NVIDIA Revamps Quadro Line for Fermi Architecture
July 27, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Hardware, PC Hardware
NVIDA Quadro FX5000M
NVIDIA today began shipping its long promised Fermi-based Quadro workstation graphics cards. They share the same, DirectX 11-capable and OpenGL 4.1 cores as the GeForce 400 series and are claimed to be up to five times faster than the models they replace. The top of line Quadro 6000 has a large 6GB of GDDR5 video memory and can handle as many as 1.3 billion triangles per second across its 448 processing cores.
The lesser cards and cores primarily scale down in memory and cores. The Quadro 5000 uses 352 cores and 2.5GB of memory, while the 4000 drops to 256 cores and 2GB of memory. A mobile workstation version, the Quadro FX 5000M, uses 320 cores and 2GB of memory .
The line is faster for general-purpose math using CUDA, DirectCompute and OpenCL. The 4000 and 5000 should be available today for Windows users at prices of $1,149 and $2,249. Both Dell and HP plan systems before the end of the summer using the new cards.
All of the cards will work with 3D Vision Pro, an adaptation of its gaming-focused 3D Vision to tasks such as 3D modeling and collaborative virtual environments. It uses the same pairing of active shutter glasses with a wireless transmitter and should support up to 20 hours of use for a single pair of glasses on a charge. It costs $349 for the glasses and $399 for the wireless transmitter. Both will only be ready by October.
NVIDIA Quadro 4000NVIDIA Quadro 5000NVIDIA Quadro 6000
Warpia Easy Dock Wireless Laptop Docking Station is Now Shipping
July 26, 2010 by Doug
Filed under FlashFeature, Hardware, Mac Hardware, PC Hardware
The Warpia Easy Dock is now available for purchase online. The Easy Dock allows users to wirelessly connect their laptop/netbook/Macbook to any traditional desktop setting: a mouse, keyboard, speakers, and a 15 to 21” external monitor.
Key Features
- High Quality Wireless Transmission - Supports resolutions up to 1400×1050 or 1440×900 (wide). Streams HD video up to 720P and 32-bit True Color depth for high quality images. Relays 48 kHz, 16-bit stereo audio
- Easy Plug-and-Play Interface - Quick setup with pre-associated (paired) Adapters that do not borrow from or slow down your WiFi internet signal. Simply connect the USB dongle to your laptop and a receiver to your monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers. Your laptop will instantly recognize the dongle and begin submitting the wireless signal
- PC and Mac Friendly - Compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista, SP2, XP, SP3, Mac OS X Leopard (10.5), and Snow Leopard (10.6)
“The Easy Dock is the ideal solution for laptop lovers who value portability but long for a more comfortable computing experience at home,” says Marc Levaggi, VP of Marketing for Source R&D. “It enables you to work or surf the web without a mess of cables on your desk and without sacrificing visual or audio quality.”
Priced at $149.99, the Warpia Easy Dock can now be purchased at Amazon.com and on Warpia’s website. BestBuy.com and several nation-wide retailers, including Frys Electronics and Microcenter, will also carry the Easy Dock. For more information or to purchase, please visit www.warpia.com.
Razer to Release COH Special Items
July 25, 2010 by Laura
Filed under Hardware, PC Hardware
Razer has announced their partnership with NCsoft to bring gamers the ultimate Going Rogue experience when they pre-order the City of Heroes Going Rogue Complete Collection retail box from GameStop. Gamers can anticipate receiving five GameStop exclusive character power enhancements to trick out their favorite heroes, in-game support for the Razer Naga MMO gaming mouse, and a free Razer Sphex City of Heroes Going Rogue edition desktop skin when they pre-order the City of Heroes Going Rogue Complete Collection retail box. The pre-order retail box also includes a five dollar coupon redeemable at the Razer Store. Get the total package with this exclusive offer while supplies last.
“We are excited to be working with a great company known for producing popular MMOs that attract gamers from all walks of life,” said Robert “Razerguy” Krakoff. “Our collaboration on the brand new City of Heroes Going Rogue Complete Collection release has allowed Razer to reach out even further to the gaming community by offering gamers some exciting extras.”
