Hewlett-Packard (HP) has expanded the HP Mini family with three models of a new HP Mini 1000 line.The PCs provide a simplified Internet experience in an ultra-portable design less than 1-inch thick, and weighing a little more than 2-pounds, said HP. The netbooks have a keyboard that is 92% the size of a standard notebook PC keyboard and all come with a BrightView widescreen Infinity display (1024×600 resolution) with flush glass and LED backlight, built-in webcam and microphone.Powered by Intel Atom N270 processors, HP Minis will be made available worldwide in a range of configure-to-order options.The HP Mini 1000 features a piano-black finish and is pre-installed with Windows XP Home. Configuration choices include a 8.9-inch or 10.2-inch display and solid-state or mechanical hard drive options.The HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition comes in vibrant red with a peony-flower inspired design and 10.2-inch display.The HP Mini 1000 with MIE (Mobile Internet Experience) features a Linux-based operation system.Versions with 3G capabilities are expected to be available in December for the HP Mini 1000 and Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition.The HP Mini 1000 is available today in the US with a starting price of US$399, while the HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition is expected to be available in the US in mid-December priced at US$699 and the HP Mini 1000 with MIE is expected to be available in the US in January 2009 starting at US$379.HP Mini 1000 netbookPhoto: Businesswire

Leadtek Research has announced the launch of new a mainstream graphics card, the WinFast PX9500 GT Low Profile, designed for small form factor systems.Based on Nvidia's GeForce 9500 GT GPU, the WinFast PX9500 GT Low Profile currently comes with 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 memory, with a GPU clock speed of 550 MHz. Leadtek WinFast PX9500 GT Low Profile specifications Item Detail Graphic Bus PCI Express 2.0 GPU Nvidia GeForce 9500 GT GPU/Memory Clock 550/1000MHz Memory Size 512MB GDDR2 Memory Interface 128-bit RAMDACs 400MHz Stream Processors 32 DirectX Support DirectX 10 Shader Model 4.0 Output DMS-59 (Support Dual DVI-I) Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2008Leadtek WinFast PX9500 GT Low Profile graphics card for SFF PCsPhoto: Company

Hot on the heals of Inventec subsidiary Kojinsha (KJS) who recently launched 7- and 8.9-inch mini-notebooks based on Intel's low-power consumption Atom Z5x0 (Silverthorne) CPUs, rather than the N270 (Diamondville) found in most netbooks, Dell Japan is planning to launch the Inspiron Mini 12 on October 29 featuring a 12.1-inch LCD panel and either the Atom Z520 or Z530 processors.The Inspiron Mini 12 weighs 1.24kg with a thickness of 23.3-27.6mm. Pricing will start at 89,800 Yen (US$967), according to Dell. Dell Inspiron Mini 12 specifications Item Detail CPU Intel Atom Z520 or Z530 Memory 1GB DDR2 Display 12.1-inch panel VGA Intel GMA500 Chipset Intel System Controller Hub US15W Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2008Dell Inspiron Mini 12 notebookPhoto: Company

With Qisda and AU Optronics (AUO) announcing a joint venture for LCD TV assembly in September, Qisda has now stated that all aspects of its LCD TV OEM business will be transferred to the new venture and Qisda will exit from the LCD TV business.Hui also explained that LCD TV OEMs need to maintain higher panel inventory and having an expertise in LCD panel production is a key advantage in such a business. Therefore, the company will allow AUO to control the direction of development for the two company's combined LCD TV production. Hui added that Qisda currently lacks the economies of scale to further devote resources to the LCD TV business, so Hui believes that it is best for Qisda to phase out its LCD TV OEM business. The company estimates that LCD TV OEM services will not be a part of its operations in 2010, added Hui.Qisda's LCD TV OEM business only accounted for 6% of its third quarter sales and only 4-5% of the company's sales so far this year. Hui indicated that the company's LCD TV OEM shipment goal this year may only reach 600,000-700,000 units, down from a previous shipment estimation of one million units.Hui also noted that Qisda has started to transition LCD TV OEM production lines to producing and new products this quarter and the company estimates that the new products will contribute more than 10% to the company's annual revenues in 2009. The new products include professional display, electronic billboard, all-in-one PC, 3.75G USB modem, portable digital TV, and remote medical care applications.Qisda's third quarter consolidated revenues reached NT$27 billion (US$807 million), down 11.3% from NT$30.5 billion in the second quarter. The company's gross margin increased from 3.4% in the second quarter to 3.8% in the third quarter, but net losses still totaled NT$1.9 billion, according to data from the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE).Hui Hsiung, president of Qisda.Photo by Siu Han

