Micro-Star International (MSI) today launched the S262, its first notebook based on Intel’s new Centrino Duo mobile technology, featuring a carbon-fiber cover and a 12.1-inch widescreen LCD display. With Intel’s Napa platform, the MSI S262 supports 65nm dual-core Yonah processors, the 945GM chipset series and the Intel PRO/ Wireless 3945 a/b/g network solution. The Napa-based model also provides tri-band 802.11a/b/g wireless connectivity, enabling users to use the Internet wherever they are. In addition, the S262 series delivers Dolby surround sound capability and has a DVD burner, offering up to 8.5GB in storage capacity. MSI S262 specifications Item Detail Platform Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology: 65nm dual-core Yonah processor, Intel 945GM chipset, Intel PRO/ Wireless 3945 a/b/g network solution, Microsoft Windows XP Home/ Professional Display interface UMA System memory Two DDR2 SO-DIMM slots, 256/512/1,024 MB DDR SDRAM (up to 2GB) Display 12.1-inch WXGA LCD (1280×800) PC card slot PCMCIA 2.1 compliant, Type 2 Card reader 4-in-1 MMC/ SD/ MS/ MS Pro HDD Up to 100GB Optical drive Combo/ DVD dual/ DVD Dual-layer Network interface Built-in 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet LAN and modem module. Built-in mini-PCI Intel 3945 a/b/g WLAN card Connector ports One monitor (VGA) port (15-pin mini D-Sub), three USB 2.0 ports, one IEEE 1394 port, one microphone-in port, one headphone out, one RJ11 MODEM port, one RJ45 10/100 LAN port Audio AC’97 2.2, SoundBlaster compatible Battery 2400/4800mAh lithium 4/8 cells Dimension 303x225×28-30mm Weight 1.95kg Photo Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, January 2006

Motherboard maker Micro-Star International (MSI) yesterday introduced the DRE16-B, an external DVD/CD burner that supports single- and dual-layer DVD solutions as well as the DVD-RAM format. The 16x DVD burner can record four hours worth of DVD-quality video or 16 hours of VHS-quality video or store 8.5GB of data on a dual-layer disc, according to the company’s website. MSI DRE16-B external DVD burner specifications Item Detail Writing speed CD-R 40x DVD+R 16x DVD-R 16x DVD+R9 8x DVD-R9 4x DVD-RAM 5x Re-writing speed CD-RW 24x DVD+RW 8x DVD-RW 6x Reading speed CD-ROM 40x DVD-ROM 16x Front panel LED indicator (writing: red, reading: green), emergency eject hole and eject button Reader panel Device on/off switch, power connector, USB connector Dimensions 180×60×260mm Photo Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, January 2006

Micro-Star International introduced its 975X Platinum, a new motherboard based on the Intel 975X Express chipset series with volume shipments slated for the end of this month, according to the company. The 975X Platinum series, which follows the EU's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) legislation, supports CrossFire dual-graphics technology from ATI Technologies. The 975X-based motherboard also supports Intel’s Pentium D and the latest 65nm processors (codenamed Cedar Mill and Presler). Specifications for MSI 975X Platinum motherboard Item Details CPU LGA-775 Intel Pentium 4 FSB 1066/ 800MHz Chipset Intel 975X (with ICH7R) Memory DDR2-667 Expansion slot Two PCIe X16, two PCIe X1 SATA connector Four SATA2 support Intel Matrix Storage Audio 7.1-channel HD Audio RAID RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 Photo Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, January 2006

Asustek Computer has launched its first Lamborghini-series notebooks in a major push of its branded business campaign to compete with Acer’s Ferrari-series notebooks. The Intel-based Lamborghini notebooks currently being showcased at CES are available in both yellow and black. Asustek said in a press release that the comprehensive partnership with the carmaker merges advanced information technology and automobile heritage to create a notebook series that inherits all the striking traits of a true Lamborghini. "The ASUS and Lamborghini alliance brings together two brands that represents the highest quality and performance," said Tony Chen, director of ASUS Notebook Business. "The new ASUS Lamborghini Notebook Series, a fusion of the best from both companies, will surely provide a different mobile computing experience. With unique mobile technology from ASUS and Lamborghini's cutting-edge industrial designs, the all-new notebooks provide a breath of fresh air to the boring looks of existing portable PCs," he added. Sources said Intel has been driving force behind the partnership after the success of Acer’s AMD-based Ferrari series. Asustek’s Lamborghini-series notebooks Source: Asustek