Grab the pre-order package to get a Razer Sphex City of Heroes Going Rogue desktop skin for precision on an ultrathin surface as you swipe your favorite gaming mouse and choose the fate of your hero; more details can be found here: http://www2.razerzone.com/coh/. For gamers who use the Razer Naga MMO gaming mouse, City of Heroes Going Rogue Complete Collection will fully support the Naga’s side button layout with an in-game skill interface that allows you to trigger your character’s powers with the simple click of the twelve MMO-optimized buttons.
About The Razer Sphex City of Heroes Going Rogue Edition Desktop Skin
This high performance, re-positionable surface gives gamers the precision and tracking quality they demand in intensive games like City of Heroes Going Rogue. Just like the original Razer Sphex, the City of Heroes Going Rogue edition is perfect for most gaming environments and a great on-the-go accessory for gamers traveling to and from gaming events. Supplies are limited.
Razer Will Produce TRON: Legacy Gaming Peripherals
July 22, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Hardware, PC Hardware, Video Games
Razer, in collaboration with Disney Consumer Products, is relaeasing TRON:Legacy -themed TRON Gaming Keyboard, TRON Gaming Mouse , and the exclusive bundle with TRON Gaming Mouse and Mouse Mat Designedall incorporating the distinctive blue glow and custom features inspired by the upcoming Disney film TRON: Legacy
“We are all extremely excited about our collaboration with Disney on a line of high-end gaming peripherals inspired by the upcoming film TRON: Legacy,” said Robert “Razerguy” Krakoff, president, Razer USA. “Razer is known for our highly detailed finishes and lighting effects, so as soon as we viewed footage from TRON: Legacy, we were immediately inspired. Then, we started working to take it to the next level, as only Razer can, with a keyboard and mouse that has digitized sound effects and lighting built into it for the ultimate gaming experience.”
The TRON Gaming Keyboard Designed by Razer:
Prepare to lay programs and fellow users to waste with the precision of a Light Cycle carving a jetwall. From the Rez and De-Rez lighting effects during start-up and shutdown to the smooth black finish of the Hyperesponse keys, the TRON Gaming Keyboard is exactly what you need to dominate the game Grid. A detachable modular keypad, lighting effects triggered by in-game actions, and fully programmable keys with macro capabilities make this a must for any TRON fan.
COST: $149.99 ; AVAILABILITY: Q4 2010
Features
- Illuminated Keyboard with Rez & De-Rez Effects at Start-up and Shutdown
- Detachable Modular Keypad (Attachable on the Right or Left)
- TRON Lighting Alerts Triggered by in-game Actions
- Fully Programmable Chiclet Keys with macro capabilities
- Media Jacks (Audio out, Microphone in)
The TRON Gaming Mouse Designed by Razer:
The TRON Gaming Mouse comes in an ambidextrous design with a luminescent blue glow protruding from sleek edges and lines. Designed for the upcoming TRON: Evolution game and inspired by the Light Cycle featured in the film, the mouse creates light alerts based on your in-game actions, thrusting you into the TRON universe. The unique effects upon start-up and shutdown complete the immersive TRON feel. With a 5600dpi 3.5g laser sensor, the TRON Gaming Mouse gives gamers tournament grade precision while they defeat characters in the TRON: Evolution game. Gamers can now enjoy a mouse that goes beyond appealing looks and design, and gives them functionality.
COST: $99.99 ; AVAILABILITY: Q4 2010
Features
- Illuminated Mouse with Rez & De-Rez Effects at Start-up and Shutdown
- TRON Lighting Alerts Triggered by in-game Actions
- Ambidextrous Design
- 5600dpi 3.5g Laser Sensor
- 7 Hyperesponse Buttons
- Braided 7 Foot USB Cable
The TRON Bundle: Gaming Mouse and Mat Designed by Razer:
Besides enjoying light alerts triggered by in-game actions on an interactive gaming mouse, gamers can now add the gaming mouse mat that features a bio-luminescent tracking glow trail as they swipe their mouse across the smooth, hard surface. The TRON gaming mouse mat and mouse bundle is the definitive suite for gamers who want the TRON edge. The gaming mouse mat is the perfect peripheral to complement the gaming mouse, as it’s made for high sensitivity gaming mice and offers the utmost tracking precision.
