http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/ PC Doctors Online Technical Support en-gb This site is powered by e107, which is released under the terms of the GNU GPL License. it@nospam.com (Christo) it@nospam.com (Christo) Sat, 19 May 2012 19:07:32 +0200 Sat, 19 May 2012 19:07:32 +0200 http://backend.userland.com/rss e107 (http://e107.org) hourly 1 60 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/e107_images/logo.png http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/ 88 31 PC Doctors Online Technical Support http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.630.2
The Microsoft Store officially posted an offer for a $99 Xbox 360/Kinect bundle on its website.

Last week, rumors circulated that Microsoft was planning on selling a 4GB Xbox 360 bundle with a Kinect sensor and two-year Xbox Live Gold service subscription. The only catch was that there'd be a $14.99 monthly service fee for the service, but gamers would receive the regular online gameplay features of an Xbox Live Gold subscription along with extra content from cable providers.

The total cost of the two-year bundle is $459, which is a bit of an increase from the current $418 4GB Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle with two years of Xbox Live Gold.

The Microsoft Store online published a redeemable coupon for the $99 bundle today, where offer code 885370366266 can be brought to a local Microsoft store in exchange for the latest deal.

Last week's report also noted that there may be an early termination fee (ETF), but the amount had not been specified at the time. Microsoft has now confirmed that there will, in fact, be an ETF that is set based on the number of months passed after the start of the two-year subscription. If the service is terminated within the first three months, the ETF will be $250. At the fourth month, the ETF is $240. From there, the ETF decreases by $12 each month until it hits $0 at 24 months.

Source: Microsoft Store


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]>
The Microsoft Store officially posted an offer for a $99 Xbox 360/Kinect bundle on its website.

Last week, rumors circulated that Microsoft was planning on selling a 4GB Xbox 360 bundle with a Kinect sensor and two-year Xbox Live Gold service subscription. The only catch was that there'd be a $14.99 monthly service fee for the service, but gamers would receive the regular online gameplay features of an Xbox Live Gold subscription along with extra content from cable providers.

The total cost of the two-year bundle is $459, which is a bit of an increase from the current $418 4GB Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle with two years of Xbox Live Gold.

The Microsoft Store online published a redeemable coupon for the $99 bundle today, where offer code 885370366266 can be brought to a local Microsoft store in exchange for the latest deal.

Last week's report also noted that there may be an early termination fee (ETF), but the amount had not been specified at the time. Microsoft has now confirmed that there will, in fact, be an ETF that is set based on the number of months passed after the start of the two-year subscription. If the service is terminated within the first three months, the ETF will be $250. At the fourth month, the ETF is $240. From there, the ETF decreases by $12 each month until it hits $0 at 24 months.

Source: Microsoft Store


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]> Hardware Christo [PCD] Fri, 11 May 2012 10:05:08 +0200 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.630.2 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.629.2
Micron has announced the development of its first fully functional DDR4 DRAM module. The company is currently sampling the modules and getting feedback from major customers to support the implementation of applications starting in 2013. Currently the majority of computers and other devices are using DDR3 DRAM.

The adoption of DDR4 memory will bring improvements to the high performance computing and consumer electronics markets. Micron expects enterprise and micro server markets to take full advantage of the new specification early. The modules are also appropriate for ultrathin client and tablet markets. The new DDR4 modules offer power savings and performance enhancements that are important for mobile devices, such as tablets.

"With the JEDEC definition for DDR4 very near finalization, we've put significant effort into ensuring that our first DDR4 product is as JEDEC-compatible as it can be at this final stage of its development," said Brian Shirley, vice president for Micron's DRAM Solutions Group. "We've provided samples to key partners in the market place with confidence that the die we give them now is the same die we will take into mass production."

Micron's DDR4 technology was codeveloped with Nanya and is based on Micron's 30 nm technology. The modules developed are 4 Gb x 8 units and will be used in RDIMM, LRDIMM, 3DS, SODIMM, and UDIMM applications. The product will also be offered for soldered down spaces in x8, x16, and x32 with initial speeds up to 2400 megatransfers per second. Micron plans volume production the kickoff in Q4 2012 and has been sampling the key partners since the beginning of 2012.

