With the release of HP’s next-generation workstations in the HP Z230 Tower and SFF, the company brings a combination of compact bodies and energy efficient constructs to keep them current in today’s business environment. The HP Z230 comes in two main configurations, both of them with a set of possible configurations therein. Both units are being pushed at the same time as a series of Z Displays that’ll compliment their next-generation abilities.
The HP SFF (Small Form Factor) works with a body that’s a full 57% smaller than the Tower that shares its name. You’ve got a single 3.5-inch internal bay here, 1x 2.5-inch bay to keep it company inside, and a single internal/external 3.5-inch bay to boot. And just in case you need another, you’ve also got a single external Half-Height 5.25-inch bay as well. Expansion slots on this machine include 1 PCIe Gen3 x16, 1 PCIe Gen2 x4 slot/x16 connector, 1 PCIe Gen2 x1 slot/x4 connector, and 1 PCIe Gen2 x1 slot, the whole lot of the Low Profile.
With the Tower you’ll get six available drive bays, one of which is a versatile 2.5-inch HD bay for high speed solid state drive integration, along with optional external slim ODD bay. This optional bay allows rather easy installation of SSD Hard Drives for quick-changes and expansion. Expansion on this machine includes 1 PCIe Gen3 x16, 1 PCIe Gen2 x4 slot/x16 connector, 1 PCIe Gen2 x1 slot/x4 connector, 1 PCIe Gen2 x1 slot, and 1 PCI 32-bit.
Both of these devices work with 2x USB 3.0 ports up front alongside at least one USB 2.0 port and a headphone out. The Tower adds a single microphone in and a second USB 2.0 Charging Data Port. Both machines have 2 USB 3.0 ports on their back, 4 USB 2.0, and a variety of Display Ports – they’ve both got 1x USB 3.0 inside, these joined by 3 USB 2.0 ports under the hood as well.
The Tower in this family rings in at 15.7 x 6.7 x 17.4 in (39.93 x 17.04 x 44.25 cm) while the SFF is just 3.95 x 13.3 x 15.0 in (10.5 x 33.83 x 38.15 cm). Both work with Intel’s newest Xeon processor E3-1200 v3 family with choices for either 2D or 3D graphics. These units start at $999 USD for quad-core configurations and are expected to be available worldwide inside August of this year.
If innovations in 3D printing, and platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, are making it easier than ever for hardware startups to conceive and prototype new gadgets, then Flextronics, the San Jose-based manufacturer that works with Apple and many others on smartphones and more, is putting its hat in the ring to tap into hardware startups another way. It is launching a new accelerator, Lab IX, based out of Milpitas (where the company also has an R&D center), which will award $500,000 to each selected company to grow their ideas.
The focus will be on finding startups that are less than three years old, have less than $5 million in funding: “early stage disruptive companies incorporating hardware and software innovation.”
The idea is to bring Flextronics closer to new business. Perhaps it is in some way also to compete against upstarts like PCH International, which has launched its own incubator called Highway1 and doing more innovative design itself. It also helps the company continue to raise its profile in the U.S., where it is increasingly doing work for companies like Apple as part of a bigger wave of U.S. domestic manufacturing.
“We are excited to offer Lab IX services to help growing technology companies take their products to market and the next level,” said Mike McNamara, CEO of Flextronics, in a statement. “We believe that engaging with game-changing companies at an early stage will not only benefit Flextronics, but will provide those companies with the ability to leverage a wealth of experience in hardware design, manufacturing and logistics from all of the Flextronics business units and specialized partners in an unprecedented scale.”
“Hardware is hard,” the company notes in its brochure detailing the new program. In addition to a capital injection, Lab IX will also provide access to Lab IX and Flextronics’ engineers and designers, including IDEO, access to manufacturing and protyping equipment — some $30 million in the R&D center alone. Those who look like they may be progressing to the next stage of their development get access to Flextronics’ network of factories for manufacturing, procurement network and marketing network — effectively hitting the jackpot by leveraging Flextronics’ scale.
