Posts Tagged ‘Windows 8’

IT Show 2013 promotions: Lenovo desktop, notebook and AIO computers

Thursday, March 7th, 2013

Lenovo will be at IT Show 2013 at Marina Bay Sands at Level 1, Booth 1321.

Click to view or download Lenovo promotions during IT Show 2013.

Click to view or download Lenovo promotions during IT Show 2013. Caution: Large PDF file – 2.7MB containing 8 flyers.

Check out their Lenovo’s complete range of desktops, All-in-one computers, notebooks, Ultrabooks, and convertibles in IT Show 2013.

The four star products are the IdeaPad Yoga 13, IdeaPad Z400, ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and the IdeaPad Y500.

Light and svelte Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, the Ultrabook workhorse for the mobile warrior.

Light and svelte Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, the Ultrabook workhorse for the mobile warrior.

Lenovo has many offerings for Windows 8 but if you’re looking for a Windows 7 machine, my favourite is the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, which I used when travelling in Kyushu, Japan in December.

It’s light, slim and the battery life lasts forever. It’s also svelte and fashionable!

New prices for Microsoft Windows 8 from February 2013

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013

Microsoft has released prices for Windows 8 after 31 January 2013 – when the current promotional prices expire.

The new prices are much higher, so if you’re planning on upgrading to Windows 8 – get it before the end of this month.

An auspicious 88 days for Windows 8. Click to enlarge.

An auspicious 88 days for Windows 8. Click to enlarge.

88 days have passed since the global launch of Windows 8, with 60 million licenses sold, (as of 8 January).

Since the opening of the Windows Store the number of apps has quadrupled and globally Microsoft recently passed the 100 million app download mark – just two months after general availability.

In Asia-Pacific, the number of locally-developed apps is currently being added to at a rate of 50 per day and the developer community itself has swelled by 82% since the October launch.

In Singapore, more than 4,000 developers have been trained to develop apps for Windows 8 since launch.

Below are the prices for the various upgrade editions for Windows 8 from 1 February 2013.

(more…)

New Windows tablet: Dell Latitude 10 Essentials Configuration

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013

Dell has unveiled a full-featured, enterprise-ready Windows 8 tablet for S$700 (32GB version) – ideal for schools and small businesses.

Dell Latitude 10 Essentials Configuration 64 GB (S$805) is available today while the 32 GB (S$699) version will be available later.

Dell Latitude 10 Essentials Configuration 64 GB (S$805) is available today while the 32 GB (S$699) version will be available later.

The new tablet brings ease and affordability to deploying, securing and managing tablets to budget-conscious organisations.

(more…)

CES 2013: ASUS unveils Transformer AiO PC and Qube Google TV

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

The Transformer AiO PC runs on Windows 8 and has an integral Android tablet that can be detached, while the Qube Google TV media streamer is an entertainment device with voice search and motion control.

Also unveiled were two premium monitors and a pocket router.

ASUS has unveiled a number of new innovative products during CES 2013.

ASUS has unveiled a number of new innovative products during CES 2013.

The Transformer AiO has an 18.4-inch display that doubles as a standalone tablet.

The two monitors are the PA249Q ProArt and VG248QE Fast Gaming monitors, while the WL-330NUL Pocket Router is the world’s smallest router that gives easy wireless connectivity to travelers.

In fact, the pocket router would have been exactly what I needed during my recent trip to Japan because the super-thin Ultrabook that I’d brought along didn’t have an Ethernet port and some hotel rooms had wired Internet access but no Wi-Fi.

Below are more details of the new gizmos.

(more…)

TODAY! ASUS TAICHI notebook/tablet hybrid available in Singapore

Thursday, January 3rd, 2013

The new ASUS convertible Ultrabook – featuring a display on either side of its cover – is available in Singapore from today for S$2,698.

The ASUS TAICHI tablet-cum-Ultrabook convertible has two screens - one on either side of the cover. Available from today in Singapore for S$2,698.

The ASUS TAICHI tablet-cum-Ultrabook convertible has two screens – one on either side of the cover. Available from today in Singapore for S$2,698.

