Hasta La Gadget!

This question came in from reader Steven Feldman:

Hi, just a question about USB 3.0. I am going to be purchasing a laptop in the next few months… I have been waiting because I want to get a SSD (solid state drive) in the laptop that can hold 256GB minimum for a reasonable price, but that is a story in itself. I have recently been reading about USB 3.0 technology being developed, and if I buy a laptop soon, I don’t think I can upgrade it to USB 3.0 from 2.0 without replacing the motherboard.

I read online that products will be coming out for USB 3.0 in Q4 of 2009, but I don’t care about the products; what I do care about is when laptops will be able to support the USB 3.0 technology. When are motherboards for laptops going to have USB 3.0 support in them?

See executive editor Jeremy Kaplan’s answer after the jump.

Dell’s Multi-Touch tablet announced earlier this morning, touting its semi-new, two-fingered gestures that are destined to be compared to those of the Apple iPhone 3G. Though it’s purely a marketing video, there might be something here tablet users can look forward to. Here’s hoping that all these gestures are as intuitive as the real thing.

Ever wish your desktop looked a little more out-of-this-world? Here’s a DIY case mod that will launch your PC into space.

Project Asteroid started out as a wholly unremarkable Yeong Yang A-101 microATX case. Stripped of its “unscrewable parts,” re-clad in Styrofoam, Claycrete, and paint, and outfitted with alien-green accents, it now looks truly extraterrestrial.

Ready to send your boring-by-comparison case to the moon? Visit Mashie Design to view detailed step-by-step process shots and a full how-to.

[via Unplgged]

My guess is that, in light of this on-going economic crisis, 2009 will likely prove itself a banner year for executive shakeups. Chinese PC manufacturer Lenovo is starting at the top, replacing the head of its American wing, William J. Amelio.

A former Dell executive, Amelio signed a three-year contract with the company back in 2005. During his tenure with Lenovo, the company slipped to fourth place in the world PC market, behind Acer.

Amelio’s CEO spot will be filled by current chairman, Yang Yuanqing. Yuanqing’s position, in turn will be filled by the company’s founder, Liu Chuanzhi.

Move over, $200 netbooks. According to a recent report by The Times Online, India’s government is currently in the process of developing a 500 rupee ($10) laptop.

Set to make its public debut this week, the computer was designed to bridge the massive “digital divide” between the country’s classes. The notebook follows the development of a $2,000 car and a $10 phone.

The development of the super-cheap notebook is being regarded as a response to OLPC’s $200 XO Laptop. According to developers, the current machine actually costs closer to $20, but the price would be halved if the computer were mass-produced.