MICROSOFT PC

MICROSOFT New Arc™ Mouse

2008-11-11T07:40:00.000-08:00

# 2.4 GHz - 30 ft. Wireless Range The 2.4 GHz wireless USB micro-transceiver connects wirelessly right out of the box with virtually no interference and has up to a 30 foot wireless range

# Folds For Portability Mouse folds to 60% of its fully expanded size using the strong metal hinge. Folding the mouse closed automatically turns it off.

# Scroll Wheel Save time and effort with the scroll wheel—navigate documents and Web pages without using the on-screen scroll bar.

# Battery Status Indicator You won't get caught with a dead battery—the Battery Status LED Indicator glows red when the battery is running low.

# Snap-in Transceiver Micro-Transceiver snaps into the bottom of the mouse.

# One-touch access to Windows Flip 3D* Allows you to flip through open windows in a stack and quickly switch between applications for added productivity.

# Customizable Buttons Get quick access to the media, programs, and files you use most often with customizable buttons.

# Comfort for Either Hand Use your mouse with your left or right hand—ambidextrous design makes it comfortable either way.

# Ergonomic Design Point and click in comfort—ergonomic design helps you work longer without discomfort.

# Designed for Notebook PCs Compact and comfortable, our handy notebook and laptop products are designed for convenience and mobility.

# Snap-in Receiver Plug in the snap-in receiver when you’re ready to work, then snap it into your mouse when you travel, preserving battery life.

# Laser Technology Microsoft Laser Mouse products are more precise, more responsive, and deliver smoother tracking.

# 6+ Months Battery Life Work with less interruption with longer battery life.

# 3-Year Limited Hardware Warranty » Limited Warranty and License Agreement available here.

Apple will sell new MacBooks as the old prices

2008-10-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

From a product point of view, Apple CEO Steve Jobs usually goes bold. But when it comes to running the company's numbers, he rarely goes out on a limb. That was made plain Oct. 14, when Jobs announced a new laptop lineup. Despite rumors he'd introduce a laptop for $800 or less that might have helped Apple (AAPL) gain market share at the expense of margins, the company held prices close to where they've always been.

The company trimmed the price of the basic MacBook by $100, to $999. It also introduced a new midlevel MacBook with many of the features of the MacBook Pro starting at $1,300—the same as the old mid-range MacBook—and a version of the swankier MacBook Pro for $2,000, the same as its predecessor.

No doubt, there's more Mac for the money. All of the new devices feature an instant-on, backlit LED screen and faster graphics, courtesy of a chip from NVIDIA (NVDA), while the $1,300 and $2,000 models are packaged in a beautiful new aluminum shell that's thinner than ever.

Why Trim Margins?

But many Wall Street analysts thought Apple would use the product introductions to steal a large chunk of market share. After all, the company has grown two to three times faster than the PC market over the past four years, thanks in part to a successful "I'm a Mac" ad campaign and disappointing demand for Microsoft's (MSFT) competing Vista operating system. Apple even said it would sacrifice some margin (BusinessWeek.com, 7/21/08) during the quarter that includes the yearend holidays. While Apple has enjoyed this success by focusing on customers willing to spend for a higher-end machine, BMO Capital Markets analyst Keith Bachman figured that an $800 MacBook would help Apple compete for 62% of the laptop market, vs. 51% of the market with a low price of $999.

But giving in to the margin-grab temptation would have been risky to Apple's long-term health, says Stephen Baker, an analyst at NPD Group. A slew of PC companies over the years (Packard Bell and eMachines, anyone?) became money-losing businesses by slashing prices too far. Gross margins narrowed not only as a result of lower prices but because price-conscious shoppers with less tech acumen make more support calls. As a result, any profits on the initial sale frequently disappeared amid rising customer service costs.

Apple can keep on rankling rivals without overdoing it on price cuts. The company's share of the U.S. retail PC business is now 18% by units and 31% by sales, Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook said at the Oct. 14 product introduction. He noted that Apple has sold as many Macs in the past three quarters as it did all of last year.

Apple also has little reason to move on prices, given a relative lack of new technologies or features from PC makers this Christmas. Baker figures most people who want to try out a Mac already have decided to do so. As a result, a big price cut would needlessly eat into Apple's revenue. "People come into Apple stores expecting to pay a certain amount," he says. "There's no evidence that customers are particularly asking for a $799 Mac. But if you offered it to them, many of them would make that choice…One of the reasons Apple does so well at selling $1,000 computers is that they don't give you the choice of a $799 model."

