For a while now the impressive Samsung Series 7 gaming laptop has been available for European customers, finally, its heading stateside with a few upgrades and tweaks along the way.

The system is a bit bulky, but it is somewhat expected for something packing this much power. The Series 7 Gamer is powered by a third-gen Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) CPU, 2GB of dedicated video RAM, and even a 2TB HDD and Blu-Ray thrown in the mix.

Featuring a 2.1 speaker setup that includes a built-in subwoofer and a unique knob that switches between power modes that clock-up the machine for gaming, or slows it down a bit for running cooler, quieter, and more eco-friendly. There will even be a 3D model option as well.

The Series 7 Gamer laptop will start at $1799 when the system hits shelves in April. For those looking for a great gaming and multimedia machine to replace that desktop, the Series 7 looks like a pretty solid choice.

[ source ]

The big release from Apple this week is obviously OS X Lion, but that doesn’t mean the company is done dishing out the goods. If you like thin and light, the MacBook Air is easily one of the most attractive options out there and the line-up is getting some major updates.

Naturally, the new MBAs are going to have Lion pre-loaded out of the box, but they’ll also be rocking that faster Thunderbolt port (up to 10Gbps) too. This is true of both the 11-inch and 13-inch models. Not surprisingly, Apple has also bumped the processors into the Sandy Bridge range, including both Intel Core i5 and Core i7 dual core processors.

On the graphics side, you get Intel HD Graphics 3000 for both sizes. On the 11-inch you get a 1.6GHz Core i5 with 2GB or 4GB of DDR3-1333 RAM along with either 64GB or 128GB of flash storage. For the 13-inch, you get a 1.7GHz Core i5, 4 gigs of RAM, and your choice of 128GB or 256GB of flash storage.

Rounding out the specs are a couple of USB 2.0 ports, backlit keyboard, and a glass Multi-Touch trackpad. The 11-inch MacBook Air is $999 and $1199 for 64GB or 128GB of flash, while the 13-inch is $1299 and $1599 for 128GB and 256GB of flash, respectively. Bumping to a 1.8GHz Core i7 comes at $150 premium on the 11-inch and $100 premium on the 13-inch, but only on their respective higher storage variants.

There’s something to be said about having a second monitor. The dual display configuration can work wonders on your productivity, but without planting yourself down at a desk, it’s just not possible with a laptop. Or is it? Here is the gScreen SpaceBook and it is a true dual-screen notebook PC.

No, it won’t be nearly as thin and light as a Samsung Series 9 or a MacBook Air, but you are afforded a real second display. Not only that, the twin displays are sizable 17-inch 1920×1080 full HD monsters, almost rivaling the kind of setup that you might have on your desktop computer at work… assuming you have two monitors there in the first place.

Remember, though, that while the gScreen SpaceBook is portable, it’s not exactly mobile at a hefty 4.5 kilos (about 10 pounds). Then again, imagine the looks you’ll get at Internet cafes and airport lounges when you whip out this beast of a computer. The rest of the specs are more than adequate too.

The cheaper of the two SKUs ($2,395) has a Core i5-560M 2.66GHz dual core processor, 4GB of DDR3-1333 RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M 1GB graphics, and a 500GB HDD. Bump up to the more expensive model ($2,795) and you get a Core i7-740QM 1.73GHz quad core CPU and 8GB of RAM. Pre-orders are being taken now with a minimum 50 per cent deposit, with the rest payable once it’s shipped.

The announcement hasn’t come by way of Apple just yet, but it seems that an “Intel word of mouth” is pointing toward the implementation of Sandy Bridge (Core i5/i7) processors in the next generation of MacBook Pro notebooks. It may or may not show up in the regular MacBooks though.

The timing makes sense, since the last overhaul of the MacBook Pro line was way back in April 2010. An update in March would be in line with the usual annual schedule that Cupertino adheres to for most of its product offerings. We’re also hearing that the new MBPs will be thinner and lighter, not unlike the MacBook Air.

If Apple sticks to its usual modus operandi, the new MBPs should be at similar price points as the current offerings, only with updated specs and features.

[via Mac Rumors]

Fujitsu T730 LifeBook Tablet PC

Two new LifeBook flip-style tablet PCs have been released by Fujitsu today.  With Core i5 and Core i7 processors, these 12.1-inch convertibles ship with 2GB of ram, a 160GB harddrive, dual-layer DVD-R, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a battery packing “5.5 hours” of estimated life.  What makes these special is their processing power, with the i5 you can go up to 2.53Ghz, or 2.66GHz with the i7 upgrade.   Remember, they weigh just under 4 pounds and it’s not going to be your eBook replacement, but touchscreen will allow you to flip that cool Google streetview map around with your finger in front of your pals.   Connectivity continues with HDMI and VGA output, triple USB 2.0 ports, FireWire, Ethernet, ExpressCard 54 and a Memory Stick/SD card slot.  It pretty much sounds like a desktop at this point; its thickness isn’t going to rival anything out there, but you do get a whole lot of love for that $1869 starting price.  How responsive is Windows 7 on these touchscreens? Does anyone have experience with them?