The U.S. DRAM maker's South Korean rival Samsung has also been samping DDR4 memory.

It's been a sad year for Micron after seeing its long-time CEO Steven Appleton perish in a February plane crash. Appleton was replaced by Mark Durcan.

Source: Micron

Micron is among the pioneers in DDR4 memory. [Image Source: TweakTown]


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]>
Micron has announced the development of its first fully functional DDR4 DRAM module. The company is currently sampling the modules and getting feedback from major customers to support the implementation of applications starting in 2013. Currently the majority of computers and other devices are using DDR3 DRAM.

The adoption of DDR4 memory will bring improvements to the high performance computing and consumer electronics markets. Micron expects enterprise and micro server markets to take full advantage of the new specification early. The modules are also appropriate for ultrathin client and tablet markets. The new DDR4 modules offer power savings and performance enhancements that are important for mobile devices, such as tablets.

"With the JEDEC definition for DDR4 very near finalization, we've put significant effort into ensuring that our first DDR4 product is as JEDEC-compatible as it can be at this final stage of its development," said Brian Shirley, vice president for Micron's DRAM Solutions Group. "We've provided samples to key partners in the market place with confidence that the die we give them now is the same die we will take into mass production."

Micron's DDR4 technology was codeveloped with Nanya and is based on Micron's 30 nm technology. The modules developed are 4 Gb x 8 units and will be used in RDIMM, LRDIMM, 3DS, SODIMM, and UDIMM applications. The product will also be offered for soldered down spaces in x8, x16, and x32 with initial speeds up to 2400 megatransfers per second. Micron plans volume production the kickoff in Q4 2012 and has been sampling the key partners since the beginning of 2012.

The U.S. DRAM maker's South Korean rival Samsung has also been samping DDR4 memory.

It's been a sad year for Micron after seeing its long-time CEO Steven Appleton perish in a February plane crash. Appleton was replaced by Mark Durcan.

Source: Micron

Micron is among the pioneers in DDR4 memory. [Image Source: TweakTown]


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]> Hardware Christo [PCD] Fri, 11 May 2012 10:03:41 +0200 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.629.2 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.628.4
Shortly after learning Anonymous-affiliated LulzSec members were betrayed by their leader, Hector Xavier Monsegur, a.k.a. 'Sabu,' Anonymous retaliated by launching several fresh attacks.

The Antisec group attacked Panda Security's PandaLabs website, defacing the page and publicly mocking Sabu:

"Pandasecurity.com... has earned money working with law enforcement to lurk and snitch on Anonymous activists. They helped to jail 25 Anonymous in different countries and they were actively participating in our IRC channels trying to dox [obtain personal information about] many others."

Panda Lab officials said customer information wasn't compromised during the attack, which was directed towards an external Panda Labs server. Company technical director Luis Corrons believes his firm was targeted because of a supportive blog applauding action against Anonymous.

In a separate attack, hackers reportedly connected with Anonymous also attacked the Vatican's official website (http://vatican.va), crippling the site for a large portion of Wednesday. The targeted attack was justified for reasons ranging from actions against heretics, Inquisition book burning, and widespread child abuse by priests.

Hackers reportedly connected with Anonymous posted statements of support for their busted comrades, while also confirming attacks wouldn't stop.

Sabu's betrayal lead to a shakeup of the group, as it was the first major blow to the global hacker collective.

Sabu was originally arrested last June by federal authorities, and turned into a snitch to help bring down several others within the group. Despite global crackdowns against the group, it's unlikely Anonymous and any affiliate hacker groups are going to suddenly stop attacking high-profile targets.

Despite Sabu being seen as a leader of the group -- who turned on his own group in exchange for leniency -- the group will reorganize and select new senior leadership. In the past month, Anonymous posted an audio clip from a phone conversation between the FBI and Scotland Yard, while showing they can successfully plague authorities.

Source: BBC



[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]>
Shortly after learning Anonymous-affiliated LulzSec members were betrayed by their leader, Hector Xavier Monsegur, a.k.a. 'Sabu,' Anonymous retaliated by launching several fresh attacks.