Consumers Still Pony Up for Electronics

Of course, the reluctance to cut prices too far could alienate customers looking for a bargain amid economic turmoil. Fears of Apple's exposure to a big downdraft in consumer spending sent Apple shares down 5.6%, to 104, on Oct. 14. "People say Apple is fortunate to sell to more sophisticated customers, not Joe Six-Pack," says Roger Kay, founder of Endpoint Technologies Associates. "But a lot of those sophisticated customers were supporting their spending with credit last year. Some of those folks that want to put the fancy Apple decal on their fancy car won't have the cash for a new Mac this year. They may settle for something cheaper."

But so far, there's little evidence to suggest that U.S. consumers are getting thrifty when it comes to consumer electronics, says Baker of NPD. Three of the best-selling categories—digital SLR cameras, LCD televisions, and laptops—are "also among the most expensive products you can buy," he notes. "And sales of all three have continued to grow throughout 2008." Jobs hopes the trend continues well into the new year.

Microsoft Unlikely To Top Vista's 'Success'

2008-10-21T06:41:00.000-07:00

Apple taunts it, businesses won't touch it, and even Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) no longer mentions it by name in ads. Yet Windows Vista, according to Steve Ballmer, has been such a smashing success that Microsoft is unlikely to match it anytime soon.

Said Ballmer, at an industry confab in Brazil last week: "We're not going to have products that are much more successful than Vista has been."

Say what? Hang on a sec, would you please, Dear Reader.

Thanks -- I'm back. I just had to go dump a few thousand Microsoft shares. [Disclosure: I don't really own Microsoft shares, but if I did ...]

Ballmer's statement is utterly bizarre, given industry backlash against Vista during its short, unhappy life. Complaints over the OS's hardware requirements, application incompatibilities, and intrusive security measures abound.

The majority of large businesses and government agencies in the United States, including Maine's IT department, will likely skip Vista entirely and proceed directly to Windows 7 from Windows XP. And a survey released earlier this month by the United Kingdom's Corporate IT Forum showed that only 4% of businesses in that country are using Vista, which has now been on the market for almost two years.

So, 4% corporate adoption in two years -- now that's what I call success! And how about those 1-5 Seattle Seahawks, Steve -- ya picking them to go all the way?

So how is Ballmer defining Vista's success? Sheer numbers tell the tale, insists Microsoft's CEO. The company sold more than 180 million copies of Vista during the OS's first 18 months on the market, making it Microsoft's best-selling product ever, Ballmer noted.

But numbers don't tell the whole story. In fact, they're quite misleading. Damn lies and statistics and all that.

Vista has outsold Windows XP in terms of units shipped, but only because the PC market is today twice as big as it was when XP debuted in late 2001. Adjusting for market size, Vista lays an egg in comparison.

Microsoft sold 100 million copies of Vista between January 2007 and January 2008, when PC shipments totaled 256 million units. It sold almost as many copies of XP, 89 million, between 2002 and 2003 -- when PC shipments totaled only 132 million units.

So, in its rookie year, XP grabbed 67% of the new PC market, while Vista only got 39% in its inaugural season. And unlike XP, Vista has been critically savaged by IT pros, pundits, and everyday computer users alike. Is that the kind of "success" that, according to Ballmer, Microsoft is going to be hard-pressed to duplicate?

Apple Successfully Lured Microsoft Into Ad War

2008-10-21T06:23:00.000-07:00

If you hadn’t noticed, Apple’s “I’m a Mac” ads have been strangely absent from TV of late. During the baseball playoffs, I noticed only iPhone ads. I know the folks at Microsoft have noticed this as well, and have wondered whether it has anything to do with their new “I’m a PC” ads. After all, the Apple ads seemed to get scarce soon after Microsoft’s campaign launched.

The goal of Microsoft’s ads were to stop letting Apple define the Windows brand with the TV-viewing public. But if Redmond thought it had successfully gotten Apple to back down, it was wrong. The answer came today with new ads from Apple. In the first of two spots, PC guy is seen allocating a huge pile of cash on advertising, with little left over for “fixing Vista.” The second highlights the notable absence of the word “Vista” in Microsoft’s campaign. I first saw Apple’s retorts on TechCrunch, which had an interesting take.

One has to wonder whether Microsoft has played into Apple’s hands on this one. It took the risk of launching a campaign that, after years of staying mum about the Mac’s startling growth in recent years, essentially called out Apple. But it did so at a time when Redmond didn’t have any great news to announce—no red-hot new PCs to promote, and no compelling new case to convince consumers that Vista is better than they think it is. The folks in Redmond say Vista’s performance has come up a long way in the past year, thanks to various updates. Maybe so, but Vista’s reputation with consumers remains lackluster. That’s being kind.

