Asustek Computer has published a list of motherboards that it says will be compatible with the upcoming AM2+ CPUs from AMD. The first available will be the M2A-VM with others to follow in the near future.The candidate motherboards on the list will be able to support next-generation AMD CPUs after applying BIOS updates which will become available on the Asus website, the company said. Asustek AM2+ CPU compatible motherboard list Model CROSSHAIR M2N32-SLI Premium Vista Edition M2N32-SLI Deluxe/WiFi AP M2N32 WS Professional M2N-SLI Deluxe M2A-VM HDMI M2N-E SLI M2N-E M2N-VM DVI M2R32-MVP Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, September 2007Asustek M2A-VM motherboardPhoto: Company

Cooler Master has announced its Cosmos 1000 high performance PC chassis. The flagship chassis combines a sleek looking exterior and a clean interior design for optimal thermal performance and efficient noise reduction, according to the company.The Cosmos design team used the principles of Hi-Fi equipment to solve noise issues in high-end systems, stated Cooler Master. It transformed the audio equipment stand into a progressive aluminum tube stand, thus eliminating resonance by providing three-to-five times the bending strength, explained the company.The Cosmos enhances conventional cooling by utilizing the concepts of stack and negative pressure effects. In addition, the chassis also features an air filtered dual-bottom air intake ventilation design, thermal hard disk drive (HDD) pads, excess room for additional 120mm fans and built-in slots for liquid cooling solutions, noted the company.Cooler Master Cosmos 1000 high performance PC chassisPhoto: Company

Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry) officially announced the launch of its first true overclocking motherboard, Mars, which will be the first in a new product line called Quantum Force. The new product line will be dedicated to overclocking and gaming enthusiasts, according to the Foxconn.Based on the Intel P35 chipset, Mars has been specially tuned for overclocking performance, and has undergone extensive testing and trials by some of the world's leading overclockers before release to retail customers in September, stated Foxconn.Mars will be available in the channel from early September with a suggested retail price of around US$230. Mars motherboard specifications Item Details CPU Support Skt775 for Intel Core2 Quad, Core2 Extreme, Core2 Duo, Pentium Dual-Core E2xxx, Celeron 4xx, Pentium D, Pentium 4 processors Supports Intel next generation 45nm Multi-Core CPUs FSB support 1333/1066/800MHz Memory Supports 4 x 240-pin DIMM of 1.8 Volt Dual Channel DDRII 1066/800/667, 8GB max. memory capacity Expansion 1 PCI Express x16 slot & 1a PCI Express x4 slot with CrossFire support 2 PCI Express x1 slots 3 PCI bus slots Connectivity 1 eSATA, 6 SATAII, 2 IEEE1394a, 12 USB2.0, 1 ATA RAID RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10 with Intel Matrix Storage Technology and Intel Rapid Recover technology Audio 7.1 channel HD audio Networking Gigabit LAN BIOS & special features Gladiator BIOS with OC Gear, OC Recover, Cool Fan control Onboard CMOS & On/Off/Reset buttons AEGIS Panel Cool Pipe (heatpipe solution) 100% solid capacitor design EasyPin Form factor ATX Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, September 2007Foxconn's Mars motherboardPhoto: Company

The Shuttle XPC Prima SP35P2 Pro which we first saw around Computex 2007 has been launched. The Shuttle XPC Prima SP35P2 Pro is an Intel P35 based system supporting 1333MHz FSB CPUs and up to 8GB of DDR2 800 memory, which Shuttle says can overclock to 1066MHz.With the SP35P2 Shuttle has tried to step up its design to bring it in line with features most other motherboard makers are currently offering. Updates include all solid capacitors for better stability and reliability, and a heat-pipe cooling system that covers key system components such as the north and southbridges, which Shuttle calls Oasis.The SP35P2 is equipped with an 80 PLUS certified power supply making it more energy-efficient and as it is a Pro model it offers a couple of value-added features such as USB Speed-Link technology to allow easier file sharing between two PCs and a fingerprint scanner for added security.Shuttle XPC Prima SP35P2 ProPhoto: Company

