-MHz (PC2-6000) memory modules are available up to 1GB and have tested to run at low latency timings of 4-4-4-12-1.
They are being shipped in limited quantities at the present time.
KHX6000D2/256 256MB 750 MHz HyperX DDR2 DIMM £63
KHX6000D2K2/512 512MB 750 MHz HyperX DDR2 Kit (kit of two) £126
KHX6000D2/512 512MB 750 MHz HyperX DDR2 DIMM £111
KHX6000D2K2/1G 1GB 750 MHz HyperX DDR2 Kit (kit of two) £199
KHX6000D2/1G 1GB 750 MHz HyperX DDR2 DIMM £144
KHX6000D2K2/2G 2GB 750 MHz HyperX DDR2 Kit (kit of two) £211
All pricing is approximate and excludes VAT.
SLI reaches Intel platform
Nvidia has recently began shipping its NVIDIA nForce4 SLI Intel Edition MCPs for the Intel platform to manufacturers. Designed for desktop PCs and motherboards based on Intel Pentium 4 processors for Socket 775, dual-core Intel Pentium processor Extreme Edition and Pentium D processors. We're havent heard anything from manufacturers on when we're likely to see one in the labs, but we will keep you informed.
Dual Core PEE 840 Results
Initial results from the labs.- As expected it’s the multithreaded tests which take advantage of the extra cores and this is where you see the performance increase, while the single threaded tests trail compared to the 3.7GHz due to clock speed. In practice it'll mean you can run multiple applications without noticing significant deterioration in performance
Download Dual_Core_resultb.htm
Cinebench
Passmark
Game test
Additional Results
Dual-core Pentium Extreme Edition 840 on test
We've finally got our hands on an Intel evaluation system using the new dual-core 3.2GHz Pentium Extreme Edition 840 (Smithfield) and the matching 955X chipset. It's being benchmarked right now, so check back soon for the results. In the meantime, here's how it looks in Task Manager. Mmmm..four threads...this is because the Extreme Edition has two cores each with Hyper Threading (HT), so there are four virtual CPUs visible to Windows. The Pentium D part when it appears won't have HT so will appear as two cores.
The Pentium Extreme Edition (we don't really want to abbreviate it as PEE) is a 90nm part with 1MB of Level 2 cache per core, an 800MHz FSB and includes Intel's EM64T 64bit extensions.
Buffalo TeraStation
Yes as the name suggests, a Terabyte of storage is now available courtesy of Buffalo Technology latest NAS appliance. It provides a good solution for home storage problems, ideal for both music and DVD collections, so it should prove popular. In addition the available USB ports provide opportunities to expand the capacity or add a printer. There are minor drawbacks for business use but otherwise a well priceds NAS appliance.
Price £555 ex Vat
Product information
ISPs comment on broadband capping
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AMD shows off its dual core processors
Test Bed spent the afternoon with AMD on Wednesday, looking at one of the chip makers new dual core processors in action and getting the low down on their roll-out plans. We also had a look round their UK labs, took a closer look at Turion 64, its Centrino rival and AMD's approach to Media Center.
The release date for its dual core processors is embargoed, but from what we were shown its performance looked impressive, although we'll reserve final judgement until we've tested it in our labs.
With Intel also pushing dual core processors though, its pretty obvious this is the future, so we should see a boost in PC performance during the year, although the real power of dual core will come through once more applications support multi-threading (effectively a piece of software being able to split its processes and run over two or more cores). Initially, each software application will run on a single core.
On the Turion 64 front, expect to see more laptops running it soon, and again, we'll get them into the labs as soon as we can.
Finally, on a lighter note, AMD names its conference rooms after oceans and seas, with names including Indian, Pacific, Atlantic and Red. We searched for the 'Dead' conference room but without success. And, if they're thinking of having a chill-out area, we suggest naming it 'Tranquility', after the moon's sea.
See also: AMD announces virtualisation platform
Dual-core Pentium Extreme Edition 840 on test
Dual Core PEE 840 Results
Dual Core - further test results
