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News Week of November 11, 2007GBM inkshow: OQO Model 02 Tablet PC SSD vs HDD In this InkShow, I run a series of tests comparing a Model 02 1.6 ghz SSD to a Model 02 1.5 ghz HDD . The speed differences really show themselves on bootup and application start-up. My own battery experiences indicate about 45 minute to an hour improvement over the HDD based Model 02. FYI: I did try using Battery Eater, but ran into problems with the application. (Source: Rob Bushway, Gotta Be Mobile) Motion Discontinuing the LS800 Tablet PC PDF Annotator Awarded Second Place at the 2007 Epsilon Awards At the annual presentation of the Epsilon Awards this year, GRAHL Software Design's PDF Annotator was awarded second place. This now award-winning software can be used to mark up an existing PDF file with comments, corrections, and drawings. This makes editing any kind of PDF document child's play. Munich, Germany (PRWEB) November 15, 2007 -- The European Software Conference (ESWC) has been presenting the Epsilon Awards since 2006. These are presented to software developers who have created a standalone application for the Windows, MacOS, or Linux platforms and who have made it through a qualifying round to distinguish themselves from the competition in open voting. Last year's winner was the British company Alcohol Soft's program Alcohol 120%. The winner of this year's competition was xplorer2. Runner-up was Germany's PDF Annotator, and third place was awarded to the well-known compression tool WinRAR. After the qualifying round (July - September) and the voting phase (September - October), these three applications trounced the remaining competition. Results of the voting were announced at the November 4 session of the European Software Conference in Cologne. Oliver Grahl of GRAHL software design states: "We are proud of PDF Annotator's success in the face of strong competition from all over Europe. We see ourselves in a strengthened position from having made available a truly innovative piece of software that fills a real gap in today's marketplace." The award was presented by Hubert Gey, chairman of the Economic Committee of the City of Cologne, in the name of the Lord Mayor of Cologne, Fritz Schramma, and under the auspices of the European Software Conference (http://www.euroconference.org). PDF Annotator 1.5: Mark Up PDF Files! Originally developed for Tablet PC's and graphic tablets to let users add comments to PDF files with a stylus, the new Version 1.5 makes PDF Annotator available on ordinary desktop PC's. According to Oliver Grahl: "It's unbelievable how PDF Annotator makes life easier in the office or in school. Proofreading, annotating and editing of PDF files now become child's play." PDF Annotator 1.5 software (8.5 MB) runs on Windows XP, 2000 und Vista, as well as Tablet PC's. A free 30-day evaluation download is available from the website. The software sells for $ 49.95. Special discounts are available for students, schools, and universities. Corporate purchasers can take advantage of economical Corporate Packs. (Source: Press Release) Dell's Latitude XT and XPS ONE make first public appearance Fujitsu U810 Mini-Notebook Review The Fujitsu U810, the US cousin to the Japanese U1010, attempts to bridge the gap between couch-top casual and real workhorse. It sells for $999 with Windows Vista Home Premium (Vista Business with XP Pro Tablet Edition 2005 in the box) will set you back $100 more) and uses the Intel A110 800MHz processor like other recent UMPCs, but it has a significantly higher resolution display and a mini-notebook design for more serious productivity. In fact Fujitsu avoids the UMPC moniker and calls it the "U810 Mini-Notebook". This 1.56 lb. mini-notebook has a 5.6" 1024 x 600 touch screen display, webcam, the Intel 800 MHz CPU with 512k level 2 cache, 1 gig of DDR2 400MHz memory, a 40 gig 1.8" internal hard drive, 1 SD and 1 CF slot, 1 USB 2.0 port, 3.5mm headphone and mic ports and both VGA and Ethernet ports on a dongle adapter that plugs into a dock connector. The notebook has a biometric fingerprint scanner and Trusted Platform Module (TPM). (Source: Lisa Gade, Mobile Tech Review) Panasonic Raises the Bar for Reliable Mobile Computing with New Suite of Business-Rugged Toughbook® Notebooks 7 series Toughbook notebooks real-world tested to withstand the drops, bumps and spills faced by truly mobile professionals; Panasonic’s history of engineering and building-in durability central to new ultraportable and thin-and-light systems Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of durable, reliable Panasonic® Toughbook® mobile computers, today introduced three new business-rugged notebook computers designed to meet the demands of mobile executives, walking workers and road warriors: the ultraportable W7, the tablet alternative T7, and the thin-and-light Y7. The new