Asus’ U3S6: First USB 3.0 + SATA 6.0 PCI-E card

Not that USB 3.0 will be useful anytime soon—how long did it take manufacturers to finally get behind USB 2.0?—but Asus’ U3S6 should be, provided it’s not cancelled, the world’s first USB 3.0 + SATA 6.0 PCI-E card. Better news: it’s only $30.

The card comes with two USB 3.0 ports and two SATA 6.0 ports. And if I’m doing my maths right, so long as you have a free PCI-E slot you’re good to go.

Like I said in the beginning, the card will mean little in the immediate future, given the lack of USB 3.0 products. That’s not to say I wouldn’t mind being able to sync my Zune HD using the zippy awesomeness of USB 3.0, but it’s going to be a little while before we see that. Never mind that that scenario would never happen, considering the Zune HD’s insides don’t know a darn thing about USB 3.0, but you know what I mean: a future media player that works with USB 3.0 would certainly be handy, especially as we move toward moving higher and higher resolution video to and from our various components.

It should be out “soon.” Nice and vague, yes.

Dell busts out the Latitude XT2 XFR multi-touch rugged convertible tablet PC

Multitouch isn’t just for tech nerds anymore according to Dell. The firm’s latest convertible tablet PC is rocking a 12.1-inch multi-touch capable touchscreen in a chassis that’s designed for manly men tasks. The chassis was engineered and tested to meet MIL-810G standards, but yet the notebook is only 1.5-inches thick and weighs in at 5.4 pounds. Look out, Jack Bauer and Mike Rowe. This one is for you two.

Thankfully Dell still managed to pack quality computing components within the rugged frame and it rocks a Core 2 Duo CPU, up to 5 GB of RAM, hot-swappable modules including GPS and webcam, Bluetooth, 3G modem, 802.11 a/g/n wireless, and four-, six-, and nine-cell battery options.

All this doesn’t come cheap though. The XT2 XFR starts out at $3,599 and is currently available in the North American and European market.

Dell Delivers Smallest 12.1-Inch Rugged Convertible Tablet PC, First with Multi-Touch Technology

Latitude XT2 XFR is Purpose-Built to Meet Unique Requirements of Field Service Workers, Military, Law Enforcement and First Responders

Thinnest 12.1-Inch Rugged, Convertible Tablet PC

ROUND ROCK, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dell today unveiled the industry’s smallest 12.1-inch rugged convertible tablet PC that is the first with a multi-touch display, the Latitude XT2 XFR. The system is designed to meet the unique and demanding needs of customers in the military, police, border patrol, field service organizations, factory fulfillment and first responders.

The Latitude XT2 XFR adds to Dell’s Rugged Mobility Solution offering that includes the fully rugged Latitude E6400 XFR and the semi-rugged Latitude E6400 ATG laptops. It also joins purpose-engineered products like the Latitude Z, Latitude 2100 netbook for education and Dell Precision™ M6400 mobile workstation as another step in Dell’s strategy to develop differentiated form factors and solutions that meet specific customer usage needs.

The News:

Inspired by discussions with the defense, law enforcement, homeland security communities, field service departments and utility companies, Dell developed a convertible tablet that can adapt to changing mission requirements and withstand harsh environments. Features of the Latitude XT2 XFR include:

At 1.5 inches (38.1 millimeters) it is the thinnest 12.1-inch rugged convertible tablet and starts at 5.4 pounds (2.45 kilograms) with four-cell battery and solid state drive1, it is engineered and independently tested to meet MIL-810G standards for operation in harsh environments. Dell expects MIL-810G certification in the coming weeks.

Compression-sealed and rugged I/O doors, LCD, and keyboard, provide an IP54 level of Ingress Protection, or resistance to moisture and dust.

The Latitude XT2 XFR can be installed in police or first-responder vehicles where critical information can be accessed with one hand. The Latitude XT2 XFR is also ideal for field-service and industrial manufacturing workforces who need an easy to carry, rugged system that can stand up to drops, spills and temperature extremes.