It used to be that you needed a desktop computer if you wanted a proper gaming experience, but there are now more than a few suitable notebooks out there for you to consider too. One of the latest to join the fray also happens to be one of the most powerful. ORIGIN has come forward with its new EON18 custom gaming laptop.

Set to “deliver record breaking performance and set a new bar for custom gaming laptops,” the ORIGIN EON18 is quite the beast to behold. It has a large 18.4-inch full HD (1920×1080) widescreen display, so this is very much a desktop replacement.

Under the hood, you get your choice of an Intel Core i7 Extreme processor, dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX285M graphics cards in SLI configuration, up to 8GB of dual channel DDR3 1333MHz RAM, up to three solid state drives in RAID configurations, and an optional dual layer Blu-ray disc burner.

The design goes further with programmable gaming buttons, touch sensitive access buttons, and “visceral airbrush artistry” from Killer Paint. The ORIGIN EON18 is clearly designed “for gamers who crave power and speed over cute and petite.”

Prices start at $2,299. Head over to originpc.com for more information.

Origin EON18 Gaming Laptop Photo Gallery

To my knowledge, HP is still the largest computer maker in the world, but it is interesting to see the company undercutting its own product. The HP Envy 15 was marketed as a premium product with premium styling, but now you can get the same style at less than half the price with the HP G62t.

The newest laptop to join the HP G-series, the HP G62t bears a striking resemblance to its much more expensive cousin, featuring the same Apple-inspired design cues. The difference is that it’s priced starting at just $599.99, rather than the $1,300+ price tag attached to the Envy 15.

Naturally, the $600 price point gets you a pretty basic configuration. You get a Core i3-330M 2.13GHz CPU, DVD burner, WiFi, webcam, 15.6″ 1366×768 LED-backlit display, three USB 2.0 ports, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Still not a bad package for the price.

If you’re willing to shell out a little more coin, you can optionally get the HP G62t budget notebook with Bluetooth, Blu-ray drive, HDMI, and a card reader. Those last two cost an extra $25. For processors, you can bump that Core i3 to a Core i5-430M for $100 more or a Core i7-620M for $400 more.

The HP G62t is available now for your ordering pleasure.

HP G62t Image Gallery

Just because you want to get a business-level notebook computer does not mean that you have to do away with style and portability. The newly refreshed Dell Latitude 13 is, in fact, the world’s thinnest 13-inch commercial client laptop. For a little more oomph, though, you may want the Dell Precision M6500 instead.

As an ultraportable, the Dell Latitude is the “beauty” of the pair. It gets loaded with robust remote manageability, virtualization-ready design from VMware and Citrix, and plenty of security features. Key features include an optional integrated webcam, optional WWAN mobile broadband, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and optional Blu-ray drive. There’s no specific mention of processor choices, but we’ll find out when the Dell Latitude 13 goes on sale “in the coming weeks.”

Stepping it up a big notch is the Dell Precision M6500. The “beast” of the two, the Precision M6500 can come loaded with your choice of Core i7 or Core i5 processors, including an option for the Core i7-920XM Quad Core Extreme Edition processor. The 17-inch screen can come with optional LED backlighting, RAID 5 configuration (with three internal storage devices), USB 3.0, 3.2-megapixel camera, and more.

“Our customers’ issues are our issues and we’re increasingly seeing that solutions, not hardware is the center of the conversation,” said Brett McAnally, director, Dell Product Group. “With the Latitude 13 and Dell Precision M6500 dual core, we’re refocusing our solutions to ensure we solve key customer concerns such as mobility and collaboration.”

Dell Latitude 13 and Precision M6500 Image Gallery

I’d really like to find something with a good build quality and a 13.3-inch screen, but I’d rather stick with the PC side of things rather than make the jump to a Mac. For this purpose, the Asus UL30Jt sounds like it could fit the bill to a tee.

On display at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the Asus UL30Jt notebook features a 13.3″ 16:9 slim-type LCD display, Intel Core i7-640UM/620UM processor, up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM, up to 640GB 7200rpm SATA HDD, and up to 12 hours of battery life, all in a package less than one-inch thick.

One of the more interesting features that seems to be infiltrating much of the Asus lineup is the combination graphics. You get an integrated Intel GMA HD processor, as well as discrete graphics from an NVIDIA GeForce 310M (1GB). The system will auto-switch between the two for battery life or performance as needed.

Yes, it doesn’t have the most memorable of names, but the guts inside can speak for themselves. I wouldn’t recommend hauling this around from coffee shop to coffee shop all that much, but you should be able to outperform most smaller laptops with ease.

Featuring an 18.4-inch (1920×1080) display, the Acer AS8940G-6865 comes powered by a quad-core Intel Core i7 720QM processor, clocking in at 1.6GHz. Other highlights include the 4GB of DDR3 memory, NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M GPU with 1GB of dedicated memory, 500GB SATA hard drive, Blu-ray/DVD burner combo drive, 8-cell battery, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

You don’t have to worry about connectivity either, since you get draft-N wireless, five USB ports, HDMI, eSATA, card reader, VGA, Dolby audio, and a touch-capacitive media control interface. Bear in mind that this Acer tips the scales at over 10 pounds.

Prepare to spend $1350 (and up) for this Acer beast.

Source: Crunchgear