Apple’s WWDC conference is live and the company has announced refreshed Macbook Air and MacBook Pro Lineup.
The Macbook Air will come with Ivy Bridge with 2GHz Core i7, with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz. The FaceTime camera is now 720p, the display on the 11-inch model now 1366 x 768 + Intel’s HD graphics 4000. The 13-incher will 1440 x 900 2 xUSB 3.0 ports
Prices will start at $999 for 11 inch basic.
Alongside the new Air, Apple has also unveiled the new Macbook Pro, again with Intel’s Ivy Bridge processors up to 2.7GHz quad Core i7s (turbo up to 3.7GHz), 8GB of RAM and have GeForce GT 650M-based graphics. According to Apple the graphics are 60% faster than last gen.
Intel on Tuesday launched a whole new range of Ultrabooks, along with their new 3rd Gen Core Processors. The new range of products are designed on their 22nm platform, with added benefits of better battery life, more flexible designs and light mobile ultrabooks. The new inbuilt features will offer more security and theft protection by allowing new services like remote locking.
Intel said devices such as Ultrabooks, powered by Ivy Bridge, would give consumers ability to play games, upload videos to the Internet and movies without purchasing expensive, separate graphics card.
[quote]Similar to introduction of Intel Centrino nearly a decade ago, this is a time of revolutionary change in personal computing
-Ms Debjani Ghosh, Managing Director, Sales and Marketing Group, Intel South Asia[/quote]
[quote]
We would see around 30 new designs coming which are touch-enabled and 10-12 designs which are convertible like sliders by end of this year. Sliders are designs that can be used as tablet as well as laptop.
-Mr Sandeep Aurora, Director Marketing, Intel South Asia
[/quote]
Though Intel has kept the cost of Ivy Bridge similar to that of Sandy Bridge, products such as Ultrabooks would remain as a niche product for at least next 12 months. Intel was also keen to mention that the staring SKU’s of the new ultrabooks would cost upwards of Rupees 50,000. But, the company is working closely with OEM manufacturers to bring pricing to the older time Centrino levels.
Samsung’s new series of Notebooks have started to arrive at the iGyaan office. The first one to show up is the NP530U4B-S02IN, and it looks pretty impressive. The overall design of the laptop/notebook is really sleek and lightweight, the outer shell is metallic aluminum, while the underside is made with fiber glass that’s light but resistant to wear and damage. With fast boot the computer boots-up in just 20 seconds while Fast Start wakes from sleep in 2 seconds.
The laptop boasts the new Samsung Series 5 ULTRA’s 35.56cm (14.0) HD SuperBright screen which is coated with an Anti Glare coating, with Image Enhancer technology and an AMD Radeon™ HD7550M (1GB) graphics processing unit.
The company claims a battery life of upto 6.5 hours of usage, but we will test it out in a real world environment.
HP has just announced 6 new Pavilion Laptops for its new Summer Sale period. A total of 6 new models for the dv4-dv6-dv7 , G6,-G7 and M6 versions with newer designs and hardware have been announced.
The dv4, dv6 and dv7
DV4 2012
The dv series is the high end offering with a more defined design and recessed keyboards for “optimum typing experience”, there are soft touch edges and a chrome trim around the trackpad. The machines all include the new Ivybridge Chipsets along with Nvidia discrete graphics. Beats audio is standard and the dv6 and dv7 will come with cool sense as the dv4 is left out.
Price Starting Rs 47,000/-
The G6 and G7
Pavilion-g6 2012
The same recessed keyboard design from the richer dv cousins, along with a glossy finish, some hardware tweaks including better battery management. The entry level laptops from HP mostly get aesthetic changes.
Price Starting Rs 27,000/-
The M6
The Ultrabook cousin for HP the new M6 is their slim laptop, offering a 15-inch thin-and-light version. All aluminum design and beats audio makes the offering seem worthwhile. Bot Intel and AMD chipset options should make a large variety for pricing, for which no information is available yet.
[toggle_box title=”Press Release” width=”560″]
HP Launches Consumer Notebook PCs Reflecting New Design Philosophy
Company also unveils web-connected e-All-in-One printer
SHANGHAI, May 9, 2012 – HP today unveiled HP Pavilion notebook PCs that include enhanced features and reflect the company’s new HP Mosaic design approach.
The company also unveiled the HP Photosmart 5520 e-All-in-One printer, featuring HP wireless direct printing and HP ePrint, enabling users to print from virtually anywhere.
– For stylish on-the-go computing, the HP Pavilion m6 is the ideal balance of mobility, performance and entertainment wrapped in a sleek, brushed silver aluminum design.
