Shuttle recently announced its Shuttle XPC mini X 200 series small form factor (SFF) PC computers. Similar to models of the X 100 series, the computers measure only 55-mm in height and barely takes up the size of an A4 sheet of paper, according to the company. The Shuttle XPC mini X 200 is equipped with a hybrid TV tuner and dual monitor support, noted Shuttle."With the introduction of the compact X-design we have found the ideal platform for varied applications," explains Tom Seiffert, Head of Marketing, Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH. The Shuttle XPC mini X 200 is built around mobile technologies and operates nearly noiselessly while providing high performance, said Shuttle.The XPC mini X 200 series features Intel's Core2 Duo processors, fast DDR2 memory and a 3.5 inch standard hard disk packed in a volume of 3.42 liters. The integrated hybrid TV tuner and the instant on/off mode make the Shuttle XPC mini X 200 ready to serve as a Media Center platform, said the company. Being ready to connect two displays and the extremely low noise level even turn it into a reliable solution for use in offices, said Shuttle.The Shuttle XPC mini X 200 comes in two base configurations: the Shuttle XPC mini X 200MA, targeting Media Center users, and the Shuttle XPC mini X 200BA for use in offices. The Shuttle XPC mini X 200MA has a recommended retail price of 948 euros, while the Shuttle XPC mini X 200BA has a recommended price of 743 euros.The Shuttle mini X 200MA small form factor PCPhoto: Shuttle

LG Electronics (LGE) will launch its first publicly-introduced dual-format DVD player, which will support Blu-ray and HD DVD content, at the upcoming 2007 International CES in Las Vegas (January 8-11), the company announcedThe product is expected to hit the North America market in the first quarter of 2007.LGE will also highlight a full line-up of full high-definition TVs (HDTVs) at CES, including 37-, 42-, 47- and 55-inch models, and it will work with major game software provider SEGA to display game videos on the TVs using a super-detailed image technology, the company said.

Thermaltake Technology announced the launched of its new line of Purepower RX series ultra-low noise power supplies incorporating the ultra-silent 140mm fan found on Thermaltake's high-end Toughpower Series power supplies.The 140mm fan helps reduce the high noise level that is typically associated with high-wattage power supply. The greater wing span of the fan blades results in a greater surface area which allows the fan to spin much slower while still pushing large amounts of cool air to dissipate heat. The Purepower RX series with 140mm fan will be available with Cable Management option in 450W, 500W, 550W, 600W as well as with standard cable output in 400W, 450W and 500W, according to the company. To support all of today's PC requirements, the Purepower RX series power supplies complies with the latest Intel ATX12V V2.2 specification along with Active PFC (power factor correction) technology to ensure system stability and reliability. Over voltage protection (OVP), over current protection (OCP), short circuit protection (SCP) and no load operation protection are all standard safety protection features found on each and every one of Thermaltake power supplies.The Purepower RX series power supplies comes standard with four SATA connectors to power the latest hard drives, a maximum of seven Molex connectors for optical drives or fans and a maximum of two PCIe connectors for powering multiple GFX cards setup from ATI or Nvidia. Multiple dedicated 12V rails found on Purepower RX series power supplies not only allows for higher wattage but also guarantees the CPU and GFX card(s) can operate at their optimal setting for ultimate gaming performance, according to Thermaltake.Thermaltake's Purepower RX 400W power supplyPhoto: Company

Asustek Computer will showcase its XG Station, an audio-visual workstation for notebooks at the upcoming 2007 International CES in Las Vegas, according to the company.The XG Station, equipped with discrete graphics chips, Dolby output and USB 2.0, give users better graphics and audio-visual effects when connected to their notebooks, the company said.During CES, Asustek will also display its 12-inch W5Fe, a Vista SideShow-supporting notebook, and the G1 and G2 gaming notebooks, both equipped with discrete graphics chips.The XG StationPhoto: CompanyThe W5Fe notebookPhotos: Company

SanDisk's V-Mate video memory card recorder will hit the Taiwan market next month at a price of NT$4,599 (US$140), according to sources with the company.The V-Mate captures video content from an analog source directly onto a flash memory card, allowing playback of recorded video content by simply inserting the flash memory card into a compatible mobile device.Card formats that the device supports include SD, MMC, and Memory Stick/PRO/Duo/PRO Duo.The sources said SanDisk is aiming to eventually have video memory card recorders replace DVD recorders as the market mainstream.SanDisk expects its memory card shipments to the Taiwan market to grow 40% on-year in December, the sources added.SanDisk's V-Mate video memory card recorderPhoto: Company

