With just a few exceptions, most of the motherboard and graphics card vendors can be found in Hall 2 making it fairly convenient to get information on the latest developments without covering a large distance.In just a short time in Hall 2 it becomes fairly apparent that the main event at Computex Taipei 2007 is the Intel 3 series (Bearlake) chipset with every board marker showing versions in seemingly endless variations. It can get somewhat repetitive seeing the same chipset names over and over but thankfully most of the makers have come up with interesting features that help differentiate their products.If you look carefully among the swarms of Bearlake products you might spot one or two boards based on the AMD 7 series northbridge which will support the new AM2+ CPUs and bring support for PCI Express (PCIe) 2.0 to AMD platforms. Two versions have been seen so far, the 780 and the higher-end 790 which supports two x16 PCIe slots typically, but Gigabyte has instead opted for four x8 slots to create a quad-Crossfire supporting board. According to company representatives at the various booths, 780 and 790 boards are expected to start shipping in late June or the beginning of July.Another thing you might notice when checking out some of the live demo systems is a PCIe x1 add-in card based on Intel Turbo Memory (Robson). The cards were seen in several booths and according to the company representatives they will begin shipping in the third quarter. However, the vendors are still uncertain whether the cards will be available only as a bundle option with the motherboards or if they will be available at retail.In terms of graphics card products the news is fairly light. Few vendors are showing new products based on Nvidia GPUs, and while at the show is probably the first time most people will see AMD 2600 and 2400 series cards in physical form, news about these products has been widely circulated over the past month or so, meaning that most people are likely to be familiar with the features. There are a couple of notable exceptions including a huge engineering model dual-GPU card by Micro-Star International (MSI) and Gigabyte Technology's passively cooled lineup.One of the issues that will be presented at least in the short term following the launch of Bearlake is the limited availability of DDR3 memory. To overcome this Asustek Computer has leveraged its in-house memory module production facilities in several ways. One method the company is planning to adopt is to bundle a pair of own-brand modules with certain motherboards. This is a fairly simple solution, while another option the company has come up with is to do away with DIMM slots and simply embed the memory on the motherboard.It is becoming common to see heat-pipe cooling solutions used on the north and southbridge and even other critical parts of the motherboard, and Asus is talking things even further with its new Cool Mempipe. As the name suggest this solution extends the heat-pipe arrangement so that it cools the DIMM modules installed in a motherboard. Another variation on the heat-pipes at which can be seen at the booth is a version specially designed for systems that use water cooling. If you feel like you need a break from looking at motherboards for a moment we suggest you take at looks at Asus' new Xonar sound card too.It might be a little harder to spot something interesting over at the MSI booth but that is not to say there is not anything. If you take a look round the back of some of the display models, you will see that MSI has tweaked the design of the USB ports in order to provide more spacing between slots.While there are no products on show with this feature, you should also ask the MSI booth representatives about the company's plans to bring Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) to the desktop. As a storage interface typically found on higher-end servers, SAS offers performance benefits but at an extra cost, and yet MSI believes that there is enough market for it on the desktop.Then there is the monster-sized dual-Radeon 2600 card. Similar products to this have been released with older generation GPUs, but this card from MSI is one of only a few we saw based on current technology. Of course, the card on show is only an engineering sample and when the product finally reaches the market you can expect the card to have been reduced from its current dimensions of around 150mm × 300mm.Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) is taking its push for the own-brand motherboard market to the next level by targeting the enthusiast market with its latest products. The company believes that if it is able to appeal to gamers then this will help increase brand recognition for its entire product range. Foxconn's gaming boards will carry the new sub-brand Mars (as in the god of war according to the booth rep.) and will feature a thermal controlled fan in the heat-pipe cooling system, LED diagnostics, and will come in a few Bearlake-based variations, including a three PCIe slot version, and a DDR2 and DDR3 combo model.Other than the quad-Crossfire system on show, most of Gigabytes new motherboards do not add any new features, but that is not necessarily a bad thing as Gigabyte has a reputation for high-quality products that fulfill expectations. On the graphics card side what is instantly apparent is that most of Gigabyte's products use a passive cooling solution. According to a Gigabyte representative, around 90% of all the cards Gigabyte ships use passive cooling, and it is only at the high-end where both AMD and Nvidia restrict card vendors to only using their reference designs that Gigabyte does not use a passive solution. Quick guide to motherboard and graphics card booths Company name Booth location (Hall 2 unless noted) What's hot Asustek Computer F185 DDR3 memory solutions for Bearlake motherboards Micro-star International E149 Dual-2600 GPU card TUL (PowerColor) F290 Complete Radeon 2000 series lineup Shuttle E067 New XPC barebones Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) E133 New gaming motherboards Gigabyte Technology E137 Quad-Crossfire USI (Abit) E087E Live overclocking demonstration Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) Hall 4, T3F2 DTX form factor systems VIA F243 NanoBook Sparkle E085E GeForce graphics cards with integrated LCD temperature display Tyan E083E Personal supercomputer Leadtek Research Hall 1, A726 Quadro Plex visual computing system (VCS) Intel Hall 4, T401 Bearlake chipsets AMD Hall 4, TF1I DTX, Radeon 2000 series Source: Computex and companies, compiled by Digitimes, June 2007An engineering sample of MSI's dual-Radeon 2600 GPU cardPhoto: Ricky Morris, Digitimes, June 2007Intel Turbo Memory for desktops coming in 3QPhoto: Ricky Morris, Digitimes, June 2007Asustek plans to bundle own-brand DDR3 memory with some of its new Bearlake motherboardsPhoto: Ricky Morris, Digitimes, June 2007Gigabyte demos a new AMD 790 chipset motherboard with quad-Crossfire supportPhoto: Ricky Morris, Digitimes, June 2007ECS shows off DTX-based small form factor systemsPhoto: Ricky Morris, Digitimes, June 2007

