Shuttle introduced a SFF (small form factor) barebone PC, the XPC SN68PTG6 Deluxe, which features an integrated fingerprint scanner, WLAN, Bluetooth, Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect. Equipped with an Nvidia GeForce 7050PV/nForce 630a chipset, Shuttle's new SFF PC supports AMD's AM2-based multi-core processors. The PC can also accommodate up to 4GB of DDR2 800 memory with dual-channel support.Nvidia GeForce 7050PV GPU delivers rapid onboard graphics with an HDMI port (DVI via an adapter) and a VGA output for dual monitors. The PC also features a PCI Express slot for higher performance graphics cards and a Speed-Link function, allowing for direct connection to PCs by USB.The PC uses top-quality motherboard solid capacitors, according to Shuttle, noting that the energy needs of the whole system is taken care of by a 300W power supply. Shuttle also offers the XPC SN68PTG5, which is similar to the Deluxe version but with only a 250W power supply and without WLAN, Bluetooth, Speed-Link and fingerprint scanner, noted the company.Both Shuttle XPC barebones will be available in the coming weeks. The recommended retail price is 315 euros (US$430) for the SN68PTG6 Deluxe, and 239 euros for the SN68PTG5. Shuttle XPC SN68PTG6 Deluxe and SN68PTG6 barebones specification Item Detail Chipset nForce 630a chipset CPU support AMD Athlon 64 X2, Athlon 64 and Sempron series processors Memory Up to 4GB dual channel DDR2 800 RAM (Overclock to 1066 MHz) VGA Nvidia GeForce 7050PV IGP with HDMI/HDCP Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007Shuttle XPC SN68PTG6 Deluxe barebone PCPhoto: Company

Taiwan-based Kingmax has announced the launch of DDR3-1333 memory modules in both 1GB and 2GB capacities.Kingmax DDR3 1333 1GB/2GB memory modules for desktop computers uses CSP FBGA packaging technology and adopts the JEDEC-compliant DDR3 8-bit prefetch design, which is a multifold improvement over the DDR2 4-bit architecture, with clocking in the 1333-1600MHz range.Elpida chips give each Kingmax DDR3 1333 1GB/2GB memory module high overclocking potential, according to Kingmax.Using only 1.5V, as compared to 1.8V in DDR2, the new DDR3 saves more power and it features new functions, such as CWD, power-saving reset, ZQ calibration, SRT and PASR. All these new technologies enable the DDR3 memory to more effectively read/write data and save more energy, noted the company.The 1GB module will be available in September for US$220 while the 2GB module will be available in December for US$420, according to the company.Kingmax DDR3-1333 memory modulePhoto: Company

Buffalo Technology recently launched a wireless router, WZR-AG300NH, which supports up to draft n standards.The router supports 802.11a/b/g/draft n and 2-way transmission mode.The router also provides a feature to switch the router into bridge mode, added the company.In related new, Buffalo also launched a wireless PCMCIA card, WLI-CB-AG300N, for notebooks.Buffalo WZR-AG300NH wireless routerPhoto: Company

Walton Chaintech has announced its new GeForce 8500GT-based graphics card, the Chaintech GAE85GT, with optional HDMI support.The GAE85GT runs at a core clock rate of 594MHz and 1540MHz memory clock with 256MB GDDR3 memory. 3DMark06 scores show that GAE85GT delivers up to a 35% performance improvement compared to the 85GT DDR2 Standard, the company claimed. Chaintech GAE85GT graphics card specification Item Detail Memory interface 128-bit Engine clock 594MHz Memory clock 1540MHz RAMDACs Dual, 400MHz Output Dual dual-link DVI supports two 2560×1600 resolution displays Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007Chaintech GAE85GT graphics card based on Nvidia GeForce 8500GTPhoto: Company

