Mendelson Tiu

Users can now store thousands of files on their USB drive as Kingston launches the world’s first 256GB USB drive.

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The Kingston DataTraveler 300 promises up to 20MB/sec read and 10MB/sec write speeds, includes a Password Traveler security software for Windows to protect important files, and can store massive amounts of data.

Kingston Technology’s Regional Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Vaughan Nankivell said, “Having the ability to carry over 51,000 images in such a small format demonstrates how far flash technology has developed. Users can also safeguard their data by initializing the Password Traveler software which will allow business users and consumers to password protect their data in a privacy zone without the need of administrator rights.”

The Kingston DataTraveler 300 features a sleek cap-less design that will protect the USB connector when it is not in use and is enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost. The Kingston DataTraveler 300 is available for $1,299 by special request and comes with a five-year warranty.

Panasonic has unveiled a new line of ruggedized notebooks that claim to have a brighter screen, increased battery life and storage space, faster processing speeds, and enhanced user interface.

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Toughbook CF-19 Mk III

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 and CF-30 Mk III have a magnesium alloy frame and shock-absorbent damper encasing the hard drive. The company claims that the units can withstand knocks, vibrations and sharp temperature fluctuations, while surviving falls from up to 90cm.  The CF-19 screen rotates 180 degrees, and converts to tablet form.

Panasonic Australia’s Group Manager for Toughbook, John Wood said, “Panasonic has been manufacturing purpose built, reliable and rugged notebooks for over 15 years.  We continue to listen to our customers and improve on features to maintain our notebooks’ class-leading performance.”   

The Toughbook CF-19 Mk III has doubled its screen brightness from 500nit to 1000nit, while the CF-30 continues to boast 1000nit.  With a circular polarizing touch screen and anti-reflection coating, it is easier to read under direct sunlight, ideally-suited to outdoor use. 

Both models promise a battery life of 9 hours even with the increased screen brightness, making the unit even more mobile and functional.

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Panasonic Toughbook CF-30 Mk III

The new Toughbooks also come with a new feature called Convert Conceal mode. With just the touch of a button, the screen display disappears immediately, protecting sensitive information from being read by unauthorised persons.  This ensures information remains confidential, an important consideration for information-sensitive industries such as Defence or the Police.

Incorporating the new Intel Centrino Core 2 Processor, the Mk III is combined with Intel vPro.  The combination of Intel Centrino and vPro can help improve manageability, tighten security and speed up performance.  In addition the hard drive and RAM has been doubled in size giving users 160GB and 2GB RAM of space respectively. 

With enhanced security features both models feature the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 chip which prevents unauthorised access, theft or loss of the HDD, while the optional fingerprint reader and/or smart card reader reduces the risk of insecure passwords.  They also feature a cable lock slot to physically secure the unit.

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-30 Mk III and Toughbook CF-19 Mk III are available now for $8,799 and $7,499 respectively.

MSI has launched an ultra-thin and light notebook that aims to take on notebooks such as the Apple Macbook Air.

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The MSI X-Slim X340 is only 19.8mm thick and weighs 1.3kg. This 13-inch notebook utilises LED power-saving backlight technology that claims to provide better colour fullness and brightness, as well as increase battery life.

In addition to the LED backlit screen, the X340 uses a Lithium-polymer battery which claims to offer incredible battery endurance. The X340 is also equipped with the exclusive ECO Engine power management system, allowing a user to select from five different modes (office, gaming, movies, presentation, and turbo battery).

The unit is also equipped with the Intel Centrino mobile platform with ULV CPU architecture that claims to provide users with performance along with power saving advantages.

Ports included on the device are two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI port, D-Sub Video-out, headphone out, and microphone in. The X340 also comes with an 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection and optional WiMAX modules.

The X-340 is available now with an RRP of $1,499.

See: www.msi.com

The 42-inch Full HD JVC LCD monitor is aimed at digital imaging professionals and enthusiasts who want to take a closer look at their photographs.

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The JVC LT-42WX70 features a black leather-like texture on its bezel, with the flat rear panel finished in metallic silver without any visible screws. The monitor is supported by a curved pedestal-style stand with 3-step height adjustment.

