Wimos [Internet News and Bussines]

Apple’s latest-generation MacBook Pro systems may face the same material defect in their dedicated graphics hardware as encountered by earlier models, according to an investigation by the Inquirer. A dissection of the GeForce 9600M chip shows the part using the same non-eutectic (higher melting point) soldered contact bumps as the GeForce 8600M, suggesting the graphics hardware is prone to the same long-term heat damage risk as the GeForce 8400M and 8600M series chips, producing the blank screens and other video errors that have triggered recalls of previous MacBook Pro revisions as well as wider-still recalls by Dell, HP and others. (more…)

MSI is planning to join ASUS in the nettop field by taking a different approach, the company has confirmed through a French unveiling covered by Journal du Geek. The Windbox is deliberately given a slim, subtle black enclosure that MSI says is meant to be used for home theater PC duty; a VESA mount on one side lets it attach directly to the back of most HDTVs. The company also renders it noise-free by using passive heatsinks to cool the inside instead of fans. (more…)

Computer builder Dell has begun selling the UltraSharp 1909W, its latest LCD monitor. Measuring 19 inches in a 16:10 ratio, the screen supports resolutions up to 1440×900, with a a 5ms response time and brightness rated at 300cd/m2. Contrast is measured at only 1,000:1, and the viewing angle is limited to 160 degrees; a number of ports are provided however, including four for USB devices, one for VGA input, and another for DVI video. The last is HDCP-enabled for protected HD content. (more…)

Desktop and portable PC maker Lenovo on Tuesday reduced prices for its IdeaPad S-series range of netbooks by between $50 and $80, depending on model. The basic black or white IdeaPad S10s now cost $349 and sport 10.2-inch LED-backlit LCD screens along with Intel’s 1.6GHz Atom CPU. The custom-colored S10s have dropped from $439 to $359. (more…)

In order to lower the purchase price and therefore boost sales of its already well-selling Eee Box nettop, ASUS will introduce a version with an Intel Celeron CPU instead of the current Intel Atom, according to a Tuesday report. While clock speed drops from the Atom’s 1.6GHz to the Celeron’s 1.2GHz, the new Eee Box will get a larger hard-drive, bumping capacity to 120GB from 80GB. (more…)

NVIDIA is taking a cautious approach on netbooks and is unlikely to involve itself in that field anytime soon, company officials have said at the Credit Suisse technology conference. Company CFO Marv Burkett acknowledges that it could ultimately produce graphics chips and other hardware for the mini notebooks but is waiting for netbooks to “evolve” before taking any initial steps into the field, which was effectively born with the launch of the Eee PC 700 line late in 2007 and is just now gaining traction. (more…)