Digital Storm’s xm15 gaming laptop rolls with NVIDIA’s Optimus

Lookin’ to straddle the fence with your next laptop purchase? Or maybe you’re just lookin’ to conserve battery life when not picking off enemies in Counter-Strike. Either way, Digital Storm’s new xm15 (not to be confused with Alienware’s M15x) can satisfy the yearning, as the $999 base configuration comes equipped with a 2.4GHz Core i5-520M, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 320GB HDD and NVIDIA’s GT 425M (1GB). Naturally, Intel’s integrated graphics chipset is also included for less demanding times, and if you’re in need of a little more oomph, a $1,086 build jumps to a 2.53GHz Core i5-540M and a $1,367 model steps up to a 2.8GHz Core i7-640M. ‘Course, far nicer editions are available if you’re got the cash to customize, but we’ll leave all that between you and your wallet. And whoever fills your wallet.

Continue reading Digital Storm’s xm15 gaming laptop rolls with NVIDIA’s Optimus

Digital Storm’s xm15 gaming laptop rolls with NVIDIA’s Optimus originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cr-48: Google Chrome Notebook Hands-On

Cr-48_full.JPG

Our pals over at PCMag were kind enough to give us a little bit of hands-on time with the Cr-48 Google Chrome notebook. I should note, right off the bat, that this is far from being a production unit. It’s more or less a dummy laptop, really, designed to show off the long-awaited Chrome OS.

No one’s really even sure who designed the thing, actually, but the word online is that it was created by Inventec, a Taiwanese company. Acer and Samsung have both signed on to release Chrome-based netbooks next year. The notebook’s screen is 12.1 inches. The system has both Wi-Fi and built-in 3G. The system ships with 100MB of free data from Verizon.

Using Google’s Chrome OS Laptop of the Future [Video]

The Chrome Cr-48 netbook might just be a reference design—as in, most folks won’t ever be able to use it—but it is what Google thinks a Chrome laptop should be. And it has some pretty nice touches. Updated. More »

Google Cr-48 Chrome OS laptop now shipping to the lucky few

The Earthlings here at Engadget HQ are still patiently awaiting their own Cr-48s, but it looks as if those who were quick on the trigger have just received a Chrome OS laptop to cuddle with. If you’ll recall, Google opened up a Chrome OS Pilot Program Tuesday, and for those who registered early (and got awfully lucky), they’re being treated to a Cr-48 on their doorsteps. One gracious tipster has already sent over a trio of unboxing shots (while another provided the video after the break), and we’ll be sure to give the low-down (you know — video, impressions, etc.) once our own arrives. Anytime now, FedEx…

[Thanks, Dan and Michael]

Continue reading Google Cr-48 Chrome OS laptop now shipping to the lucky few

Google Cr-48 Chrome OS laptop now shipping to the lucky few originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PhantomSkinz Offers Carbon Fiber Protection

MacBookAirWCF.jpgPhantomSkinz has just announced that its Chromatics Carbon Fiber line of skins is now available for the MacBook Air. It not only delivers protection, the company says, but offers a realistic 3D look and feel. Buyers can choose how much of their notebook they want covered: just the top, the top and wrist area, or the whole notebook. Skins go on without any stick residue, so there’s no chance of leaving lasting marks on your notebook.

The skins are available in either black or white. You apply them by removing the skin from its backing paper, applying it to your notebook, then slowly pressing out the bubbles. The company recommends using a hair drying to firmly attach the skin to corners. Prices range from $39.95 to $79.95, depending on how much coverage you want.

Icon Notebook: textual communication avenue for the Microsoft Word averse

It looks like a document. It’s chock-full of documents. But not Microsoft Word documents. Only documents that could dream of one day being scanned in and converted to a Word document. It’s the Icon Notebook, brought to you by the brilliant minds at Brigada Creativa, and it’s on sale now for €6.95 ($9.34) direct from Spain. Which is a whole lot cheaper than a Word license, no matter the font you’re talking in.

Icon Notebook: textual communication avenue for the Microsoft Word averse originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gateway stuffs Core i5-470UM, Bluetooth 3.0 into 11.6-inch EC19C-A52C/S laptop

Don’t call it a netbook, capiche? Gateway has just outed a new 11.6-incher over in Japan, with the EC19C-A52C/S boasting some of the most impressive specifications we’ve seen in a unit this compact. A 1.33GHz dual-core Core i5-470UM processor sits at the heart of this here lappie, and it’s accompanied by a 320GB hard drive, 1366 x 768 resolution display, 2GB of RAM, HDMI / VGA outputs, an inbuilt Ethernet port and a six-cell battery that should last half a dozen hours (on a good day). As expected, you’ll also find a 1.3 megapixel webcam, 4-in-1 card reader, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) and Bluetooth 3.0 (a nice touch, we’ll confess), with sales expected to start right about now in the Land of the Rising Sun. As for pricing? Try ¥65,000, or right around $775. Told you it didn’t quite fit the netbook category.