According to JVC, this monitor features expanded colour space capacity encompassing 100% of HDTV broadcasting’s (ITU-R BT.709) colour space and coverage rate of 96% for Adobe RGB to provide ‘accurate reproduction of both video and still photographs.’

Users will be able to see their images immediately by connecting the monitor directly to an SLR camera compatible with HDMI or component connector, editing stills by connecting it to a PC via a D-sub 15-pin, or even do a round of on-screen checks in accurate colours prior to outputting images.

The LT-42WX70 claims to features 52 picture-quality adjustment properties for tweaking both still and video images source-by-source to the exact colours and tones the user prefers. It also sports an intuitive graphical on-screen display that is easy to control via the equipped remote, and touch-panel operation that makes available essential TV operations on the front bezel. The remote can also control other devices connected to the display via HDMI CEC. 

The JVC LT-42WX70 is available this month for $3,799.

See: www.jvc.com.au

The Touch Diamond2 has a lot of new and improved features that make it one of the few Windows Mobile based phones worth looking at this year. This HTC smartphone is definitely better than its predecessor and will simplify the way users communicate.

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The Diamond2 is one slick-looking phone with its stainless steel front and glossy piano-black rear. It sports a 3.2-inch WVGA touch screen (800×400), with HTC including four buttons (Call pick up, Start Menu, Back, and Call End/Home) as well as a touch-sensitive zoom bar (which we will be discussing later) below the screen. It also comes with a 5-megapixel camera and a VGA camera used for video calls and conferences.

The mini-USB port on the base of the handset is used for charging and synchronising your phone, as well as connecting the proprietary headphone. Unfortunately, the unit does not have any 3.5mm headphone jack.

HTC’s TouchFLO interface always made it easy for us to access our contacts, multimedia files, and phone settings. The Diamond2 uses the latest TouchFLO interface we love, with HTC adding more subtle but useful features to strengthen the system. One great example of this is the ‘People Centric Communication’ feature that allows a user to see a contact’s details, text messages, e-mails, as well as call history in one window.

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Another thing that sets this unit apart from other smartphones is its zoom bar. If you need to zoom in on images or want a closer look at a webpage, all you need to do is to slide your finger to the right. Conversely, sliding your finger to the left will zoom out the image or webpage. This function also works well with the Google Maps app (pre-installed on the Diamond2).

In terms of features, the Touch Diamond2 comes with the lot. It is HSDPA-enabled, comes with Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth, and supports Microsoft Exchange E-mail. The 528MHz Qualcomm processor as well as its 512MB of memory ensures that the unit will run smoothly with minimal lag and loading times.

The Diamond2’s default on-screen keyboard is small and cramped, which made it difficult for us to compose text messages. Fortunately, other input methods were available, giving us the option to choose how to type numbers and text.

Finally, users would be happy to know that the Diamond2’s battery life has improved dramatically. With the Wi-Fi turned on and with us using the unit to call, text, and send e-mails occasionally, the unit lasted for almost two days.

Overall, the new HTC Touch Diamond2 is more for business-oriented users who want to stay on top of things. The HTC Diamond 2 will be available through Optus with pricing and plans to be released by the carrier.

The new Sharp projector features the DLP sealed system, which prevents dust, dirt and smoke from entering core parts of the optics.

The Sharp PG-D4010X projector is a high brightness single-lamp system that claims to offer an outstanding brightness of 4200 ANSI Lumens and 2500:1 contrast ratio. It features the DLP sealed system, which prevents dust, dirt and smoke from entering core parts of the optics.

Its filter-free design results in less maintenance, lower ownership cost and longer projector use. When the full projector brightness is not required, use of a low power “Eco” Mode is recommended, which extends the projector lamp life and reduces fan noise for quieter and even more economical operation.

Inbuilt high power output stereo speakers (5W per channel) are sufficient for use without the need for a peripheral audio system in some situations, further contributing to total installation cost savings.

The PG-D4010X provides XGA native resolution (1024×768), but in Intelligent Compression System it is compatible with the signal resolution up to UXGA enabling projection from a wide variety of input sources. It offers HDTV compatibility for use with current and future video technologies as well as extensive connectivity.