We’re reaching out to the company to get more details on how many startups are going to be accepted into the program, and when the cut-off is for applications — or whether this is a rolling deadline. We’re hopefully speaking to Lior Susan, who heads up the Lab IX program later, and will update the post as we learn more.
This week at the annual computer graphics conference known as Siggraph, NVIDIA has let loose information on their next-generation NVIDIA QUADRO K6000. This is NVIDIA QUADRO release is the new most powerful graphics card on the market – so says NVIDIA, bringing the world’s largest graphics memory with 12GB onboard. This isn’t the sort of processing power you’ll be using for anything less than the most power-hungry tasks on the planet.
Faced with managing extremely large data sets and time constraints, NVIDIA is aiming to satisfy the most current demands of product creators everywhere from graphics-intensive big-screen films to car manufacturing. Showing examples in both Layout and Animation & Simulation, NVIDIA has made it clear: the memory capacity involved in the K6000 allows previews of scenes with a much more final vision than has ever been offered before.
“It’s going to allow artists to preview their scenes much earlier in the pipeline. In this case, with the K6000, it’s all interactive.” – NVIDIA
“The added memory and other features allow our artists to see much more of the final scene in a real-time, interactive form, and allow many more artistic iterations.” – Guido Quaroni, Supervising Technical Director at Pixar Animation Studios
In car manufacturing, NVIDIA aims to push reality-based design processes to a new generation as well – time restraints and massive amounts of data are needed here as well. Especially when full-on reality-based previews of vehicle renders are needed to avoid costly mistakes once the manufacturing process begins.
“I am now able to load nearly complete vehicle models into RTT Deltagen and have stunning photorealism almost instantly. Instead of spending significant time simplifying the models to fit into previous hardware, we can now spend more time reviewing and iterating designs up front which helps avoid costly changes to tooling.” – Dennis Malone, associate engineer, Nissan North America
The third of three places where NVIDIA aims to take command is with massive geological datasets. In the ecology survey universe, like the automotive world, users need to know what’s under the ground before they get there – the rendering of these possibilities is one of the most intense at this point in our collective history.
“Compared to the Quadro K5000, the Quadro K6000 tripled the performance when running jobs on Terraspark’s InsightEarth application. With jobs running in mere minutes, we can run more simulations and get better insight into where to drill. In this business, drilling in the wrong place is a multi-million dollar mistake, and the Quadro K6000 gives us the edge to make better decisions.” – Klaas Koster, manager, seismic interpretation, Apache Corporation
Sizemic exploration is what we’re looking at here. Faster simulation means faster imaging and faster analysis in the end.
The NVIDIA QUADRO K6000 will be available this Fall worldwide from both leading OEMs and resellers. If you’re aiming to bring on a massive display wall for broadcast-type applications or digital signage, you’ll be glad to see 2 DisplayPort 2.1 ports and 2 DVI ports on its back that can be run simultaneously.
• 12GB ultra-fast GDDR5 graphics memory lets designers and animators model and render characters and scenes at unprecedented scale, complexity and richness • 2,880 streaming multiprocessor (SMX) cores deliver faster visualization and compute horsepower than previous-generation products • Supports four simultaneous displays and up to 4k resolution with DisplayPort 1.2 • Ultra-low latency video I/O and support for large-scale visualizations
When pressed on how this product would continue to roll beside the gaming-aimed card family GeForce – specifically with cards such as the GTX TITAN, NVIDIA made it clear: these are two separate families, but they can co-exist as a friendly bunch.
“The Quadro family is targeted at professionals – while you can certainly play games, the real value is for professionals on a variety of verticals. For that Geophysicist that like to play Assassin’s Creed, could he have a good time doing that? Absolutely.” – NVIDIA
This unit will be available in, as NVIDIA says, an “October timeframe” from groups like Dell, HP, and Lenovo and with systems integrators like BOXX Technologies and Supermicro.
When I look around the technology space, I can’t think of any single product that is so poorly associated with another device than Microsoft’s Kinect. The sensor, which is supposedly designed with gamers in mind, actually delivers very little value to gamers nowadays. In fact, the Kinect is designed for computers and entertainment – gaming is an afterthought.
