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Review. All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Apple Updates
Ultrabook News
Products & Services
News & Opinion
Despite All the Tablet Hype, Laptops Still Rule in
the Enterprise
Tablets turn heads, but when it's time to get work done, enterprise
users still grab their laptops says Computerworld's Mary K. Pratt.
Pratt cites diesel engine maker Cummins Inc.'s IT director Bruce
Smith, who tells her that for most of the company's 40,000 employees,
it's a desktop PC, and for mobile professionals, it's a laptop,
although Smith says lately he's been getting more and more requests
from workers to bring tablets into the mix. So far Smith has said no,
explaining that he can't justify supplying workers with tablets instead
of laptops because, in his opinion, they don't deliver any more value
or efficiency than laptops.
Many who own and use both, including me, would say that's an
understatement.
Nevertheless, Pratt notes that tablets are taking over many of the
mobile computing duties in the consumer market, and corporate IT
managers are having to deal with many of those same consumers coming to
work expecting to be able to use touchscreen computers in the office as
well as at home, even though assessments have determined that tablets
aren't really up to doing the jobs. Another IT manager Pratt consulted
observing that while many users think touchscreen devices can replace a
desktop or laptop in a work environment, the reality is that they
can't, predicting that in business environments, laptops aren't going
away any time soon.
Indeed, the laptop's combination of carry-ability, combined with a
full-size keyboard and practical-sized screen, and its quality of being
a self-contained computing platform not dependent on an Internet
connection, comprise pretty much the ultimate practicality and
functionality for those who create and produce information.
Pratt also notes that according to research firm Gartner Inc.
research metrics, more than 204 million laptops shipped worldwide in
2010, compared with 17.6 million tablets, and with laptops projected to
continue dominating with nearly 233 million laptops to ship in 2011, as
opposed to 70 million tablets that will be bought by consumers and
businesses. Even in 2012, projections are for 276 million laptops to
ship vs. 108.2 million tablets.
In short, the return on investment is just not there with tablets
compared with laptops in enterprise environments, with touchscreen
computers offering nothing in terms of increased efficiency compared
with laptops, and there's also the matter of tablets (except for RIM's
BlackBerry PlayBook) being unavailable with enterprise-level security
applications.
The laptop is not dead yet by a long shot, and even where
touchscreen computing does make incursions into the enterprise world,
it will be as a compliment to the laptop (or desktop) rather than a
replacement for a long time to come. However Ms. Pratt does note that
industry analysts and IT leaders concede a gradual melding of laptop
and touchscreen tablet will likely evolve over time with the best
aspects of each influencing the other.
However, based on NetMarketShare's Web usage metrics for August
2011, iOS, Android, Symbian, and Blackberry combined account for just
5% or so of worldwide OS market share, with iOS clearly in the lead at
over half the market.
Link: Sorry, Tablets.
Laptops Still Dominate the Enterprise
Link:
Mobile/Tablet Operating System Market Share
Link:
Mobile/Tablet Operating System Market Share Trend
Can the Ultrabook Top the MacBook Air?
Cnet's Brooke Crothers says that the only way the new Ultrabook
laptop category can top the MacBook Air is to get cheap fast. But that
won't necessarily be easy, according to IDC analyst Bob O'Donnell.
Crothers asked O'Donnell what it will take to make the Ultrabook a
mainstream Windows laptop that competes with, and possibly tops, the
MacBook Air in popularity. O'Donnell replied that while he thinks the
Ultrabooks are great products and exactly what the PC market needs,
they can become a mainstream category only if they hit the right price
points, and he predicts that the first few Ultrabook products are going
to be more niche because of their prices, which - given the reality is
that Apple owns the thousand-dollar-plus laptop market - he suggests
will have to be in the $799 range, which may be impossible under
Intel's current Ultrabook guidelines.
Link: Can the Ultrabook
Top the MacBook Air?
Ultrathin Wars: Sony Vaio Z and Lenovo Ultrabook
vs. Apple MacBook Air
DigitalTrends guest columnist Rob Enderle notes that the fastest
growing PC company is Lenovo, and the ThinkPad builder is getting on
Intel's Ultrabook wagon early to better challenge post-Jobs Apple.
