AMD Socket M2 CPU Processor Running!

AMD Socket M2:Here are two pictures of AMD's working Socket M2 processor. This particular unit is running at 2.4GHz. You will notice the "extra" M2 pin bringing the total pin count up to 940 (from the current 939). Just to note that we are not showing you a current 940-pin Opteron, you will notice that the areas that are void of pins are in spaces other than what you would find on a Opteron processor. This processor is also lacking the usual ceramic Opteron substrate. The second picture shows the POST screen where we have highlighted "AMD Engineering Sample" along with the noted DDR2-667 memory bus speed.

Asustek co-brands Nexus 7 to increase value of their own brand

Asustek and Google are partners in the development and distribution of the Google Nexus 7, and, according to an analyst, Asustek is utilizing the co-branding opportunity to enhance their brand rather than to make money.

The price tag of a Nexus 7 will be $199.99, and that’s the same price as the production cost. Now, why would an OEM produce a co-branded device for no profit, and hoping just to break even? An analyst, Thompson Wu of Credit Suisse, from Taiwan suggests that Asustek is not aiming to net any profit from the Nexus 7. Contrary to traditional OEM business methodology, they are seeking to build their brand in a system where OEMs “have limited opportunities to differentiate” from the brands which Asustek is making hardware for.

“We believe Asustek realizes that in a market where OEMs have limited opportunity to differentiate without content and operating systems, its demonstrating its edge via research and development and innovation, while building upon its brand value,” Wu says.

Asustek has already cemented itself as a high quality OEM, but perhaps they are aiming for something more. Perhaps they want to totally dominate the Android tablet market, and the recent flood of Asus-branded Android tablets is testimonies to how “valuable” the Asus brand is.

Source: focustaiwan.tw

Asetek New Versatile Socket Kit For VapoChill

Asetek is proud to present the NEW VapoChill SOCKET KIT whicheasily fits both Intel S478 & AMD S754/940 CPUs. Now you will not only be ableto obtain the greatest CPU cooling system in the world, but you will also beequipped with a system that is easy to assemble & has a flexibility never seenbefore! The NEW VapoChill Socket kit will be available as a Socket kit that fitsall existing VapoChill models and sold in combination respectively withVapoChill XE systems and VapoChill XE stand-alone units.

Easy mounting alike WaterChill - no tools needed - assemblywith finger screws Best possible contact between evaporator and CPU forefficient heat removal [Fixed evaporator] Flexible mounting system - easy to change between Intel &AMD CPUs No more sticking foam on the backside of the motherboardAt least same high performance & overclocking possibilities

Prices in EU

Socket kit, AMD S754/940 & P4 S478
Note: Release date January 5th MSRP ex. VAT € 99,00

VapoChill XE, Titan. w. case win., S754/940 & S478
Note: Release date January 19th MSRP ex. VAT € 704,00

VapoChill Stand-alone unit, XE, S754/940 & S478
Note: Release date January 19th MSRP ex. VAT € 567,00

Prices in US

Socket kit, AMD S754/940 & P4 S478
Note: Release date January 5th MSRP ex. VAT $ 109,00

VapoChill XE, Titan. w. case win., S754/940 & S478
Note: Release date January 19th MSRP ex. VAT $ 879,00

VapoChill Stand-alone unit, XE, S754/940 & S478
Note: Release date January 19th MSRP ex. VAT $ 679,00

Apple New iPods

Apple introduced its fourth-generation iPod portable music players Monday with lower prices and longer battery life. The new models have up to 12 hours of rechargeable battery life, compared to about 8 hours with the current crop. The prices are $ 299 for a 20-gigabyte model and $ 399 for a 40-gigabyte model -- each $ 100 less than their earlier counterparts. The new iPod versions are also thinner and have improved software features, including a quicker way to shuffle songs and a variable playback speed of audio books.

Apple Launched MacBook Air in Singapore

Earlier today, Apple today unveiled MacBook® Air, the world’s thinnest notebook. MacBook Air has a stunning 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen display, a full-size and backlit keyboard, a built-in iSight® video camera for video conferencing, and a spacious trackpad with multi-touch gesture support so users can pinch, rotate and swipe. The new MacBook Air will be available in February for a suggested retail price of S$ 2988. Apple also introduced Time Capsule, a backup appliance that automatically and wirelessly backs up everything on one or more Macs running Leopard™, the latest release of Apple’s Mac OS® X operating system including the amazing Time Machine™ automatic backup software. Time Capsule will be available in February for a suggested retail price of S$ 489 for a 500GB hard drive and S$ 788 for a 1TB hard drive.