COST: $129.99 ; AVAILABILITY: Q4 2010
Features
- TRON: Legacy Inspired Theme
- High Precision Tracking Surface
- Mouse Mat with Bioluminescent Tracking Glow Trail
Wacom’s Showing New Cintiq 21UX at SIGGRAPH
July 21, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Hardware, Mac Hardware, PC Hardware
Wacom will show its new Cintiq 21UX at SIGGRAPH. The newly-redesigned interactive pen display delivers state-of-the-art pen performance and innovative ergonomics in a color-accurate LCD display. Designed specifically to meet the demanding needs of professional photographers, designers, artists and animators, the new Cintiq 21UX offers unparalleled creative control, comfort and productivity.
The Cintiq 21UX experience starts with its new pen performance, capable of capturing the slightest nuance of pen pressure against the LCD surface, as well as offering 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity. Other innovative enhancements include rear-mounted Touch Strips that are ideally placed for fingertip access while working. Each Touch Strip has an accompanying thumb-controlled Touch Strip Toggle button that controls up to four different user-assigned functions per application such as zoom, scroll, brush size adjustment and canvas rotation. In addition, the overall design has been refined and updated in an all-black color scheme, providing a sophisticated and handsome look.
2048 Reasons to Work Directly On ScreenThe Cintiq 21UX Grip Pen features Wacom’s new proprietary Tip Sensor technology, offering users near-zero (one gram) starting pressure for the most sensitive interactive pen display performance to date. “Now, pressure-sensitive support can start with an incredibly light touch, emulating the same organic feel, response and result derived from working with traditional brushes, markers and pens,” said Don Varga, Senior Product Manager for Wacom Technology Corp. Additionally, the Cintiq pen delivers 2048 levels of pressure, doubling the resolution of the pen’s pressure curve and greatly improving the accuracy of pressure-sensitive effects such as controlling line weights or opacity adjustments. The Grip Pen also features a pressure-sensitive eraser and two customizable side switches that can be customized for commands such as double-click and right-click.
New Design Elements Improve Workflow
With a new ergonomic design and productivity features, the Cintiq 21UX is the ultimate tool for creative professionals. The customizable, application-specific ExpressKeys, eight located on each side of the display’s bezel, are instrumental in helping improve workflow and boost productivity by placing commonly used commands at the fingertips. Pressing the top ExpressKey brings up an on-screen display showing the settings of all the ExpressKeys and Touch Strips. The close proximity of these tools to the actual work area is efficient and comfortable and helps save valuable time by minimizing dependence on the keyboard without taking focus away from the pen hand.
Also new to the Cintiq 21UX is the introduction of two user-defined, four-function Touch Strip Toggle buttons which control the function of their associated Touch Strip, located on the back of the bezel. The position of an illuminated LED located along the perimeter of the Toggle button indicates the current function of the Touch Strip. Fully application-specific, the Touch Strips can be used for up to four functions such as zoom, scroll, brush size adjustment and canvas rotation per application. This new ergonomic treatment is also extremely practical, allowing users to “toggle” with their thumbs while using their forefinger or middle finger to control Touch Strip speed and variation. “The four-function Toggle combined with the new location of the Touch Strips provides increased comfort and measurable increases in speed,” says Varga. “Additionally, locating the Touch Strips on the back of the pen display rather the front helps prevent accidental contact with the pen hand when, for example, flowing brush strokes are employed and extend beyond the screen’s border.”
A new weighted pen stand is not only a convenient pen holder, but doubles as a handy twist-off storage compartment for pen nibs and handy nib removal tool. Standard, felt and stroke nibs are provided, allowing users to simulate the feel of working with a variety of traditional art and design materials.
Included Software
To help users get started right out of the box, the Cintiq 21UX ships with valuable creative software from several of our software partners:
- Corel Painter Sketch Pad for recreating the natural feeling of sketching and painting by hand
- Nik Color Efex Pro 3.0 WE6 for selectively applying lighting and photo enhancements with the pen
- Wacom Brushes 3.0 for 81 customized brushes for use with Adobe Photoshop CS + and Photoshop Elements 4 +
Additionally, Cintiq 21UX users will also benefit from Wacom’s powerful driver software, including radial menus for quick “pen-point” access to additional customized shortcuts.