– The redesigned HP Pavilion dv-seriesandg-seriesnotebookPCsofferperformanceina simple yet distinct and colorful design.
– For users that want to balance affordable printing and brilliant quality at home, the HP Photosmart 5520 e-All-in-One is a compact, web-connected all-in-one printer for the home.
The new HP Mosaic design approach, reflected in its new HP Pavilion notebooks, is an extension of the company’s MUSE (materials, usability, sensory appeal and experience) design philosophy, introduced in May 2010.
The Mosaic design fuses together the multifaceted elements of MUSE, including rich colors, premium materials and purposeful shapes, to form one comprehensive design language that spans the consumer notebook portfolio. Similar to a mosaic art piece, each HP notebook series represents a small piece of the canvas that, when combined, builds into a beautiful picture of the HP product family.
“Featuring precise lines and tapered profiles, the new HP Pavilion notebook portfolio evokes dynamic energy and movement,” said Stacy Wolff, vice president, Design, Personal Systems Group, HP. “These notebooks utilize premium materials that are rich to the eye and to the touch, delivering unique sensory experiences.”
HP Pavilion m6-sized for life on the go
With a large display packed into a super-slim design, the HP Pavilion m6 is the notebook users will want with them all day. Movies and games come to life on the 15.6-inch diagonal LED backlit high-definition (HD) BrightView display, and rich audio is made possible with Beats Audio, dual speakers and subwoofer.
The brushed-aluminum HP Pavilion m6 can achieve up to eight hours of battery life and features the latest Intel and AMD processors, an optional backlit keyboard and discrete graphics for running the most demanding tasks without pauses or interruptions.
The HP Pavilion m6 is also loaded with HP innovations. HP CoolSense technology automatically adjusts performance and internal fan settings for a noticeably cooler PC, and HP ProtectSmart locks the hard drive to protect photos, music and memories in case the notebook is accidentally dropped. Optional HP SimplePass remembers passwords and provides easy access to online accounts with the swipe of a finger, and the HP TrueVision HD Webcam provides brighter and cleaner HD images.
HP Pavilion dv-series notebook PCs-powerful yet graceful
With a tapered chassis, slim top view and infinity waterfall edge-all inspired by kinetic energy-the new HP Pavilion dv6 and dv7 boast a metal finish, and the HP Pavilion dv4 is available in black licorice, linen white and carmine red.
Coupled with a soft-touch panel at the base of the display cover, the sleek HP Pavilion dv6 and dv7 conform comfortably to the hand, making the notebooks easy to hold.
A speaker bar integrated into the display enhances the HP dv-series’ Beats Audio experience, projecting audio directly toward the user.
The HP Pavilion dv6 and dv7 also include HP CoolSense, HP ProtectSmart, HP TrueVision HD Webcam and HP SimplePass.
Optional NVIDIA GeForce notebook graphics processing units also are available on the HP Pavilion dv line and help deliver amazing visual gaming and multimedia experiences. HP Pavilion g-series notebook PCs-simple yet distinct
The redesigned HP Pavilion g6 and g7 feature curved, beveled edges with elements of precision. A bowl-shape keyboard deck and textured touchpad further define the series’ distinct form.
The HP Pavilion g-series features audio that is enhanced with both design and functional elements. A chrome strip bordering the speaker serves as a visual cue for audio, while the exposed speaker bar provides great sound projection.
The HP Pavilion g-series will be available in ruby red, linen white, sparkling black, winter blue and bright purple. HP Photosmart 5520 e-All-in-One-print from any web-connected device
The HP Photosmart 5520 e-All-in-One enables users to print from wireless-enabled mobile devices-without a network-using HP wireless direct printing. It also offers the latest web-connected printing technologies, such as print apps from DreamWorks and Coupons.com, and HP ePrint, which enables users to print from virtually anywhere.
The printer has four individual ink cartridges that produce lab-quality photos, and it enables everyday documents to be scanned directly to email without a PC. ENERGY STAR® qualified, the HP Photosmart 5520 e-All-in-One helps conserve resources with automatic two-sided printing and copying.
Pricing and availability
– HP Pavilion m6 will be available this summer at BestBuy, BestBuy.com and HP Direct with pricing to be determined.
– HP Pavilion dv4, dv6 and dv7 are expected to be available in the United States on June 20 with starting prices of $549.99, $549.99 and $799.99, respectively.
– HP Pavilion g6 and g7 are expected to be available in the United States on July 25 with starting prices of $449.99 and $499.99, respectively.
