After making its first debut in Japan couple weeks ago, Dell has finally brought their multi-touch Studio 19 All-In-One PC in States. Powered by a 2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, Studio 19 features a 19-inch touchscreen LCD display, a 4GB of main memory, a 750GB of hard drive, a Blu-Ray drive, and an nVidia GeForce 9400 graphics engine. Sounds like a great deal for $999 (you can get lower specs for $700 thought), and since I already put an all-in-one PC to my shopping list this year, I definitely consider this one from Dell!

Asus P80 is a 14-inch laptop from Asustek featuring new Anti-Theft technology from Intel. According to the company, users will be able to shut down the notebook remotely, thus keeping the data inside the machine save until the laptop goes back to their hand. Once recovered, they can use local passphrase or recovery token to reactive the laptop. There’s also an AI Pre-Boot Finger Login function that requires users to have their finger scanned prior to system boot. This way, only the rightful owners can start up the machine. Finally, the AI Secure Delete allows users to completely erase data or files without any way to restore them later.

Regarding specs, Asus P80 laptop features an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of DDR2 main memory, up to 320GB of hard drive, a 1366 x 768 anti-glare LED backlight display with 16:9 aspect ratio, an integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam module, Intel WiMAX/WiFI Link 5100, optional Bluetooth, built-in 56K modem, Gigabit Ethernet LAN, a DVD burner, and pre-installed Windows Vista operating system. Moreover, weighs 5.3 pounds, it is also equipped with two USB ports, an eSATA/USB combo port, a 7-in-1 media card reader, VGA output port, and 6-cell battery.

Currently, three variants are available — P80A, P80Q, and P80Vc. The first model (P80A) sports an Intel GMA X4500MHD integrated graphics engine, while the second one (P80Q) comes with the basic X4500M integrated graphics, and the latter (P80Vc) with a 512MB nVidia GeForce 9300M GS graphics engine. No words on pricing and availability on each models.

This morning NEC introduces two new all-in-one desktop PC series, the ValueStar N and ValueStar W. The former, ValueStar N, is powered by a 2.8Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 processor, a 4GB of main memory, a 1TB of hard drive, an nVidia GeForce 9400 graphics engine, Blu-Ray drive, a digital TV tuner, and a 21.5-inch full HD LCD monitor. If you don’t need a monitor that big, you can get the alternative configuration with a 19-inch (1440 x 900 resolution) monitor, 500GB of HDD, and a DVD Super Multi drive. As for the ValueStar W series, it boasts an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 processor, a 4GB of RAM, digital TV tuner, 1TB of storage, Blu-Ray drive, a 22-inch display with a resolution of 1680 x 1050, and an interesting water cooling system that keeps the high heat away. No words on pricing unfortunately.

Based on the new Intel Penrym platform, AOpen’s XC Encore OE700 mini PC looks like a wonderful compact machine for your living room. Powered by Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Intel GM45 Express + ICH9M chipset, OE700 incorporated the company’s proprietary ‘SilentTek Quiet’ (CMIIW, Google’s translation is rather confusing) technology which keeps the computer’s noise to minimum level, along with SAVS (Smart Anti-Vibration System) and SNSS (Smart Noise Supression System). On the front panel, there’s a Vacuum Flourescent Display (VFD) which shows the current PC operations / perfomances.

Measures 200 x 321 x 106mm and weighs 3.9kg, AOpen XC Encode OE700 mini PC also features up to 4GB of main memory, audio output, microphone input, miniPCI x 2 slots, Ethernet LAN, HDMI, DVI, USB 2.0 x 4 ports, remote control, and a slot-loading DVD drive. Not sure whether it comes with Windows Vista pre-installed or not, but there’s a “Certified for Windows Vista” logo on its body. If you want to buy it, you have to wait until May before it arrives on the store.

Aspire 3935 is another new laptop from Acer. Comes with a compact 13.3-inch display (16:9 aspect ratio), the notebook features the latest generation of Intel processor, up to 4BG of main memory, Dolby sound system, an integrated webcam module, optional fingerprint biometrics reader, multi-gesture touchpad, and Smart Power function that optimize the machine’s power consumption, thanks to the company’s proprietary power-on-demand technology. Users can choose either a traditional HDD or SSD for their storage, however, no detail how much capacity packed on each option. Moreover, the laptop has a wide-range of connectivity options, which include Bluetooth, USB, WiFI, WiMAX, and even 3G connectivities. Not bad for sure!

Along with Aspire 3935, Acer also announced the new Aspire 8935 and Aspire 5935 laptops. The former has an 18.4-inch display and the latter has 15.6-inch display. Both specs are similar to Aspire 3935, except that Aspire 8935 supports up to 1TB of HDD, while Aspire 5935 supports up to 500GB of HDD.

Toshiba updated its Satellite Pro S300 series laptop with the new 15.4-inch model, the Satellite Pro S300-EZ2521. Powered by a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor, the notebook features a WXGA display, an Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics engine, a 3GB of DDR2 main memory, a 250GB of hard drive, an integrated webcam, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR connectivity, and SuperMulti DVD burner. No words on pricing at the moment, but the company promises that it will hit the store very soon this month.

Toshiba used to be the first choice of laptop for most people in my country. But due to its bad perfomance (high heat, slow, etc), many people have moved to Sony’s or Acer’s notebooks. Not to mention the increasing number of cheap local laptop product here (BYON, Axioo, Advante, A-Note, etc).

