The technology might seem similar to Project Natal, since it gives you control over objects on a display based on your movements. It differs, though, in that the optical sensors are actually tracking what you're doing through the LCD, which alternates between the image you see on the screen and a pattern of black and white squares that allow light through, providing BIDI information about what's physically happening in front of it. It's the first display that's able to look at you at the same time you look at it, which means the whole system could also be turned into a high-resolution camera.

Also: bonus points to MIT for demoing a technology that gives you Jedi powers over a display using a TIE fighter. [MIT via Engadget]

As a whole, the US consumed 3.6 zettabytes of information last year, or one billion trillion bytes. Can someone work out the bill for that? [University of California report via NY Times Bits]

Ultimately, Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.10 did the best, and openSUSE 11.2 also did well. But Chrome OS performance was far from spectacular. That shouldn't be a huge surprise, though. It's not slated to ship for like a year, and its performance should pickup as builds continue. The main surprise looks to be Moblin 2.1's comparatively slower speed, despite Intel's efforts to optimize it for netbooks. It looks pretty, though.

All distros were tested with default configurations/packages, except for Chrome OS. They "needed to remount the root file-system in a read-write mode and add in the standard Ubuntu Karmic package repositories for which Google's operating system is based."

The Phoronix test suite included H.264 video playback, OpenArena, LZMA and 7-Zip file compression, IOzone, PostMark, WAV to OGG audio and H.264 video encoding. Full test results at: [Phoronix via Slashdot]

In other words, this is the first time anyone has developed a processor that can handle any set of instructions for more than one quantum bit or "qubit." Rapid progress when you consider that the first single-task quantum processor arrived on the scene less than a year ago.

The NIST team performed 160 different processing routines on the two qubits. Although there are an infinite number of possible two-qubit programs, this set of 160 is large and diverse enough to fairly represent them, Hanneke says, making the processor "universal." The researchers used a random number generator to select the particular routines that would be executed, so all possible programs had an equal chance of selection. The random programs avoided the possibility of bias in testing the processor in the event that some programs ran better or produced more accurate outputs than others. Each program operated accurately an average of 79 percent of the time across 900 runs, each run lasting about 37 milliseconds. To evaluate the processor and the quality of its operation, NIST scientists compared the measured outputs of the programs to idealized, theoretical results.

The programs did not perform easily described mathematical calculations. Rather, they involved various single-qubit "rotations" and two-qubit entanglements. As an example of a rotation, if a qubit is envisioned as a dot on a sphere at the north pole for 0, at the south pole for 1, or on the equator for a balanced superposition of 0 and 1, the dot might be rotated to a different point on the sphere, perhaps from the northern to the southern hemisphere, making it more of a 1 than a 0.

Huh? Yeah, it's a bit confusing, but you can get the basic idea by checking out our Giz Explains on the subject. Just know that programing with multiple qubits is a major turning point in creating the truly "super" computers of tomorrow. [NIST and Ars Technica]

Makes me want to go back to the age of mail and the Pony Express. Or fast-forward until they iron out all the bugs. Somebody think. Fast. [Likecool]

Quantum computing is a pretty complicated subject—uh, hello, quantum mechanics plus computers. I'm gonna keep it kinda basic, but recent breakthroughs like this one prove that you should definitely start paying attention to it. Some day, in the future, quantum computing will be cracking codes, powering web searches, and maybe, just maybe, lighting up our Star Trek-style holodecks.

Before we get to the quantum part, let's start with just "computing." It's about bits. They're the basic building block of computing information. They've got two states—0 or 1, on or off, true or false, you get the idea. But two defined states is key. When you add a bunch of bits together, usually 8 of 'em, you get a byte. As in kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes and so on. Your digital photos, music, documents, they're all just long strings of 1s and 0s, segmented into 8-digit strands. Because of that binary setup, a classical computer operates by a certain kind of logic that makes it good at some kinds of computing—the general stuff you do everyday—but not so great at others, like finding ginormous prime factors (those things from math class), which are a big part of cracking codes.