The Antisec group attacked Panda Security's PandaLabs website, defacing the page and publicly mocking Sabu:

"Pandasecurity.com... has earned money working with law enforcement to lurk and snitch on Anonymous activists. They helped to jail 25 Anonymous in different countries and they were actively participating in our IRC channels trying to dox [obtain personal information about] many others."

Panda Lab officials said customer information wasn't compromised during the attack, which was directed towards an external Panda Labs server. Company technical director Luis Corrons believes his firm was targeted because of a supportive blog applauding action against Anonymous.

In a separate attack, hackers reportedly connected with Anonymous also attacked the Vatican's official website (http://vatican.va), crippling the site for a large portion of Wednesday. The targeted attack was justified for reasons ranging from actions against heretics, Inquisition book burning, and widespread child abuse by priests.

Hackers reportedly connected with Anonymous posted statements of support for their busted comrades, while also confirming attacks wouldn't stop.

Sabu's betrayal lead to a shakeup of the group, as it was the first major blow to the global hacker collective.

Sabu was originally arrested last June by federal authorities, and turned into a snitch to help bring down several others within the group. Despite global crackdowns against the group, it's unlikely Anonymous and any affiliate hacker groups are going to suddenly stop attacking high-profile targets.

Despite Sabu being seen as a leader of the group -- who turned on his own group in exchange for leniency -- the group will reorganize and select new senior leadership. In the past month, Anonymous posted an audio clip from a phone conversation between the FBI and Scotland Yard, while showing they can successfully plague authorities.

Source: BBC



[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]> Internet Christo [PCD] Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:42:45 +0200 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.628.4 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.627.2
Yesterday when Apple unveiled the new iPad, the crew from Cupertino took some time to brag about its new A5X processor in comparison to NVIDIA’s Tegra 3. Apple certainly isn't widely known for offering up benchmarks on its own, so we'll likely have to wait until iPads land in the hands of reviewers and geeks around the web.

Apple used the iPad unveiling to boast that the A5X chip inside the new iPad is two times faster than A5, and four times more powerful in graphics performance than the Tegra 3.

NVIDIA isn't buying those claims without proof. The graphics company wants to know how Apple came by that number. Ken Brown, a spokesman for NVIDIA, stated, "[It was] certainly flattering " for Apple to compare its newest chip to their part.

Brown continued, “We don’t have the benchmark information. We have to understand what the application was that was used. Was it one or a variety of applications? What drivers were used? There are so many issues to get into with benchmark.”

Anyone that follows tech knows benchmarks are often handpicked to favor one particular brand over another when it comes to claims such as these. So it should be interesting to see if the new iPad’s performance lives up to the claims.

Source: ZDNet



[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]>
Yesterday when Apple unveiled the new iPad, the crew from Cupertino took some time to brag about its new A5X processor in comparison to NVIDIA’s Tegra 3. Apple certainly isn't widely known for offering up benchmarks on its own, so we'll likely have to wait until iPads land in the hands of reviewers and geeks around the web.

Apple used the iPad unveiling to boast that the A5X chip inside the new iPad is two times faster than A5, and four times more powerful in graphics performance than the Tegra 3.

NVIDIA isn't buying those claims without proof. The graphics company wants to know how Apple came by that number. Ken Brown, a spokesman for NVIDIA, stated, "[It was] certainly flattering " for Apple to compare its newest chip to their part.

Brown continued, “We don’t have the benchmark information. We have to understand what the application was that was used. Was it one or a variety of applications? What drivers were used? There are so many issues to get into with benchmark.”

Anyone that follows tech knows benchmarks are often handpicked to favor one particular brand over another when it comes to claims such as these. So it should be interesting to see if the new iPad’s performance lives up to the claims.

Source: ZDNet



[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]> Hardware Christo [PCD] Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:42:17 +0200 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.627.2 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.626.4
Microsoft is taking a chance to poke Google in the eye during all the concern and hubbub around Google changes to its privacy policies. On the Official Microsoft Blog, Microsoft even offers links to some stories on other websites that talk about concerns and complaints users of Google have with the privacy policy changes. It's clear that Microsoft is set to capitalize on Google's woes as much as possible.

