Asustek Computer today introduced a 512MB version of its EN7800GTX-series graphics card, following Nvidia’s announcement of the availability of its GeForce 7800 GTX 512 graphics processing unit (GPU). Based on the Nvidia GeForce 7800 GTX 512 GPU, the new EN7800GTX/2DHTV/512M graphics card features 512MB of DDR3 memory, a 550MHz engine clock and a 1.7GHz memory clock. Availability is slated for the end of November, with a suggested price not yet released, according to the company. At the end of June of this year, Asustek released the 256MB-version of its EN7800GTX graphics card. The card supports a 430MHz engine clock a 1.2GHz memory clock and 266MB of DDR3 memory. Besides Asustek, Nvidia said that GeForce 7800 GTX 512 GPU-based graphics cards will also be available from graphics card makers BFG Technologies, eVGA.com, Gainward, Micro-Star International (MSI), Point of View, and XFX. ASUS EN7800GTX graphics card series specifications Item EN7800GTX/2DHTV/512M EN7800GTX/2DHTV/256M Graphics engine Nvidia GeForce 7800GTX Video memory 512MB DDR3 256MB DDR3 Engine clock 550 MHz 430 MHz Memory clock 1.7 GHz (DDR3) 1.2 GHz (DDR3) RAMDAC 400 MHz Bus standard PCI Express Memory interface 256-bit Maximum resolution 2048x1536 VGA output DVI-VGA adaptors TV output Video-in & video-out (VIVO) with HDTV support DVI output Dual DVI-I Photo Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, November 2005 The ASUS EN7800GTX graphics card Source: Company

Kingmax recently introduced its new Super Stick family of USB flash drives measuring 39×12×2mm in size and weighing less than five grams. The company claims that the Super Stick is the lightest and thinnest storage product in the world. Super Stick drives are waterproof and dustproof, feature USB 2.0 support and a 20MB/sec transfer rate for both reading and writing operations, according to Kingmax. The products are now available in capacities of up to 2GB, the company said. Super Stick drives have a data retention period of 10 years, and all of them are covered by a lifetime warranty, Kingmax stated. Kingmax 2GB Super Stick drive. Photo: the company

Gigabyte Technology recently introduced the GA-8N-SLI Quad Royal, claimed as the world’s first SLI-enabled motherboard equipped with four PCI Express (PCIe) x16 slots, with volume shipments to kick off from the end of this month, according to the company. The availability and suggested retail price for the GA-8N-SLI Quad Royal are still undisclosed, but the board is expected to hit the Japan market in early December, said the company. Designed for gamers and enthusiasts, the GA-8N-SLI Quad Royal is based on the Nvidia nForce4 SLI and nForce 4 SLI Intel Edition chipsets and supports two full-bandwidth 16-lane PCIe links, delivering twice the PCIe bandwidth of x8 SLI solutions, claims the company. Accommodating Intel’s LGA-775 Pentium 4 and Pentium D processors, the GA-8N-SLI Quad Royal has four 240-pin DIMM sockets that can support 8GB of DDR2 memory, according to the motherboard maker. Built-in USB 2.0 and IEEE 1394 functionalities connect to all the latest high-speed peripherals and multimedia devices, said Gigabyte, adding that an embedded post code debug LED display and up to seven fan connectors provides instant information from the motherboard and the best thermal solution for ultimate gaming experience. Gigabyte’s GA-8N-SLI Quad Royal specifications Item Detail CPU Intel Pentium Extreme Edition/ Pentium D/ Pentium 4/ Celeron Chipset NVIDIA nForce 4 SLI Intel Edition and NVIDIA nForce 4 SLI FSB 1066/800/533MHz Memory DDR2 667/533, four 240-pin DIMMs (up to 8GB) Expansion slot Four PCIe x16, two PCIe x1, one PCI 2.2 Network Dual Gigabit LAN, three IEEE 1394 Audio 8-channel Audio SATA connector Four SATA 3Gb/s, RAID 0/1/0+1/5 Photo Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, November 2005 Photo: Company

In line with increasing security concerns for protecting mobile data, SanDisk plans to roll out a biometric equipped USB flash drive called Cruzer Profile, in the first quarter of 2006. Security on the USB drive is based on fingerprint recognition, with different levels of security available for protecting personal data. A 512MB and 1GB version of the device will be available with a suggested retail price of US$80 and US$140, respectively, according to the company. Company executive Nelson Chan stressed that no supporting software needs to be installed on the computer when using the drive. SanDisk Cruzer Profile secure USB flash drive Feature Specification Capacity 512MB, 1.GB Write speed (minimum) 5.0MB/s Read speed (minimum)  8.0MB/s Sensor response to go/no state 1s delay or less Authentication process <3s USB connectivity  USB 2.0 certified (backwards compatible with USB 1.1) Source: company

