Laptops Arena

The next-generation of laptops from Nec will come with built-in hardware security against illegal access to the HDD, and the models included in the series are Versa M370, Versa P570 and Versa S970.

The advanced security system consists of the Trusted Platform Module security chip plus the corresponding encrypting disk drive and client management software.

With this new combination of high-end security technologies, large organizations’ laptops will have their stored data protected even in case of steal or lost.

Olivier Chevance, the Client Products Marketing Manager at NEC declared:
"With so many high-profile data breaches making headlines, securing sensitive information at the source - the laptop itself - is fast becoming a top priority for most organizations. That's why NEC Computers is providing its customers with the most advanced security and management available today within its Versa line of laptops."

In other words, the stored data is kept secure on a Technology Momentus FDE.2 full disk encryption hard drive based on DriveTrust technology, controlled via Wave's EMBASSY software.
The DriveTrust security platform uses automatic data protection methods permitting users to add applications for enhanced security, or even authentication hardware, such as biometrics and smart cards.

Referring at the Momentus 5400 FDE.2 2.5-inch hard disk that features AES encryption sais that "Theft of intellectual property, customer information and other precious content stored on laptops can cost organizations dearly in legal remedies, customer retention and reputation management. Seagate's Momentus 5400 FDE.2 hard drive with the Wave Systems management software enables NEC to deliver notebooks with the strongest, easiest to deploy security available so NEC customers can steer clear of these costly setbacks."

According to Acer’s statistics, the next year will bring to the top computer manufacturer company 20 billion dollars revenue from the future shipment of 20 million notebooks and 5.5 million desktop PCs.

Next year’s revenue means for Acer with 40% more increased revenue compared with 2007.
Acer’s Earnings Per Share will reach 0.22 US dollars, this according to a recent published report.

The latest statistics show that Acer is situated on the fifth place in the top laptop brands, although monthly revenues started to decrease since November.

The wooden imitation housing attracts many eyes and that’s why Asus decided to release another stylish eco-friendly notebook covered by laminated bamboo stripes.

Why bamboo? - Because this type of material is very flexible and resistant, inspiring something coming from the real nature.



"Originally we came out with a leather model style-book", declared Cher Chronis, the director of marketing communication at Asus Computer International, the Taipei-based company's US unit. "It was very popular. After that, it was kind of natural for us to experiment with other types of materials, so we decided to go green."

Still in testing phase, the bamboo notebook must first prove that it’s strong enough to resist at hard use and heat conditions, protecting the inside parts in the same time.



On the other hand, Roget Kay, the president of PC market researcher Endpoint Technologies Associates believes that "As part of a portfolio of case choices, it makes sense.”
“I don't think the computer is going to go over to wooden casing. It's ecological to grow it, but my sense is there's probably more show than substance to the claim of sustainable manufacturing", added Kay.

At the moment, the Eee PC from Asus is running on the Xandros Linux operating system and soon will ship also the Windows-based units too.

Until then, there is a new Linux-based operating system released for the Eee PC, called eeeXubuntu, which is a version of the known Xubuntu Linux 7.10 Live CD, but optimized for this notebook model.
You can download it from here.

The eeeXubuntu operating system comes with full hardware support for the notebook and includes native wireless drivers, Ethernet support, and many other fixes and enhancements.
Check the download page for more details about how to install the new OS.

This is the UPOP system, a combination of PDA and PMP running on Microsoft Windows CE 5.0 Professional, and measuring just 84 x 157.7 x 24.4 mm.
The model is available only in Asia at the moment but let’s see if it is worth welcome it on other continents too.

This UPOP Korean model came with a 4.8-inch TFT display at the 800x400 pixels resolution on which you can watch your Powerpoint, Excel, PDF and TXT documents from the Office software it comes with.
<-300x250 Medium Rectangle - center->
Also, the UPOP provides a built-in dictionary and a storage capacity from 30GB to 60GB with extra SD expansion.



It supports lots of video and audio file formats such as AVI, EMV, MPG, DAT, VOB, MP3, WMA, MP4, ACC, AC3, Ogg and WAV, to let you play anything on it.
The connectivity options include the Wi-Fi technology and for your video experience you get a DMB TV tuner type.