tech stuff » laptop

Phoenix BIOSOS?

Cody Taylor — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:00:12 +0000

jhfry writes “An interesting development by an unexpected source, Phoenix Technologies is releasing a Linux based, virtualization enabled, BIOS based OS for computers. They implemented a full Linux distro right on the BIOS chips, and using integrated virtualization technology it ‘allows PCs and laptops to hot-switch between the main operating system, such as Windows, and the HyperSpace environment.’ So essentially they are ‘trying to create a new market using the ideas of a fast-booting, safe platform that people can work in, but remain outside of Windows.’”

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Apple Hires Former OLPC Security Director

Cody Taylor — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:00:10 +0000

imamac writes “It seems Apple is seeking to beef up security by hiring Ivan Krstic, the one-time director of security architecture at One Laptop per Child. ‘Krstic, a well-respected innovator who designed the Bitfrost security specification for the OLPC initiative, joined Cupertino this week and will work on core OS security. His hiring comes at a crucial time for a company that ties security to its marketing campaigns despite public knowledge that it’s rather trivial to launch exploits against the Mac.’”

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Dell launches "Della:" A 50’s Version of Dell for the Ladies

Cody Taylor — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:00:21 +0000

“Sounds silly, just as silly as Della is. Netbooks and laptops are presented as fashion statements, and the site’s ‘tech tips’ includes a feature, ‘Seven Unexpected Ways a Netbook Can Change Your Life,” which starts out by saying, “Once you get beyond how cute they are, you’ll find that netbooks can do a lot more than check your e-mail.’”

How to Make an Aluminum Laptop Stand for Only $8 [w/PICS]

Cody Taylor — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:00:19 +0000

We’ve always been keen on DIY laptop stands, but reader Aaron Kravitz—inspired by an attractive stand—went above and beyond, creating one of the most attractive DIY laptop stand we’ve featured to date. Here’s how he did it.

Apple responds to Microsoft’s Laptop Hunters… with a Megan

Cody Taylor — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:00:12 +0000

According to Apple, there aren’t any PCs with fast processors and big screens that work without viruses, crashes or headaches. But folks, this isn’t reality, this is advertising. In fact, this is Apple’s first jab since Microsoft took off the gloves with its Laptop Hunters series of pokes against Apple.

Apple, HP, Dell laptop owners sue Nvidia

Cody Taylor — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:00:22 +0000

Five owners of Apple, Dell and Hewlett-Packard laptops have combined their lawsuits against Nvidia in an attempt to make the company replace allegedly flawed processors, according to court documents. The five plaintiffs filed an amended complaint last week in San Francisco federal court that accused Nvidia of violating the consumer-protection laws.

New Microsoft ‘Laptop Hunter’ Commercial

Cody Taylor — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:00:17 +0000

Jennie’s on the hunt for a great laptop in her price range.

Microsoft’s latest ad: iTunes and iPod are crazy expensive

Cody Taylor — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:00:08 +0000

So much for Laptop Hunters. Did you know it costs ,000 to fill up your iPod?

Alienware Refusing Customers As Thieves

Cody Taylor — Sat, 09 May 2009 21:00:11 +0000

ChrisPaget writes “Thinking about buying Alienware (now owned by Dell)? Think again. After buying an almost-new Alienware laptop on eBay, I’ve spent the last week trying to get hold of a Smart Bay caddy to connect a second hard drive (about 0 for of bent metal). Four different Alienware teams have refused to even give me a price on this accessory, instead accusing me of stealing the machine since I didn’t buy it directly from their eBay store. They want me to persuade the eBay seller I did buy it from to add me as an authorized user of his Alienware account — they have no concept of ‘ownership transfer’ and instead assume that if you’re not in their system, you must be a thief.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

South Carolina To Give 1 Laptop Per School Child

Cody Taylor — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:00:05 +0000

ruphus13 sends in an OStatic article outlining the plans of the state of South Carolina, inspired by the One Laptop Per Child project, to provide laptops to local elementary school children. “The South Carolina Department of Education and the non-profit Palmetto Project have teamed up to get a laptop in the hands of every elementary school student in South Carolina… The OLPC/SC hopes to distribute as many as 50,000 laptops this spring to eligible students. The effort is underwritten and managed by the Palmetto Project, whose mission is to ‘put new and creative ideas to work in South Carolina.’ While low-performing school districts with limited resources are a special focus for the OLPC/SC, the group is adamant on one point: There are no free laptops. In order to receive a laptop, children need to give a small monetary donation — the project coordinators say a dollar or two is sufficient.”It’s not obvious from browsing around the OLPC/SC site what software the XO laptops will be running; but by following links one gets the impression that they will be powered by Linux, not XP.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.