LG has revealed two new laptops: the X-R700 and X-S900. Both units are being billed as desktop replacements and may appeal to those with aging units. To find out more, check out the full article by clicking on the "read more" link below.

 

Sony and NEC Corporation released, simultaneously but separately, the other day a new line of computers that carry Hybrid HDD. For the uninitiated, these are new kinds of hard disk drives employing large buffer of non-volatile flash memory.

Sony's VAIO Type F was released yesterday while NEC's LaVie C came out the day before that in Japan. Like we said, both carry hybrid HDD that give users the following advantages: speed increase, decrease of power consumption, improved reliability and lifespan, faster boot process, and less noises.

The following features are available for the high-end units of both lines:

• Sony VAIO Type F (FZ71)
• 15.4 inches monitor
• GeForce 8400M GT
• Wi-Fi A/B/G/N
• 200GB of Hybrid HDD (256MB of Flash)
• 1 to 4GB RAM
• Core 2 Duo T7250 at 2GHz (BTO up to 2.8GHz)
• Webcam
• HDMI, Blu-ray drive
  

• NEC LaVie C (LC950/KC)
• Face Pass: face recognition system that lets users log on into the computer once they show up  their face to the computer web camera
• Blu-ray disc drive (read only)
• HDMI output for HD Video
• Hybrid HDD of 160GB with Flash Memory (256MB)

MSI has started rolling out a new notebook model that brings together high-definition entertainment and Intel's fourth generation Centrino platform.

According to Akihabara News, the new notebook - called the MSI-1221 - features a 12.1-inch WXGA monitor and HDMI support. It boasts of a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor (it looks like user can choose to go with the T7300 or the T7000) and the GM965 Express Santa Rosa chipset.

The MSI-1221 also has 2GB of RAM, 40 to 120 GB HDD (SATA), 1.3 megapixel webcam, A/B/G WiFi, and TurboMemory. This notebook falls into the 150,000 Yen (US$ 1,225) to 200,000 Yen (US$ 1,633) price range.

Taiwanese company BenQ recently showed off the BenQ Joybook S41, their new Santa Rosa notebook. Yeah, the name's kinda funky, but boy, is it a beauty.

According to Akihabaranews.com, aside from running on Intel's fourth-generation Centrino platform, the Joybook S41 also features a 14.1-inch widescreen, up to 2GB RAM and a 160GB hard drive. These are just the bare essentials, and the notebook also offers Wireless a/b/g/n, an NVIDIA GeForce 8600M, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, HDMI output, and an ExpressCard slot.

Price information for the BenQ Joybook S41 has yet to be revealed, but the notebook will reportedly become available sometime this month. Check out the images below for a look at it.

   

French electronics company Thomson Multimedia, a French electronics manufacturer and media services provider">Thomson came up with two new gadgets that inventively explores the idea of mobile phone units being used largely for the multimedia functions of internet TV and radio, as well as VoIP.

The first one is Thomson's T2700, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) phone with some useful qualities. Aside from VoIP, the phone has a stereo loudspeaker function for internet radio. Listening to digital music is described to be a pleasure with this gadget, which boasts of HD sound with enhanced bass and treble over the usual phone audio quality.

Next gadget is still unnamed. Being compared with the wireless internet appliance Nokia N800, this still-nameless Thomson device boasts of an 800 x 480 touchscreen. It can also be used with a USB webcam for video conferencing. But perhaps its most satisfying feature is IPTV over WiFi, or the use of a digital tuner via USB.

There are still very little information available on these two, but we'll be sure to update you when we get more.

  

In any typical family (father, mother, with more than one kid), there is someone who is destined to be a standout, and one who is almost always relegated to the sidelines - in other words, no matter how parents try to equally love their darling little angels, they'll end up loving one of their kids more than the others. That's the way the cookie crumbles I guess (sobs..).

Same goes for Compaq V6000Z, which is being packaged as the 'sister' of the V3000Z. The two laptops essentially have same looks and could pass up as twins - but the V600Z is the more aesthetically pleasing as it was doted on by its Compaq parents with a little cosmetic re-work and some different configuration options. But unfortunately, there is no discrete graphics option, so you don't have much of a choice but utilize the integrated Go 6150, and to add insult to injury, you are unable to add an integrated webcam.