Since its release years ago, the Kinect has been bundled with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and will make a showing in the Xbox One box. Microsoft, meanwhile, continues to pretend that the Kinect is a great tool for gamers who want to get more out of their titles.
Unfortunately, a few game developers have helped Microsoft extend this myth. Electronic Arts, for example, used the Kinect in all kinds of ways in its last version of Madden NFL. But after the novelty wore off and wives got tired of their husbands calling an audible in the middle of the night, gamers went back to their controller and stopped the nonsense.
Let me be clear: Microsoft’s Kinect is by no means a bad product. In fact, it’s arguably one of the most sophisticated devices on the market, and one that’s worth trying out for just about anyone. But to say that it’s a gaming product ignores the true value of the device and what it can offer to tech lovers around the world.
“To say that it’s a gaming product ignores the true value of the device.”
As Microsoft showed with its Xbox One presentation, the Kinect thrives as an entertainment device. Its support for voice commands means controlling devices and entertainment is simple. And with a few waves of a hand, the Kinect can perform all kinds of functions for those who need a more intuitive experience. Gaming, meanwhile, never comes into play.
On the PC side, the Kinect is even more compelling. The device is being used by developers in all kinds of interesting ways, including allowing folks who are used to the mouse and keyboard to enjoy a more intuitive experience when interacting with Windows. More entertaining developers have found ways to leverage its camera for all kinds of fun tricks.
Meanwhile, developers continue to bundle some Kinect functionality into their video games. However, the vast majority of those installations have proven to be unnecessary add-ons that lack innovation and uniqueness and seem like they were tacked on for the sake of placating Microsoft.
The Wii’s dramatic rise and fall should prove to us all that while motion gaming was fun for awhile, it’s yet another idea that has been ignored by savvy gamers.
Getting more out of consoles, however, is not something that savvy gamers mind. In fact, it’s what they’re coming to expect. And in that regard, the Kinect is delivering. The device is the ideal living room companion, the best alternative to a remote, and is quickly becoming a gateway to entertaining content.
In other words, the Kinect has less and less to do with gaming each passing day.
While concept behind the Instagram-themed smart camera Socialmatic is one so outlandish you’d expect it to stay conceptual forever, it’s become apparent this week that the creators of this machine are aiming for a real release relatively soon. Confirmed this week are two factoids not known before – one of them a confirmation of the operating system under the hood of this rather squared-off shooter: Android. Whether or not Google will approve is not yet known.
Though past iterations of this machine appearing in social networking pop-ups and conceptual board collections pointed toward a release time “in the future”, the team known as Socialmatic LLC has confirmed that “Pre-order available soon!” is the new most accurate answer for when it’ll be headed to reality. The fact that their newest one-sheet comes with a $299 price-tag is encouraging – an added note “suggested price” reminds us that we’ve not yet actually seen the physical product in any real-world photographs as yet.
The closest anyone’s gotten is a set of two rather realistic renders from ADR Studio Marketing and Communication which show the machine’s size with some rather fine 3D rendering and photoshop magic. The newest Facebook-bound communication from the Socialmatic LLC team shows the newest visions of the device in black and white.
This device is teased with promises of a 14-megapixel front-facing camera, and 2-megapixel camera at the devices, back, and a single (rather tiny) LED flash above the device’s main shooter. This device works with a front-facing LCD display with what the company calls “Mood Assistant A.I.”, reminding users – we must assume – to smile or frown, depending on the wishes of the photographer. It does not appear at the moment that this screen can be used as a second viewfinder for the camera – a much, much more user-friendly use-case.
Have a peek at the Samsung DV150F for the best implementation of a front-facing display on a camera we’ve seen yet.
The Socialmatic will be coming with a Zink instant printer for Polaroid instant-result physical photos, you’ll get 4GB of internal storage, and you’ve got a full-sized SD-HDC slot for external storage. And of course you’ve got full “compliance” with the Socialmatic Network as well. Gotta have that!
UPDATE: Additional press renders have surfaced via Socialmatic itself – have a peek at some additional possibilities in the development of this wild device!