The PG-D4010X includes a DVI-I analogue/digital source, RGB and component inputs, S-video, composite video and stereo audio, an RS-232C port and a USB input for mouse control. There is also a RJ-45 LAN connection for remote control and access by a Web browser for diagnostics and automatic e-mail of product status.

The PG-D4010X is well suited for permanent installations as well as offering additional features designed for safe mobility, including lens cover protecting optics and the inbuilt carry handle. Other useful features include image shift function, theft deterrent system lock, key lock preventing unauthorised use and presentation-assist functions by remote control (page up/down, pointer, spotlight and mouse control).

The Sharp PG-D4010X projector is available now for $3,299.

The new Hitachi wireless tablet is aimed at educators and businesses who want to allow other users to interact and participate during presentations.

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According to Hitachi, up to seven WT-1 systems can connected to a PC at any one time, enabling multiple users to interact and participate during presentations. Volume control is available directly from the tablet, and PowerPoint presentations can be fully controlled via the function button on the device.

The WT-1 comes with an interactive pen with two customisable buttons, has a wireless range of up to 9 metres and battery life which supports up to 16 hours of continuous use. The tablet also includes 16 shortcut function keys, handwriting recognition, search engine integration and a built-in LCD indicator screen to alert users when battery life is coming to an end.

Hitachi Australia’s StarBoard Products Specialist, James Burke said, “The Hitachi WT-1 Interactive Wireless Tablet is a great product for any classroom, training room, lecture hall or media conferencing centre. The way we traditionally deliver information has become stale and boring. With the WT-1 users are able to inject new life into their presentations, increasing interactivity when they are teaching or presenting to groups.”

Intel has launched a new line of processors that promise faster and optimised performance for both desktops and servers.

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The new Intel Core i5 processor family, two new Intel Core i7 processors and the Intel Xeon processor 3400 series bring the company’s latest Nehalem microarchitecture to mainstream desktops and entry server markets.

According to Intel, the new Intel Core Processors for consumers are designed for consumers who need top-notch performance for digital media, productivity, gaming and other demanding applications.

All processors are lead and halogen-free and feature Intel’s exclusive Turbo Boost Technology. The top-of-the-line Core i7 processors also support Intel Hyper-Threading Technology. These features give computer users absolute “intelligent” performance when necessary and optimum power-efficiency when the computer is lightly loaded.

The new Core i7 and i5 processors are the first Intel processors to integrate both a 16-lane PCI Express 2 graphics port and two-channel memory controller, enabling all input/output and manageability functions to be handled by the single-chip Intel P55 Express Chipset.

Previous Intel chipsets required two separate chips. A new Direct Media Interface (DMI) connects between the processor and chipset. The chipset supports 8 PCI Express 2.0 x1 Ports (2.5GT/s) for flexible device support.

Dual graphics cards are supported in a “2×8” configuration. The chipset also supports 6 SATA 3 Gb/s Ports with Intel Matrix Storage Technology providing RAID levels 0/1/5/10. Up to 14 USB 2.0 Ports can be supported with the chipset’s integrated USB 2.0 Rate Matching Hub, along with Intel High Definition Audio for premium digital sound. The new processors are the first to be supported by the new Land Grid Array (LGA) 1156 package and socket technology.

Small businesses requiring 24/7 operation and educators now have more reasons than ever to buy a purpose-built server with Intel’s new Xeon processors and Intel 3400 and 3420 chipsets. These new products improve small business productivity by running email, file, print and dynamic Web serving tasks more efficiently.

They also improve education by enabling dependable classroom collaboration and making school administrative services more productive. Servers based on Xeon 3400 processors provide more dependability over desktop systems through differentiated features such as Error Correcting Code memory and RAID 0/1/5/10 for server operating systems.

They are designed to help small businesses grow by enabling up to 64 per cent more sale transactions and up to 56 per cent faster business response time. This improvement is enabled with Intel’s Nehalem microarchitecture and a 4x improvement in memory capacity (32 GB). Intel Turbo Boost Technology and Intel Hyper-Threading Technology enable these servers to automatically adapt their performance to unique business needs.

The processors launched today also include the Intel Xeon L3426, a low-power variant that delivers up to 188 per cent improvement in energy efficiency per dollar than the previous-generation Intel Xeon X3380, and enables innovative server form factors for space and thermally constrained environments.