After that small difference, you have the same choice of processors, hard drives and other what-nots. Now, the sad part is that if you configure this one with Windows XP Pro, Turion 64 X2 TL-50, 1GB DDR2 RAM, 80GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive, Super Multi DVDRW, 802.11b/g, and 12-cell battery, you'd have to shell out at least $1,400 - which is more expensive than that of the V3000Z given the same configurations. With those aptly stated, it is up to you to decide which is the better sister - the V6000Z or the V3000Z.

  

Hewlett Packard have laptops that could cater to the needs of a simpleton or to the needs of an imeldific character...well, a practical imeldific (is there such a thing) that is. What I mean is that, whatever your needs are, HP would get you covered. Diversity is the name of the game in the HP camp as they unveil two of their latest innovations which feature AMD's Turion 64 X2 and NVIDIA nForce Go430 chipset with NVIDIA graphics. I am talking about tthe two notebooks that will amp the Pavilion line-- the Pavilion dv6000z and the Pavilion dv9000.

To kick things off, let's start with the more high-end dv9000 (left thumbprint). This one is being paraded as HP's latest 17" notebook which comes fully equipped with AMD's latest mobile platform and NVIDIA's chipset & graphics. This could sort of pass as a gaming laptop since it is blessed with a more capable NVIDIA Go 7600 with 256MB dedicated DDR2 RAM. The G0 7600 could play recent games although you'd have to lengthen your patience as this may produce lower resolutions. The 17" display comes in three choices - WXGA+ (1440x900) BrightView, WXGA+ Ultra BrightView, and WSXGA+ (1680x1050) BrightView.

Your garden variety USP ports are also in there along with multimedia features, and the optional ExpressCard TV Tuner for the TV addicts. Another characteristic that makes this baby stand out is that it has dual hard drives option which could give this baby a 240GB using proper RAID configurations. Weight starts at 7.8lbs and is 1.0" thin. Optional integrated webcam is available. Prices start a bit higher at $1,349 and the dv9000 will be available mid-July.

Too pricy for you? Then maybe you oughta consider the 15.4" Pavilion dv6000z (right). It also houses a competitive NVIDIA nForce Go430 chipset with discrete 256MB Go 7200 graphics, plus you have a choice between an AMD Mobile Sempron or a Turion 64 X2 processors. You can't play recent games with this one, but if gaming ain't your thing, then this may be for you. Prices range from $1000-1300, depending on configuration.

The company which is a subsidiary of HP, Compaq, is out to prove to one and all that they can go head-to-head with its contemporaries. Recently, HP and Compaq had been venturing on notebooks that make use of NVIDIA Chipsets, which could only mean bigger and better things for their laptops.

With that, the Compaq Presario V3000z is unveiled. This baby is blessed with a 14.1" widescreen, it could also hook you up with the Mobile Sempron 3200+ & 3400+ as well as the Turion 64 X2 TL-50 (1.60GHz, 256KB L2 Cache) & TL-52 (1.60GHz, 512KB L2 Cache). The BrightView screen is pretty much standard, so goes for the integrated NVIDIA Go 6150 graphics, although no integrated webcam is offered. Personally, the finishing touches of this baby has a classical touch, plus the all black arrive meshes well with the keyboard lights.

If you're planning on amping it with Windows XP Pro, Turion 64 X2 TL-50, 1GB DDR2 RAM, 80GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive, Super Multi DVDRW, 802.11b/g, and 12-cell battery, it will cost you $1142.

 

Packard Bell and Skype today introduced the 'Easynote Skype Edition' notebook featuring a one-touch Skype calling button, a built-in webcam and of course a preload of the Skype software.

The featured Skype calling button is located next to the built-in webcam and on the upper bevel of the 14-inch widescreen display, thereby making it as easy to use as a traditional phone with the added benefits of video calling, instant messaging and group calling. By pressing the button the user can answer incoming calls or open the application to make a call.

Aymar de-Lencquesaing, CEO of Packard Bell stated 'Our vision is to make products that are easier to use through innovation and design, we share this vision with Skype and our EasyNote Skype Edition is a major milestone in our partnership. We are thrilled to announce this future bestseller today, together with Skype'

EasyNote Skype Edition will be limited to Europe at this time and will be available in August from €899 (roughly $1200 USD).