As always, I’m constantly on the search for weird computing stuff and this is no exception…it’s basically a USB-to-Ethernet adapter.
The ethernet port is on the underside of the dolphin. The official specs for this device can be found here. I’m surprised they didn’t make a wireless version of this. Heck, I’m now waiting for the flood of “mascot” USB-to-Wireless Ethernet adapters. And yes, I do know about the freaky Hello Kitty USB hub that talks (in Japanese or English) to you while you’re typing on your keyboard.
Aieeeeeeee!!!!!
Toshiba announced the world’s largest 2.5” hard disk drive with their new MK1031GAS 100GB model. In addition to pushing the drive size, the device uses less power, makes less noise, and can withstand more shock that before.
You can read more about it here.
The drive is only 4200RPM but it has an 8MB cache. Still, the performance should be pretty good since it has a higher areal density. Of course, what I’m hoping for is for Toshiba to bring this technology down to their 1.8” drives. The 1.8” drives are starting to become extremely popular due to their smaller size and and lower power requirements. All the latest iPods (not minis) use the Toshiba 1.8” drives and many the next generation subnotebooks are utilizing these smaller drives. So, here’s hoping for the next announcement of 50-60GB 1.8” drives by the end of this year.
Fujitsu has finally updated its venerable Loox T line of systems. I’m a huge fan of the Loox T as I was an owner of the original subnotebook that changed the rules by adding an optical drive in a sub 4lb. notebook. The evolution of the Loox T has seen a move from Transmeta to Intel Centrino platforms.
The specs of the new model include the following:
- Intel Pentium M 1.1Ghz (probably the latest ULV type)
- Intel 855GME Chipset (no change here)
- 256MB RAM (Upgradeable to 1GB)
- 80GB Hard Disk Drive Standard
- 1280x768 10.6” Screen (0.18mm dot pitch)
- DVD Multidrive (2x DVD-RAM/R/RW)
- 802.11b/g (probably Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG) Wireless
- PC Card Slot, CF Type I/II Slot, SD/MS Slot
- 56k fax modem/RJ45 networking
- 2 x USB 2.0 and 1 x IEEE1394 (4 pin)
- A new thumb security scanner
Other highlights include a 4800mAh large capacity battery (not standard), the removeable optical drive (for weightsaver or other options), and supposedly a newer brighter screen. The VGA out port and S-Video out ports don’t require dongles anymore. Oddly enough, the specs say the VGA out needs a dongle…but clearly, it doesn’t.
Battery life for the standard battery (2400mAh) is 3.9 hours with the large capacity being rated at 7.8 hours. Furthermore, they claim 11.7 hours with large capacity plus bay battery. That’s about the same as the last generation.
The biggest change is probably the weight decrease. The standard version of the notebook now only weighs 3.02lbs (1.37kg). With large capacity battery, the weight is 3.3lbs (1.49kg). So, it looks like Fujitsu is really targeting the Sony TR with this new release.
More info can be found here.
And, a few more pix of the body of the new system…
I almost forgot to mention that there will probably be a site update in the near future. As you can probably tell, there isn’t a lot of cohesion in terms of site design and that’s because I never really finished working on this site. The new site will mostly keep the same idea of being mostly simple but with some usability enhancements. I’m also implementing a new CMS system on the backend so that I can do a lot more cool stuff with this site.
In addition to a new layout, there will be a new section with some articles that I’m planning to write. I can’t say exactly what it is yet as I’m still hashing out the details but it should be very interesting and entertaining.
I’m currently at look at an ETA of by the end of May. That’s my optimistic time frame assuming everything goes as planned. It will be good though…just wait an see. At any rate, any feedback from the readers here would also be appreciated. I’d like to know what people think of this site since I get a lot of visitors but not a lot of comments.