Hewlett-Packard (HP) on August 30 launched a series of high-end notebook PCs in Taiwan, targeting the business segment. The newly launched models include the 17-inch HP Compaq 8710w mobile station and the 12-inch LED backlight HP Compaq 2710p tablet notebook.HP is also considering introducing 20-inch consumer notebooks in the Taiwan market by the end of this year, indicated sources at HP Taiwan.With demand for business notebooks in Taiwan expected to pick up strongly in the September-November period, HP sees there is potential for large-size and tablet models, said Dennis Chen, general manager of HP Taiwan's personal systems group.Sales of HP business notebooks in Taiwan grew by 80% on year in the first half of this year, and the company is aiming to have a 100% on-year growth in the second half, stated Chen.Overall, the business notebook segment in Taiwan increased by 10% on year in the second quarter, Chen added.In the Taiwan market, HP has outperformed Lenovo to become the number three vendor of business notebooks since the first quarter of this year, trailing only after Asustek Computer and Acer, Chen claimed.The HP Compaq 2710p carries a suggested retail price of NT$66,900 (US$2,021), while the HP Compaq 8710w is priced at NT$99,900 (US$3,018). HP's Compaq 2710p tablet notebookPhoto: John Hsu, Digitimes

Transcend Information recently announced the release of its 2GB DDR2-800 non-ECC unbuffered memory module.Transcend's 2GB DDR2-800 non-ECC unbuffered DIMMs are reliable in high-end applications and compatible with most current desktop computers, such as platforms based on Intel's 915GV, 945G, 955X, 965, 975X chipsets, AMD's AM2 chipset, Apple G5 17-inch 1.9GHz, G5 20-inch 2.1GHz and more, noted Transcend. They are also fully compatible with Windows Vista, according to the company.Transcend's 2GB DDR2-800 non-ECC unbuffered DIMM uses six-layer PCBs to meet JEDEC standards. The 2GB DIMMs are made of 16 brand name 128Mx8 DDR2 FBGA chips. Each chip is selected with the strictest quality standards and is manufactured using small FBGA packages to assure better thermal dissipation, electrical efficiency and overall computing quality, stated Transcend.Transcend uses ODT (on-die termination) to minimize signal reflections at higher speeds, thereby improving timing margins and increasing operating speed, according to the company.Transcend 2GB DDR2-800 non-ECC unbuffered memory modulePhoto: Company

Micro-Star International (MSI) has launched its latest P35 Diamond motherboard based on the Intel P35 Express chipset. The motherboard includes several exclusive features and the technology to upgrade the PC in the future, said MSI.The P35 Diamond supports the latest Intel 1333MHz FSB and upcoming 45nm multi-core processors. In addition, it supports DDR3 memory providing more advantages in performance while overclocking, highlighted MSI.The P35 Diamond is also equipped with MSI's exclusive fanless cooling design, Circu-Pipe. Circu-Pipe offers a heat reduction efficiency of more than 20% after 2 hours full-load operation compared with former heat-pipe designs, according to MSI.The motherboard also features MSI SkyTel technology which allows users to use a standard phone to make Internet calls without the need to buy an additional headset or VoIP accessories. Users can just plug the phone into the P35 Diamond-based PC and make Internet calls around the world using Skype. MSI P35 Diamond motherboard specification Item Detail CPU Intel Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Extreme processors with FSB up to 1333MHz Memory Dual-channel DDR3 1333/1066/800 VGA Two PCI Express x16 slots, supports ATI CrossFire Chipsets Intel P35 Express chipset Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007MSI P35 Diamond motherboardPhoto: Company

