<![CDATA[Gizmodo: fx]]> http://tags.gizmodo.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/gizmodo.com.png <![CDATA[Gizmodo: fx]]> http://gizmodo.com/tag/fx http://gizmodo.com/tag/fx <![CDATA[Brando's Portable Disco Lights Do it Psychedelically with Lasers]]> Laser beams plus funky light patterns plus party: sounds like a winning combo. It certainly looks that way for this Brando gadget: the green laser light spewing from it can be tweaked into a number of impressive patterns (diffraction grating, anyone?) And though it doesn't look like it reacts to music, the shifting, changing light-show it makes can only be described as psychedelic, with a dab of Matrix. It's mains-powered, just 3.1 x 2.8 x 1.2 inches in size and comes with a stand that looks ripe to be modded into a motor-powered platform. Costs $65. [Brando]

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<![CDATA[Gateway Budget Gaming Desktop Gets 45nm Quad-Core Refresh]]> It's been a few months since CES, so Gateway is rightly updating its FX budget gaming desktops with some fresher chips. Most notably, the FX7026 (more budget-y) and FX541 (more performance-y) are picking up Intel's mid-range Q9300 Core 2 Quad processor (which beat down AMD's top of the line Phenom X4 9850 quad in benchmarks). They both start at a little over a grand, so not bad deals—check the release for more details.

GATEWAY INTRODUCES NEW DESKTOP PCS; SEVERAL MODELS FEATURE FACTORY OVER-CLOCKED PROCESSORS AND GRAPHICS FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE

Gateway Offers One Model with Windows XP through its Direct Channel


IRVINE, Calif., May 6, 2008 - Gateway today introduced a range of new desktop PCs for retail and direct customers. Offering either AMD or Intel processors, leading technology and rich multimedia features, Gateway's new line up includes PCs for general home use, tech savvy enthusiasts and high-performance gamers. While most of the new products include Windows Vista, Gateway is still offering one model with Windows XP.

For those who prefer to purchase from their local retailer, Gateway has increased the performance of its value-based FX desktop, with the introduction of the FX7026. The newest generation PC in this line features a faster processor, over-clocked graphics, more memory and increased storage. Recently introduced at retail outlets nationwide, Gateway's line of FX PCs maximize gaming and digital media performance at a compelling price point. With widespread availability through the retail channel, the FX line takes the guess-work out of purchasing a gaming PC, bringing high-performance gaming within reach of most mainstream consumers.

Gateway has also refreshed its powerful GT Series of desktops, offering Quad-Core and Triple-Core processors, premium integrated graphics and up to 4GB of memory. GT Series PCs are designed for consumers managing digital media libraries, editing video and photos, or for online game playing.

For customers who prefer to purchase direct via phone or over the Internet, Gateway has refreshed and added several new models to its mainstream multimedia DX line as well as its flagship no-compromise FX Series of PCs.

"Our new line up includes something for everyone," said Steve Bulling, senior manager of desktops. "Regardless of cost or how they are going to be used, each one of these systems offers great technology that will enhance the computing experience. From the over-clocked graphics found in our value based FX7026 gaming PC to the availability of a powerful DX system with Windows XP, our customers have the ability to make choices that best fit their needs."

New Retail Systems Provide Rich Feature Set and Tremendous Value

Gateway FX7026 - Bringing High-Performance Gaming to the Masses
At just $1,099.99, the FX7026 challenges the specs and performance of systems costing almost twice as much. It features an Intel® Core(TM) 2 Quad processor Q9300, over-clocked NVIDIA® 8800GT graphics, an incredible 4GB of memory and a massive 640GB(1) hard drive. It is powerful enough to handle just about any graphic-intensive task, blazing through games and multimedia applications with ease.

Serious gamers, high-quality media creators and enthusiasts alike will be thrilled with the phenomenal performance of a 64-bit processor, 4GB of memory and Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-bit Edition. This combination packs a powerful punch for video, large database searches, multitasking, games and other programs that require complex calculations and a lot of memory. Further enhancing the computing experience, Windows Vista® Home Premium with Service Pack 1 includes quality improvements that help improve reliability, security and overall performance.