With a wave of ultrathin laptops coming from Apple and Intel's
Ultrabook collaborators, Enderle takes a look from a hardware
perspective, saying he has no real desire to address the no-win
religious argument of Windows vs. Mac OS at this point.
He notes that the MacBook Air set the bar, and that at Apple, when
dollars and cents conflict with features and design, design generally
wins, which has resulted in Apple pretty much owning the premium
position in the PC market. However, he observes that the MacBook Air product line does
incorporate tradeoffs, limiting the machine in both breadth and depth,
similar to the one-size-fits-all approach applied to Apple's iPad and
iPhone lines.1
Enderle points out that with the MacBook Air, choices are limited by
design to both keep inventory levels under tight control and to avoid
confusing customers, contending that you don't buy a Mac for its
performance (which Enderle labels "adequate"), its durability, or its
security, but because it is simple and imparts status better than any
other product - an intangible benefit that would-be challengers often
forget when they take on Apple in the marketplace.2
He goes on to compare the MacBook Air models with Sony's pricey
non-Ultrabook Z Series carbon fiber laptop (c. $2,000 compared to a
high-end 13"
MacBook Pro, which is neither ultrathin or ultralight) at $1,499),
which has a far more sophisticated and comprehensive feature set than
the MacBook Air - the best of the best if price were no object. Also
profiled are Lenovo's high-end U300 and U400 Ultrabook designs, which
are much more price competitive.
- Publisher's note: The MacBook Air comes in two sizes, and the
iPhone is available in two versions (3GS and 4). Of the three devices
Enderle mentions, only the iPad comes in a single form factor.
dk
- Publisher's note: What a bunch of hogwash. Lots of people buy Macs
because of their performance, longevity, and security in addition to
its easier-to-use operating system and stylish design. For Mac users,
it's not about status - it's about productivity. dk
Link: Ultrathin Laptop
Wars: Sony Vaio Z and Lenovo Ultrabooks vs. Apple MacBooks
Apple Updates
Mid 2011 MacBook Air & Mac mini: Do Not Use
Recovery on OS X Lion USB Thumb Drive
A new Apple Knowledge Base article advises using Lion Recovery or
the built-in OS X Lion recovery partition rather than OS X Lion USB
Thumb Drive with computers released after OS X Lion.
Products Affected include: MacBook Air (13", Mid 2011),
MacBook Air (11", Mid
2011), Mac mini (Mid
2011)
The article says that if you attempt to use the OS X Lion USB Thumb
Drive, a message will appear stating that you cannot install this
version of OS X on your computer, and confirms that this is correct
behavior to make sure you install only the correct and most up-to-date
version of Mac OS X on your computer.
However, you can also use the Lion Recovery Disk Assistant on your
Mac to create a bootable image to make sure you recover the correct
version of OS X Lion. To use the Lion Recovery Disk Assistant, you need
to have your own USB drive.
If you have a network connection, you should receive the appropriate
version of Mac OS X when using the built-in Recovery HD partition on
Macs running Lion.
Link: Mac
mini (Mid 2011), MacBook Air (Mid 2011): Use Lion Recovery Instead of
OS X Lion USB Thumb Drive
How to Adjust Keyboard Backlight on MacBook Pro and
MacBook Air
An updated Apple Knowledge Base article addresses changing your
System Preferences to experience different keyboard backlight behaviors
in MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models equipped with that feature.
By default, the portables with ambient light sensors (ALS)
automatically adjust the brightness of the keyboard backlight based on
the ambient light in the environment. The ALS, located to the left of
the FaceTime camera, evaluates the level of light for this feature.
While in the default mode, the F5 and F6 keys will function only while
the light levels are low enough for the ALS to trigger the backlight
keyboard. By covering the ALS, you can test the backlight keyboard
feature and adjust it with the F5 and F6 keys.
You can also turn off the automatic backlighting feature in the
Keyboard preferences. Deselect the option "Automatically illuminate
keyboard in low light" to use the F5 and F6 keys to adjust the keyboard
backlight independent of ambient lighting.
