Maxit Mag

OCZ has launched its new Solid Series of solid state drives offering consumers the latest storage technology at an affordable price. Solid series SSD drives are available in capacities of 30GB, 60GB, and 120GB. The drives feature a 2.5" design, measuring 100 x 70 x 9.3mm and weighing 77g.

With 155 MB/s and 90 MB/s read/write speeds and seek times of less than 0.35ms, OCZ claims it makes Solid series up to 10x as fast on a seek-time basis than the best performing 2.5” HDDs on the market.

The new Solid Series supports RAID and are shock resistant. The addition of a mini-USB port also makes it possible for customers to update firmware when the new version becomes available. This ensures compatibility with future platforms.

All Solid Series SSD drives are backed a two year warranty. These are not recommended for use in laptops models purchased prior to 2007.

Link: Fudzilla

LaCie today announced Internet Space, a network hard disk accessible through the Internet anywhere, anytime, even when the local computer is turned off.

Designed by Neil Poulton, the Internet Space features a discreet, minimalist form with a mirror-polished white finish and a cool, blue LED strip that casts an ambient glow. The Internet Space provides shared storage for home computers and UPnP or DLNA certified media players. It also acts as a personal web portal for remote access and content sharing.

With easy setup that takes just minutes, users can access their information from any computer from anywhere, by logging on to www.homelacie.com. This exclusive web portal allows authorized users to access stored content, download it or even upload new files from anywhere.

It comes with HipServTM DesktopMirror software to safely backs up and restores files, along with a USB 2port to connect any USB hard drive. Available in capacity of 500 GB and 1 TB, it allows users to centralize their entire multimedia library.

The LaCie Internet Space is currently available in Europe at a starting price of 179€ at LaCie Online Store and LaCie Storage Partners.

Link: LaCie

 QNAP Security today launched the new 5-bay, standalone network video surveillance recording system VioStor-5020 NVR for SMB and enterprise users. Designed to meet the high security demand of the business market, the VioStor-5020 NVR combines a number of industry-leading features, e.g. 20-channel real-time recording (Full D1/VGA), five hotswappable SATA drives (up to 7.5 TB for long term recording), dual Giga LAN, and advanced RAID configurations.

The VioStor-5020 NVR is a Linux-embedded system powered by Intel 1.6GHz CPU and 1GB DDRII memory. It supports 20-channel M-JPEG/ MPEG4 recording, megapixel (up to 8 megapixels) recording from Axis, Panasonic, Canon, Sony, Sanyo, D-Link, Arecont, Mobotix, IQeye, GANZ, Vivotek, ACTi, Toshiba and LevelOne IP-based security cameras. The NVR works as a standalone system that no PC or extra software utility are required.

According to Jacky Cheng, Senior Product Manager from QNAP, "The VioStor-5020 NVR is an all-in-one network surveillance system with the most diversified monitoring, recording, and playback features." The complete recording functions of the NVR include schedule recording, alarm recording, alarm recording schedule, motion-detection recording, pre-alarm, and post-alarm recordings. In the live monitoring, different display modes, easy drag and drop function, smart control of PTZ cameras, alarm notification, digital zoom, real-time snapshot, and E-map are supported. Other powerful functions include multi-channel playback at different speed, easy data search by date & time and alarm event, digital zoom, and video snapshot etc. All these functions can be performed through the web-based GUI by the IE browser. "Our NVR realizes true boundless surveillance. The users can simply set up the network cameras and our NVR system for remote monitoring and recording anytime, anywhere over the Internet."

The VioStor-5020 NVR enables secure recording data protection with advanced RAID protection by RAID 0/ 1/ 5/ 5 + Spare/ 6/ JBOD, online RAID capacity expansion and online RAID level migration. Moreover, dual Gigabit LAN ports are provided for network failover, load-balancing, and standalone configurations for efficient data transfer over the network. The VioStor-5020 NVR also supports powerful authority management, host access control, error logging system. The users can set up the surveillance system in a few minutes by Touch-N-Go LCD panel configuration or 6-step web-based installation. The VioStor-5020 NVR is undoubtedly an ideal end-to-end network surveillance system for system integrators, SMB, and enterprise users.

