Archive for June, 2007
Sophos’ security experts have disclosed details of a worm called LiarVB-A that copies itself onto removable drives, such as USB Flash memory and optical devices, and also spreads itself via network shares.
The worm is not designed to generate income, contrary to the most of the malware. Instead, LiarVB-A attempts to spread information about Aids and HIV reportedly.
“It creates a hidden file called ‘autorun.inf’ to ensure that a copy of the worm is run the next time the drive is connected to a Windows PC. Once it has infected a system, it drops an HTML file containing a message about Aids and HIV to the user’s drive,” according to the VuNet’s report.
Although the message in HTML file claims that the worm won’t harm your PC, experts say the LiarVB-A makes changes to a system’s settings and overwrites files.
Sophos advises the users of USB memory sticks and other removable drives to disable the autorun option in Windows, in order to prevent the worm from automatically launching when the device is attached to a personal computer.
[Source: laptoping.com ]
June 25th, 2007
The recently announced notebook-use Samsung’s hybrid hard drive (HHD or H-HDD), which combines a flash memory and a traditional hard disk for improved performance, is now available for purchase at CMS Products.
The offered HM16HJI model, which belongs to 2.5-inch MH80 hybrid hard drive series, features 160GB of storage capacity, 256MB of OneNAND Flash memory, Serial ATA interface, and 5400rpm rotational speed. It is priced at $299.
“The OneNAND Flash from memory leader Samsung functions in the HHD as a write cache during normal operation, saving power and reducing the chance of drive failure. It also acts as a read cache during boot/resume and when specific applications are launched to accelerate system performance,” the product description says.
When used with Windows Vista, which includes Windows ReadyDrive technology, Samsung’s MH80 hybrid hard drives are claimed to provide up to 50% reduction in boot and resume times, as well as up to 30 minutes longer battery life, when compared to a standard HDD. These hybrid storage products for laptops also bring improved reliability, since the write cache keeps the drive’s platters idle 99% of the time.
According to earlier reports, we can also expect the availability Samsung’s HHD models with 80GB and 120GB capacities, as well as the drives with 128MB flash memory.
[Source: laptoping.com ]
June 25th, 2007
Logitech has expanded its Alto line of notebook stands with the new Alto Connect and Alto Express.
The X-shaped Logitech Alto Connect laptop stand incorporates four-port USB hub. One of the ports is located at the front of the stand for easy access when plugging in a device such as an MP3 player or thumb drive. Alto Connect also offers a cable-management system and a cavern for storing the USB cable when not in use. The new stand is compatible with any notebook PC, as well as with MacBook and MacBook Pro computers.
Logitech Alto Express notebook is a simple stand made of a hard-plastic with translucent surface. The lightweight one-piece Alto Express has arch-like design, so it can accommodate a keyboard and mouse under itself, when the devices are not in use. The Alto Express is compatible with 15.4- to 17-inch PC and MacBook laptops.
The Alto Connect is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in September with a suggested retail price of $79.99, while the Alto Express is expected to be available in the U.S. beginning in July and in Europe beginning in August for $29.99.
Logitech also introduced its Premium 4-Port USB Hub for Notebooks, and the Cordless Number Pad for Notebooks. They are available now in the U.S. and are expected to be available in Europe in July with $29.99 and $39.99 price tags respectively.
[Source: laptoping.com ]
June 25th, 2007
Logitech today introduced its Kinetik 15.4 Backpack and Kinetik 15.4 Briefcase for notebook computers.
The Kinetik backpack and briefcase feature an exo-shell casing, which helps protect the laptop from damage, and a contoured back panel, which conforms to the back. These cases, made from lightweight and durable materials, provide bays for devices, as well as easy access to the laptop and other equipment, the computer accessories maker says.
According to the names of the new products, these cases should be compatible with the 15.4-inch or smaller notebooks.
The Logitech Kinetik 15.4 Backpack and the Kinetik 15.4 Briefcase are expected to be available in Europe in mid-August and in the U.S. in September with $99.99 price tags.
[Source: laptoping.com ]
June 25th, 2007
Some of the latest Intel “Santa Rosa” platform-based Apple’s MacBook Pro laptops are reported to have overheating problems because of misapplied thermal grease.