Link: Apple Portables: Adjusting the
Keyboard Backlight
Ultrabook News
Notebook Makers Keep Initial Ultrabook Shipment
Volume Below 50,000 Units
DigiTimes' Monica Chen and Joseph Tsai report that first-tier
notebook brand vendors Acer, Lenovo, Toshiba, and Asustek Computer -
remembering their previous experience with Intel's CULV-based ultrathin
notebooks - are mostly taking a conservative attitude about Intel's
latest new ultrathin PC laptop "Ultrabook" venture and have only placed
limited orders to their upstream suppliers, understanding that demand
for notebooks is unlikely to recover in the fourth quarter, while
Apple's products soak up all the glory in the market.
Chen and Tsai note that the major players will limit their initial
Ultrabook shipment volume to below 50,000 units for testing the waters,
according to insider sources at notebook makers, and that in order to
encourage its notebook brand partners, Intel will host a conference for
Ultrabooks on September 14, hoping to resolve some technology
bottlenecks and attract more notebook players to join the Ultrabook
manufacturing club.
Acer, Toshiba, Lenovo, and Asustek's new Ultrabook models (more
details below) will all start shipping this month and will begin
appearing in global retail channels in October. The article notes that
Acer's Ultrabook is manufactured by both Compal Electronics and Quanta
Computer, while Toshiba's machine is outsourced to Compal with Lenovo's
device handled by Wistron and Asustek's model by Pegatron
Technology.
With Ultrabook still having some unresolved issues regarding cost
and engineering, Chen and Tsai's sources indicate that the notebook
industry is looking on Ultrabook as a last resort to boost overall
shipments, but global economic realities mean that demand for notebook
is unlikely to boost strongly, making Intel's goal of having Ultrabooks
account for 40% of the global consumer notebook shipments in 2012
difficult to achieve, although Intel says it remains confident about
Ultrabooks and looks forward to working with its customers to
commercialize innovation.
Link: Notebook Makers
Limit Initial Ultrabook Shipment Volume Below 50,000 Units
(subscription required)
13.3" Lenovo Ultrabook Thinner and Lighter Than
13.3" MacBook Air
IDG News' Agam Shah reports that Lenovo is claiming that its new
Ultrabook IdeaPad U300 is thinner than Apple's paradigm-setting MacBook
Air, measuring 0.59" thick (1.49 cm) and weighing 2.2 pounds (0.99
kilograms). The 13" MacBook Air is 0.68" thick and weighs 2.96
pounds.
The U300S's starting price will be US$1,200, with shipping to begin
in mid-October and worldwide availability set for November.
The U300S uses low-power Intel Sandy Bridge Core processors - either
the Core i7 2677M, which runs at 1.8 GHz and has 4 MB of cache, or
the Core i5 2467M, which runs at 1.6 GHz and has 3 MB of
cache.
Link: Lenovo Says New
'Ultrabook' Thinner Than MacBook Air
Lenovo Gets Glam with Three New
Fashion-Forward Ultraportable Laptops
PR: Lenovo sashayed into the fashion world at IFA in Berlin
with three new luxury laptops, the IdeaPad U300s Ultrabook, and the
U300 and U400 laptops. Bridging haute couture with superior technology,
these laptops are designed for fashion-minded consumers who want a
product that is stylish as well as powerful and productive; ultimate
fusion for individuals who take both technology and fashion
seriously.
"The new IdeaPad U Series laptops from Lenovo provide style mavens
everything they need in a slender, mobile and super chic package," says
Lenovo Innovation Design Center vice president Yao Yingjia. "The U300s,
U300 and U400 laptops are the perfect luxury accessory this season,
liberating consumers on the go to combine productivity and
entertainment in one stylish device."
"People will be wowed with the new U Series systems from Lenovo that
combine incredible performance in beautiful and stylish designs," says
Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager of Intel's PC Client
Group. "Powered by our 2nd Gen Core processors, this system will
deliver great capabilities with a wonderful user experience and long
battery life that people increasingly want. We're particularly excited
by Lenovo's innovation and as one of the leading time to market
partners in the new ultrabook category with the U300s device that
combines a no-compromise, must-have mobile experience with performance,
security, responsiveness and style."