– The Photosmart 5520 e-All-in-One is expected to be available in the United States in June for $99.
HP has announced four new Pavilion laptops for the new Ivy Bridge platform the dv4-5000, dv6-7000, dv7-6000 and g4-2000 (the G4 is still on Sandy Bridge).
The dv4 and dv6 have a 2.3GHz i7-3610QM processor with GeForce GT630M graphics impressive Beats Audio and 14-inch or 15.6-inch (1366 x 768) displays respectively.
The dv7 model up the ante with a 2.6GHZ i7-3720QM chip, GeForce GT 650M graphics and 17.3-inches of 1920 x 1080 screen. The g4 will stick to options of i3-2350M and i5-2450M Sandy Bridge, along with a 14inch screen.
Dell has announced that it will discontinue all focus and manufacture of Mini series and other Netbooks, their reason for doing this is the investment of the same effort in up ramping of Ultrabooks that seem to be the new rage in the Industry. Samsung had announced similar plans earlier last month, shifting their focus to Ultrabook. Dell has already discontinued the Streak tablets, now they have retired the netbooks. The netbooks appear to be missing from the Dell India site swell so it looks like a global deployment.
Apparently business/enterprise clients can still get the Mini for large scale orders.
The new X-Note Z330 is only 14.7mm (0.58-inches) in thickness, 1.21kg (2.67 pounds) in weight and has a SSD that makes it an extremely versatile machine. The Ultra-book comes with the Intel’s Core i5 and Core i7 options with 4GB of Ram and SSD b/w 120GB and 256GB. The portable computer will also include as standard HDMI and USB 3.0 along with Intel’s Widi for wireless streaming. Price for the lower Core i5 model is set at US $1500 in Korea (INR 75,000) and US$ 2400 for the Core i7 ( INR 1,20,000). Still Interested?
A whole new range of ultra books from HP reinforce their future in the domain. The new Folio notebooks/ultrabooks start at $900 and come standard with a 128GB mSATA SSD and a backlit keyboard. The battery life is estimated at 9 hours. The new Folio has a 13.3-inch (1366 x 768) display, TPM circuitry as an option and a Core i5-2467M processor, 4GB of RAM, a six-cell battery and HP’s CoolSense technology.It also has the now standard HDMI, Ethernet, USB 2.0 and 3.0, a memory card reader and a combined headphone / mic socket.
Its not as slender as the other competition, at 18mm at its thinner and wiggling in at 3.3 pounds this machine is fairly bulky.
HP Notebooks
[toggle title_open=”Press Release” title_closed=”Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]HP Unveils Its First Business Ultrabook, Offering Industry’s Best Battery Life HP Folio13 designed to bridge gap between professional and personal life PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 16, 2011 – HP today introduced its first business Ultrabook, which features a thin and light design, strong security options and a responsive solid state hard drive for the ultimate mobile experience.
The HP Folio13 also delivers up to 9.0 hours of battery life, the highest performance available among Ultrabook devices currently on the market.
With battery life to get you through the workday, users are no longer saddled with carrying power adapters to charge their notebook PC. Plus, a wide array of ports, including Ethernet, eliminates the need to carry dongles. Mobile professionals can now stay productive and get through their entire business day – from home to business and back home – with only the HP Folio13.
Measuring less than 18 millimeters thin and utilizing an ultraslim 13.3- inch diagonal high-definition (HD) BrightView display, the HP Folio13 weighs just 3.3 pounds. It combines the cool industrial design found on consumer products with the security and usability business users demand.
Powered by the latest Intel® Core processors, the HP Folio13 also includes Intel Rapid Start Technology, which gets your system up and running fast to help you save time.
The HP Folio13 includes a backlit keyboard for mobile users who work in low-light conditions. A full array of ports, including RJ-45 and USB 3.0, allows users greater flexibility to connect to the information they need. The HP Folio13 also includes a solid state drive (SSD) with 128 GB of storage for fast response times and increased reliability.
An optional TPM Embedded Security Chip protects data in email as well as information on the hard drive for security-conscious users.
The HP Folio13 features HP CoolSense technology, which uses advanced hardware and intelligent software for a noticeably cooler notebook. The notebook also includes an HP Imagepad for highly accurate, advanced multitouch gesture support.
Additional features include an HP TrueVision HD Webcam for brighter, cleaner HD images, and Dolby Advanced Audio.
The HP Folio13 also can be configured with a range of Microsoft Windows® 7 operating systems, including Windows 7 Professional. A three-year limited warranty is available through an optional HP Care Pack.