Asustek Computer introduced its DRW-2014 L1T internal DVD rewriter with LightScribe direct disc labeling technology. The DVD RW drive provides a 20x DVD±R write speed, 8x DVD±R (dual layer) and 14x DVD-RAM reading capabilities. In addition, users can expect to enjoy five times faster data transfer rates than the current DMA33 standard with the SATA interface.With dual-format support, the DRW-2014 L1T can create DVDs that can be played and read by most DVD-ROM drives and DVD players. The DVD ROM drive also allows 6x DVD-Rewrite, 8x DVD+Rewrite, 16x DVD-ROM, 48x CD-Write, 32x CD-Rewrite, 14x DVD-RAM and 48x CD-ROM. The DRW-2014 L1T also features LightScribe, QuieTrack, airflow field modification (AFFM), FlextraLink, FlextraSpeed and auto vibration reducing system (AVRS) technologies. Asustek DRW-2014 L1T internal DVD rewriter specifications Item Details Read/write support 20x DVD-Write 6x DVD-RW 18x DVD+Write 8x DVD+RW 8x DVD±R (dual layer) 16x DVD-ROM 14x DVD-RAM 48x CD-Write 32x CD-RW 48x CD-ROM Available mounting Vertical and horizontal Writing format support DAO, TAO, SAO, packet write Interface SATA Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007Asustek DRW-2014 L1T internal DVD rewriterPhoto: Company

Garmin International, a unit of Garmin, introduced the Edge 705 and Edge 605 GPS navigation devices for cyclists. The Edge 705 and Edge 605 provide mapping capabilities, street navigation and a 2.2-inch color display in addition to tracking vertical profiles, climb and descent, altitude, speed, distance and time, according to the company.The Edge 705 gives cyclists the opportunity to monitor GPS position, power, heart rate, speed, cadence, altitude and gradient on the same display. With the Edge 705, users will be able to share their information – including saved rides, waypoints and workouts – with each other through ANT+Sport wireless technology.ANT+Sport technology allows the Edge to interface wirelessly with other fitness devices such as a heart rate monitor, cadence sensor or other Edge units. Cyclists can share courses, workout data and saved rides. When paired with an optional power meter from SRM or Quarq or another third party's ANT+Sport-enabled device, the Edge 705 measures power – torque and cadence for each leg at the pedals.Altitude is recorded using a barometric altimeter for the Edge 705. This accurate altitude data makes it much easier for cyclists to match their altitude profile with their speed, cadence and heart rate during post-ride analysis. The Edge 605 measures altitude through GPS positioning.The waterproof Edge uses a high-sensitivity GPS receiver to sustain reception in the most challenging conditions, such as heavy tree cover or "urban canyons" created by skyscrapers. It attaches to either the stem or handlebars of the bicycle, and is designed for easy removal at the end of the workout.The Edge 705 with heart rate monitor is expected to be available in December 2007 and have an estimated retail price of US$499.99. The device bundled with a heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor is expected to be available at the same time for an estimated retail price of US$549.99 and will cost US$649.99 with the addition of a microSD card and City Nav NT maps.The Edge 605 is expected to be available in December 2007 and has an estimated retail price of US$399.99.The Garmin Edge 705 GPS device for cyclistsPhoto: Company

Kontron has introduced the NotePAC Semi, a semi-rugged business notebook based on the Intel Centrino Duo platform.The NotePAC Semi encapsulates the Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor with 667MHz FSB and up to 2GB memory, in a solid and tough magnesium alloy chassis, said Kontron.The NotePAC Semi offers a set of safety features for reliable use in either the office, the car or under harsh field conditions. The full metal chassis, shock mounted LCD, 120GB HDD with g-sensor to avoid head crashes and the waterproof keyboard provide protection against the everyday drops, knocks, bangs and splashes of mobile life.Graphics are provided by Intel GMA 950 built into the 945GM chipset with up to 128MB shared video memory or an optional PCI Express ATI Radeon X1450 Mobility GPU with 256MB VRAM. Kontron's sunlight-readable display option for the Kontron NotePAC Semi doubles the brightness of the 14.1-inch WXGA (1280×800) display. The display can also be equipped with a resistive touch screen including an integrated stylus pen for easy and convenient operation. An internal GPS system is also available as an option. Kontron NotePAC Semi notebook specification Item Detail CPU Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor with 667MHz FSB Chipsets Intel 945GM/945PM VGA Intel GMA 950 or ATI Radeon X1450 with 256MB Memory Two DIMMs with memory support up to 2GB Display 14.1-inch TFT WXGA display Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007Kontron NotePAC Semi notebookPhoto: Company