It would appear that Apple is going all-in on what’s still code-named iWatch, a wearable device that’s commanding the attention of next-generation device hopefuls here in the summer of 2013. While Apple hasn’t directly confirmed the existence of the iWatch exactly, a whirlpool of rumors, tips, and reports on the matter paint a rather interesting picture of a watch that’s not just an accessory to play second-fiddle to the iPhone.
In a report published by 9to5Mac this week, a collection of experts has been tapped as possible parts of the full iWatch team (which may or may not exist). A lot of the flame that’s growing this summer stems from comments sent out by Apple’s CEO Tim Cook at this year’s AllThingsD D11 conference.
“I think wearables [are] incredibly interesting. It could be a profound area. … There are lots of gadgets in the space. I would say that the ones that are doing more than one thing, there’s nothing great out there that I’ve seen. Nothing that’s going to convince a kid that’s never worn glasses or a band or a watch or whatever to wear one. At least I haven’t seen it. So there’s lots of things to solve in this space.” – Tim Cook for Apple
Cook continued by saying wearables were “ripe for exploration” and, though he wouldn’t comment directly on if Apple would be part of the wearables party with a device of their own – much less an iWatch specifically, he did say that wearables in general were “ripe for us to get excited about.”
As for the team Apple is assembling – this so-called hiring spree has appeared on our radar before. Hiring YSL executive Paul Deneve was no secret back at the beginning of July.
With such a hire comes the promise of luxury quality in future devices – but as Apple has been notoriously balanced on their aim with a more common market, it’s fair to say we won’t see any Sapphire Crystal Displays heading the iWatch if or when it’s delivered.
You’ll find fitness expert Jay Blahnik being reported by 9to5Apple as being hired by Apple as well. This man worked previously on the Nike Fuel Band and likely came in contact with Tim Cook more than once in the recent past. Cook is a member of the Nike board of directors and is a known fan of the Fuel Band on its own.
Leaders of the iWatch project are said to be Apple VP Kevin Lynch and Apple senior hardware director James Foster. The obvious in Jony Ive’s Industrial Design team are suggested to be working side-by-side with Lynch, Lynch’s team reportedly made up of former members of hardware and software elements in the expanded iPod range of years past.
For processor finesse, it’s reported that Apple’s Bob Mansfield has been teamed up with former members of processor creators Infineon and XMOS. As with the rest of the reports in this article, we’ve yet to see direct confirmation on each of these hires, so you’ll certainly need to take it all with more than just a pinch of salt.
The whole idea of a team like this being assembled does seem realistic, on the other hand. If Apple were indeed setting themselves up for the release of an iWatch, they’d be sure to make efforts on a grand scale to make sure it’s as large a release as such an everyday all-day object would require.
Have a peek at a few recent mentions of the iWatch in the timeline provided below, and see what you make of this device that could very well be appearing publicly by the end of next year.
The ASUS-made Nexus 7 2 – also known as the reboot of the original 7-inch tablet – appears to have had a collection of up-close photos and video leak this afternoon. At this point in time we’re at least a few weeks out from a full launch of this device, while the existence of the hardware itself hasn’t yet been confirmed by Google, ASUS, or anyone in-between. This machine appears to take on an appearance that’s similar to the original, coming here instead with a slimmer facade and a landscape-aimed back rather than its original portrait angle.
It’s important at this point – and more than once – to remind you that this could very well be a prototype of a final product rather than a final production-ready amalgamation of hardware. The same grain of salt should be spread on the entirety of this release of information as even the source, Android Central, suggests that they are not entirely confident in the legitimacy – or just the finality – of the specifications attached to this hardware. That said, feel free to entertain the notion.
NOTE: The image you’re seeing above is a real-deal photo of the Nexus 7, the original edition. Below are the leaked photos this article speaks of.
The label attached to this possible Nexus 7 reboot reads ME571K_PR1_SKU2, and the hardware is indeed manufactured by ASUS. This is the same as the original, and it would appear that ASUS is sticking to their same design language here through the summer of 2013.