Users who need a desktop-like environment or additional audio, video, network and USB connectivity can connect the HP Folio13 to the optional HP USB 2.0 dock.
Pricing and availability The HP Folio13 is expected to be available on Dec. 7 with a starting price of $899.99.[/toggle]
Looks like Samsung likes disappointing willing buyers. So looking forward to owning one of these devices now, Samsung only intends to launch the new Samsung Series 3 laptops in Korea.
The 350U specs
1.5 kg
1.8 inches Thick /Thin
Core i5 sandy bridge
12.5 inch screen / anti-glare coating
8 hour usage time
The color options include Black, Silver and my favorite : Pink. Prices currently stand at 45,000. But Samsung India plans to launch similar laptops in India for the price of 35,000 INR.
Razer, nVidia and Intel have teamed up to create what they call the worlds first “True” gaming laptop.
Dubbed the “Blade”, the laptop is made with an aluminium body that’s only .88″ thick, weighs 3.2 Kgs and houses some pretty mean hardware. It features a 17″ 1920 x 1080 px LED display which is powered by an nVidia GPU and the latest generation Intel Core i7 processor.
The laptop also has a back-lit keyboard as well as Razer’s Switchblade interface which consists of ten programmable tactile keys and an LCD which doubles as a multi touch input and a display for in-game information when the system detects an external mouse being used. Each of the ten buttons can be programmed for in-game commands/actions and they can also be assigned an image which would be displayed on the in-built LCD.
It also features a HD web-cam and is expected to retail for around USD 2800 later in the year.
MSI has just dropped the gaming bomb and is sticking to it, the company already has the worlds fastest gaming laptop and now releases the new GE620DX
Specs Include
2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor
NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M
MSI Premium Sound and THX’s True Studio Pro
15.6-inch 1366 x 768 HD display
720p camera
HDMI out port and USB 3.0
GPU Boost feature
Along with the above specs the laptop is clad in a brushed metal aluminum finish and will go on sale sometime next month. No info on pricing.
[toggle title_open=”Collapse” title_closed=”Read The Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]MSI GE620DX Laptop Power plus performance, perfect for playing Wed, 27 Jul 2011
MSI just rolled out its new generation GE620DX gaming notebook computer with Intel Core i7-2630QM quad core processor, top-of-the-line nVidia GeForce GT 555M discrete graphics card, MSI Premium Sound, and THX TruStudio Pro wrap around sound. You’ll have so much fun gaming, a hundred orcs won’t be able to drag you away from your laptop.
Taipei-MSI has introduced its new GE620DX gaming laptop, featuring the Intel second generation Core i7-2630QM quad core processor (core speeds of 2.00GHz) and nVidia’s top-end GeForce GT 555M discrete graphics card. Not only does the GE620DX offer more powerful graphics performance and enhanced resolution, it supports nVidia’s PhysX and Microsoft’s DirectX 11 for great graphics with more detailed and convincing details, like cooler explosions and more realistic flowing water, to maximize your gaming pleasure.
Eric Kuo, associate vice president for global sales, MSI Notebook, points out that MSI’s superior Premium Sound and THX TruStudio Pro wrap around sound team up to offer you the perfect combination of sound and visuals for the ultimate multimedia experience. This gaming dream machine also boasts an exterior with awesome high tech lines. The letters “MSI” are emblazoned in the center of the GE620DX’ cover in luminescent white script which is set off by the metal brush finish. Not only is this machine a dream to play, it’s a dream to look at, too.
Power is the name of the game Intel 2nd generation Core i7 quad core CPU: The GE620DX features the latest Core i7-2630QM quad core processor with core speeds of 2.00GHz. The new generation Intel Core i7 processor supports Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 and Quick Sync Video. Intel’s Turbo Boost 2.0 greatly enhances performance in each core, automatically allocating processor resources to boost core clock speeds and overall computer performance, while Quick Sync Video revs up efficiency when ripping, synchronizing, and editing multimedia files.
nVidia’s high end GeForce GT 555M discrete graphics card: The GE620DX packs nVidia’s new generation GeForce GT 555M discrete graphics card with 2GB of display memory. The nVidia PhysX technology offers the serious gamer some seriously realistic visuals. In addition, the GE620DX supports DirectX 11 for higher resolution, allowing you to see, for example, details of distant buildings for more realistic gaming.
GPU Boost: The GE620DX laptop supports MSI GPU Boost technology which automatically switches back and forth between the discrete graphics card and the graphics chip. When your computer is processing graphics-heavy applications, it automatically kicks into the discrete graphics card mode to give you superior graphics processing capabilities and when performing general word processing tasks or browsing the Internet, it cuts to the power-sipping integrated graphics chip mode, striking the ideal balance between performance and battery life.
