Microsoft is now readying the launch of their first Consumer Preview of Windows 8. The company is holding an even on the 29th of February in Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain for its launch.

Last year at September, Microsoft already launched the Developer preview of its upcoming OS. Microsoft is not using the word alpha, or even beta to describe the test cycle of the OS. The new build is aimed at the general public. The use of the word consumer heavily suggests that the preview is aimed at the general public.

This is still a pre-release version of the software. It will be available as a free download. It will likely to expire at some point after its installation. Of course, the preview version is gimped and there will be lots of features being omitted.

Microsoft is not relaying much about the features that could differentiate the Consumer Preview from the Developer Preview. The next release could include a number of apps including music apps, calendar and mail apps designed for the new Metro style user interface.

There are also computers running Windows 8 test builds on an ARM-based device at CES in January. It’s not clear if the Consumer Preview will support both ARM and x86 processors or it would still be restricted to computers with x86 chips like the Developer Preview.

Windows 8 is optimized to run on a wide range of devices that includes tablet, laptop and desktop computers. It has desktop-and-taskbar style mode which looks like Windows 7. However, the Metro user interface is the ones getting a lot of attention. It replaces the start menu with a start screen. It features tiles with lots of shortcuts to apps as well as the ability to show live updates such as weather, emails and others.

Source: Liliputing

Windows 8 Consumer Preview Available for Download this Coming February 29th is a post from: Eee PC

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MSI first gained recognition for a great build quality on the original MSI Wind. While this has failed to innovate and just use cheaper materials instead, many are wondering if the latest model, the MSI Wind U180, made the difference from the others.

The 10.1-inch device ships with a 1,024 x 600 native screen resolution. It runs on Intel dual-core Atom N2800 the with clock speed of 1.86GHz. The chip is supported by 1GB of memory and has a 320GB hard drive for storage.

Additional features include GMA 3650 integrated graphics, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, an Ethernet port as well as a 0.3 megapixel webcam. Buyers will also get a token chiclet keyboard, a built-in SD/MMC card reader, a six-cell battery and Windows 7 Starter as the operating system of choice.

The MSI Wind U180 is now available for pre-order in Germany.  With the specs mentioned above, it comes at the price of €349(around $451). Some may have second-thoughts on this since the MSI Wind netbooks haven’t changed for 3 years.

via netbooknews

MSI Wind U180 Cedar Trail Netbook Up For Pre-Order in Germany is a post from: Eee PC

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Micro-Star International  has completed the preparations for the shipping of the MSI Wind U180 Cedar Trail netbook. This goes with the collection of entry-level mobile personal computers.

There was no announcement or any actual effort to spread the word about this  device. However, with how sharply the popularity of netbooks has declined recently, this is possible. There is also the matter of MSI not having put any effort into changing much of the Wind series of netbooks, design-wise that is.

The new model is powered by Intel Atom N2800 dual-core CPU with a clock speed of 1.86 GHz. Its video capabilities are provided GMA (graphics media accelerator) 3650. Storage is 350 GB HDD, while a built-in SD/MMC card reader allows for interfacing with cards from photo cameras, phones, etc.

Other specifications include an Ethernet port, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, a 0.3 megapixel webcam and a 10.1-inch LCD with native resolution is 1,024 x 600 pixels. As for software, the MSI Wind W180 netbook is loaded with Microsoft’s Windows 7 Starter.

The price is of 349 Euro, which more or less translates into $451. Whether or not this sum is worth it for something that soon enough won’t have over Ultrabooks is for buyers to figure out. Everyone should just try and remember that even the first-generation Ultrabooks have gone down in price.

via softpedia

MSI Win U180 Cedar Trail Netbook Up for Sale is a post from: Eee PC

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With tablets being produced for every imaginable purpose and niche, the high-end computer manufacturer Alienware has been discussing the production of a gaming tablet.