Availability
The new Cintiq 21UX (DTK-2100) priced at $1999 USD began shipping in the United States, Canada and the majority of Latin America countries in March. Consult your local electronics retailer or visit http://www.wacom.com for the most current information.
New Drives Added to the Corsair’s Force Series SSD lineup
July 21, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Hardware, Mac Hardware, PC Hardware
Corsair has added three new capacities to its Force Series solid-state-drives first introduced in May. The new capacities include 40GB, 80GB and 160GB models. Each uses the same SandForce SF-1200 SSD Processor, with a peak at 285MB per second in sequential reads and 275MB per second for writing.
The 2.5-inch drives use SATA II and join the currently available 60GB, 100GB, 120GB, 200GB and 240GB SSDs. The new 40GB Force SSD will cost $130, the 80GB $230 and the 160GB version $450 when they launch in the near future.
Samsung Launches Its First Terabyte Mobile Hard Drive
July 20, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Hardware, Mac Hardware, PC Hardware
Samsung has joined the club of firms to crack the 1TB barrier for notebook hard drives late Monday with the Spinpoint MT2. The 2.5-inch drive fits into a full-height 12.5mm bay by using newer density storage that fits 333GB per platter. It also utilizes Samsung’s proprietary SilentSeek and NoiseGuard technologies to minimize noise levels during drive operation.
Samsung has claimed a speed edge with 20 percent faster transfer speeds and four percent less power use than its Western Digital equivalent drive. it features shock resistance levels of 400G (2ms) in operation mode and 800G (1ms) when the power is off.
Equipped with Samsung’s exclusive dynamic balancing technology, the drive’s overall stability and reliability is optimized as a high-performing solution. The Spinpoint MT2 features 5400rpm speed rotation, SATA 3.0 Gbps interface and Native Command Queuing functions for advanced performance.
The Spinpoint MT2 drive has an 8MB buffer memory and is available in 750GB and 1TB capacity. Initial shipments are available now.
Intel’s Core i7 970, Core i5 760 Are Official
July 19, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Hardware, Mac Hardware, PC Hardware
Intel today confirmed the launch of two new desktop processors - the Core i7 970 and the Core i5 760.
Leading the pack is the Core i7 970. It is Intel’s first six-core processor outside of the Extreme Edition or Xeon chips. It is a 32m dye and clocks at the same 3.2GHz as the quad-core 960. The chip can handle as many as 12 program threads through Hyperthreading and ramps to 3.46GHz with Turbo Boost.
The Core i5 760 2.8GHz is a 4 core chip aimed at mid-point of the PC market. Like other desktop Core i5 chips does support Turbo Boost for an unspecified higher speed with fewer active cores.
Intel doesn’t list pricing, but retail kits from online retailers are around $210 for the Core i5 760 and $900 for the Core i7 970.
AMD’s Ontario Ultraportable Chips Fast Tracked to Late 2010
July 19, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Hardware, PC Hardware
AMD, during their latest results call, revealed that the company’s Ontario ultraportable chip will arrive early. The processor had originally been slated for the first half of 2011 but is now due to arrive in the fall, “ahead of schedule,” according to CEO Dirk Meyer. What prompted the accelerated launch wasn’t mentioned.
Ontario is built on a smaller, 40 nanometer process and uses AMD’s new Bobcat architecture. The dual-core design is not only tuned for lower power but includes a fast DirectX 11 integrated graphics and a built-in DDR3 memory controller.
The acceleration is unusual for AMD and may be a reaction to Intel’s new ultra-low voltage Core i3, i5 and i7 processors bringing ultraportables down in price.
Verizon Wireless Now Selling the Samsung N150 Netbook
July 8, 2010 by Doug
Filed under Cell Phones, Hardware, PC Hardware
Verizon Wireless and Samsung Electronics Corporation announced that the Samsung N150 netbook is available for order today.
The 150 is powered by an Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz processor with Windows 7 Starter for the OS. Built-in connectivity Verizon’s 3G network and is also Global Ready with a pre-installed SIM Card for access in more than 200 countries, more than 110 with 3G speed. plus there is a built-in chargeable USB port that serves as a charger for mobile devices even when the Samsung N150 is turned off.
Pricing and Availability
The Samsung N150 is available for order today in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores for $49.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. A promotional price of $29.99 with a new two-year customer agreement is available at www.verizonwireless.com/netbooks.