VIA Technologies announced its new NanoBook UMD (ultra-mobile device) at Computex Taipei 2007, which, according to the company, packs the performance, connectivity and functionality of a notebook PC into a sleek and light ultra-portable clamshell form factor that weighs less than 850g.The VIA NanoBook is powered by the ultra-low-voltage 1.2GHz VIA C7-M processor and delivers up to five hours of battery life. Powered by a choice of Microsoft Windows XP or Vista Basic operating systems, it comes with features including a full keyboard, a 7-inch WVGA screen with touch panel, up to 1GB DDR2 SDRAM, and a minimum 30GB hard disk drive (HDD). The NanoBook also supports 802.11g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Ethernet connectivity, plus a DVI and two USB 2.0 ports, noted sources at VIA.The VIA NanoBook has been designed and manufactured in collaboration with First International Computer (FIC) and is scheduled to mass produce in the second half of 2007. Currently, VIA has received orders from Europe-based Packard Bell, added the sources.With CPU makers all aiming for the low-price PC market, Wen-chi Chen, CEO and president of VIA pointed out that low-price PCs not only need to have advantages in their pricing, but also benefits to the environment. VIA's C7 series processors all adopt a green action strategy, which separates the company from its competitors, according to Chen.In additional news, VIA's May 2007 revenues reached NT$1.68 billion (US$50.8 million), an increase of 3.21% compared to NT$1.62 billion in May 2006 and an increase of 12.9% over April 2007. Accumulated revenues for the first five months of 2007 were NT$7.04 billion, a decrease of 38.85% over the same period in 2006, according to sources at VIA.VIA NanoBook UMDPhoto: Monica Chen, Digitimes, June 2007

Silicon Integrated System (SiS) unveiled its first reference board based on the mini-DTX form factor at Computex Taipei 2007. The board is designed for the home server market and is named Churchill.Churchill was successfully co-developed by SiS, AMD, and Gigabyte Technology. It implements SiS's high-performance SiS761GX/SiS966 chipsets and AMD socket AM2 CPU to power the system, noted SiS.The SiS761GX northbridge chipset supports AMD Athlon 64, 64FX, Opteron and Sempron CPUs. The chipset is SiS's latest product for embedded systems and is designed to reduce power consumption of the system. Additionally, the chipset has an integrated Mirage graphics engine to optimize the multimedia performance of the system, according to the company.Churchill is designed to be light-weight, compact and flexible with everything packed into a 10 (H) × 7 (W) × 10-inch (D) chassis, added the company.Gigabyte Churchill server motherboardPhoto: Company