Now, it will be interesting to see whether Microsoft fires back. I tend to doubt it. I’d expect the company to argue that they’re taking the high road with ads that celebrate their customers in a positive fashion, not maligning someone else’s products. And that may be the best course. After all, to respond would pretty much open the door to a full-fledged Coke versus Pepsi ad war—and you’ve got to like Apple’s chances in that scrap, given its past history.

Ten Secrets of getting a Healthy Computer

2008-10-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

There comes a time in a person? life where no matter how much you fight it time takes its toll and we begin to slow down in how we perform our daily activities. However, in order to extend our youthful glow and energy levels it is important to eat right, exercise, and keep a positive outlook on life.

Now you may ask what has any of that got to do with ?ecrets To A Healthy Computer??

Well, in a way we?e all just like a computer. If you neglect to take care of yourself you soon will cease to function properly and the many tasks that once were easy to do now take twice as long to accomplish and often require you to rest or ?eboot?after a malfunction.

I can? tell you what foods to eat or what exercises to perform because I am not a nutritionist. Although, with my experiences in the personal computer field I can share with you some tips of how to keep that rectangle box of circuitry that sits within sights range functioning at maximum performance as long as time will allow.

Some important steps to follow are?

Make certain that your computer is located in a well ventilated area and that all air vents are unobstructed to prevent overheating and premature failure to any internal components.

Clean out the dust build-up at least every 6 months from the inside of the computer case including case vents, power supply vents, and all visible circuitry with a few cans of compressed air that can be purchased from any major computer store or electronics outlet. This will help reduce the chances of overheating and circuitry damage.

Before cleaning just be certain to always unplug the computer from the wall outlet and never physically contact the circuitry inside the computer case to prevent damage.

Be prepared for an unsuspected failure by always making backups of any important data that you do not and can not afford to lose.

I personally keep updated backups of my website and even store the disks at a remote location away from my every day use computers just in case a disaster were to occur and my main computers were destroyed resulting in the need for those lost files.

Purchase and install a well known anti-virus program that can be regularly updated with the latest virus definitions and ran during boot-up to help protect your computer from being the victim of an unwanted infestation.

Every few months or so run your computer? ?candisk?program followed by the ?efragmenter?program to maximize the efficiency of your hard drive.
If you are not certain of how to use these utilities and being that the steps to execute these programs varies slightly from one operating system to the other it would be easiest to simply use the ?elp?option that can be found by clicking on the START button found on your computers desktop.

The START menu will open up a drop-down-box that should display the ?elp?option. By going here you can enter the keywords that deal with the answers to the subject you are searching for.

Run your computers ?isk Cleanup?utility every other week or so. If set the ?isk Cleanup?utility will automatically empty the recycling bin and recover some wasted disk space by removing the internet temporary files that seem to always accumulate.
Again, use the ?elp?option if you are uncertain of how to perform this task.

Never smoke near a computer because the cooling fans will pull the smoke into the case where it can coat the inside parts of the computer with a residue which in turn can damage sensitive components.

Place the computer case in an area where it will not be accidentally kicked or bumped to prevent the loosening of cables and damage to internal parts.

Invest in a high quality surge protector to provide your computer and monitor against voltage spikes or ?urges?that can dramatically shorten the life of your system. Just like most items in a store, ?ou get what you pay for? So don? skimp out on this important device!

Its also not a bad idea to invest in a surge protector that includes what is called a ?ata Line Protector?which allows you to connect your telephone lines to and serves the same purpose for the telephone line to your modem just like the surge protector does for the electrical household current lines.

Finally, if you plan on being away from home for more that a few days at a time or if there is a thunderstorm brewing in your area it is a very wise decision to always unplug all electrical lines and modem telephone lines from your system. Even with a surge protector installed it is possible that such a large voltage spike such as one caused by a lightening strike could prove fatal to any computer system.

If you follow these simple steps the outcome is a healthy computer that will stay by your side and treat you well which also results in a happier you.

Dan Preston is the webmaster of a site called InfoHeaven DigitalBooks and The Online Book Store where you can find useful and Fr'ee information along with many how-to digital books that cover a large variety of interesting topics.