IdeaPad U300s Ultrabook
IdeaPad U300s Ultrabook
The slim U300s Ultrabook features up to 2nd generation Intel Core i7
processors with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, and boots up in as
little as 10 seconds with Enhanced Experience 2.0 RapidDrive SSD
technology. The U300s has a 13.3" ultra-slim 16:9 widescreen HD
display, 4 GB DDR3 memory and up to 256 GB of SSD storage.
At just 0.6" (14.9mm) thick, the U300s is built from a single-piece
aluminum shell to create a solid but lightweight product weighing in at
less than three pounds. Available in Graphite Grey or limited-edition
Clementine Orange, the colors have been applied through an electrolytic
process and sandblasted to create a scratch-resistant coating.
Other smart technologies include the Breathable Keyboard, an Intel
Advanced Cooling Technology that allows air to flow in through the
keyboard and out of the sides and rear hinge. This design removes the
need for vents on the underside of the notebook making it comfortable
for long periods of use on your lap or even on a pillow.
Despite its ultra-slim design, with its Lenovo Long Life Battery,
the U300s provides up to eight hours of productive use or up to 30 days
on standby, and with Lenovo RapidCharge its battery can be charged to
50% capacity in just 30 minutes.
Also included is Bluetooth, high-speed 802.11n WiFi, USB 2.0 and USB
3.0 connectors, as well as an integrated 1.3M (720p HD) webcam.
IdeaPad U300 and U400 Ultraportable Laptops
IdeaPad U300
The IdeaPad U300 and U400 laptops also come with 2nd generation
Intel Core processors and feature boot up times of under 17 seconds
thanks to optional RapidDrive SSD technology. The U300 features a 13.3"
HD display while the U400 has a 14" HD display and AMD Radeon HD5470M
1 GB graphics. Both models can be specified with up to 8 GB
DDR3 memory, up to 1 TB hard drive storage and up to 256 GB SSD
storage. The U400 also has an integrated slot-loading DVD-RW drive.
IdeaPad U400
The Long Life Battery on the U300 is claimed to last for up to six
hours of productivity and up to seven hours on the U400. Both models
also feature the same Breathable Keyboard technology as the U300s.
The IdeaPad U300s, U300 and U400 all feature HD graphics support, a
HDMI output and integrated stereo speakers with SRS Premium Surround
Sound, and you can bring computer content to life-sized magnitude
wirelessly on a big screen from the U300s Ultrabook or the U300/U400
ultraportables with Intel Wireless Display
Acer Claims First Core i7 Ultrabook to Market
The Register's Bob Dormon reports that Acer took the wraps off its
first Ultrabook, the Aspire S3, at IFA in Berlin. Weighing 1.3 kg and
at 13mm thick, the S3 falls well within Intel's 18mm spec.
The S3 is also powered by an Intel Core i Sandy Bridge ULV CPU, with
Acer claiming to be the first to market a Core i7 Ultrabook beginning
later this month, with Core i3 and Core i5 versions also to be
available. Prices are projected to range from $799 to $1199.
Like Apple's MacBooks, the Acer S3 has a magnesium/aluminum alloy
chassis with its LCD display embedded in the lid.
The Register's Tony Smith, in a hands-on report from the IFA floor
in Berlin, says, "It's almost impossible to view Acer's Aspire S3 - the
company's first laptop built to Intel's Ultrabook spec - and not think
of the MacBook Air . . . the S3 is going to make a very nice
hackintosh"
Link: Acer Claims First
Core-i7 Ultrabook
Link: Hands on With Acer's Aspire S3
Ultrabook
Toshiba Unveils Portégé Z830 Series
of Ultrabook Systems
PR: Toshiba's Digital Products Division has unveiled the
Portégé Z830 Series, the company's first Ultrabook using
2nd Generation Intel Core processors. Weighing less than 2.5 pounds and
featuring a 0.63" (15.9 mm) profile, the Portégé Z830
Series is about 20% lighter and 40% thinner than the award-winning
ultraportable Portégé R830 Series. These new systems will
start at under $1,000 MSRP.
