Toshiba A205-S500 Specifications

Display: 15.4″ Wide TFT LCD
Aspect Ratio: 16:10
Pixel Format: 1280 x 800
Webcam: Yes
GPU: Intel GMA 950 with 8 - 256MB Shared Graphics Memory
CPU: 1.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5500, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB
RAM: 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM
HDD: 120GB
Optical: DVD SuperMulti DL
Connectivity: WiFi (802.11a/g/n)
OS: Windows Vista Premium
Price: $398

Supplies are limited. Walmart did mention that they did purchase quite a bit, but at this price even a plentiful supply can run out quickly. The Toshiba A205-S500 will be in Walmart’s Sunday circular as well. The A205 sports an industry standard (and most popular) 15.4″ wide TFT LCD with a pixel format of 1280 x 800.

Notebook Reviews gave it a whirl and came out with this conclusion:

All of the key components are protected very well, including the display which can easily be the most expensive part to repair if damaged. Performance on this specific configuration was more than acceptable for my needs, but would not be able to even consider any serious gaming. A great use I found for this laptop was a portable media station, playing much of my HD content with ease, as well as having plenty of storage for the large files.

But the review model had 250GB of HDD capacity. The Walmart special is 120GB, not small, but not as big as 250GB.

Source: Notebook Review, Check Out Blog via Gizmodo

Technorati Tags: Toshiba, Toshiba A205, Toshiba A205, Toshiba A205 Walmart, 15.4″, 1280 x 800, Toshiba Walmart Special

Nokia N810 Specifications

Display: 4.13″ Wide Touch TFT LCD
Pixel Format: 800 x 480
Colors: 65K
CPU: 400MHz TI HS OMAP 2420
Memory: 128MB DDR RAM, 256MB Flash, 2GB Internal Memory
Storage: miniSD and microSD (with extender) up to 8GB
Battery: Nokia Battery BP-4L, 10 hours (Music playback), 14 days (Standby), 4 hours (Internet browsing on WiFi)
Connectivity: WiFi (802.11b/g), WiMAX (on WiMAX version), Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, USB 2.0, 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Plug
OS: maemo Linux OS2008

The Nokia N810 Internet tablet is going for just $299.99, down a significant $90. It is not only at CompUSA, Amazon and other places have the N810 at the much lower price. Maybe this is an indication that a new version is around the corner. The N810 sports a fairly large 4.13″ TFT LCD with a pixel format of 800 x 480. It just misses the 1024 x 600 required to surf comfortably. Maybe the next version will eschew some buttons, make the LCD a bit bigger and get to that surf-in-comfort 1024 x 600 pixels. Maybe.

Source: Engadget

Technorati Tags: Nokia, Nokia N810, Nokia N810 9, Nokia N810 Internet Tablet, N810, N810 Internet Tablet, 4.13″, 800 x 480

Samsung SPF-105P Specifications

Display: 10.2″ Wide TFT LCD
Pixel Format: 1024 x 600
Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 500:1
Storage: 1GB (Internal)
Connectivity: USB (UbiSync)
Other: Samsung Starlight Touch Button Control
Battery: 1 Hour
Power Consumption: 14W (Max), Auto On/Off Function
Dimensions: 11.37 x 7.81 x 1.8″
Weight: 2.18lbs

Samsung’s SPF-105P digital photo frame sports a minimalist clean design. On the bezel is Samsung’s Starlight touch button control while a single USB connection connects the 10.2″ digital photo frame to the computer. The USB is special and uses the UbiSync technology to allow it to be used as a secondary display. The internal 1GB of memory should allow for plenty of pictures to be stored and displayed, which will be on a 10.2″ wide TFT LCD with a pixel format of 1024 x 600.