Microsoft BLUETRACK Mouse

2008-10-13T06:07:00.001-07:00

Microsoft BlueTrack? The blue image technology has been that the new generation of the whole world mouse bid tracks a technology , it has exceeded current main current Laser Technology successfully , a mouse has been labeled with tracking science and technology take having faced a brand-new altitude! , BlueTrack fixer system since having adopt high angle optics? More limpid, blue image technology imaging , focuses especially precise. The consumer can be complete throw a variety of tradition mouse bid fetters, challenges any surface but, for example wool carpet , the marble table top , reality wooden floor board etc., enjoy absent feeling of care-free of nowhere at the furthest end of experience that.

Owing to BlueTrack? Upper innovative product of blue image technology includes "the cross-country blue Explorer image mouse bid " at present ", your mouse bid " waits for the cross-country blue Explorer movie fan.

Does the new generation of the whole world mouse bid that Microsoft announces originally time track technology BlueTrack? Blue depict a technology and a lot of be full of the new the outward appearance numerical code product designing inspiration and fad , will help the extensive Chinese consumer to reach "Microsoft experiencing the absent " realm of nowhere , will enjoy new life of figure at the furthest end of!

The high-effect job nowhere can not: Cross-country blue Microsoft Explorer image mouse bid, your mouse bid , the Arc mouse are labeled with the cross-country blue Microsoft Explorer movie fan, Microsoft portable mini shark 3000, wireless laser of Microsoft table top suit 6000 triple sharpenings printing plate , wireless multi-media of Microsoft table top suit 1000. Share nowhere immediately disappearing: Ha-ha elegant "LifeCam Show " ", Microsoft network telecamera VX-5500 ".

Care-free game does not win nowhere: Microsoft SideWinder Saiwei X5 game mouse bid , Microsoft SideWinder Saiwei X6 game keyboard. The high-effect job nowhere can not Microsoft BlueTrack? The blue image technology lets the mouse bid can challenge all surfaces freely , helps a consumer to handle the affair working always and everywhere.

Disregarding being office , a council chamber, or being outdoors sofa inside the tennis court , living room, on the rock being the open country even, the consumer all can freely handle the mouse bid , handle the various job. "Nowhere the high-effect job is unable " , lets a job be easy to handle and work with great efficiency more!

SHARP released the new mobile SH8010C

2008-09-08T04:59:00.000-07:00

SHARP released the new mobile phone SH8010C

US military use "IPOD" as Vcommunicator Mobile

2008-09-08T04:32:00.000-07:00

U.S. military are provided the iPod is called a "Vcommunicator Mobile" software to carry out its mandate. The software using the iPod scroll wheel and hierarchical menu system so that officers and men of screening and selection of the match with the local dialect of the language and phrases, for example, in a friendly meeting or asked about the suspects can be realized through the iPod automatically pronunciation.

And all the costs is about $800.

15 photos of Bill Gates (3)

2008-09-02T05:38:00.000-07:00

15 photos of Bill Gates (2)

2008-09-02T05:36:00.000-07:00

Gates donated all property and published 15 photos

2008-09-02T05:30:00.000-07:00

On the 27th of this month in the forthcoming retirement of Bill Gates expressed the hope that they can make the world "positive contribution" and said this is his and his wife Melinda common decision. They decided to own 58 billion U.S. dollars of property donated to the full name of the charitable funds - the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Fund for health and education projects funded. The 52-year-old Gates is Microsoft's decision to resign from the presidency of the week before Such decision. 1975, Gates founded Microsoft, and in the next 33 years, has led this company. In resigned from the executive chairman of Microsoft, Gates will not retire completely, but Microsoft will continue to serve as non-executive chairman of the board, working one day a week at Microsoft.

The smallest PC in the world

2008-09-01T22:43:00.000-07:00

Japan produced the world's smallest computer - "Space Cube". The size is 2-inches by 2-inches by 1.7 inches, and it has all the necessary functions of a PC. It has the VR5701CPU processor from NEC, 64MB SDRAM, and 16MB flash ROM. The kernel has to be downloaded and installed from a Linux site. It carries a CF card slot, 5V power source, speaker output, microphone input, LAN, USB, RGB (CRT), DIP SW etc. It is sold for about $2750.

New Wireless Laser Mouse 7000

2008-09-01T07:20:00.000-07:00

Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 7000
The Microsoft® Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 represents the finest in precision mouse technology.

Features

5-button mouse with Microsoft® high-definition laser technology for accurate navigation.
Unique ergonomic design helps you work without discomfort.
Tilt Wheel technology for 4-way scrolling up and down, left and right via scroll wheel.
Enlarge and edit details using the Magnifier.
Windows® Flip 3-D key displays a 3-D overlay of all open windows and lets you cycle through them.
Rechargeable mouse with flashing indicator to let you know when battery needs charged.
Stable, horizontal charge station.
Wireless mouse for complete freedom.
5 customizable buttons allow for instant access to media, programs and files.
Dimensions: 3” W x 1.5” H x 5” D.
Weight: 4 oz.

