Retina Display MacBooks Probably Coming Soon

Monday 14 May 2012 by Zack Duncan | No Comments
Filed under: Laptops Tags: , , , , , ,

Retina DisplayApple has been molding its operating system to support higher resolutions, according to recent reports, which makes the rumors about the next generation of MacBooks having the same retina display that the new generation of the iPad has seem a little more likely. The 10.7.4 update for OS X that was recently released had some hidden changes that indicated that Apple is about to release something big.

It has already been reported by Apple Insider that the icon for the built-in TextEdit application's highest quality version has been increased to 1,024 x 1,024, which is double the 512 x 512 that it used to be. This is another clue that a Retina Display is coming to the future MacBooks. In addition to that, the file size of the icon increased from 209kb to 1.7MB.

What this could mean is that the new generation of MacBooks, which is expected to drop in a couple of weeks, will come with that fancy new Retina Display seen in the new iPad. The Retina Display sports 3.1 million pixels, which is one million more pixels than an HDTV.

According to Apple, the Retina Display has pixels that are so close together that the human eye is incapable of discerning individual ones from a normal viewing distance. Other things that were increased when Apple launched the OS X 10.7 Lion beta were the App Store icon and the Launchpad icon, both of which were increased to 1,024 x 1,024. Some cursors were also increased as well.

Intel revealed back in April that its new Ivy Bridge processors were built with Retina Display in mind, another indication that Apple will be adding the technology in the new MacBooks because Apple will be using Intel's chips in their next-gen MacBooks. Ivy Bridge is capable of powering 2,560 x 1,600 displays, which is four times the amount of pixels found in the current 13" MacBook Pro.

All signs are pointing to the Retina Display being added to Apple's next generation MacBook computers. People are raving about the technology in the new iPad so it stands to reason that this will be a major selling point for Apple and its new MacBooks.

Source: PC World - Apple Readies OS X for Retina Display Macs


Windows 8 Tablets Could Arrive in November

Thursday 10 May 2012 by Zack Duncan | No Comments
Filed under: Laptops Tags: , , , ,

Windows 8 tabletAccording to insider sources, the first wave of Intel-based Windows 8 tablets are expected to hit store shelves this November. According to one source who reported to CNET on the subject, "The schedule is tight. Looking at what windows is trying to achieve not only with a new OS, but a new OS that needs to run four to five architectures -- three ARM, Intel, and AMD."

One thing that the source mentioned that is very interesting is that we should expect more than just Windows 8 tablets. According to the source, over 50% of the 12+ designs will be hybrids, or convertible tablets. These designs will combine aspects of your more traditional laptops, like a physical keyboard, with other features of tablets, like touchscreens.

What is also interesting to hear is that all of these new devices will come with Intel's new "Clover Trail" Atom chip. Clover Trail is the first dual-core Atom design from Intel that is based on the company's 32-nanometer process technology. There is a single-core version of this chip that is going to appear in future smartphones from Lenovo, Orange, Motorola and others.

Windows 8 will be powered by Intel chips, as well as Advanced Micro Devices chips, and will also be able to run older applications, which will be known as "legacy" applications. Windows RT, which is a separate release from Microsoft, will be coming to devices powered by ARM chip suppliers like Nvidia, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments, though it won't run older Windows applications.

CNET's source also added that Intel has a chip known as "Bay Trail" that it is currently working on. Bay Trail is supposedly the company's future 22-nanometer follow-up chip to Clover Trail. "It is a gigantic performer, with similar battery life to Clover Trail," the source said. "It will also have a lot of security features built in and Infineron [3G/4G] silicon inside."

If this report is true and Windows 8 tablets will be hitting store shelves in November then you can bet your bottom dollar that Windows 8 will be hitting then as well, if not sooner. I'm pretty excited for Windows 8. While I love Windows 7 and all the improvements it made over Windows Vista, I'm interested to see what Microsoft has in store for the future.

Source: CNET - Intel Windows 8 tablets to hit retail stores in November

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AMD's New Trinity Chips Coming in Laptops This Quarter

Sunday 29 Apr 2012 by Zack Duncan | 2 Comments
Filed under: Laptops Tags: , , , , , ,

AMDLaptops and desktops packing AMD's new Trinity processors are expected to go on sale in consumer markets this quarter, butting heads with Intel's next iteration of Core processors, which are based on the company's Ivy Bridge microarchitecture. AMD's new A-Series chips, which have been code-named Trinity, are targeted at mainstream laptops and desktops, according to AMD CEO Rory Read.