Gamers will especially appreciate the system's ability to deliver realistic 3D effects and ultra-fast system response and frame rates, making it an ideal system for playing the hottest games with DirectX®10 technology.

Gateway GT Series - Ideal for Multimedia Applications and Managing Digital Media
Gateway's GT Series of desktops offer intense power and plenty of memory, so consumers can blaze through applications and watch, listen, burn, play and download digital content without any compromise in performance.

The new GT Series models include the Gateway GT5670, GT5674, GT5676 and the GT5678. Depending on budget and needs, consumers can choose a system best suited to their requirements. With prices ranging from $549.99 to $849.99, the new models feature a range of leading technologies, including AMD Phenom(TM) Quad-Core or Triple Core Processors and 3GB or 4GB of memory, providing what it takes to stay productive, multitask with ease and manage digital media

Providing stellar realism to gaming and video playback, models include either integrated NVIDIA® GeForce® 6150SE or ATI Radeon(TM) HD 3200 graphics, which also provides DirectX® 10 support and HDMI output.

Two models offer Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-bit, giving the performance needed by serious gamers, high-quality media creators and enthusiasts who demand the most from digital media.

Compelling productivity features make it easy for consumers to be tech-savvy and get the most enjoyment out of their PC as possible.

With the 15-in-1 digital media card reader, photos can easily be transferred from a camera onto the PC. The integrated Smart Copy button instantly downloads the photos and organizes them into files.

The desktops are ideally suited for consumers who want to create personalized DVDs or CDs of their favorite photos or music for family or friends. Consumers can use the SuperMulti optical drive to burn content on any disc format, and then use the Labelflash(TM) technology(2) to laser-etch personalized images and text directly onto the discs.

With hard drive sizes ranging from 320GB to 750GB(1), there is ample storage for movies, photos and music files.

Pricing and Availability
The Gateway FX7026 Desktop and Gateway GT Series desktops are available now at leading retail outlets nationwide. Visit www.gateway.com/retail for additional information or to locate a store.

New Gateway FX541 and DX442 Desktops Provide Leading Technology

FX541 - An Extreme Machine for Serious Gamers
The FX541 is Gateway's fastest, most powerful desktop. Engineered for next-generation gaming and high-end applications and optimized for high-definition media, the FX541 Series delivers pure, raw quad-core power. Ideal for extreme gaming, digital content creation and advanced multitasking, it is designed for enthusiasts who want the latest in cutting-edge technology but don't want to spend a fortune.

The FX541 includes an NVIDIA SLI-capable motherboard, dual PCIe x16 slots with SLI support and dual Gigabit Ethernet for maximum online gaming performance. The FX541XT offers a factory over-clocked processor and runs dual NVIDIA 8800 GT factory limited warranted(3) over-clocked video cards in SLI mode for maximum performance.

Last but not least, the Gateway FX541 Series includes a 700 watt power supply, ensuring it can support any additional high-performance hardware or future expansion requirements.

Pricing and Availability
Some models in the new FX541 Series are available now direct from Gateway. Customers can visit www.gateway.com or call 1-800-GATEWAY for more information or to order a system. Prices range from $1,199.99 to $3,499.99.

DX442 - Cutting-Edge Technology at an Affordable Price
Gateway's mainstream multimedia desktop line, the Gateway® DX442, combines functionality and entertainment through a well rounded blend of features. The advanced
technology housed in these desktops allows consumers to listen to music while doing the family finances or editing video without experiencing a reduction in performance.

The models include an Intel Pentium Dual-Core, Intel Core 2 Duo or Intel Core 2 Quad processor. All use the Intel® G33 chipset with GMA X3100 Graphics, a 1333MHz Front-Side Bus and 800MHz memory support. Fast 2GB or 3GB of DDR2 memory ensures the system is responsive when handling multiple tasks, such as editing and managing digital photos, exploring demanding multimedia and games or running home office applications. The DX442XP includes the Windows XP Professional Edition operating system.