Minimum System Requirements

Compatible with Windows Vista® / XP / XP Pro / XP MCE.
100 MB free hard drive space.
USB 1.1 / 2.0 port.
CD-ROM drive.

Included

Wireless Laser Mouse 7000.
USB Receiver.
Battery.
Charger.
CD-ROM.

EasyNote FO336-V-089

2008-08-31T16:30:00.000-07:00

EasyNote F0336-V-089 Only $695.00

Intel® Celeron® M 440 (1.86GHz)

15.4" WXGA TFT LCD (Diamond View)

256MB ATI Radeon Xpress 200M (hypermemory)

802.11 b/g wireless LAN

512MB DDR2 Memory

80GB Hard Disk Drive

Super Multi DVD drive

10/100 Mbps LAN

3 x USB 2.0

2.5kgs

Free DOS

Carry Case, Drivers

1-year Warranty Satisfaction

Other Models:

EasyNote FO445-U-078 - Intel Core Duo T2080 (1.73 GHz), 1GB DDR2, 14.1" WXGA TFT LCD, 120GB P39995

EasyNote GN45-017 Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 (1.66 GHz), 512MB DDR2, 14.1" WXGA TFT LC, 80GB P50995

EasyNote GN45-019 Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 (2.00 GHz), 1GB DDR2, 14.1" WXGA TFT LCD, 100GB P74995

EasyNote GN45-U-075 Intel Core Duo T2080 (1.73 GHz), 1GB DDR2, 14.1" WXGA TFT LCD, 120GB P46995

EasyNote BU45-O-051 Intel Core Duo T2530 (1.86 GHz), 1GB DDR2, 12.1" WXGA TFT LCD, 120GB P55995

Microsoft said that there was no investigation by antitrust authorities

2008-08-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

Microsoft replies that Microsoft's full support for China in creating a fair competitive environment for the efforts made. Microsoft is committed to and will continue to provide quality products to Chinese customers and services, and support China's information industry development. Microsoft on a global scale, including China, have been working to ensure compliance with the law on fair competition system. At present, Microsoft not received any department or agency of the anti-monopoly investigation.

163 promotes the online translation service

2008-08-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

After July google, the baidu send the strength promotion online translation service in abundance, another enters this market the search manufacturer. From applies the more popular Internet tabletop dictionary software to obtain, “is correct the search” through innovation functions and so on origination network explanation and magnanimous illustrative sentence agglomerated 5,000,000 installing equipment users in short a half year, and attempts this lead to delay to the online translation market. Hence, the domestic mainstream search manufacturer in translates in the market the layout to become the tripod to stand like a tripod the potential, the competition hastens intensely. 　　

In 2008 Internet dictionary and online translation market, because the search manufacturer's involvement one after another becomes extremely busy. As search engine's overlord, the online machine translation is decided that the google future core product, the google hope through the translation conformity different language's information, will realize the true globalization and the non-barrier communication. , The google also has adjusted at the beginning of July its Chinese version home page, original “the hot announcement” the function quilt “the translation” substitutes, and launches the cooperation with the Jinshan word tyrant, promotes the tabletop dictionary translation software, obviously google translation value degree. But another searched the giant baidu also to promote the online translation service which cooperated with Jinqiao translator. 　　

Airui consults an investigation showed that is popular along with the Internet, the user browsing foreign materials' medium transforms gradually by the document file into the foreign language website, causes the current translation service to online search reforming, but is searching the operation to borrow after consultation the online translation service to attract the new user and to stick to the higher order user's strategy day by day to be also clear. “is correct the search” to begin from Internet dictionary to enter the online translation market the action, also has verified this judgment.

Microsoft keyboard 2000

2008-08-25T06:49:00.000-07:00

The Microsoft comfort curve keyboard 2000 have 8 multimedia quick keys, the media broadcast, E-MAIL receives and dispatches an operation, facilitates quickly.

Microsoft comfort curve keyboard 2000 besides comfortable curve design, be ultra-thin contour, many media quick keys, but also has user-friendly against to splash the water design, even if the user were not careful Shui Podao on the keyboard, also did not need to worry.

Now the business is carrying on the promotion to this model of keyboard, the price only $15, recently had the friend who the purchase keyboard needed not to miss.