suite of business computing solutions are based on Panasonic’s 15 year history of engineering and manufacturing robust notebook computers that deliver the durability, reliability and connectivity essential to keeping government and business professionals working wherever and whenever they need to. “As business travelers’ reliance on their notebooks grows, a dimension of mobile computing coming into increasing focus is durability,” said Roger Kay, president of Endpoint Technologies Associates, Inc. “Not willing to pay a premium for a fully rugged notebook, most mobile executives still want a portable with some durability characteristics beyond those available in ordinary systems. Lightweight systems with good battery life and some ability to withstand drops, shocks and spills—‘business-rugged’ notebooks—will only rise in popularity over time.” Built with the real-world challenges of today’s on-the-go user in mind, the Intel® Core™ 2 Duo-based W7, T7 and Y7 notebooks offer an ideal combination of the latest computing power, extremely light weight (from 3.0 to 3.7 lbs) and long battery life—all protected by proven durability that is engineered from the inside-out. Like all Toughbook notebooks, the business-rugged 7 series notebooks are drop- and spill-resistant, have strong magnesium alloy cases and chassis, shock-mounted hard drives and LCDs, and internal flexible connectors for additional protection. In addition, the 7 Series business-rugged products offer a range of embedded wireless options for anytime, anywhere connectivity, including 802.11, Bluetooth 2.0 and optional high-performance built-in 3G mobile broadband solutions from AT&T (HSDPA), Sprint or Verizon Wireless (EV-DO Rev. A). Business-rugged notebooks from Panasonic address a growing market need for PCs that are up to the challenges of mobility. In a November, 2007 Harris Interactive poll sponsored by Panasonic released yesterday, 42% of adult notebook users reported some form of mishap with their laptop, including knocking it against a hard surface (26%), dropping it (21%) or spilling something on it (15%). These findings are in line with research conducted in 2005 by IDC, which showed that dropping while carrying was the number one cause of accidental notebook damage. Liquid spills and falls from a table or desk rounded out the top three mishaps leading to accidental damage. “People on the move can’t accomplish what they need to in work and life if they don’t have a reliable notebook they can count on to stay connected. The superior engineering of our light weight and durable business-rugged Toughbook notebooks protects against the inevitable drops, bumps and spills facing truly mobile users,” said Rance M. Poehler, president, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. “While everyone is talking a good game about delivering more durable computing solutions, the double-digit average failure rates of most business notebooks are unacceptably high. Customers deserve better and Panasonic is raising the bar for reliability by making our wireless business notebooks durable from the inside out and backing that up with a three year warranty and round-the-clock US-based support.” A Commitment to Innovation and Engineering Backed by Comprehensive Testing and Quality Control Panasonic has long been an innovator in mobile computing. Among other milestones, the company was the first to integrate an optical drive—the world’s lightest—into a 12.1” notebook form factor. With the 7 series of Toughbook notebooks, Panasonic is breaking new ground with heat and power management technology. In order to optimally run the more powerful Intel Santa Rosa processors in the small and lightweight 7 Series mobile PCs, engineers from Panasonic and Intel created a proprietary implementation of Dynamic Power Performance Management technology, designed to continually fine tune CPU usage based on system load and the tasks being performed. A new Hybrid Cooling System incorporates a compact fan design as well as a user-defined fan utility to help manage fan speed based on ambient conditions and the performance required. Combined, these new technologies help optimize system performance while preventing case overheating and extending battery life. The new business-rugged Toughbook notebooks are also more durable than any other business notebook. They are drop-tested using both the MIL-STD-810F methodology common to rugged notebooks as well as additional Panasonic factory drop tests. Commonly misunderstood, mil-spec testing does not prescribe a specific drop height. Rather, it outlines a method by which units are dropped a total of 26 times, on every axis, onto plywood over steel over concrete. Fully-rugged Panasonic Toughbook notebooks are mil-spec rated to 36” (for both the unit and the hard drive), while the 7 series business-rugged Toughbook notebooks are mil-spec rated to 12” for the