News Bits: HP dv8000 Released, HP Battery Recall, Intel and Lamborghini, Acer to Overtake Lenovo

By abaxter, NotebookReview Staff | | 21728 Reads

HP dv8000z 17" screen AMD Turion Multimedia Notebook Released

HP mentioned they'd be releasing another dv family notebook soon, and it has now appeared on the HPShopping.com website in the form of the dv8000z 17" screen multimedia notebook. Deviating from other dv model HP notebooks, this machine has an AMD Turion processor instead of the Pentium M processor found in the dv1000 and dv4000 14.1" and 15.4" notebooks. Following are some basic specs for the dv8000:

Available AMD Turion 64 Mobile Processor ML-40 with PowerNow! Technology and up to 1MB L2 Cache (2.22 GHz)
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (Windows Media Center OS also an option)
Available 17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition BrightView Widescreen Display
Available integrated wireless LAN option in 54g (standard 802.11a/b/g) and Bluetooth
Available options include ATI Radeon XPRESS 200M with up to 128MB of dedicated memory and 128MB of shared system memory
1.48" thin and 8.1lbs (product weight may vary due to component changes or options selected)
HP Image Zone to preserve, organize, and share your digital photos, HP QuickPlay to launch movies and music without booting Windows
Four USB 2.0 ports, a 6-in-1 digital media card reader, an IEEE 1394 port, an S-video port, consumer IR, an ExpressCard/54 PC card slot, and an Expansion Port 2, which can be used for the HP xb2000 Notebook Expansion Base or HP Notebook All-in-One Media Cable xc2000

Some might be pretty disappointed at the fact the graphics processor is a low-end ATI X200, not ample enough to play high-end games, so this is definitely not a gaming machine but more a desktop replacement multimedia style notebook. It does have the instant DVD and music playback feature that some like (makes booting to Windows unnecessary to play movies or music). The screen is sure to be nice as well. Although 8.1lbs is heavy, it's actually lighter than the other HP zd8000 17" notebook that weighs 9lbs.

HP Battery Recall for Notebook Batteries Sold Between March 2004 and May 2005

And now for some not so good HP news. HP is recalling 135,000 batteries sold internationally between March 2004 and May 2005 due to overheating concerns.

If you purchased a notebook from HP during this time period please visit the following link and see the instructions for determining if you have a faulty battery and steps to take:

HP Battery Recall Website: http://bpr.hpordercenter.com/bpr/

Intel and Lamborghini to Sell Lamborghini Branded Notebooks

Acer and Ferrari joining hands to make notebooks? Sure, Acer makes notebooks and they simply use the Ferrari branding to add extra appeal to their high-end machines. But Intel and Lamborghini joining to make notebooks when neither is in the business of making notebooks -- just chips and cars? But according to CNet Asia this is what will happen next year. Sources at CNet Asia say notebooks will be sold online via the Lamborghini website and will feature the new Intel dual core processors when they're released early next year.

Acer to Overtake Lenovo/IBM as #4 notebook seller -- Aims at Toshiba Next

Acer has reported record monthly consolidated revenues for September, with industry sources predicting that the company stands a good chance of becoming the world's number four notebook vendor this year and number three next year.

Compared to its September revenues last year, Acer said its revenues in Europe grew 55%, while sales grew 157% in the US, 65% in the Asia-Pacific region and 56% in Greater China.

Sources with Taiwan's notebook makers estimated that Acer will ship 6.2-6.5 million notebooks this year, taking the world's number four position from Lenovo, which is expected to ship about six million units.

Although Toshiba will remain third this year with shipments of 7-7.5 million units, the sources said the Japan vendor is expected to lose its position to Acer next year. Judging from orders that the two vendors have placed for next year, Acer and Toshiba are expected to ship 9-9.5 million and 8-8.5 million units in 2006, respectively, the sources added.

Acer makes such popular notebooks as the Aspire and Ferrari line.