Hasta La Gadget!

Could this be another example of online advertising presaging the onset of a hardware upgrade from Cupertino? Apple’s ads on Australian tech pub PC Authority have been spotted displaying some rather peculiar price tags for its flagship mobile and desktop computers. Whereas Cupertino’s Aussie online store lists the most affordable versions of the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and Mac Pro at A$1,599, A$1,999 and A$3,599, respectively, the above, official-looking ads would seem to disagree. Clicking on them still leads to the currently priced (and specced) machines, but looking at them suggests that — in the absence of some major conspiracy or a splendidly random price hike — we’re getting an early peek at the pricing of the newly updated models of each of those series. The MacBook Air has jumped by A$400 so that what used to be its costliest base price is now its lowest, while the MBP has suffered a A$300 bump in cost of entry. Then again, considering the expectation that the mobile computers will get Core i7 CPUs while the Mac Pro will get all dressed up with Core i7-980X regalia, this development is perhaps not all that surprising. The major thing to take away here is that the long-awaited upgrades might finally be arriving. We’re putting our piggy banks on alert, just in case.

[Thanks, Matthew]

Update: We’ve come across some other pricing inconsistencies contained within Apple’s own New Zealand site. Find out what’s happening after the break [Thanks, ScottNYC].

Update 2: The prices above have been corroborated by Apple’s Australia site, which now suffers from the same schizophrenic pricing as its New Zealand compatriot. You’ll find screenshot evidence after the break.

Continue reading New MacBook Pro, Air and Mac Pro pricing potentially leaked by Apple ads and online store (updated)

New MacBook Pro, Air and Mac Pro pricing potentially leaked by Apple ads and online store (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As if working for a baseball team didn’t offer enough perks, you can now add sleek all-in-one computers to the list. MSI and the Los Angeles Dodgers just entered an agreement where the computer maker will supply Wind Top All-in-One PCs and laptop computers to the team’s executives and office staff.

No doubt the deal involves several Wind Top AE2220 models, the company’s flagship. It offers a 21.5-inch screen with a 16:9 widescreen display, 1080p resolution, and 5.1-channel SRS Premium Sound. Under the hood, it’s powered by NVIDIA ION graphics and an Intel Core 2 Duo processor.

This promotional agreement will last through the 2011 season, and will even include an MSI promotional night at Dodger Stadium. Does this mean that everyone who attends gets a free all-in-one?

For those among us finding it hard to decide what blisteringly fast DDR3 sticks to pair with their Core i7, Intel has decided to do its own compatibility certification list (see link below). And since the happiest memory maker is usually the one atop the pile, we have to imagine Kingston is feeling pretty sunny right now, as its 2.4GHz HyperX memory kit has scooped the top spot away from Corsair’s 2.33GHz offering. Running at 1.65 volts and offering 9-11-9-27-2 timings, this is now officially the RAM to own if you’re after headline-grabbing stock speeds. We also love the fact Kingston acknowledges “benchmarkers” as a distinct group alongside gamers and enthusiasts — finally some appreciation for those misunderstood souls. Whatever you describe yourself as, you’ll be able to get on the latest speed bandwagon in the second quarter of this year. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Kingston’s 2,400MHz HyperX memory kit offers the world’s fastest Intel-certified RAM

Kingston’s 2,400MHz HyperX memory kit offers the world’s fastest Intel-certified RAM originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You know what’s better than a stock 3.33GHz Core i7-980X Extreme Edition CPU? Not much, but we’re guessing that a 4.3GHz overclocked version of the same chip just might be. If you’re thinking the same, and you’ve got $1,044 to spare in order to find out, upstart gaming rig maker Origin PC has the means to get it to you. The outfit’s Genesis desktop can now be ordered with Intel’s freshest slab of silicon for $895, or you can snag an extra gigahertz for another $149. We know you’ll make the right call.

Origin PC offers overclocked 4.3GHz Core i7-980X Extreme Edition on Genesis desktop originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 02:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the market for a new HTPC? Then you’ll probably be wanting the slimmest possible enclosure that can still fit an optical drive and the grunt to power through HD video. Set aside some of your attention for Shuttle’s XS35, in that case, as this 3.3cm-thick slab of engineering contains an Atom D510 (yawn) paired with NVIDIA Ion 2 graphics (yay!), which should in concert deliver buttery smooth 1080p playback, whether through Flash or Blu-ray discs. The integrated optical drive can’t run those fancy discs from what we know, but you could easily swap it out with a slimline BR burner, jack your favorite HDMI cable into the back, and have the perfect little movie box. It’s passively cooled so there’ll be no fan noise, and its price should be pretty endearing considering the aggressively priced competition from Zotac and Acer. See the XS35 in its metallic flesh after the break.

[Thanks, JC]

Continue reading Shuttle’s ION 2-equipped XS35 shows off its slimline nettop credentials in hands-on video

Shuttle’s ION 2-equipped XS35 shows off its slimline nettop credentials in hands-on video originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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