Computer Hardware

Oh No! Another Notebook Ballery Recall!

September 5, 2006

As if we haven't already had enough (too much! actually), now Matsushita is recalling 6,000 notebook PC batteries that could overheat when subjected to a strong impact.

According to published reports (thank you, Reuters and VARBusiness for the news ...), a Matsushita spokesperson declined to identify the supplier of the batteries in question, but said that neither Matsushita (best know here for its Panasonic brand) nor Sony had made them.

Posted in Computer Hardware

GN 9350 DECT 6.0 headset does PC, VoIP, and regular phone handsets

September 1, 2006

GN Netcom's GN 9350 DECT 6.0 headset (now called the Jabra GN 9350) is one of the most versatile headsets I have ever reviewed. When GN Netcom told me they had a new headset that did both PC audio and Phone audio, while leveraging the range and interference-free characteristics of the DECT 6.0 standard, I just had to review this headset. (Note: DECT 6.0 operates at 1.9Ghz so it is less apt to have interference from WiFi 2.4Ghz signals) With the GN 9350 you can get your "Skype" on, your iTunes on, and your phone on, all using one wireless headset. Sweet!

Update: Jabra now has the Jabra GN 9350e, the successor to the popular Jabra GN 9350.

Posted in Accessories, Computer Hardware, Gadgets, Headsets, Reviews, VoIP, Wireless

Apple's Turn To Recall Notebook Batteries

August 24, 2006

What's going on here!

Now we have Apple recalling more than 1 million of its notebook batteries (try 1.8 million), accorded to an Associated Press story via CNN.

Seems the batteries were made by Sony; sound familiar?

Posted in Computer Hardware

How About a New Battery Standard?

August 24, 2006

With all of the noise about Dell's exploding batteries and increasing in-flight security precautions, isn't it about time that battery manufacturers got their act together to make better batteries?

Well, it doesn't take along ...

According to the always interesting AppleInsider, leading notebook makers Apple, Dell, and Lenovo will be holding a summit meeting next month to begin development of standards for the manufacture of lithium ion batteries for portable and handheld electronics.

You see, these companies are part of the OEM Critical Components Committee of the IPC-Association Connecting Electronics Industries -- an organization of 2,400 companies which represent all facets of the electronic interconnection industry, including design, printed circuit board manufacturing and electronics assembly.

Posted in Computer Hardware

The Hard Drive Hits 50

August 22, 2006

Not too many gadgets hit the age of 50, especially in the world of computers, but the hard drive is still going strong at 50 years of age!

(I never would have guessed!)

(An age that many may feel depressed about while looking longily at retirement, which looms not that far on the horizon).

Now, analysts are predicting that more drives will be sold over the next five years than in all the previous years combined.

Posted in Computer Hardware

Consumer Storage Demands Never Cease! But Help Is on the Way ...

August 17, 2006

According to recent reports, our desire for storage continues to grow by leaps and bounds -- good thing we are storing 0's and 1's (digital data), not physical goods or we would all have to live in castles! (or at least very big houses).

(Look at that big analog storge pile!)

Hard drive manufacturers such as Seagate Technology, Western Digital and Hitachi Global Storage Technologies as well as flash memory providers, such as Samsung, are beefing up the technical capabilities of their products to meet consumers' growing storage needs.

Posted in Computer Hardware

Dell Battery Recall: Too Hot To Handle!

August 15, 2006

While it may seem funny -- exploding laptops, burning laptop batteries -- make no joke about it, this is serious business.

Dell's announcement to recall 4.1 million notebook batteries (made by Sony) is scary stuff if you have seen the destruction a burning notebook battery can cause or have read about the numerous instances of fires at factories, on plane, in cars, etc., apparently caused by these batteries.

Follow the sage advice and remove the battery and run the laptop on AC power until a replacement battery is received.

The Dell website at www.dell.com has detailed information or you can click here to read the recall notice.

Don't wait!

Posted in Computer Hardware

Mac vs. Windows: Considering a Switch?

August 11, 2006

With all of the excitement around Apple and little (or at least not so much) around Microsoft computer products and gadgets, many may be thinking of switching from a PC to a Mac.

(Not too many going the other way ...)

Well, if that's the case, check out the fine article in yesterday's New York Times' "Circuits" section.

Anybody what to counter any of those observations?

Posted in Computer Hardware

Intel Adding Power (Wtih Micron) & Going Green

July 28, 2006

As the demand for energy conservation continues to grow, corporations are tailoring their products to better meet consumers' needs.

Intel underscored this trend when it unveiled 10 new Intel Core 2 Duo and Core Extreme processors earlier this week. The new processors are designed to conserve energy by more than 40 percent while simultaneously running numerous applications at faster speeds.

(Faster, better, cheaper anyone?)

Posted in Computer Hardware

Dell Plunges into Retail: Why Oh Why?

July 27, 2006

Earlier this week, Dell officially opened its first U.S. retail store (can you believe it!) in its home state of Texas -- Dallas to be precise.

(No, that's not the new store in the photo; it's the corporate headquaters in Round Rock, Texas.)

Word is the new store carries Dell's high-definition TVs, desktops, notebook PCs, printers and other devices like digital cameras and MP3 players.

Posted in Computer Hardware

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