With the 17, and 18 models Dell added macro keys. The 17 has four macro keys and the 18 has 9. They all come standard  with a quad-core Core i7 processor. They come with a minimum of 750GB of HDD storage, with SSDs available also.

Remember whether you are renting a large number of laptops for a convention or a singular laptop for personal use. RentOurLaptops.com is here to assist you with your short to long term laptop rental needs. Get a Quote Request today.

Source: Engadget

Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-3537U Processor, (4MB Cache, up to 3.1 GHz) with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology
Operating system: Windows 8 Pro
Screen Size: 13.3” diagonal WQHD PixelPure™ LED Backlit Touch Screen display
Screen Resolution: (2560 x 1440)- 221 ppi Touchscreen with Multigesture support - Support for 1080p content
Dimensions: W x D x H 12.44” x 8.15” x 0.70”
Battery: 4 cell/52Wh Lithium Polymer battery pack (not user replaceable), Included 4 cell battery: up to 6 hours, 10 minutes
Weight: 2.9 lbs.(1300 gram)
Graphics: Mobile Intel® HD Graphics with 64MB-1664MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory
Hard Drive: 256GB mSATA solid state drive(SSD)
RAM memory: Configured with 8GB DDR3 1600MHz (max 8GB)
Audio: Harman/kardon® stereo speakers DTS Studio Sound™ Dual microphones with Beam Forming technology
Ports: Video - HDMI® Audio - Microphone input port with Toshiba Sleep and Music Headphone output port Data - 3 USB ports 3.0 ports (1 with USB Sleep and Charge)
Hardware: AZ91 magnesium alloy enclosure, Frameless LED Backlit Keyboard, Clickpad pointing device with, Windows 8 Gesture support, HD Webcam and microphone, No Optical Disk Drive

Whether you are renting a large number of laptops for a convention or a laptop for personal use. RentOurLaptops.com is here to assist you with your short to long term laptop rental needs. Call a tech travel agent at 888-736-8301 or get a detailed laptop rental quote today.

Source:Toshiba, Theverge

The simplest way to keep your laptop at peak efficiency is to just keep it cool. The processor can easily get over heated in its narrow housing. With this in mind Thermaltake has created a miniature portable air conditioner that promises to keep your system comfortably cool, even if you're not.

Extremely light weight with portable ball shape and unique design, suitable for notebook size 10"- 17". They are made up of a pair of fans that sit inside a half-sphere housings. The half Spheres connect forming an easy-to-carry ball. The GOrb II uses power from one of the USB ports on your system. So while it may keep things cool, it will also be a drain on your laptop's battery if a power outlet isn't available.

Whether you need one laptop for your own personal use or a hundred laptops for use at your big event, don’t forget, RentOurLaptops.com is here to help you with your Laptop rental needs.  Contact a tech travel agent 888-736-8301 or get a laptop rental quote today.

Inhon, a Taiwanese computer maker unveils Blade 13 Carbon laptop, and claims it is now the world's lightest and thinnest. Weighing just 1.9 pounds (870g) and measuring 10.7mm thick, the company says it is thinner than NEC's 12.8mm LaVie X by a whole 2mm, while under weighing  the 875g LaVie Z by 5g. The specs of the Blade 13 Carbon are  a Core i5 or i7 CPU, 1080p screen, 128GB or 256GB SSD and 4GB of RAM.

If you are looking for that amount of power in a small package, the Carbon is cheaper costing $1,350, while a less attractive  1,600 x 900 fiberglass version (12.6mm and 2.6 pounds(1,195g)  will run a grand or so. The models should be available in Taiwan around June, There is no indication that the thinner lighter laptop will be available in the United States.

Source Engadget

Samsung recently released a new version of its high-end Series 9 Ultrabook, this time with a little higher price tag. However, Samsung still seems unready to go toe to toe with Apple's fancy Retina display style. The Retina display was Apple's newest draw to consumers when it added the technology to the most recent versions of the MacBook and iPad.

Samsung's new version of the Series 9 replaces the previous 1,600 x 1,200 resolution display with a 13" 1080p panel instead. In addition to that, this laptop comes with double the amount of solid state storage than the previous model with 256GB.

The specs of the new Series 9 are pretty much the same as the previous model. Hardware consists of an Intel Core i7 processor, Intel HD 4000 graphics, 4GB of RAM, two USB ports (one of which is USB 3.0) and an SD card slot. Measurements for the laptop come in at 0.51" thick with the entire device weighing in at 2.65 lbs.

The real downside here is that this thin, light and high-resolution laptop comes at a pretty high price tag: $1,900. That is $500 more than Samsung's current 13" Series 9, which is priced at $1,400. The surprising thing here isn't the price hike but more the fact that Samsung hasn't included a display similar to Apple's Retina.

