Acer recently introduced the Aspire 8920G and 6920G notebook PC series featuring a built-in Blu-ray drive.The new Aspire 8920G and 6920G series feature Intel Centrino processor technology using the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, the mobile Intel PM965 Express chipset and an integrated module for wireless connection supporting Acer's SignalUp with InviLink Nplify wireless technologies.The Aspire 8920G features an 18.4-inch full-HD CineCrystal LCD panel, while the Aspire 6920G has a 16-inch display.The system is shipped with a choice of graphics engines and can be equipped with either the Nvidia GeForce 9650M GS graphics engine with up to 1280MB of TurboCache or by the Nvidia GeForce 9500M GS with up to 1280MB of TurboCache. Both support Nvidia PureVideo HD technology, Shader Model 4.0 and Microsoft DirectX 10. Acer Aspire 8920G and 6920G notebook specifications Model Aspire 8920G-933G32Bna Aspire 6920G-833G32Bnb Aspire 6920G-833G32Mn CPU Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 (6MB L2 Cache, 2.5 GHz, 800MHz) Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 (3MB L2 Cache, 2.4 GHz, 800MHz Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 (3MB L2 Cache, 2.4 GHz, 800MHz Chipset Mobile Intel PM965 Express Memory 3GB DDR2 667 can add up to 4GB 3GB DDR2 667 can add up to 4GB 2GB DDR2 667 can add up to 4GB Display 18.4-inch full HD (16:9 300-nit) 16-inch full HD (16:9 250-nit) 16-inch full HD (16:9 220-nit) VGA Nvidia GeForce 9650M GS Nvidia GeForce 9500M GS Nvidia GeForce 9500M GS Storage 320GB SATA hard drive 320GB SATA hard drive 320GB SATA hard drive 2X Blu-ray disc (BD) drive 2X Blu-ray disc (BD) drive DVD Super Multi DL burner Price NT$69,900 (US$2297.83) NT$58,900 NT$49,900 Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, April 2008Acer Aspire 8920G notebookPhoto: Company

Graphics card makers including Micro-Star International (MSI), Albatron, Gigabyte Technology and Leadtek Research have launched graphics card based on Nvidia's GeForce 9800 GTX GPU.The cards support Nvidia's 3-way SLI technology, boasting up to 2.8 times more power than any single GPU system, and HybridPower technology to reduce power usage by switching from the GeForce 9800 GTX graphics card to a motherboard IGP when running less graphically-intensive applications. MSI N9800GTX graphics card specifications Item Detail Graphics Engine GeForce 9800GTX Bus Standard PCI Express 2.0 x16 Memory Type GDDR3 Memory Amount 512MB Memory Interface 256-bit Core Clock Speed 675MHz Shade Clock Speed 1688MHz Memory Clock Speed 2200MHz Memory Bandwidth(GB/sec) 70.4 Texture Fill Rate(billion/sec) 43.2 DVI Output x2 D-SUB Output No TV-Output x1(via S-Video to Composite) HDMI-Output via DVI to HDMI adaptor Display Ouput(Max Resolution) 2560×1600 RAMDACs 400 HDTV Support Yes HDCP Support Yes HDMI Support Yes DirectX Version Support 10.0 OpenGL Version Support 2.1 SLI Support Yes Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, April 2008 Albatron 9800GTX-512X graphics card specifications Item Detail GPU GeForce 9800GTX Core clock 675MHz Shader clock 1688MHz Memory clock 1100MHz Memory amount 512MB of GDDR3 memory Memory I/O 256-bit Frame buffer 512MB Total board power 160W TDP Interface PCI Express 2.0 Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, April 2008 Gigabyte GV-NX98X512H-B graphics card specifications Item Detail Chipset Nvidia GeForce 9800GTX Memory 512MB Memory Bus 256-bit Memory Type GDDR3 Card dimension ATX Bus Type PCIe 2.0 Bus Speed x16 D-SUB Y (By Adapter) TV-OUT Yes DVI Port Y (DVI-I) VIVO No Multi View Yes Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, April 2008 Leadtek WinFast PX9800 GTX graphics card specifications Item Detail Graphic Bus PCI Express GPU Nvidia GeForce 9800 GTX GPU/Memory Clock 675/2200MHz Shader Clock 1688 MHz Memory Size 512MB GDDR3 Memory Interface 256-bit RAMDACs 400MHz Stream Processors 128 Output Dual Dual-Link DVI, HDTV Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, April 2008MSI N9800GTX graphics card Photo: CompanyAlbatron 9800GTX-512X graphics cardPhoto: CompanyGigabyte GV-NX98X512H-B graphics card Photo: CompanyLeadtek WinFast PX9800 GTX graphics card Photo: Company

