They demonstrated power drain by playing a DVD on two identically configured ThinkPad T400s: one with Windows 7 (15.6 watts), the other with Windows Vista (20.5 watts). That could translate to about 1.4 hours of increased battery life.

The improvement comes through "timer coalescing", which lets one processor core sleep as long as possible if it's not needed.

The big gains should come when Intel's Arrandale (laptop Core i7/i5) chip hits later this year, possibly with Windows 7 on October 22. The dual-core processor (based on the 32nm Westmere shrink of Nehalem) is able to execute two threads per core.

So, yup, November is looking like a good time to pick up a new laptop. [PC Mag and PC World]

Like any other alarm clock with dock—compatible with iPod touch 2nd generation, iPod nano 1st to 4th generation, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod with video and iPod 4th generation—the iLuv iMM153 has built-in speakers and FM radio. Unlike other alarm clocks, however, the iMM153 comes with a small unit that will vibrate to wake you up. At $59.99, it doesn't look bad, but I will need to daisy-chain a few of those if I really want them to wake me up. [iLuv]

The Price: $40

The Verdict: Even at $10 less than Sony's Dual Shock 3, the Datel Wildfire is a pass. The controller actually feels decent in your hand, with an interesting pistol-like contour and a useful rubber texture. And its build quality is decent—it doesn't feel cheaper than a Dual Shock or SIXAXIS.

But the rumble isn't fantastic, the buttons are all a bit stiff and the altered, trigger-like position of L2/R2 buttons makes it a leap for your fingers to reach L1/L2 (similar to the Xbox 360, but exaggerated for the worse). I didn't notice any inherent lag or inaccuracies in either the analog sticks or the tilt sensitivity, but I found it hard to pull off any maneuver with laser speed. And additional turbo functions can do little to combat buttons that are hard to press quickly.

Plus, even though it plugs in via mini USB like official PS3 controllers, the Wildfire runs on AA batteries. Sony's integrated rechargeable lithium ion alone probably makes the $10 premium worth it.

Comfortable to hold

Bluetooth pairing was super easy, no dongle required

Stiff Controls

Awkward trigger placement

Mediocre rumble

AA batteries required
[TotalConsole]

• Better trackpad, audio, iSight, graphics, and modem drivers
• Apple Remote support in iTunes and WMP
• System tray icon for Boot Camp info
• Foreign language support
• Apple Software Update

We've been kind of holding out on loading Boot Camp because 1) we were happy running Vista elsewhere and didn't want to downgrade to XP, and 2) it sounded too much like physical exercise. Looks like it's time. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Apple]

Other features: FM radio, 1.3-megapixel camera, voice recorder, and FM radio. It doesn't appear to be available anywhere outside of Korea—when's the last time you had a KTFT-brand phone—but it is a cool idea for cellphone cowboys. – Jason Chen

one mobile phone with two different numbers [AVING via Mobile Mag]

The DLA-660 supports 16 different languages, so importing it for US use is possible. No pricing or availability yet. – Jason Chen

Delux DLA-660 [iMP3 via TechEBlog]

Oh, and it also kind of looks like a dong and costs $119.

Never change bits Drill : Dual Drill [Seihin-world]

Motorola E1000 Candy Bar Cellphone [MobileWhack]

Ergonomics comfort [DigiBuzz]