The smart case design provides easy access to media options used most, including front A/V inputs and a high-speed USB 2.0 15-in-1 media reader located near the top of the system. Available front video input makes it simple to transfer digital and analog video from camcorders.

Large 320GB or 500GB hard drives(1) are the perfect place to store treasured family photos, home videos and a music library. In addition, the PCs come with a multi-format DVD-RW and a DVD/CD-RW combo drive. The SuperMulti optical drive features Labelflash(TM) technology(2), for personalizing images and text directly onto discs.

Pricing and Availability
Some models in the DX Series are available now direct from Gateway. Customers can visit www.gateway.com or call 1-800-GATEWAY for more information or to order a system. Prices range from $549.99 to $999.99.

U.S. Based Telephone Technical Support
While many PC vendors go off-shore to save service costs, Gateway's telephone technical support for U.S. customers is 100-percent based in the United States. Customers are assured their calls are handled by knowledgeable, experienced, well-trained and dedicated support agents close to home(4).

Gateway Warranty, Service and Support
The new PCs are supported by the company's standard limited warranty options(4), but to help customers adopt and get the most out of Vista, Gateway recommends Answers by Gateway, which provides 24/7 telephone support for assistance with questions that go far beyond the system's standard limited warranty. For instance, Gateway's experts can help resolve most "how-to" questions about setting up e-mail or a home network, connecting a printer or transferring a home movie. They can also provide help with non-Gateway technology products, assisting with questions related to software, wireless networks, televisions, printers and digital cameras from most major manufacturers. This ensures Gateway customers are getting the most out of their Gateway PC and that their system works seamlessly with all of their consumer electronic equipment.

Additional service and support options are also available. Gateway's commitment to quality and reliability is evident in its award-winning line of PCs as well as in its exceptional service and support programs. The company's extensive online support center helps customers maximize their PC investment; it gives them easy access to customer support representatives and information on important issues such as warranties, technical issues and upgrading

About Gateway
Since its founding in 1985, Irvine, Calif.-based Gateway has been a technology pioneer, offering award-winning products and world-class service to customers worldwide. The company's value-based eMachines brand is sold exclusively by leading retailers, while the premium Gateway line is available at major retailers and over the web and phone. Gateway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Acer Inc., the world's third-largest PC company. See www.gateway.com for more information.

[Gateway]]]>
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<![CDATA[Gateway P-Series FX Edition P-171XL, P-171S and P-171X Gaming Notebooks Roll With 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS Graphics, HDMI and eSATA Ports]]> The Skinny: Not really known for their gaming wares, Gateway's FX Edition notebooks bring the fire with NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS graphics cards, HDMI out and eSATA ports, 17-inch WUXGA screen (1920x1200) displays, and HD DVD drive options. The top of the line P-171XL rocks a Core 2 Extreme X7900 proc, 3 gigs of RAM and dual 200GB HDs for $3k, which isn't bad on the price front. The Catch: The battery life in a phrase? It sucks balls.

GATEWAY'S FIRST FX EDITION NOTEBOOK IS A MOBILE MEDIA AND GAMING POWERHOUSE

Gateway extends attributes of its award-winning FX-Series desktop PCs to new notebook line to deliver leading-edge mobile performance at competitive prices

LAS VEGAS AND IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 7, 2008 — Gateway today debuts its new P-Series FX Edition notebooks, giving tech enthusiasts and gamers everything they need in a notebook PC without the price premium typically associated with such PCs. (See additional announcement today from Gateway regarding new FX desktops.)

Gateway's lauded "FX" line of desktop PCs for digital media, gaming and other advanced applications was the inspiration for the new "FX Edition" notebooks. Like Gateway's FX desktop line, the new P-Series FX Edition notebooks provide the outstanding performance and features that PC enthusiasts demand. The notebook line includes world-class technologies, such as the NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8800M GTS 512MB GDDR3 graphics solution, HDMI and ESATA ports, as well as a vibrant 17-inch display.

