Ultraslim MSI Laptop Takes on MacBook Air

msi-x340MSI said Wednesday it has started shipping its ultraslim notebook computer that weighs just about 2.86 pounds and is priced nearly half of that of Apple’s MacBook Air laptop.

The X340 notebook from MSI had a public showing at the CTIA mobile conference in Las Vegas in April but MSI did not reveal the complete specs or the price tag.

Now word from the company is that it will cost $900. Apple’s MacBook Air starts at $1800.

The X340 notebook will be about 0.78 inches thick at it’s widest point, compared to MacBook’s 0.76 inches at its thickest. It will run Intel’s ULV SU3500 processor, Windows Vista,  a 13-4- inch display, a HDMI input, 320 GB storage and 2GB memory. The notebook will also come with Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi capability and a 1.3 megapixel camera.

While Apple clearly has set the benchmark for ultralight notebooks with the MacBook Air, the MSI X340 seems like it could be a potentially strong rival. Laptop Mag, which reviewed the X340 earlier this month, liked the battery life and the number of ports that the X340 offers. But they found the the lack of powerful graphics capability and the build quality–my biggest peeve with most MSI computers–to be the drawbacks.

Still the MSI X340 carries a recession-friendly price tag for road warriors and can be an alternative to easy-to-carry but light on features netbooks.

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MSI X340 review [Laptop Mag]

Photo: MSI X340/MSI


Microsoft Rebranding Complete for Windows Live Hotmail


This article was written on March 30, 2007 by CyberNet.

What was originally meant to replace Hotmail, Microsoft has completed the re-branding for their new mail service(in beta) and now it’s officially Windows Live Hotmail. In February they made the announcement that they were going to bring together the best of both worlds, Windows Live Mail and Hotmail, and create a new name that would satisfy both old loyal users, and new users.

The general overall response was one of confusion. Why would Microsoft revert back to using Hotmail in their name after they promoted their new service as “Windows Live Mail” with a fresh look and new features. At one point Hotmail led the way for online mail, but it was about time to retire the name.

WindowslivehotmailTwo months after the announcement, the re-branding is complete.  If you log into your account, you’ll notice the new logo (pictured to the right) saying “Windows Live Hotmail Beta.”  They’ve also hit another milestone which means they’ll be rolling out new features (chances are, you already have them):

  • Photo upload control (edit, and then insert them inline)
  • Spell check is back
  • Bi-Directional Language Support (Arabic and Hebrew readers)
  • Version picker– do you want the classic, or full?
  • Improvements to the safety bar
  • More reliable, and faster (particularly if you’re using the classic version)

With the version picker, you can select which version you want — classic or full.  The classic version is really for those who have a slow Internet connection, it will help you get the fastest experience possible. The Full version is primarily for those with a broadband connection, and it’s been optimized specifically for that.

They say that there’s more under the covers that will be implemented and released eventually. I really hope they’ve got some great things in-store because still, as it stands, they’re lacking with the features compared to other services.

Update:
These changes only apply to you if you’re part of the beta. By rebranding, we meant the change from “Windows Live Mail Beta” to “Windows Live Hotmail Beta.” If you’re not yet part of the beta, you can get on their waiting list at http://ideas.live.com If you are currently a part of the beta and you want to go back to MSN Hotmail, from your account, click “options” and then click “Switch back to MSN Hotmail.”

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MSI’s X-Slim X340 now shipping in US for $899.99

It’s hard to say if our harmless threats influenced the MSRP here, but either way, we’ll take it. MSI has finally (finally!) come clean with a set price on its succulent X-Slim X340, and while we heard through the grapevine awhile back that it would ship here for under a grand, we definitely had our doubts. Starting today, eager consumers can order one for the low, low price of $899.99, which buys you an Intel ULV SU3500 processor, Vista Home Premium, a 13.4-inch 1,366 x 768 resolution display, GMA 4500MHD graphics and 2GB of DDR2 RAM. There’s also a 320GB hard drive, gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, 4-cell battery (an 8-cell is optional), 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, twin USB 2.0 sockets, VGA / HDMI outputs and an SD / MMC card reader. The 0.78-inches thick machine is shipping today in the US of A from a bevy of e-tailers, and you can peek the full release just after the break.

Update: Looks like some e-tailers even have it at $799. Nice!

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MSI’s X-Slim X340 now shipping in US for $899.99 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So long, HSPA+: AT&T “likely” moving straight from 7.2Mbps to LTE

At Mobile World Congress, AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega had mentioned to us that AT&T was “better off” than Verizon thanks to 3GPP Release 7’s capabilities to extend existing HSPA infrastructure through to 21Mbps and beyond by using the wonders of HSPA+ before the company would need to bite the bullet and get moving on LTE. We’re not sure whether Big Red’s aggressive LTE plans have AT&T rethinking its strategy or if it just wants to save time, money, and energy by avoiding yet another interim rollout, but we’re now being told by a company spokesman that “it’s likely that timelines for LTE standards will lead us directly from 7.2 to LTE.” He mentions that HSPA+ is “still an option,” but at any rate, this is a markedly different tone than we’ve heard in the past — even as late as last month — and if this means we’re getting LTE even a single day sooner, we’re all for it.

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So long, HSPA+: AT&T “likely” moving straight from 7.2Mbps to LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Mystery of the Zune HD

Microsoft pulled a very weird move of announcing the Zune HD yesterday while scheduling the release date two seasons (summer, then fall) away. But there’s a reason: the E3 gaming conference is next week.