The author of the post on the Microsoft blog is Frank X. Shaw, Corporate Vice President for Corporate Communications at Microsoft. Shaw writes that is clear from the coverage that consumers are looking for alternatives to Google services because they're concerned about their information. Shaw writes that Google's changes make it harder, not easier for users of its services to control their information.

Then Shaw takes the opportunity to promote Microsoft's alternative services that directly compare with Google services. The services Microsoft is talking up include Hotmail, Bing, Office 365, and Internet Explorer. Microsoft is also set to run ads touting its alternative to Google's services in major newspapers this week all around the country as a way to remind users that it also offers services similar to what Google has.

Google is taking a lot of heat over the changes in its privacy policies, and has even received a letter from Congress asking for clarification on the pending changes. Google says it's not changing anything, and is simply consolidating the policies for about 60 different services it offers into one document. Google maintains that its goal for the changes is to make it easier for users of various Google services to have their information available to them no matter what service they're using.

Some fear this is a way for Google to access more of their personal information for marketing purposes. However, Google is very clear that it is keeping all your private information private.

Source: Microsoft


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]>
Microsoft is taking a chance to poke Google in the eye during all the concern and hubbub around Google changes to its privacy policies. On the Official Microsoft Blog, Microsoft even offers links to some stories on other websites that talk about concerns and complaints users of Google have with the privacy policy changes. It's clear that Microsoft is set to capitalize on Google's woes as much as possible.

The author of the post on the Microsoft blog is Frank X. Shaw, Corporate Vice President for Corporate Communications at Microsoft. Shaw writes that is clear from the coverage that consumers are looking for alternatives to Google services because they're concerned about their information. Shaw writes that Google's changes make it harder, not easier for users of its services to control their information.

Then Shaw takes the opportunity to promote Microsoft's alternative services that directly compare with Google services. The services Microsoft is talking up include Hotmail, Bing, Office 365, and Internet Explorer. Microsoft is also set to run ads touting its alternative to Google's services in major newspapers this week all around the country as a way to remind users that it also offers services similar to what Google has.

Google is taking a lot of heat over the changes in its privacy policies, and has even received a letter from Congress asking for clarification on the pending changes. Google says it's not changing anything, and is simply consolidating the policies for about 60 different services it offers into one document. Google maintains that its goal for the changes is to make it easier for users of various Google services to have their information available to them no matter what service they're using.

Some fear this is a way for Google to access more of their personal information for marketing purposes. However, Google is very clear that it is keeping all your private information private.

Source: Microsoft


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]> Internet Christo [PCD] Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:33:52 +0200 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.626.4 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.625.4
Google announced a new addition to its Search service this week called "Search plus Your World," which brings a social aspect to the table. But social giant Twitter has made it clear that Google's latest release is stepping on its toes, and could likely take away some of Twitter's spotlight.

Search plus Your World is Google's most recent effort to apply a social touch to its search engine. The new tool will allow users to not only search the Web for public webpages as they normally would via Google, but also search their own pages and content as well as family and friends' pages and content. The whole idea mainly centers around Google+ pages and Picasa images on the Web, probably in an effort to attract more Google+ members.

Google is achieving this through three new features, including Personal Results, which allows the user to find information like Google+ photos and posts that include them or were created by them; Profiles in Search, which allows a user to find people they know, and People and Pages, which helps users find people they may not know yet, but may want to based on similar interests.

Google gives users the option to add Search plus Your World to normal search just by clicking a toggle button under the Search bar. Just click the icon of a person to see personal results. If you'd prefer to see public pages like usual only, there's an icon of a globe right next to the social icon that will remove results pertaining to you or people you know personally.


Google also assures that the privacy settings are easy to use for those who do not want certain things to show up in Search. Posts and photos can be marked with settings that will only be visible to the user, limited people or the public.

Google is rolling out the new feature over the next few days, and some are not very happy about it (cough TWITTER cough).