Quantum computing operates by a different kind of logic—it actually uses the rules of quantum mechanics to compute. Quantum bits, called qubits, are different from regular bits, because they don't just have two states. They can have multiple states, superpositions—they can be 0 or 1 or 0-1 or 0+1 or 0 and 1, all at the same time. It's a lot deeper than a regular old bit. A qubit's ability to exist in multiple states—the combo of all those being a superposition—opens up a big freakin' door of possibility for computational powah, because it can factor numbers at much more insanely fast speeds than standard computers.

Entanglement—a quantum state that's all about tight correlations between systems—is the key to that. It's a pretty hard thing to describe, so I asked for some help from Boris Blinov, a professor at the University of Washington's Trapped Ion Quantum Computing Group. He turned to a take on Schrödinger's cat to explain it: Basically, if you have a cat in a closed box, and poisonous gas is released. The cat is either dead, 0, or alive, 1. Until I open the box to find out, it exists in both states—a superposition. That superposition is destroyed when I measure it. But suppose I have two cats in two boxes that are correlated, and you go through the same thing. If I open one box and the cat's alive, it means the other cat is too, even if I never open the box. It's a quantum phenomenon that's a stronger correlation than you can get in classical physics, and because of that you can do something like this with quantum algorithms—change one part of the system, and the rest of it will respond accordingly, without changing the rest of the operation. That's part of the reason it's faster at certain kinds of calculations.

The other, explains Blinov, is that you can achieve true parallelism in computing—actually process a lot of information in parallel, "not like Windows" or even other types of classic computers that profess parallelism.

So what's that good for? For example, a password that might take years to crack via brute force using today's computers could take mere seconds with a quantum computer, so there's plenty of crazy stuff that Uncle Sam might want to put it to use for in cryptography. And it might be useful to search engineers at Google, Microsoft and other companies, since you can search and index databases much, much faster. And let's not forget scientific applications—no surprise, classic computers really suck at modeling quantum mechanics. The National Institute of Science and Technology's Jonathan Home suggests that given the way cloud computing is going, if you need an insane calculation performed, you might rent time and farm it out to a quantum mainframe in Google's backyard.

The reason we're not all blasting on quantum computers now is that this quantum mojo is, at the moment, extremely fragile. And it always will be, since quantum states aren't exactly robust. We're talking about working with ions here—rather than electrons—and if you think heat is a problem with processors today, you've got no idea. In the breakthrough by Home's team at NIST—completing a full set of quantum "transport" operations, moving information from one area of the "computer" to another—they worked with a single pair of atoms, using lasers to manipulate the states of beryllium ions, storing the data and performing an operation, before transferring that information to a different location in the processor. What allowed it to work, without busting up the party and losing all the data through heat, were magnesium ions cooling the beryllium ions as they were being manipulated. And those lasers can only do so much. If you want to manipulate more ions, you have to add more lasers.

Hell, quantum computing is so fragile and unwieldy that when we talked to Home, he said much of the effort goes into methods of correcting errors. In five years, he says, we'll likely be working with a mere tens of qubits. The stage it's at right now, says Blinov, is "the equivalent of building a reliable transistor" back in the day. But that's not to say those of tens of qubits won't be useful. While they won't be cracking stuff for the NSA—you'll need about 10,000 qubits for cracking high-level cryptography—that's still enough quantum computing power to calculate properties for new materials that are hard to model with a classic computer. In other words, materials scientists could be developing the case for the iPhone 10G or the building blocks for your next run-of-the-mill Intel processor using quantum computers in the next decade. Just don't expect a quantum computer on your desk in the next 10 years.

Special thanks to National Institute of Standards and Technology's Jonathan Home and the University of Washington Professor Boris Blinov!

Still something you wanna know? Send questions about quantum computing, quantum leaps or undead cats to tips@gizmodo.com, with "Giz Explains" in the subject line.

The website referenced at zii.com has this info:
• The words "Zii". (Can assume that Nintendo's Lawyers are powering up.)
• The words "Everything you know is about to change".
• The text Stemcell (as one word, not two).
• Four leaf clovers that sparkle.
• The font for "Z" on Zii is some weird and terrible design that is also probably used for the Z on the neon sign of every shitty club called Zanzibar from Boston to Hawaii.