Source: Samsung

Technorati Tags: Samsung, Samsung SPF-105P, Samsung 10″ Digital Photo Frame, 10.2″, 1024 x 600, 10.2″ Digital Photo Frame, UbiSync, Samsung Starlight Touch Button Control

Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) has decided to throttle down LCD panel production by 10%, effective immediately. CMO’s original plan was to wait until August to make a decision regarding LCD production. CMO has already decreased LCD module production by 10%. This is in response to inventory build up of LCDs and LCD-based products such as LCD TVs and LCD monitors in the display supply chain.

IT customers have significantly reduced orders in July and at the same time LCD monitor panel prices have spiraled downward. Lowering LCD panel production by the second largest Taiwan-based LCD manufacturer will not have a major impact in the overall supply and demand situation, but will be a significant signal for others participating in the LCD supply chain. The overall utilization rate was reported by DigiTimes to be 90% after the 10% reduction. This is impossible as utilization rates are never at 100%. Most likely, CMO’s realistic utilization after the 10% decrease would be around 80% to 83% is my guess.

Source: DigiTimes

Technorati Tags: Chi Mei Optoelectronics, CMO, Display Manufacturer, LCD Manufacturer, LCD Monitor, LCD TV, Notebook PC

Sony Z Specifications

Display: 13.1″ Wide TFT XBRITE LCD with LED Backlight
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Pixel Format: 1366 x 768 or 1600 x 900
GPU: 850 - 1500MB NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS, 128 - 256MB Intel GMA 4500MHD
CPU: 2.26 (P8400) - 2.53GHz (P9500) Intel Core 2 Duo, 1066MHz FSB, 3 - 6MB L2 Cache
Chipset: Intel Centrino 2 (Mobile Intel GM45 Express Chipset)
RAM: Up to 4GB DDR3 SDRAM
Storage: 128GB (64GB x 2) SSD, 320GB HDD with G-Sensor Shock Protection, MS Pro/SD Media Slot
Optical: DVD-RW or Blu-ray RW
Connectivity: ExpressCard/34, Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi (802.11a/b/g/n), WWAN (Sprint), Bluetooth 2.0 A2DP, HDMI, VGA
Battery: 6 hours (Standard Capacity), 9 hours (Large Capacity)
Power Consumption: 100W+10%
Availability: Mid-August 2008
Price: Starting at $1799.99

Sony’s new Z series notebook PCs are impressive on many fronts. The design is pure Sony with nice straight lines using ultra-modern materials. For instance, the keyboard panel is all aluminum, a first in the industry according to Sony. Sony also kept good designs from the past as the cylindrical hinge that houses the battery as well as, like the name, acts as a hinge. The power indicator is at the edge of the hinge as well. The case is polished giving the Z a sleek professional look. More analysis and pictures after the jump.

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According to Gartner, Apple is the number 3 computer maker in the US, behind Dell and HP. Apple’s Mac shipments increased 38% to 1.4 million Macs in Q2′08. That puts Apple with a market share of 8.5%, and 65,000 units more than number 4 Acer. At the top is Dell with 31.9% and HP with 25.3%.

Gartner Q2'08 US PC Maker Ranking

Total US PC shipments reached 16.5 million units in Q2′08, up 4.2% Y/Y. Behind Apple are Acer at #4 and Toshiba at #5 with 8.1% and 5.5%, respectively. I’m sure Acer is pretty upset at losing the #3 spot by such a small margin. But the momentum is clearly with Apple. With new MacBooks, MacBook Pros and iMacs coming soon, that momentum should push Apple into the holiday buying season with a strong backwind.

Source: Gartner via AppleInsider via Gizmodo

Technorati Tags: Apple, Dell, HP, Gartner

LG R510 Specifications

Display: 15.4″ Wide TFT LCD
Aspect Ratio: 16:10
Pixel Format: 1680 x 1050
Webcam: 1.3MP
GPU: 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GS
CPU: 2.0 - 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Chipset: Centrino 2, Mobile Intel PM45 Express
RAM: Up to 4GB DDR2 800MHz
HDD: 160, 250, 320GB 2.5″ 5400RPM SATA
Optical: SuperMulti DVD+/-RW, DVD-RAM
Connectivity: WiFi (Intel WiFi Link 5100), Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, ExpressCard/54, USB 2.0 (3, including e-SATA/USB combo), VGA, HDMI
Storage: 6-in-1 Memory Card Slot (xD, SD, MMC, MMC Plus, MS, MS Pro)
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium
Battery: 6-cell Lithium Ion 2400mAh
Dimension: 357.0 x 271.2 x 31-38.8mm
Weight: 2.76kg