unit itself and 30” for the shock-mounted hard drive. An additional Panasonic drop-test requires that 7 series notebooks survive a 30” (just over the typical height of a desk or table) drop to the base of the unit while it is operating. The unique Panasonic spill-through keyboard design protects against liquid spills of more than 6 ounces (200 cc), and both the lid and base of the notebooks are designed to withstand more than 220 lbs (100 Kg) of pressure. In addition, Toughbook notebook hinges are required to pass 50,000 cycles and keyboards are tested to withstand 25 million keystrokes. Panasonic’s commitment to quality—at both the component and finished goods level—results in a total of more than 500 checks and tests before, during and after production. Business-Rugged Panasonic Toughbook Notebooks Toughbook W7: Ultraportable Notebook for the Mobile Professional The ultraportable Panasonic Toughbook W7 notebook, with its integrated DVD MULTI drive, 12.1 inch anti-glare LCD, and weight of 3 pounds, is ideal for mobile professionals. Equipped with an ultra-low voltage Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor, 1 GB SDRAM (expandable), 80 GB hard disk, and battery life of approximately 7 hours, the W7 is as useful on an airline tray table as it is in the board room. Toughbook T7: A lightweight Tablet PC Alternative Designed with input from “walking workers” such as nurses and home care professionals, the Toughbook T7 notebook is a tablet-alternative notebook with a touch screen, stylus and screen rotating software. The system features a 12.1 inch touch-screen LCD and convenient hand strap. Equipped with an ultra-low voltage Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor, the 3.3 pound T7 provides an 80GB hard drive and 1 GB SDRAM (expandable) and delivers up to 9 hours of battery life, depending on operating environment. Toughbook Y7: Desktop Computer Capabilities in an Extremely Thin and Light Package The world’s lightest laptop with a 14.1 inch display, the Panasonic Toughbook Y7 thin-and-light notebook weighs only 3.7 pounds and delivers five hours of battery life. The Toughbook Y7 notebook includes a built-in DVD MULTI drive, Intel® Core™ 2 Duo low voltage processor, 1 GB SDRAM (expandable) and 80 GB hard drive. The Y7’s larger screen makes it suitable for presenting to small groups while still being portable enough for professional road warriors. Security Options Vital for Mission-Critical Computing The Panasonic Toughbook 7 Series notebooks all provide significant data security features including trusted platform module (TPM) security chip v. 1.2, the Computrace theft protection agent in the BIOS, a cable lock slot, password security and an optional fingerprint scanner. The T7’s lack of an optical drive is by design, enhancing data security in highly regulated environments such as healthcare. Superior Warranty, Support and Professional Services Every Panasonic Toughbook notebook includes a standard three-year limited warranty and free access to 24/7/365 U.S.-based phone support for the entire life of the product. The Panasonic call center hold time averages less than one minute. In addition, in the unlikely event of a hardware-related failure, Panasonic covers the cost of overnight shipping to and from its national service center, where the average turnaround time for repairs is less than two days. Panasonic also offers a full range of professional services to support customers during and after deployment. Pricing and Availability The Panasonic Toughbook Y7 is available now at an estimated street price of $2,449.00. The mobile broadband-ready Panasonic Toughbook W7 and Toughbook T7 will be available in December, 2007 at an estimated street price of $2,099. All Toughbook notebooks can be purchased from authorized Panasonic Toughbook resellers nationwide. Please visit www.panasonic.com/toughbook for more information. Detailed Product Features and Specifications* Panasonic Toughbook W7 Panasonic Toughbook T7 Panasonic Toughbook Y7 *Specifications are subject to change without notice. (Source: Press Release) Providence Hall to Enhance Learning Process via Adoption of Toshiba Tablet PCs Continuing its commitment to delivering mobile innovations that improve the way people teach, create, collaborate and learn, Toshiba?s Digital Product Division, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced Providence Hall?s implementation of educational technology in the classroom through the use of Toshiba Tablet PCs. Currently in its inaugural year, Providence Hall, a college preparatory school in Santa Barbara, Calif., emphasizes the use of small classes and exceptional faculty to offer the best education for their students in reaching their Future goals. By working with Toshiba and integrating Tablet PCs into the school?s curriculum, Providence Hall will enhance the teaching and learning process through the