Gateway designed the P-Series FX Edition to be available with a range of technology and features at varied price points. So, while the new notebook line is ideal for demanding gamers and enthusiasts who want the latest technology, it will also be perfect for digital media hobbyists and casual PC game players.

"The first-rate features give the P-Series FX Edition notebooks the extra edge for everything from editing a video of a special vacation or playing the latest DirectX™ 10 games," said Todd Titera, Gateway's senior manager of mobile products. "And while enthusiasts and gamers will love the new notebooks, independent professionals such as photographers, designers and developers will appreciate that they can use the P-Series FX Edition's advanced technology and features to remain productive while away from the office."

The Gateway P-Series FX Edition will be available this week from Gateway and from Best Buy® retail stores.

Designed for Enthusiasts from the Inside Out

Delivering an impressively fast mobile gaming experience, the Gateway P-Series FX Edition utilizes the NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800M GTS graphics solution with 512MB of GDDR3 discrete video memory with DirectX™ 10 support to deliver outstanding performance typically found only on high-end desktop PCs. The new notebooks boast advanced performance technology. Most models come with an Intel® Core 2 Duo™ processor with Intel Centrino™ Mobile Technology. Gateway will sell its high-end configuration, the P-171XL FX Edition, direct to consumers with the latest in mobile PC processing - the Intel Mobile Extreme X7900 processor - which can be overclocked for even greater responsiveness. This model also features a HD-DVD drive (DVD-RW).

The new P-Series FX Edition notebook line has a large and vibrant 17-inch widescreen display, available either in WXGA+ (1440x900) or WUXGA (1920x1200) resolutions, depending on the model. The impressive display delivers stunning visuals on everything from productivity applications and digital media hobbies to ultra-realistic gaming.

In addition to being the ideal PC for gaming and digital media enthusiasts, the P-Series FX Edition also has the features needed for those in the arts, graphics, design and engineering fields, as well as those in financial industries such as accounting and economics. The notebook's large widescreen size and advanced graphics and processing technology make it the optimal notebook for viewing large and complex documents, digital renderings, graphics, drafting, schematics, video and spreadsheets. Further enhancing productivity, the notebook's widescreen design also makes room for a full-sized keyboard with a dedicated numeric keypad, so number entry is quick and easy.

The distinctive look and feel of the P-Series FX Edition notebook starts from its solid design. It's made with a high-impact finish that withstands the challenges of mobile computing. Emblazoned with a Copper Core "FX" on the cover and Copper Core keyboard profile accented with a dark metal surround, the P-Series FX Edition has a stand-out image that conveys its leading-edge capabilities.

Leading-Edge Technology for Mobile Computing

The Gateway P-Series FX Edition notebook line comes with the latest technology that makes it a mobile powerhouse. The HDMI media connection lets consumers connect their P-Series FX Edition notebook to a display device (TV, monitor) to view applications, games, digital media content, as well as high-definition video and audio through a single connection. Frequently-used audio and video functions such as play, stop, fast-forward, and rewind can be conveniently accessed via the stylish multimedia panel with precision-cut keys integrated into the keyboard surround. Plus, the P-Series FX Edition features high-definition audio for superb sound that can be easily controlled by the new touch-sensitive volume slide. Access to flash media is quick and easy thanks to the notebook's 5-in-1 media card reader.

The new P-Series FX Edition features the best in connectivity options. The notebooks come with an integrated web-cam and 802.11 Draft-N wireless so consumers can stay connected on the go to the Internet, via emails and with video conferencing. All models also come with Gigabit Ethernet for a fast network connection, while Bluetooth technology lets customers wirelessly connect to peripherals such as printers, mobile phones, keyboards and mice. The wireless connections can be turned off with a dedicated switch for power conservation or use on a plane.

The P-Series FX Edition notebooks include several additional features that provide customers with additional functionality. The eSATA port delivers an industry-leading fast connection to external storage devices. Select models feature an integrated fingerprint reader that can be used for user authentication, data protection and for banking passwords to password-provided websites, folders, documents and applications.