Info-Tek, the producer of GeCube-branded graphics cards, will be showcasing a lineup of portable media players (PMPs) that integrate multimedia capabilities at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showing in Las Vegas from January 5-8. The 3.6-inch GeCube PMP holds up to 25 movies and six hours of continuous playback, according to the company. As a MP3 music jukebox or a digital photo album, the PMP stores up to 5,000 MP3 music files and 10,000 photos, said Info-Tek, adding that the device offers an external hard disk drive (HDD) that contains 20GB of storage and enables users to back up movies, music, photos, or office document files. The DVRBox, a pocket-sized digital video recorder, is built with a 2.5-inch HDD for up to 100GB in memory capacity and enables users to record and convert DV, DVD and TV to MPEG-4 video format instantly, according to the company. It converts video sources such as TV broadcasts, DVDs, or VHS tape to MPEG-4 format, said Info-Tek, adding that with a built-in three-in-one memory card slot, the pocket-sized device can transfer photos from a SD, MMC or Memory Stick card to the built-in HDD. With a seven-inch widescreen (16:9) LCD display, the “Digital Photo Frame” PMP series has a built-in 2.5-inch HDD with a capacity of up to 120GB, said the company. Integrating a seven-in-one memory cad recorder, the PMP supports CF, SD, MMC, MS and xD memory cards, added the company. GeCube PMP lineup at CES 2006 Item PMP100 portable media player DVRBox Digital Photo Frame Display 3.6-inch 262,144-color LCD (320×240) - 7-inch 262,144-color widescreen (480×234) Size 125×78×26mm 135×78×22mm 220×115×28mm Weight 285g 260g 580g Storage 1.8-inch HDD (20/ 30GB) 2.5-inch HDD (20-120GB) 2.5-inch HDD (20-120GB) Compact flash I/II, microdrive SD, MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Xd Hi-speed USB 2.0 Video format MPEG-1, -2 and –4, DivX, XviD MPEG-1, -2 and –4, DivX, XviD for video playback MPEG-4 for video record MPEG-1, -2 and –4, DivX, XviD Audio format MP3, WMA, WAV MP3 MP3 Picture format JPEG (Up to 12-megapixel resolutions) JPEG (Up to 12-megapixel resolutions) JPEG (Up to eight-megapixel resolutions) Photo Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, January 2005

Albatron today announced the availability of its KM51 motherboard series, first unveiled in December 2005, for the AMD Socket-754 platform. The two motherboards support Nvidia’s latest-generation IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor) chipsets – the KM51PV-754 equipped with the GeForce 6150/430 chipset, and the KM51G-754 with the GeForce 6100/410. The chipsets used in Albatron’s KM51-series boards accesses up to 128MB of system memory, said the company, adding that with DX 9.0c and Shader Model 3.0 standards, the KM51 series will be able to tackle the most popular games on the market, such as Age of Empires III and World of Warcraft. The KM51PV-754 comes with some of the most advanced digital video facilities and features Nvidia’s Pure Video Technology and a video encoder/decoder providing the equivalent functionality and clarity of a high-end DVD player, said Albatron, adding that Pure Video was only seen before in middle-range to high-end graphics cards. The KM51PV-754 is also fully ready for the future of broadcasted digital TV and supports the newest trends in HDTV, claims the company. With integrated MPEG 2 and WMV9 decoders, the motherboard supports high-resolution 1080i (1920×1080) video, which is more than four times higher than conventional TVs, said Albabron, adding that the KM51PV-754 will have Y/Pb/Pr (Component Video) and DVI connectors. The Albatron KM51PV-754/KM51G-754 Source: Company