Realistic multimedia experience Top cinema-grade sound: The GE620DX comes with MSI’s Premium Sound to meet the need of even the most demanding audiophiles for crisp, clean sound. Now, you can experience sounds like you’ve never heard them before in an NB computer. The GE620DX also comes with THX TruStudio Pro smart surround sound technology previously found only in cinemas, which when coupled with its top-end internal speakers, reproduces any music type or frequency faithfully.
Cinema Pro technology: The GE620DX features powerful multimedia processing and MSI’s own Cinema Pro technology for superior graphics. One touch of the Cinema Pro hotkey instantly switches you to film mode for higher resolution and richer colors.
Full array of HD hardware: The MSI GE620DX sports a 720p webcam to give you high definition, smooth, bright pictures when video conferencing with friends and family. If you want something bigger than a high definition computer screen to view films, it comes with an HDMI port, so any type of high-fidelity, high-definition video can be played on your NB, but viewed via a cable on a large-screen LCD TV.
Designed with you in mind USB3.0: The GE620DX comes with new USB3.0 ports which boast transfer speeds of 4.8Gbps-10 times faster than USB2.0, and 80% higher power transmission, providing vastly higher data transfer rates and charging speeds for external hard drives, flash drives, and other handheld electronic devices.
Shortcuts to shut off power to idle hardware: Located above the GE620DX’ keyboard are six shortcuts. With one click of the mouse, you can eject a DVD, turn off the screen, or turn on the S-Bar, Turbo Battery+, Cinema Pro, or power, so don’t waste battery power when you’re away from your computer for a few minutes.
MSI S-Bar: Just one click of the GE620DX’ S-Bar hotkey calls up all functions onto the screen, so you can control everything from the webcam, projector, network, and Bluetooth to volume control, screen brightness, and standby mode.[/toggle]
Every now and again we find a product which we look at and go, “That’s cool, I want one”. Well the smart pebbles are one of those products. These colourful pebbles created by Korean designer Kijin Shin of Designmaxx provide a comfortable resting spot for your phone, tablet, laptop or any other device that you want. They can also be used as a wrist support while you’re using the mouse. To use the pebbles, simply press them in the center and you can then proceed to place your phone, laptop or tablet on them. The pebbles are available for 15 USD for a pair.
[toggle title_open=”Collapse” title_closed=”Expand The Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Apple Updates MacBook Air With Next Generation Processors, Thunderbolt I/O & Backlit Keyboard CUPERTINO, California-July 20, 2011-Apple® today updated the MacBook Air® with next generation processors, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology, a backlit keyboard and Mac OS® X Lion, the world’s most advanced operating system. With up to twice the performance of the previous generation, flash storage for instant-on responsiveness and a compact design so portable you can take it everywhere,* the MacBook Air starts at $999 (US) and is available for order today and in stores tomorrow.
“Portable, affordable and powerful, MacBook Air is the ultimate everyday notebook,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “MacBook Air features our most advanced technology and is an ideal match for Lion, especially with its new Multi-Touch gestures, full-screen apps, Mission Control and Mac App Store.”
MacBook Air is available in 11-inch and 13-inch models that easily slip into a briefcase, purse or bag. The MacBook Air’s durable aluminum unibody enclosure measures an incredibly thin 0.11-inches at its thinnest point and 0.68-inches at its thickest. Flash storage allows MacBook Air to turn on instantly and deliver fast data access, improved reliability and incredible energy efficiency. The 11-inch model weighs 2.38 pounds and provides up to 5 hours of battery life, while the 13-inch weighs 2.96 pounds and provides up to 7 hours of battery life.**
With the latest Intel Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors, the new MacBook Air is up to twice as fast as the previous generation and has all the power you need for editing photos and movies, making FaceTime® calls, playing games, and working with documents and presentations. MacBook Air also features Intel HD Graphics 3000 and offers up to 4GB of faster 1333 MHz memory.
Thunderbolt I/O technology provides expansion possibilities never before available to MacBook Air users. Through a single cable, users can connect to high performance peripherals and the new Apple Thunderbolt Display, the ultimate docking station for your Mac® notebook. Thunderbolt can easily be adapted to support legacy connections such as FireWire® and Gigabit Ethernet.