Apple Launches iPad touchscreen tablet

SAN FRANCISCO—January 27, 2010— Apple today introduced iPad, a revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more. iPad’s responsive high-resolution Multi-Touch display lets users physically interact with applications and content. iPad is just12.7mm thick and weighsjust 680g — thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook. iPad will be available in late March starting at the breakthrough price of just US$499.

iPad features 12 Multi-Touch applications withevery app working in both portrait and landscape, automatically animating between views as the user rotates iPad in any direction. The precise Multi-Touch interface makes surfing the web on iPad an entirely new experience, dramatically more interactive and intimate than on a computer. Reading and sending email is fun and easy on iPad’s large screen and almost full-size “soft” keyboard. Import photos from a Mac, PC or digital camera, see them organized as albums, and enjoy and share them using iPad’s elegant slideshows. Watch movies, TV shows and YouTube, all in HD or flip through pages of an e-book you downloaded from Apple’s new iBookstore while listening to your music collection.

iPad runs almost all of the over 140,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for your iPhone® or iPod touch®. Apple also announced the new iBooks app for iPad, which includes Apple’s new iBookstore, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device. The iBookstore will feature books from major and independent publishers. Apple also introduced a new version of iWork® for iPad, the first desktop-class productivity suite designed specifically for Multi-Touch. With Pages®, Keynote® and Numbers® you can create beautifully formatted documents, stunning presentations with animations and transitions, and spreadsheets with charts, functions and formulas. The three apps will be available separately through the App Store for US$9.99 each.

iPad syncs with iTunes just like the iPhone and iPod touch, using the standard Apple 30-pin to USB cable, so you can sync all of your contacts, photos, music, movies, TV shows, applications and more from your Mac or PC. All the apps and content you download on iPad from the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore will be automatically synced to your iTunes library the next time you connect with your computer.

iPad’s brilliant 9.7-inch, LED-backlit display features IPS technology to deliver crisp, clear images and consistent color with an ultra-wide 178-degree viewing angle. The highly precise, capacitive Multi-Touch display is amazingly accurate and responsive whether scrolling web pages or playing games. The intelligent soft keyboard pioneered on iPhone takes advantage of iPad’s larger display to offer an almost full-size soft keyboard. iPad also connects to the new iPad Keyboard Dock with a full-size traditional keyboard.

iPad is powered by A4, Apple’s next-generation system-on-a-chip. Designed by Apple, the new A4 chip provides exceptional processor and graphics performance along with long battery life of up to 10 hours.

iPad comes in two versions—one with Wi-Fi and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G. iPad includes the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi, and the 3G versions support speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSDPA networks. Apple and AT&T announced breakthrough 3G pre-paid data plans for iPad with easy, on-device activation and management.

Pricing & Availability
iPad will be available in late March worldwide for a suggested retail price of US$499 for the 16GB model, US$599 for the 32GB model, US$699 for the 64GB model. The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad will be available in April in the US and selected countries for a suggested retail price of US$629 for the 16GB model, US$729 for the 32GB model and US$829 for the 64GB model. iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store® (http://www.apple.com/), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. International pricing and worldwide availability will be announced at a later date.

Here's a video of Steve Jobs doing a demo on the iPad (BNETvideo)

Apple bringing $19 Lightning to Micro USB adapter to the U.S

The United States is something of an anarchy when it comes to mobile device chargers, adapters, etc. That is why Apple, an American corporation, was able to invent yet another charging and syncing protocol with the release of the iPhone 5, known as Lightning.

This new release was met with a good deal of criticism, since it forced some consumers to purchase adapters or Lightning cords for their new Apple devices. Additionally, a special security technology inside of Lightning cables make them a very difficult target for imitation, therefore wiping out a good deal of cheaper alternatives which might otherwise have been available from Chinese imitators on the internet.

Apple is not known for cheap anything, and their cables are no exceptions.

The problem of needing to purchase an adapter still existed in Europe, but nobody with a Micro USB cable had to worry about getting a new cable. The European Commissions guidelines require all mobile devices to be compatible with the Micro USB standard.

In order to meet this standard, Apple released a Lightning to Micro USB adapter in Europe. For a long time, this convenient device has been unavailable in America, except through 3rd party resellers.

