Hasta La Gadget!

Many already believe that the real highlight of Intel’s 4th-generation Core processor lineup would be a giant graphics update. Today, Intel is revealing that they’re right — and, importantly, that there’s an equally large shift in naming strategy. Where 3rd-generation Core graphics were divided into two tiers, the new generation is focused on three, two of which are built for performance over efficiency. Ultrabooks with 15W U-series processors will use comparatively ordinary (if still faster) HD 5000 graphics. Thin-and-light laptops with 28W U-series chips get a new tier, Iris, that Intel claims is up to twice as fast in 3D as last year’s HD Graphics. Power-hungry parts see even more of a boost: they can carry Iris Pro graphics with embedded DRAM, which should double the 3D speed on H-series mobile chips (47-55W of typical power) and triple it for the R-series (around 65-84W) on the desktop. We also know that M-series laptop and K-series desktop CPUs will have Iris Pro options.

The feature set for the graphics trio is slightly more familiar to us, although there are a few tricks up Intel’s sleeve. All three can draw DirectX 11.1 and OpenGL 4 visuals, as well as take on OpenCL 1.2 computing and faster media processing. We’re almost more interested in the display modes, though. Along with receiving “enhanced” 4K output, the new Core graphics can handle a 3-screen collage mode — we won’t need dedicated video for a large, multi-monitor canvas. Sadly, Intel isn’t providing more than incidental details about the processors themselves, although it has already teased that we’ll get the full story around the Computex show in early June.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Intel

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Source: Intel

If you’ve yet to lay your hands on a Chromebook or Chromebox, that could change shortly, as the computers may soon find a new life in libraries, hotels, retail stores and even the break room. Today, Google announced an update to its management console for Chrome OS that allows for Managed Public Sessions — in other words, a kiosk mode. Central to the idea, users will be able to login to the computer without supplying credentials, and their data will be automatically cleared at the end of the session. The setup has plenty of appeal for system administrators, too, as they’ll find the ability to set the default web page, block access to specific sites and apps, configure device I/O operation and manage timed logouts. Google has tested Managed Public Sessions with Dillards, The Hyatt in San Francisco and the Multnomah County Library in Oregon. If anything, it’s a good reason to keep a keen watch on your surroundings… you might just spot a Chromebook in the wild that’s begging for some attention.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Software, Google

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: Google Enterprise Blog

While AMD announced its new Temash APU (alongside others) at this year’s CES, the only device we’ve seen sporting it was an intriguing reference hybrid that made the rounds at the show. Now, details of an Acer Aspire V5 notebook have emerged, indicating the company is preparing its first Temash-powered device for general consumption. Acer already has a trio of Aspire V5 models with Intel Core processors and NVIDIA handling the graphics, but a half-complete product page for an unannounced V5-122P-0643 swaps those components out for AMD’s wares. Formally called the AMD A6-1450, the Temash APU combines a quad-core 1GHz processor — or 1.4GHz in “Turbo” state — with a Radeon HD 8280 GPU. When put into tablets, it has an unusually low, sub-5W power envelope that allows for passive cooling. While we don’t know exactly what wattage this Acer notebook will have, the presence of Temash should bode well for battery life. Head past the break for more details.

Filed under: Laptops, AMD, Acer

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Via: MiniMachines

Source: Acer

Etsy stickers adorning your MacBook’s lid, oft making a cute play on the presence of that glowing Apple? That’s so 2012. Uncover, a Dutch company showcasing its talents here at The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam this week, has crafted a new method of customizing one’s MacBook lid. And, perhaps most importantly, it involves the seamless removal of the Apple logo altogether. In essence, these guys use a specialized laser cutting process that can etch out anything your brain can muster — from band logos to company mantras. And, as you’ll see in the gallery below, the Apple logo doesn’t have to be a part of the equation.

The outfit will take in any aluminum-faced MacBook from around the world, and once it lands in Holland, you’ll typically see it headed back to your domicile within four to five days. If you’re selecting one of Uncover’s designs, you can have your machine tweaked for as little as €249 (around $325), while completely custom work starts at €599 ($780). (And yes, you can just buy a totally new Mac from Uncover as well.) We spoke to Jasper Middendorp, the company’s CEO, and he confessed that only MacBooks are being accepted due to Apple’s unique backlighting arrangement. They’re obviously keen to offer similar work for PCs, but to date, every one he has seen blocks or covers the backlight in some way. For those looking to get it on the fun, allow the source link below to be your guide.

Filed under: Laptops

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Source: Uncover

You asked; you got it. When we ran our first-ever laptop buyer’s guide earlier this year, many of you wrote in, requesting that we include more affordable picks (not just, you know, twelve-hundred-dollar Ultrabooks). So with this latest seasonal guide, we’ve added budget and mid-range options, some with touchscreens, some without. The only unfortunate thing? We’re expecting Intel to drop its new Haswell chips sometime this summer, so it should go without saying that it might be worth waiting for the various PC giants to refresh their lineups before committing to anything. If you absolutely can’t wait, though, we’ve picked our favorites, with a particular emphasis on models we don’t think will be going anywhere anytime soon.

Filed under: Laptops, Samsung, Sony, ASUS, HP, Dell, Acer, Lenovo

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