MacBook Air comes with a full size backlit keyboard and an innovative glass Multi-Touch™ trackpad. Designed for comfort and ease of typing, the backlit keyboard uses a sensor to automatically detect a change in ambient lighting and adjusts the keyboard brightness for any environment. The Multi-Touch trackpad supports Lion’s new Multi-Touch gestures such as momentum scrolling, tapping or pinching your fingers to zoom in on a web page or image, and swiping left or right to turn a page or switch between full screen apps.
MacBook Air also features a brilliant, high resolution LED backlit display that is amazingly thin yet has the resolution of a much larger, bulkier screen. With ultra-fast Wi-Fi, you can wirelessly download apps from the Mac App Store™, get music and movies from iTunes®, back up data to Time Capsule® and quickly and easily share files using AirDrop. MacBook Air includes Bluetooth for wireless peripherals and two USB ports for easy connectivity for the wired and wireless devices you use every day.
Apple makes the industry’s greenest notebook lineup and the new MacBook Air meets Energy Star 5.2 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold status.*** Each unibody enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and comes standard with energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. Mac notebooks contain no brominated flame retardants, are PVC-free and are constructed of recyclable materials.
Every new MacBook Air comes with Mac OS X Lion, the eighth major release of the world’s most advanced operating system, and iLife apps for creating and sharing great photos, movies and music. Lion introduces more than 250 new features to the Mac, including Multi-Touch gestures; system-wide support for full screen apps; Mission Control, an innovative view of everything running on your Mac; the Mac App Store, the best place to find and explore great software, built right into the OS; Launchpad, a new home for all your apps; and a completely redesigned Mail app.
Pricing & Availability The 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air are available for order on the Apple Store® (www.apple.com) today and in Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers starting July 21. The 1.6 GHz 11-inch MacBook Air is available in two models, one with 2GB of memory and 64GB of flash storage for a suggested retail price of $999 (US), and one with 4GB of memory and 128GB of flash storage for $1,199 (US). The 1.7 GHz 13-inch MacBook Air comes in two configurations, one with 4GB of memory and 128GB of flash storage for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US), and one with 4GB of memory and 256GB of flash storage for $1,599 (US). Configure-to-order options and accessories include a 1.8 GHz Core i7 processor, additional flash storage, MacBook Air SuperDrive® and a USB Ethernet Adapter.
Additional technical specifications and configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/macbookair.
*Testing conducted by Apple in July 2011 using preproduction MacBook Air configurations. For more information visit www.apple.com/macbookair/features.html.
**The new Wireless Web protocol testing was conducted by Apple in July 2011 using preproduction MacBook Air configurations. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. For more information visit www.apple.com/macbookair/features.html.
***EPEAT is an independent organization that helps customers compare the environmental performance of notebooks and desktops. For more information visit www.epeat.net.
Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced iPad 2 which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.
In our previous article, we explained How Modern LCDs Work. In this article, we’ll be exploring how the new generation of displays based on OLED technology work.
What Exactly are OLEDs?
There are a lot of products in the market today ranging from TV’s to Laptops and even Smart Phones that contain an OLED display. But what are these displays and how do they work? OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode. This technology is named after the organic polymers that are used in its construction. For a long time, organic compounds have been assumed to be electrical insulators but new research and manufacturing techniques have allowed the industry to use these polymers for many applications on a vast scale.
OLEDs are solid-state devices which are composed of thin films of organic molecules which emit light when a current is applied. OLEDs can provide brighter crisper displays that use less power than conventional Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technologies. Another application for OLEDs is in the form of lights to be used in homes and offices. These lights have a long life and are very efficient.
The Manufacturing Process
OLEDs are basically layers of organic material sandwiched between an anode and a cathode and mounted on a substrate. This entire device is usually between 100 to 500 nanometers thick or is about 200 times thinner than a human hair.
The substrate is usually a sheet of glass which is coated with a transparent conductive oxide which works as the anode. The next layer consists of hole injection material, the organic emitters and the electron transport layer which are together referred to as the organic stack. On top of the organic stack is the inorganic cathode. The device operates as follows:
Cathode – The cathode injects electrons into the system when a current flows through the device. It may or may not be transparent.
Organic Stack – This layer is made up of different organic polymers that are built up in layers. This is where light is made. The organic stack consists of the following layers:
Electron Transport Layer (ETL) – This layer consists of organic polymers or plastics that transport electrons from the cathode to the Organic Emitters.
Organic Emitters (OE) – This is a layer that is made up of organic polymers that may or may not be mixed with phosphorescent chemicals. One polymer used in this layer is polyfluorene.When an electron finds a hole, it falls into the hole and gives up energy in the form of light.
