Super Talent unloads 32GB / 64GB SSDs for ASUS Eee PC S101

If your prior budget forced you to select an ASUS Eee PC S101 with just 16GB of succulent SSD storage space, Super Talent has the cure. The outfit has just introduced three new solid state drives made specifically for the aforementioned netbook, all of which tout 90 MB/sec maximum sequential read speeds and up to 55 MB/sec write speeds. You can select from the FPM16RSE (16GB), FPM32RSE (32GB) or the FPM64RSE (64GB), though you'll have to guess on the prices of the first two. As for the big daddy? It'll run right around $169.



[ Source: HotHardware ]

[ Tag: asus, eee, eee pc, eee pc s101, EeePc, EeePcS101, FPM16RSE, FPM32RSE, FPM64RSE, s101, ssd, storage, super talent, SuperTalent, upgrade ]

Sierra Wireless intros 'ruggedified' AirCard 501 and 502 modems

Sierra Wireless has just announced two new ExpressCard modems for HSUPA wireless users. Sporting download speeds up tp 7.2Mbps and upload speeds up to 5.76Mbps, the AirCard 501 supports 850 / 1900 / 2100 MHz bands, while the AirCard 502 covers 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz. Both are backward compatible with UMTS, EDGE and GSM networks world 'round, and they're being touted as "durable," meaning there are no little antennas or plastic pieces to break on you. That last part should be good news to all of you post-apocalyptic Road Warriors out there (or not -- they're still just regular ExpressCards, as far as we can tell). The AirCard 501 is slated for release later this month, while those of you interested in the AirCard 502 will have to wait until the first part of 2009.

[Via: Slash Phone ] [Tag: AirCard, AirCard 501, AirCard 502, Aircard501, Aircard502, broadband, edge, GSM, HSUPA, sierra, sierra wireless, SierraWireless, UMTS, wireless ]

Flying plasmonic lens system could lead to denser chips / disks

Last we heard, IBM was busy extending optical lithography down to 30-nanometers in order to keep Moore's Law intact, and some two years later, the process is still being honed by engineers at the University of California, Berkeley. Reportedly, gurus there with IQs far greater than ours have developed a new patterning technique (plasmonic nanolithography) that could make "current microprocessors more than 10 times smaller, but far more powerful." Additionally, professor Xiang Zhang asserts that this same technology could eventually "lead to ultra-high density disks that could hold 10 to 100 times more data than disks today." The secret to the madness is a flying plasmonic head, which is compared to the arm and stylus of an LP turntable; the setup enables researchers to "create line patterns only 80-nanometers wide at speeds up to 12-meters per second, with the potential for higher resolution detail in the near future." In layman's terms? That CPU you purchased last month will, in fact, be old hat in due time.
[Via: Slashdot ] [Tag: california, chip, circuit, circuits, CPU, dense, density, integrated circuits, IntegratedCircuits, microchip, Nanotechnology, optical lithography, OpticalLithography, photolithography, processor, research, science, silicon, university, University of California, UniversityOfCalifornia ]

Sony reveals limited edition 007 VAIO TT, USB Micro Vault and Reader Digital Book

In a move to pump up the impending theater debut of Quantum of Solace, Sony is simultaneously opening up a new promotional game and introducing a few new pieces of limited edition gear. Obviously, we're a touch more concerned with the kit than the game, so we'll skip over those details and head right to the meat of it. The outfit will be offering up 100 limited run VAIO TT laptops that are emblazoned with a 007 logo on the palm rest and a matching leather protection case. Additionally, a Special Edition Bond bundle for the Reader Digital Book will feature an embossed cover with a 007 logo and coupon codes for free downloads of Ian Fleming's novels Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Lastly, we've got the 007 USB Micro Vault in 8GB and 16GB flavors, both of which come pre-loaded with the Quantum of Solace trailer and other miscellaneous "bonus content." Wild guesses as to price / release dates are being accepted now.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: 007, e-book, e-reader, james bond, JamesBond, limited edition, LimitedEdition, micro vault, MicroVault, Quantum of Solace, QuantumOfSolace, sony, Sony Reader, SonyReader, TT, usb flash drive, usb key, UsbFlashDrive, UsbKey, VAIO, VAIO TT, VaioTt ]

Sony VAIO VGP-UPR1 notebook dock boasts DisplayLink technology

Lookin' a USB docking station for your VAIO (or other machine)? Look no further than the VAIO-branded VGP-UPR1, which is compatible with a whole alphabet worth of Sony's laptops. The unit boasts a VGA / DVI port, four USB sockets, an Ethernet jack and headphone / microphone connectors; furthermore, it supports resolutions up to 1,600 x 1,200, and of course, DisplayLink's USB graphics technology. Not too terribly painful at $199.99, and it's out now for folks in the US, EU and Japan.
[Via: CNET ] [Tag: displaylink, sony, usb, USB Docking Station, usb graphics, UsbDockingStation, UsbGraphics, VAIO, VGP-UPR1, vista, Vista Aero, VistaAero ]

