Scythe Expands Gentle Typhoon Series with New High-RPM Fans

Scythe Co. Ltd. extends the popular Gentle Typhoon fan series by three powerful high RPM models. The new Gentle Typhoon High RPM fans are available with 3.000, 4.250 and 5.400 rpm. These high fan speeds generate an incredible airflow of 141, 197 and 255 m³ per hour (83.0 / 116.5 / 150.1 CFM).

In direct comparison to fans with similar specs, the Gentle Typhoon High RPM series scores with a significant lower noise. Like the normal GT models, a perfectly balanced Nidec Servo bearing is used, ensuring an average MTBF of 100.000 hours. The reliable motor operates with an almost fluctuation-free rotational torque. Vibrations transferred from the motor to the venturi (fan case) are reduced to a minimum.

Sprint pulls Epic 4G Froyo update, cites data connectivity and SD card issues

Well, we're not quite sure what the trouble is with firmware updates for Samsung phones this week, but another one's just been pulled days after it was rolled out.

Galaxy Tab 10.1 Hits Vodafone Portugal in March for €699

Last week during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, South Korean mobile phone maker Samsung Electronics announced the release of Galaxy Tab 10.1, the bigger brother of its 7-inch Galaxy Tab tablet PC, which will be distributed in a large number of markets exclusively on the airwaves of Vodafone.

Intel refutes Apple exclusivity for Thunderbolt I/O, LaCie and Promise detail first Thunderbolt peripherals

We can think of a pretty good reason why Apple might have a head-start when it comes to Thunderbolt-capable machines, but Apple doesn't actually have a timed exclusive on the technology, at least according to Intel PR. The company told us that while it's currently targeting an early 2012 launch for Thunderbolt with other OEMs -- whereas the new MacBook Pro has Thunderbolt right now -- there's nothing stopping other manufacturers from launching machines with the 10Gbps interconnect a good bit earlier if they so desire.

Apple updates MacBook Pro line with Sandy Bridge, Intel's Light Peak

Apple has brought their popular line of MacBook Pro notebooks up to date using Intel's new Sandy Bridge processors across the board, including quad-core CPUs in the more expensive 15" and 17" models.

While it was easy to anticipate all major PC manufacturers would be unveiling their 2011 models using Intel's latest platform around this time frame, in true Apple fashion a lot of speculation surrounded the revamp of the new MacBooks, though only part of the rumors held true.

SandForce launches SF-2100, SF-2200 SSD controllers

SSDs have come a long way in the last few years and SandForce is continuing that evolution today by introducing new controllers (PDF) that double the performance of the company's early iterations. The new SF-2100 is equipped with a SATA 3Gb/s connector while the latter uses the speedier SATA 6Gb/s interface and both processors optimized for client computing applications.

OCZ intros Vertex 3 SSDs with new SandForce controllers

OCZ has introduced its next generation of Vertex solid-state drives armed with SandForce's latest drive controllers. OCZ offers two versions of the drive, one aimed at client environments and the other intended for enterprise applications, with both using different controllers. The Vertex 3 features the SF-2200 processor while the Vertex 3 Pro uses the SF-2500.


Both controllers offer the same basic specs: up to 500MB/s sequential reads and writes, support for SATA 6Gb/s, up to 60k IOPS sustained 4KB reads and 20/60k IOPS burst/sustained 4KB writes. However, SF-2200 has an artificial firmware limitation that caps the random write throughput at 20k IOPS as SandForce believes this is sufficient for client use.

Western Digital outships Seagate in 2010

Western Digital stripped Seagate of its leading spot in the hard drive market during the first quarter of 2010 and the company maintained that lead throughout the year. According to Information Network, total hard drive shipments grew 17.1% to 653.5 million in 2010 and Western Digital represented 31.4% of the market, nearly two percentage points ahead of Seagate's share of 29.6%. Hitachi took third place in overall shipments with 16.4%, ahead of Toshiba/Fujitsu at 12.6% and Samsung at 9.2%.

Toshiba AC100 smartbook gets Android 2.2 upgrade

Smartbooks may not have exactly caught on as the next big platform, but one of the more notable examples out there is now at least a bit more of an interesting option than it was before.

Xtreamer Prodigy features AirPlay support, USB 3, and a GUI that will delight fans of Flash (and fans of GUIs)

Looks like the folks at Xtreamer have a few tricks up their sleeves! Following hot on the heels of the company's Ultra HTPC comes Xtreamer Prodigy, a Realtek 1185-based media player and streamer that sports USB 3.0 connectivity, 256MB RAM, 512MB NAND flash, HDMI, an integral IR remote control, a multi-card reader and a 3.5-inch HDD bay.

Samsung's MacBook Air competitor gets dated and priced

We've seen plenty of MacBook Air competitors crop up since Apple's fall refresh, including Samsung's 9 series notebook. Unveiled at CES 2011, the ultraportable matches the MacBook Air's size and weight almost precisely, measuring from 15.9mm to 16.3mm between its thickest and thinnest points and weighing 2.89 pounds. Samsung wasn't quite ready to spill the beans on pricing and availability back in January, but nearly two months later the company has finally shared those details.

ECS announces Brazos-powered HTPC motherboard

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) is the latest manufacturer to launch an HTPC motherboard armed with AMD's new Brazos platform. The company's Mini-ITX HDC-I board comes with a single or dual-core E-series APU (codenamed Zacate) and the Hudson-M1 chipset. Both the E-240 and E-350 APUs combine Bobcat processing cores with Radeon HD 6310 integrated graphics and offer plenty of performance for HD video and 3D graphics.

