Hardware Geeks

Today HP has officially introduced the HP 2133 Mini-Note. Info of the Mini-Note PC leaked onto the web weeks ago, but no one really knew anything about the system, some guessed on its specs and others claimed they knew, but until today HP has not officially released the specs, and we have them, and for it’s size and price its going to be a pretty powerful machine.

The HP 2133 is designed for instructional purposes, meaning they designed it with the teacher and student in mind, but it will be available to everyone. With a starting price tag of just $500 USD it will be affordable to a lot of students and to the parents of students.

“HP listened to our needs and now is delivering a product designed by education for education,” said Chris Sieger, director of information technology for Alexandria City Public Schools in Virginia. “Teachers and technology are the two most important assets in education. HP’s announcement demonstrates that it understands what schools need from industry.”

Last week while having dinner with someone, I was told AMD would be laying off 1500 people, but since there was no official word on this I did not post anything.

I should have, as C|net is now reporting that AMD is laying off 10% of its work force, approximately 1650 employees in an effort to save money after declining sales.

AMD has also informed investors it would not meet its first quarter expected earnings by $100 million. 

Yes HP makes TVs and Sells them, and this week they are having a 5 day sale and are giving you 10% off their TV’s when you use coupon code TV1401, you also get free shipping.

If you are looking for a new TV, I recommend the HP Media Smart TV. This TV will connect to your home network and allow you to view your movies, pictures and even listen to music on your TV. It also connects to the Internet and you can download movies from services such as cinema now, you can also use it as a Microsoft Windows Media Center Extender, and with a 10% off coupon code you can’t go wrong.

5 days only! Save 10% on any HP Television with eCoupon TV1401, plus get FREE shipping

Over the weekend, I learned that Virginia would require Internet Safety Lessons be taught in schools. The lessons will teach kids how to detect various scams, avoid predators and be more aware of what they should and shouldn’t do online.

Virginia is the first state to make such lessons mandatory, Texas and Illinois according to Fox News also have similar laws but do not mandate the lessons.

As a parent I love this idea, because I have falling victim to a scam or two and if my kids are aware of the bad apples (dear god apple doesn’t sue me) on the web maybe I could relax a bit more when they are on the computer.

In a letter from Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang, to Microsoft CEO Steve Baller, Yang says that while he is not opposed to a deal between Microsoft and Yahoo, he believes the current offer is too low, he also said the ultimatum issued on Saturday was counterproductive.

Over the weekend Microsoft issued an Ultimatum, if Yahoo did not accept Microsofts Offer by April 26th they would begin a hostile takeover and try to get Yahoo for a Much Cheaper price.

“Our board’s view of your proposal has not changed,” said the letter, signed by Yahoo Chairman Roy Bostock and Chief Executive Jerry Yang. “We continue to believe that your proposal is not in the best interests of Yahoo and our stockholders.”

Today AMD has officially dropped the price on three Phenom desktop processors.

In an email to System Builders, AMD said “This new pricing will allow you to offer your customers more performance from AMD-based desktop solutions at a lower price. This is a great opportunity to offer a true price/performance advantage to your customers!”

The following processors will see a price reduction: AMD Phenom X4 9850 Black Edition, 9750 and 9550.

No word on how much they will drop, but check Newegg for current pricing.

Today Nokia launched Globally the Nokia N-Gage games service with new games and additional compataible devices. Millions of Nokia owners can mpw try out games on their phone, directly from the N-Gage mobile service, they can also connect with other players through the N-Gage Arena Community.

“With N-Gage we’re offering a seamless experience for people around the world to try and buy games that are engaging, accessible and have wide appeal,” said Jaakko Kaidesoja, vice president of games, Nokia. “We’re very excited to get this into the hands of our customers, because with them we will shape the future of mobile gaming.”

The N-Gage platform has a bunch of exclusive titles such as EA Sports Fifa 2008, The Sims 2 Pets, Dogz, Tetris and World Series of Poker Pro challenge just to name a few.

Earlier this week HP Introduced the HP Elite Autofocus Webcam, a stylish little webcam that sits on top of your monitor and can deliver up to 12 Mega Pixel pictures, and all for a low price of $99.99.

First thing that popped in my head was, wow a 12 MP camera for $99.99 that’s a bargain even if it is just a webcam.  So can a $99 dollar web cam really deliver 12 MP pictures? Only one way to find out and that is to test the camera out, thankfully for us HP was kind enough to send us one.

We received the camera back on the 31st of March and made a little unpacking post to tease you, and first impressions by some weren’t great, some thought that it was too square and ugly, and while I may have agreed at first the webcam looks much better in person and honestly I like it, the square face it has fits better on my monitor than a round face camera.

Microsoft in a letter to Yahoo gave them a three week ultimatum, or Microsoft will go Hostile. Or as our business editor John Obeto puts it Nuclear.

“If we have not concluded an agreement within the next three weeks, we will be compelled to take our case directly to your shareholders, including the initiation of a proxy contest to elect an alternative slate of directors for the Yahoo! board.”

Microsoft is obviously sending a strong message to Yahoo, but one also has to wonder if Microsoft wants to acquire Yahoo before August 1st 2008 when Chinese law could possibly block any merger between the two companies.