VIA Technologies has announced the NAS 7800 motherboard designed to meet the needs of thin server and NAS segment system builders.Thin servers such as network attached storage are proving increasingly popular with small and medium sized enterprises looking for secure, energy-efficient data storage without investing in large, expensive and power-hungry corporate solutions, according to VIA. Boasting up to eight SATA 3Gb/s ports and two Gigabit ports, the VIA NAS 7800 combines storage flexibility and a power-efficient, secure platform to meet these needs.The motherboard is powered by a low-heat, energy-efficient 1.5GHz VIA C7 processor, with an optional fanless VIA Eden SKU, the NAS 7800 also features a proprietary MFX module for wake-up scheduling, allowing IT managers to power servers down at night or weekends for savings in electricity usage.The VIA NAS 7800 uses a unique 190mm×143mm form factor, the same size as a standard optical disk drive, with I/O aligned to allow easy integration into drive-sized chassis or even in multiple configurations within a 1U server, offering an innovative approach to NAS systems for small and medium sized businesses, highlighted the company.System security is enabled through an onboard TPM module for key generation and storage and the VIA PadLock Security Engine integrated directly onto the processor die, which when enabled provides fast, military grade hardware encryption and decryption of data. VIA NAS7800 server motherboard specifications Item Detail Processor VIA C7 1.5GHz NanoBGA2 processor Chipset VIA CN700 northbridge VIA VT8251 southbridge System Memory One DDR2 400/533/667 DIMM socket, supports up to 1GB VGA Integrated VIA UniChrome Pro graphics with 2D/3D and MPEG-2 video accelerators Onboard IDE One UltraDMA 133/100/66 Connector (2.0mm pitch/ 44-pins) Expansion Slots One CompactFlash type-I slot (Master/Slave selectable) One 32-Bit Mini PCI slot (for NAS 7800-15LST) Onboard LAN One VIA VT6130 PCIe Gigabit Ethernet Controller One VIA VT6122 PCI Gigabit Ethernet Controller (for NAS 7800-15LST) Onboard TPM Infineon SLB9635TT 1.2 (Trusted Platform Module) Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, April 2008VIA NAS7800 server motherboard Photo: Company

ASRock has launched a motherboard based on AMD's 780G and SB700 chipsets, the A780FullDisplayPort, which features outputs including D-Sub, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort through a dongle.The A780FullDisplayPort supports HyperTransport 3.0, dual-channel DDR2 1066 memory, a PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot and an integrated AMD RV610 graphics engine. ASRock A780FullDisplayPort motherboard specifications Item Detail CPU AMD Phenom FX, Phenom, Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2, Athlon X2, Athlon 64 and Sempron processor Chipset AMD 780G + SB700 Memory Dual-channel DDR2 800/667, four DIMM slots, maximum capacity up to 8GB VGA Integrated AMD RV610 graphics engine with maximum 512MB shared memory VGA output D-Sub, DVI-D, HDMI and DisplayPort Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, April 2008ASRock A780FullDisplayPort motherboard Photo: Company

Micro-Star International (MSI) has announced the VR340, a 13.3-inch notebook which weighs 2.2kg, making it a suitable choice for consumers, who need mobility, according to the company.The VR340 features an Intel Pentium dual-core processor and Intel GL960 chipset, and can support DDR2 533/667 memory up to 3GB. MSI VR340 notebook specifications Item Detail Processor Intel Pentium dual-core processor Chipsets Intel GL960+ICH8-M LCD 13.3-inch WXGA TFT ACV Display VGA UMA shared with system memory Memory DDR2 533 / 667MHz DDR2 SO-DIMM × 2 slot 512MB / 1024MB/ 2048MB 3GB Max Dimension 332×240×26.5-35mm Weight 2.2kg with 6-cell battery Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, March 2008MSI VR340 notebookPhoto: Company