Configurations, Pricing and Availability

Gateway will sell the P-Series FX Edition through its direct channels at www.gateway.com and 1-800-GATEWAY.

The flagship model, the Gateway P-171XL FX Edition, comes with an Intel Core 2 Extreme X7900 processor, NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8800M GTS 512MB GDDR3, 17-inch WUXGA display (1920x1200), 3072MB of DDR2 SDRAM, 400GB(1) of storage (two 200GB 7200RPM SATA hard drives) and an HD-DVD player (DVD-RW). It is priced at $2,999.99 and will be available Jan. 10.

The Gateway P-171S FX Edition will be available with an Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 processor, NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8800M GTS 512MB GDDR3, 17-inch WXGA+ display, 3072MB of DDR2 SDRAM, a 250GB(1) 5400RPM SATA hard drive and a slot-load multi-format dual layer DVD-R/RW/DVD-RAM drive with LabelFlash™ technology(2) which lets users laser-burn scratch-resistant personalized images directly on CDs and DVDs. It is priced at $1,599.99 and will be available Jan. 10.

The Gateway P-171X FX Edition comes with the new Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 processor, NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8800M GTS 512MB GDDR3, 17-inch WUXGA display, 3072MB of DDR2 SDRAM, a 200GB(1) 7200RPM SATA hard drive and a slot-load multi-format dual layer DVD-R/RW/DVD-RAM drive with LabelFlash technology(2). It is priced at $1,999.99 and will be available Jan. 31.

In addition, the Gateway P-Series FX Edition will be available at Best Buy retail stores. The premier model, the Gateway P-6831FX, will be available beginning this weekend at the price of $1,349.99. It comes with the 17-inch WXGA+ display, NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8800M GTS 512MB GDDR3, an Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 processor, 3072MB of DDR2 SDRAM and a 250GB(1) 5400RPM SATA hard drive. The multi-format dual layer DVD-R/RW/DVD-RAM drive comes with LabelFlash technology(2).

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<![CDATA[Gateway FX7020 and FX540 Budget Gaming Desktops Hold Their Own]]> The Blurb: The FX7020 is a budget gamer desktop, coming in right around a grand with quad-core AMD Phenom setup, a 512MB NVIDIA 8800GT graphics card (which actually stacks up well to the at least doubly expensive 8800GTXs) and 3GB of RAM. The FX540 is their flagship w/ an SLi-ready motherboard, which explains the massive range for the sucker: $999 up to almost 4 grand, depending on whether you go with the GTs or GTXs and how many.. The Burn: The case is friggin' mugly.

GATEWAY INTRODUCES POWERFUL NEW FX SERIES DESKTOPS

The Gateway FX7020 makes extreme gaming affordable, while the high-performance FX540 takes the reins as Gateway's top-of-the-line multimedia desktop

LAS VEGAS AND IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 7, 2008 - Giving gamers a reason to type "w00t," Gateway today unveiled two new powerful FX Series desktops designed for extreme gaming and other high-performance, graphic-intensive multimedia applications. Gateway's new powerful FX Series desktops provide the raw power necessary for gamers to dominate the latest games and blaze through multi-threaded programs with unparalleled speed. (See additional announcement from Gateway today regarding its new P-Series FX Edition notebooks.)

The FX7020 is a value-based gaming power house costing close to $1,000 less than comparable systems. The high-performance FX540 brings several new leading technologies to the FX line, including NVIDIA SLI™ technology for powerful, elegant and super-rich graphics for games and other graphics-intensive applications.

Featuring AMD quad-core power and DirectX® 10 graphics, the Gateway FX7020 is powerful enough to handle just about any graphic-intensive task. With a compelling price point of just $1,099, it costs well below a comparable $2,000 system. With the introduction of a value-based desktop in its flagship FX computer line, Gateway brings high-performance gaming within reach of most mainstream consumers.

The Gateway FX540 Series is the next generation of Gateway's flagship no-compromise desktop line. Ideal for extreme gaming, digital content creation and advanced multitasking, it is designed for enthusiasts who want the latest in cutting-edge technology but don't want to spend a fortune.