Hole Injection Layer (HIL) – This layer is made up of polymers that transport electrons to the anode. This leaves ‘holes’ for electrons transported from the ETL to fill.
Anode – The anode removes electrons from the system when a current flows through the device. It is always transparent.
This is the process by which a single OLED works. To turn them into colour displays, manufacturers place several layers of OEs on a display. There are various methods with which these individual pixels can be turned into a full colour display.
Types of OLED Displays
There are several types of OLED Display
Passive-matrix OLED
Active-matrix OLED
Transparent OLED
Top-emitting OLED
Foldable OLED
White OLED
Passive Matrix OLEDs or PMOLEDs
PMOLEDs are designed in a hash pattern. The anode and cathode are made in strips that are arranged perpendicular to each other. The points of intersection of the strips of anode and cathode make up the individual pixels where light is emitted. External circuitry is used to control which pixels are on and what colour they emit. The brightness of each pixel is dependent on the amount of current in the system.
Active Matrix OLEDs or AMOLEDs
AMOLEDs have a full layer of anode and cathode materials but they borrow a technology from LCDs to produce a visible display. Sandwiched between the anode and the organic layer is a layer of thin film transistors or TFTs that makes the array. The TFT array is the circuitry that decides which pixel is on and what colour it displays. AMOLEDs are more efficient than PMOLEDs because the external circuitry used to run the PMOLEDs consumes more power. AMOLEDs also have a faster refresh rate which makes them more suitable to larger displays used in televisions and computer monitors.
Transparent OLEDs or TOLEDs
TOLEDs are constructed with only transparent components, and are upto 85% as transparent as the substrate used when they are turned off. When it is turned on, the display still allows light to pass both ways and remains transparent. It can have either an active matrix or a passive matrix. This technology would be perfect for Heads Up Displays and Medical Equipment.
Top Emitting OLEDs or TEOLEDs
TEOLEDs are constructed with a substrate that is either opaque or reflective. They are perfectly suited for an active matrix design. They are used in smart-cards.
Foldable OLEDs or FOLEDs
FOLEDs are constructed with a highly flexible substrate which could either be a plastic or metallic foil. These types of OLEDs are very lightweight and durable. They are used in cell phones and can reduce breakage. They could also potentially be integrated into fabrics to create smart clothing.
White OLEDs or WOLEDs
WOLEDs emit pure white light that is brighter and more uniform than the light which is emitted by fluorescent lights. . WOLEDs can be made in large sheets and can reduce energy costs massively if used to light homes and buildings due to their low power consumption.
Advantages and Disadvantages of OLEDs
OLEDs offer many advantages over the current favorite, LCDs and LEDs.
The organic construction of an OLED is much thinner than the many layers required for an LCD or LED display.
OLEDs can be built onto a thin plastic substrate which allows them to be flexible instead of the glass used in LCDs and LEDs.
Due to its design, an OLED display is much brighter than an LED display. This is because the conductive and emissive layers of an OLED can be stacked several times to produce more light than an LED while still remaining extremely thin.
Since OLEDs emit light themselves, they do not require a back-light. LCDs work by selectively blocking areas of the back-light to produce individual pixels. OLEDs are also much more energy efficient than LCDs because they lack a back-light.
As OLEDs are made from plastics, they can be built into large thin sheets which makes them much easier to produce. It is much more difficult to create an LCD display of the same size.
OLEDs have a much viewing angle than LCDs because they do not block light in any fashion. Since they produce their own light, they can provide a field of view of upto 170o.
For all their advantages over LCDs and LEDs, OLEDs have a few problems as well.
Red and green OLED films have a very long life of between 46,000 to 230,000 hours while blue OLED films currently have a much shorter lifespan of around 14,000 hours.
The manufacturing process for OLEDs is not cheap as of now.
OLEDs are not at all water resistant and can easily be damaged on contact with even a few drops of water.
While LCD and LED technology remains in the mainstream, OLEDs are making headway into the television, computer and mobile segments. Manufacturers and engineers are realizing the potential benefits of using OLED technology for their devices. In the next few years we should see an increase in OLED sales as well as some novel applications of the technology.
Stay tuned to the Tech 101 segment to learn more about what makes our everyday devices tick.
Sony plans to double its VAIO laptop sales this year. With over 62 models in 4 different series, the company may just achieve its targets. Read the Press Release to find out how.