Entering this data into the generally infallible Gizmotronic super computer (A cluster of Dreamcasts and US Robotics 56k modems, connected over RJ-45) I've calculated to 99.5% probability that Creative Labs is getting into gadget cloning as a way to remain competitive in the mp3 player market, a market they were relevant in in 2001. They're going to use this tech to master the design methodology of 10th party Chinese knock off firms and save on research and development costs. And they will first clone another iPod and late in 2009 they'll get ambitious and clone the iPod Touch named Dolly the ipoddy. I have bet the Engadget guys 100 bucks and 10 links this is true.

But, considering our 0.5% chance of Gizmodotronic making a mistake, what do you think it is?

Update: Commenters Adam Lang and MichelleDatsun have earned their stars by taking the entire 1 minute to search the USPTO for Zii, coming up with an entry dated on September 18th of 2008, listing the probably purposefully broad description below. What is interesting is the section referring to "Providing on-line facilities, via a global computer network, to enable users to program the scheduling of audio, video, text and other multimedia content, including music, concerts, videos, radio, television, news, sports, games, cultural events, and entertainment-related programs". That all sounds a lot like some sort of social network or content distribution system, which the top players of significance, the Zune and iPod, have with their desktop apps. Interesting and it makes sense for Creative to make something like this (or give up) but there's no way to fit the "stemcell computing" aspect of the teaser into the analysis.

We'll find out soon enough.

[Zii.com via Paul at Engadget]

Word Mark ZII
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Computer software; computer hardware; computer memories; computer interfaces; HDMI interface, ports and cables for digital electronic multi-media devices; computers; central processing units; subwoofer speakers; audio players; audio signal processors; microprocessors; digital audio players; digital cameras; magnetic disks; external hard disk/storage devices; portable speakers; computer keyboards; computer mice; monitors; computer cables; headphones; earphones; digital video players; apparatus and instruments for recording, reproducing and/or transmitting sound and/or visual information or recordings; Instrument and materials for transmitting and/or receiving and/or recording sound and/or visual images; interactive sound and/or visual recordings; sound and/or visual recording media; video games; interactive computer software; electronic publications and digital music (downloadable) provided on-line from databases or from the Internet or from any other communications network; digital versatile discs and digital video discs (DVD) including high definition DVD; CD-ROMs; Optical and magneto-optical disc players and recorders for audio, video and computer data; optical and magneto-optical discs featuring music, text data, still images and motion pictures; televisions; Blu-ray discs (being a storage and/or recording media); virtual reality systems; digital music (downloadable); amplifiers; telephones; mobile telephones; cellular telephones; video phones; batteries, battery charges; charger adapters; parts and fittings for phones, including clips, covers and shells specifically adapted for phone; headphones receivers, microphones, hands free kits for phones for vehicles; electric cables, antennas, phone holders, desktop stands for mobile telephones, GPS receivers; 3G network receivers; 4G network receivers. tripods and flashlights for cameras, keyboards, Stylus (light pens), memory cards, loudspeakers, radio transmitters, audio adapters, carrying cases adapted for mobile telephones; carrying cases adapted for digital music players, and portable handheld digital electronic multi-media devices; cameras; digital maps and digital map displays; digital music players and radios; computer software for use in transmitting and receiving data, images and voice communications; computer software for transferring data, images, messages and video between mobile communication devices, portable handheld digital electronic multi-media devices, digital audio and video players and/or computers; computer software for gathering, storing, organizing and viewing information, data, images, messages and video on mobile communication apparatus, portable handheld digital electronic multi-media devices, digital audio and video players and/or computers; computer software enabling users of mobile phones and/or digital electronic multi-media devices to share information with other users of mobile phones and/or digital electronic multi-media devices; computer software and programs enabling users of communication devices to simultaneously access online services from network-wide databases and global computer networks; apparatus and instruments for telecommunication via internet; cordless telephones; computer telephony software; telecommunications equipment composed primarily of telephones and videophones, voice mail hardware and software, caller ID hardware and software, voice over IP hardware and software, telephone display screens, video screens, video screens for use within a video phone, and video cameras for use in a video phone; telephone-based information retrieval software and hardware; nano computers; laptop computers; electronic organizers, electronic notepads, digital satellite broadcasting systems, namely receivers, transmitters and antennas for satellite broadcasting. USB hubs and adapters; apparatus sets for remotely monitoring the security of places; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; remote controls; and electronic manuals (downloadable) distributed therewith

IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: Advertising, business, marketing, promotional and publicity services; arranging and conducting exhibitions for advertising, commercial or trade purposes; arranging and conducting trade shows for advertising purposes; provision of advertising, marketing and promotional services on-line from computer databases or the Internet (including web sites); arranging for the provision of advertising space; advertising on radio and television; provision of space on web sites for advertising goods and services; classified advertisement; publication of advertising literature, matter and texts; preparation and publication of publicity texts; provision of business news (business management); arrangement of advertising; compilation of advertisements for use as web pages on the Internet; compilation, production and dissemination of advertising matter; rental of advertising space; arranging newspaper subscription; business information; business research; business services relating to the provision of sponsorship for television and radio commercials; production of commercials; business management of performing artists; opinion polling; economic forecasting; statistical information, namely, searching, browsing and retrieving information, sites, and other resources available on global computer networks and other communication networks for others; advertising and commercials in the electronic media; reproduction of advertising material in both print and electronic media; recruitment advertising; advertising and media campaign planning services; providing information on employment and careers (other than educational and training advice); advisory, information and consultancy services relating to all the aforesaid; all the aforesaid services also provided on-line from a computer database or via the global communications network

IC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: Broadcasting and telecommunication services; broadcasting and communications by means of or aided by computer; broadcasting and communications by telephone, line and cable; mobile communication services; music and radio broadcasting; transmission of radio programs; wireless communication services; transmission of digital information; communication services for receiving and exchange of information, messages, images and data in electronic form; electronic mail services; news agency services (transmission of news); electronic data display board services for information, messages, images and data; electronic bulletin board services (telecommunications services); provision and operation of electronic conferencing, discussion groups and chat rooms; provision of on-line forums; operating chat rooms; providing access to blogs, providing on-line chat rooms or discussions services; providing access to a blog, chat room, bulletin board or discussion services; providing access to an Internet discussion website; providing internet uses with space for personalized information such as blogs and journals concerning entertainment, music, concerts, video, radio, television, film, news, sports, games and cultural events; providing access to digital music websites on the internet; providing access to MP3 websites on the internet; delivery of digital music by telecommunications; operating search engines; transmission of news and current affairs information; advisory, information and consultancy services relating to all the aforesaid; all the aforesaid services also provided on-line from a computer database or via the global communications network

IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Audio and visual entertainment services; publication of sheet music; organization of competition for entertainment or education; organization and presentation of live performances; music composition services, music arrangement services, music production services; organization and production of shows; recording studio services; production of music, audio and video recordings; distribution (other than transportation) of music, audio and video recordings; promotions (entertainment); music publishing services, publishing of musical works, song publishing; operation of music schools; teaching of music; teaching of singing

IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: Providing on-line facilities, via a global computer network, to enable users to program the scheduling of audio, video, text and other multimedia content, including music, concerts, videos, radio, television, news, sports, games, cultural events, and entertainment-related programs; design, drawing and commissioned writing, all for the creation and compilation of web sites and web pages; creating and maintaining web sites and portals on the internet; hosting computer sites (websites); providing users with access time to electronic communications networks with means of identifying, locating, grouping, distributing, and managing data and links to third-party computer servers, computer processors and computer users; providing users with access time to electronic communications networks with means of identifying, locating, grouping, distributing, and managing data and links to third-party computer servers, computer processors and computer users; provision of access time to web-sites featuring multimedia materials; providing access to databases and directories via communications networks for obtaining data in the fields of music, video, film, books, television, games and sports; photographic research; advisory, information and consultancy services relating to all the aforesaid; all the aforesaid services also provided on-line from a computer database or via the global communications network
Mark Drawing Code (5) WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS IN STYLIZED FORM
Serial Number 77574281
Filing Date September 19, 2008
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) Creative Technology Ltd CORPORATION SINGAPORE Creative Resource 31 International Business Park Singapore SINGAPORE 609921
Attorney of Record Jorge Arciniega
Description of Mark Color is not claimed as a feature of the mark. The mark consists of the capital letter "Z" in a stylized script, followed by two lower case letters "i", with the stem of the second "i" inverted from the stem of the first "i".
Type of Mark TRADEMARK. SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

It's Atom-powered, of course, with 1GB memory and up to 32GB of SSD storage, and crazily jams in Korean wireless broadband WiBro, digital TV receivers, HSDPA, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Its touchscreen is a respectable 1024x600 pixels, and while the keyboard may challenge the fat-fingered, the machine can run XP, Vista or Linux. Skinny-fingered netbook fans will have to hold their horses though as there's no info on price or whether it'll make it over the Pacific. [Aving]

October 28, 2008, SAN JOSE, CA – DeviceVM, the maker of the award-winning Splashtop™ instant-on platform, announced that Splashtop is now shipping on the Lenovo IdeaPad S10e netbook, making it the first netbook product in the world to offer a true instant-on experience.

With Splashtop, IdeaPad S10e users can surf the web, check email, chat online or video conference seconds after turning on their netbooks, all without starting a traditional operating system. Splashtop is branded as Lenovo “QuickStart” on the IdeaPad S10e. The netbook is based on the Intel® Atom™ processor.

“We are thrilled to partner with Lenovo to bring instant-on capabilities to netbook users,” says Mark Lee, CEO and co-founder of DeviceVM. “Netbook users want an instant-on, instant-off, efficient and secure way to get online, and Splashtop is the perfect solution.”

“Lenovo is committed to bringing the best-in-class user experience to our customers,” said Sam Dusi, vice president, notebook product marketing, Lenovo. “We are excited about our agreement with DeviceVM, which will help us deliver an unparalleled Internet experience to our IdeaPad netbook customers.”

Splashtop has been shipping on millions of motherboards, notebooks, desktops, and nettops, and now for the first time on netbooks through partnership with Lenovo.

Four million Eee sales to date have pretty much secured the Eee's status at the top end of the netbook market, and Shen plans to see figures top five million by the end of this year. The original 7-inch display 700-series version looks like the main seller in these figures.

Shen also promised the EeeTop all-in-one machine will arrive this month, and it'll run XP in Easy Mode. The EeeStick for gaming is also on its way, and may come bundled with some games alongside the EeeBox, EeeTop and Eee PC. Where it's sold elsewhere it'll cost $50 to $100.

The Eee PC will also get a 10-inch screen model at some point in the future, but Shen said that that's where his company is drawing the line between netbooks and notebooks: the N10 was a specific attempt to create a full notebook with a 10-inch display, but future models will start at 11-inches, leaving the 10-inch and smaller range to netbook machines.

And though Shen wouldn't say whether the touchscreen Eee would follow a conventional or tablet form-factor, he did admit "We are considering both. We are considering a tablet one and also a different alternative and form but we cannot talk about the details. We plan to talk about it in Q1 of next year."

Watch this space. And head over to the Laptopmag link for the full details on the interview. [Laptopmag]

Secaucus, NJ, September 25, 2008 – Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of durable, reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers, today announced major updates to its business-rugged notebook computer line with the introduction of the thin-and-light F8 and upgrades to the tablet alternative T8 and the ultraportable W8 for road warriors, walking workers and mobile executives. 8 Series Toughbook mobile computers will also include the Gobi 3G mobile broadband (WWAN) solution from Qualcomm Inc. that allows connection to high-speed mobile Internet services offered by leading network operators virtually anywhere in the world.