"No matter what your budget or skill level is, Gateway's FX Series desktops include a range of choices that are both powerful and affordable," said Glenn Jystad, Senior Manager, Desktop Products, Gateway. "The FX line is designed for gaming, as well as digital photography and video editing, so customers know that no matter which system they ultimately choose in the line, it will be powerful enough to handle a wide variety of multimedia applications."

The Gateway FX7020 Brings Gaming to the Masses

Featuring quad core power, high-end graphics, a compelling price point and widespread availability through the retail channel, the FX7020 takes the guess-work out of purchasing a gaming PC.

"The Gateway FX7020 is certainly designed for those who take their gaming and content creation seriously," said Jystad, "but given its low price, it also allows a wider range of people to experience the thrill of modern PC gaming or to get involved with advanced photo, video and music applications."

Challenging the specs and performance of systems costing almost twice as much, the FX7020 features the most advanced AMD quad-core power and NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800GT graphics. The AMD Phenom™ Processor blazes through games and other multi-threaded programs with remarkable speed, while the NVIDIA® 8800GT graphics solution features 112 stream processors and ultra-fast frame rates to play the hottest DirectX®10 games with 512MB video memory in a single card. Combined with 3GB of memory, the FX7020 delivers incredible overall system speed, deftly handling multiple tasks, delivering rich demanding content and speedily running all applications.

Featuring a 400 watt power supply, the FX7020 can support additional high-performance hardware and future expansion requirements.

Rounding out its raw processing power is a combo standard definition (NTSC)/high definition (ATSC) TV Tuner with a Media Center remote control, so customers can watch and record live television. Rich 8-channel, 7.1 high-definition audio delivers a premium sound experience for viewing the latest games, online entertainment and DVD movies.

Customers with large photo and music libraries will appreciate the integrated Labelflash™ technology(1), which makes burning personalized discs quick and easy. Using the same laser that burns content onto discs, Labelflash™ can also burn unique, custom made labels directly onto DVDs and CDs. These high-resolution, transparent and scratch-resistant images do not require an external printer or paper labels.

The FX7020 boasts a slick, jet-black design with metallic keyboard, mouse and system accents and copper LED status lights.

Specifications

* AMD Phenom™ 9600 Processor (AMD LIVE!™) (operates at 2.3GHz; 2MB L3 cache; 3600MHz system bus)
* Windows Vista® Home Premium
* NVIDIA®GeForce®6150SE chipset
* NVIDIA® GeForce®8800GT (w/512MB on board memory)
* 3072MB DDR2 memory, dual channel
* 500GB SATA II (7200RPM, 16MB Cache)(2)
* 18x DVD±R/RW SuperMulti Drive featuring Labelflash™ technology
* High-performance 15-in-1 digital media card reader with Smart Copy button and integrated IR receiver
* 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 front; 4 rear)
* 8-Channel (7.1) high-definition audio
* Amplified stereo speakers (USB powered)
* Elite multimedia keyboard
* USB optical 2-button wheel mouse
*Analog/digital TV tuner w/ 3-D combo (PCIe)
*Gateway Portable Media Drive Bay
Pricing and Availability

The Gateway FX7020 Desktop will be available later this month for $1,099.99 at Gateway's retail partners. To locate a store, customers can visit http://www.gateway.com/retail.

Gateway FX540 Delivers the "w00t" Factor

Featuring the horsepower and technology to deliver a superior computing experience, the Gateway FX540 is the perfect desktop for extreme gaming, digital photography, video editing or managing large amounts of data, such as music and photo libraries.

"Recently crowned 'word of the year' by Merriam-Webster, w00t is an expression of joy coined by online gamers," said Jystad. If any product is worthy of a w00t, it's the blazingly fast Gateway FX540 and its leading technologies."