Supporting the latest 2nd Generation Intel Core processors and
ultra-fast DDR3 memory, the Ultrabook device's 128 GB solid state drive
delivers an extremely responsive experience, increased durability and
increased energy efficiency. Paired with Toshiba's new Hi-Speed Start
Technology, the Portégé Z830 can power on and get users
up and running at work or home in mere seconds.
"The Portégé Z830 Series sets a new standard for thin
and light systems, not just in portability, but also in affordability
for such cutting-edge designs," says Carl Pinto, vice president of
product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital
Products Division. "Toshiba's engineering achievements and expert
craftsmanship have resulted in a brilliant and fully thought-through
innovation that exceeds expectations, perfect for both mobile business
professionals and consumers."
The Portégé Z830 Series is built with a host of
convenience-driven features such as a full-size LED Backlit and
spill-resistant keyboard that makes typing easy in low light conditions
and helps guard against accidents. The Ultrabook also includes
Toshiba's USB Sleep & Charge technology that gives users the
freedom to recharge their smartphones even while the system is powered
down. Stereo speakers with enhanced audio technology from Waves Audio
make the Portégé Z830 ideal for listening to music,
watching movies and video chatting.
The Ultrabook devices feature a light, yet durable magnesium alloy
casing that is reinforced with an enhanced Honeycomb Rib design and new
internal structures that provide shock absorption and increased
rigidity. The systems also feature Toshiba's EasyGuard Technology,
designed to address the security, reliability and durability issues
mobile users encounter.
Portégé Z830 Series Ultrabook systems will be
available in November 2011 at select retail stores as well as through
select Toshiba Preferred Partner Program resellers and directly at
toshibadirect.com.
The Register's Tony Smith. in a hands-on report from the IFA floor
in Berlin says: "Where Acer has accepted that Apple's MacBook Air was
the clear inspiration for Intel's Ultrabook spec, and designed its
machine accordingly, Toshiba has adopted its usual slightly dry,
business-sober design strategy, producing a machine that's not
unattractive but no head-turner either."
Link: First Look at
Toshiba's Portégé Z830 Ultrabook
Samsung Unveils Thin New Series 7 Laptops
PR: Samsung Electronics America Inc. has announced its
new Series laptop line, at the IFA global consumer electronics trade
show in Berlin.
"Our goal is to create notebooks that constantly inspire and enrich
customers lives and with the Series 7, one of the thinnest quad core
PCs to date, cutting edge consumers and business users can capitalize
on Samsung's advanced engineering, inside and out," says Scott
Ledterman, director of mobile PC marketing at Samsung Enterprise
Business Division. "The Series 7 is an ideal laptop for discerning
users who need to be highly productive everywhere they go, with
advanced features such as Samsung's exclusive Fast Start technology, a
high-speed processor and a large, matte screen that is visible
anywhere, even outside, said. Our goal is to create notebooks that
constantly inspire and enrich customers lives and with the Series 7,
one of the thinnest quad core PCs to date, cutting edge consumers and
business users can capitalize on Samsung's advanced engineering, inside
and out."
With a brushed-aluminum body under one-inch
thick, smooth lines, and a thin bezel screen, the Series 7 endeavors to
make a design statement. Incorporating Samsung's latest Max Screen
technology, the Series 7 enables an extra inch of viewing area without
sacrificing mobility or portability, its 14-inch display contained
within the form factor traditionally associated with 13" laptops.
The 13" or 15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) high resolution, matte display
features 16 million colors, and up to 50% better brightness (300 nit)
provided by Samsung Superbright Technology, as well as an AMD Radeon
HD6750M graphics card.
The Series 7's Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processors, feature
ExpressCache, a technology that accelerates boot-up and start times. It
provides an extra 8 GB of flash memory on the motherboard enabling
faster startup as well as increasing the overall performance. Web
browsing is claimed to be up to 50-60% quicker (using Microsoft
Internet Explorer).
Samsung's FastStart technology enables the laptop to transition from
a hybrid sleep mode to full functionality in as little as two-three
seconds, while Quick Boot has the notebook ready to go from cold in
just 19 seconds.