The 11.6-inch Ultrabook runs on Windows 8 and features a 3rd generation Intel Core i7 processor and two back-to-back Full High Definition (FHD) IPS screens.

(more…)

Review: ASUS ROG TYTAN CG8480 Windows 8 gaming desktop PC

Tuesday, December 18th, 2012

The new Republic of Gamers gaming desktop PCs from ASUS ship with the latest Windows 8 loaded and the quad-core Intel Core i7-3770K processor with Turbo Gear offers one-click overclock without rebooting.

The DEFCON light of the ASUS TYTAN ROG CG8480 changes from blue to red when overclocked.

The DEFCON light of the ASUS TYTAN ROG CG8480 changes from blue to red when overclocked.

Launched in October, the ROG CG8480 (S$2,250 without monitor) is a fully loaded gaming machine packed with superb performance.

The rear of the ROG CG8480.

The rear of the ROG CG8480.

The overclocked performance was stable throughout the time that I tried out the gaming desktop.

In particular, I like the subtle lighting which changes from the usual blue to red when the machine is overclocked.

The full 4-core CPU can be instantly overclocked – without rebooting – to hit a top speed of 4.2 GHz in Turbo Gear extreme mode. The other 2 speed modes are the startup Startup mode at 3.8GHz and Turbo Gear mode at 4.0GHz.

Gameplay was smooth with the 16GB RAM and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 2GB GDDR5 graphics card, which is capable of supporting up to four monitors (I set up mine with two), with the option to game in NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround for selected models.

The 128GB SATA3 SSD makes data access so much faster than generic hard disk drives. It can support up to 6TB SATA 6Gb/s Hard Drive (7200RPM).

What I like is there're plenty of sockets/ports in front and at the rear of the ROG CG8480.

What I like is there’re plenty of sockets/ports in front and at the rear of the ROG CG8480.

Cooling was efficient with its well-ventilated chassis and airflow. Check out the detailed tech specs of the ASUS TYTAN ROG CG8480 gaming desktop PC here.

ASUS claims that the Xonar Phoebus audio card powered by ROG Command technology can deliver up to 50% ambient noise reduction. I found the audio sounded terrific with the Dolby surround enhancements.

Superb performance at an affordable price-tag, just right for the avid gamer who doesn’t have the time, or finds it too tiresome to build his gaming desktop from scratch.

Other new models in the ROG line of gaming desktop PCs include the CG8890 and CG8580.

New Windows 8 Ultrabook: Fujitsu LIFEBOOK CH702 in Dec 2012 (S$2,388)

Monday, November 12th, 2012

Fujitsu has introduced the new Windows 8 LIFEBOOK CH702 for the Asia Pacific region. The Ultrabook will be available in early December for S$2,388 (incl GST), in white,  pink and brown.

The Fujitsu LIFEBOOK CH702 comes with stylish design and accessories.

The Fujitsu LIFEBOOK CH702 comes with stylish design and accessories.

The new Fujitsu LIFEBOOK CH702 comes with stylishly designed accessories which include a matching wireless mouse, a set of PC case and pouch, and an elegant, slim adapter.

Fujitsu LIFEBOOK CH702 runs Windows 8

Fujitsu LIFEBOOK CH702 runs Windows 8

The Ultrabook comes with the 3rd Generation Intel Corei5 processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology and the latest Windows 8 operating system to provide an efficient and powerful performance machine.

The 13.3-inch Ultrabook weighs approximately 1.45kg and is 17.5mm thick.

Boasting more than 7 hours of battery lifespan, the laptop is powered to provide full day usage for users on-the-go.

The CH702 is pre-installed with Fujitsu’s new proprietary software, Diary and Scrapbook.

Matching mouse colours with white, brown and pink.

Matching mouse colours with white, brown and pink.

These are convenient, fun and original applications that let users organise tasks, announce important updates, enhance photos, collate interesting information, and share on social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook.

“Customers are looking for design elegance without neglecting PC performance. This demographic is a big market for us,” said Mr. Lim Teck Sin, Vice President, Product Marketing and Engineering, Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.

Scrapbook stores and organises pictures and Web pages that users come across when they are browsing the internet.

The application allows users to create theme-based collages for saved content such as web captures.