Gateway stuffs Core i5-470UM, Bluetooth 3.0 into 11.6-inch EC19C-A52C/S laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Nov 2010 20:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keepin’ it real fake: ‘MacBook Pro’ runs ‘OS X,’ dodges questions on ‘legitimacy’

Oh, sure — we’ve seen a litany of knockoff MacBook Pro units, but how’s about one that actually ships with OS X? As the level of nerve skyrockets towards infinity, an unnamed manufacturer in an unnamed section of China seems to be hawking a lookalike MBP with Snow Leopard onboard — a feat that even Psystar couldn’t achieve for long. As the story goes, around $466 buys you a 14-inch machine with a paltry 1.66GHz Atom D510 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive and NVIDIA’s Ion 2 graphics platform. Oh, and a glowing Apple logo on the lid. Unfortunately, the dodgy specifications list seems somewhat reluctant to “admit” that “OS X” is actually loaded on, but it’s there. Trust us. We think.

Keepin’ it real fake: ‘MacBook Pro’ runs ‘OS X,’ dodges questions on ‘legitimacy’ originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Nov 2010 19:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer reveals Iconia dual-screen laptop / tablet, Clear.fi cloud-based media sharing system

Here in New York at Acer’s Global press event, the company’s talking touch. Lots and lots of touch. It’ll be introducing a veritable smorgasbord of equipment as the minutes roll on, but it’s kicking things off with its Windows 7-based Iconia dual-screen laptop / tablet, a device we’ve seen before. For all intents and purposes, this is Acer’s version of the Toshiba Libretto W105 (or that far-flung ASUS concept we saw at CeBIT 2009), boasting a pair of glossy touchscreens and no hard specifications to speak of. Naturally, you won’t find a keyboard here — rather, a virtual one will emerge from the secondary panel. There’s also a fairly slick media management system that’s obviously gesture based — some real potential there. We’ll be digging for details surrounding a price point and release date, but for now, have a gander at the image above and just imagine how it could revolutionize your life.

In related news, the company also teased its new Clear.fi media sharing system. As the story goes, it’s a cloud-based system that’s designed to play multi-format content over multi-platform devices, enabling any number of gadgets to talk to one another in order to make content visible and shareable with any other device. So far, it looks as if that could apply to movies, games, photos and music, but it’s a single-house affair for now. So long as there’s a router and a WiFi connection nearby, any Clear.fi-enabled device should be able to share, search and consume.

Update: The full PR is now after the break, and we’ve gone hands-on with the device right here! We’ve also scored the specifications — she’s running Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) and is equipped with an Intel Core i5-480M / 560M / 580M CPU, up to 4GB of DDR3 memory, a pair of 14-inch multitouch displays (1366×768 resolution), integrated Intel HD graphics (128MB RAM), VGA / HDMI outputs, an inbuilt microphone and a S/PDIF interface. There’s also a 320/500/640/750GB hard drive, Acer’s CrystalEye webcam (1280×1024 resolution), 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0+HS, integrated 3G WWAN, gigabit Ethernet, a four-cell battery and a total weight of 6.18 pounds. Closing things out, there are a pair of USB 2.0 ports, a single USB 3.0 jack and a one-year warranty.

Continue reading Acer reveals Iconia dual-screen laptop / tablet, Clear.fi cloud-based media sharing system

Acer reveals Iconia dual-screen laptop / tablet, Clear.fi cloud-based media sharing system originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maingear targets mid-range PC gamers with Alt-15 and Alt-17 laptops

Just a month after pushing out a smaller duo of gaming laptops, Maingear has now revealed an entirely new line catering to mid-range gamers. The Alt-15 and Alt-17 both start right around the magical $1,000 point, and moreover, both rely on NVIDIA’s graphics-switching Optimus technology to conserve battery life when you don’t need the GPU pegged. The Alt-15 is a 15.6-incher with a Core i5 or Core i7 Mobile processor, NVIDIA’s GeForce GT 425M (1GB), up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, an optional Blu-ray drive, your choice of an HDD or SSD, Windows 7, a fingerprint reader, HDMI / VGA outputs, a USB 3.0 socket (plus a trio of USB 2.0 sockets) and a $1,049 base price. The bigger, beefier Alt-17 gets away with a 17.3-inch LCD (1080p) and most of the same specifications as listed above, though you’ll see a starting tag that’s $50 more. Hit the links below if you’re up for a little customization.

Continue reading Maingear targets mid-range PC gamers with Alt-15 and Alt-17 laptops

Maingear targets mid-range PC gamers with Alt-15 and Alt-17 laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 10:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceMaingear (Alt-15), (Alt-17)  | Email this | Comments