Saitek has unveiled the Eclipse III Backlit Multimedia Keyboard, a sleek backlit keyboard featuring touch-sensitive lighting and volume controls, and ergonomically placed shortcut keys.

The new Eclipse III Backlit Multimedia Keyboard features adjustable, multi color backlighting highlight key controls. The touch-sensitive control panel lets users change settings quickly and easily. Color and keyboard settings remain even after system reboot.

The two stage height adjustment and removable wrist rest increase user comfort. Offering laser-etched, soft touch, durable keys, the USB plug and play device includes pass through headphone and microphone audio ports for simple connectivity.

The pricing for the new Eclipse III Backlit Multimedia Keyboard has not unveiled yet by Saitek.

Link: Saitek

SanDisk has unveiled ExtremeFFS, an advanced flash file system for solid-state drives (SSDs) that yields dramatic improvement in performance and reliability for computing applications. Sandisk says this patented flash management system has the potential to accelerate random write speeds by up to 100 times over existing systems.

ExtremeFFS operates on a page-based algorithm, which means there is no fixed coupling between physical and logical location. When a sector of data is written, the SSD puts it where it is most convenient and efficient, resulting in an improvement in random write performance - by up to 100 times.

ExtremeFFS incorporates a fully non-blocking architecture in which all of the NAND channels can behave independently. Another key element of ExtremeFFS is usage-based content localization, which allowing it to ‘learn’ user patterns and dynamically writes and alters the position of data to maximize the product’s performance and endurance.

The company expects the SSD net performance next year will be four times faster than the current generation of SSDs and nearly six times that of the latest 2.5-inch HDDs.

Link: Sandisk

Panasonic has announced the Toughbook H1, the first fully-rugged mobile clinical assistant (MCA) designed specifically for the medical professionals. The new Toughbook H1 integrates the low power Intel Atom processor with six hour battery life, standard daylight viewable screen and integrated Gobi technology in a sealed and easily-sanitized package.

The Toughbook H1 has been designed for easy disinfection, reducing the risk of germs being spread from patient to patient. The device is the first MCA to offer a fanless design and also features a smooth surface with sealed buttons, a gapless LCD screen and no exposed ports.

The rugged H1 is MIL-STD-810F tested and is capable of withstanding three foot drops. It is water-, rain- and dust-resistance and can easily handle being repeatedly sprayed and wiped with disinfectant.

Other features include 80Gb of storage, 1GB of RAM, a 10.4-inch XGA screen that is touch sensitive, 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

The base H1 model is expected to start at $2,999 in the U.S. The Panasonic Toughbook H1 will be available worldwide in January 2009.

Link: Panasonic

Dell’s premier high-performance PC gaming brand Alienware has introduced the all-new M17 notebook. The 17-inch Alienware M17 offers High-Definition 1920 x 1200 resolution display for remarkable Blu-ray Disc and HD video playback.

Powered by the world’s first mobile quad-core processor, the Intel Core2 Extreme QX9300, Alienware M17 is their first notebook with ATI CrossFireX multi-GPU technology, featuring dual ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870 cards.

Users can configure up to 4GB of DDR3 memory, and up to 1TB of storage in RAID 0. Other options include Blu-ray, HDTV tuner, and a facial recognition sensor. In addition, all Alienware 7200RPM drives feature Free Fall Sensor technology to further protect your valuable data.

“By incorporating the all-out performance of CrossFireX graphics and quad-core processing into Alienware’s award-winning notebook lineup,” says Frank Azor, executive vice-president for Alienware’s Product and Marketing Groups, “the M17 delivers an impressive feature set at a price point that doesn’t break the bank.”

Alienware M17 is now available at a starting price of $1399.

