We're not sure why HP's being so shy about its new line of Android tablets that are now available to buy on the company's website. There's no press release or official announcement that we know of trumpeting their arrival, but even without the usual hoopla, there are some intriguing options. There are four models in all, the first of which is an HP Slate7 Plus that sells for $150.
As the name suggests, it features a 7-inch display with a 1280x800 resolution. Other specs include an Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, 1GB of DDR3 RAM, 8GB of internal storage, 802.11n Wi-Fi, microSD card slot, 0.3MP front-facing webcam, 5MP rear-facing camera, headphone/microphone combo port, micro USB port, accelerometer, eCompass, GPS, stereo speakers, 4000 mAh battery good for up to 6 hours and 30 minutes, and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Not a bad haul for the budget price.
The second model is the HP Slate7 Extreme, another 7-inch tablet with the same resolution but an IPS panel and a higher price tag ($200). The higher price tag is also justified by including an upgraded Nvidia Tegra 4 A15 processor, twice as much internal storage (16GB). HDMI output, Bluetooth connectivity, and a longer running battery (10.5 hours).
Next up on the pricing totem pole is the HP Slate10 HD for $300. It has a 10-inch display (also with a 1280x800 resolution), Marvell PXA986 dual-core processor (1.2GHz), 1GB DDR3, 16GB internal storage, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, micro USB port, headphone out, Beats Audio, and a 7000 mAh battery for up to 10 hours of run time.
Finally, there's the HP Slate8 Pro for $330. It's similarly spec'd as the Slate7 but with an 8-inch display with 1600x1200 resolution.
Life is about the little pleasures. You know, things like ice cream on a hot summer day, cold beer at a ball game, and scoring big with the Humble Bundles. Yep, that sweet program that allows you to donate to charity (or developers) whatever amount you wish in exchange for some sweet games. The latest Humble Jumbo Bundle consists of Natural Selection 2, Sanctum 2, and Magicka with two packs of DLC, but as always, there's potentially more.
For those of you new to the Humble Bundle, the way it works is you set your own price and then decide how you want to split those funds between the developers, charity, and the Humble Bundle itself (paying for bandwidth and other associated costs). If you pay more than the average, you get a few extras.
As of this writing, the average is listed at $3.95. Beating that buys you the not only the games already mentioned (along with a few related soundtracks), but also Orcs Must Die! 2: Complete Pack, Garry's Mod, and Serious Sam 3: BFE, plus two more soundtracks. In addition, more games will be coming soon and you'll receive whichever ones they are by paying more than the average.
If any of that interests you, head over to the Humble Bundle website and go add to your games collection!
Earlier today we reported on International Data Corporation's (IDC's) analysis that overall PC shipments are on pace to decline to 10.1 percent in 2013, marking the worst decline ever recorded. IDC reasoned that consumers are finding existing PCs are able to get the job done, as opposed to cannibalization by tablets and smartphones. While that might be true, one category that seems to be doing well is all-in-one PCs.
According to Digitimes Research, global AIO PC shipments will grow nearly 5 percent in 2014. There's been been a "wave of replacement demand" since Apple came out with its super thin iMacs earlier in the year, which is helping to boost demand for these types of systems.
Gamers and power users usually avoid AIO systems, either because they're not powerful enough or because they typically lack easy upgrade solutions. There are a handful of models that buck both trends, but by and large, AIOs are more attractive to mainstream users. These space saving designs along with the increasing prominence of touchscreen panels could temp users to ditch their existing desktops.
It's already been happening to some extent. According to Digitimes Research, AIO shipments grew 2.3 percent in 2012 and 15.8 percent in 2013. While demand is projected to subside a bit next year, AIO shipments will still account for 11.5 percent of global desktop shipments in 2014.
Toshiba scores big with a relatively low investment
Investors weren't beating down OCZ's doors to hand the company money, or even a floatation device. Out of options, out of time, and out of cash, OCZ could do nothing but negotiate with the only company showing interest in its assets. That company is Toshiba, which hammered out a deal with OCZ to acquire all of the drive maker's assets in a chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding for $35 million.
This is a steal for Toshiba, which will also provide OCZ with financing so that it can continue to operate and support its customers during the sale period. OCZ's board of directors already approved the sale, and barring an objection from the bankruptcy court, the sale is expected to close in 60 days.
"Over the past year, OCZ has dealt with numerous issues which have stressed the company's capital structure and operating model, posing a challenge to achieving near term profitability. The combination of NAND flash supply constraints and credit issues have impacted our ability to satisfy the demands of our customers; this combined with increased pricing pressure in our industry have contributed to our on-going operating losses. On an operational basis, we completed a complex investigation, several restructurings and a multi-year restatement that added significantly to our working capital requirements," stated Ralph Schmitt, CEO of OCZ. "We have been working diligently on this partnership with Toshiba and we believe that this is the best outcome under our current corporate conditions."
Perhaps the biggest gain for Toshiba is Indilinx. OCZ paid $32 million in common stock for the SSD controller maker two years ago and has been using that acquisition to pump out controllers for its own products as well as competitors' SSDs. Meanwhile, Toshiba already operates a strong NAND flash memory business.
Market research firm predicts 10 percent market shrinkage
If industry analysts don't start saying nice things about PCs, we may start to develop a complex. We jest, of course -- this is Maximum PC, not Maximum Feelings -- and we're confident that PCs will be around for a long, long time, but what's unknown is when mainstream users will see the need to upgrade again. According to International Data Corporation (IDC), PC shipments continue to decline because consumers are getting by just fine with their older machines.
"Perhaps the chief concern for future PC demand is a lack of reasons to replace an older system," said Jay Chou, Senior Research Analyst, Worldwide Quarterly PC Trackers at IDC. "While IDC research finds that the PC still remains the primary computing device – for example, PCs are used more hours per day than tablets or phones – PC usage is nonetheless declining each year as more devices become available. And despite industry efforts, PC usage has not moved significantly beyond consumption and productivity tasks to differentiate PCs from other devices. As a result, PC lifespans continue to increase, thereby limiting market growth."
It's an interesting analysis that deviates from the typical, "OMG, PCs are dead, everyone wants a tablet or smartphone!!" Mobile handheld devices are hot, no doubt, but when it come down to it, traditional PCs are the real workhorses that are still used the most, according to IDC's data.
At the same time, IDC predicts the market will contract 10.1 percent by the end of the year, representing the most severe decline ever. In 2014, IDC sees the market dipping another 3.8 percent before turning slightly positive in the longer term. When the dust settles, PC shipments will hover a little over 300 million units, just ahead of 2008 volumes.
Dirty online cheaters can ruin your night when you only have a limited amount of time to game, but did you really need to punch your monitor in a fit of rage? In the worlds of Ron Burgundy, "Boy, that escalated quickly. I mean that really got out of hand fast!" Oh well, what's done is done. Turning a negative into a positive is today's top deal for an Acer S275HL bmii Black 27-inch LED Monitor for $190 with free shipping (normally $400 - use coupon code: [BFLGJLMNQT75]). It has an In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel, 100,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 2 x HDMI and 1 x D-Sub connectivity, and built-in speakers when you're in a pinch for audio.
Covering all the bases
Play games and support charity at the same time
Demand for all-in-one systems is on the rise
Toshiba scores big with a relatively low investment
Market research firm predicts 10 percent market shrinkage