Maximum Mobility
Samsung's Easy Settings make it simple to connect the Series 7 to
new wireless networks, projectors and more by giving you easy access to
commonly used PC settings, while Samsung Easy Migration allows users to
seamlessly transfer existing files to the new laptop by connecting
their old PC to the Series 7, launching and starting Easy Migration and
letting the PC do the rest.
With up to nine hours of battery life (battery life will vary
depending on the product model, configuration, power management
settings, applications used, and wireless settings. The maximum
capacity of the battery will decrease with time and use), the Series 7
includes Samsung Power Plus technology claimed to retain 80% of the
original battery capacity for up to 1,500 charges.
Samsung's Support Center, accessible with a keyboard shortcut, helps
users manage their system settings or arrange for a tech-support web
chat. Samsung's Back-up & Recovery Solution also allows users to
create and restore back-ups of system data on the device, or on a
network or removable storage device.
The Samsung Series 7 will be available starting October 2, and will
retail for $999 to $1,299.
For more information, call 1-800-SAMSUNG or visit samsung.com.
Key Specs: All functionality, features, specifications and other
product information provided in this document including, but not
limited to, to benefits, design, components, performance, availability
and capability of the product are subject to change without notice or
obligation.
Test results based on independent third party Mobile Mark tests.
Non-Metric weights and measurements are approximate. Total amount of
available memory may be less based on configuration.
Products & Services
Magma Announces 3-Slot PCI Express Expansion
Chassis for Thunderbolt
PR: Magma, a developer of PCI Express connectivity products,
introduces ExpressBox 3T, an expansion chassis with three PCIe slots
and a lightning fast connection through Thunderbolt.
Magma's ExpressBox 3T, their first Thunderbolt to PCI
Express expansion chassis, will be revealed at Intel Developer Forum in
San Francisco (Sept 13-15). ExpressBox 3T provides an 'outside-the-box'
solution for using PCIe cards with Thunderbolt-equipped computers.
High-performance flows are possible by connecting a Thunderbolt
equipped computer to a Magma ExpressBox 3T containing PCIe cards such
as video capture, media transcoding, audio processing, and fast data
storage. And because Thunderbolt is also based on DisplayPort
technology, you can daisy chain a high-resolution display with your
Magma ExpressBox 3T.
Magma's ExpressBox 3T provides an easy, rock solid migration path to
newer and faster computers while protecting the customers investment in
specialized PCI Express peripherals made for video capture and edit,
broadcast video, pro audio, communications, data acquisition and
more.
Developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple, Thunderbolt is a
high-speed I/O technology running at 10 Gbps per channel that brings
together high-speed data transfer and high-definition (HD) display on
to a single cable. High performance workflows are possible by
connecting a Thunderbolt equipped computer to a Magma ExpressBox 3T
containing PCIe cards for video capture, media transcoding, audio
processing, and fast data storage. And because Thunderbolt is also
based on DisplayPort technology, a high-resolution display can be daisy
chained with your Magma ExpressBox 3T.
"ExpressBox 3T is the first Magma expansion product specifically
made for Thunderbolt-equipped computers. Now, with Thunderbolt
technology, mobile, and all-in-one customers have easy access to the
fastest I/O technology available today," says Randy Jones, CEO and
President at Magma. "ExpressBox 3T is a must-have expansion solution
for media creators. Magma retains its leadership position by continuing
to introduce cutting edge technology for media production and other
computing professionals."
ExpressBox 3T is encased in an anodized silver chassis with three
PCIe 2.0 slots, a cooling fan, a 220W internal power supply, and travel
bag for easy transportation. ExpressBox 3T and up to six Thunderbolt
devices can be daisy-chained including Thunderbolt and DisplayPort
displays. Magma is actively working with development partners such as
Apple, Avid, AJA, Red, ATTO, Fusion-io and Promise Technology to
validate application performance with ExpressBox 3T in broadcast video
and pro audio environments.
For more information about Magma products, call (800) 285-8990 or
(858) 530-2511 or visit magma.com.
Link: Magma
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