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Author Archive for Matt Faulkner
As a News and Features Writer for GBM, Matt lives and breathes gadgets and mobile computing. In addition, he contributes to daily news posts, InkShow video reviews, and podcasts.Send email to Matt
EMTEC Launches the Gdium Netbook
EMTEC is joining in on the Netbook scene with the release of the Gdium. This netbook has some similar specs of some other netbooks but offers one unique feature:
Unique to the Gdium is the G-Key, a bootable USB key on which the Linux operating system, applications and personal data are stored. The G-Key allows each user to store their personal information and preferences securely, without leaving a trace on the computer.
Kind of a cool twist on things if you ask me. Below are the specs for what you get for under $400.00
- 2.6 pounds
- 9.8 x 7.2 x 1.25 inches
- Web-optimized 1024 x 600 resolution
- 10-inch screen
Check out the press release after the break
HP Mini-Note 2140 Announced
HP has announced a refresh to their Mini-Note with the HP Mini-Note 2140. This refresh has really bumped up the specs to make it a very capable netbook for the mobile warrior. With a full range of OS choices and configurations, this little guy gets pushed almost into the realm of having some laptop specs… Check out the full specs list in an easy to read format thanks to JK
Operating system options:
- Genuine Windows Vista® Business 321
- Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic 321
- Genuine Windows Vista® with downgrade
- to Genuine Windows® XP Professional custom installed1,9
- Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
- FreeDOS
- SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10
Hardware specs after the jump!
New Sony UMPC Picks Up Some Specs
Chippy has some info over on UMPC Portal about the new Sony UMPC that (hopefully) will be covered by the gang at CES next week. It appears that Sony will be dipping into the Intel Atom processors on this one – check out the specs:
- Atom Z250 1.33
- 2GB RAM
- HDD (optional SSD)
- GPS
- UMTS
- $970 US (approx)
What do you think? Worth the price? I think we’ll have to wait and see in the next week – I personally think it will be a tough sell with the Netbook (can I say that?) market running prices into the ground right now.
X301 Mobile at the Coffee Shop
As I am sure most of you are aware by now Team GBM is using some loaner Lenovo computers to cover CES (if you didn’t know that, they did :) ). I was supposed to be going this year, but things didn’t work out. I did still get a Lenovo X301 for a while since it was a last second decision not to go on the trip. I will be holding down the fort and helping out on some of the coverage on the back end since those guys will be running around all over the place.
In preparation for next week, I am sitting at the local Starbucks getting some things set up and read to go. I have had this X301 for a little while now, but with the 2 HP machines and the holidays it hasn’t been getting the attention it has needed :). I have been on it some, but not enough to really give a full review just yet.
I will post more later as I start to use the machine more and more, but I have 2 comments right off. First, as always the keyboard on this Lenovo is wonderful. Since I started using the Lenovo units back with the x60t, the keyboards have been wonderful. Second, The screen is brilliant on this thing! One of the best I have seen on any computer I have used.
Now, If we could just get Lenovo to turn off those LOUD beeps on sleep/power change we’d be all set. It would be even better if I could remember to go into the BIOS to turn it off, but I keep forgetting…
Via Getting Ready to Combat the Atom
Via is getting ready to start some competition with Intel by putting out their own very low powered Dual Core 3000 processor. I didn’t see any specs on the speed, but below you can read what the Cnet News article is saying:
The dual-core version of the Via Nano 3000–due in late 2009 or 2010–may use a Fujitsu 45-nanometer or TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) 40-nanometer manufacturing process, according to HKEPC. The Intel Atom is based on 45-nanometer process technology.
The Via chip may also include SSE4 instruction support, HKEPC said. Generally, SSE4 (Streaming SIMD Extensions 4) instructions speed up multimedia applications.
Large Format iPod Touch - The Apple Tablet?
Techcrunch is reporting from ‘reliable sources’ that there is going to be a new large format iPod Touch coming in the fall of next year. Could this be the ‘Apple Tablet’ we’ve been waiting to get our hands on? I agree with most of the statements in the article and they make sense, but for me it’s going to have to be more than just a iPod that’s bigger… It’s going to have to do more because I don’t see a lot of sales if everyone (millions at least) already have a Touch or iPhone. Being a bigger ‘gaming’ device with iPod functionality doesn’t do it either, the point of most music players are to be small. I don’t doubt the sources about a larger device, it seems a long time coming, but it’s going to have to be a lot more than just a big iPod for the masses to run for it like they did for the iPhone/iPod Touch.
Pogo Sketch for Capacitive Touch
We’ll have to wait till this one is actually in somebody’s hands before we actually get too excited, but the Pogo Sketch is supposed to be used on capacitive touch screens like the iPhone or multi-touch tracpads. Will be interesting to see what the feedback is like when using the pen - could an artist really use such a thing? I wonder if the tracpad on the MacBook Pro (or any other for that matter) is really sensitive enough to make this worth using? Guess we’ll see when somebody gets one in their hands.
