laptops

One of digital technologies benefits has always been saving trees--or so we thought. It seems somewhat ironic then that such products as wooden computers, TVs and cameras appear to be on the rise.

Either way, we should have known that techno-fashion accessories wouldn't be far behind. Enter MoMA's wooden laptop tote, which is purportedly made from "ecologically thinned cedar," whatever that is. Shiny Shiny says you must pay for the privilege of being on the cutting edge, of course, to the tune of $265. But you'll be the envy of everyone at the next Gilligan'… Read more

We've already reported this week on Nvidia's issues with its GeForce 8800 cards and their lack of fully cooked Windows Vista driver software. Yup, it's a bummer. The good news is, you can help. Last night, Nvidia introduced a Vista Quality Assurance Page, which lets you, the GeForce-owning, Windows-Vista-running public, report your bugs directly to Nvidia. The page asks for reports on issues with Vista and any GeForce card, so just because you don't have a newer Nvidia card doesn't mean you're off the hook. But let's keep this on topic, folks. If … Read more

Does it have a built-in optical drive? Yes. Does it feature an LED-backlit display? You betcha. Does it weigh less than three pounds? Oh, yeah. Is it the Sony VAIO VGN-TXN15P? Nope.

It's the just-announced Fujitsu LifeBook P7230, an update of the LifeBook P7120 we reviewed almost a year ago. The new ultraportable retains the light weight and the built-in optical drive we loved about its predecessor but adds such appealing features as LED backlights for its 10.6-inch display and an optional built-in Webcam. You can also choose either a black or a white version to match your … Read more

Looking for a new Windows Vista laptop but don't want to break the bank? For about the same price as, say, a PlayStation 3, you can actually take your pick of a couple of new models.

The catch, of course, is that these systems use Vista Basic, the extremely stripped-down version of Microsoft's new operating system. No Aero interface, no Media Center, and so on.

For $498, you can get the new Everex Stepnote VA4101M (available at Wal-Mart, of all places). This 15.4-inch laptop includes Vista Basic, an Intel Celeron M processor, and only 512MB of RAM, … Read more

If Steve Jobs had anything to say about it, any "official laptop bag" created by Microsoft would probably be a giant fanny pack in '80s-style Day-Glo colors that was desperately trying to be cool. Just imagine it worn by John "I'm a PC" Hodgman. But remember, Vista has made Microsoft cool. (They wine-and-dined us at Cipriani, after all.) So, Ballmer & co. have commissioned luggage manufacturer Samsill to create its official laptop bags geared toward female customers, as recently seen on ShinyShiny. They might not be real leather (poly with accents of "leather-look vinyl&… Read more

Even in the digital age, some people just can't shake their habit of reading the morning newspaper in pulp. This won't solve the paper fix for those die-hards, but it could at least simulate the broadsheet experience.

The "Dual Touch Screen Laptop" from Italian design house V12 may be only a concept at this stage but is becoming far more feasible as computer makers increasingly experiment with multiple LCDs in a single device. This model, according to BornRich, envisions a touch screen and electronic pen as well--more vestiges of the pre-Internet days. But we wouldn't … Read more

If you've been playing around with a prerelease version of Windows Vista Ultimate (millions of people have been testing different versions of the new OS for months), you might have been wondering about all the extra features promised in the highest-end Ultimate edition.

Instead of the usual "no extras are currently available" message, users can now download two new features. The first is Hold 'Em Poker, a basic single-player poker simulator. The second is a series of enhancements that make it easier to use the BitLocker hard drive encryption system.

It may not be the most awe-inspiring … Read more

We saw this news over on Crunchgear this morning, and sure enough, the Apple Store has a download enabling 802.11n wireless networking on the majority of its current desktops and laptops. It'll cost you $1.99 (nickel and dime much, Apple?) but for that affordable price you can upgrade an Airport Extreme-equipped Mac Pro and every Core 2 Duo-based MacBook, MacBook Pro, and iMac (minus the 17-inch, 1.83GHz model). We're disappointed the MacMini didn't make the cut, but then it still uses Core Duo (note the missing "2"). Perhaps when/if the little … Read more

Who says geeks don't like football? This Superbowl Sunday you can do your part to shatter that age-old stereotype with these laptop and iPod skins from SkinIt. Even if you're not a Colts or Bears fan, you can show your team spirit with any of the other NFL teams, and Gearlog says the skins will be available for cell phones too. But if you're a 49er fan like us, you may want to keep these under a plain brown wrapper for another season or three.