AMD's 690G/V Series Chipset Preview and Benchmarks

Today marks the first product launch (AMD690) from the new and improved AMD (AMD+ATI). The AMD 690 series chipset represents the company's first joint effort at making a chipset that brings together the combined strengths of AMD CPU and platform technology features of the ATI Radeon X1250 GPU. The integrated graphics are based on the Radeon X700 core, but include several improvements that help beef up the X700 technology that was originally launched in 2004 exclusively on the discrete graphics market. By adding HDMI support and DVI outputs, the Radeon X1250 delivers the premium Windows Vista experience by allowing end users to enable features like the Aero user interface. By launching the AMD 690 series chipset it is clear that AMD has aimed this product at the mainstream market, which makes up more than 90% of the overall market according to recent data.

According to the trend chart shown above from Current Analysis, it seems that the sales of computers with discrete graphics are declining. The trend has been attributed to the high price premium that discrete graphics cards are sold at and improvements on integrated graphics cards. Now that Microsoft has finally released Windows Vista, many in the lower and mainstream markets will be looking to upgrade their systems in order to be able to use features available in the market today (HDMI, HDCP, DVI). Before today, the ATI Xpress 200 chipset was the leading ATI based platform that had integrated graphics. The graphics on the Xpress 200 were based on the Radeon X300 series, so by upgrading the graphics and CPU socket that is being used AMD is able to boost the performace of the entire platform.
Since this is AMD.ATI's first product launch since they merged companies it will be interesting to see how the motherboard makers adapt to the new company. AMD has been able to silence those concerns since twelve companies will be offering 690G/690V motherboards in the upcoming weeks.
Legit Reviews has recently been building and using several AMD Socket AM2 based chipsets in our media center computer and to be honest integrated graphics have become better since the last time we have taken a look at them. Read on to find out more about the AMD 690 chipset and to see how the AMD 690G stacks up against the NVIDIA GeForce 6150 and 6150 SE chipsets!

Via Legitreviews

Dell XPS 210 Small Desktop PC

Dell's XPS 210 is really just a minor update of the previous XPS 200 now with the Intel Core 2 Duo desktop processors. The problem is that the performance isn't that much higher than many more feature packed small form factors to necessarily justify the price.

Pros
Includes 19" LCD MonitorDell Premium Support IncludedConsBase Model Comes With CD-RW Combo Rather Than DVD BurnerDifficult to Upgrade

Description
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Dual Core Processor
1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
250GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
24x CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
Intel GMA 3000 Integrated Graphics with Dell E197FP 19" LCD Monitor
Intel HDA Audio and 10W Stereo Speakers
10/100 Ethernet
Eight USB 2.0 and One FireWire Port
12.5" x 3.7" x 14.5"
Windows Vista Home Premium, MS Works 8, McAfee Security Center
Guide Review - Dell XPS 210 Small Desktop PC
2/22/07 – The Dell XPS 210 is really just a minor update over the previous XPS 200 small form factor PC system. The only real difference in the two systems is the processors offered with them. The new XPS 210 uses the Intel Core 2 Duo processors (E6300 to E6700, no Quad Core options). This gives a boost in the overall computing performance of the system, but many of the remaining issues with the XPS 200 still remain.
Storage is a mixed bag with the XPS 210. While the system does use a full sized 250GB desktop hard drive, Dell uses slower notebook style optical drives. The base system only comes with a 24x CD-RW/DVD combo drive rather than a DVD burner, something common even to the least expensive budget systems these days.
Dell's XPS line was geared towards performance computing, but the XPS 210 definitely is not built for gaming like the high end desktop models. The system comes default with the Intel GMA 3000 integrated graphics. This is fine for 2D graphics, but it has limited performance when it comes to gaming or the new Vista Aero interface. Dell offers an ATI Radeon X1300 Pro upgrade, but it still lacks performance for 3D gaming. On the plus side, Dell does offer the system with their 19” LCD monitor with upgrade options for their excellent widescreen monitor lineup.
Users wanting to upgrade the system after purchase maybe in in for a bit of a shock. The case design of the XPS 210 has not been improved over the previous X200. This leaves it difficult for users to install their own upgrades inside of the case. Of course, Dell does provide users with their Premium support options with all XPS systems.

Via about

Internet Radio Unshackled From The PC Thanks To WiFi

We love internet radio. Listening to obscure Peruvian talk radio is top of our bedtime routine, but quite frankly, who wants to sleep next to their PC? Not us, which is why the flood of WiFi radios hitting the market is cheering our hearts.
A WiFi radio is simply a standalone device that connects to your wireless network, or any available WiFi hotspot, and streams audio from the internet.
There are thousands of internet radio stations out there and the range on offer is simply dazzling. It makes DAB look positively scrawny in comparison.
Most WiFi radios (like their DAB cousins) are good looking devices. So far, the big consumer electronics manufacturers have not jumped on the bandwagon, which is why you will see offerings from specialist companies such as Acoustic Energy and Bush dominating the market.
The majority of radios can also connect to your PC and stream audio from the hard drive, making them mini media center extenders in effect. Watch out though, not many can use iTunes - the MagicBox Imp is an exception.
If you want to find out more about this exciting new medium, then Media Center PC World is pleased to announce the launch of our sister website WiFi Radio Review. Our little sibling will be focussing purely on internet radio and we are so confident that this is a market you will be dying to find out more about in months to come that we predict now that WiFi Radio Review won't stay our little sister for long.
DAB is no longer the king, long live WiFi Radio!

Via MCPCWorld

Intel Introduces Healthcare Tablet PC

Seems that Bill Gates wasn't kidding when he said Vista could be used to run critical hospital systems such as life support. Earlier this month when Gates was asked if he's trust Vista with his life, he responded, "... absolutely, Vista is the most secure operating system we’ve ever done, and if it’s administered properly, absolutely, it can be used to run a hospital or any kind of mission critical thing." Now its time to put this concept into reality.
Intel and Motion Computing, manufacturers of a wide array of tablet PCs, have jointly introduced the C5 Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA.) From appearance, it's a robust, tough as nails tablet PC that is designed to survive in a potentially abusive hospital environment. Intel provides the Core Solo processor, while Motion Computing manufactures the remaining critical components.
"The lightweight, spill-resistant, drop-tolerant and easily disinfected MCA allows nurses to access up-to-the-minute patient records and to document a patient's condition instantly, enhancing clinical workflow while reducing the staff's administrative workload."
Sounds like a terrific tablet PC, however don't expect to find this in your local NewEgg.com or BestBuy catalog anytime soon, as the MCA is designed solely for the health care market. Its introduction today is the culmination of nearly two years of field testing in hospitals in Singapore, the UK, and the United States. The specs?
For a lightweight and highly portable tablet PC, it packs a good punch. It touts a RFID scanner for reading bar codes, a 1.2 GHz Core Solo Processor, built-in WIFI, 512MB RAM (Upgradeable to 1.5GB max), 30GB HDD (60GB option), and last but not least, the choice between Microsoft Vista Business or XP Tablet PC edition.
Which operating system would you place your life in?

Via Slyck