In fact, no other PC maker, including Samsung, has managed to put a display like the Retina into their laptops. The whole term "Retina" display was derived by Apple and refers to displays whose individual pixels are indistinguishable to the human eye when viewed at normal viewing angles and distances.

The Chromebook Pixel is the only device on the market to come close to the display style since Apple released the MacBook Pro model with the Retina display last year. However, that doesn't mean that companies are not considering it.

At the IFA trade show in Berlin back in August, Samsung debuted a Series 9 prototype with a screen resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. The problem is that putting a screen like that in a device with the sleek design of the Series 9 raises battery life concerns and would increase the overall cost even more, which could explain why Samsung hasn't gone further with that version of the Series 9.

Maybe when Intel releases its Haswell processors things will change. These processors are said to add significant battery life improvements over the current Ivy Bridge chips, which would essentially solve one of the biggest concerns for Samsung and other companies.

Source: PC World - Samsung refreshes Series 9 Ultrabook, but where's the 'Retina' display?

Dell recently announced that availability of the new Dell Wireless Dock, the fist docking station in the industry to be based on the multi-gigabit Tri-Band WiFi standard WiGig. The new wireless docking station is compatible with Dell's Latitude 6430u Ultrabook and currently sells for $249.

According to Vice President of Dell's Commercial PC Group Kirk Schell, "We are proud to introduce the Dell Wireless Dock, the industry's first and only WiGig dock that is the result of a five-year-long leadership effort. WiGig represents a new era in wireless connectivity and a shift in the way enterprises and consumers will experience connectivity and interact with their devices in the future."

This new WiGig standard can offer speeds of up to 10 times that of the fastest WiFi networks of today. At CES last month, semiconductor maker Wilocity, along with Qualcomm, announced the first multi-gigabit wireless chipset reference architecture based on the new WiGig 60GHz and IEEE 802.11ad standards for high-speed downloads, docking and networking.

The design created by Qualcomm and Wilocity delivers tri-band WiFi, which allows consumers to connect to 60GHz-enabled devices, docks, displays and storage at multi-gigabit speeds while also maintaining enterprise-wide or home coverage using 2.4GHz/5GHz WiFi.

This specific docking station from Dell is targeted at offices, meeting rooms and classrooms due to the fact that it offers fast, simple connectivity to displays, projectors, networks, speakers and other peripherals. In addition to that, Dell also said that the docking station has the potential to offer added functionality, like wireless backups, synchronization and file transfers between computers and handheld devices.

This dock supports up to two external displays with both DisplayPort and HDMI connectivity and features peripheral connectivity via three USB 3.0 ports. In addition to that, it also offers voice over IP connectivity through a front audio in/out port at speeds of up to 4.6Gbps.

The Dell Wireless Dock can also be managed with the updated Dell ControlPoint Connection Manager, which also includes both WiGig and Wireless LAN settings. Also, an adapter is available for VGA-based hardware while an Ethernet connector is designed to ensure dedicated, stable bandwidth for fast data transfers and efficient communication with remote locations.

Source: Computer World - Dell releases first wireless ultrabook docking station

In recent Google news, the internet giant has announced that it has begun selling basic laptop computers to schools at a price of $99, a price point that prominent MIT professor Nicholas Negroponte haled out back in 2005 as the key to bringing computing power to the masses.

Google stated on Monday that it will be offering the dramatic educational discount on its Series 5 Chromebooks made by Samsung Electronics Co. Unfortunately, the offer doesn't last forever. According to Google, schools will only be able to receive this heavily discounted price on the Chromebooks until December 21, 2012, at which point the laptops will go back to their original $399 price.

Negroponte's One Laptop Per Child Foundation was unable to meet the ambitious goal it had set for itself, a goal critics said would be impossible to meet when it was first announced. Negroponte's XO laptops currently sell for about $200, though he is still widely credited with helping launch the era of low-cost portable computing.

The creation of low-cost laptops from Negroponte's One Laptop Per Child Foundation pressured industry juggernauts, including Intel, Microsoft, HP and Dell, to develop inexpensive versions of their products, which resulted in products like the Netbook and the Ultrabook.

Schools are some of the biggest supporters of new technology, traditionally seeking the latest technology in order to bring about new ways of teaching and instructing students. In addition to that, students of this day and age are so used to using a computer that learning is made easier for them when they have access to the technology, something that can now be enhanced even further with Google's $100 laptops.

Source: Chicago Tribune - Google makes professor's dream of $100 laptop reality

GameStop is known for selling one thing...games. I mean, the word is even in the name of the store. Anything video game related can be found at your local GameStop, though the chain doesn't really offer much else. However, the company is starting to change that. GameStop recently began selling refurbished iPods to customers and now, it seems, will be offering Amazon's Kindle Fire to customers as well.

