John G. Spooner

Microsoft wants PC buyers to recognize a machine running its forthcoming Windows Vista operating system from afar. The software giant has already set out the minimum hardware requirements for a PC to run the operating system. Now its begun sharing ideas on how to design a Vista PC as part of what it calls the […]

PC maker Lenovo Group says its business customers want more choice, so its offering machines with processors from Advanced Micro Devices. Lenovo, as expected, will on August 8 unveil ThinkCentre A60, a new line of business desktops targeted at large businesses. The line will offer AMDs Athlon and Sempron processors. Lenovo designed the ThinkCentre A60 […]

Lenovo Group is planning a full embrace for Linux. The PC maker, at the LinuxWorld Conference and Expo beginning Aug. 14 , will announce a plan to pre-load Novells SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 on one of its ThinkPad notebooks, sources familiar with the two companys plans said. Lenovo, whose ThinkPads have long been a […]

Gateway is getting to the core of business PCs. The Irvine, Calif., PC maker on Aug. 3 rolled out the E-Series 6610, a high-end business desktop based on Intels new Core 2 Duo processor. Gateway created the new desktop, which pairs Intels Core 2 Duo desktop chip and high-end 975x supporting chip set, to offer […]

Intel has updated the software behind its Centrino chip bundle to fix three security vulnerabilities that, in one case, could allow an attacker to execute code remotely on a laptop. The chip maker on July 28 posted a trio of updates for its Intel/PRO Wireless Network Connection wireless modules. The Wi-Fi modules, which allow notebooks […]

Wyse Technologies and VMware are doing the dance of the virtualized desktop. Wyse on August 2 rolled out hardware designed to support VMwares Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, software that allows companies to host and distribute a Microsoft Windows XP desktop environment located on a server to employees desktops. The two technology companies, along with several others […]

Chip makers Advanced Micro Devices and Intel intensified their battle in the second quarter. The tumultuous period saw the rivals pare back chip prices—while Intel also battled its own inventory problems—amidst declines in processor shipments, due to somewhat weaker than normal seasonal trends, new data from Mercury Research shows. AMD emerged with a small gain. […]

Advanced Micro Devices says its plan to buy graphics processor maker ATI Technologies is in part a response to senior technology managers wants. AMD announced July 24 that it intends to acquire ATI for $5.4 billion in cash and stock. The move, which will make ATI an AMD business unit, will allow the chip maker […]

Dell says its investigating a report of a second laptop fire. The Round Rock, Texas, PC maker says its working to gain possession of a machine which melted itself at a Vernon Hills, Ill., company July 25. A company employee posted pictures and a description of the incident, in which he said the machines battery […]

Acer is taking to the big screen. The San Jose, Calif., PC maker on July 31 said it has begun offering its mega-desktop replacement, the Aspire 9800, which features a 20.1-inch widescreen display. Acer, which has been gaining worldwide market share in recent quarters, is aiming for students or small home office workers who are […]

Hewlett-Packards purchase of Compaq Computer in 2002 put R&D on the front lines in HPs battle to right itself financially and compete with fellow technology giants such as Dell and IBM. HP began using product design—a major element of its R&D operations that had been confined to creating individual products—as a strategic tool for managing […]

Dual-core processor desktops are taking a dive. Price cuts on processors by Advanced Micro Devices and Intel, which lopped as much as 61 percent off the prices of its Pentium desktop chips on July 27, combined with lower costs on items such as LCD panels, are allowing PC makers to offer dual-core processor desktops, whose […]