A gaming tablet is a special kind of portable PC that has been equipped with internals of powerful specifications like a fast CPU and a good graphics card to cater the needs of mobile gamers.

An example of this is the Razer’s Project Fiona, which is a concept tablet with a 10.1-inch multi-touch screen, core i7 Ivy Bridge processor, multi-touch functionality and accelerometer, THX audio, Windows 8 or even Windows 9 with Android as an overlay and integrated controllers at the sides.

However, many, including Alienware are skeptical about gaming tablets because of several inherent difficulties in using a slate to provide a good gaming experience.

Relatively simple games like Angry Birds pose little complexity, because they only demand a touchscreen interface. But the tablet interface seems unsuitable for more complicated games, especially those based from PC games because of the troubled control keys. For these games, the accurate controls given by a keyboard and a mouse are still ideal.

Still, gaming tablets cannot be completely disregarded. For one, games created precisely for a tablet PC could be made fitting for gaming slate controls. Moreover, new technologies could be developed such as eye-tracking input along with better CPUs and graphics cards.

Less bulky alternatives to the controllers of Project Fiona could also be created. Nonetheless, for now, Alienware is not rushing to create this kind of gaming tablet.

via pocket-lint

Alienware to Produce a Gaming Tablet? is a post from: Eee PC

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Windows 8 on ARM may have kept the same desktop like the standard OS, regardless of the rumors that had suggested otherwise. In a blog post on Microsoft’s Windows 8 development site, some of Microsoft’s lead program managers make references to both desktop and Metro-style apps for system-on-a-chip (SoC) hardware.

Unofficial reports released late last year claimed that Microsoft was planning to do away with the traditional Windows desktop from the ARM edition and just let users utilize the touch-native Metro UI. Nevertheless, the sources did admit that the issue was contentious within the company,.

The blog post is positive on the challenges of running desktop apps on SoC hardware, which is said to require a new means to standby operation. Desktop apps “presented a tougher challenge” due to programming that grants access to all system resources while in the foreground, while no access when a traditional PC is asleep.

Other reports had suggested that Microsoft’s Office suite may not be reprogrammed like true Metro-style apps after the next major release arrives on the market. Sources claimed that the Office apps should run in a restricted desktop mode to optimize power consumption.

Besides the references to a Windows desktop on SoC devices, Microsoft has yet to explicitly confirm the particular details for ARM hardware.

via electronista

Windows 8 on ARM Preserves Traditional Desktop is a post from: Eee PC

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There is debate whether or not the ARM flavor of Windows 8 will support both the the desktop as well as the Metro-style apps. Some have claimed the apps would run but others disagree. Microsoft already hinted that the ARM hardware would offer a desktop mode for non-metro apps. Buried in a post about improving power efficiency, there was a blurry reference about both desktop and Metro-style apps running on the System on Chip (SoC) architectures. It seems that even well-known tech people have read that the desktop apps is working on an ARM-based Windows tablets. It makes sense since all of the SoC coverage has been focused on the new RISC chips inserted in new tablets and smartphones. Win8 and Windows Phone 8 had been rumored to share the same kernel. There is some inconsistency in the storyline though, Intel have its own SoC solutions thanks to Medfield, it simply could be a reference to the x86 chips.

Source: Engadget

Desktop Apps Might Run on ARM Architecture is a post from: Eee PC

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There are many rumors regarding the new Nokia tablet in the works. Recently, Mynokiablog has unveiled a new concept tablet called the Lumia Coffee Tab, which is a speculation of what the innovative tablet PC from the Finnish company would look like.

Inspired by the Nokia N9 Lumia 800, this dream tablet runs on a 1.4GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM and a choice among 16, 32 or 64 GB of internal memory.

It has a screen of 9.7-inche AMOLED clearback display with display resolution of 1280×800 pixels. It is also equipped with dual cameras. There is a rear-facing one with 8 MP at the top left corner of the back, to give the user convenience when using the slate in a landscape orientation. A 2 MP camera may be found at the front.