LG Electronics unveiled three new Super Multi Blue optical disc device models, the BH100 Blu-ray Disc (BD)/HD DVD dual-format player, the GGW-H20L BD burner plus HD DVD-ROM drive, and the GGC-H20L BD-ROM/HD DVD-ROM drive, for launch in the Taiwan market in mid-September 2007, according to LG Electronics Taiwan Taipei (LGETT) at a press conference on August 21.BH100 is the first player to support of both BD and HD DVD formats, LGETT claimed. BH100 can support full high-definition (HD) 1,080p playback for BD or HD DVD and 1,080i for playback in DVD formats including DVD-Video, DVD+R/-R and DVD+RW/-RW, LGETT indicated. The player will sell at a recommended retail price of NT$39,900 (US$1,213).GGC-H20L, has the same specifications as GGW-H20L but lacks of BD burning functionality. The drives will carry a recommended retail price of NT$12,900 for the former and that of NT$19,900 for the latter. GGW-H20L: Read and write speeds Format Write Read BD -R (recordable, write once) 6x for SL (single-sided single-layer), 4x for DL (single-sided double-layer) 6x -RE (rewritable) 2x for SL, DL HD DVD Not support 3x DVD +R/-R 16x for SL, 4x for DL 16x +RW 8x -RW 6x CD -R 40x 40x -RW 24x Source: LGETT, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007LG BD/HD DVD player, BH100Photo: LG Electronics Taiwan Taipei

Apple on August 21 unveiled its new 20- and 24-inch series iMac desktop PCs in Taiwan, with availability of the new iMacs to start in the Taiwan market by the end of this month, according to sources at Apple Taiwan.To boost the sale of iMacs, the new models will be available at more competitive prices than their predecessors, with the 20- and 24-in iMacs carrying a suggested retail price of NT$42,900 (US$1,304) and NT$1,972, down 20% and 10%, respectively, from previous models with the same display sizes, the sources noted.All new iMacs come with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, pre-installed iLife 08 and iWork 08 application software, and specially-designed ultra-thin aluminum keyboards, according to company data.Sales of iMac-series desktops grew in a range of 28-36% on year during the period from the third quarter of 2006 to the second quarter of 2007, higher than the industry average of 9-13% during the same period, the sources noted.Apple's new iMac desktop PCPhoto: Yen-ting Chen, Digitimes

Transcend Information unveiled its aXeRam overclocking memory line up which use premium chips. Designed with gamers and power users in mind, aXeRam delivers superior overclocking performance while maintaining system stability, according to Transcend.Transcend's first aXeRam product is the 2GB 240-pin DDR2-800 aXeRam dual-channel overclocking kit. The kit includes a matching pair of high-speed, pre-tested 1GB DDR2-800 modules with high-quality heat sinks. Transcend's DDR2-800 aXeRam dual-channel 2GB overclocking kit uses six-layer PCBs that fully comply with JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Engineering Council) standards. The 240-pin DIMMs included in the kit are each made of 16 high-quality 64Mx8 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 improved performance for overclockers.Transcend's 2GB DDR2-800 aXeRam dual-channel overclocking kit's two identically matching modules are specifically designed for use in dual-channel configuration, which provides memory bandwidth of up to 12.8GB/s, according to Transcend. Enthusiasts will appreciate the included custom high-purity aluminum heat sinks' distinctive styling and superior heat diffusion characteristics.To deliver higher performance while maintaining stable operating conditions, Transcend's aXeRam 2GB DDR2-800 dual-channel overclocking kit operates at CL4 at the standard 1.8V voltage without the need for over voltage. The lower latency equates to shortened system delay times and faster read/write speeds. Compared to ordinary DDR2-800 CL5 modules, system performance gains of up to 10% are possible with true CL4 memory, according to Transcend.Transcend's 2GB DDR2-800 aXeRam dual-channel overclocking kit is now available on the market for a suggested retail price of NT$3,560, according to the company.Transcend's 1GB 240-pin DDR2-800 aXeRam dual-channel overclocking memory modulePhoto: Company

