News Bits: Inspiron 6400, MSI Napa Notebook, Intel iBooks, New Fujitsu Notebooks

Dell Inspiron e1505 and Dell Inspiron 6400 Now Available for Purchase

The Inspiron e1505 from Dell will be replacing its Inspiron 6000 15.4" notebook and is now available for purchase via Dell.com.  The Dell Inspiron 6400 is the same as the Inspiron e1505 but can be purchased through the Dell Business Store.

The Inspiron 6400 offers the Intel Core Duo processor with speeds of up to 2.0GHz, a 15.4" widescreen display with True Life option (glossy screen), up to 120GB SATA hard drive and Intel wireless 3945abg card . Right now the only graphics option is for Intel integrated graphics, the assumption is that Dell will release an Inspiron 6400 and Inspiron e1505 with a dedicated ATI X1400 128MB graphics card within the next month.

MSI to Showcase Napa Notebooks

At CeBIT in Hannover Germany in two weeks time MSI is slated to introduce its latest S262 notebook, based on the Intel Core Duo. It will feature a 12" display, a carbon-fiber cover, and Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology.

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AMD, With or Without Dell

This week, Lenovo (the Chinese company that took over IBM's PC division), launched its own-branded notebooks and desktops. The other news: AMD now has a foot in the door at two of the world's three largest PC makers. AMD announced (publicly) that it isn't too worried about getting Dell, the last of the three.

Lenovo had been using AMD processors in its computers in the Chinese market for some time, and including the AMD processors in its new line was a natural choice. Currently, AMD processors are limited to the J-series desktop, in six out of nine models (either with an Athlon 64 3200+ or Sempron 3000+). AMD certainly isn't shy about communicating its partnership with Lenovo.  At a press conference in New York last week a Lenovo official also indicated that AMD processors in future ThinkPad and Lenovo notebooks would be something they would consider.

With Dell as the only major PC maker not using AMD processors, every percentage point for AMD will continue to put the pressure on Dell.

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New Mac Mini

Another week another Apple product release, this time it's a new Mac Mini. Starting at $599, it features the Intel Core processor and iLife '06. Apple claims up to a 4x performance increase over the previous G4-based mini.

Mac Mini @ Apple.com

Apple Intel iBooks and Magnets

In the last six months, Apple has quietly been adding magnet innovations to its computer systems. Now, it appears as if it's time to add another. In January, Apple introduced the MacBook Pro, which featured a magnetic technology called "MagSafe". It magnetically connects the power cable to the notebook, making charging easier. It is designed to safely disconnect from the MacBook if and when there is strain on the cord - as in, yank the cord, the notebook doesn't come with it.

In the new Intel iBooks, it is rumored that they will feature magnets that hold down the display, forgoing the traditional latch. The new iBook will probably be called the MacBook (no Pro designation), and is supposed to be the most heavily redesigned Mac to debut in the last two years.

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Fujitsu's S- and E-series with Core Duo

Fujitsu released major upgrades to its flagship S- and E-series notebooks, the S7110, E8110, and E8210.They feature the new Intel Centrino Duo platform, employing the Core Duo processor.

The S7110 features a 14.1" XGA and an impressive security suite. The E8110 will have a new design and a 15" XGA. And finally, the E8220 will be the top model. Features: 15.4" WSXGA+ display, ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 256MB HyperMemory. The high-performance model will feature the top-of-the-line Intel Core Duo T2600 2.16GHz CPU.
New advanced security features on all three models will include a BIOS lock, Hard Disk Lock, the LifeBook Lock, fingerprint reader, dedicated Smart Card and TPM (Trusted Platform Module) option.

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Fujitsu Siemens Q2010 ultraportable Released in Europe

Fujitsu Q2010 (view large image)

Fujitsu Siemens today released the LifeBook Q2010 in Europe.  The Q2010 is a 12.1" screen ultraportable notebook that Fujitsu calls "true executive style".  This thing has a claimed weight of 2.5lbs, and while all the specs are not final yet, one thing Fujitsu does want you to know is that they think it'll be the most stylish notebook on the block:

Link to product (French): http://www.fujitsu-siemens.fr/products/mobile/notebooks/lifebook_q.html

Q2010 Specs

• Chipset  Intel 945GMS / ICH7-M 
• Processor   Intel Core ULV (precise processor to be determined)
• Memory  Up to 1 GB DDR2-400 SDRAM 
• Optical drive  Multiformat DVD writer with double layer support in Port Replicator 
• Hard disk drive  60 GB P-ATA UDMA100 
• Slots:
  • 1 x Express card (54/34)
  • 1 x SD card
  • 1 x SIM card  
  • Interfaces  1 x DC-in
  • 2 x USB 2.0
  • 1 x VGA (cable adapter)
  • 1 x LAN RJ-11 (cable adapter)
  • 1 x Audio-in
  • 1 x Audio-out
  • 1 x Docking connector 
• Graphics  Intel 945GMS with 32-bit 3D/2D graphics core with dynamic video memory technology 
• Display / Resolution  12.1-inch TFT-WXGA, 1280 x 800, Crystal View technology 
  Video RAM (MByte)  Up to 128 (DVMT) 
• Audio  STAC9228
• Modem 
• LAN  Built-in 10/100/1000 Mbit/s Marvell 88E8055 
• Wireless LAN  Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 a/b/g LAN, optional embedded UMTS  
  Bluetooth  Bluetooth V2.0 

iTunes Tops 1 Billion Downloads

Apple announced that its iTunes Music Store has achieved 1 billion downloads. According to Apple, about three million downloads occur each day.  The one-billionth downloader will recieve a 20-inch iMac, 10 Gen-5 iPods, and a $10,000 gift card to the iTunes Music Store.

Says CEO Steve Jobs, "Over one billion songs have now been legally purchased and downloaded around the globe, representing a major force against music piracy and the future of music distribution as we move from CDs to the Internet."

iTunes statistics: it lists more than two million music tracks, 3500 music videos, 35,000 podcasts, and 16,000 audio books.

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