After Google announced Search plus Your World yesterday, Twitter responded negatively with both a formal statement and a Twitter post from company general counsel and former Google employee Alex Macgillivray.

"Bad day for the Internet," tweeted Macgillivray. "Having been there, I can imagine the dissention @google to search being warped this way."

Twitter later released the following statement in regards to Google's Search plus Your World:

For years, people have relied on Google to deliver the most relevant results anytime they wanted to find something on the Internet.

Often, they want to know more about world events and breaking news. Twitter has emerged as a vital source of this real-time information, with more than 100 million users sending 250 million Tweets every day on virtually every topic. As we've seen time and time again, news breaks first on Twitter; as a result, Twitter accounts and Tweets are often the most relevant results.

We're concerned that as a result of Google's changes, finding this information will be much harder for everyone. We think that's bad for people, publishers, news organizations and Twitter users.

Google responded to Twitter via a Google+ post, saying it wasn't sure what Twitter's beef was considering Twitter chose not to renew it's two-year-old deal with Google to display real-time tweets last July, which likely decreased Twitter visibility.

However, many are now wondering if Google will attract attention from the Justice Department because of this new move.

Sources: The Official Google Blog, CNET


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



Click to discuss this news item in the forums
]]>
Google announced a new addition to its Search service this week called "Search plus Your World," which brings a social aspect to the table. But social giant Twitter has made it clear that Google's latest release is stepping on its toes, and could likely take away some of Twitter's spotlight.

Search plus Your World is Google's most recent effort to apply a social touch to its search engine. The new tool will allow users to not only search the Web for public webpages as they normally would via Google, but also search their own pages and content as well as family and friends' pages and content. The whole idea mainly centers around Google+ pages and Picasa images on the Web, probably in an effort to attract more Google+ members.

Google is achieving this through three new features, including Personal Results, which allows the user to find information like Google+ photos and posts that include them or were created by them; Profiles in Search, which allows a user to find people they know, and People and Pages, which helps users find people they may not know yet, but may want to based on similar interests.

Google gives users the option to add Search plus Your World to normal search just by clicking a toggle button under the Search bar. Just click the icon of a person to see personal results. If you'd prefer to see public pages like usual only, there's an icon of a globe right next to the social icon that will remove results pertaining to you or people you know personally.


Google also assures that the privacy settings are easy to use for those who do not want certain things to show up in Search. Posts and photos can be marked with settings that will only be visible to the user, limited people or the public.

Google is rolling out the new feature over the next few days, and some are not very happy about it (cough TWITTER cough).

After Google announced Search plus Your World yesterday, Twitter responded negatively with both a formal statement and a Twitter post from company general counsel and former Google employee Alex Macgillivray.

"Bad day for the Internet," tweeted Macgillivray. "Having been there, I can imagine the dissention @google to search being warped this way."

Twitter later released the following statement in regards to Google's Search plus Your World:

For years, people have relied on Google to deliver the most relevant results anytime they wanted to find something on the Internet.

Often, they want to know more about world events and breaking news. Twitter has emerged as a vital source of this real-time information, with more than 100 million users sending 250 million Tweets every day on virtually every topic. As we've seen time and time again, news breaks first on Twitter; as a result, Twitter accounts and Tweets are often the most relevant results.

We're concerned that as a result of Google's changes, finding this information will be much harder for everyone. We think that's bad for people, publishers, news organizations and Twitter users.

Google responded to Twitter via a Google+ post, saying it wasn't sure what Twitter's beef was considering Twitter chose not to renew it's two-year-old deal with Google to display real-time tweets last July, which likely decreased Twitter visibility.

However, many are now wondering if Google will attract attention from the Justice Department because of this new move.

Sources: The Official Google Blog, CNET


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]> Internet Christo [PCD] Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:35:28 +0200 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.625.4 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.624.2
For many years, Nokia has been the top mobile phone maker in the world. Nokia was able to maintain that hold on the top spot with sales of its low-end and mid-range devices while its high-end smartphones were largely ignored in many markets. Samsung now has its sights set on Nokia.