Image from Apple

Those Americans that do not simply follow along with Apples comparatively Draconian methods will be elated to learn that the adapter is now available to purchase, directly through Apples website.

Although the adapter costs $19.00, the experience of being able to use an already purchased cord with a new Apple product in the U.S should be like a splash of cool, clear water on the face of a man trapped in a sweltering desert*.

The adapter is compatible with all current iOS devices, including the iPad mini, and with the seventh generation iPod nano.

It is capable of charging, and syncing devices in the same manner of a standard Lightning cord.

Source: AppleInsider

*Please note that the author of this article is an American.

ASUS M2N32SLI Deluxe nForce 590 Mobo

Guess what? We just got our hands on Asus's top of the line AM2 motherboard. It's spanking new and piping hot! What is better than letting the pictures do the talking? :D

Check out more pics and specshere

ASUS to showcase latest innovations at CeBIT 2011

Singapore (February 28, 2011) - ASUS today kicked off CeBIT 2011 with a booth media tour where journalists from around the world were given the opportunity to explore and experience the latest ASUS innovations prior to the official opening of the event.

Echoing the CeBIT theme of Work and Life in the Cloud, ASUS will showcase four different tablet computers at CeBIT 2011, along with the latest motion-sensing technology called WAVI Xtion (pronounced way-vee action), the all-new K series notebook and a wide range of gaming products designed for a superior gaming experience.

ASUS will address various consumer needs with its range of tablet PCs. These include the 12-inch Eee Slate EP121, the 7-inch Eee Pad MeMO (mee-mo), the Eee Pad Slider with a sliding keyboard and the Eee Pad Transformer which comes with the option of a full size docking keyboard that also serves as an extended battery pack.

As the industrys leading innovator, ASUS will also showcase the first motion-sensing technology for PCs - WAVI Xtion. It is a PC peripheral that allows consumers to access content on their PCs wirelessly with simple gestures in front of their TV sets. The preloaded Xtion Portal interface provides intuitive access to PC content as well as allows users to browse ASUS @vibe for the latest multimedia content.

The ASUS tradition of combining performance and aesthetics across all its notebooks continues. New ASUS K Series notebooks combine the multitasking power of 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processors with NVIDIA® GeForce™ graphics to deliver spectacular computing, and are offered in 14", 15.6", 17.3" and 18.4" screen sizes. Models are available in a variety of colors including classic brown and silver, passion red, party gold, urban green, chill blue, seduction pink and simplicity white. These use unique textured aluminum covers that are both stylish and durable. The K Series also includes new AMD® Brazos™ processors, with powerful graphics for better gaming and multimedia. All new K Series notebooks feature exclusive ASUS IceCool technology to keep palm rests cool for increased comfort during the longest sessions.

As a mainstay in the gaming community, ASUS continues to develop and widen its product portfolio to serve gaming enthusiasts. An entire line of gaming products including notebooks, motherboards, graphics cards, 3D monitors and a noise cancelling headset will be well-received by the gaming public.

CeBIT 2011 Information

ASUS plans an extensive showing during CeBIT 2011, taking place March 1-5 in Hannover, Germany. The ASUS booth can be found at Hall 17, stand J06. Members of the media may contact local ASUS representatives to arrange for interviews and private product demonstrations.

Further details on ASUS at CeBIT 2011 may be accessed from: http://cebit2011.asus.com

Source: ASUS Press Release

ASUS A8N32-SLI Premium Board

ASUS has an upcoming A8N32-SLI Premium board that has two PCI-E x16 slots running at full x16 bandwidth each. This is made possible by pairing up two nForce4 chipsets; CK8-04 and C51D together to offer up to 40 PCI Express lanes where 32 PCI Express lanes are allocated to the two PCI-E x16 graphics slots, 2 to network and RAID controllers and the remaining 4 to the PCI-E x4 slot.

ASUS Eee BOX Actual Product First Look

Our friends fromCHW hastaken a snapshot on the upcoming desktop variant of the EeePC from ASUS. Knownas the Eee BOX B202, it is using Intel Atom processor with 945 chipset, 1GB DDR2memories, 80GB hard drive and runs on Linux. ASUS is slated to unveil it over atComputex in June.

