Remember Asus' teeny notebook the Eee PC? Well its finally hit our shores and in three different models; the Eee PC 8G, the Eee PC 4G, and the Eee PC 2G Surf. Within its compact form factor, the Eee PC is already equipped with integrated speakers, a microphone and a web cam. Connecting to the Internet via wired Ethernet or wireless 802.11b/g, the Eee PC can be transformed into a video conferencing station without an excess tangle of wires and fuss.

For better vision or even to facilitate presentations, the Eee PC even has VGA output for connecting to large monitors and projectors. As the Eee PC relies on industry-standard connectors and operating system, the possibilities for extending its functionality with add-ons and peripherals are practically unlimited, thus presenting a total, scaleable solution as the user’s needs grow.  

There are only a limited number of the Eee PC but fear not you can pre-order them. Just submit this form before the 14th and you can purchase the Eee PC for RM1,299 on the 16th at MTCS Pavillion KL. 

Read on for tech specs. 

Back in August, Nokia unveiled a whole host of new phones. Last week the Xpress Music phones that were unveiled in August were launched here in Malaysia. This week we see three of the other phones that were unveiled arrive on our shores. Yes, the new N81, N81 8GB and the upgraded N95 with 8GB of memory has finally arrived on our shores.

Each device offers dedicated music or gaming keys, expanded memory, large screens and extended battery performance to provide quick and easy access to entertainment content. In addition to offering multimedia experiences, the new phones also underscores Nokia's internet services strategy with two new services; the Nokia Music Store and the N-Gage games service. The Nokia N81, N81 8GB and N95 *GB come configured ready to support both these services.

Nokia is currently have their Digital Playzone over at the Oval at 1Utama's new wing, where you can take a look at the phones. As for pricing, the N81, N81 8GB and N95 8GB is available at RM1,999, RM2,249 and RM2,999 respectively.

Read on for more info and specifications. 

Priced from RM3,599, the XPS 420 is powered by multi-core Intel processors and choice of ATI and NVIDIA graphics card to make fast work of complex digital media creating, editing and capturing activities.  The XPS 420 also features easily accessible input/output ports and a specially designed storage area with built in cable management to charge and dock portable devices.

XPS 420 incorporates Microsoft’s SideShow technology to desktop PCs. The small color display integrated into the front panel provides easy access to stored media, certain system functions and standard Windows SideShow “gadgets” without using the keyboard or mouse.  

The SP2208WFP display on the other hand is available immediately with a starting price of RM1,159.  

Orders are available via Dell's website. 

Read on for more info 

Sony Ericsson today announced the launch of the K660, an HSDPA (‘mobile broadband’) enabled phone with clever features like illuminated shortcut keys that only become active when surfing the Net, and desktop tickers that provide regular updates from your favourite websites; all designed to make Web browsing on the move as simple and convenient as at your computer.

“Sony Ericsson’s vision is to offer ‘Generation Web’ a mobile internet experience that’s rich, user-friendly and satisfying,” says Martin Winkler, Head of Web Marketing at Sony Ericsson “This Web-optimised phone is a clear step along that journey and will appeal to individuals who are managing their busy lives and social networks online, whether its arranging to meet up for a football match or booking concert tickets.” The K660 is expected to be released early 2008.  Read on for more details.

ASUS has released its M3A32-MVP Deluxe/WiFi-AP motherboard, which supports the new AMD Phenom quad-core CPU with the latest AMD 790FX chipset. This motherboard features the latest HyperTransport 3.0（HT3）system bus with up to 5200 MT/s speed, quad PCIe 2.0 x16 VGA slots, and is also equipped with the ASUS patent pending memory heat pipe design – ASUS Cool Mempipe, which is able to effectively lower memory temperatures by up to 10°C.

The ASUS exclusive Cool Mempipe works by transmiting the heat generated by the memory chips to the heat sink near the back IO ports, where it can be carried away by existing airflows inside the system. A flexible design makes it easy to cater for single or double-side memory modules – with or without heat spreaders.