You’ll find a 1.2-megapixel camera on the front of this device and a 5-megapixel camera on the back, and the back-facing camera seems to be placed extremely close to the headphone jack that sits on the short end, right up in the same place it was on the original.
Have a peek at the images shared here and let us know what you think. Is this the real-deal final product, or an early iteration, or is it something else entirely? Have yourself a run down possibility lane with our most recent feature on this device, Nexus 7 2 and the details you want for a reboot.
For those deciding on a tablet that’ll get them through the day at the same time as it’s able to fit in their satchel, Samsung hasn’t made things easy. With the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0, you’ve got two machines with exceedingly similar specifications to decide between. What we’ve got to check this afternoon is how the two make their mark in the world – and if it really is all about the S-Pen in the end.
Hardware
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 works with an 8-inch display with a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 carries the same size and pixel density – they’re effective the same in day-to-day use, while the subtle differences in software will make the tiniest of differences up-close. You’ll find the font and the shadows to be ever-so-slightly different from one another: but you’ll never notice unless you hold them up RIGHT next to one another, so no worries.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 works with 16GB internal storage with a microSD card slot for memory expansion. The Note 8.0 works with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and works with a Samsung Exynos quad-core processor internationally and in its Wi-fi iteration and a Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor as carried by AT&T with 4G LTE. Meanwhile the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 works with a dual-core Samsung Exynos 4 processor.
Have a peek at how these machines fare in the benchmark scores listed below. They’re all knocked out with Quadrant Standard benchmark tests with the newest software available, Jelly Bean and TouchWiz included.
External speaker performance on both of these machines are essentially the same – they’re both mediocre if only because the speakers themselves are blowing out the sides the devices rather than the front. We must again assume it’s because thinness is more important than speaker performance as both of these devices are so extremely thin, it’d be difficult to toss a front-facing speaker anywhere. *cough* HTC One *cough*
Battery performance on both devices are essentially the same – it’s only 4G LTE on the Galaxy Note (that’ll eventually find its way to the Galaxy Tab, of course) that has any push on the battery life involved here – and it’s marginal unless you’re doing non-stop video streaming all day long.
Above: Samsung Galaxy S 4, Galaxy Note 8.0, Galaxy Tab 3 10.1, and Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 (from top to bottom).
The Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 comes in at 8.26 x 4.87 x 0.275 inches with a weight at 10.9 ounces. The Galaxy Note 8.0 comes in at 8.29 x 5.35 x 0.31 inches and 12 ounces. The difference is almost solely in the amount of bezel required with the Samsung Galaxy Note – likely mostly because of the grip area it provides for holding the device whilst writing with the S-Pen and to give the device room to hold the S-Pen in its back.
Cameras
While the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 is essentially a non-performer when it comes to capturing video and photos, the Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 brings some low-level heat. Though you’re still just working with a 5-megapixel camera at this device’s back, you’ve got autofocus and auto adjustment to lighting conditions, backed up by Samsung’s most basic edition of its new camera UI. Included here are Auto, Beauty Face, Night, Sports Shot, Panorama, and “Sound & Shot”. Have a peek at a panorama here for an example of what this device is capable of, followed by several indoor and outdoor shots.
Click panorama photo for full-sized image.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 brings on an exceedingly similar setup, bringing on photo and video abilities with its back-facing 5-megapixel camera (the same as the Galaxy Tab 8.0 here) also without an LED flash. While the Galaxy Note 8.0 has the same previous-generation camera interface as the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 at the moment, we’re expecting an update to the current generation imminently.
Software – a non-issue
When you’re deciding between the Note 8.0 and the Tab 3 8.0 based on software, you’re really going to have to focus to find the differences. Both devices are part of the Samsung Galaxy S 4 era of smart devices, so both are able to connect with essentially the same software suite of wireless sharing apps from Samsung. Group Play specifically shows how these devices are able to interact with one-another in a variety of ways that non-Samsung devices currently can’t – or at least can’t with the same finesse.
NOTE: While the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 does not feature the app “Samsung Link”, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 does. This is a situation rather similar to that of the devices’ camera interfaces – where the 10.1 uses the same camera UI and abilities as the previous generation model, the 8.0 works with a Galaxy S 4 interface, derived from the Samsung Galaxy Camera.