Why should that matter? Because Microsoft left a lot of things in the unsaid pile. Here’s a quick recap of what we do know:

OLED 3.3-inch multitouch screen at a 480×272 resolution, web browser (IE-based), Xbox Live integration (Xbox will get Zune’s videos instead of their own separate version), HD radio receiver, 720p TV output and streaming music directly from the Zune store via Wi-Fi.

Here’s what we still don’t know:

• Will the Xbox platform also get access to the Zune music library? THAT would be a huge coup for the Xbox platform over the PS3, being able to stream music on the fly just like the Zune HD.

• How much will this supposed Xbox music support cost? Our guess is that it’ll be free, if you have the unlimited-rentals Zune Pass, but you never know.

• Will this go the other way? Will you be able to access Xbox Live’s game trailers and videos on your Zune? Will the two repositories merge?

• How about Live Anywhere, the damn cellphone/mobile device Xbox Live access that was first shown off in 2006 that we’re still waiting for. Will Zune HD be the device that FINALLY gets this?

• Xbox games on the Zune? Is this what Microsoft is waiting until E3 to announce? That the Zune will be getting not just games, but Xbox-quality games? Xbox Live Arcade games? They’d have to be retooled for the touchscreen Zune controls, sure, but slapping the Xbox brand on it will sell some Zunes.

• How much will it cost? The OLED touchscreen probably isn’t cheap, and if that supposed Xbox game integration is true, that means costly hardware to back it up.

• Where’s the Zune Phone? Even if everything we surmised above is true, there’s still one caveat: it’s not a phone. People only have so many pockets, so it doesn’t matter how great a mobile device is—if it’s not their phone, which must be taken around everywhere, it’ll get left behind much of the time.

Our guess is that most of the unknowns are due to the fact that Microsoft is tying the two brands together in functionality and juggling their schedule around that. This will make their E3 announcements all the more interesting, but may sacrifice a little interest in the long haul ’til Zune HD’s fall release. So if you’re a Zune fan, you’ll want to pay attention to E3 next week.

SATA Revision 3.0 specification completed and released

Well, it sure took ’em long enough. In August of last year, the Serial ATA International Organization (SATA-IO) got us all hot and bothered when it introduced the SATA Revision 3.0 specification to double transfer speeds to 6Gbps. It’s taken until today, however, for that very specification to be completed and released. Thankfully for those who love to relish in the past, the new spec is backward compatible with earlier SATA implementations, and for those looking forward to new innovations, you’ll appreciate the new streaming commands for isochronous data transfers between audio and video applications and the Low Insertion Force (LIF) connector for more compact 1.8-inch storage devices. We’re told to expect SATA Revision 3.0 demonstrations next month at Computex, but who knows how long it’ll be before this stuff seeps into shipping products.

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SATA Revision 3.0 specification completed and released originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIA Nano-powered Shuttle XS29F gets official

Well, Computex Taipei still hasn’t formally kicked off, but it looks like it’s close enough for VIA and Shuttle, who have now gotten official with that Nano-based small form factor PC that first surfaced earlier this week. Now dubbed the Shuttle XS29F, this particular version comes equipped with the low-power combo of VIA’s Nano U1700 CPU and VX800 media system processor, along with support for up to 4GB of RAM, your choice of SATA II storage options, both VGA and DVI ports, four USB 2.0 ports and, perhaps most importantly, a maximum power consumption of just 50 watts for the entire system. That, as VIA helpfully explains in the video after the break, means the system can ditch all the usual fans and heatsinks and remain nearly silent during operation, not to mention let you save you a bit on your energy bills. Still no word on a price, sadly, but we’re hoping Shuttle will be a bit more talkative once Computex opens its doors.

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VIA Nano-powered Shuttle XS29F gets official originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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86 Iconic Images Ruined With Technology

For this week’s Photoshop Contest, I asked you to alter famous and iconic photos by placing technology where it doesn’t belong. We have some absolutely awesome results, so onward! Check out your top three winners and then a gaggle of hilarious images in our Gallery of Champions.

First Place — Born on Bord
Second Place — Gutman Jake
Third Place — Mind’s Eye Creativ

Nokia’s Ovi Store overwhelmed at launch, apology issued

Where’s the fail whale when you need it, right? Early yesterday morning, Nokia flipped the switch on its Ovi Store, claiming that it’s app market would potentially reach some 50 million users around the world. Unfortunately for Nokia, it seems as if all 50 million attempted to check things out at the same time. Web-wide, users were griping that things just weren’t working out, and we’re not talking about small packets of flustered users. In fact, Nokia was forced to admit that “shortly after launching, it began experiencing extraordinarily high spikes of traffic that resulted in some performance issues,” and judging by reactions, we’d say “some” is now a front-runner for understatement of the year. Have things smoothed over for you today? Are you even bothering to check?

Update: Nokia has apologized for the gaff and has reportedly added server capacity to handle the demand. Question is: is the fix working?

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Nokia’s Ovi Store overwhelmed at launch, apology issued originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 May 2009 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lego Geeks Build a Plastic City for Maker Faire 2009

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You’d have to have a heart of hollow plastic to not like Lego. Over the weekend, Wired.com had a chance to visit the Bay Area Lego Users Group, which will be exhibiting its Lego city at this weekend’s Maker Faire in San Mateo. Check out our gallery featuring some of the group’s projects with photos courtesy of Wired.com’s Jim Merithew.

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Photo: Jim Merithew/Wired.com