Taiwan-based industrial PC (IPC) maker Axiomtek unveiled a new low power EPIC form factor single board computer (SBC), the EP821, which has a built-in Intel Pentium M compliant chipset, the Intel 915GME/910GMLE with ICH6M.The EP821 is equipped with a PCI-104 slot for 32-bit PCI interface add-on cards. Additionally, the board offers the option of four COM ports and dual LVDS LCD output, which allows for popular display solutions for transaction terminals such as those used in self-service gas pumps and point of sale (POS) terminals.The EPIC board supports low voltage Intel Pentium M and ultra low voltage Intel Celeron M processors running at 400MHz and 533MHz FSB (front side bus) for fanless capability. Under the Intel Product Dealer (IPD) commitment, the EP821 is guaranteed to be shipped for the long term. Axiomtek EP821 single board computer specification Item Detail CPU support Intel Pentium M/Celeron M processor with 400/533MHz FSB Output DualView with different content and resolution Network Dual Gigabit LAN Interface Four USB 2.0 ports Four COM ports supported PCI-104 expansion Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007Axiomtek EP821 single board computer based on EPIC form factorPhoto: Company

Edimax Technology recently introduced new products based on the IEEE 802.11n Draft 2.0V specification (Wi-Fi draft-n), an Internet broadband router BR-6504n paired with a wireless USB adapter EW-7718Un.The router features 2T x 3R technology to support multiple wireless transmissions with data transmission rates up to 300Mbps, said the company. The machine also supports WPA and WPA2 encryption technology and includes a DHCP server for functionality and Anti-Dos firewall to protect the network safety. Edimax BR-6504n Internet broadband router specification Item Detail Ports 1WAN and 4LAN with 10/100Mbps UTP Flash 4MB NOR Flash RAM 16MB SDRAM Button For WPS / Reset Antenna RP - SMA detachable antenna (3dbi) Size 30 × 187 × 100mm Certified by CE, FCC, NCC Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, September 2007Edimax BR-6504n Internet broadband routerPhoto: Company

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