Gaming enthusiasts can play the most advanced games on high-resolution displays without sacrificing performance or breaking the bank. The FX540 brings several new leading technologies to the FX line, including:

·an NVIDIA SLI-capable motherboard

·dual PCIe x16 slots with SLI support

·the ability to run dual NVIDIA 8800 GT/GTX factory limited warranted(4) over-clocked video cards in SLI mode for the maximum performance

·support for 800MHz memory standard on select systems

·and dual Gigabit Ethernet for maximum online gaming performance

As an SLI-Ready PC, the FX540's NVIDIA nForce SLI motherboard and SLI-Ready graphics card give it the ability to be upgraded with a second graphics card. No other PC component upgrade can offer even close to the gaming performance boost gained from adding this second card. Gateway will offer several configurations, including a factory limited warranted(4) overclocked model. Furthering its appeal, the FX540 includes dual Gigabit Ethernet ports to eliminate network bottlenecks and improve performance when gaming online.

Last but not least, the Gateway FX540 Series includes a 700 watt power supply, ensuring it can support any additional high-performance hardware or future expansion requirements.

Pricing and Availability

The new FX540 Series will be available later this month direct from Gateway. Customers can visit www.gateway.com or call 1-800-GATEWAY for more information or to order a system. Prices range from $999.99 to $3,799.99 depending on model and configuration.

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<![CDATA[NIO 2|4 Digital Audio USB Interface Lets You Mix Your Tunes, Add Sound Effects]]> Bands on a budget might like this small, yet very capable, digital audio box from Novation that adds sound effects and connects to your PC via USB. The NIO 2|4 measures just 1.8 x 5.7 x 5.9 inches, but packs in four input sockets, four phono outs, two monitor headphone jacks and more than 10 latency-free sound effects. Deets, and a couple more pics, after the jump.

Nio%201b.jpgFor such a small box, the NIO 2|4 is pretty capable: the 2|4 bit in its name means "2 in, 4 out" (only two inputs can be used simultaneously) and the inputs include an XLR with phantom power alongside phono and TS jack, so you can choose between plugging in instruments or a CD source.

Its sound effects are applied via its "Direct FX" technology without, apparently, any noticeable sound delay. Effects include classics like reverb alongside simulations of the Ibanez Tube Screamer and Fender Twin Amp—so you're getting a pretty good effects box married to some basic mixing and options. The mixing and monitoring controls all look pretty standard, and are nicely laid out on the box top, which somehow manages not to look overcrowded. Niftily, it also does MIDI in/out and is bus-powered via USB, so you don't have to worry about power supplies.
Nio2.jpgThe Nio 2|4 ships with a bundle of software which includes over 1GB of free samples, and it plays nicely with Mac OSX Leopard and Windows XP, connecting via USB1.1. The pocket-friendly price is just $199.95.
[product page via zZounds]

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<![CDATA[ThermalTake BlueOrb FX CPU Fan Shows Temp, Noise Level]]> thermaltake2.jpgThermalTake's original BlueOrb has been a favorite for DIY PC builders, with its great cooling and relatively low noise level. How could ThermalTake improve on that gigantic design? How about by putting a spinning LED in there that displays the temperature and noise level?

On the performance side, this upgraded model does cool "a lot better than the stokc intel cooler", but isn't terribly quiet, and doesn't cool enough for overclocking. Plus, the temperature's only in Celcius and the decibel meter is only theoretical noise level, not an actual noise reading.

In the end we're not sure how practical displaying this info on the actual CPU fan is, but it sure is neat. Hit the jump for a video.

ThermalTake BlueOrb FX [DVHardware]

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<![CDATA[TV on Demand from FX and DirecTV]]>

Can't wait for Dennis Leary's next scathing performance on Rescue Me? Don't fret. Looks like DirecTV has bonded with FX and announced the ability to watch this show, as well as other FX faves such as The Shield, 24 to 48 hours before their network debut—all for just $3 each. Along with this news, which was spilled at CES, you'll also be able to watch five different shows from Fox, 6-7 days after they nationally air, for only $1. In March, DirecTV will add other shows from NBC, USA, Sci-Fi and Bravo to their $1 list as well. And all you'll need to get this is the new DirecTV PlusDVR.

DirecTV To Offer FX Shows Prior To Broadcast [TWICE]

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