The Latitude XT2 XFR is available with Dell’s optional remote management capabilities and next business day service and support.2

The rugged tablet shares common images and components with the Dell Latitude XT2 tablet for easy integration into existing environments. The Latitude XT2 XFR also includes:

Intel Core 2 Duo processors with up to 5GB3 of DDR3 1066 MHz memory.4

QuadCool Thermal Management System enables excellent performance, even in extreme temperatures from minus 10 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Four-, six- and nine-cell battery options.

Standard data security features that include Dell ControlVault and Dell ControlPoint, as well as optional solid state and spinning disk drives with full disk encryption.

Impact resistant, sunlight viewable, 12.1-inch wide LED display with capacitive multi-touch gestures-enabled or optional resistive touch screen.

Optional hot-swappable modules including GPS (in the coming weeks) and webcam.

Optional expansion sliver provides camera/light, serial, and RJ11 inputs.

An extensive range of optional accessories and services that include mobile rugged docking and mounting solutions in the coming weeks.

A full complement of wireless connectivity options including wireless LAN 802.11 a/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 and mobile broadband.

The XT2 XFR is available in the U.S., Canada, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany and Italy via all of Dell’s sales channels, including PartnerDirect. It starts at $3,599 and more information is available here.

Quotes:

“The Latitude XT2 XFR is more than a laptop, it’s a key part of our mobile command and data-center solutions for field service, defense and first-responder customers,” said Paul Bell, president, Dell Global Public-Sector Business. “These unique solutions, coupled with our service model, make those communities more effective, enabling them to focus on their core missions instead of managing technology.”

“We are listening and delivering purpose-engineered products based on unique usage models within customers’ environment,” said Steve Lalla, vice president and general manager, Business Client Product Group, Dell, Inc. “The Latitude XT2 XFR is a perfect example where feedback told us that customers needed the innovative functionality of the Latitude XT2 with the ability to perform in rugged environments.”

 

How much would you pay for this mouse? $1200? No? Okay, don’t read this then

Of all the people on Earth, I’m probably at least in the top 100 of “most mice handled.” Not a particularly prestigious list to be on, but I’ll take what I can get. And I’m probably one of the biggest proponents of splurging on a good mouse. Mamba, G500, Mighty Mouse (if it’s any good)… just go for it, you use this thing for hours in a row and it might as well be the perfect fit. But like all things, there are exceptions. For instance, when a mouse costs over a grand.

Now, that’s not to say the ID Mouse from Intelligent design doesn’t look good (it does) or that it won’t be comfortable (it might be) — and honestly, you don’t need anybody to tell you that $1200 is too much to spend on a mouse. The most expensive mouse worth buying is the Mamba, and even then I advise trying to get a rebate or something.

 

But of course, this mouse isn’t meant to be a good mouse. It’s meant to be a piece of art. In that case — well, still not worth $1200. Besides, it’ll get all smudgy.

Lastly… you called your design house Intelligent Design? Come on now.

NEC apparently plans to roll out touch screen business hand-held

Not much info on this yet, but NEC is apparently preparing a mobile PC that’s reportedly as “capable as a personal computer” for business customers. The yet to be named device features three main buttons and a 7 to 8-inch LCD display (which appears to be a touch screen). Sorry, the small picture is all that’s available at this point.

NEC says the device boots up quickly and lets users boost productivity through accessing files and software through cloud computing. The company plans to start selling the device in Japan this autumn and wants to sell 100,000 to 200,000 units yearly. Eventually NEC hopes it can sell more than 1 million of the hand-helds each year.

NEC has lost the top spot among Japan’s PC makers to Fujitsu in August (16.2% market share to 16.0%). The company announced a whopping 48 new models last week.

Core i7/i5-powered MacBook Pros on tap?

Okay, so Apple just updated the Mac Mini, iMac, and totally redesigned the white MacBook. But what about the MacBook Pros? PC manufacturers are already stuffing Intel Core i7 and i5 CPUs into their flagship notebooks, but the MacBook Pros are still rocking Core 2 Duos. That might change soon according to the OS X 10.6.2 update.

Buried within a configuration file of the software update, there are MacBook Pro models designated with a different naming scheme. The current MacBook Pros use the 5.(x) model number, but these are referenced as MacBook Pro 6.1 and MacBook Pro 6.1b. It only makes sense that Apple would load the latest and greatest Intel mobile CPU into the MBP line, which hasn’t seen an update since June. The only thing is no one knows when these new models will be available.