Mitsubishi Electric Taiwan stated it plans to launch its first BrilliantColor projector (HC3000) in the Taiwan market later this month. The DLP projector adopts Texas Instruments (TI)’s BrilliantColor technology, a processing enhancement that increases the color depth in DLP projectors by including up to six-color processing. The technology also enables an increase in the brightness of mid-tone images of more than 50%, according to TI. The new HC3000 model features a 1,024×768 screen resolution, 4000:1 contrast and a brightness of 1,000 lumens, Mitsubishi stated. The HC3000 is already being marketed in Japan, Europe and the North America. However, the company has not yet decided on the retail price for the Taiwan market, Mitsubishi Taiwan stated. In related news, the company is currently developing a lightweight pocket projector (PK10) featuring a bulb with a 10,000-hour lifespan. The product will hit the market in the first quarter of 2006, Mitsubishi Taiwan projected. Specification for Mitsubishi latest DLP projector Model number HC3000 Display method DLP Resolution 1280×768 Brightness 1000 Contrast ratio 4000:1 Weight 2.9kg Sources: company, compiled by DigiTimes, November 2005. Mitsubishi HC3000 DLP projector Photo: company Mitsubishi pocket projector (PK10) Photo: company

Albatron Technology and XFX introduced new SLI-ready graphics cards based on the Nvidia GeForce 6800 GS, following Nvidia’s announcement of the availability of the GPU on November 7. Nvidia’s Geforce 6800 GS-series GPUs supports Microsoft’s DirectX 9.0 and Shader Model 3.0 technologies and has dual integrated RAMDACs operating at 400 MHz, allowing screen resolutions up to and including 2048×1536 at 85Hz, according to Nvidia. Nvidia said that graphics cards based on the Geforce 6800 GS series should be priced at around US$249. Albatron’s new PC6800GS VGA card supports a core clock speed of 425 MHz and contains 12 pipelines. The card features a memory configuration using 256MB of DDR3 memory with a 256-bit memory bus. Albatron says that the card is now available for sale worldwide but declined to give a price range. XFX introduced its XFX GeForce 6800 GS eXTreme and XXX series today. The eXTreme line has a core clock speed of 450MHz, whereas the high-end XXX series runs at 485MHz, according to the company. Albatron PC6800GS and XFX GeForce 6800 GS series graphics cards specifications Item Albatron PC6800GS XFX GeForce 6800 GS eXTreme XFX GeForce 6800 GS XXX Engine clock 425 MHz 450 MHz 485 MHz Memory clock 1.0 GHz 1.05 GHz 1.1 GHz Chipset Nvidia GeForce 6800 GS (NV42) Memory bus 256bit Memory 256MB DDR3 Pipelines 12 SLI-ready Yes Photo Source: Companies, compiled by DigiTimes, November 2005 Photo: Companies

Asustek Computer yesterday announced the availability of two Global Positioning System (GPS) devices in Taiwan and Europe, the MyPal A636 and A632. The new MyPal GPS series, which incorporate the Sirf Star III GPS module, support Intel’s latest 416-MHz XScale technology and the Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC OS. The MyPal A636 with IEEE802.11b connectivity is priced at NT$18,800 (US$560), whereas the MyPal A632, which has WLAN disabled, is slightly cheaper at NT$16,800 (US$500). Asustek MyPal A636/A632 GPS specifications Item MyPal A636 MyPal A632 CPU 416-MHz Intel XScale OS Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Display 3.5-inch 65,536-color transflective TFT LCD (240X320) with touch pad Memory 128MB flash ROM and 64MB SDRAM GPS SiRF III GPS chip, 25

Motherboard maker AOpen will launch its AOpen mini PC on November 1, with volume shipments of the Intel mobile CPU-based desktop system to follow in mid-November, according to market sources. Resembling the Apple Mac mini, the AOpen mini PC measures only 165×165×51mm and has a volume of 1.1 liters. The system will be built around the Intel 915GM chipset and come in two SKUs, with an entry-level Intel Celeron M 1.4GHz model priced at NT$20,500 (US$609) in Taiwan and a higher-end Intel Pentium M 1.7GHz model priced at NT$26,500 (US$788). Although AOpen will partner with distributor Synnex Technology International in Taiwan to market complete AOpen min PC systems, the company stated that it will be using its international component channel (under the powered by AOpen logo) to market the products worldwide. The AOpen mini PC will be bundled with Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition in Taiwan, but the company said it will be partnering with Linspire in the US market to offer a Linux version of the system. At Computex Taipei this year, Tony Yang, marketing director of AOpen stated that AOpen will target the digital home with the system. The system is also designed for low-noise environments, and so has only one fan and 65W power supply. AOpen mini PC Measures only 165×165×51mm