AMD has introduced the ATI Radeon HD 4830 graphics card priced at less than US$150. Like all ATI Radeon HD 4800 series products, the new offering delivers excellent game performance and HD multimedia capabilities, as well as support for DirectX 10.1 games, highlighted the company.ATI Radeon HD 4830 cards support ATI CrossFireX technology allowing gamers to combine up to four cards in one PC.Card vendors Asustek Computer, Club 3D, Diamond Multimedia, Force3D, GeCube, Gigabyte Technology, Hightech Information Systems (HIS), Jetway, Micro-Star International (MSI), Palit Multimedia, PowerColor, Sapphire Technology and VisionTek are all expected to add the HD 4830 to their line ups, said AMD. AMD ATI Radeon HD 4830 GPU specifications Item Detail Video Memory 512MB GDDR3 Engine Clock 575MHz Memory Clock 1800MHz (900MHz x2) Memory Interface 256-bit DirectX Support 10.1 Bus Standard PCIe 2.0 Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2008MSI R4830-T2D512 graphics cardPhoto: CompanyPowerColor AX4830 512MD3-H graphics cardPhoto: Company

Samsung Electronics recently unveiled the Q1 digital media player for immediate launch in the Taiwan market at a recommended retail price of NT$3,990 (US$122) for a 4GB model and NT$4,990 for an 8GB model.Samsung also lowered prices for existing U and S series players by 5-10%, in an attempt to increase its market share from slightly over 10% in the first half of 2008 to 15% this quarter, according to Samsung Electronics Taiwan.Q1 features a 2.4-inch QVGA TFT-LCD screen, Samsung-developed DNSe 3.0 3D surround sound quality and continuous playback of music for 20-30 hours or video for four hours, Samsung Taiwan pointed out. A 16GB Q1 will be launched around the end of 2008, at a yet to be determined retail price, Samsung Taiwan indicated.The 2008 total sales volume of digital music players in the Taiwan market is projected to be 1.05 million units, dropping by 2% from 2007, Samsung Taiwan noted.Samsung Q1Photo: Company

Gateway has introduced two new desktop PCs designed for gaming and digital media enthusiasts.The Gateway FX6710 follows the footsteps of previous FX series models harnessing the Intel platform for gaming, Gateway highlighted.The FX6710 features the Intel Core 2 Q9400 processor, Windows Vista Premium 64-bit, 6GB memory, ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics and Creative's X-Fi gaming audio capabilities.Meanwhile, the Gateway LX6200 desktop PC makes its debut as the first model in a new line of LX series PCs designed for digitally creative consumers and is ideal for designing web pages and blogs, creating digital photo albums, editing and uploading videos and producing personal music CDs, according to Gateway.The LX6200 comes with a quad-core AMD Phenom X4 9500 processor coupled with Windows Vista Premium 64-bit, 8GB of memory and ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics. Gateway new desktops specifications Model FX6710 LX6200 CPU Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 processor AMD Phenom X4 9500 processor VGA ATI Radeon HD 4850 / 512MB discrete video memory ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics (UMA) Memory 6GB DDR2 memory, dual-channel 8GB DDR2 memory, dual-channel Price US$1,199.99 US$779.99 Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2008Gateway FX6710-01 desktop PCPhoto: CompanyGateway LX6200-01 desktop PCPhoto: Company