PowerColor and Arctic Cooling will launch in the first quarter of 2007 a solution for PowerColor's X1950 Pro and X1950 XT passive cards, which are claimed to be the fastest passive cards in the world, according to industry sources.The products based on the X1905 Pro and XT cards will be priced at about US$10 more than existing cards, the sources said.The new passive cooler can keep the X1950 Pro at 63C° while ATI's reference card can be cooled to 67C°, the sources said.The product features four heat pipes in a special heat sink for the cooling of voltage regulators, the sources added.PowerColor's X1950 Pro passive cardPhoto: Industry sources

Fujitsu today announced the development of the world's first 2.5-inch hard disk drive (HDD) that offers storage capacity of 300 gigabytes (GB) with a Serial ATA (SATA) interface.The new HDD, the MHX2300BT, which will be available in late February 2007, will be for use primarily in multifunctional mobile PCs and digital TVs, the company said.Fujitsu began selling hard disk drives with perpendicular magnetic recording in October of this year. A leader in introducing high-capacity 2.5-inch HDD, the company already launched products with 160GB in September 2005 and 200GB in May 2006.The company said the MHX2300BT marks the commercial introduction of second-generation of perpendicular magnetic recording technology. The new HDD will be offered in 300 GB and 250 GB versions. The new HDDs are RoHS-compliant and have read/write power consumption requirements of just 1.6W, among the lowest in the world, the company said. They are also quiet, emitting just 2.1bels of noise at idle, the company added.Fujitsu aims to sell 1.5 million units during fiscal 2007 (ending March 2008) for the MHX2300BT and MHX2250BT combined.Fujitsu's MHX2300BT 300GB 2.5-inch SATA HDDPhoto: Company

Thermaltake Technology officially introduced its iFlash+ (12cm) fan. The fan has a dimension of 120×120mm and spins at 1800RPM with a noise level rated only at 25dBA. Despite its near-silent operation, the fan features a high-volume airflow, according to the company.Unlike standard traditional fans, the iFlash+ (12cm) utilizes a streamline cover on top of the fan. When the fan is operating, the fan blades will be able to display the word "Thermaltake" and the current operating temperature. The fan will attract anyone that sees the computer system under its blue background glow, said Thermaltake.Thermaltake Technology's iFlash+ (12cm) has a life expectancy of 30,000 hours, demonstrating the effort that Thermaltake puts into providing the highest-quality product users will be able to use on the market today, according to the company. Thermaltake's iFlash+(12cm) specifications Item Detail Product name iFlash+ (12cm) P/N A2445 Dimension (mm) 120×120×28 Start voltage (V) 7 /1 3.2 Max Rated current (A) 0.20 Power input (W) 2.4 Fan speed 1800 ± 10% RPM Max. air flow 63 CFM Max. air pressure 1.56mm-H2O Noise 25dBA Bearing type Sleeve Life expectancy (hrs) 30,000 Connector 3 pin Weight (g) 160 Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes.com, December 2006Thermaltake's iFlash+ (12cm) fanPhoto: Company

Gigabyte Communications on November 22 unveiled its GSmart i120, a PDA phone featuring Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU 3.0. In terms of product design, the GSmart i120 highlights a modern retro accent with a metallic silver frame, introducing a modern art deco accent to the luxury design concept of a PDA mobile phone, according to Gigabyte.Powered by Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU 3.0 push email technology, the GSmart i120 keeps mobile users connected with real time email while traveling worldwide. The GSmart i120 supports mobile Internet access via Wi-Fi or GPRS and has mobile TV and TV recording functions, supporting NTSC/PAL/SECAM TV standards.The GSmart i120 has Wise Talk, an exclusive feature, which allows users to simulate background noise when answering a phone call. The GSmart i120 Wise Talk, can camouflage a user's location by providing a selection of pre-set special background effects. The GSmart i120 Wise Talk, for instance, can create a virtual scenario with sounds at a concert, in a meeting room, or at an airport, according to Gigabyte.The GSmart i120 has a recommended retail price of US$650 and is currently available in Southeast Asia and will be launched in other regions worldwide, including Europe and the Middle East, according to Gigabyte.Gigabyte Communications' GSmart i120 PDA phonePhoto: Company

Fujitsu on November 21 launched its new Lifebook P1610 tablet PC in Taiwan with a suggested retail price of NT$69,800 (US$2,122), according to the company.The 1.4-inch thick P1610 is powered by an Intel 1.2GHz Core Solo U1400 processor and features an 8.9-inch convertible display, which is also swingable by 180 degrees, said the company. The company also plans to bring its 10.6- and 12.0-inch tablet PCs into Taiwan in 2007, according to a November 22 Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report. Fujitsu's Lifebook P1610 tablet PCPhoto: Andrea Liu, DigiTimes, November 2006