Content can easily be managed and shared with friends as a digital scrapbook.

With Diary, users can create their very own journal by storing and organising Facebook and Twitter posts and downloaded photos.

PC case and pouch included.

PC case and pouch included. Images not to scale.

Incorporating stylish touches, the CH702 features a pearl-design power button, elegant keycap finish and a delicate, cubic zirconia embellishment.

Elegant, slim adapter

Elegant, slim adapter

The top casing has been constructed with an elegant gradation with gold trim, featuring a cubic zirconia embellished flip latch that allows users to easily open the display panel.

The power button is adorned with a pearl-like accent, and the power status LED and Caps Lock keys are decorated with a LED light with diamond-cut surface.

An exquisite gold ring frames each key on the keyboard, highlighting its elegant style.

In addition, the outtake and intake vents all feature a floral motif design.

Fujitsu LIFEBOOK CH702 Ultrabook

Fujitsu LIFEBOOK CH702 Ultrabook

Each CH702 comes with a matching wireless mouse that is shaped like a pretty compact powder case; a PC case and adapter pouch with pearl charm; and a slim, bejeweled AC adaptor.

Other accessories which users can purchase include the light and compact external Optical Disc Drive and USB/LAN adaptor for enhanced connectivity.

New Windows 8 convertibles: Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga, ThinkPad Tablet 2 and Twist

Tuesday, October 30th, 2012

Lenovo has announced four new convertible tablet/notebook hybrids designed for Windows 8 and Windows RT: the IdeaPad Yoga 13 Ultrabook (S$1,899, mid-Nov), Yoga 11 (S$1,199, early-Dec), ThinkPad Twist S230u (S$1,699, available today), and Tablet 2 (S$899, mid-Dec).

Both IdeaPads can be pre-ordered now.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 (left) and ThinkPad Twist S230u (right) in "Tent" mode, with the Twist and its swivel screen in the centre.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 (left) and ThinkPad Twist S230u (right) in “Tent” mode, with the Twist and its swivel screen in the centre.

The theme of the launch event at the National Library Building in Singapore was “Flip, Flex, Bend, Twist”, which describes the various ways in which you can manipulate the new convertible tablets.

Bend it like ... Yoga.

Bend it like … Beckham Yoga.

I played with the devices on display and found them responsive to the touch of the fingers.

I like the hinge design of the Yoga which allows the screen to be flipped 360 degrees onto itself to convert the Ultrabook into a flat tablet (and as a free-standing display enroute).

The 16.9mm thin Yoga 13 also felt light at only 1.54kg.

When the screen is flipped more than 180 degrees, the keyboard and trackpad is disabled to prevent accidental activation of these while holding the Yoga.

Below is a summary of the four new devices. All are Wi-Fi capable but only the Tablet 2 has an option for 3G.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 – S$1,899
This convertible Ultrabook can be flipped 360 degree to become a flat tablet.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 - S$1,899Boasting more than eight hours of battery life, its Motion Control technology enables users to use gestures to flip through photos, or use fingers on the ten-point multi-touch screen.

Specs: Windows 8, Intel Core i7 CPU, 13.3″ HD+ (1600×900) IPS display, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, 1.54kg, 16.9mm thick.

Lenovo is partnering with SingTel to offer an special edition of the IdeaPad Yoga 13 (priced at $1,799 with Intel Core i5 CPU ) with every sign up of SingTel 150Mbps Fibre BroadBand at $98 per month or 15Mbps Home BroadBand at $79.90 per month.

Available in mid-November. Can pre-order now.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 – S$1,199
The Yoga 11 claims to be the world’s slimmest multi-mode PC, measuring just 15.6 mm thin.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 - S$1,199Its slim design, 11.6-in screen and long 13 hour battery life make it a great convertible for mobility.

Specs: Windows RT, NVIDIA Tegra 3 CPU, 11.6″ HD (1366×768) IPS display, 2GB RAM, 64GB eMMC storage, 1.27kg, 15.6mm thick.

Available in early December. Can pre-order now.

ThinkPad Twist S230u – S$1,699
Another Ultrabook convertible with a twist.

ThinkPad Twist S230u - S$1,699This 12.5-inch powerhouse features up to Intel Core i7 CPU and is suitable for both business and personal use.