Samsung is boasting that it is confident in 2012 it will be able to topple Nokia as the world's largest cell phone maker. If Samsung were able to pull that off, it would end the 14-year hold of Nokia on the top spot. Samsung's CEO Choi Gee-sung made the proclamation at CES in Las Vegas. Nokia is having a hard time of it recently with sales falling and it hopes that a tie up with Microsoft for smartphones will help bring it back to former glory. Few think that will happen.

Samsung isn't alone in predicting it will overtake Nokia. Reuters reports that analysts from the Royal Bank of Scotland and others think Samsung has the momentum to overtake Nokia this year. However, analysts are split with others expecting Nokia to hang onto its lead. Undoubtedly, Samsung's wide range of Android smartphones is helping push it ahead.

"Considering how strong Nokia still is in the emerging markets, Samsung's expectation seems to imply that Nokia will miserably fail in mature markets," said Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi.

Analysts are predicting weaker demand in established markets like Europe, but strong growth in emerging markets where Nokia is very strong. This will make it hard for Samsung to overtake. Samsung is also on a path to reach its revenue prediction early say analysts.

Samsung is predicted to have a blow out quarter with huge sales.

Source: Reuters


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]>
For many years, Nokia has been the top mobile phone maker in the world. Nokia was able to maintain that hold on the top spot with sales of its low-end and mid-range devices while its high-end smartphones were largely ignored in many markets. Samsung now has its sights set on Nokia.

Samsung is boasting that it is confident in 2012 it will be able to topple Nokia as the world's largest cell phone maker. If Samsung were able to pull that off, it would end the 14-year hold of Nokia on the top spot. Samsung's CEO Choi Gee-sung made the proclamation at CES in Las Vegas. Nokia is having a hard time of it recently with sales falling and it hopes that a tie up with Microsoft for smartphones will help bring it back to former glory. Few think that will happen.

Samsung isn't alone in predicting it will overtake Nokia. Reuters reports that analysts from the Royal Bank of Scotland and others think Samsung has the momentum to overtake Nokia this year. However, analysts are split with others expecting Nokia to hang onto its lead. Undoubtedly, Samsung's wide range of Android smartphones is helping push it ahead.

"Considering how strong Nokia still is in the emerging markets, Samsung's expectation seems to imply that Nokia will miserably fail in mature markets," said Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi.

Analysts are predicting weaker demand in established markets like Europe, but strong growth in emerging markets where Nokia is very strong. This will make it hard for Samsung to overtake. Samsung is also on a path to reach its revenue prediction early say analysts.

Samsung is predicted to have a blow out quarter with huge sales.

Source: Reuters


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]> Hardware Christo [PCD] Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:31:41 +0200 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.624.2 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.622.2
For a few years, the netbook world was jumping with the small (and relatively inexpensive) machines were selling very well. That netbook heyday is over now with sales of the small machines dropping as the tablet becomes the portable computing device of choice for many people. One of the more popular Dell netbooks to launch was the Mini 10 back in 2009.

That netbook was reasonably popular, but the sales waned during its production run. Dell has now announced that it is no longer going to sell netbooks. The company will instead focus on its more recent successes with thin and powerful machines that compete against the Apple MacBook Air and other models such as the new Dell 15z.

"We sold through the Dell Mini some time ago. We're committed to the highly portable space and have focused on delivering thin + powerful solutions, for which we've seen strong success, particularly in our XPS line," Matthew Hutchison, director of Dell Global Consumer PR told CNET in an email.

The fall from grace for the netbook began when Apple rolled out the iPad during the second half of 2010 and many consumers flocked to the tablets rather than netbooks and notebooks. Even Intel has moved on now with the company focusing on Ultrabooks rather than netbooks.

Intel is working hard to promote the Ultrabook, which was originally promised at a price of under $1,000. Some of the machines were offered at that low price, but many of the Ultrabooks on the market sell for much more than $1,000.

Some companies like Acer see the Ultrabook as a way to become more profitable like Apple. Apple is able to sell premium notebooks at very high prices (compared to its PC competition), and its customers still keep coming back for more.

