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The European Commission probed Microsoft back in 2009 over Internet Explorer’s massive market share, concerned that it was stifling competition thanks to the browser being installed by default on Windows PCs. Microsoft suggested an option screen that would give customers an option between five different browsers, but it turns out that Microsoft may not have implemented the solution for millions of Europeans.

The Next Web reports that the Commission has opened a new investigation into whether Microsoft presented the browser option screen. Microsoft reportedly did not offer the screen when it issued the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 update at the beginning of 2011, and the Commission isn’t happy as a result: “We take compliance with our decisions very seriously. And I trusted the company’s reports were accurate. But it seems that was not the case, so we have immediately taken action. If following our investigation, the infringement is confirmed, Microsoft should expect sanctions.”

Microsoft could face fines up to 10% of its annual turnover, with the European Commission “treat[ing] the case as a matter of priority.” If Microsoft has fallen foul of the ruling and the Commission uses Microsoft’s annual revenue, the Windows maker could see a hefty $7 billion fine.

UPDATE: Microsoft has responded to the issue, saying that a “technical error” prevented the browser screen from being prevented in Windows 7 Service Pack 1. A spokesperson for Microsoft says that the bug will be fixed immediately, and that new software is being sent out with the correct browser screen option. In an attempt to appease the European Commission, the company has said that it will extend its browser option compliance by 15 months.

European Commission investigating Microsoft’s browser option commitment [UPDATE: Microsoft responds] is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

We’d have gone with “smaller than a breadbox,” but book-sized seems to work just as well, when describing Giada’s new mini-PC. The i53 packs an Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor standard (i3 and and i7 versions are also available), 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive into its sub-one kilogram, bookshelf-ready form factor. The system supports USB 3.0 and HD video and comes with a colorful remote control, so you can boot it up from a distance. The i53 should sell for around $520. More info can be found in the press materials after the break.

Continue reading Giada’s i53 mini-PC is book-sized, without all the paper cuts

Giada’s i53 mini-PC is book-sized, without all the paper cuts originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intel continues to dominate the desktop processor market, and it looks like its reign may continue for a while if the latest report from Digitimes is to be believed. The publication reports that AMD will be delaying the launch of its new Trinitydesktop processors from August to October in order to make changes to the platform. Motherboard manufacturers will also be affected by the sudden change, with companies scrambling to accommodate the new designs in time for a launch in the second half of the year.

One of the other reasons for the delay may be high-inventory levels of Llano that AMD still needs to clear out, although AMD reportedly didn’t comment on that particular theory. AMD is said to have adjusted its processor roadmap as a result, with AM3-based processors being phased out in the second quarter of 2013. AM3 and AM3+ processors will continue to make up the majority of AMD’s lineup for the rest of the year as a result.

Finally, AMD is planning to launch three new AM3+ processors this year, which include the FX-8350, the FX-6300, and FX-4320. TDPs are expected to remain close to 125W, but performance is said to have improved by 10 to 15%. Currently the processors are on track for a release sometime in the third quarter.

AMD Trinity desktop launch reportedly delayed until October is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Just when sales for the PC industry were looking up, computer shipments slipped globally in Q2. Analysts were expecting conservative numbers for the PC industry overall in Q2, and the latest report from IDC published this week shows sales were worse than expected. According to IDC, 86.7 million PC units were shipped globally in Q2.

That 86.7 million unit shipment is down 0.1% from the same quarter the previous year. The sales numbers were significantly less than the conservative expectations of 2.1% growth for the quarter. One reason for the decline in shipments globally was what IDC calls “constrained” demand in the US, Europe, and Asia. The research firm specifically called out Asia as having “its worst performance in years.”

Looking at the US alone, Gartner reports PC shipments fell by 11%, significantly higher than 4.4% decline expected. HP maintained the top spot for PC vendors with 14.9% of the market share. Lenovo was second with 14.7% of the market, and Acer had 11% of the market to grab third place. Dell landed in fourth with 10.7% of the market.

“Consumers are less interested in spending on PCs as there are other technology product and services, such as the latest smartphones and media tablets that they are purchasing,” Gartner analyst Mikako Kitagawa said in a statement. “This is more of a trend in the mature market as PCs are highly saturated in these markets.”

[via MarketWatch]

PC sales slump with Asian shipments “worst in years” is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer might be working overtime to keep Apple at bay, but the PC market that his company largely built is hurting, if you ask researchers at Gartner and IDC. Both estimate that shipments of traditional computers dropped by a tenth of a point in the second quarter of 2012 — not a good sign when Intel’s Ivy Bridge processors and a wave of Ultrabooks were supposed to usher in a PC renaissance. While the exact numbers vary, the two paint a partly familiar picture of the world stage: HP and Dell are taking a bruising, while ASUS and Lenovo are making huge leaps forward. Depending on who you ask, though, Acer is either kicking Dell down to fourth place or occupying that all too comfortable spot itself. The economy and tablets are once again blamed for making would-be PC upgraders jittery, although this time it may also be the wait for Windows 8 leading some to hold off.

If there’s a point of contention, it’s the US figures. Gartner and IDC alike agree that Acer, Dell and HP all took a drubbing. The two analyst groups are at odds with each other when it comes to everyone else, though. Apple will have gained market share to as much as 12 percent, but either increased or shrank its shipments; it’s Lenovo or Toshiba completing the top five outside of the usual suspects. Accordingly, take results with a grain of salt until all the PC builders have reported in. Nonetheless, if the groups have the same reasonable level of precision as they’ve had in the past, Microsoft may have to defer its ambitions for a little while longer.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Tablet PCs

IDC and Gartner: PC market flattened out in Q2 while Apple, ASUS and Lenovo remain the stars originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 02:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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