Acer is showcasing its Aspire X3600 6.5-liter mini-PC at Computex Taipei 2007. The machine adopts the Intel Core 2 Duo processor, G33 chipset with integrated graphics, and ICH9-DH southbridge, and includes an MXM (mobile PCI Express module) slot for hardware expansion. The machine also supports the Intel Viiv platform for digital multimedia functions, noted sources at Acer.Acer also plans to showcase its Aspire X1100 6.5-liter mini-PC within the next few days; the machine will have built-in ATI Radeon X1250/X1200 chipsets and support the AMD LIVE! platform for digital multimedia functions, noted the sources.Acer expects to launch both machines in the second half of 2007, added the sources.Acer's 6.5-liter PCs are all based on traditional desktop PC specifications and the unit price will be much lower than the 3-liter PCs the company launched at the end of 2006, according to the sources.Acer plans to switch to SFF-based (small form factor-based) mini-PCs for the majority of its desktop line in 2007, added the sources.Acer 6.5-liter Aspire X series mini-PCPhoto: Yen Ting Chen, Digitimes, June 2007

High Tech Computer (HTC) on June 5 launched its touch screen-controlled smartphone, the HTC Touch (codenamed Elf), in London, with the device to be available to Orange's customers in the UK immediately, according to a company press release. HTC also plans to launch the HTC Touch in a number of markets in Asia in the second half of this month, with Taiwan being the first leg of its launches in Asia, according to sources at HTC. In June, more than 10 telecom service providers in Europe and Asia will also start selling this new smartphone simultaneously, mostly under the HTC brand, the sources noted. In Taiwan, Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) will launch a customized version of the HTC Touch in mid-June, but the device will bear only the HTC trademark. CHT has launched two HTC handsets under its CHT brand The HTC Touch, which features HTC's underlying self-developed TouchFLO touch screen technology, was designed by HTC's Magic Lab 2, indicated company sources.HTC's new smartphone, the HTC TouchPhoto: Company, Digitimes, June 2007

Apple has updated its MacBook Pro line of notebooks with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors, memory up to 4GB and high-speed graphics in a lightweight, aluminum enclosure that is just one-inch thin. The new MacBook Pro is available in 15-inch models with a new mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display and a 17-inch model with an optional high-resolution display. All models include a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing on-the-go, Apple's MagSafe Power Adapter that safely disconnects when under strain, and built-in 802.11n wireless networking for up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g.Every MacBook Pro model includes an Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4MB of shared L2 cache, an 800MHz frontside bus and 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory, running professional applications like Final Cut Pro 6 and Logic Pro 7 more than 50% faster than the original MacBook Pro with Core Duo. Delivering more realistic graphics for animation and gaming, every MacBook Pro now includes the Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT and is more than 50% faster than the original MacBook Pro with Core Duo.The MacBook Pro's lightweight, aluminum enclosure is just one-inch thin and is available in three models: 2.2 GHz and 2.4 GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro models, and a 2.4 GHz 17-inch MacBook Pro model. The new 15-inch MacBook Pro models feature a brand-new, power-efficient LED-backlit display and are the first of Apple's notebooks to transition to LED backlighting as part of the company's effort to eliminate the use of mercury in its products. The 17-inch model now offers a new optional 1920x1200 high-resolution display, providing over 30% more screen real estate than the standard 1680x1050 display.Designed for mobile professionals, the MacBook Pro includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing on-the-go, Apple's MagSafe Power Adapter that magnetically connects the power cord to the MacBook Pro and safely disconnects when under strain, and the latest generation of 802.11n wireless networking for up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g. Every new MacBook Pro also includes built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), a FireWire 800 and a FireWire 400 port, a backlit illuminated keyboard, an ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot for expansion solutions such as 3G wireless networking, and a DVI video output to connect up to a 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.

