Hasta La Gadget!

Big PC companies are often seen as being at odds with the concept of custom-built computers: apart from letting us tick a few checkboxes before we order, they’d rather we not fiddle with the internals. Fujitsu is breaking the mold and embracing some of that DIY culture with its upcoming Hands-on Custom PC Assembly Service. The Japanese can take classes that teach them how to install their picks (from a limited range) of processors, hard drives and RAM. While the program doesn’t start completely from scratch — the motherboard is already installed — it takes would-be assemblers through many of the experiences of building their own PCs from the ground up. Builders can choose how many components, if they’re not quite so ambitious, and learn smart practices like wearing anti-static wristbands. While there won’t be as many unintentional jolts of electricity as the real deal, the courses should help PC owners feel comfortable working inside a computer — not to mention save Fujitsu a few technical support calls. The variable-price courses start in Japan on August 9th for multiple Esprimo desktops and a LifeBook portable. We can only hope that American PC vendors take a few hints and encourage everyone’s inner technician.

Fujitsu starts build-it-yourself PC service, lets you go homebrew without the electrical shocks originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 10:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Bit-tech  |  Fujitsu  | Email this | Comments

Samsung today announced that it has begun sampling the industry’s first 16-gigabyte (GB) double data rate-4 (DDR4), registered dual inline memory modules (RDIMMs), designed for use in enterprise server systems.
Using 30nm-class process technology, Samsung sampled new 8GB and 16GB DDR4 modules in June, in addition to providing them to major CPU and controller makers. The modules will bring the highest density and performance levels to premium enterprise server systems. Samsung previously …

If you feel that a typical barebones Android PC really won’t do alongside your chaise longue and stack of hardback first editions, you may be interested in Jeffrey Stephenson’s latest case mod. Underneath the birds eye maple, acrylic panelling and mesh, the Acero houses VIA’s humble $49 Neo-ITX-based system card, running an iteration of Android 2.3 ready for mouse and keyboard add-ons. Up to 720p graphics is possible, which can be output through its VGA or HDMI ports and although that 800MHz processor may not be up to delivering the greatest gaming thrills, we’ve already got our joystick picked out.

Android PC gets wrapped in maple, hits that premium sweet spot originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 04:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Acero (Jeffrey Stephenson)  | Email this | Comments

There’s been plenty of speculation about what the future holds for HP and its Personal Systems Group — a group that CEO Leo Apotheker seemed intent to shed — but the crew now led by CEO Meg Whitman has just confirmed that division is staying home, where it belongs. Meg says the company “objectively evaluated” the idea of spinning PSG off but decided that keeping it in-house is “right for customers and partners, right for shareholders, and right for employees.” Or, maybe her reserve wasn’t met. Either way, the press release after the break goes on to confirm that the board believes PSG will continue to “drive profitable growth” in these challenging times. Maybe good ‘ol Leo was right when he said “You still need larger machines to handle heavy-duty tasks.” Heavy indeed.

Update: Oh, and in case you had any doubts, HP is actually going to use Windows 8 (when available) to make its tablets appealing. And now you know.

Continue reading HP will keep PC division, hope alive

HP will keep PC division, hope alive originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

You can unpack your suitcase and drop that custody suit, because Microsoft has heard your Windows 8 complaints, and it’s willing to change its ways. Yesterday, in a lengthy post on its Building Windows 8 blog, the company acknowledged that it’s received plenty of feedback since unleashing a developer preview of the OS last month, and pledged to respond with a number changes. For starters, apps displayed within the Windows 8 App Screen can now be organized into groups, rather than alphabetical arrangements (see image above). Apps will also be displayed at a higher density, thereby cramming more content within the same space. Enterprise users, meanwhile, will be able to customize their companies’ Start screens and unify them across networks, though there’s still no word on whether administrators will be able to opt out of the software’s tiled interface in favor of the more Windows 7-esque Desktop app — one of the most highly requested features. These are just two of many, relatively granular changes that Microsoft is implementing to help users maximize the efficiency of its new Start screen, and they likely won’t be the last. To dig into the nitty gritty, check out the full post, at the source link below.

Microsoft responds to disgruntled users, unveils changes to Windows 8 UI originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 06:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Building Windows 8  | Email this | Comments