Small-form-factor (SFF) PC specialist Shuttle today expanded its product range with a new system specifically tailored for the growing digital entertainment market. With functions including VCR, CD, DVD and receiver appliances, the Shuttle XPC Media Center allows users to enjoy TV, video, music and photographs, as a fully integrated media platform, according to the company. The Shuttle XPC Media Center comes fully loaded with the latest advances in PC hardware all packaged in single case that merges with any home entertainment center, says the company. A performance video graphics accelerator and up to two digital or analog tuner cards allow movies, TV shows, online video content and games to be viewed on any TV or monitor, while Creative’s audio processor delivers up to 7.1 channels of high-definition surround sound, according to Shuttle, adding that built-in USB and FireWire connectors allow high-speed transfers to digital still cameras (DSCs) and music players. The availability of the Shuttle XPC Media Center is being timed with the launch of Update Rollup 2 for Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, said Shuttle. The Shuttle XPC Media Center should work flawlessly with the new features added to the OS, including Away Mode, dual tuner support and compatibility with new Media Center Extender devices and Xbox 360. Availability of the Shuttle XPC Media Center is subject to regional variation, says the company and a suggested retail price has not been released yet. Shuttle XPC Media Center: Specifications Item Detail Photo Processor 1.73GHz Intel Pentium M 740 533MHz FSB, 2M L2 cache Socket479, support EIST Chipset Intel i915PM, ICH6M Memory 512MB DDR-333 (two 256MB SODIMM), upgradeable to 2GB Graphics card 256MB Nvidia 6200 PCIe x16 Audio Creative 7.1 channel, optical SPDIF I/O support Dolby Digital Network Broadcom 10/100/1000 Ethernet, 802.11b/g WLAN Storage 256GB SATA/150 hard drive with 8MB buffer Dimensions Shuttle “M” chassis: 350×442×78mm Source: Company website, compiled by DigiTimes, October 2005

Following the recent launch of BenQ and Acer’s widescreen LCD monitors, ViewSonic yesterday announced its widescreen LCD monitor lineup for the Taiwan market. The company aims to grab 35% of the local LCD monitor market this quarter, according to ViewSonic. Designed with an aspect ratio of 16:10, the 23-inch VP2330W, 19-inch VA1912W and 20-inch VA2012W LCD monitors are priced at NT$54,900 (US$1,640), NT$9,900 (US$300) and NT$16,900 (US$500), respectively. The 23-inch model features a native resolution of 1920×1200 and a viewing angle of 176 degree while the 20-inch models have a native resolution of 1680×1050 with a brightness of 300 cd/m2. Although sales volume for widescreen LCD monitors in the local market totaled only 5,000 units per month during the third quarter, shipments are expected to triple this quarter, according to Alan Chang, vice president of ViewSonic for Asia-Pacific sales and marketing. Chang also predicts that widescreen LCD monitors will likely account for 20% of overall LCD monitors shipments in 2006, up from 2% this year. In related news, Hewlett-Packard (HP) Taiwan recently also rolled out a 21-inch widescreen LCD monitor in the Taiwan market with a price tag of NT$21,900 (US$650), according to the company. New ViewSonic widescreen LCD monitor lineup Model series VA1912W VA2012W VX2022W VP2330W Screen size 19-inch 20-inch 20-inch 23-inch Aspect ratio 16:10 16:10 16:10 16:10 Latency 8ms 8ms 3ms 8ms Native resolution 1440x900 1680x1050 1680x1050 1920x1200 H/V viewing angle 130/150 140/125 140/125 176/176 Brightness (cd/m2) 300 300 300 250 Contrast ratio 500:1 600:1 300:1 500:1 Retail prices (NT$) 9,900 16,900 18,900 54,900 Photo Sources: company, compiled by DigiTimes, October. New ViewSonic LCD monitor Photo: Hau Ting Yuan, DigiTimes HP’s 21-inch LCD monitor (F2105) Photo: Hau Ting Yuan, DigiTimes