The M3A32-MVP Deluxe/WiFi-AP also comes with Precision Tweaker 2 – an ASUS exclusive technology that can provide 0.02v per step adjustments to the NB Voltage, SB Voltage, and the DRAM Voltage to optimize overclocking performance. By closing the gap between two voltages, users can then get closer to the highest voltage sustainable by the system.

Read on for more info. 

Some of you may have heard of Google coming up with their own "G-phone" well, there is news, somewhat about the so called G-Phone. Well don't be too happy yet but this interesting bit of news might actually herald the coming of the G-Phone... or not. A new open software platform called Android has been announced and its a collaboration between Google Inc., T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, Motorola and others through the Open Handset Alliance. Big phone brands like HTC, Motorola, Samsung and LG have already been linked to it and we can expect a roll out of phones with the software to come out in the second half of 2008.

Thirty-four companies have formed the Open Handset Alliance, which aims to develop technologies that will significantly lower the cost of developing and distributing mobile devices and services. The Android platform is the first step in this direction -- a fully integrated mobile "software stack" that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface and applications. The Android platform will be made available under one of the most progressive, developer-friendly open-source licenses, which gives mobile operators and device manufacturers significant freedom and flexibility to design products.

The inclusion of HTC in the group is interesting considering that HTC rolls out quite a bit of Microsoft Windows Mobile devices. So come second half 2008 will we be seeing less Microsoft based HTC products? Well we can only wait and see.

Read on for more. (News courtesy of Gizmodo)

In conjunction with the launch of its EEE PC, Asus is having a photography contest which will allow three lucky winners to walk away with the EEE PC. Called "I Love My Eee PC" contest, it will be held over at Cineleisure, The Curve from this Saturday to Sunday; the 3rd and 4th of November. The contest time is between 2 - 3.30pm & 6.30 - 8pm on both days. Read the image below for more details.

Nvidia has recently released its Quadro FX 5600 SDI and Quadro FX 4600 SDI graphics cards targeted at broadcasting, film and video professionals. These next-generation graphics-to-video-out solutions from NVIDIA, which allow real-time rendering to become an integral part of the production work flow, feature 8-, 10- and 12-bit uncompressed SDI output in SD, HD, or 2K formats, Genlock support, improved 2D video compositing capabilities, 3D graphics and graphics processing unit (GPU) programmability, and more.

The Quadro FX 4600 SDI GPU has a MSRP of US5999 and the Quadro FX 5600 SDI GPU is being offered at a MSRP of US6,999. NVIDIA Quadro technology solutions are widely available through leading system manufacturers, workstation system integrators, and NVIDIA channel partners such as PNY Technologies (US and EMEA), Leadtek (APAC) and Elsa (Japan). 

Read on for more info. 

Intel Corporation has unveiled its Dual-Core Intel Itanium Processor 9100 series processors. The 9100 series represents the sixth generation of Itanium chips, with three future generations under development. The 9100 series features clock speed of up to 1.66 GHz and 667 MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) within a 104W power envelope. A three-load bus – two processors and a chipset on the same bus - provides increased bandwidth for enterprise and high-performance computing tasks.

The Itanium platform is strengthened by a new feature called Core Level Lock-Step that improves the data integrity and reliability of applications by eliminating undetected errors in the core. Core Level Lock-Step joins existing Socket Level Lock-Step technology to deliver greater reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) by guaranteeing that calculation results are consistent among the cores and sockets. Another new feature, Demand Based Switching (DBS), reduces server power consumption during low utilization periods, which can result in energy cost savings.

Six Intel dual-core and a single-core Itanium 9100 series processors are already shipping, with lock step parts to be US650 to US3,450 depending on order volume, features and performance.  

Asus has launched its ASUS F8P series, a notebook with hand picked and crafted premium leather which adds tactile warmth to the notebook design while the painted surface keeps it sleek. In addition to the tactile enjoyment, the F8P also adopts the unique bamboo hinge that’s with integrated power button on the side, offering ergonomic operating convenience.