Sony is planning to launch four new series of Vaio PCs in Taiwan on December 24 this year. Sony Taiwan expects its Vaio series PCs to maintain a market share of 10% in 2008 in Taiwan, however the company is conservative about fourth-quarter demand.The Vaio CS series notebooks will be available in five colors: white, red, black, pink and brown, and will be priced between NT$32,800-39,800 (US$1000-1222).The Vaio LN series all-in-one PCs will feature a Blu-ray drive and Dolby Home Theater technology and be priced at NT$59,800, while the JS series all-in-one PCs will include an Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 processor and 20.1-inch LCD display for a price of NT$44,800.Vaio TP series home entertainment center PCs will feature a round design, and can connect to an LCD TV through their HDMI port. The TP series will also include a Blu-ray drive for recording and playback. Pricing will start at NT$59,800.Sony Vaio CS series notebooksPhoto: CompanySony Vaio LN series all-in-one PCPhoto: CompanySony Vaio JS series all-in-one PCPhoto: CompanySony Vaio TP series home entertainment center PCPhoto: Company

Samsung Electronics America has announced its entrance in the US notebook market with a product lineup including notebooks in four categories – premium thin and light, all purpose, business, and desktop replacement, and the netbook segment.The X360 and X460 are 13.3- and 14.1-inch premium ultra thin-and-light notebooks with a price starting at US$1,599. The X360 weighs 2.8 pounds can achieve up to 10 hours of continuous usage, claimed Samsung. Both support Samsung's latest 300nits SuperBright LED backlit LCD display.Samsung's NC10 is a netbook with a 10.2-inch wide SuperBright LCD, enhanced capacity battery and 160GB hard drive, carrying a price of US$499. The Q310 is a highly portable all-purpose notebook with price of US$1,149 and US$1,299, featuring a 13.3-inch wide LCD. The R610, with a price of US$1,049, is a desktop replacement that features a 16-inch wide LCD.Completing Samsung's entry to the notebook market are the enterprise-focused P460 and P560, semi-ruggedized notebooks with a price range of US$1,149 to US$1,399. All of Samsung's notebooks will initially be available throughout the traditional IT reseller channel.Each notebook (with the exception of the NC10 netbook) will feature the latest Intel Centrino 2 processor technology with Intel Core 2 Duo processors and 3GB of system memory. Samsung notebook specifications Model X series P series Q series R series NC10 CPU Intel Core 2 Duo processor with Centrino 2 technology Intel Atom N270 processor Memory 3GB, can support up to 4GB 1GB DDR2 800MHz memory Panel size 13.3-inch (X360) 14.1-inch (X460) LED backlit 14.1-inch (P460) 15.4-inch (P560) 13.3-inch (Q310) 16-inch 16:9 aspect ratio with HD resolution (R610) 10.2-inch GPU Intel GMX4500 (X360) Nvidia GeForce 9200M GS (X460) Intel GMX4500 (P460) Nvidia GeForce 9600M GS (P560) Intel GMX4500 (Q310) Nvidia GeForce 9200M GS (R610) Intel 945 GSE Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, October 2008Samsung X360 notebookPhoto: Company

Silicon Motion Technology and MegaChips have jointly developed what they claim to be the world's smallest and lowest power consumption ISDB-T mobile TV tuner-demodulator SoC.MegaChips has been offering ISDB-T demodulator solutions since One-Seg digital terrestrial mobile TV service was first launched in Japan in April 2006. Silicon Motion markets its mobile TV products under the "FCI" brand and introduced its first S-DMB silicon tuner in February 2005 and T-DMB silicon tuner in February 2006, around when Korea started offering digital satellite and terrestrial mobile TV broadcasts.Yukihiro Ukai, president and CEO of MegaChips, said, "Japan and Korea are the world's leading markets in terms of mobile TV adoption and technology development. About two-thirds of all new mobile phones sold in Japan can already receive digital terrestrial free-to-air mobile TV signals based on the ISDB-T standard, which is a technology that is popularly known as 'One-Seg' in Japan. Korea is the second largest mobile TV market in the world after Japan, with mobile TV adoption rates approaching the high levels in Japan. Korea and Japan are two markets where mobile TV usage is increasingly ubiquitous, whether on the street, in subways, or automobiles."Key product features include: small size ISDB-T SoC (3.02mm × 3.02mm × 0.35mm WL-CSP), realized by integrating RF tuner and OFDM demodulation parts in one IC; a built-in LNA circuit that improves receiver sensitivity and reduces package size and the number of components; and unique demodulator and tuner circuit technologies that reduce power consumption to as low as 55mW during operation.Sample shipments are scheduled for the first quarter of 2009.