In our recent review of the competing Asus E35M1-M Pro motherboard, we found the AMD E-350 to be more powerful than systems driven by the Intel Atom 330 and Nvidia Ion. The Fusion chip provided a snappier experience during basic use and it outmuscled the Intel/Nvidia duo in virtually every 3D application we tested. Cramming the CPU and GPU cores in one chip is also more power efficient, with the E-series APUs having a mere 18W TDP.

Verizon to Offer Subsidized Price for Xoom

If $800 is too much for you, Verizon is ready to take some of the edge off of the Motorola Xoom pricing, provided you're willing to join its network.

The Xoom will be available through Verizon in just a couple of days on February 24 at a subsidized price of $599.99 with a two year contract. The carrier will also be offering the tablet at the regular unsubsidized price of $799.99 with no contract.

Toshiba Announces Recall of Sandy Bridge Powered Notebooks

Notebook major Toshiba announced a recall-drive of all notebook PCs it sold that are based on Intel's Huron River platform, consisting of processors based on Sandy Bridge architecture and Cougar Point chipset, after Intel announced a critical design flaw with the chipset. In a consumer notice, Toshiba advised current owners of affected notebooks to return the notebooks for a full refund. It also asked users to backup data and remove all personal, confidential, or proprietary information before returning the units.

Apacer Introduces SandForce-Driven Turbo II AS602 SSD Series

Apacer Technology, a global innovator in memory module, takes advantage of its technical superiority again to step up the SSD read and write speed as well as its durability. The memory giant debuts today the Turbo II AS602 SSD series, which features top-of-the-line and high-speed SandForce SF-1222 controller that helps optimize sequential read/write performance to a blazing fast of 285/275MB and delivers more IOPS (30,000 input/ 13,000 output per second). Apacer also improves SSD's capability to transfer data involving small files and increases overall transfer rate. Plus, the built-in Duraclass technology delivers best-in-class reliability tantamount to enterprise-level SLC drives and edges over previous generations.

iPad loses significant share to Android tablets

Apple's iPad still reigns supreme among tablets, but its grip on the market is starting to loosen.

In the fourth quarter, Apple's tablet captured 75.3 percent of worldwide market share, easily besting Android-based devices' 21.6 percent share, according to market-research firm Strategy Analytics. However, those figures differ vastly from the third quarter when Apple had 95.5 percent share and Android had just 2.3 percent.

Facebook Creating Application For All Tablets

Facebook may have left the task of creating a native application for the iPad to third-party developers, but it appears that the company plans to create something to run on all tablets, including the Apple device.The social network's Chief Technical Officer Bret Taylor told TechCrunch's M.G. Siegler, "We need to make a tablet version of Facebook. It's something we're working on right now."

AMD Announces FirePro 2270 and V5800 DVI Professional Graphics Cards

AMD today introduced the AMD FirePro 2270 and ATI FirePro V5800 DVI professional graphics cards. AMD designed these new offerings for professionals in the medical, financial, design and engineering fields who require the ability to view and interact with multiple applications simultaneously.

Powerchip to Become PC DRAM foundry for Elpida

Elpida Memory, Inc. and Powerchip Technology Corporation today announced that they have reached a non-binding understanding that Elpida will purchase all DRAM products that Powerchip will manufacture, including the current portion which Powerchip has been selling as Powerchip branded products. Elpida will sell those products as Elpida's house brand products. Further consultations between both companies will be held to reach an early final agreement.

Antec Announces Newest Next-Generation CPU Cooler: KÜHLER H2O 620

In its 25th anniversary year, Antec, Inc., the global leader in high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself markets, today announced the Antec KÜHLER H2O 620 next-generation high-performance CPU cooler. Working in tandem with Asetek, the industry-leading supplier of OEM liquid cooling systems for computers, Antec has developed an easy-to-install liquid CPU cooling solution that outperforms stock CPU coolers up to 20 percent under full load. The Antec KÜHLER H2O 620 is crafted to bring sealed liquid CPU cooling to mainstream PC hardware and gaming enthusiasts world-wide - all delivering a Quiet Computing experience that requires zero maintenance, and that's built to OEM standards for reliability.

Team Announces the Lightest USB 3.0 Flash Drives in the Industry

As the digital life era arrives, more and more consumer demand for high-resolution multimedia. Limited by the transfer rate specifications, USB2.0 no longer can handle HD media processing. With this year's kick off of USB3, Team Group Inc. released three mainstream energy-saving USB3.0 flash drives with ultra transfer speed to satisfy the consumer's need for HD media files process.

QNAP Debuts New Affordable High Performance Turbo NAS Server Family

QNAP Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer of world class NAS servers, NVR Video Surveillance Systems, and Network-based Media Players today announced the TS-x12 lineup of affordable high performance Turbo NAS servers intended for the fast-growing home and SOHO market segment. The new models utilize the latest Marvell 1.2GHz processor and include 256MB of DDRII memory and Gigabit LAN ports, offering up to 8TB of networked storage with a unique blend of solid performance, high reliability, and advanced features at very affordable price points. The TS-x12 series includes the 1-drive TS-112, 2-drive TS-212, and 4-drive TS-412.

StarTech Launches First SATA HDD Docks to Support Four Drives Simultaneously

StarTech.com, a leading manufacturer of hard-to-find connectivity parts has announced the availability of two new 4-Drive External Hard Drive Docking Stations, both offering USB and eSATA host connections, with support for 2.5" and/or 3.5" Serial ATA hard drives or Solid State Drives (SSDs).