Computer Hardware

A $100 Laptop for You, Too

January 11, 2007

Exciting to hear about the public having the possibility of buying one of those "green" $100 laptop computers that are slated to solve the developing world's Internet problems -- talk about bridging the Digital Divide!

Even more exciting to hear that you and I would have to buy two of these beauties to get one for our own use -- the second one would be for its intended use in developing countries. More about that here.

How about taking that idea and going one step farther -- buying the two laptops and having them both sent to where they really belong?

Remember, 'tis better to give than to receive ...

Posted in Computer Hardware

Hybrid: Is This the Future of Storage?

January 10, 2007

While everybody hears about CES and MacWorld, another tech focused show is happening in Las Vegas -- StorageVisions 2007.

Not to be outdone by those two shows, we have some news from this one, too.

In a move to give the growing number of notebook PC users faster, more durable systems that run longer on a battery charge, Hitachi, Samsung, Seagate and Toshiba have formed a new organization called the Hybrid Storage Alliance.

With market research firm IDC predicting that hybrid hard disk drives will constitute 35% of all hard disk drives shipped with portable PCs by 2010, this technology is seen as the industry's answer to the growing demand for notebook PCs that deliver the speed and durability of desktop PCs.

The goals of the industry group are actually very simple:

Illustrate how flash memory/hard drive hybrid technology can extend the capabilities of today's notebook computers
Accelerate market adoption of the technology

According to the organization, hybrid technology combines the unmatched capacity and cost-effectiveness of hard drives with the responsiveness, power-efficiency and durability of flash memory.

Posted in Computer Hardware

Is That a 1TB Drive in Your Pocket?

January 5, 2007

Love the battle of the firsts and why should computer storage not leverage key features when one company has them and no one else does.

Well, today we have two separate reports -- one about Seagate and the other about Hitachi -- hitting the magical 1TB milestone for storing data on a hard disk drive for consumer use.

You can check out the speeds and feeds on both drives, but no matter how you slice it, 1TB of data is a heck of a lot of data to store.

Remember when 1GB seemed like more storage than anyone could possibly use?

Posted in Computer Hardware

Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 3200 Laser: Now That's What I Call Wireless!

December 15, 2006

I'm talking across-the-room wireless connectivity, not just short range like other wireless keyboard/mouse combo kits.

With the Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 3200 Laser, you get leading-edge performance, comfort and style as well as things you never thought you could do from your keyboard.

Now, I can take advantage of my PC's great media and communication capabilities, even if I had Windows Vista.

Posted in Computer Hardware

Father of the Hard Drive Passes On

December 14, 2006

Yes, I do believe it's worth a moment to pause and reflect on what Al Shugart (founder of Seagate) and his invention of the hard drive meant to the whole world of gadgets.

Obviously, a key component in the rise of the PC, but look what it spawned with hard drives of various sizes, shapes and technologies residing in Oh! so many gadgets that we know and love today -- from MP3 players to cell phones to digital cameras to ... and the list goes on and on ...

Nicknamed Maverick, Spin Doctor, Computer Pioneer and the Disk Drive King by industry journalists, he was renowned for his unconventional thinking and straightforward manner.

Check out another tribute here.

Posted in Computer Hardware

$100 Laptop: Extinct Before It Arrives?

November 30, 2006

I only blogged about the $100 laptop at month ago ("Libya & the $100 Laptop"), but now it already looks like that "save the underdeveloped world" computer has been hit the a 50% price increase -- see "For $150, Third-World Laptop Stirs Big Debate."

Seems to me that this isn't fair -- isn't it better to under promise and over deliver? (And not the other way around.)

And maybe those folks who would benefit from a gadget like this might benefit even more from serving their real hierarachy of needs first -- like food, clothing, shelter? Oh, and how about health care?

The phone lines are open ...

Posted in Computer Hardware

Vernbatim U3 Store 'n' Go

November 27, 2006

It may seem like a while ago that I blogged about the groovy new U3 technology -- the evolution of the USB drive -- but it was only last week!

This time, let's taka a look at an actual product -- Verbatim's 1GB Store ‘n’ Go U3 Smart Drive, the newest member of its award-winning family of Store ‘n’ Go USB drives.

Just the size of a pack of gum, the U3 smart drive offers a new mobile computing platform that allows you to carry smart software applications, PC settings, files and personal preferences wherever you go and to access them on any Windows XP or 2000 PC via any open USB port.

Verbatim’s Smart Drive adds a nice personal twist by including an app called U3 Launchpad, an intuitive interface that makes accessing U3 smart software and device features fast and easy.

Posted in Computer Hardware

What's 1 Better Than U2: Why U3, Of Course!

November 21, 2006

Remember when computers had floppy drives?

Well, yes, some still do, but the generation of CDs and then USB storage devices has made them largely obsolete.

Now, the ubiquitous USB flash drive has undergone the latest step in its evolution -- transforming into the U3 smart drive.

Posted in Computer Hardware

Mimobots to the Storage Rescue!

November 9, 2006

And now for something completely different!

Mimoco is a designer toy studio meets consumer electronics company based in Boston. Their mission: "To bring style and soul to personal tech devices and to inject interactivity into the burgeoning designer toy movement."

The fruits of their vision are the delicious and fresh mimobot designer toy USB flash drives that were launched late last year.

Posted in Computer Hardware

PowerSquid's Got the Power Protection!

November 7, 2006

Flexity has put a whole new spin (and look!) on one of the essential "back office" elements of personal computing -- the lowly surge protector.

(Is there anything more utilitarian than that?)

Yes, believe it or not, that dull black or white (or even gray) strip of metal, some outlets and an electrical cable with plug has undergone a dramatic transformation.

(Dare I say almost of Cinderella proportions?)

Posted in Computer Hardware

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