These innovative business computing solutions are based on Panasonic’s more than fifteen years of engineering and manufacturing robust notebook computers that deliver the durability, reliability and connectivity essential to keeping government and business professionals working wherever and whenever they need to.

“The growing trend of portability in computers–lighter weight, longer battery life, advanced wireless capabilities–needs to be balanced by true durability,” said Daniel Longfield, industry analyst, mobile and wireless, Frost & Sullivan. “Highly mobile government, enterprise and small business users need reliable connectivity to drive continued productivity. Panasonic’s proven business-rugged notebooks enabled with Gobi address this requirement.”

The Panasonic Toughbook F8

Adding to the business-rugged basic concept of delivering lightweight and durable systems with long battery life, the new Toughbook® F8 is the world’s lightest 3G-ready notebook with a 14.1 inch wide display and an internal optical drive. Weighing 3.7 pounds, the Toughbook F8 has an integrated handle for maximum portability. The handle is tested to the same standard as the flagship rugged Toughbook 30 handle, which is used in the most extreme computing environments. With the Intel ® Core™ 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of RAM, bright widescreen LCD and a 160GB shock-mounted hard drive, the new F8 is the ideal tool for the road warrior who needs both an extremely portable and high performance PC.

“Panasonic Toughbook business-rugged notebooks are engineered for the truly mobile professional. We have designed these notebooks to offer industry-leading portability, durability and wireless connectivity–a necessary combination for today’s workers on the move,” said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. “Reliability is an issue that is coming into the mainstream with a lot of talk about computers being ‘rugged’. While many vendors appear to be making moves in the direction of improved durability, most business notebooks are still seeing annual failure rates in the double digits.”

“We believe users with demanding jobs should demand more from their PCs,” added Walls. “Panasonic leads the industry in reliability by engineering and building our notebooks to be durable from the inside-out. We add to that a three-year warranty and an around-the-clock US-based support team to give the highest possible return on investment and lowest total cost of ownership.”

A New Level of Performance and Wireless Flexibility
Built with the real-world challenges of today’s mobile user in mind, the Intel ® Core™ 2 Duo processor W8, T8 and F8 notebooks offer an ideal combination of the latest computing power, light weight (from 3. to 3.7 lbs) and long battery life—all protected by proven durability that is engineered throughout. Like all Toughbook notebooks, the business-rugged 8 Series notebooks have strong magnesium alloy cases and chassis, shock-mounted hard drives and LCDs, spill-resistant keyboards and flexible internal connectors for additional protection.

In addition, the 8 Series business-rugged products offer a range of embedded wireless options for anytime, anywhere connectivity, including 802.11a/b/g/draft-n and Bluetooth 2.0. The 8 Series will ship with optional embedded GobiTM 3G technology. Gobi-enabled products, along with Panasonic’s Carrier Selection Application (CSA) software and more than a decade of experience embedding wireless antennas in notebooks, allow seamless selection between mobile broadband carriers and simplified international roaming within a single embedded device. The Panasonic Toughbook 8 Series will be certified on all major networks worldwide, allowing workers to stay connected regardless of network availability in their current location and whether the network is using CDMA2000 EV-DO or HSPA/UMTS/GPRS technologies.

The Panasonic CSA will allow IT administrators maximum flexibility in the management of wireless notebooks. Gobi is designed to lower IT procurement, qualification, support and management costs.

Advanced Power Management
In order to optimally run the more powerful Intel processors in the small and lightweight 8 Series mobile PCs, engineers from Panasonic and Intel developed a proprietary implementation of Dynamic Power Performance Management technology, which dynamically controls key devices operation to find optimal balance between thermal limits and performance. The Hybrid Cooling System within the 8 Series incorporates a compact fan design as well as a user-adjustable fan utility to help manage fan speed based on ambient conditions and the performance required.

Real World Testing
In addition to performance, people on the go need a mobile computer that can survive the drops, bumps and spills associated with constant travel. The vast majority of business notebooks lack the brawn to survive a hectic travel schedule.