Notebook PC maker Micro-Star International (MSI) recently launched its latest DTV product, the Mega Sky 580 digital TV receiver, for use with desktop or notebook PCs. The USB drive is fully compliant with DVB-T standards and supports screen resolutions up to full HD quality (1920×1080). The Mega Sky 580 can also be used to turn a computer into a digital video recorder (DVR), as it supports time-shifting and scheduled recordings. Additional features of the USB drive include support for electronic program guide (EPG), digital teletext and remote control. MSI will begin volume shipments in March or April, with the target markets being Europe and Taiwan. The suggested retail price is 69 euros. MSI Mega Sky 580 DVB-T USB drive Photo: Company, January 2006

Sony Taiwan late last week unveiled two new Sony HDD (hard disk drive)-based MP3 players, the NW-A1000 and NW-A3000, for launch in the Taiwan market in mid-January 2006. A recommended retail price is not yet available. The two models feature the Sony-developed Artist Link, a function for intelligently managing users’ favorite songs by systematically sorting them in terms of style and singer and then enabling users to easily pick songs similar to the one they are listening to, according to the company, adding that the Connect Player software enables drag-and-drop transfer of music files between the player and a PC. Basic specifications of the Sony NW-A1000 and NW-A3000 MP3 players Item NW-A1000 NW-A3000 Screen 1.5-inch OLED 2.0-inch OLED Storage capacity 6GB 20GB Life of lithium battery 20 hours 35 hours Dimension (W, H, D, mm) 55×88×19 65×104×21 Weight (g) 109 182 Source: Sony Taiwan, compiled by DigiTimes.com, December 2005 The Sony NW-A1000 MP3 player comes in four choice of colors. Photo: Sony Taiwan The Sony NW-A3000 comes in two choice of colors. Photo: Sony Taiwan

Asustek Computer today announced the availability of its first slide form factor mobile phone, the Asus V70, for the local Taiwan market with a price tag of NT$11,900 (US$360). The MP3-enabled slide phone also supports other multimedia such as MPEG4, 3GP, H.263, MIDI and features a 1.8-inch 263k-color TFT LCD display. Asus V70 slide phone specifications Item Details Network Tri-band GSM900/1800/1900 Dimension 90×45×24mm Weight 85g GPRS Class B, multi-slot Class 12 Standby time 200-300 hours Talk time 2.5-5 hours Display 1.8-inch 263k-color TFT display (176×220 solution) Built-in camera 1.3-megapixel camera, supporting 3GP Memory extension Mini SD Multimedia support MP3, MPEG4, 3GP, H.263, MIDI Radio FM Instant message Supporting MMS / SMS / EMS Wireless connectivity WAP2.0 Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, December 2005 Asustek’s first slide phone, the Asus V70 Photo: Asustek

Albatron Technology today launched two motherboards in its Socket-754 series, the KM51PV-754 and KM51G-754, with the former based on Nvidia’s GeForce 6150 northbridge chip and nForce 430 southbridge and the latter featuring the GeForce 6100 and nForce 410. Albatron’s new Socket-754 motherboards support high-definition MPEG2 and WMV9 decoder capabilities and come with the Pure Video technology, which generally appear in high-end graphics cards, said the motherboard maker. Both motherboards can support image resolutions of up to 1,080 interlaced (1080i) with a pixel format of 1,920×1,080, to deliver more fluent picture frames on TV, claimed Albatron. Volume shipments of the two Socket-754 motherboards are slated for early January 2006, according to the company. Suggested retail prices for the two boards were not available. Albatron KM51PV-754/ KM51G-754 specifications Item KM51PV-754 KM51G-754 CPU Socket-754 AMD K8 Chipset Nvidia GeForce 6150/ nForce 430 Nvidia GeForce 6100/ nForce 410 Graphics core Nvidia TC6200 (for up to 128MB of memory) Photo NA Source: Company, compiled by DigiTimes, December 2005