Two days ago, Acer announced its new laptop series under the Aspire sub-brand, the Acer Aspire Timeline, which combines perfomance, mobility, connectivity, and entertainment, without sacrificing the machine’s weight and dimension (only 23.4mm thicks). In a matter of fact, Timeline also offers more efficient and less power consumption, thus providing more than eight hours of battery life per full charge! If it’s true, Timeline is a truly dream machine for people like me who mostly works outdoors. However, to obtain this incredible feature, you have to first activate Acer’s Smart Power function. Once activated, it will do its best to extend the laptop’s battery life by using on-demand system (no unnecessary waste of energy).

Regarding hardware, Acer Aspire Timeline series laptop features Intel Core 2 Duo ultra low voltage (ULV) processor and Intel Display Power Savings Technology (Intel DPST) that reduces display backlight with minimum visual impact, saving up to 33% energy compared to typical notebooks. As a result, the system efficiency is greatly increased, reducing power consumption and boosting battery life by up to 40%. It also comes with a built-in cooling technology that is developed together with Intel. Through the addition of louvers to the inlet vents, the cooling air flow is redirected along the bottom side of the notebook chassis, putting fresh air precisely where it’s needed to better cool the skin.

Sounds good so far? Well, one of Timeline configuration include an Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 (1.4Ghz) processor, up to 8GB of DDR3 main memory, up to 500GB of hard drive (or 80GB of SSD), a DVD Super Multi drive, and up to 15.6-inch display with 1366 x 768 resolution. Three models will be release first: Acer Aspire Timeline 3810T (13.3-inch), 4810T (14.1-inch), and 5810T (15.6-inch). Hmmm, definitely looking forward for this!

PC Koubou, together with Capcom, presents Lesance GSN628GW TYPE-R-MHF laptop featuring pre-installed Monster Hunter game. Powered by a 2.53Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 processor, the notebook features a 15.4-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA), a 2GB of main memory, a 250GB of 5,400rpm hard drive, an nVidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics engine with a 512MB of video memory, and a DVD Super Multi burner. It is also equipped with a built-in 802.11a/b/g/n WiFI connectivity. Price is set at 129,980 Yen (about €980) for those whose interested.

Excerpt from Wikipedia about Monster Hunter:

Monster Hunter is an action role-playing game for the PlayStation 2. The game was developed and published by Capcom. Monster Hunter was released in North America on September 21, 2004. It was later remade and expanded in Monster Hunter G, which was released in Japan and was brought to North America and Europe as Monster Hunter Freedom for the PlayStation Portable. Although much of the game can played offline through single-player, the majority of the content is in the online section of the game. Not all of the monsters are found in single-player and the player’s rewards are smaller when they are offline. The goal for players online is not to defeat the most monsters but to reach the highest hunter rank, which is the storyline that is carried out online by NPC characters.

After getting tired with my old Acer Travelmate 3274WXMi and its slow hard disk problem (it took almost 5 minutes to start the computer and another 5 minutes just to shut it down!), I finally bought a new laptop five days ago. Since I’ve been dreaming of a widescreen notebook, my choice came to this Sony Vaio VGN-FW139E/H which has a nice 16.4-inch display and a resolution of 1600 x 900 with support for 1080p Full HD resolution. Gorgeous, isn’t it?

The beautiful FW139E/H machine is powered by a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor, a Mobile Intel PM45 Express chipset, a 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 graphics engine, and a 3GB of DDR2 SDRAM. This combination of core hardware is perfect for my needs — web design, 2D graphics design, gaming, sound editing, and of course, web browsing. For the latter purpose, the laptop comes with a great 802.11a/b/g/n WiFI connectivity, but unfortunately, not for the original part of Intel Centrino 2 platform (Intel WiFI Link 5100), instead, the one from Atheros. I’d also use this gray-colored notebook for listening to the music and watching satellite TV broadcast. Yes, no video, I prefer to watch movie on my LCD TV.

Other features include a 250GB of SATA HDD, a DVD SuperMulti burner, a 2-in-1 media card reader (SD / Memory Stick Duo), an integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam module, built-in 56kbps modem, Ethernet LAN, a Li-Ion battery that lasts for two and a half hours (its specs sheet mentioned up to 4 hours battery life though), and pre-installed Windows Vista Home Premium operating system. It weighs 6.6lbs and measures 15.1 x 10.3 x 1.5-inch.

Oh btw, VAIO VGN-FW139E/H notebook has Vista’s perfomance index score of 4.7. Not bad, right? If you want to buy it, the price is around $1,299 – $1,399.

Want to see my current widescreen wallpapers?

Mouse Computer of Japan presented another new Hybrid SLI laptop yesterday, the NextGear-Note M350W Series. Powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor (either P8600 or T9550), the notebook boasts an nVidia GeForce 9100M / 9600M GS Hybrid SLI with 512MB of video memory. Sounds like a powerful multimedia powerhouse, huh? Moreover, it is also equipped with a 18.4-inch Full HD LCD screen, a 4GB of main memory, up to 500GB of hard drive, and either a DVD SuperMulti or a Blu-Ray burner. Price is set between 119,700 Yen (€90, $1,236 USD) up to 149,000 Yen (€1,130, $1,539 USD).