“A reader at the MacRumors forums noticed his week-old MBP getting a little hot, so he bravely decided to pull the unit apart to check things out and found what he estimated to be forty times too much paste applied to the logic board. There are also a few threads on the Apple support site with similar pics of MBP logic boards slathered in grease, so this doesn’t appear to be an isolated issue,” Engadget reports.
The same thermal problem was noticed recently in previous MacBook Pro models.
These issues have not been commented by Apple yet.
[Source: laptoping.com ]
June 25th, 2007
Dell announced today it will replace for free the faulty LCD displays with vertical line problem in some of Inspiron 6000 and 8600, Latitude D800 and D810, and Precision M60 and M70 notebook computers.
According to Dell, the displays in small number of these laptop PCs develop one pixel wide vertical line or multiple lines across the screen. The cause of the problem has been traced to one specific component used in some of LCDs shipped on the potentially affected systems.
“We will replace any LCD that develops a vertical line associated with this specific issue within three years of purchase, at no charge for parts and labor. Also, Dell will offer refunds to customers who paid Dell to replace LCDs affected by this issue,” the information on Dell’s official blog says.
The notebooks that may be affected by this issue shipped between December 2004 and December 2006. The PC maker also noticed recently the same problem in some 17-inch Inspiron 9200, 9300 and Dell XPS Gen 2 laptops, and offered a free LCD replacement.
[Source: laptoping.com ]
June 25th, 2007
French blog Le Journal du Geek has revealed the details of the upcoming Toshiba Satellite X200 gaming laptop PC.
The first spotted model in X200 series features a 17-inch widescreen display with 1440×900 resolution, Intel “Santa Rosa” notebook platform, Core 2 Duo processor T7300 with 2Ghz, and Nvidia GeForce 8700M GT 256MB dedicated video card supporting DirectX 10 games. It has 2GB of system memory and a 200GB hard drive spinning at 4200rpm. There is also an option of two 160GB HDDs at 5400rpm.
According to Toshiba’s recent press release, the Satellite X200 will have a HD DVD optical drive and a HDMI output with 1080i resolution, enabling high definition multimedia content playback.
Toshiba Satellite X200 incorporates wireless N (802.11n draft) and Bluetooth connections, five built-in Harmon Kardon speakers, as well as a keyboard with numeric pad, a 1.3 megapixel camera, an ExpressCard slot, a memory card reader, and numerous USB ports.
In Europe, the Satellite X200 is expected be released next month with starting price of 1599 Euros, or approximately 2140 U.S. dollars.
Le Journal du Geek | Engadget
[Source: laptoping.com ]
June 25th, 2007
Microsoft Research Cambridge?’s Steve Hodges has demonstrated the multi-touch laptop, which enables the use of more than one finger to interact with content shown on notebook’s display.
For example, you can easily stretch or reduce the size of images or rotate them by using two fingers. The infrared electronics, located behind the screen of this modified notebook, also provides the ability to pick up infrared signals from a standard remote controller.
The multi-touch technologies are also used in the upcoming Apple iPhone, as well as in the Microsoft’s Surface.
Source
[Source: laptoping.com ]
June 25th, 2007
Gateway plans to unveil the 295 Series Tablet PC, featuring 14-inch screen and Intel “Santa Rosa” notebook platform.
According to leaked specifications, Gateway 295 (E-295M model) has Wacom and touchscreen capabilities, Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 processor at 1.8GHz clock speed or T7300 at 2GHz, 2GB of DDR2 system memory, and 60GB-100GB hard drive. It is not known if it has built in optical drive. The Gateway 295’s 14-inch widescreen display has 1280-by-768 pixel resolution and is managed by the integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100.
The 295 Series Tablet PC will be selling for around $1,700 reportedly. It is expected to be available soon.
[Source: laptoping.com ]
June 25th, 2007
Computer cooling solution provider Evercool has released the Magic NB-MA1 Notebook Cooler, “the world’s first patented air extracting fan for laptops”.
The Magic NB-MA1 allows quick extraction of the hot air, which stabilizes the operation of the notebook and prolongs its lifetime, according to Evercool. It comes with universal clip making it compatible with major laptop brands and can rotate up to 180 degrees to adjust angle.
The Magic NB-MA1 Notebook Cooler connects to a laptop via USB port and has satanic-like design with LED light decoration.
The fan weighs only 60g and is priced at around $15.
[Source: laptoping.com ]
June 25th, 2007
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