We normally don't give budget desktop computers less than a three-star rating, mostly because the majority of them contain similar components, so it comes down to a question of pricing and overall value. Unfortunately, the eMachines EL1200-05w just doesn't make the grade and successfully garners one of the lowest ratings we've given to a budget system in a long time.
The problems begin with a subpar collection of internal components. The $298 price tag nets you a single-core 1.6GHz AMD processor, a measly 1GB of RAM, and Windows XP. Chances are, if you're shopping for a desktop at this price bracket, you most likely won't be popping off the side panel, but adventurous types will be disappointed by the cramped interior and meager opportunity for future upgrades. eMachines gives you a slimtower chassis and a handful of port cutouts in the back for aftermarket sound and video cards, but you'll be pulling your hair out trying to perform a simple memory upgrade.
If you're on a strict sub-$300 budget, the eMachines EL1200-05w will barely get you through baseline applications, but don't expect to run any kind of graphics editing software. We recommend saving a little extra for the Acer Aspire AX3200 or the HP Compaq Presario SR5610f.
Check out our full review of the eMachines EL1200-05w.
Toshiba and Matsushita Electric Industrial will jointly manufacture small electroluminescent displays in an effort match the output from Korea-based makers, according to a Japanese report.
Toshiba and Matsushita Electric Industrial will make EL display panels.
(Credit: Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology)The two companies will set up manufacturing lines in Ishikawa Prefecture in the fall of 2009, aiming to produce 1 million "high-quality" 2.5-inch organic EL displays, according to a report in Monday's Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
This is a first for domestic Japanese production of EL displays on this scale, the report said. The displays are targeted at cell phones and other small devices.
EL displays are based on organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology that uses electroluminescent organic materials. The display panels are extremely thin because they don't need backlights. The electroluminescent layer contains a polymer substance that directly converts electricity to light.
The companies are chasing Samsung, which has already begun mass production. The goal is to bring costs down and stabilize quality. This then can be applied to the manufacture of larger-size TV panels.
In December, Toshiba said it would postpone production of larger (up to 30-inch) organic EL displays and would focus initially on mass production of smaller displays.
Toshiba has a 60 percent stake in the venture Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology, while Matsushita holds 40 percent. The operation is capitalized at 15 billion yen ($140 million).
Dupont and Dainippon Screen Manufacturing will form a strategic alliance to develop mass production techniques for organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, according to an announcement made in Japan.
Sony OLED display
(Credit: CNET)The focus is on developing better processes and printing equipment for the fabrication of OLED displays.
OLEDs are attracting interest because the panels are paper thin but offer extremely high-quality images, superb color saturation, and fast response times. And they draw little power because they don't require a backlight.
At the same time, they face durability challenges. The organic matter used to illuminate the image can by ruined by the elements, so special sealing technology is necessary. Also, a new study by DisplaySearch found that the brightness on Sony's 11-inch XEL-1 TV began to degrade significantly after 1,000 hours.
That's not all. OLEDs face size constraints. Many of the widely-used, mass-market OLEDs used today are only between and three and four inches diagonally. Sony's XEL-1, one of the largest, is only 11 inches but is priced at close to $2,000.
Dupont and Dainippon hope to solve the size problem and bring down the cost in the process. Their goal is to develop printing equipment that that will enable the production of very large OLEDs that would rival the largest LCD TVs in size.
DuPont brings its small molecule-based OLED solution materials and process technology to the table, while Dainippon Screen has developed a nozzle printing technology.
Sony XEL-1 EL TV currently sells in Japan for just under $2,000
(Credit: Sony)There's thin. Then there's paper thin. Sony showed an electroluminescent (EL) display that's print-paper thin at the Display2008 conference in Tokyo.
The Sony EL display is based on organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology that uses electroluminescent organic materials. OLED panels are extremely thin because they don't need backlights. The electroluminescent layer contains a polymer substance that directly converts electricity to light.
The panel shown this week at Diplay2008 is about 0.3mm thick, besting Sony's current 1.4mm-thick EL TV (photo). Epson lists its Premium Glossy Photo Paper as 0.3mm thick. So by this standard the panel is literally paper thin.
Sony also exhibited an 11-inch panel.
The most cutting of cutting-edge technology is always a sticker shocker. Sony currently sells an 11-inch EL TV (960×540) for a staggering 190,000 yen, or just under $2,000. That's right, an 11-inch display. Even smaller than the displays on subnotebooks, which typically come with 12-inch LCDs.
The image quality is stunning, however, producing the best--or close to the best--of all of the following: color, contrast, viewing angles, and refresh rates.
"It has a superhigh contrast ratio (allegedly, 1 million to one), it boasts faster response times than LCD or plasma, it looks incredibly sharp with colors that really pop--and because OLED screens don't require a backlight, they're more energy efficient than plasma or LCD," according to this CNET review.
Another thing: the organic matter used can by ruined by the elements, so special sealing technology is necessary for the displays.
Sony has been making smaller, 3.8-inch OLED displays for gadgets since 2004.
The 2009 TSX will be unveiled in New York.
(Credit: Acura)Acura has lifted the veil a bit higher on its forthcoming redesigned TSX sedan, which is set to debut at next month's New York auto show. The updated model will get a host of Acura's most advanced technology features, including the availability of a navigation system with real-time traffic, and the AcuraLink weather system, both of which will also come to the 2009 RL. Also migrating down the Acura model lineup is the ELS/Panasonic surround sound audio system, which we saw in the Acura RDX and MDX SUVs. In the TSX, the ELS system will be available in the form of a 10-speaker system with capability to play DVD-Audio. It also has a new Note function for XM Radio that makes it easy to save song information to recall at a later date. Like the 2009 RL, the new TSX also gets the capability to play music from USB sources, such as iPods and thumbdrives.
On the performance front, the 2009 TSX is more powerful than its predecessor thanks to a new 2.4-liter in-line four cylinder power plant generating 201 horsepower and 172 foot-pounds of torque. The model is available as standard with a six-speed manual or an automatic five-speed automatic transmission with sequential sport shift and the obligatory paddle shifters. Despite its increased power and size (the new car is 3 inches wider than the current model), the 2009 TSX improves its gas mileage and emissions figures with an economy of 21/30mpg and a ULEV rating from the California Air Resources Board. Look out for more detail and images of the new TSX next month.
(Credit:
Chinavasion)
The tech industry's unfortunate bling factor has not escaped the overseas wholesale market. Case in point: Chinavasion, maker of so many multimedia watches, has come out with a "gold edition" of its own.
This timepiece, which can play music and videos on a 1.8-inch LCD, also has built-in Bluetooth so it can work with phones and other devices wirelessly, according to GeekAlerts. Yet this is China we're talking about, so don't expect Western luxury prices. The top-of-the-line 4GB model of this edition comes in at $103.87. Then again, it probably isn't real gold either--following another trend that country is known for.
(Credit:
Yoto)
In these inflationary times, it's hard to argue against a media player that costs about $50. That's cheap even by Chinese standards.
So even if Yoto's "V200" isn't of premium quality, the price makes up for a lot. The player isn't completely stripped-down either: As Electronista says, "The V200 is capable of playing DivX and H.264 content at a full 30 frames per second and will also read eBooks as well as JPEG photos."
It actually looks pretty good too, with a slim design that maximizes space for a 2.4-inch screen. If we happen to be in China when it comes to market in February, we might just need to get one.
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