use of technology. We are thrilled to be implementing Tablet PCs into our classrooms. We believe that by incorporating elements of a one-to-one learning program at Providence Hall, we will achieve our goal of providing our students with the best tools for success, said Ronald M. Grosh, Providence Hall Headmaster. In a world of rapid technological change, we are confident the Tablet PCs will help our students understand the immediate connection between technology and their future. In working with educators over the past 10 years, Toshiba has seen significant gains in terms of popularity and market acceptance of the Tablet PC. This is largely due to the intuitive nature of Toshiba?s mobile computing technology, which provides students and teachers with an unprecedented level of flexibility. A key educational benefit for students using Tablet PCs is the stylus pen, which provides students with the ability to manually replicate what teachers write on the board. To assist in implementing Providence Hall?s one-to-one learning program, Toshiba has donated five Toshiba Portégé® M400 Tablet PCs. Weighing approximately 4.5 pounds, the Portégé M400s feature Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology, a 12.1 inch diagonal display and a swappable SlimBay for a CD-RW/DVD, DVD SuperMulti optical drives or a second hard drive for onboard data backup. This collection of hardware creates a tool allowing students to be both mobile and productive in and out of the classroom. 'For over a decade, Toshiba has played a unique role in the education market by considering the challenges that teachers and students face in their day-to-day activities,' said Dan Rosensteel, vice president of public sector business, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. We have focused our innovations on creating mobile computing solutions to assist in the learning process for both teachers and students. Toshiba strongly believes that a one-to-one learning program assists today's students in acquiring the essential skills they will need to become tomorrow's successful professionals. To learn about Toshiba's one-to-one learning and Notebooks for Schools programs, visit www.education.toshiba.com. (Source: Press Release) Toshiba's Portege R400 Wins Popular Science Magazine's Best of What's New Award Toshiba's Portege(R) R400 Tablet PC won a Popular Science magazine 2007 Best of What's New Award in the Computing Category, Toshiba's Digital Products Division, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced. "For 20 years, Popular Science's Since its launch on January 7, 2007, Toshiba's Portege R400 has been continuously and publicly recognized for its breakthrough world's first technologies as well as its revolutionary and innovative design, including the implementation of wireless UWB docking capabilities, a secondary LED Toshiba Edge Display with Microsoft's Active Notifications and a sleek and attractive black and white chassis. "The Portege R400 is a truly phenomenal Tablet PC that sets the standard for what the future of mobile computing will be, in a system that is available today," said Mark Simons, vice president and general manager, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. "Toshiba takes great pride in this achievement and we are honored to accept one of the esteemed Popular Science 2007 Best of What's New Awards for the Portege R400, as well as have this breakthrough technology recognized as one of the Top 100 Tech Innovations in 2007." Popular Science announced the Best of What's New winners in its December 2007 issue and featured the Portege R400 on the magazine cover. (Source: Press Release) McAuley High School - Tablet PC program required The school open house is Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. McAuley will still allow its upper classes to use the school's 200 wireless laptops, but next year's freshman will have to lease tablet PC's for less than $600 a year. They can keep them after graduation. Tablet PCs are different from laptops in that they allow students to write on an adjustable display monitor using a stylus. Students also will be able to read textbooks online. (Source: The Enquirer) Fujitsu U810 review by Minimage Notebooks - how small is too small? The Sony Vaio VGN-TZ17GN weighs a mere 1.2kg and, with a 11.1 inch widescreen display, is smaller than an A4 notepad. The Vaio TZ seemed small until I got my hands on the Fujitsu LifeBook U1010, which weighs 600gm. With a 5.9 inch display, it's smaller than a DVD movie case. The LifeBook U1010 is a tiny Tablet PC, although Fujitsu classes it as an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC). Whether you consider such tiny devices a blessing or a curse depends whether you'll spend more time typing on them or carrying them. (Source: Adam Turner, The Sydney Morning Herald) |
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