GBM InkShow: HP tx2525 Entertainment PC
Over the past week or so, I have been taking a look at the HP tx2525 Entertainment PC. I shot some video of a few features on the new machine that I thought would be of interest to someone wanting to purchase on of these Entertainment PCs. The video starts off with a quick look at the tx2525 compared to the tx2051. After the quick look, I test out the touch screen feel and inking functionality using Windows Journal. Then, since it’s an Entertainment PC, I give a quick look at the HP utility on the machine that is a hub for all media. I play a DVD then move to using my Slingbox to show how easily the application functions. At the end of the video, I use the included remote control to navigate my way around Windows Media Center.
The video is:
- 13 mins in length
- 142mb for direct download
- HP Product Page
Video after the break
Fujistu Officially Releases The ST6012 Tablet PC
Way back in September we brought you the news that Fujitsu was cooking up a new slate Tablet PC called the ST6012. Well it’s officially been released and available for ordering! This new slate offers up some cool features that aren’t on other slates like an integrated camera and wireless USB. Prices range from $1,999 to $2,579 and up depending on the initial configuration. Check out the specs after the read more link!
HP Benchmarking: Battery Drain tx2051 vs tx2525
I had to run these test a few time to get it right as it was my first time using Battery Meter, but I figured everything out and finally have the results. To make the tests more accurate, I used the same battery in each test. I ran the test in the tx2525, pulled the battery and then put it into the tx2051. I figured that would at least take one variable out of the equation. Below are the results of the testing, I’ll let the graphs speak for themselves. I’ll give the short of it though - tx2051 lasted 18 ticks longer. Initial thoughts on the matter are that the dedicated graphics card might take a little more juice as the test application is graphical in nature.
Benchmarking 2nd Try: HP tx2051 vs tx2525
As you know, about a week ago I did some benchmarking on the two HP units I have, the tx2051 and the tx2525. The benchmarking results were a little weird and a few people in the comments suggested a run after a default factory install. So, after 2 clean(not clean, but ‘factory defaults’) installs I ran the tests again… This time they are a little hard to look at again! I’m not too sure what to make of the results but note the differences. The tx2051, the winner (yes, the old one), has a faster processor and 1 additional gig of memory. The tx2525 has a better graphics card and those results can been seen in the test results. I didn’t do a process by process comparison, but the installs appeared to be relatively close in processes and base programs installs. Both systems were taken through the full Windows Update process as well as the HP software updates. Any other questions shoot them off. It’s Saturday afternoon and up next is a Battery Eater test! Click the read more for the specs and images of the benchmarking results.
Gmail Adds TXT - Again
Gmail has just added the ability to do text messaging from the chat window. Text messaging was actually supposed to come out a few weeks ago, but was pulled at the last second because of a glitch. I tried it out with Warner and it seemed to work just fine now - when he replied, it even came back up in the chat window that I had open. One feature that would be of interest to some travelers - the ability to send this text from anywhere in the world! This is only open to US residents right now, but I would guess it things go well other areas will soon follow. Click the little Labs button while in Gmail to gain access to this feature - and a bunch of other nifty things as well!
A Weekend of HP Rebuilds
Boy did I have a great time this weekend, I had to rebuild two HP machines (the tx2051 and the tx2525)!
All kidding aside though, over this weekend I spent some time rebuilding the two HP machines that I am currently covering here at GBM. Based on the somewhat confusing results of the initial benchmark tests and reader comments, I decided to take it to the extreme. Wipe them out and start over with the clean system and fresh driver installs. It took a while, especially since they had to do a bunch of updates, but they are again ready to start churning away while running some ‘clean install’ benchmarks!
I really appreciate the comments on the initial benchmarking post, made me think that it needed to be done to provide more accurate test results. I actually forgot that the HP tx2051 has been passed around the GBM crew for a while,and probably hasn’t seen a rebuild in quite some time.
The videos are going to be a little different coming from the Faulkner household, I have a shiny new Flip Mino HD! Nothing better than shooting a couple of HP machines in some HD goodness. I’ll be putting it thru it’s paces straight out of the box filming a couple of Inkshows!
Benchmarking Comparison: HP Pavilion tx2051 and tx2525
I ran some benchmarks on the two HP units I have (the tx2051 and the tx2525), and the results were kind of surprising. I kind of thought there would be a little bit of a difference, but some things didn’t make sense… Take for instance the HDD. Both units have the 250GB 5400 RPM drive, but take a look at the difference. Almost makes me wonder if the these test are really providing good results. Below I have the critical specs for the test listed for each unit and the benchmarks below that. Take a look and let us know what you think.
HP TX Entertainment Notebook Double Vision
Time for a shoot out again on GottaBeMobile! Over the next week or so I’ll be doing some testing on the 2 HP units I have sitting on my desk. The older tx2015 and the updated version that I put up a post about, the tx2525. I’ll be starting out with some benchmarks later tonight, so stay tuned!
Now where is that mouse, these touch pads are driving me crazy!! Nothing actually wrong with the touch pads, I just prefer the eraser head and it’s been so long since I’ve had to use a touch pad.