AMD has announced the ATI Radeon E4690 GPU designed for embedded graphics applications with more than triple the 3D graphics performance of prior AMD embedded products, the company noted.The ATI Radeon E4690 GPU supports Microsoft DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL 3.0.The second-generation AMD Unified Video Decoder (UVD 2.0) includes hardware acceleration of H.264 and VC-1 high-definition (HD) video as well as MPEG-2.The ATI Radeon E4690 is designed to simplify board design and speed time-to-market by incorporating 512MB of 700MHz GDDR3 graphics memory on chip.The GPU is suitable for applications such as arcade systems, digital signage and casino systems, added the companyATI Radeon E4690 graphics processor unitPhoto: Company

Lenovo has announced the IdeaPad S12 netbook, featuring a 12.1-inch screen, full-size keyboard and new graphics options with the Nvidia Ion platform.The IdeaPad S12 netbook is able to run up to six hours continuously, comes with Wi-Fi connectivity, and is ready for 3G via an ExpressCard slot, highlighted Lenovo.The IdeaPad S12 offers hard drive storage up to 160GB and memory up to 1GB.With Nvidia's Ion platform, users will be able to enjoy 1080p high definition video with smooth playback, Lenovo said.The IdeaPad S12 will be available in June. Pricing starts at US$449. Models with Nvidia Ion graphics will be available later in summer 2009.Lenovo IdeaPad S12 netbookPhoto: Company

Acer has announced the Aspire easyStore home server for customers in the US. Designed for households and home-based businesses with multiple PCs, the Aspire easyStore offers a simple way to network home computers, and centralize, share and protect digital data as well as access it remotely from outside.Smaller than standard servers, the server measures 8.3-inch (H) × 7.8-inch (W) × 7.08-inch (L) with the power button located on the top of the chassis for easy access and reach. A one-touch USB copy button enables users to just plug in a USB device and press the button, and data is automatically sorted and stored by file type into designated folders.The server is fitted with an Intel Atom 230 processor, 2GB DDR2 memory and 1TB hard drive. The server also offers three hot-swappable hard drive bays for storage expansion.The Acer Aspire easyStore AH340-UA230N home server is available now in the US priced at US$399.99. Acer Aspire easyStore AH340-UA230N home server specifications Item Detail CPU Intel Atom 230 processor Memory 2GB DDR2 memory Storage 1TB hard drive and three empty hot swappable hard drive bays OS Microsoft Windows Home Server Sources: Company, compiled by Digitimes, May 2009Acer Aspire easyStore AH340-US230N home server Photo: Company

Sony on May 21 unveiled two new DVD burners, the DRU-870S and DRU-875S, for launch in the Taiwan market at tentative retail prices of NT$1,000 (US$30) and NT$1,100, respectively, in early June, according to Sony Taiwan.The two DVD burner models have the same functionality except that DRU-875S is equipped with LightScribe capabilities, Sony Taiwan indicated.Sony 24x LightScribe DVD burner DRU-875SPhoto: Company

VIA Technologies has announced the adoption of its Nano processor platform in the latest high-density server product from Dell's Data Center Solutions Division. The XS11-VX8 is an ultra-light server designed for hyper-scale data center environments that can take advantage of the unique power and performance efficiency of the VIA Nano processor.The XS11-VX8 server addresses the need in environments like Web hosting, Web farms and light load infrastructures for a high density, low power and ultra-light server product, said VIA.The VIA Nano-powered XS11-VX8 is housed with 12 systems in a 2U chassis that offers up to 34% lower TCO compared to the use of white-box client systems, said VIA. The XS11-VX8 is designed for single server workloads where overall power consumption needs to be less than 30W per system.Dell XS11-VX8 server has a similar form factor as an HDDPhoto: Company

Dell has launched its new Latitude 2100 netbook which has been tailored to suit the needs of the education sector.The 2100 features a rugged design and integrates wireless connectivity that can be monitored by educators with a network activity light.The 2100 also features an optional touchscreen to enhance student's interaction and assessment, and for special education teaching.The netbook includes an Intel Atom N270 processor, 3-cell battery, Gigabit Ethernet, and Wi-Fi connectivity.The system is already available in five colors, and starts at US$369.Dell Latitude 2100 netbookPhoto: Company