Specs: Windows 8 Pro, Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU, 12.5″ HD IPS display, up to 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 1.58kg, 20mm thick, 7 hours battery life.

The ThinkPad Twist S230u is available now.

ThinkPad Tablet 2 – S$899
ThinkPad Tablet 2 - S$899This tablet is designed for Windows 8 and powered by an Intel Atom processor.

The ThinkPad Tablet 2 supports 5-finger multi-finger touch, pen input or connection to the ThinkPad Tablet 2 keyboard and dock for a PC-like computing experience.

Both the Pen/Digitizer and keyboard are optional.

ThinkPad Tablet 2 - S$899The ThinkPad Tablet 2 includes a host of IT manageability, security and corporate-level service and support to help IT managers easily deploy in their business environments.

Specs: Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro, Intel Atom CPU, 10.1″ HD (1366×768) IPS display, up to 2GB RAM, 64GB SSD, up to 600g, 9.8mm thick.

Available in mid-December.

this WEEK in TECH – a selection of interesting events

Sunday, October 28th, 2012

Here’s a selection of interesting tech events happening this week (28 October – 3 November 2012). It is not an exhaustive list and represents only a sampling of events that gives a taste of the tech pulse in Singapore.

What are some of the more interesting tech events happening in Singapore this week?

What are some of the more interesting tech events happening in Singapore this week?

Lenovo is showing off its exciting lineup of convertible notebook/tablet hybrids for Windows 8 this week. I played with some of the models during the Windows 8 launch in Singapore last week, and they are amazing. Watch this space for the hands-on.

This week sees Microsoft move its focus from the launch of Windows 8 to the formal launch of Windows Phone 8, which shares a common core with its bigger sibling.

Will the Metro-based new smartphone operating system increase its market share from a meagre 3.5% (for the second quarter according to IDC).

Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android dominate with 17% and 68% respectively. Windows Phone 8 smartphones announced thus far include Nokia Lumia 920 and Lumia 820, HTC 8S and 8X, and Samsung ATIV S. We might actually see the HTC models showcased in Singapore this Friday!

Midweek, Brother is launching a new printer while A*STAR Data Storage Institute will show off the world’s thinnest 2.5-inch 5mm hybrid drive for consumer and business devices.

Oracle Day 2012: Simpor Ballroom, Level 4, Marina Bay Sands Exhibition and Convention Centre

For those interested in the latest trends in Cloud, Mobile, Social and Big Data, be sure to register for Oracle Day 2012 at Marina Bay Sands. Get the hottest updates on critical business drivers, meet Oracle experts and experience their latest technologies at the Demo booths.

And for photography buffs, the Singapore leg of Canon’s annual PhotoMarathon Asia 2012 takes place at the Marina Bay Sands this Saturday. To be guaranteed a participation slot do register online prior to the event.

Below is the events listing for the week.

(more…)

Microsoft Windows 8 General Availability: Singapore prices

Friday, October 26th, 2012

Microsoft Windows 8 has become available to consumers and businesses in 140 countries and 37 languages today. Here are the Singapore prices (valid until 31 January 2013) for upgrading or purchasing the new operating system. Promotional offers within.

Update (23 January, 2013):

These promotional prices are valid until 31 Jaunuary 2013. Microsoft has released the increased prices starting from 1 February 2013.

Windows 8 is now available to consumers and businesses around the world.

Windows 8 is now available to consumers and businesses around the world.

You can get Windows 8 bundled with new computers that you purchase; upgrade from existing Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP; or new installation.

Upgrade path Price Notes
Buy Windows 8 with device Varies Depends on device purchased.
Upgrade from Windows 7 (after 1 June 2012) S$17.99 Customers who bought a Windows 7 PC between 2 June 2012 and 31 January 2013 can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro here.
Upgrade from Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP (before 1 June 2012) S$49.99 For a limited time, customers who bought a Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP computer before 1 June 2012 can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro here.
Purchase a new packaged DVD from a participating retailer. S$89.99 Limited time Windows 8 Launch offer: get a FREE Canon PIXMA MP237 Printer worth S$79 while stocks last.