These chips are the direct successor to AMD's current line of A4, A6 and A8 chips, which were code-named Llano. Along with the Trinity chips, AMD is also planning on launching new C-Series and E-Series processors, which are known as Brazos 2.0, for low-power and low-cost laptops. The original Brazos chips were very successful for AMD and appeared in popular laptops like HP's DM1z.

According to a statement by Read, "The Trinity chips improve virtually every aspect of our current A-series APUs while doubling the performance-per-watt. AMD has a record number of products in design based on the Trinity chips." In addition to that, these chips are said to deliver a 25% performance improvement as well as 50% graphics improvement.

The Trinity chips will go head to head with Intel's upcoming Ivy Bridge processors designed for thin and light ultrabooks. Ultrabooks have an average price of $800+, though Intel is saying that prices should decrease by the end of the year, hopefully to around $699.

Read says that the goal with the Trinity chips is to reach a "mainstream price point" and a wider range of customers. AMD has stated that it will incorporate the Trinity chips in ultrathin laptops that will have starting prices of around $500. "We're positioned to take advantage of this new continued movement into thin and light," Read stated. "Ultrathins are not just for the few."

Source: PC World - Laptops With AMD's 'Trinity Chips Coming This Quarter


First Specs Revealed on the Asus G55VW Gaming Laptop

Sunday 22 Apr 2012 by Zack Duncan | 4 Comments
Filed under: Laptops Tags: , , , , , ,

Asus G55HID Evolution has been gracious enough to present the collective internet with the very first specifications, as well as official images and even pricing, for the very first Asus G55 Series 15.6" gaming laptop. Known as the G55VW-DS71, the configuration that HID Evolution has unveiled is currently available for pre-order and appears to be a lower-end gaming rig.

HID Evolution's configuration comes with an entry-level quad-core i7-3610QM Ivy Bridge processor as well as the Nvidia GeForce GTX 660M 2GB GDDR5 video card and a $1,475 price tag. According to HID Evolution, the G55VW will be offered with faster processors in future configurations, though there's no information currently available on better video cards.

Aside from the graphics card and processor, the G55VW also comes with 12GB of DDR3 RAM (1333MHz), which is expandable up to 16GB, as well as two drive bays for data storage that can be filled with various hard drives, hybrid hard drives, or solid state drives. The $1,475 price tag also includes a single 750GB 7,200rpm HDD and a DVD burner with Blu-ray as an option.

The screen, which is 15.6", is a full 1080p HD with a glossy or anti-glare coating. The anti-glare screen also has a 95% NTSC color gamut, though this option adds an extra $125 to the overall price. As far as sound goes, this device comes with a built-in subwoofer and is TNX TruStudio certified. Also included is a 2MP webcam, three USB 2.0 and a single USB 3.0 port, as well as a Thunderbolt port, HDMI port and Bluetooth.

Overall weight for the device is 8.48 lbs, including the 8-cell battery. The G55 looks pretty similar to the G75 and, based on the images provided, the only real differences are different fan holes on the rear side of the notebook. Full specifications for the Asus G55VW-DS71 can be found on HID Evolution's website with the device supposedly launching by the end of this month.

Source: Laptoping - First Asus G55VW Gaming Laptop Config Available For Pre-Order

Engadget - First ASUS G55VW gaming laptop configuration spotted and priced


Long-term Laptop Rentals for Students

Tuesday 17 Apr 2012 by Katie Sellers | 2 Comments
Filed under: Laptops Tags: , , , , , ,

As a college student, I know how important it is to have daily access to a laptop. You constantly need to be checking your email, writing papers or maybe taking a quick study break to update your Facebook status. Laptops are essential for college students!

So what do you do if your laptop fails you? Whether it’s a virus or your computer simply bites the dust, what options do you have? I know from experience that money is usually pretty tight in college. Students don’t usually have hundreds of dollars sitting around to buy a brand new laptop. So what do you do?

Well, have you ever considered renting a laptop? Long-term laptop rental can be a much more cost effective way to have a laptop in college. Rentacomputer.com offers different leasing contracts ranging from one to five years. This gives college students the opportunity to rent a laptop for as long as they need it, without having to shell out hundreds of dollars at once.

If you have questions about renting a laptop as a student, talk to one of our Tech Travel Agents. They will be happy to answer everything from pricing to contract length to types of laptops that Rentacomputer.com offers. Talk to a Tech Travel Agent today and see if renting a laptop is the right decision for you!

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Large Laptops to Be Searched by TSA

Tuesday 17 Apr 2012 by Zack Duncan | 2 Comments
Filed under: Laptops Tags: , , ,

TSA Security CheckAnd here you thought the horror stories about the TSA were finished. According to a recent statement by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), larger laptops are prone to more intense scrutiny when going through a TSA checkpoint while smaller ones may get the benefit of the doubt.