In addition to demonstrating its latest model motherboards and graphics cards during Computex 2007, Biostar Microtech International will be showcasing products from its newly established industrial PC division (called APP). Biostar will be offering static and live demos of its T-series motherboards designed for power users, including boards featuring Intel 3-series chipsets with DDR3 and FSB 1333MHz support, and new AMD AM2+ socket platform solutions with HT 3.0 support. The motherboards come with a new set of features called BIO-TEX (including tweak-tech, clean-tone audio design, X.D.C, rapid debug, rapid switch and T-power utility) technology. The highlight of the company's graphics card lineup will be the V8603TS51 model of the Sigma Gate series, with 512MB DDR3 onboard memory. In addition, Biostar's V-Ranger hardware and software overclocking tool is also being supported by more models. Biostar's newly established industrial PC division will showcase what the company claims is the world's tiniest 3.5-inch SBC (single board computer) and other custom-made applications. Biostar is demonstrating its products near the Computex venue at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, 13F, rooms 1343-1346.

Mio Technology has announced its new Navsteadi navigation technology at Computex Taipei 2007 (TICC Hall 4, Booth 101B). Navsteadi brings in-dash like positioning accuracy and reliability to portable navigation systems.Under the theme "Explore and Discover the World Around," Mio is showcasing a complete line-up of its latest products, including its newest car navigation systems, handheld navigation systems, GPS PDS phones, and GPS PDAs. With closely coupled GPS and dead-reckoning (DR) sensor measurements, such as acceleration and heading data, Navsteadi improves positioning accuracy in environments where GPS signals are weak or unavailable, such as dense urban canyons or tunnels. No special installation is required to use Navsteadi and can be integrated into a device cradle.The transition from the DR sensor to GPS antenna and vice-versa is seamless and requires no intervention by the user. With Navsteadi users can enjoy the same quality positioning typically found on expensive built-in navigation systems. "As a global leader in the portable navigation device industry, Mio Technology is devoted to making the benefits of GPS navigation fully accessible to all," said Samuel Wang, president of Mio Technology. "With Mio Technology's expertise in hardware and software development and SiRF Technology's competencies in technological innovation, we have together developed a new solution that offers positioning reliability only previously found on costly in-dash systems." Navsteadi high-precision technology will become available on Mio DigiWalker devices in the third quarter of 2007.Mio is also exhibiting its latest line-up of new widescreen car navigation systems, including Mio DigiWalker C320, C520 and C720. Featuring 4.3-inch widescreen displays. For visitors interested in a device for first-time GPS users, Mio is displaying the Mio DigiWalker C220 car navigation system In addition to its widescreen car navigation systems, Mio is also presenting for the first-time its navigation systems with TV viewing and recording functionality, including the 7-inch Mio DigiWalker C517, designed specifically for the Korean market. Equipped with a built-in Digital Multimedia Broadcast (DMB) receiver and a spacious screen, C517 is not only great for navigation, but also for entertainment on the go, allowing users to watch and record DMB TV programs. For 1-seg TV viewing in Japan, Mio also offers the 4.3-inch Mio DigiWalker C523. For visitors seeking devices with all-in-one capabilities, Mio offers two of its newest GPS PDA phones, the Mio DigiWalker A501 and A702. Featuring built-in GPS antennas, Windows Mobile and phone capabilities, they allow users to organize, connect and navigation on one stylish and compact device. Computex 2007 is the first time the Mio DigiWalker A702 will be presented to the public. Mio C720 widescreen car navigation systemPhoto: Company