The new business-rugged Toughbook® notebooks are more durable than any other business notebook. The Mil-spec methodology outlines a procedure by which units are dropped onto plywood on 26 different sides, to test rugged performance on every corner, edge and surface. The 8 Series business-rugged Toughbook notebooks successfully survived drops of 12” for the unit itself and 30” for the shock-mounted hard drive. Additional Panasonic drop-testing requires that 8 Series notebooks survive a 30” (just over the typical height of a desk or table) drop to the base of the unit while it is operating.

The unique Panasonic spill-resistant keyboard design protects against liquid spills of about 6 ounces (200 cc), and both the lid and base of the notebooks are designed to withstand more than 220 lbs (100 Kg) of pressure. In addition, Panasonic’s commitment to quality—at both the component and finished goods level—results in a total of more than 500 checks and tests during and after production.

Business-Rugged Panasonic Toughbook Notebooks

Toughbook F8: Desktop Computer Capabilities in an Extremely Portable Package
The world’s lightest 3G-ready computer with a 14.1 inch wide display and internal optical drive, featuring an integrated handle, the Panasonic Toughbook F8 thin-and-light notebook weighs 3.7 pounds and delivers approximately 6 hours of battery life. The Toughbook F8 notebook includes a built-in DVD Multi drive, Intel® Core™ 2 Duo standard voltage processor, 1 GB SDRAM (expandable to 4GB) and 160 GB hard drive. The F8’s larger widescreen makes it suitable for presenting to small groups while still being portable enough for road warriors.

Panasonic Toughbook W8: Ultraportable Notebook for the Mobile Professional
The ultraportable Panasonic Toughbook W8 notebook, with its integrated DVD Multi drive, 12.1 inch anti-glare LCD, and weight of approximately 3 pounds, is ideal for mobile professionals. Equipped with an ultra-low voltage Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor, 1 GB SDRAM (expandable), 120 GB hard disk, and battery life of approximately 7 hours, the W8 is as useful on an airline tray table as it is in the board room.

Panasonic Toughbook T8: A lightweight Tablet PC Alternative
Designed with input from “walking workers,” the Toughbook T8 notebook is a tablet-alternative notebook with a touch screen, stylus and screen rotating software. The system features a 12.1 inch touch-screen LCD and convenient rubber hand strap. Equipped with an ultra-low voltage Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor, the 3.3 pound T8 provides an 120GB hard drive and 1 GB SDRAM (expandable) and delivers up to 7 hours of battery life, depending on operating environment.

Security Options Vital for Mission-Critical Computing
The Panasonic Toughbook 8 Series notebooks all provide significant data security features including trusted platform module (TPM) security chip v. 1.2, the Computrace theft protection agent in the BIOS, a cable lock slot, password security and an optional fingerprint scanner. The T8 was designed without an optical drive, enhancing data security in highly sensitive environments such as healthcare.

Superior Warranty, Support and Professional Services
Every Panasonic Toughbook notebook includes a standard three-year limited warranty and free access to 24/7/365 U.S.-based phone support for the entire life of the product. The Panasonic call center hold time averages less than one minute. In addition, in the unlikely event of a hardware-related failure, Panasonic covers the cost of overnight shipping to and from its national service center, where the average turnaround time for repairs is less than two days. Panasonic also offers a full range of professional services to support customers during and after deployment.

Pricing and Availability
The 8 Series Panasonic Toughbook notebooks will be available beginning in November 2008 at an estimated base street price of $2,099 (W8 and T8) and $2,499 (F8). All Toughbook notebooks can be purchased from authorized Panasonic Toughbook resellers nationwide. Please visit www.panasonic.com/toughbook for more information.