Transcend Information recently introduced high-speed SATA flash modules specifically designed for use in thin clients, blade servers, ultra-compact sub-notebooks and space-limited industrial installations, Transcend's SATA flash modules offer solid-state reliability and speed in a lightweight compact package.With robust, non-volatile flash memory, the SATA flash modules are ideal for use in harsher, more demanding industrial environments such as in industrial PCs, embedded systems, medical instruments, factory automation systems, network infrastructure and other industrial equipment, according to Transcend.Besides being much smaller than conventional 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch SATA hard disk drives, the SATA flash modules use less power and offer improved shock and vibration resistance, longer data retention durability, and instant access speeds with zero spin-up or seek time, according to the company. With built-in error correction code (ECC) and an advanced wear leveling algorithm, Transcend's SATA flash modules ensure highly reliable long-term data transfer and storage for professional computing applications.Transcend said it uses only name brand single-level-cell (SLC) NAND flash chips in its SATA flash modules to guarantee fast read/write speeds and smooth, delay-free software operation. Transcend's SATA flash modules are offered in capacities of 1GB and 2GB in both vertical (male SATA data and power connectors) and horizontal (female SATA connector with mini 2-pin power and mechanical write-protection switch) versions to satisfy industrial application requirements.Transcend SATA flash module (vertical)Photo: Company

Mio Technology has announced its Mio Moov product family – four new personal navigation devices (PNDs) that combine Mio's hardware expertise with a fresh user interface. This is the first set of Mio Technology products to incorporate software developed internally, using design and content proficiencies from the recently-acquired Navman. The Mio Moov 200, 210, 300 and 310 emphasize straightforward navigation and provide excellent value that makes quality GPS attainable for many consumers, according to the company.The Mio Moov 300 and 310 both feature a 4.3-inch widescreen display which allows for more on-screen information while the Moov 200 and 210 sport a 3.5-inch, square-shaped display with a bright, anti-glare screen.The devices incorporate text-to-speech functionality to call out actual street names when making turns, helping drivers keep their eyes on the road. These features are paired with a redesigned user interface and more than 3.5 million points of interest.Mio Moov 310 and 210 also come with a one-year paid Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC) subscription. Powered by ClearChannel's network of affiliates, TMC provides real-time updates on accidents, detours and construction that could delay or prevent drivers from reaching their destination. TMC updates are automatically displayed by the Moov 310, along with suggestions for routes around the obstruction.The Mio Moov product line features new SiRFInstantFixII GPS receivers, which deliver faster GPS signal locks so users can begin navigating as soon as they are ready to drive. SiRFInstantFixII can find and lock a GPS signal in as few as five seconds during typical device start-ups, almost half a minute faster than other GPS devices. For users in cities where tall buildings can impede GPS signals – creating "urban canyons" – a fast signal requisition can be the difference between missing a turn and arriving on-time.The MSRP for Mio Moov 200, 210, 300 and 310 are US$179.95, US$199.95, US$229.95 and US$249.95, respectively. Mio Moov GPS navigators will be available at Radio Shack, Circuit City and other participating retailers on April 1. Mio Moov series PND specifications Item Moov310 Moov 300 Moov 210 Moov 200 GPS receiver channels 20-channel SiRFstarIII with SiRFInstantFixII 20-channel SiRFstarIII with SiRFInstantFixII 20-channel SiRFstarIII with SiRFInstantFixII 20-channel SiRFstarIII with SiRFInstantFixII Display 4.3-inch TFT Anti-Glare Touch Screen and 65k Colors; 480×272 color LCD 4.3-inch TFT Anti-Glare Touch Screen and 65k Colors; 480×272 color LCD 3.5-inch TFT Anti-Glare Touch Screen and 65k Colors; 320×240 color LCD 3.5-inch TFT Anti-Glare Touch Screen and 65k Colors; 320×240 color LCD Speaker Built-in speaker Built-in speaker Built-in speaker Built-in speaker TMC module Built-in module Not available Built-in module Not available USB V2.0 V2.0 V2.0 V2.0 Weight 0.4lbs (181g) 0.4lbs (181g) 0.3 lbs. (150g) 0.3 lbs. (150g) Dimensions (inches) 5.12×3×0.7 5.12×3×0.7 3.9×2.9×0.8 3.9×2.9×0.8 Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, March 2008The Mio Moov 310 PNDPhoto: Company