Link: Alienware

Western Digital has introduced WD TV Media Player, offering users a simple way to play their stored digital content on their HDTV in Full-HD 1080p resolution.

The WD TV HD Media Player enables consumers to easily and elegantly access their high-definition content on the biggest screen in the home. It connects to a user's TV or home theater and plays digital movies, music and photos from USB mass storage device.

Navigating content on USB drives is fast and easy with WD TV HD Media Player's remote control and on-screen menu. Content can be viewed either by filename or thumbnails of photos, album covers or movie cover art. In addition, automatic media aggregation lets the viewer see all their media by media type in one menu regardless of its location in folders or drives. The Free ArcSoft MediaConverter 2.5 software is included to easily convert photo, video, and music files into formats optimized for use on the WD TV HD Media Player.

Designed for WD's My Passport portable drives, it also plays content from WD My Book family of drives and most popular USB drives, digital cameras, camcorders, and portable media players that can be recognized as mass storage devices.

The WD TV HD Media Player is available at select retailers and WD's online store for $129.99 USD.

Link: Western Digital

The world just got a little bit smaller. Google Earth is now available for the iPhone and iPod touch, allowing you to fly to the far reaches of the world from the palm of your hand.

The touch interface of iPhone is a very natural way to interact with the Earth. Just swipe your finger across the screen and you fly to the other side of the globe; tilt your phone and your view tilts as well. You can pinch to zoom in or out, or just double tap with one finger to zoom in and two fingers to zoom out.

You can use the 'Location' feature to fly to your current location and also search for places, businesses, and landmarks around the globe with Google Local Search. You can even browse millions of geo-located photos from around the world or read Wikipedia articles.

The software is now available for download in 18 languages and 22 countries via iTunes App Store.

Link: Google Blog

Mascot for far-right American conservatives, Sara Palin (whose daughter, upon turning 18, will be very hot), has garnered suspicion among voters on whether or not she is truly ready for the big leagues after some gaffes during key interviews.

Dell today announced a new line of OptiPlex commercial desktops. The new OptiPlex systems feature innovations in serviceability, manageability, security and power consumption.

The company is introducing four new platforms:

• OptiPlex 960 - Dell’s flagship, heavy-duty desktop enables up to 43 percent less power consumption to reduce energy costs over previous generation of OptiPlex desktops. The optional QuietKit technology reduces noise by as much as 60 percent. Available in three chassis styles (mini-tower, desktop and small form factor), the OptiPlex 960 starts at $863.
• OptiPlex 760 - Offering mainstream security, productivity and energy efficient features with improved management capabilities, the OptiPlex 760 starts at $593.
• OptiPlex 360 - It enables the performance needed to help customers build their business and drive essential office productivity. The OptiPlex 360 starts at $476.
• OptiPlex FX160 - Dell’s first thin client; supports embedded or streamed operating systems for virtual desktop implementations. The FX160 starts at $399.

Dell's new OptiPlex desktops are available worldwide, according to the company.

Link: Dell

Western Digital has added a high-speed FireWire 800 interface to its My Passport Studio portable drive. Aimed at Mac users and creative professionals like photographers and videographers, My Passport Studio portable drives offer up to 500 GB of storage capacity, and the fast performance they need.

The new interface makes this drive a perfect storage companion for the newly introduced Apple MacBook Pro computer. Equipped with FireWire 800/400 and USB interfaces, the portable drive weighs less than 7 ounces.

A built-in, illuminated capacity gauge tells users how much space is available in the drive. In addition, My Passport Studio can be used to backup Mac laptops using Apple's Time Machine application.

"With a new FireWire 800 interface, My Passport Studio speeds up editing and transferring of big media files making it perfect for performance-minded Mac computer users on the go," said Jim Welsh, senior vice president and general manager of WD's Branded Products and Consumer Electronics Groups.

The My Passport Studio is available with 500GB for $249.99 and 400GB for $229.99.

Link: Western Digital