Computers Hardware

StarTech today released the SLIMDVDRW8U2, a compact burner for computer users with either ultraportable notebooks that lack optical drives or those who use the same drive for multiple systems. The Panasonic-made drive is originally built for notebooks and manages to stay travel-friendly, measuring only half an inch despite the new enclosure. Burning a single-layer DVD-R takes place at 8X speed, similar to faster notebook drives. Dual-layer discs burn at 4X while simpler DVD-RW and DVD-RAM discs burn at 6X and 5X respectively.

Like many portable hard drives, the StarTech drive is powered entirely from its USB 2.0 connection instead of through a separate AC adapter; it also uses a tray-loading mechanism that will read the mini CDs and DVDs used by some camcorders and other devices.

The slim DVD drive supports virtually any Mac or Windows PC and should already be shipping to online stores today with a $155 price tag.  [via]

Eizo announced a trio of large LCDs targeting both the home and business crowds. Headlining the collection is the HD2451W. Reflected in its name, the 24-inch display focuses on receiving HD content: the screen is one of the first for computers that ships with dual HDMI inputs, allowing multiple sources such as HD DVD players or game consoles to connect and display at a native 1080p. Other sources can attach through a DVI port with HDCP encryption as well as VGA, RCA, and S-video. The display can de-interlace 1080i images while maintaining a contrast ratio as high as 3,000:1, Eizo says. Static contrast is measured at 1,000:1. Response times are said to be quick, averaging 6ms but never venturing beyond 16ms.

Simpler displays also make their appearance today. At the same size as the HD2451W, the S2431W cuts away the TV-related inputs in favor of a pivoting display for tall documents. The 20-inch S2031W also includes a swiveling display as well as a lower 1680x1050 resolution, 900:1 static contrast, and a slightly reduced average 8ms pixel response.

Such technological convergence was sure to foster devices that fall in the middle, able to suit both business and personal needs, and Iomega’s solution for this market is the StorCenter Pro 150d.

The first thing one does upon unpacking the StoreCenter 150d is unlocking the front panel and removing a protective foam insert, thereby revealing the four drive holders. Two front-panel USB ports and a power button are seen below the door opening.

Our 1TB StorCenter Pro sample uses four Seagate 7200.10 250GB drives on easy sliding racks, which connect internally to a hot-swappable controller.

This design allows for on-the-fly rebuilds without having to power off, should any of these rugged disks fail unexpectedly. (However, it should be noted that Iomega doesn’t actually sell any replacement disks through its online store, which shouldn’t pose much of a nuisance for most users.)

MOXA launches the Isolated Quad Band OnCell G2150I Industrial GSM/GPRS Modem. The OnCell G2150I comes equipped with isolated RS-232 or RS-422/485 interfaces, making it ideal for building a remote cabinet or remote telemetry application in the harsh environments.

The OnCell G2150I is designed especially for industrial grade demanding applications such as Automatic Meter Reading, Intelligent Transportation System, Information Display Panels, and Environmental Monitoring System, which can benefit from a Cellular wireless infrastructure for the Total Cost of Ownership compare to land line PSTN or fiber optic communication system.

The OnCell G2150I is an isolated quad-band GSM/GPRS modem that transmits data and short messages (SMS) over GSM/GPRS mobile networks. It can be used to improve the efficiency of maintenance and communication, independent of operating skill.
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Micron is willing to change all this with their recent release of 1 Gigabit DDR2 DRAM chips that operate at 1066 Megabits per second.

Micron informs that these improved modules will primarily boost performance in data-intensive computing applications, such as video editing, 3D graphics renderings or high-end gaming. DDR2-1066 memory is said to offer as much as 33 percent speed improvement over DDR2-800 specifications, currently the industry’s fastest DDR2 speed available.

"The move to DDR2-1066 provides a significant increase in computing performance for our customers, without any necessary changes to the system design," said Brian Shirley, vice president of Micron’s memory group. "With DDR2-1066, the lifespan of today’s mainstream DDR2 systems can be extended." I really doubt the possibility of an extended lifespan for the DDR2 technology, as DDR3 memory modules are already available and in a couple of years may become mainstream.

For those of you who really care about specifications and technical stuff, here are several details on the new memory modules. First of all, Micron is proud to announce that the modules are manufactured with the aid of industry-leading 78-nanometer 6F² process. Micron even guarantees that their new memory chips operate at the JEDEC standard 1.8-volts, seeing that many other memory integrators do not really tune their modules to JEDEC specifications. Furthermore, the 1 Gb component density allows for modules in densities ranging from 512 MB to 2 GB (will we ever see 4GB densities form Micron?). In order to ensure a quick market penetration, Micron has already generated industry support for its DDR2-1066 components from leading chipset companies including AMD, VIA Technologies, and Silicon Integrated Systems Corporation (SiS).

Ultimately, Micron cared to mention that the 1 Gb DDR2-1066 components are now available for select customers and volume production is expected in the third quarter of 2007. [via]