Hardware Geeks

This blog will have one Contributor, his name John Obeto.

John Obeto brings HardwareGeeks.com over 20 years of computer experience. John started out as a Rocket Scientists for NASA before becoming the CEO Logikworx a small business solutions provider, which is based in the San Fransisco area and with clients around the world.

Today Apple updated their notebook lineup with minor changes to their MacBook and MacBook Pro products.  Both products include newer, faster processors from Intel based on the “Penryn” core, as well as increases in hard drive space.  Specific to the MacBook, it received a RAM upgrade to 2 GB standard on all models except the entry model.  Specific to the MacBook Pro, it received an upgrade in VRAM on their Nvidia graphics cards, as well as a new 17” LED built-to-order option. 

The MacBook Pro also received the new multi-touch trackpad that was first introduced in the MacBook Air.  The multi-touch trackpad allows for control of various features on the computer through the use of gestures such as pinching or swiping, as seen on the iPhone.  Only the MacBook Pro model was updated with this new trackpad, and the MacBook now remains Apple’s only notebook without this feature. 

Prices for all notebook models remain unchanged.  View the press release after the jump.

Additional details about the highly anticipated PS3 game Metal Gear Soild 4: Guns of the Patriots has arisen today from Sony’s “Destination PlayStation” conference for retailers and publishers.  SCEA stated that MGS4 is currently set for a North American release in late Q2 2008.  News also revealed that people who pre-order the game will have access to a beta of Metal Gear Online some time in April.  This highly sought-after has seen multiple delays, but some light is shedding on when gamers will finally be able to get their hands on the title.  Unconfirmed rumors state the official release date to be June 12, 2008.  Even if this isn’t true, the game should not be too far away.

Alongside the announcement of a more narrow release date for the game, SCEA also confirmed today that there will be a new PS3 SKU featuring an 80 GB hard drive bundled with a copy of MGS4 and a DualShock 3 controller.  This configuration will be available in June for $499.  View the full press release after the break…

Hi everyone, my name is Allen Phan, or some of you may know me as dreamsINdigital on the forums.  As the new version of this website rolls out, I’m going to be taking on a more active role with it.  Previously I was mainly just a community member, with a few behind the scenes jobs, but now I will start writing for the site.  From me, you’ll mostly see news regarding anything from gadgets to gaming, with a little bit of my own opinions thrown in.  I’ll do my best to post articles on a regular basis, but I can’t promise anything if I can’t find the time to work around my schedule.  It’s about quality, not quantity, right?  Anyways, I hope you’ll appreciate what I can offer to this website.  Fell free to contact me with questions or comments.  A few additional details about myself…

Apple today released an updated firmware (version 1.1.4) for the iPhone. There seems to be no new features with the new firmware and just bug fixes.

So far there are no reports if the new firmware locks up jailbroken iPhones and my suggestion to those with a jailbroken iPhone; is not to update until you hear for sure that it can be unlocked again.

Apple also has said nothing about the delayed SDK for the iPhone.

It was announced during “Destination Playstation,” an event that Sony holds for third-party developers and retailers, that it will be released on April 15th, retailing for $54.99. The rumble-enabled controller will work with new titles of course, but Sony will also begin patching some games to enable rumble. I plan on replaying Resistance with the DS3. What about you guys?

Update: It has been officially confirmed. Press Release with the full list of games after the jump.

In a surprising turn of events, Phil Harrison has stepped down from his position as President of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios. It is has been reported that Kaz Hirai will assume that role, in addition to his current responsibilities. After his infamous speech at GDC 07 revealing Playstation Home and Little Big Planet , I really started to like the guy. Harrison had this to say:

“The past 15 years at Sony Computer Entertainment has been the defining
journey of my life so far,” said Phil Harrison. “I am grateful to all the
PlayStation family for their incredible support, guidance and friendship.
It has been a privilege to serve as part of the team and be inspired by
them on a daily basis. I am so proud of everything PlayStation has achieved
and will continue to support its future in every way I can.”

The rumor is that he will go to Atari. I find that really hard to believe, but then again I didn’t except Phil to leave Sony just when things were turning around them. 

EA today announced that its sci-fi horror game Dead Space will hit store shelves on October 31st 2008. A horror game on holloween!

The game is based in the future and earth has limited natural resources left, so this leads to Space Exploration, this leads to the discovery of some aliens that aren’t too friendly. I don’t want to give too much of the story line away so I will stop there.

“Survival horror is about experiencing a terrifying, and deeply personal fiction,” said Executive Producer Glen Schofield. “Dead Space is being developed as a single-player thriller that delivers the chilling, claustrophobic feeling of being isolated in a dark environment, while being stalked by some truly horrific enemies. Halloween is the perfect time for EA to deliver the fear and anxiety that will keep survival horror fans up playing all night.”

Today Dell announced the XPS 630, which will be available for sale tomorrow February 27th 2008 at http://www.dell.com/XPS630.

The XPS 630 will have a starting price of $1,249 and Dell promises it will deliver a great gaming experience and have all the latest technology built in. The XPS 630 will be built using a Standard ATX case so it will be fully upgradeable. It will also support NVIDIA SLI and AMD CrossFire.

“Since its inception, the Dell XPS line has been committed to delivering aggressive, competitive and attractive options for a broad spectrum of PC gamers,” said Arthur Lewis, head of Dell’s gaming group. “With the Dell XPS 630, we have the unique and exciting opportunity to offer a system that brings together the needs of enthusiasts and casual gamers.”