Source: CNET


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]>
For a few years, the netbook world was jumping with the small (and relatively inexpensive) machines were selling very well. That netbook heyday is over now with sales of the small machines dropping as the tablet becomes the portable computing device of choice for many people. One of the more popular Dell netbooks to launch was the Mini 10 back in 2009.

That netbook was reasonably popular, but the sales waned during its production run. Dell has now announced that it is no longer going to sell netbooks. The company will instead focus on its more recent successes with thin and powerful machines that compete against the Apple MacBook Air and other models such as the new Dell 15z.

"We sold through the Dell Mini some time ago. We're committed to the highly portable space and have focused on delivering thin + powerful solutions, for which we've seen strong success, particularly in our XPS line," Matthew Hutchison, director of Dell Global Consumer PR told CNET in an email.

The fall from grace for the netbook began when Apple rolled out the iPad during the second half of 2010 and many consumers flocked to the tablets rather than netbooks and notebooks. Even Intel has moved on now with the company focusing on Ultrabooks rather than netbooks.

Intel is working hard to promote the Ultrabook, which was originally promised at a price of under $1,000. Some of the machines were offered at that low price, but many of the Ultrabooks on the market sell for much more than $1,000.

Some companies like Acer see the Ultrabook as a way to become more profitable like Apple. Apple is able to sell premium notebooks at very high prices (compared to its PC competition), and its customers still keep coming back for more.

Source: CNET


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]> Hardware Christo [PCD] Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:31:54 +0200 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.622.2 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.621.2
Last week, Western Digital revealed that it was cutting the warranty on its Caviar Blue/Green and Scorpio Blue drives from three years to two years. Now, it looks like Seagate just couldn't stand by and let Western Digital have all fun when it comes to cutting hard drive warranties.

The Register is reporting that Seagate is upping the ante by slashing some warranties from five years down to one year. Here are some of the "highlights" of the warranty cuts:

Constellation 2 and ES.2 drives: 5 years reduced to 3 years
Barracuda and Barracuda Green drives: 5 years reduced to 1 year
Barracuda XT: 5 years reduced to 3 years
Momentus 2.5-inch (5400 and 7200rpm): 5 years reduced to 1 year
Momentus XT: 5 years reduced to 3 years

The new warranty policy will go into effect on December 31, 2011. According to The Register, Seagate made this "to be more consistent with those commonly applied throughout the consumer electronics and technology industries."

By aligning to current industry standards Seagate can continue to focus its investments on technology innovation and unique product features that drive value for our customers rather than holding long-term reserves for warranty returns."

If manufacturers and consumers ever had any doubts before about embracing solid state drive (SSD) technology, maybe now is the time to start making the shift to rid us all of spinning media.

Sources: The Register, PC World


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]>
Last week, Western Digital revealed that it was cutting the warranty on its Caviar Blue/Green and Scorpio Blue drives from three years to two years. Now, it looks like Seagate just couldn't stand by and let Western Digital have all fun when it comes to cutting hard drive warranties.

The Register is reporting that Seagate is upping the ante by slashing some warranties from five years down to one year. Here are some of the "highlights" of the warranty cuts:

Constellation 2 and ES.2 drives: 5 years reduced to 3 years
Barracuda and Barracuda Green drives: 5 years reduced to 1 year
Barracuda XT: 5 years reduced to 3 years
Momentus 2.5-inch (5400 and 7200rpm): 5 years reduced to 1 year
Momentus XT: 5 years reduced to 3 years

The new warranty policy will go into effect on December 31, 2011. According to The Register, Seagate made this "to be more consistent with those commonly applied throughout the consumer electronics and technology industries."

By aligning to current industry standards Seagate can continue to focus its investments on technology innovation and unique product features that drive value for our customers rather than holding long-term reserves for warranty returns."

If manufacturers and consumers ever had any doubts before about embracing solid state drive (SSD) technology, maybe now is the time to start making the shift to rid us all of spinning media.

Sources: The Register, PC World


[Submitted by Christo [PCD]]



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]]> Hardware Christo [PCD] Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:31:09 +0200 http://www.pcdoctors.co.za/news.php?item.621.2