Gizmodo: packard bell

Computers: Happy 200th Birthday, Charles Darwin

John Mahoney — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:10:00 EST

Packard Bell (!?) Launches Gaming Desktop Line

Matt Hickey — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:12:00 EDT

Packard Bell—previously referred to as Packard Hell and Packard Smell—is diving head-first into the gaming PC market with the ipower X2.0, a gaming rig that features full customization at a decent price. It's aimed squarely at offerings from Acer and Ares. The Intel-based machines give customers their choice of ATI or Nvidia graphics, disk drives, audio options, TV tuners and other add-ons. In addition, the PC features advanced cooling, including a silent water cooling system. The boxes are expected for this holiday season at about $2000, and we're hoping they're nothing like the PBs of the past. [Trusted Reviews]

Lenovo is chatting with Packard Bell about...

kthompson — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:58:23 EDT

Lenovo is chatting with Packard Bell about a potential buyout to strengthen its position in the European market. Lenovo is currently the third-ranked PC vendor in the world. [New York Times]

Packard Bell Sold by NEC to the Chinese - Next Up, Derr?

Jason Chen — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:08:24 EDT

After NEC's selling off of Packard Bell to eMachines co-founder and Chinese entrepreneur Lap Shun Hui, the count of Chinese-owned PC manufacturers is now officially at two (the other is Lenovo). Then again, it's not like anybody has purchased a Packard Bell desktop since 1994, but this move may signal a re-entry into the market, possibly on the low, low, eMachine-low-end of desktop sales by a once dominant force.

Next up, Michaer Derr changes his name and sells his company, putting this lame joke out of commission for good. – Jason Chen

NEC Confirms Packard Bell Sale [Betanews via Slashgear]

Skype and Packard Bell Release First "Skype Edition" Notebook

Jason Chen — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 02:55:25 EDT

We haven't featured the Packard Bell brand of laptops much here on Giz since, well, they haven't done much worth mentioning—until now. Their Skype Edition notebook will have an integrated webcam on top of the screen along with a dedicated Skype button.

The value added of this button is that you'll be able to use it to answer incoming calls or bring up the Skype program to make an outgoing call. The laptop also has a 14-inch screen and is going for €899. Availability is limited to Europe, as Packard Bell's notebooks are number one in Belgium, France, the UK and the Netherlands. To us, the price sounds kind of steep just for a Skype branding and a Skype button. – Jason Chen

~~Packard Bell's press site is down, so no photos right now. We'll update when the site comes back.~~

Image is up.

Packard Bell & Skype Announce The World's First "Skype Edition" Notebook [Skype]

Packard Bell Store & Play

johnb — Wed, 31 May 2006 16:05:33 EDT

Packard Bell? They're still around? Apparently they are and they've just made something called the Store & Play, which is just a 50GB hard drive with card reader and multiple video and audio outs. It will cost about $120 and will be available next month. – John Biggs

Product Page [Packard Bell via TechDigest]

DAP Delights for August 26

johnb — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 16:18:26 EDT

Today's DAP headlines:

Rio Dead
Everything Else = iPod Knock Off
49 DAPs and an iPod Ain't One
...and more...
Plus
iPorn!

On a slightly somber note, D&M Holdings Inc. announced the closing of its child brand, Rio Audio, makers of the popular Karma and Carbon players. The Karma model was renowned for its unique audio features, like the seamless playback of tracks, and hundreds of Karma fans online were eager for a smaller, sleeker model with the same goodies as before. Alas, it was not meant to be.

Whatever you do, don't call your MP3 player, AC3 device or WMA-supporting unit a "DAP". No, the correct term would have to be "iPod knockoff". At least, that's what Bill Palmer from iPodGarage wants you to believe.

Why would you want be a South-Korean citizen? Is it the delicious food or the friendly, smiling people... maybe it has something to do with the funny shape of their peninsula? No. It's because some guys over there own 49 different DAPs. And that rules.

More MobiBlu madness for those who lust for it: next to the upcoming DAH-1800 (discussed in yesterday's DAP Delights), there's the DHH-200. Rather unexciting to look at—especially given MobiBlu's infamous reputation concerning dull promotional pictures. The DHH-200 comes with a 6GB hard drive plus a nice and big color LCD screen. It plays movies as well, supposedly.

Loving, caring parents have to face yet another vile threat from across the gulf of space: Porncasting. That's right, "X-rated" podcasts. Experts say it's likely that our kids will pick up erotically-flavored podcasts at some point in time. Their solution: don't tolerate porn on your kid's iPod. Make them burn it to DVD so the whole family can enjoy it.

Seriously, the S50 portable from Sirius Satellite Radio has been announced, with a due-date in September. While it does not support live satellite content, the S50 can grab and refresh content from three separate Sirius channels. Measuring 1.9 x 3.9 x .7 , it's definitely pocketable, though the 6 hour battery life could be better.

Then there's one of the classiest portable DVD players we've ever seen, the VP-110 from Japanese company Amadana. In addition to looking fabulous, it's pretty functional too, with its 10.2" LCD, touch panel controls, SD slot, and dual headphone jacks. The VP-110 also supports Mp3's, MPEG-4 videos, and JPEG pics on SD cards.

What's this? Packard Bell in the DAP game? The old PC manufacturers are still alive apparently, and pushing out a 20 GB player called the Vibe 500. Spec-wise the Vibe is not too shabby, sporting a 1.8 color LCD, recording features, and USB OTG. We may be calling this one Frankenstein in the months to come.

That's all for today, thanks for tuning in!