Many of the big name retail stores out there have stopped selling Kindle products due to the fact that Amazon is trying its hardest to put those stores out of business. Both Target and Walmart have discontinued sales of all Kindle products, which has led many to believe that Amazon may open up their own physical stores for selling Kindle-based products.

GameStop has been struggling lately, and this partnership could prove to be beneficial for both companies. The sale of Amazon Kindle products at GameStop stores could provide GameStop with some much needed foot traffic as business has dampened due to online game retailers. In addition to that, this merger could also let consumers see and use the Kindle tablets in person, something that isn't often available.

Amazon hasn't budged on lowering prices for its tablets, except for on Black Friday of course, so GameStop will be resorting to a different tactic to get consumers in. The retailer will offer customers a free $25 Amazon gift card when they purchase a Kindle Fire. You can also trade in an old Kindle Fire to GameStop and receive up to $100 in store credit.

It's tough to say whether or not this move will help sales for either company, but GameStop is willing to try anything to get people back in the doors. There is no word yet on when this is actually going to happen, or if it will happen before the holidays, though GameStop might want to get on that if they want to make a good turn around.

Source: ZDNet - Amazon to sell new Kindle Fire tablets in GameStop stores

Ubuntu Linux laptops seem to be all the rage right now. I just wrote about System76 releasing a new Ubuntu Linux laptop and now it seems that Dell has jumped on the bandwagon as well. After tinkering with the final product for months, Dell has finally started shipping the new thin-and-light XPS 13, which comes with the Ubuntu Linux 12.04 LTS, code-named Precise Pangolin.

This laptop was developed as a part of an internal project from Dell known as "Project Sputnik". Over the course of six months, Dell worked with the open-source community in order to develop tools, drivers and software for the OS to work with XPS 13, which has a similar frame to an Ultrabook.

The new XPS 13 comes with an Intel Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB hard drive. There is also a 13" screen, though no information has been released about the overall weight or battery life.  Dell has begun selling the XPS 13 for a base price of $1,549 with one year on-site support as a package deal. That is a little pricier than Dell's currently available XPS 13 with Windows 8, priced at $999.

Dell describes the new XPS 13 with Ubuntu as a developer edition, though also mentioned that it will sell the product to enterprises and consumers as well. According to Vice President of Dell Cloud Nnamdi Orakwue, "The XPS 13 with Ubuntu gives developers the essentials they want while staying true to our core values of openness and affordability."

The joint development of the laptop has led to some new features that are unique to this particular laptop. One of those is called the "Profile Tool", which allows developers to easily set up software development environments through quick access to tools for Ruby, JavaScript and Android in the github repositories.

Even though this isn't the first laptop or netbook to come from Dell with Ubuntu Linux, it is one that the company has much bigger plans for. Usually Dell provided install images of the Ubuntu OS, but has not collaborated with the open-source community on a wide scale. Dell is committed to open source, and development around Linux and the laptop will continue, according to the company.

Source: PC World - Dell ships lightweight XPS 13 laptop with Ubuntu Linux

San Antonio is home to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, which hosts over 300 events each year with over 750,000 convention delegates from around the world. Over 1.3 million square feet and featuring 59 meeting rooms, 3 ballrooms, 4 exhibit halls, and even a 2,500 seat Performing Arts Theatre, the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center is the heart of the San Antonio trade show and event industry. Tech Travel Agents truly enjoy assisting their clients with PC and AV Rental equipment at such a picturesque and modern facility.

Necessary technology, such as computers, audio/visual equipment, office equipment, servers or anything else you can imagine you would need at a convention or trade show can be costly. But with a technology rental from RentOurLaptops.com, you have the luxury of getting the latest and greatest technology right at your fingertips without having to spend a large sum of money for technology you only use once or twice a year, and chances are will be outdated by next year.

RentOurLaptops.com has a vast experience in dealing with San Antonio laptop rentals, including much experience with the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Our local technicians from RentOurLaptops.com know all about the convention center and can tell you what you need to know and get you where you need to go. This makes setting up even the most complicated technology rental as simple as possible for you.

One of the greatest benefits of renting technology is the fact that all of your equipment is delivered, installed, and tested by a local professional technician. During your event, the technician will be on hand to troubleshoot and give you customer support whenever needed. Then when your convention or trade show is concluded, the same technician will be there to take down all of the equipment, pack it up and take it away for you.

So if you’re planning on visiting the San Antonio area, be sure to contact your Tech Travel agent from RentOurLaptops.com for all of your technology needs. Then you can stay focused on either your business or relaxation while staying in downtown San Antonio. RentOurLaptops.com delivers computer and audio visual rentals to the entire San Antonio convention complex and other fine meeting facilities, so save money and hassle with a technology rental for your visit!