New Handheld Computer from IMOVIO

The IMOVIO is a portable computer designed to be always-ready for the internet and fit easily in your hand.

Measuring a mere 3.7"x 2.5" x .6", the iKit is clearly built with miniature sized specs. There is only 128MB ROM and 64MB RAM, although with the help of an SD card one can upgrade the available memory to 8GB. The processor is a tiny Marvell PXA270 312MHz and the screen is 2.8" QVGA.

The keyboard, however, is not so miniature, offering full QWERTY functionality.

The connectivity is somewhere inbetween, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but no built in 3G connectivity. Without a cell phone or a router you're stuck.

For features, the IMOVIO iKit comes with an optional integrated webcam, as well as software for surfing, chatting, and playing back media. However, the battery is only rated to last 3 hours in general use, so you won't be able to see too many movies anyway.

The iKit is expected to go on sale for roughly $172.

Toshiba Launches Qosmio X305-Q708 Gaming Laptop

The new Qosmio X305-Q708 from Toshiba is 17", features Intel's quad-core processor, two video cards, a "fiery" Fusion finish and a hefty price tag.

Look no further for gaming versatility in a laptop. The Qosmio X305 comes packed with a 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Extreme QX9300 and dual nVidia GeForce 9800M GTS 512MB SLI GPUs. That's twice as many cores and twice as many GPUs as your average laptop. The X305 also comes with 4GB DDR3 1066MHz SDRAM, and a 128GB SSD as well as a 320GB HDD. The 17" screen has a max resolution of 1440x900.

Other features include an integrated webcam, four stereo speakers with subwoofer, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, 4 USB ports (one shared with eSATA), Firewire, a multicard readrer and Bluetooth. It also sports quite the colorful finish.

The Toshiba Qosmio X305-Q708 weighs approximately 9lbs with an 8 cell battery, and is currently priced by Toshiba at $4199

MIU HDPC Now Powered by Intel Atom

The third version of the Hybrid Dual Portable Computer from MIU will be powered by an Intel Atom processor, plus it looks a whole lot better.

Mobile Intelligent Ubiquitous (MIU) has recently released the next version of its HDPC. This device features two screens, each with a dedicated processor and operating system. The larger screen is 4.1" 800x480 TFT which you can embed in the unit for pure viewing or extend to be viewed at an angle, revealing a keypad underneath. When you flip the screen around a smaller, 2.4" 320x240 AMOLED screen appears, which is set above a numeric keypad.

There is an ARM processor used for handling all phone oriented tasts on the small screen, including texting, taking pictures, navigating the WinCE OS, and of course talking. The Atom processor powers Windows XP on the larger screen, which is designed for browsing the internet, in-car navigation and DMB.

Not to mention, of course, that the HDPC just looks a lot more... suave.

This model has been released in Korea for the equivilent of ~$500. We're looking for information on how to get it here

Old MacBook Envious of the New One? Transform It

Axiotron's Modservice transforms old MacBooks into ModBooks. Axiotron is now taking orders for this service directly from their website.

If you have an Intel Core 2 Duo plastic MacBook and are looking to shake things up, the Modservice could be just the thing. Or if you were already considering a ModBook, then the good news for you is that Axiotron will now take your order directly from their website to get you nice and modded as soon as possible.

The Modservice is the only way to make your MacBook run as a tablet, so whether you wanted to shake things up or not, if you need a tablet this is the way to go. Axiotron has constructed a network of certified "Axiotron Authorized Service Providers," and these Providers keep the mod kits in stock. After you place an order on Axiotron's website, these same providers call you back to arrange an time to transform your MacBook.

The service begins at a cost of $1299. Unfortunately, newer aluminum MacBooks are not eligible for the modification.

Dell launches the Inspiron Mini 12

We knew more Inspiron Minis were in the works, and Dell's just officially announced the next member of the family, the Inspiron Mini 12. Yep, the same machine we first spotted all the way back in June, and nothing much has changed in the meantime -- you're looking at either a 1.3GHz Atom Z520 or 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor (a step up from the usual 1.6GHz Atom N270), up to an 80GB drive, 1GB of RAM, Bluetooth / WiFi, and that 12-inch, 1280 x 800 display, all in a 2.72-pound package less than one inch thick. The bad news? It's Japan-only for now, but it'll hit the States late next month with a starting price under $600. That's a pretty hot price / performance ratio on paper -- if this thing performs like it should, it could potentially take away sales from more full-featured ultraportables like the Envy 133 and the MacBook Air. We'll see how it goes -- the netbook market suddenly got interesting again, eh?

Update: It's worth pointing out that this netbook runs Vista Home Edition, albeit sluggishly according to APC (XP and Ubuntu variants by end of year). It also ships standard with a 3-hour 3 cell battery or optional $79 6-cell battery for up to 6-hours of power.

HP's new Mini 1000 and MIE Linux make netbooks fun again

We've been struggling to keep awake for the large majority of this year, as netbook after netbook lands in our laps with identical specs, form factors and general shoddiness. No longer. HP is giving the market a shot in the arm with its new "clutch-style" skinny form factors, polished Linux OS and aggressive price points -- even if the specs are about as boring as the Mini-Note 2133. As rumored, HP's new Mini 1000 netbook is ditching VIA and going the Atom route (1.6GHz N270, in case you hadn't guessed). Also new is an option for a 10.2-inch display, though it's a mere 1024 x 600 instead of the 1280 x 768 display on the 2133 -- for a bit cheaper you can get a 1024 x 600 8.9-inch display, but that would just be boring. HP is offering 512MB, 1GB and 2GB RAM configurations, though the XP option limits you to 1GB (thanks, Microsoft). For storage you can score a 60GB 4200 rpm HDD or your choice of a 8GB or 16GB SSD. If you go the SSD route there's also room for a 2, 4 or 8GB "HP Mini Mobile Drive," which is a regular USB drive that inserts all the way into a special slot for added integration. There's also an SD slot, VGA webcam, 802.11b/g, optional Bluetooth, Ethernet and dual USB plugs. Where things get extra interesting is in choice of OS. You can go the standard XP route, or for $20 less you can go for HP's brand new Ubuntu-based Linux "experience," MIE, which reminds us not just a little of HP's TouchSmart interface. The XP version is available today starting at $399, with a 10.2-inch version costing just a little bit more. The Vivienne Tam Edition, which brings a whole lot of style but little substance to the offering, will go for $699 in mid-December, and the MIE version will land in January for a mere $379.

Waspadai E-mail 'Microsoft' Berisi Trojan

Berhati-hatilah jika menerima e-mail yang sepertinya dikirim Microsoft. Karena bisa jadi itu adalah e-mail gadungan yang berisi Trojan.

Bukan hal yang asing jika sebuah perusahaan besar dicatut namanya untuk melancarkan serangan jahat. Kali ini yang menjadi korban adalah Microsoft.

Dedemit maya mengirimkan email dengan subjek "Security Update for OS Microsoft Windows”, yang seolah-seolah datang dari Microsoft Official Update Center dengan nama domain securityassurance[at]microsof[dot]com.E-mail tersebut meminta user untuk membuka file lampiran untuk menginstal sebuah update yang diklaim mampu melindungi dari ancaman keamanan.

Padahal sesungguhnya file lampiran itu berisi malware “Trojan.Backdoor.Haxdoor,” yang mengubah komputer menjadi bot atau memungkinkan penyerang mengobok-obok jaringan perusahaan.

Stephen Pao, Vice president of product management provider anti-spam, Barracuda Networks, mengungkapkan bahwa yang menjadikan e-mail ini tampak lebih menyakinkan adalah adanya sebuah tanda tangan PGP.