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3GHz PCs on the way... Smart Displays arrive... Cheap HP notebook |
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Sylvia Carr Senior Editor, AnchorDesk Wednesday, November 13, 2002 |
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Intel's new Pentium 4 chip, which breaks the 3GHz barrier, is due out later this week. Close on its heels will be a slew of new, high-performance PCs that use it. PC makers such as Dell say they will offer 3GHz chips in high-end PCs as soon as the processors are available. But those systems won't be cheap. Dell's 3GHz P4 systems will start around $2,000; PCs with more advanced features, such as the latest graphics boards, DVD burners, and large displays, will run $3,000 and up. While those prices may seem high, they're less than you'd have paid for the first PCs with 1GHz Athlon and Pentium III chips; those sold for closer to $6,000. Though PC makers don't expect to sell loads of these high-end PCs, such systems are generally quite profitable, and help boost a PC maker's image.
Go to the full story by John G. Spooner.
The first hardware for Microsoft's Smart Displays software (previously known as Mira) is on its way. ViewSonic plans to start selling two portable displays running Windows CE for Smart Displays in the first quarter of 2003. The displays will include 802.11b support, which allows them to wirelessly communicate with a PC. This means that, using a stylus on the monitor's touch screen, you can surf the Web or send e-mail from nearly anywhere in your house or office. The one hitch? Price. ViewSonic's 10.4-inch monitor will sell for $999, while the 15-inch display will sell for $1,299. That's a lot to pay for a monitor, especially when you can get a pretty good notebook these days for the same amount.
Go to the full story by Richard Shim.
Hewlett-Packard is staking out some territory in the world of sub-$1,000 notebook computers. The PC maker has started selling the new Pavilion Ze4100 for $949; after a $100 rebate, the notebook costs only $849. Aimed at consumers and small businesses, the Ze4100 offers a 1.6GHz Intel Celeron processor, a 14.2-inch display, 128MB of RAM, a 20GB hard drive, and a CD-ROM drive. The system will be sold directly to consumers, and helps HP compete with Dell and Gateway, which both offer similarly inexpensive notebooks. With these low prices, PC makers hope to entice new notebook users who are leaving behind their desktops.
Go to the full story by John G. Spooner.
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