LG’s R510 is the top-of-the-line R series sporting a 15.4″ wide TFT LCD. The 15.4″ LCD features a rather denser pixel format of 1680 x 1050, more than the 15″ MacBook Pro (1440 x 900) and a lot of other notebooks. Of course, the MBP features a LED backlight in the LCD making it environmentally more friendly, thinner and consumes less energy. LG, let’s see those LED backlit LCDs!

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Lenovo ThinkPad SL300 Specifications

Display: 13.3″ Wide TFT LCD with LED Backlight
Aspect Ratio: 16:10
Pixel Format: 1280 x 800
GPU: Intel GMA X4500, 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 9300M
CPU: 1.8 - 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Chipset: Centrino 2
HDD: 80, 160, 250, 320GB 5400RPM
RAM: Up to 4GB 667MHz
Optical: Combo, Super Multi, or Blu-ray
Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi (802.11a/b/g/n), WWAN, FireWire, USB 2.0 (3), HDMI, VGA, Headphone/Line Out, Mic In, PC Card (Type I/II), SD Slot
Battery: 4-cell
Dimensions: 318 x 238 x 32-36mm (12.5 x 9.4 x 1.3-1.5″)
Weigh: 2.1kg (4.6lbs)

Lenovo’s ThinkPad SL300 is a 13.3″ notebook PC that sports the new Centrino 2 chipset from Intel and can be fitted some impressive components. The 13.3″ wide TFT LCD comes with a pixel format of 1280 x 800 and a LED backlight to make the overall thickness a bit less while saving a bit of power. Of course, durability is increased too since LEDs are solid state lighting devices. The GPU is NVIDIA’s GeForce 9300M with 128MB of graphics memory. Not the fastest, but certainly good enough for the occasional shoot ‘em up game. Lenovo mentioned that all of its notebook PCs will be going wide.

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Samsung Q310 Specifications

Display: 13.3″ Wide TFT LCD
Aspect Ratio: 16:10
Pixel Format: 1280 x 800 (?)
Webcam: 1.3MP
Chipset: Centrino 2
GPU: 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS
Connectivity: HDMI, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi (802.11n)
Weight: 2kg
Availability: August 2008

Samsung’s Q310 uses the latest Centrino 2 chipset from Intel. The Q310 sports a 13.3″ wide TFT LCD. The pixel format of the LCD is unknown but there could be a couple of choices: 1280 x 800 or 1440 x 900. The integrated webcam is 1.3MP and is nicely integrated into the bezel of the LCD.

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Samsung TL34HD Specifications

Display: 3.0″ 640 x 480 Touch LCD
MP: 14.7
Zoom: 3.6x Optical (6.0 - 21.6mm)
Shutter Speed: 1-1/1500 sec (Auto), 15-1/1500 sec (Manual), 8-1/1500 sec (Night)
ISO: 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Movie: 1280 x 720/30p
Storage: SD, SDHC up to 8GB
Connectivity: HDMI CEC, DLNA
Lens: Schneider 28mm KREUZNACH VARIOPLAN Zoom
Other: Image Stabilization, Face Detection, Blink Detection, DRIM Engine Image Processor
Availability: September 10, 2008

Samsung’s TL34HD pushes the envelope with a 14.7 megapixel sensor built into a small point-and-shoot digital camera. Do you need 14.7MP? The answer is yes according to the largest consumer electronics company in the world. But those in the know know that more pixels do not necessarily mean better quality. We’ll see how the TL34HD performs when reviews come out in the near future. There’s another feature that Samsung pushed the envelope on.

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