 Equipped with a Hybrid TV tuner, the F8P gives the user maximum versatility with the ability to take advantage of both digital and analog signals. A card type remote control is incorporated, in line with the chic portability of the F8P lifestyle, giving the user the ability to take charge of entertainment while being easily carried. Furthermore, a built-in swivel webcam allows instant high-resolution face to face communication without the hassle of external connections and messy wires.

The F8P is also equipped with with top of the line specifications, including the latest Intel Core2 Duo processors, up to 2GB of DDR2 memory, DirectX 10 support and a choice of graphics processing systems: the ATI Mobility Radeon HD2400 graphics engine, stocked with 256MB of physical VRAM and HyperMemory up to 1024MB.  

Read on for more info.

You might remember us showcasing the two cool and black printers, the ML-1630 and the SCX-4500, that Samsung launched a month back. Well Samsung has made the printer available in Malaysia recently so you might just want to check your local IT store if you think your current printer just looks too dull.

The  ML-1630 is available at a recomended retail price of RM799 while the SCX-4500 goes at RM999.

ASUS has released its latest U6 notebook series. Based on the latest Intel Centrino Duo Processor Technology, Windows Vista operating system and a host of ASUS features, the 12” widescreen U6 series is the fabulous jewel to light up any computing experience.

The U6 adopts a special LED backlight panel that is half the width of and 1/3 lighter than the traditional LCD panel. It operates with lowers power consumption and offers better luminance for a pleasant viewing experience. A built-in webcam allows instant high-resolution face to face communication without the hassle of external connections and messy wires. For hands free access, the exclusive ASUS SmartLogon software intelligently recognizes its rightful owner and grants access to the computer accordingly after a positive facial scan. 

To give business travellers peace of mind, the U6 features safeguards that combine high-level security with ease of use. The fingerprint authentication allows for heavy duty security of data with the convenience of a finger swipe. The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) encrypts data, password retention and system log on for added data protection measures. In addition, ASUS CopyProtect prevents the unauthorized reproduction of data in the notebooks, ensuring information exclusivity.  

Read on for more info and Tech Specs. 

Nokia has introduced two new XpressMusic devices and announced the launch of its Independent Artists Club (IAC) – a music-focused community platform; giving consumers a comprehensive music offering made especially for the mobile. Sporting edgy good looks, the new Nokia 5610 XpressMusic and the Nokia 5310 XpressMusic mobile devices share key features that ensure the best mobile music experience, including dedicated music key(s), music pause/resume on incoming calls, support for 3.5 mm connectors and extended battery life for easy and convenient music listening.

 Meanwhile, the Nokia Independent Artists Club (IAC) provides an opportunity for music lovers to discover new music through a compelling platform in the lead up to the launch of Nokia Music Store (to be launched in 2008). IAC is brought to consumers across the region by Nokia Music, and is part of the overall Nokia Music proposition – which also includes Nokia music-enabled devices such as the Xpress Music range and the upcoming launch of Nokia Music Store.

Both the Nokia 5610 XpressMusic and Nokia 5310 XpressMusic are available from today from authorised Nokia retailers nationwide at a recommended retail price of RM 1,339 and RM 1,199 respectively.

Read on for more details and pictures.

Albatron has announced the 8800GT-512, a new performance 8800 Series VGA card that has already begun to stir the marketplace.The 8800GT-512 is a unique blend, consolidating all of the changes to the 8 series over the last year and boosting it with new technology. The result is an affordable VGA card boasting full features, low power consumption and enthusiast performance levels.

The 8800GT-512 also introduces its 65 nm Process Technology that has been designed into the GPU. This compact circuitry guarantees lower power consumption leading to cooler temperatures. This compact circuitry guarantees lower power consumption leading to cooler temperatures. The cooler temperatures, in effect, allows for the use of quieter and thinner fans. Subsequently, thinner fans mean that the card's overall thickness will not encroach on adjacent expansion slots like other enthusiast cards.

This board boasts the latest memory technology, giving users 512 MB of fast GDDR3 memory (1800 Mhz). The panel connectors include two DVI connectors and an HDTV-out connector. It supports Dual-Link HDCP and is SLITM ready. The board itself is 9" in length and has a PCI Express x16 connector (PCIe 2.0).  

Read on for tech specs.