Mark Hachman

TAIPEI — Intel formally launched its “3-series” chipsets on Tuesday here at Computex, adding a few surprises along the way: the addition of two new chipsets, formally scheduled for the third quarter, and a Core 2 Extreme processor thats slated for notebooks. Intels “Bearlake” chipsets, now known as the “3” series, comes in two flavors: […]

TAIPEI—Via Technology announced a “NanoBook” reference design with a partner, FIC, which uses plug-in USB modules—about the size of an iPod Nano—to add additional features. If it sounds like yet another twist on ultramobile computing, youre right. The NanoBook runs Windows XP and even Vista Basic, but allows users to use a close-to-full-size keyboard while […]

TAIPEI—Asus and Intel have teamed up to develop a $199 notebook PC, the companies announced here on June 5. In a keynote address given by Sean Maloney, an executive vice president at Intel and chief marketing and sales officer, Jonney Shih, chairman and chief executive of Asus, was invited on stage to unveil the “Eee […]

On Wednesday, an analyst group released the market share held by laptop manufacturers during 2006 – not OEMs like Dell, Hewlett-Packard, or Toshiba, but the companies that actually make the laptops themselves. Although a Dell or Hewlett-Packard computer bears the companys logo, the manufacturing, assembly—and increasingly, the design —are carried out by a smaller number […]

A well-regarded anti-virus testing laboratory has released its latest quarterly results, and placed Microsofts OneCare anti-virus solution squarely at the bottom of the list. In each of three categories— viruses, macros, worms and scripts; backdoors, Trojans and other malware; and a third category, combining the results of the first two—OneCare received the worst score out […]

A source close to AMD has confirmed that the company plans to launch its 690G chip set later this month, potentially the first core logic chip set to integrate DVI and HDMI outputs. The 690G, an AM2 socketed chip set designed for AMD Sempron, Athlon 64, Athlon 64 X2 and Athlon 64FX processors, was designed […]

A Microsoft representative confirmed that users may buy an OEM copy of Windows Vista at a substantial discount, provided they adhere to the terms of the license—which, incidentally, may mean providing support for family members. In addition, users should still be subject to the same familiar re-activation restrictions as users of a retail Vista license […]

In preparation for the Windows Vista launch next week, Microsoft has released a virtual Windows Vista machine that users can play with using a Web browser. Meanwhile, savvy early adopters can already purchase an OEM copy of Vista that is priced at about 50 percent less than the retail version. Microsofts WindowsVistaTestDrive.com offers users the […]

According to a preliminary bill-of-materials estimate by iSuppli, the $599 Apple iPhone could net Apple over a 50 percent gross margin, the analyst firm said on Jan. 18. With the cost to manufacture an 8GB iPhone estimated to be about $280 in total expense, the remainder of the $599 total retail price is estimated to […]

Hewlett-Packard has purchased specialty PC maker VoodooPC, according to a blog post made by Rahul Sood, the president and chief technical officer of the company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. HP also confirmed the acquisition. Following the close of the transaction, HP will form a separate business unit within its Personal Systems Group […]

Microsoft is preparing a fix for a program that strips the digital-rights-management protections attached to its Windows Media file format, representatives said Monday night. Armed with the program, users could theoretically download an unlimited amount of music via MTVs Urge music service, as well as other sites that offer music for download. The “FairUse4WM” program […]

AMDs bid to buy ATI Technologies is making waves in the wireless world, which is wondering when, or if, AMD might buy its way into the Wi-Fi space. Vendors like Atheros and Broadcom report that their own customers have begun asking them what their contingency plans are, in case AMD buys a smaller wireless vendor. […]