Both devices bring on a free 50GB for 2 years through Dropbox for cloud storage while each different release of these devices has its own perks on the side. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 has a free three months of Hulu Plus as part of its benefits package, so to speak, along with a $10 card from the Google Play store through Samsung’s “Galaxy Perks” program.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 works with a variety of S-Pen specific apps as outlined in our original Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 hands-on and later our full review (as linked above). This device’s attachment to said apps is rather crucial in proving a set of selling points for this device while the Tab appears in quite a few places – though not everywhere – to be winning the race on hardware aesthetics.
Both machines work with a new enough version of Android Jelly Bean that you’ll have access to Google Now, and both machines have Samsung’s S-Voice for voice commands as well.
Cost
While the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0′s current wi-fi-only price range at $299 seems enticing compared to the last several years of $400 or more on tablets of all sizes as a standard, it’s the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0′s $399.99 (or it’s current sale price of $379.99) we’re doing battle with. If on the other hand you’ll be wanting to access mobile data with AT&T here in the USA, you’ve also got a $399.99 price tag with a 2-year contract to agree to to boot!
Of course there’s also an AT&T bundle price available at $199.99 for the Note 8.0, but then you’re still attached to a 2-year contract and you’ll have to also purchase a Samsung Galaxy S 4, Galaxy S 4 Active, or Galaxy Note II along with it. Good news is they all look rather nice next to one another.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is far more powerful than the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 with a processor that’s made to handle this device as a real hero product. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 works with a dual-core Samsung Exynos 4 processor which we’ve found to be ever-so-slightly lacking in the high-level processing department – there the Tab is better suited for everyday web browsing and the occasional media consumption in the form of streaming video.
While the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 may have a slightly larger bezel and therefor appear – at first – to be the lesser of the two tablets, in every other category this machine excels. If you’re looking for the tablet that can do more, last longer, and will likely find its way into the hearts of developers longer, you’ll want to stick with the Galaxy Note 8.0 in this case. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 should only be chosen where price or availability are especially major factors.
There’s no lack of high-powered ruggedness in the Panasonic Toughbook range, and when it comes to keeping up with the rest of the notebook power world, the company is making sure of Windows 8-era excellence this week. There’s the Toughbook CF-31, CF-19 and CF-H2 from Panasonic’s “ultra durable Fully-rugged” range and the Semi-rugged CF-53 that are getting said upgrade, it’ll finally be time to really, truly be done with Windows XP.
Speaking on the end of Windows XP support by Microsoft in 2014, Panasonic suggests that this upgrade to Windows 7 and 8 will offer “smooth migration option(s) for businesses.” That’s not the only use for these hardcore machines, of course, with each unit aimed at unique use-cases for computer needs small and great. In addition to updating the operating systems of these notebooks, camera upgrades are in order for full video conferencing functionality.
Each of the four models mentioned will be hitting the market with a push for the next generation of convertible notebook, tablet, and all-in hardcore notebook machines immediately. Just make sure wherever you’re picking one of these machines up that you’re hitting the newest range – run down the specs while you’re at it!
Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 (pictured above) • Intel® Core™ i5-3340M vPro Processor • Windows® 8 Pro • Intel HD 4000 graphics • Vibration and shock resistant (MIL-STD 810G)* • Water and dust resistant (IP65, MIL-STD 810G)* • Balanced lightweight at just 2.3kg • Extremely bright 10.1″ transflective plus LCD with Touchscreen or Dual Touch (up to 6.500cd/m2 reflective brightness) with circular polarizer • Long battery life of up to 10 hours • 3G mobile broadband optional (HSPA+, up to 14.4Mbps)
Panasonic Toughbook CF-31 • Intel® Core™ i5-3340M vPro Processor (Standard Model) • Intel® Core™ i5-3380M vPro Processor (Performance Model) • Windows® 8 Pro • Intel HD 4000 graphics (Standard Model), AMD® Radeon™ HD 7750M (Performance Model) • Vibration and shock resistant (MIL-STD 810G)* • Water and dust resistant (IP65, MIL-STD 810G)* • 13.1″ high brightness outdoor display (up to 1.200cd/m²) with circular polarizer • Up to 14.5 hours battery life (Standard Model, 12 hours Performance Model) • 3G mobile broadband optional (HSPA+, up to 14.4Mbps) • Backwards compatible with CF-30 docking stations and Car Mounter Kit** • High flexibility and connectivity through new configuration such as second LAN, camera or GPS
Panasonic Toughbook CF-53 • Intel® Core™ i5-3340M vPro Processor • Windows® 8 Pro • Intel HD 4000 graphics • 14″ HD display • Integrated DVD Super Multi Drive • Up to 11 hours battery life • High capacity “road warrior” Battery optional • 3G mobile broadband optional (HSPA+, up to 14.4Mbps) • Dedicated GPS Module optional • RFID Module optional • 2nd LAN, Firewire or Modem optional • Robust magnesium alloy display case • Shock-protected HDD • Low temperature HDD optional • Withstands drops from a height of 76cm***
Panasonic Toughbook CF-H2 • Intel® Core™ i5-3437U vPro processor • Windows® 8 Pro • Intel HD 4000 graphics • Vibration and shock resistant (MIL-STD 810G, Field Model)* • Water and dust resistant (IP65, MIL-STD 810G)* • Easy to clean/disinfect and meets Hospital Safety Certifications (Health Model)**** • Extremely bright 10.1″ transflective plus LCD with Dual Touch (up to 6.500cd/m2 reflective brightness) and circular polarizer • Lightweight form factor – weighing only 1.58kg • Dual hot swappable batteries providing up to 7 hours battery life • USB 3.0 SuperSpeed, LAN and Serial Port (depends on model) • Integrated Barcode Reader optional • Smartcard Reader optional • Camera, GPS or RFID optional
SlashGear also recently had some hands-on time with the back-breaking Panasonic Toughbook CF-AX2 if you’d like to take a look. This machine was revealed well within the bounds of this same future-ready range of Windows 8 machines so doesn’t fall under this reboot schedule – it’s already prepped!
The same goes for the Panasonic Toughbook CF-C2, a display-turning transformable notebook ready to bring on both tablet and notebook abilities in a hardcore form. And for those of you that want to say small and don’t necessarily feel the need to move forward with Windows 8, there’s always the Panasonic Toughbook SX2 from back in 2012 – always room for a strange trackpad or two!
On July 8, Amped Wireless put its 700mW 802.11AC dual-band Wi-Fi router up for pre-order, and now it has announced the same for its ACA1 500mW dual-band AC Wifi USB adapter. The device is currently available for pre-order from Amped’s website for $89.99, with the shipping date being pegged as July 22. On an unspecified date later this month, it will also be launched in retail stores.
The ACA1 is being hailed as the first long-range 802.11AC adapter to be compatible with Mac OS X in addition to Windows, and is specifically optimized to work with its 700mW AC router we mentioned above. The device is likewise compatible with all other wireless networks, and is also the first of its kind to feature high-gain dual-band antennas and amplifiers.
There are two high-gain dual-band antennas on the ACA1, as well as four amplifiers that offer a combined power of up to 500mW. This is opposed to the 100mW or so you’re find from a regular Wi-Fi adapter, which also lack the range extension features of Amped Wireless’s offering. This works out to a range increase over standard adapters of about 3x.
The adapter connects to devices via USB 3.0, and as with the related router and other Amped Wireless products, features the Wi-Fi Analytic Tool Apps. The software works by enabling “advanced software” options for network analysis and optimization. You can find out more about the device in the video above.
Amped Wireless’s CEO Jason Owen said: “Operating in the 5GHz band, 802.11ac devices suffer from the poor range inherent with the 5GHz band. With the ACA1, users can extend their 802.11ac connections to download HD videos and transfer data files throughout their homes, backyards and offices. The ACA1 allows Mac and Windows users to freely use their computers and enjoy the full benefits that come with 802.11ac speeds.”
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