Aspire One modding continues: swapping SSD for capacious HDD

Oh sure, you're pretty 1337 if you can say you've got an SSD within your laptop, but if you've a need to store more than, say, 8GB of files, a bit more room may be desired. tnkgrl's Aspire One mods began earlier this week with the addition of Bluetooth and extra RAM, and today she's showing the world how to swap the built-in SSD with a 1.8-inch 60GB PATA drive. As expected, this one's remarkably easy to complete once you've torn the thing open, but she also explains how to best put it all back together once you're done. But you're not, because she'll be producing a how-to for adding internal 3G in the coming days / weeks.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: acer,aspire one,AspireOne,hard drive,HardDrive,hdd,mod,netbook ]

Buffalo solders up 32GB and 64GB SSDs for Eee PC

Those fine folks at Buffalo are working on 32GB and 64GB PCI-E SSDs for the Eee PC 901 (and others, we're guessing), to be released in September. That's all well and good, but what's even more exciting are the price points: 32GB will be retailing for around 16,800 yen (about $157 US) while the 64GB will go for 33,600 yen ($313 US). Sure, a storage device the same price as your computer is never ideal, but with SSD prices continuing to plummet -- as evidenced by this nearly-wallet-friendly pair -- they should be in striking distance before long.

[Via: jkkmobile ]
[Tag: 32gb,64gb,buffalo,eee pc,EeePc,pci-e,ssd ]

Dell Selling 128GB SSDs in Notebooks for $600 [Ssd]

Erica Ogg of CNet informs us that hot on the heels of the $500 price cut for the MacBook Air's 64GB SSD, Dell is offering a 128GB SSD for $600 in their "Latitude, XPS, Alienware and Precision laptop models." I'm glad to see these things moving toward more reasonable prices so quickly, perhaps thanks to recent news of Samsung's cheaper production of parts, but it can never be quick enough. [CNet]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

Dell's Latitude XT tablet goes multi-touch with a free upgrade, offers 128GB SSD for $649

As promised, Dell is offering a free software upgrade for its Latitude XT tablet, unleashing the multi-touch capabilities of its capacitive touch screen at last. The free download allows you to do two finger scrolling, zooming and use programmable double tap functions directly on the screen. Dell's also adding a new 128GB SSD option for $649 to its Precision and Latitude systems, with the XPS and Alienware laptops to follow next week. The Latitude XT software and new SSD drives will be available tomorrow, and Dell promises a brand new Latitude laptop line "in the coming weeks," which we're sure will be taking advantage of Intel's new Centrino 2 chips. Video of multi-touch in action is after the break.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: breaking news,BreakingNews,dell,latitude xt,LatitudeXt,multi-touch ]

Toshiba's 1.8-inch 160GB disk hits 5400RPM for netbooks

Who makes a 160GB, 1.8-inch SATA disk spinning at 5400RPM? Nobody, until today. Toshiba just announced the industry's largest-capacity / fastest 160GB MK1617GSG disk for ultra-portables and netbook-class machines. While others have hit the magical 160GB mark in an 8-mm thick form factor, this is the first 1.8-inch SATA to reach 5400RPM. Oh, and because you're about to ask: no, it's too chubby for an iPod classic (where that speed wouldn't likely be noticed) or ultra-thin laptop like the MacBook Air or Envy 133. Thanks for asking though.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: 1.8-inch,160gb,5400rpm,hard disk,HardDisk,hdd,MK1617GSG,MK8017GSG,netbook,toshiba ]

Samsung stops teasing, brings SpinPoint M6 500GB Stateside

We know you've been sitting on your hands since January, waiting for Samsung to ship this SpinPoint M6 500GB, 9.5mm laptop drive wonder. That whole "released in France" thing was just rubbing it in your face, and we apologize, but it looks like your wait is finally over: OWC's Woot! shop has the drive for sale as of now. You can't buy one sans enclosure, but the $310 USB 2.0 + eSATA version or the $350 FireWire 800 / 400 + USB 2.0 version (there's also a $320 model) should prove useful in housing an old 2.5-inch drive, or perhaps an ant farm.
[Thanks, Dan C.]

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: owc,samsung,spinpoint,spinpoint m6,SpinpointM6,woot ]

Toshiba's Portege R500 gets cautiously torn apart

Sure, you've seen a plethora of R500 shots already, but this ultrathin Portege has somehow managed to keep its clothes on -- until now. One curious owner just couldn't resist the urge to operate, and after careful dissection, we're left with a handful of snaps showing off the unit's internals. Don't be shy, check out the whole lot in the gallery below.
[Thanks, Jai]
[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: cracked open,CrackedOpen,dissected,dissection,portege,r500,splayed,torn apart,TornApart,toshiba,ultraportable ]

MCE intros 1TB hard drive kit for 17-inch MacBook Pros

No stranger to taking Macs beyond their standard issue capabilities, MCE has now pulled yet another entirely unofficial trick out of its hat, with this one giving 17-inch MacBook Pro owners a significant storage boost. As with some of its other mods, this one replaces the MacBook Pro's optical drive with a 2.5-inch hard drive (500GB in this case) and, to hit the magical 1TB mark, it also replaces the laptop's standard hard drive with another matching 5,400 rpm 500GB drive. To ensure none of that original hardware goes to waste, the kit also includes external USB 2.0 enclosures for both the original hard drive and the optical drive, although we wouldn't expect any less given that the kit costs a hefty $800 (or more if you want MCE to install it for you).
[Via: PC World ]
[Tag: macbook mod,macbook pro,macbook pro mod,MacbookMod,MacbookPro,MacbookProMod,MCEmacbook ]