Acer America has extended its netbook line with two new models optimized for mobile customers – the 11.6-inch Acer Aspire One AO751h and the 10.1-inch Acer Aspire One AOD250.The Aspire AO751h features an 11.6-inch high-definition LED-backlit widescreen (16:9 ratio) display, and although the netbook is thinner than previous generation netbooks, it still comes with all the same features, noted the company. The new devices use Intel Atom processors (N270 on the AOD250 and N270 or Z520 on the AO751h) and are equipped as standard with 1GB of memory and 160GB of hard drive space. Options of 2GB of DDR2 memory or up to a 250GB internal hard drive are also available.The extended 6-cell battery for the AO751h can provide uptime of up to eight hours, while the 3-cell battery can provide four hours of uptime, according to Acer. Meanwhile, the AO250's standard 3-cell battery can provide up to three hours and 15 minutes of battery life, while the 6-cell battery can provide up to six hours. Acer's new Aspire One netbooks specifications Model A0751h-1192 AOD250-1042 CPU Intel Atom Z520 Intel Atom N270 Display 11.6-inch WXGA 16:9 ratio Acer CrystalBrite High Definition LED back-lit TFT LCD 10.1-inch WSVGA 16:9 ratio Acer CrystalBrite LED back-lit TFT LCD Chipset Intel US15W Express Mobile Intel 945GSE Express Memory Single-channel 1024MB DDR2 533MHz SDRAM Single-channel 1024MB DDR2 533MHz SDRAM GPU Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Sources: Company, compiled by Digitimes, May 2009Acer Aspire One A0751h-1192 netbookPhoto: Company

Lenovo has announced the IdeaPad S10-2 netbook with 3G connectivity and Dolby headphone technology.The IdeaPad S10-2 netbook weights just over 2lbs and measures less than an inch thick, according to Lenovo.The netbook features Lenovo's OneKey Rescue System, and battery saving software which helps it achieve up to 30% more battery life over previous models, the company highlighted. The netbook also features an Intel Atom processor and 10.1-inch LED screen.The IdeaPad S10-2 will be available at the end of May starting at US$349.Lenovo IdeaPad S10-2 netbook with 3G capabilityPhoto: Company

Japan-based PC vendors Toshiba and Fujitsu both unveiled their latest 10.1-inch netbooks in Taiwan recently.Toshiba on May 12 debuted the NB200, its first 10.1-inch netbook to go on sale in Taiwan at NT$21,800 (US$651). The NB200 is equipped with Intel's Atom N280 processor and is made by Compal Electronics on an OEM basis.The NB200 features 1GB of memory, 160GB hard drive and Windows XP, and will mainly target the high-end market.Toshiba also has an 8.9-inch netbook, the NB100, but the model is currently only selling in the US, the UK and Mexico.Fujitsu on May 12 launched the M2010 manufactured by Quanta Computer and priced at NT$17,800.The M2010 features an Atom N270 processor and 945GSE chipset, and weighs 1.15kg, noted Fujitsu.Fujitsu said it currently does not have plans for 11.6-inch models, but will push its 12-inch notebook instead. The company also revealed that CULV-based ultra-thin notebook will be ready by the end of the year.Toshiba NB200 netbookPhoto: Yen-Shyang Hwang, Digitimes, May 2009Fujitsu M2010 netbookPhoto: Max Wang, Digitimes, May 2009

Chunghwa Telecom and High Tech Computer (HTC) have unveiled the first traditional Chinese-language Android-powered smartphone, the HTC Magic. The HTC Magic will be available on various CHT price plans.The HTC Magic has a 3.2-inch HVGA touchscreen display and features a trackball for navigation, a 3.2-megapixel camera and GPS.The HTC Magic is scheduled to be available in Taiwan from May 2009 with the suggested price of NT$20,900 (US$630.47).HTC Magic Photo: Company