ATI and Nokia announce strategic relationship

ATI Technologies and Nokia today announced a long-term strategic relationshipto bring enhanced mobile multimedia experiences to Nokia customers. As leadersin their respective industries, ATI and Nokia are now working closely togetherto drive high quality multimedia experiences such as music playback, 3D gaming,mobile TV, video and more for Nokia mobile device users worldwide. "Workingwith ATI underscores the commitment that Nokia has in providing unparalleledmobile multimedia experiences to consumers," said Ilkka Raiskinen, SeniorVice President, Multimedia Experiences, Nokia. "With the mobile devicenow at the center of people's lives, we want people to have access to fantasticmobile content when and where they want. We are announcing our collaborationwith ATI now, so that developers have the next 12 to 18 months to be innovativeand create world class mobile multimedia experiences."

With mobile devices becoming ever more powerful and complex, ATI and Nokiaare working to drive the complexity out of multimedia development by promotingopen standards and providing integrated hardware, software and tools. In thisway, developers need only create content once for consumers to enjoy on arange of devices. Specifically, ATI aims to provide a dedicated tools chainand software development kit (SDK) for developers in the fall of 2006. ATIand Nokia will also hold a series of joint workshops in the second half ofthis year to showcase the environment to key developers.
"Our role is to enable all content, from ultra-high quality music playbackto 3D gaming, and we'll jointly guide and support the members of the contentdevelopment community as they focus on creating amazing user experiences,"said Paul Dal Santo, Vice President and GM, Handheld Products, ATI. "Witha shared vision of how multimedia impacts the mobile market, Nokia and ATIare providing much needed direction and a framework to move the whole industryforward."

ASUS Unveils First quot;The Ultimate Force quot; (TUF) Series Motherboard - Sabertooth 55i

ASUS, the leader in innovative motherboard solutions, today unveiled the first motherboard in its newly-developed “TUF” (The Ultimate Force) Series, the SABERTOOTH 55i. The TUF Series is specially developed to meet the heavy computing demands of power users and perform well even under extreme conditions. Such computer enthusiasts often demand high-quality motherboard components and the most stable computing platforms. To achieve uncompromising stability, TUF Series motherboards have undergone a more stringent testing program than what most motherboard producers currently undertake. Solidly constructed and equipped with resilient components that have passed demanding military-style testing, the TUF Series triumphs over the harshest operating conditions to deliver robust performance. The debut SABERTOOTH 55i model, designed around a “Marine Cool” concept, incorporates the Intel® P55 chipset and “tough” features to give users a supremely solid and stable computing platform.

Ultimate Heatsink Cooling with Unique CeraM!X Microfin Coating

The ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i motherboard, equipped with the new CeraM!X heatsink, delivers exceptional cooling to active components and uncompromising system stability even under intense operating conditions. With its advanced ceramics-based composition—commonly used in the aerospace industry for heat insulation—the heatsink dissipates heat rapidly to achieve ultimate cooling. Ceramics replace traditional anti-oxidant compounds to create a microfin surface texture for enhanced cooling. This rough surface offers an expanded area for heat induction into the surrounding air. As a result, more heat is rapidly conducted away from the active system—allowing users to enjoy previously unattainable levels of stability.

Direct Memory Cooling with Affordable CoolMem! Fan Frame

As optimal memory operation relies on good cooling, the SABERTOOTH 55i motherboard includes the CoolMem! Fan Frame that encloses most standard 40mm or 50mm computer fans and fits them directly over the memory module. Users thus gain an affordable cooling solution that significantly stabilizes memory operation.

Resilient Performance from Military-certified Capacitors and MOSFETs

To ensure users experience uncompromising performance, the SABERTOOTH 55i incorporates only high-grade, rigorously-tested components. These perform robustly even under the most demanding conditions. For example, all its capacitors have undergone thermal shock tests to ensure continuous, stable operations during rapid temperature changes in the 60°C range. In fact, all its capacitors and VRM MOSFETs have been certified for military-level use through stringent testing.

Optimized Power Usage with E.S.P.

The SABERTOOTH 55i motherboard delivers E.S.P. (Efficient Switching Power) to all major components for superb system efficiency. Besides delivering efficient power to the CPU and memory, the power design also applies the same level of efficient power to the PCIex16 expansion slots and IC. This improves overall power efficiency and reduces the amount of heat generated—resulting in cooler and more reliable operations. Additionally, the E.S.P. converts power at 90% efficiency compared to a conventional linear design that is only about 60% efficient. Built for robust performance, the SABERTOOTH 55i—and ASUS TUF Series motherboards as a whole—incorporates the latest breakthroughs in heatsink composition and high-grade, military-tested components to enable users to build their DIY systems around one of the most solid and stable motherboards ever created.