If you are traveling with a laptop that is 13" or larger, be prepared to take it out of the bag and have it personally checked by a TSA agent. Anything 11" or smaller will usually be allowed to stay in its case. Bob Burns, a blogger for the TSA, explained the differences in how tablet and laptop computers were screened in a recent blog post. Burns went on to say that smaller devices usually didn't have to be removed from their cases.

A rash of inquiries from passengers about the screening differences in laptops prompted Burns to update his original post. In his update Burns noted that in making the size distinctions, the TSA was trying to provide general guidelines so that passengers will know what to expect at the checkpoint and so that officers will know what procedures to follow.

Burns went on to say that laptops measuring about 12" x 14" or larger will be required to be removed from their bags at inspection stations while smaller models were fine. TSA officers don't measure every single laptop that passes through a checkpoint though they considered the 12" x 14" size to be standard. Burns also noted that the bigger the laptop, the more things that could be hidden inside it.

However, don't go thinking that your small laptop will be able to get a free pass every time. According to Burns, "If you choose to leave the smaller ones in your bag, our officers still need to be able to see clearly on the X-ray what else is in the bag with your laptop, so there is always a chance they might ask you to remove it to give them that clearer view."

So remember, the next time you're thinking about taking your laptop to the airport be warned that the bigger the device, the more likely you are to have to take it out and show it to security. Just a little more hassle before going through those wonderful full-body scanners.

Source: Government Security News - TSA puts an even finer point on laptop searches

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Laptop Rental Rates

Friday 13 Apr 2012 by Kyle Thompson | 1 Comment
Filed under: Laptops Tags: ,

Laptop Rental Rates"What does it cost to rent a laptop?"
This is a common question that Tech Travel Agents hear all the time. While the answer is based on several factors, the answer comes down to basic supply and demand at the rental location.

Factors:
1. Type of Equipment (Laptop, Tablet, Netbook, etc...)
2. Equipment specifications (RAM, HD, Display size, etc...)
3. Brand
4. Location and Quantity
5. Current availability at target date
6. Lead time

Think of the rental rates like the stock market. It varies daily and relies on the current demand for that particular equipment. When demand is low (meaning supply is high), rental prices go down. So the best bet for a low rate is to book early and in advance of your target date. This will allow Tech Travel Agents to lock in lower prices BEFORE demand increases.  Also by booking your laptop rental early, it allows time to prepare and test the equipment before delivery which can lower costs.

Tech Travel Agent, Darcy Mann explains,

If the product is sitting on the shelf, it’s not making anyone any money. So we get the vendor to cut rates when they have a lot of product on their shelves. We get those lower rates for our customers.

This is the reason RentOurLaptops does not publish pricing, because at any time the prices could be higher or lower. Typically standard laptops rent for around $99 per week.


Eurocom Creates Laptop with 8-Core Intel Xeon E5 Chip

Sunday 8 Apr 2012 by Zack Duncan | No Comments
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Eurocom Panther 4.0Eurocom has been hard at work adding some of the latest server technology into laptops, including an all new eight-core Intel Xeon processor. These laptops are packed with things that other laptops could only dream of and have even received a brand new name from Eurocom, who is calling these laptops "mobile servers".

The device itself is actually called the Panther 4.0 and is no lightweight laptop like Apple's MacBook Air. In fact, the Panther 4.0 isn't really thin or light at all, though it does pack server equipment into a laptop chassis and could be sold as a mobile version of entry-level servers. The laptop has a 17.3" screen with a total weight of 12.1 lbs.

The Panther 4.0 comes with Intel's recently released Xeon E5-2690 server chip, something that you would typically find in a tower, rack or blade server, for tasks like cloud managment or high-end computing. All of this is packed into a body that is 16.76" (w) x 11.44" (d) x 2.28" to 2.44" (h).

According to Eurocom, these devices are perfect for professionals who "frequently travel yet need access to high-performance computing." Eurocom also added that the Panther 4.0 could also be used as a server replacement for disaster recovery or mobile engineering teams working on remote sites.

Aside from the Xeon E5-2690, the Panther 4.0 also comes with 4TB of storage along with 32GB of DDR3 DRAM with 4 memory sockets. However, the memory capacity doesn't exactly match up to your more traditional server, which can sometimes get up to 768GB.

These laptops are also built with performance in mind, not battery life. According to an email from Eurocom spokesman  Braden Taylor, "The battery is more of an uninterrupted power supply, to ensure that if the power goes out, you will have power again. With the power in these systems, expecting to run on battery for long periods of time isn't a good idea."

