Dell chairman Michael Dell announced during the firm's "Technology Day," held today in New York, that the company will begin offering AMD-based desktop computers starting this Wednesday.

The first two desktops won't be anything exciting for enthusiasts and appear to be targeting the entry-level market. The model C521 will come in simple case with BTX layout that comes with integrated graphics. According to Dell, the system comes with Microsoft's Windows Media Center Edition and can be upgraded to up to 4 GB system memory, 500 GB hard disk space. The E521 will offer more configuration flexibility, including more hard drive space, dual optical drives and Dell's data safe technology.

Dell will begin taking orders through its website, Direct stores and via phone tomorrow; the company expects to ship the first built-to-order AMD systems later this week.

Michael Dell mentioned that AMD has shown an "ability to deliver great products" and has proven that it can offer a "capacity and quality" required by Dell. At least for now, AMD processors won't be available in the firm's higher end systems and the prestigeous XPS line of computers. Dell customers who want to see an AMD chip in their enthusiast system will have to continue shopping at Alienware.

[ via tgdaily.com ] 

A few of our members met up recently for a simple teh tarik and to meet each other in real life at a local mamak shop.  Here are some pictures to prove we're more than just a virtual communtiy of geeks!

If you're interested in joining the next meet-up, check this thread  and this subforum regularly for more information. 

Pictures courtesy of vyruz.

'Read More' for more pictures!

Intel on Thursday announced the availability of its vPro business desktop PC platform, its first for the market to use the recently introduced Core 2 Duo processor as well as provide embedded management and virtualization capabilities.

PCs built on vPro will offer a 50% increase in performance on base-level office applications and as much as twice the performance for processor-intensive applications such as content creation and digital media when compared to the existing Intel 2005 Professional Business Platform, says Mike Ferron-Jones, director of marketing for the Digital Office Platforms Division at Intel.

"This will really give businesses the horsepower to drive new usage models," Ferron-Jones says.

Intel announced the creation of the vPro brand in April, the latest in a series of branded Intel platforms that includes Centrino for laptop PCs and Viiv for consumer entertainment PCs.

The vPro platform is part of Intel's Stable Image Platform, in which the company promises not to change the system software stack and drivers for at least five quarters.

The new platform uses the dual-core Core 2 Duo processor, the Q965 Express chipset, and 82566DM Gigabit Network Connection. Integrated with the vPro platform are Intel's Active Management Technology and Virtualization Technology.

Full story : Informationweek.com

More on Intel's vPro technology and check out the Tech Heads while you're there.

Sporting 3G connectivity, a 2.0 megapixel camera and 200MB of internal memory, LG's new entry into the popular clamshell market has enough in it  to tempt you to take a bite. Codenamed U830, no pricing or a launch date has been revealed just yet. 

Till then, i'll just have to stick with Cadbury! 

[via techdigest, crunchgear, mobilewhack and pictures via engadget]

Lowyat.NET's review of the original Chocolate is available here.

Remember the rumours about the impending arrival of a iMac with a larger screen?

Well it's in the Apple Store already and a few days before the September 12th media event to boot. A big bouncing 24-inch iMac will be yours at the tune of USD 1,999. Besides the larger screen, the new addition to the iMac family sports a resolution of 1920 x 1200 and an nVidia graphics chipset rather than ATI chipsets, as was with the smaller iMacs.

Also, do my eyes deceive me or has the CPU in the iMacs and the Mac Mini been upgraded to Core 2 Duo and Core Duo respectively?

The rumours started almost 12 months back, that Apple were secretly prototyping a cellular device based on their hugely successful iPod portable music player. There have been quite a few concept art of how the device might look like were these rumours turn out to be true. Steve Jobs himself has uncharacteristicly been said to be boasting about the iPhone to close friends. 

The following excerpt via Appleinsider

"Clearly, we would like to share more detail as we have conducted extensive work on the product pipeline, but for now, here is what we will convey," Wu wrote. "The design will be an iPod nano-like candy bar form factor and come in three colors (we are not certain of the exact colors but we suspect black, white and platinum, similar to Apple's current color scheme of iPods and Macs)."

Shaw Wu is an analysts who has done extensive research on Apple's Products and Stategies.

Itching for a bit of glitz in your life?

It doesn't mean you have to walk out of your house in a rhinestone-encrusted biker jacket or floppy sequined flower in your hair. It can be as simple as juicing up your cell phone with a bit of sparkly charm! Everybody's doing it, from Lindsay Lohan to Sarah Jessica Parker and Dolce & Gabbana to Roberto Cavalli - so why not you?

This season, Motorola is introducing a crystal clear statement of style and allure: the new, custom-made Motorola V3i Swarovski Crystal cell phone.

This unique Motorola RAZR V3i is fully loaded, and delivers the ultimate combination of design and technology. Conceptualized as a modern homage to luxurious mobility, Motorola's one-of-a-kind design combines colour, emotion and technology; while the precious beauty of Swarovski Crystals affix an element of surprise and grandeur to the signature form of the world-renowned RAZR silhouette.

Gilded in different facets of gold and silver, it will take a strong constitution and plenty of willpower not to fall head-over-heels with this phone at first sight!