The Lumia Coffee Tab has Windows 8 tablet edition for its operating system. It is also capable of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity.

The concept tablet appears well-designed and could give some competition to popular Android tablets such as the Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab and the HTC Flyer.

Yet, even with accompanying product pictures of a glossy blue device with Nokia Purity in-earphones, it is still only a concept tab dreamed up by a user.

via tablet-news

Nokia Lumia Coffee Tab Concept Equipping Windows 8 is a post from: Eee PC

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With Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS dominating the tablet market, Microsoft tries to create an impact with its Windows 7 platform, while Windows 8 is also making a stir. Windows tablet PC maker Netbook Navigator has launched a new model with a 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N570 dual core processor. It is a Windows 7 powered tablet (choose from Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate versions) with a starting price of $499.99.

The base price includes a Netbook Navigator NAV10T tablet with a 10.1 inch, 1366 x 768 pixel capacitive pixel multitouch display, 2GB of DDR3 memory, and a 16GB solid state disk. You can configure the computer with up to 128GB of storage, a 3G option and a Windows 7 version of your choice.

The NAV10T has 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1, a 1.3MP front-facing camera, stereo speakers, 2 USB ports, a microSD card slot, and a SIM card slot. It also has a 3 cell battery and weighs 1.8 pounds.

Sources:  Liliputing, Ubergizmo

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The new Dell Inspiron I14RN-1228BK laptop is now on sale at Best Buy for $529.99.

This laptop offers a 2.30GHz Intel Core i3-2350M dual-core processor that has a 3MB cache. It is also enhanced by 4-way processing performance that makes it suitable for HD quality graphics.

This processor is integrated with Intel HD Graphics 3000 with a clock speed of 350 up to a Turbo Boost speed of 1150MHz. The operating system of choice is a Genuine Windows 64-bit 7 Home Premium. As well as it comes with Microsoft Office Starter 2010.

The Dell Inspiron I14RN-1228BK has a storage capacity of 500GB HDD Serial ATA with 5400rpm. It has a memory of 6 GB DDR3, which is expandable for up to 8 GB. It sports a 14-inch LED High Definition widescreen with True Life Technology and Intel Wireless Display.

For connectivity, this laptop offers Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030 networking, 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN, and Bluetooth. It is also equipped with a 1.0 Megapixel HD webcam and a multiformat DVDRW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support.

Among the ports available are HDMI output port, Headphone-out jack, Microphone-in jack, 3 USB 2.0 ports, an RJ45 LAN port, and a memory card reader. As well as it  supports SDXC, microSD, Memory Stick, Secure Digital, xD-Picture Card, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick PRO, and Secure Digital High Capacity as memory flash support.

Lastly, it is energy-efficient and qualified by Energy Star.

via laptops.techfresh

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A photo of an interesting new device called the Nokia Champagne has been circulating around the web. This then causes a lot of speculation with the  main question being asked of: what is it?

The photo, which was posted by someone called professeurthibault, shows a glossy curved device which appears to be a lid with a double bezel and a hinge. Online, this photo has earned the nickname of “Two Turkeys”, referring to a joint venture by Microsoft and Nokia.

Some speculate that it is a new Nokia tablet, since the company has been rumored to be preparing one in time for Nokia Connection 2012 this summer.

Others believe that it is simply a photo of the Nokia Booklet 3G, its mini-laptop released several years ago that is powered by Windows. The alleged photo of the Nokia Champagne has a design similar to the outer part of the screen of the Nokia Booklet 3G.

Still others think that it is a clamshell-type phone, or even a clamshell tablet that doubles as a notebook. While  some people compare it to the Asus Transformer Prime.

In any case, the photo did its job of generating curiosity online.

via tablet-news

Nokia Champagne: A Tablet or a Netbook? is a post from: Eee PC

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