The Panther 4.0 also combines increased bandwidth with more memory and storage, which makes it perfect for virtualization. Servers do have some bandwidth issues whenever they deploy virtual machines, though these new devices are expected to offer a larger area to deploy virtual machines much more quickly.

Source: Computer World - Eurocom packs eight-core Intel Xeon E5 chip into laptop

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New Details Emerge on Sony VAIO Chromebook

Wednesday 28 Mar 2012 by Zack Duncan | 1 Comment
Filed under: Laptops Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sony VAIO Chromebook

Even though most people are saying that the Ultrabook market is dead (man, that was fast) that hasn't stopped Sony from working hard on producing a slim, ultraportable laptop that is rumored to run Google's Chrome operating system. That is, if recent documents filed with the FCC are to be believed. That would mark Sony's first Chromebook, the device that Google unsuccessfully tried to launch not too long ago.

Google struck a deal with both Acer and Samsung almost a year ago to sell Chromebooks, which the company described as instant-on "browser-in-a-box" devices, similar to netbooks. The difference in Chromebooks was that they were more affordable at around $300 to $400. Only Acer and Samsung have produced a Chromebook as of late and there are only a few models to choose from.

However, Sony plans on offering one more option to choose from with its VAIO VCC111 Series, which was recently revealed to the FCC. According to the documents filed, this new Sony Chromebook will come with an 11.6" screen made by Samsung, making it the same size as Acer's Chromebook.

Like Acer's device, the VAIO Chromebook will also come with HDMI as well as the usual ports and connectivity slots, which include two USB ports, an SD card reader, headphone jack, microphone jack, Bluetooth and Wireless-N. This is still pretty much the same as the Chromebooks offered by Acer and Samsung, though Samsung's Series 5 Chromebook lacks the HDMI port.

All other details are rumors or speculation. A sticker was spotted on the bottom of the device that read "T25", which some people believe stands for an Nvidia Tegra 250 T25 ARM processor. If that were the case then Sony's VAIO Chromebook would be the first to launch without an Intel Atom-based processor, possibly giving the device a slight advantage over the competition in terms of battery life.

What also isn't clear is the amount of storage space and memory that the device will have. If it remains similar to what Acer's and Samsung's Chromebooks have, you're looking at 2GB of RAM as well as 16GB of SSD storage. Some people are a little surprised that Sony is going the route of a Chromebook instead of an Ultrabook, though that may be smart as many companies are ditching the ultra-thin laptop style altogether.

No word on release date or pricing as of yet so keep checking back as I will provide all the details on Sony's VAIO VCC111 Series Chromebook as soon as they arrive.

Source: PC World - Sony VAIO Chromebook Details Revealed

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Asetek Announces Liquid Cooling for Laptops

Wednesday 21 Mar 2012 by Zack Duncan | No Comments
Filed under: Laptops Tags: , , , , , , ,

Asetek logoAsetek Incorporated has just announced a new and revolutionary slim form factor liquid cooling technology designed for extreme performance and workstation grade laptops as well as All-in-One PCs. Slim form factor liquid cooling will allow laptop and AIO PC manufacturers to offer mobility and industrial designs without having to sacrifice power or performance.

According to Founder and CEO of Asetek André S. Eriksen, "We see a growing need for higher performance personal computers, driven by even more powerful modeling software for engineering, scientific and financial work, and for content creation and gaming. We also see high performance hardware expanding to more portable, sleeker devices like the highly successful M-series of notebooks from Alienware."

Eriksen also added, "For laptops and AIOs to deliver workstation and gaming PC performance, these machines must be able to take full advantage of desktop grade performance hardware. We have identified this need and designed our cooling solution to target these thinner machines."

The biggest problem in trying to cool desktop replacement level laptops, as well as All-in-One PCs, is the lack of space for a proper thermal solution. Consequently, previous attempts at liquid cooling laptops haven't provided any performance improvements whatsoever over traditional heat-pipe based heat sinks.

According to VP of Engineering at Asetek Ole Madsen, "Asetek successfully cracked the code of improving acoustic and thermal performance in a notebook without increasing the form factor. Our patent protected technology allows better utilization on the thermal modules used to cool the CPU and GPUs. That, along with our optimized coldplate technology, enables the use of much more powerful hardware than air cooling could ever allow."

Asetek will begin showcasing this new technology in an Alienware M18x notebook with the CPU overclocked from 3.5GHz to 4.4GHz and the GPUs overclocked from 680Mhz to 800Mhz. The M18x also achieved a 23% improvement in Futuremark's 3D Mark Vantage benchmark while simultaneously reducing the noise output of the stock air-cooled laptop.

Source: BenchmarkReviews.com - Asetek Liquid Cooling For Laptop And All-In-One PCs Announced

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