Leadtek Research launched its WinFast PX8400 GS TDH Silent entry-level graphics card. The new card, with a passive heatsink design and dual-link DVI-I output, supports a resolution of up to 2560×1600 at 32-bit, according to the company.Based on new 80nm technology and powered by a Nvidia GeForce 8400 GS graphics processing unit, the WinFast PX8400 GS TDH Silent comes with 256MB of video memory, DDR2 and a GPU/ Shader clock with memory of 459/900 MHz.The WinFast PX8400 GS TDH Silent features Nvidia PureVideo HD technology to provide smooth video, accurate color, and lifelike image scaling for movies and videos. It also enables playback of HD DVD, Blu-ray Disc and other protected content at full HD resolutions with integrated High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) support.The WinFast PX8400 GS TDH Silent has a suggested retail price of US$70, according to the company. Leadtek WinFast PX8400 GS TDH Silent graphics card specifications Item Details Graphic bus PCI Express GPU Nvidia GeForce 8400 GS GPU clock 459MHz Memory data rate 800/667MHz Shader clock 900MHz Memory size 256MB GDDR2 Memory interface 64 bit RAMDACs Dual 400MHz Stream processors 8 DirectX support DirectX 10.0 shader model 4.0 Output dual-link DVI-I, D-Sub, HDTV Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007Leadtek WinFast PX8400 GS TDH Silent graphics cardPhoto: Company

VIA Technologies announced its VIA pc3500 motherboard, a low-power platform that enables OEMs and system integrators (SI) to build desktop PCs that draw less than 24W in an idle state.The pc3500 motherboard draws only 1.09W in sleep mode, and 0.68W in standby (off mode). The system even draws less than 35W when playing back a DVD, according to VIA.The pc3500 is based on the VIA CN896 digital media IGP chipset, certified by Microsoft for Windows Vista Basic and featuring the VIA Chrome9 HC IGP with a DirectX 9.0 3D accelerator for high performance, a 2D accelerator for productivity applications, and the Chromotion 3.0 video display engine for advanced hardware-based video processing. Combined with the power efficient VIA C7-D processor supporting the 400MHz VIA V4 bus, the VIA pc3500 motherboard delivers an average power consumption of less than 25W. The pc3500 motherboard features two DDR2 DIMM slots, supporting up to 2GB 400/533/667MHz memory, and provides additional expansion flexibility with its PCI Express x16 slot and PCI slot. The board also comes with a full set of connectivity features, including four USB 2.0 ports, two SATA II/PATA connectors, 10/100 Ethernet, and eight channel onboard audio. Additional options include support for Gigabit Ethernet and S-Video and S/PDIF audio.The pc3500 motherboard is available globally with the pricing information available upon request, noted the company. VIA pc3500 motherboard specifications Item Detail Form factor Micro-ATX, 190.5×228.6mm Processor 1.5/1.8 GHz VIA C7-D processor with 400/800MHz V4 bus Chipset Northbridge: VIA CN896 Southbridge: VIA 8237A or VT8237S (supports SATA II) Memory DDR2 400/533/667MHz memory up to 2GB, two DIMM slot s VGA Integrated VIA Chrome9 HC Graphics core engine Expansion slots One PCI Express x16 slot and one PCI slot Onboard audio Realtek ALC883 HD audio eight channel Codec Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007VIA pc3500 motherboardPhoto: Company

ASRock has announced its first Intel 3 series motherboard, the ASRock 4Core1333-eSATA2 based on the P31 plus ICH7R chipset combination.The motherboard supports Intel Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo, Pentium Dual Core and Celeron 400 series processors. It also supports DDR2 800 memory, AMD CrossFire technology, PCI Express Gigabit LAN and IEEE1394.The motherboard is ready for upcoming 45nm processors, according to the company. ASRock 4Core1333-eSATA2 motherboard specification Item Details CPU support Intel Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Duo / Pentium XE / Pentium D / Pentium Dual Core / Pentium 4 / Celeron / Celeron D Chipsets Northbridge: Intel P31 Southbridge: ICH7R Memory support Dual -channel DDR2 800/667/533 memory up to 4GB with four DIMM slots VGA One PCI Express x16 and AMD CrossFire support LAN Gigabit LAN Source: Company, compiled by Digitimes, August 2007ASRock 4Core1333-eSATA2 motherboardPhoto: Company