Flashy new OS features could drain laptop batteries faster than XP, hardware vendors and analysts say.

Notebook PC users who upgrade to Microsoft's Windows Vista may have to disable some of the new operating system's flashy graphics features to avoid seeing a decrease in battery life compared to when running Windows XP.

In an overture to knowledge workers with wanderlust, Hewlett-Packard and Cingular have launched what they are claiming is the world's first notebook with built-in global 3G capabilities.

The HP Compaq nc6400 boasts a built-in Cingular Wireless UMTS/HSDPA module -- in plain English, hardware that lets the notebook connect to Cingular's global high-speed data network in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, and much of Asia, with more than two dozen countries in all.

PC maker competes with Sony and Toshiba on hi-def video on notebooks.

Dell today added Blu-ray disc capability to its notebook PC line, making an effort to compete with Sony and Toshiba in the growing market for mobile high-definition video platforms.

In addition to showing high-end movies and games, Dell's XPS M1710 notebook could serve as a central node to support digital entertainment throughout the home, the company said. Customers can save 50G bytes of either data or video on a single Blu-ray disc.

Company is targeting corporate users with lightweight wide-screen version of ThinkPad T60.

Making an effort to compete with Dell for business users, Lenovo has launched a wide-screen version of its ThinkPad line of notebook PCs.
 

Under its free Battery Exchange Program, Apple will replace the batteries for 15-inch MacBook Pro systems sold between February and May 2006. The batteries do not pose a safety hazard, so customers are allowed to use them until their replacements arrive.

Apple added a knowledge base article to its support website this weekend, announcing a worldwide "15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Exchange Program." The exchange program is for rechargable batteries that came with with 15-inch MacBook Pros sold between February 2006 and May 2006.

Changing the chip could lower the price, making it more appropriate for Samsung's target market of students, health-care workers and traveling businessmen

Samsung Electronics America Inc. plans to change the processor in its Q1 Ultra Mobile PC, replacing a chip from Intel Corp. with one from Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD), according to a published account.

A sneak peek suggests ultra portables from HP and Lenovo may challenge earlier thin notebook offerings.

New ultra portables in for review that are bound to appeal to users who value portability—but want it at a more affordable price.

A new wave of lightweight notebooks promises to be more livable for the road warrior, by offering more advanced features and built-in optical drives.

Among them are new entries from Lenovo and Toshiba, each of which announced on May 31 a new business-oriented notebook line built around a 12.1-inch wide screen and an internal optical drive. The new machines each weigh about 4 pounds.

Laptop with 13-inch wide screen runs on an Intel Core Duo processor.

Apple today announced immediate availability of its consumer Intel-based laptop, well in time for the back-to-school shopping season. Called the MacBook, this model equipped with a 13.3-inch wide screen and running on a Core Duo processor replaces the 12-inch G4 PowerBook and all iBooks.

Apple is making the MacBook available in black and white

Apple has moved closer to completing its shift to Intel chips used by its PC rivals. The company has launched new MacBook laptops to replace its previous consumer model, the iBook.

On Wednesday, Advanced Micro Devices launched a dual-core version of its mobile Turion chip, bringing its brand of dual-core technology to thin-and-light notebooks.
 
In addition, the company said it had begun shipping a mobile Sempron chip, upgraded to include 64-bit capabilities.

Take the power of the Intel Core Duo processor to go, starting at just $1099. Choose MacBook in black or white, both with a brilliant, 13.3-inch glossy widescreen display. Nearly one inch thin, 5.2 pounds, 100% perfect for anyone who wants power in an affordable package.

The latest Intel chips

Every MacBook offers the Intel Core Duo. Two processor cores engineered onto a single, power-efficient chip give extraordinary performance in a portable computer. In addition, Mac OS X knows how to keep both cores busy.

A value for money dual core notebook

The Travelmate TM4202 sits in the familiar Acer chassis; has a curved keyboard, rounded edges and a generally pleasant feel about it.

The 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo T2300 processor – a popular choice – is supported by 512MB of DDR Ram, which can be upgraded to 4GB.

Ever thought about designing the ultimate portable gaming computer? Chances are, Dell has done the work for you with the XPS M1710. Stuffed with all the newest components, the M1710 is sure to inspire envy -- and perhaps a little enmity too, as its price tag might be too steep for some.

The M1710 packs a 17-inch widescreen LCD with a superfine default resolution of 1,900 x 1,200 pixels. It is powered by a 1.83-GHz Intel Core Duo T2400 processor, among other high-quality components.

Toshiba Introduces First Laptop Capable of Playing Next-Generation, High-Definition DVDs

LOS ANGELES — Toshiba has introduced the first laptop capable of playing next-generation, high-definition DVDs.

The Qosmio G35-AV650 supports the HD DVD format, which Toshiba helped develop, and also plays standard DVDs. Its dual drive can write data onto both standard DVDs and dual-layer discs, which can store twice as much information.

Hewlett-Packard Unveils Laptops With Spiffier Designs As Well As More Powerful Processors

SAN JOSE — Following in the footsteps of rivals, Hewlett-Packard Co., the world's second-largest computer maker, unveiled laptops with spiffier designs as well as more powerful processors.

Sony Vaio FJ Series Notebook

In sizing up the merits of any new laptop computer, attention usually centers on power and portability. But a sleek, attractive design should never be discounted. Fortunately, Sony nails both function and form in its colorful FJ series of Vaio notebooks.