Sony India today announced its strategy to double VAIO sales in India by selling 5 lakh laptop units in FY11. VAIO is already the fastest growing laptop brand in India (according to IDC report 2010) with more than 100% growth and the new product line-up will ensure that it becomes even more closer to the Indian audience. VAIO S, C, E & Y series are tailor-made to suit the diverse lifestyle of the customers, so there is a laptop for everyone, be it a business executive, style conscious youth, students or even PC beginners.
Mr. Masaru Tamagawa, Managing Director, Sony India, said, “VAIO contributes 20% to the total sales revenue of Sony India and hence a very important part of our business. This year, our objective is to ensure that we offer a VAIO to meet the lifestyle requirements of every customer. We have an exciting product line-up of 62 models, a robust distribution network of 1500 outlets and heavy marketing investment of Rs. 50 crore to reach our business target of 5 lakh units in FY11. Talking about the new brand campaign, he said, “‘More Colour.More Style’ campaign is all about making a lifestyle statement and with Ms. Kareena Kapoor as the face of this campaign, we hope it will resonate well with our customers.”
Sony offers an extensive VAIO line-up that is aimed at different consumer segments with varied lifestyle requirements ranging from business class to college goers to even casual PC users. The price, features and the captivating colours compliments the product ensemble and lends unique beauty to the product offering. Details for each series are as follows:
VAIO S: VAIO S is a perfectly balanced mobile PC with a premium design. Its slim and full-flat body allows you to carry it wherever you go. The long battery life makes it perfect for that business meeting and outdoor use. Available in 5 captivating colours, it is available at a price range of Rs. 47,990 to Rs.1,29,900.
VAIO C: VAIO C is inspired by high fashion. It is made up of light-emitting material which adds to the visual impact of the vivid colour, rendering it an absolutely unique look. The Full HD screen and high-performance graphics makes playing games and watching movies a totally delightful experience. Available in 6 vibrant hues, it is priced from Rs. 54,990 to Rs. 69,990
VAIO E: VAIO E, optimized for daily use, perfectly meets daily task demands such as checking emails, web browsing, listening to music, or organizing photos. With a wide selection of processors and colours, it fits right into a variety of usage scenes and styles. Featuring a unique truss pattern, it is targeted towards students and young working professionals. Available in 4 colours, it starts at a price of Rs. 27,990.
VAIO Y: The key attraction of this series is the basic versatility of the product, that suits anyone and everyone making it a perfect gadget for casual users and beginners. Available in 4 colours, it starts at Rs. 24,990, making it extremely easy on the pocket.
The total product line-up, having 62 models, is available in 16 captivating colours to ensure that customers across a variety of segments have a personalized notebook that matches their idea of style.
To ensure that this comprehensive product line-up reaches the masses across India, Sony has a very aggressive expansion plan in place. The distribution network would see an increase of about 700 outlets, raising the count to 1500 in FY11 from 800 in the previous year. The company would also open 30 exclusive VAIO Flagship stores in FY11 taking the total number to 50 as a dedicated VAIO channel.
Sony will launch ‘More Colours.More Style’ VAIO brand campaign featuring its popular Brand Ambassador, Ms. Kareena Kapoor. Thrilled about the new campaign, Kareena Kapoor said, “I am very glad to be associated yet again with Sony VAIO for the ‘More Colour. More Style’ campaign. VAIO is different, vibrant and ultra stylish and makes for a perfect lifestyle statement, and this message is reinforced in the new brand campaign. The essence of this campaign is ‘Uniqueness’, so there is VAIO to suit every style and speak every mood.”
The brand campaign would be supported with extensive Above-the-line and Below-the-line activities, including print and television commercial, Web, PR, cinema and shop-front, for which the company has lined up an investment of Rs. 50 crore.
Sony has a very favorable record of Kareena led VAIO campaigns. VAIO sales doubled during the VAIO X ‘Size Zero’ campaign & VAIO E ‘Go Vivid’ campaign which were launched in Nov-Dec 2009 & July-Aug 2010 respectively.
Business facts summary:
In FY10, Sony sold 2.5 lakh notebooks which is expected to go up to 5 lakh notebooks by FY11. The consumer notebook market in India stood at 17 lakhs units in FY10 and is expected to increase to 25 lakhs units by FY11
For VAIO category, Sony has earmarked a budget of Rs. 50 crore towards marketing activities in FY11. Out of this, Rs. 25 crore has been allocated to ‘More Colour.More Style’ campaign.
In FY10, Sony achieved a market share of 15%, the company targets 20% share by FY11.
Expansion of channel network to 1,500 counters by FY11 across 200 cities up from 800 sales counters in FY10. VAIO Flagship stores to increase to 50 counters by FY11, an increase of 30 counters from 20 in FY10.