To further boost demand, LCD monitor vendors and makers are now developing new technologies and fuctions for LCD monitor users. During Computex Taipei 2007 (June 5-9), several LCD monitors with various new features are gaining a lot of attention.Chimei 3D gaming monitor A 22-inch LCD monitor with 3D technology is highlighted at Chi Mei's booth this year. The new monitor, which is 2D and 3D changeable, has a resolution of 1,680×1,050, a response time of 5ms, a contrast ratio of 1,000:1 and viewing angles of 170/160 degrees. Targeting the high-end market, the product is ready to be volume producted, Chi Mei indicated. However, the company said it has not finalized the product launch date for the model. The monitor requires a special glass for the 3D effect. With the glass, the 3D effect will not be affected by the viewing angle. As the monitor needs two LCD panels, the production costs for the monitor will remain very high, the company pointed out. Chimei 22-inch 3D gaming LCD monitor Photo: Emily Chuang, DigitimesChimei first MFMChi Mei is also showcasing a 22-inch MFM (multi-function monitor) during the show. The 22-inch Chimei-branded MFM (CMV222H), slated to hit the Taiwan market later this month, offers a resolution of 1,680×1,050, a contrast ratio of 1,200:1, a response time of 5ms and viewing angles of 170/160 degrees, said Chi Mei. Chimei 22-inch MFMPhoto: Company Chi Mei said it plans to launch a 26-inch widescreen LCD monitor at the end of the third quarter or the beginning of the fourth quarter. The 22-inch LCD monitor is currently the maximum size for its monitor line up. Proview pen-touch LCD monitor Proview is displaying two pen-touch solution monitor prototypes – one 22-inch and one 19-inch LCD touch monitor (TGP 2280W/ TGB980W). The models target specialty applications such as education, e-mail writing, handwriting and signature. Volume production of the models has not started and the product launch schedules for the two models will depend on the market demand, Proview noted.The company is also demonstrating a 22-inch monitor that has two USB ports and one built-in card reader. The monitor can be positioned as a large-size digital photo frame, Proview said. The 22-inch (FP2226W) monitor features a resolution of 1,680x1,050, a brightness of 500 nits, a contrast ratio of 700:1 and a response time of 5ms, according to the company. Proview 22-inch pen-touch LCD monitor Photo: Emily Chuang, Digitimes Proview 22-inch monitor with built-in USB ports and card readerPhoto: Emily Chuang, Digitimes

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) unveiled its latest motherboard series at Computex Taipei 2007. The new series includes the new P35T-A and G33T-M2 motherboards based on the latest Intel 3 series (Bearlake) chipsets.The new ECS G33T-M2 motherboard has been designed to satisfy the demands of digital home users, noted ECS. It features a lower TDP to ensure slimmer and smaller form factors typical to digital home designs and includes Intel Quiet System Technology providing a less interruptive and quieter solution, highlighted the company.The new G33T-M2 supports Intel Core 2 Duo processors with up to 1333MHz FSB, Core 2 Quad processors up to 1066MHz FSB, and dual-channel DDR2 memory up to 8GB via four DIMMs.The G33T-M2 boasts the capability to provide users with a true high-definition (HD) digital home audio and video experience, according to ECS. It supports 8-channel HD audio output to deliver premium digital sound and advanced HD video playback for next generation applications. It incorporates Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (Intel GMA) 3100 graphics but a PCI Express slot also provides the flexibility to accommodate an additional graphics card to enhance the performance for more demanding requirements, noted the company.Connectivity options include 12 USB 2.0, one D-Sub, one PS2, one Serial, one IEEE1394a, one RJ45 LAN, one PCI Express (x16) slot, one PCI Express (x1) slot, and two PCI slots with add-on accessories set to become available later, ECS pointed out.The P35T-A provides a perfect solution for both gamers and performance users, according to ECS. The P35T-A motherboard supports Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad-Core processors and Intel Core 2 Duo processors. The motherboard supports Intel Viiv technology and is Windows Vista Premium ready. The motherboard supports up to 8GB dual-channel DDR2 memory with overclocking features.It provides two PCI Express x16 slots (x16, x4) with support for ATI CrossFire multi-GPU technology and 8-channel HD audio to provide realistic, rich quality sound for the latest games, according to ECS.Most motherboards are designed as standard to incorporate four USB 2.0 ports, however, ECS has recognized that performance users and gamers sometimes require even more connectivity for the many add-ons available on the market. To meet these needs and ultimately eliminate the need for an additional USB2.0 expansion hub, the new P35T-A features six USB 2.0 ports on the rear I/O panel. It also features an eSATA port which has a higher transfer rate than conventional USB 2.0 for external HDDs. Other connections include, one PCI Express x1 slot, three PCI slots, two PS2, one Serial, and one RJ45 LAN.ECS new motherboards based on Intel 3 series chipsets have improved performance and efficiency, according to ECS. It is the only chipset with support for the upcoming Intel 45nm processors which ensures that users are future proofed for prospective technology upgrades, highlighted ECS. These chipsets feature a 1333MHz FSB to work seamlessly with Intel's new ICH9 southbridge I/O chip.A selection of the motherboards ECS is displaying at Computex Taipei 2007Photo: Ricky Morris, Digitimes, June 2007