Asustek Computer recently launched its latest 1U server, the RS100-E5/PI2, a quad-core/dual-core Intel Xeon 3000 series platform, which supports Intel 45nm processors with a FSB up to 1333MHz.As a uni-processor server, the RS100-E5/PI2 provides 4-dimm slots to support up to 8GB DDR2 800/667 ECC memory, while offering RAID 0, 1 functions for cost-effective data protection.Equipped with dual PCI Express (PCIe) Gigabit Ethernet functions, the RS100-E5/PI2 is capable of higher bandwidth aggregation and reliable networking based on failover and load balance functions.An optional Asustek ASMB3-SOL Card (out-of-band monitor/troubleshooting) provides security and extends remote offline serviceability functions with IPMI2.0 Serial Over LAN standards – significantly saving MIS efforts for maintenance and minimizing system downtime.The server is an ideal platform for home users, SMB, SOHO, IDC, telecom and client systems that require quiet working environments. Asustek RS100-E5/PI2 server specifications Item Detail Processor support Quad-core Intel Xeon 3300 series, dual-core Intel Xeon 3100 series, quad-core Intel Xeon 3200 series (G0 stepping) and dual-core Intel Xeon 3000 series processors FSB FSB 1333/1066/800MHz Core logic Intel 3200 MCH Intel ICH7R Memory support DDR2 800/667 memory support up to 8GB Storage Two internal SATA2 HDD One slim-type optical device (Optional) NIC Two Broadcom BCM5721 PCIe GbE LAN Onboard VGA XGI Z9s VGA controller / 32MB Expansion slot One PCIe x16 slot (x8 Link) (default) Power supply 220W 80+ PFC single power supply Dimensions (mm) 381×430×43.4mm (1U) Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, March 2008Asustek RS100-E5/PI2 serverPhoto: Company

Asustek Computer has announced its Splendid HD1 video enhancement card, which is able to increase picture quality for HD content to deliver sharper, more vividly colored visual outputs. It can also enhance lower-resolution inputs by recovering image clarity when viewing legacy content for viewing on LCD TV or monitors as well as provide true HDMI with audio and HDCP.The Splendid HD1 is able to automatically select the best possible display modes to deliver exceptional quality visuals in photos, video and games, according to Asustek.Asustek Splendid HD1 video enhancement cardPhoto: Company

Asustek Computer has announced the M50 notebook with features including Blu-ray, Altec Lansing speakers and Dolby Home Theater support.The M50 provides a high-definition digital video and audio experience, and its touch pad doubles up as a multimedia control panel for easy control of video or music files, highlighted the company.The M50's cover is built using Asustek's exclusive Infusion technology. This not only gives the cover a polished shine but also creates a tough coat, highly resistant to abrasions, Asustek pointed out. Asustek M50 notebook specifications Item Detail CPU Intel Core 2 Duo T7100-T7700 processor, Intel Core 2 Duo T8100/T8300/T9300/T9500 processor Chipset Intel PM965 VGA Nvidia GeForce 9500M GS with 512MB VRAM (M50SV) or ATI mobile Radeon HD3650 with 1GB VRAM (M50SA) or ATI mobile Radeon HD3470 with 256MB VRAM (M50SR) Display 15.4-inch WSXGA+/ WXGA+/ WXGA, Color Shine Memory DDR2 667MHz memory up to 4GB / 1GB Turbo Memory Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, March 2008Asustek M50 notebookPhoto: Company