Laptops Arena

Porkythepig is not a trustful nickname but the Polish researcher who uses it has discovered several bugs in HP’s updating service that could be used to execute remote malicious code in order to get control over some HP and HP Compaq laptop models.

He demonstrated how the ActiveX control from the update service can be used to leave all affected laptops unbootable.
All this fuss comes from an update provided by HP to fix the flaws discovered in a patch-management program bundled with its PCs and peripherals.

The hacking attacks can easily block the systems and only those PCs that have restoring media have some chances to recover.

Secunia has rated this vulnerability as highly critical, and after intensive efforts, HP has published new instructions for the HP laptops’ users about how to run the Software Update in order to disable the ActiveX control.

HP Compaq 2710p is the latest convertible notebook coming from the company, dedicated to the business sector, and available in a few pre-configured models.



Combining the functionality of an ultra-light notebook with the easy-of-use of a slim tablet, the Compaq 2710p weights only 1.65kg and is just 28.2mm thin.
You have three operating systems options to choose from (Windows Vista Business, Windows XP Tablet PC or FreeDOS), an outdoor display panel for perfect viewability in sunlight, and a 2MP built-in webcam for your web conferences and VoIP.

The base features it comes with, include the 12.2-inch WXGA widescreen Illumi-Lite display, UWVA anti-glare with Digitizer; dual-microphone array, a DVD+/-RW optical drive integrated into the HP 2700 Ultra-Slim Expansion Base, the and an Ultra-Slim Battery.



HP believes that a business stylish notebook needs best software and best technologies to increase the productivity, and so it added Drive Encryption for HP ProtectTools, HP Night Light, HP DuraKeys for enhancing the reliability, and HP Broadband Wireless for the best connectivity.

The hardware part was also conceived to meet the requirements of any business person, and we can start with mentioning the two processor options: an Intel Core 2 Duo ULV Processor U7600 running at 1.2 GHz and the Intel Core 2 Duo ULV Processor U7500 at 1.06 GHz, with Mobile Intel GM965 chipset.

The models have from 1GB to 2GB of DDR2 SDRAM memory but you can add up to 4GB using the two available memory slots.
The internal storage can be a 60GB 4200 rpm SMART PATA but you can reach 100 GB or choose the 64GB SSD variant.
For the graphics, HP provides the Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 with 384 MB shared system memory and DirectX 9 support.



Connectivity features in this case are the Integrated Intel Gigabit Network Connection (10/100/1000 NIC), a 56K V.92 modem, Intel 802.11a/b/g draft n (Intel 802.11a/b/g or Broadcom 802.11a/b/g) and Bluetooth 2.0.
The Li-Ion battery is a 6-cel type of high capacity.

Pre-configured models available have prices ranging between $1,500 and $2,300, and you can see them here.

HP wants to expose a new range of notebooks with touch screens during the IT Month show in Taiwan this December.

According to Dennis Chen, personal systems group general manager at HP Taiwan, explained that HP took this direction because touch screen devices such as PDAs, handsets and laptops are to become the main market focus in 2008.

He also highlighted the fact that soon the desktop computers will also adopt this technology and HP needs to be prepared for that.
More than that, the company plans to face the low-cost market trends with new products, but it promises to remain focused on what counts most: the quality that people ask for, and not lower performance and fewer functions.

Also, in the first half of 2008, HP will launch a few UMPC devices.

It has always been nice to see how big companies are encouraging personalization of your digital products such as notebooks, by using skins.

The collaboration between Hewlett Packard and SkinIT resulted in HP notebooks with beautiful skins chosen from their own collection of designs covering games, fashion, sports and more, or you can use your own images by uploading them onto the website.

The materials used by SkinIT are from 3M Scotchprint, which provide durable, perfect image quality and easy removal options.
The realistic colors are obtained with the state-of-the-art digital printing technology, while the skins become easy removable after applying the 3M Comply Adhesive technology.

Start customizing!

HP finally confirmed the problems encountered at its Pavilion notebooks, series 6000 and 9000.

Apparently the issue comes from the built-in Wi-Fi that is not working, as some owners complained.
The cards are not detecting the network and it seemed that the affected machines are only those running with AMD and Windows Vista.

Silently, HP worked on the problem and released the solution passing by the furious comments coming from different posts.
A Bios update became available and also the instructions for resolving the issue.

Though, some owners of these models tried to fix this by themselves by replacing the Wi-Fi cards, and surprise!
It still didn’t work.
Things didn’t change with those that got that Bios update.
Until now, the two solutions that really worked were to replace the motherboard or to buy a new and different notebook.