Detailed Product Features and Specifications*

Panasonic Toughbook F8
• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor SP9300, 2.26 GHz (6MB L2 cache, 1066 MHz FSB)
• 1GB DDR2 SDRAM standard, expandable to 4GB
• 160GB HDD, shock-mounted
• Integrated DVD Multi Drive
• 14.1" 1280 x 800 WXGA anti-glare TFT active matrix color LCD
• TPM Security Chip, v1.2
• Intel® WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/draft-n
• Genuine Windows Vista™ Business (with XP downgrade option)
• Dimensions: 9.9"(L) x 12.8"(W) x 1.0"/1.9" front/rear (H) (without protrusion)
• Weight: Approximately 3.7 lbs
• Battery life: Approximately 6 hours
• Wireless on-off switch (WWAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
• Bluetooth® v2.0 + EDR
• Optional integrated Gobi(TM) 3G global mobile Internet (EV-DO and HSPA)

Panasonic Toughbook W8
• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor SU9300, 1.20 GHz (3MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB)
• 1GB DDR2 SDRAM standard, expandable to 4GB
• 120GB HDD, shock-mounted
• Integrated DVD Multi drive
• 12.1" 1024 x 768 XGA anti-glare TFT active matrix color LCD
• TPM Security Chip v1.2
• Intel® WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/draft-n
• Genuine Windows Vista™ Business (with XP downgrade option)
• Dimensions: 8.4”(L) x 10.7" (W) x 1.4”/1.9” front/rear (H)
• Weight: Approximately 3.0 lbs
• Battery life: Approximately 7 hours
• Wireless on-off switch (WWAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
• Bluetooth® v2.0 + EDR
• Optional integrated Gobi(TM) 3G global mobile Internet (EV-DO and HSPA)

Panasonic Toughbook T8
• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor SU9300, 1.20 GHz (3MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB)
• 1GB DDR2 SDRAM standard, expandable to 4GB
• 120GB HDD, shock-mounted
• 12.1" 1024 x 768 XGA anti-glare TFT active matrix color LCD with touchscreen
• TPM Security Chip v1.2
• Intel® WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/draft-n
• Genuine Windows Vista™ Business (with XP downgrade option)
• Display Image Rotation software
• Dimensions: 8.4”(L) x 10.7" (W) x 1.4”/1.9” front/rear (H)
• Ergonomic rubber hand strap
• Weight: Approximately 3.3 lbs
• Battery life: Approximately 7 hours
• Wireless on-off switch (WWAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
• Bluetooth® v2.0 + EDR
• Optional integrated Gobi(TM) 3G global mobile Internet (EV-DO and HSPA)

[Panasonic]

The neatest bit (and most difficult to design) is that specific segments of the processor are arranged for optimum performance: timing delays and synchronization issues are thus minimized. Apparently it's the first 3D synchronization circuitry chip, and it's running at 1.4GHz. It's one possible future for chip tech (should we rename them "cubes"?) As the team leader puts it, horizontal fabbing tech is getting closer to its size limits, but "we're going to start scaling vertically, and that will never end." [HotHardware]

Brand: Dell Inspiron
Built-in Webcam: Yes
Card Reader: 3-in-1 Media card reader
Features of Product: Ultra mobile web experience. Consume your media where ever you are
Firewire: No
Graphics Shared: Intel integrated graphics
Hard Drive Size: 40GB
Hard Drive Type: 4.200 rpm
Laptop Colour: Black
Memory Size: 1GB
Memory Type: 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Number of USB Ports: 3 USB 2.0
Operating System: Linux Ubunto
Optical Drive Bluray Compatible: No
Optical Drive HD Compatible: No
Optical Drive Lightscribe Compatible: No
Output: VGA, RJ 45 10/100, headset, mic, 3 in 1 card reader
Processor: Intel Atom
Processor Bus: 533MHz
Processor Cache: 1MB
Processor Model Number: Z530
Processor Speed: 1.33 GHz
Product Dimension Length: 17.2
Product Height: 29.9 cm
Product Weight: 1.2 kg
Product Width: 29.9 cm
Remote Control Included: No
Screen Size: 12"
Screen Type: WXGA True life
TV Tuner: None
Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g
Wired Networking Port: Yes

Apparently due October 6th, it's on sale for the equivalent of $526. We'll just have to wait for word from Dell on the E-Slim to confirm if this is the same machine. Or wait to see Tesco take the link down, if this is a genuine leak. [Tesco Direct via Engadget]