March 17, 2008
Filed under: Laptops, Storage
Bad news for those banking on
SSD as the savior of all things laptop. While the drives have been proven to improve battery life and speed start times, other drawbacks have buyers thinking second thoughts about the major premium for laptops like the MacBook Air and Lenovo X300 with SSD -- about $1000 in the case of those two. A new study shows that flash-based laptops are being returned at a rate of 10 to 20 percent for technical failure, compared to the 1 to 2 percent of regular laptop returns due to HDD issues. Perhaps it should be expected from an emerging tech like SSD, but consumers certainly aren't expected to enjoy it. Other consumers are sending 'em back just due to lackluster performance -- particular applications like streaming video and, strangely, Microsoft Outlook, see a performance hit from SSD. Hopefully speedier drives will address this latter problem, but how about everybody cuts their prices in half and we just forget the whole thing, eh?
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Posted by Syndicated Listing | Filed Under Laptops | Comments Off
March 17, 2008
Filed under: Laptops, Storage
Bad news for those banking on
SSD as the savior of all things laptop. While the drives have been proven to improve battery life and speed start times, other drawbacks have buyers thinking second thoughts about the major premium for laptops like the MacBook Air and Lenovo X300 with SSD -- about $1000 in the case of those two. A new study shows that flash-based laptops are being returned at a rate of 10 to 20 percent for technical failer, compared to the 1 to 2 percent of regular laptop returns due to HDD issues. Perhaps it should be expected from an emerging tech like SSD, but consumers certainly aren't expected to enjoy it. Other consumers are sending 'em back just due to lackluster performance -- particular applications like streaming video and, strangely, Microsoft Outlook, see a performance hit from SSD. Hopefully speedier drives will address this latter problem, but how about everybody cuts their prices in half and we just forget the whole thing, eh?
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Posted by Syndicated Listing | Filed Under Laptops | Comments Off
March 17, 2008
Filed under: Transportation
Remember a few dozen years ago when we heard the
first batch of 100 Tesla Roadsters had sold out? Us neither, but we're assuming those were heady days. Since then we've seen
delays,
setbacks and
untimely retirements, but Tesla Motors claims it finally has the car under production, and is naturally taking orders for the 2009 run -- 900 cars have been reserved so far. Despite the concrete language in this press release, we'll believe it when these silent beasts start hitting the road. And run our cycling-asses down.
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Posted by Syndicated Listing | Filed Under Transportation | Comments Off
March 17, 2008
Filed under: Transportation
Remember a few dozen years ago when we heard the
first batch of 100 Tesla Roadsters had sold out? Us neither, but we're assuming those were heady days. Since then we've seen
delays,
setbacks and
untimely retirements, but Tesla Motors claims it finally has the car under production, and is naturally taking orders for the 2009 run -- 900 cars have been reserved so far. Despite the concrete language in this press release, we'll believe it when these silent beasts start hitting the road. And run our cycling-asses down.
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Posted by Syndicated Listing | Filed Under Transportation | Comments Off
March 17, 2008
Filed under: Digital Cameras
Not quite able to squeeze into a size 2 chassis before
PMA, Pentax's Optio V20 now has the runway all to itself. This 8-megapixel point-and-shoot isn't anything spectacular, but the 5x optical zoom is a nice complement to the 3-inch LCD monitor, face recognition, blink detection, USB 2.0 connectivity, video out and VGA movie mode. You'll also find a SD / SDHC expansion slot in case 52MB of built-in memory just isn't enough, and the rechargeable Li-ion is said to be good for around 200 clicks on a full charge. On board? Start pinching those pennies now, as this one will set you back $279.95 when it runs aground in May.
[Via
CNET]
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March 17, 2008
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video
iPod cases with built-in speakers have amazingly
been around the block a time or two before. We're guessing the reason shelves aren't flooded with 'em today has quite a bit to do with the presumably lackluster sound quality / output potential. Nevertheless, those hoping to find just a case for their precious new iPod classic need look no further, as the rotating speakers case for iPod is here to make your dreams come true. Reportedly, the $60.72 enclosure works just fine with 80/160GB iPod classic models as well as 30/60/80GB 5G iPods, but considering that each of the stereo drivers pumps out under 1-watt per, you should probably plan on tossing this bad boy over your right shoulder like we did
back in 1985 in order to hear anything.
[Via
popgadget]
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Posted by Syndicated Listing | Filed Under Portable Video | Comments Off
March 17, 2008
Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video
iPod cases with built-in speakers have amazingly
been around the block a time or two before. We're guessing the reason shelves aren't flooded with 'em today has quite a bit to do with the presumably lackluster sound quality / output potential. Nevertheless, those hoping to find just a case for their precious new iPod classic need look no further, as the rotating speakers case for iPod is here to make your dreams come true. Reportedly, the $60.72 enclosure works just fine with 80/160GB iPod classic models as well as 30/60/80GB 5G iPods, but considering that each of the stereo drivers pumps out under 1-watt per, you should probably plan on tossing this bad boy over your right shoulder like we did
back in 1985 in order to hear anything.
[Via
popgadget]
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Posted by Syndicated Listing | Filed Under Portable Audio | Comments Off
March 17, 2008
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds
Considering the
plethora of
facilities that have opened just in the past few years to deal solely with individuals that have become undoubtedly addicted to
video games, the
internet and all things Hello Kitty (we jest, we jest), we're not surprised one iota to hear that uncontrollably texting / e-mailing could soon become "classified as an official brain illness." According to a writeup in the latest American Journal of Psychiatry, internet addiction is a common ailment "that should be added to psychiatry's official guidebook of mental disorders." More specifically, Dr. Jerald Block, a psychiatrist at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, even goes so far as to argue that said phenomenon (neglecting basic drives to spend more time online) be "included in the [next edition of] Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, psychiatry's official dictionary of mental illnesses." Until then, we wish you the best of luck convincing that creature living in your basement with a dedicated T1 line that he / she
isn't alright.
[Via
textually]
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Posted by Syndicated Listing | Filed Under Cellphones | Comments Off
March 17, 2008
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds
Considering the
plethora of
facilities that have opened just in the past few years to deal solely with individuals that have become undoubtedly addicted to
video games, the
internet and all things Hello Kitty (we jest, we jest), we're not surprised one iota to hear that uncontrollably texting / e-mailing could soon become "classified as an official brain illness." According to a writeup in the latest American Journal of Psychiatry, internet addiction is a common ailment "that should be added to psychiatry's official guidebook of mental disorders." More specifically, Dr. Jerald Block, a psychiatrist at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, even goes so far as to argue that said phenomenon (neglecting basic drives to spend more time online) be "included in the [next edition of] Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, psychiatry's official dictionary of mental illnesses." Until then, we wish you the best of luck convincing that creature living in your basement with a dedicated T1 line that he / she
isn't alright.
[Via
textually]
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Posted by Syndicated Listing | Filed Under Hanhelds | Comments Off
March 17, 2008
Sigma bolsters its top-end EX range with the announcement of a HSM focusing-motor-equipped 50mm f/1.4 lens. Offering a moderate telephoto field of view on APS-C cameras, Sigma's DG designation means it will also work as a standard lens on full-frame digital cameras. We believe this is the first time a 50mm f/1.4 lens has been offered with a ring-type focus motor. Pricing and availability information to follow as soon as we have it.
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