19 May,2011 11:18 AM IST | | AFP
High-tech product releases announced the week ending May 18 include two new web-centric Chromebooks, all-in-one PCs from Toshiba and Lenovo, the small and light Panasonic Lumix G3 camera, and a very compact Blu-ray player from Samsung.
Toshiba's first all-in-one desktop PC
Toshiba's DX1210 PC is the company's first all-in-one PC to arrive in Australia. The media-centric PC comes with a 21.5-inch full HD LCD touchscreen, wireless keyboard and mouse, integrated TV tuner, Blu-ray player, Onkyo speakers and Dolby Audio processing. Inside, there is an Intel Core i7 or i5 processor, four USB 2.0 ports and two USB 3.0 ports, a HDMI-in port, and a webcam with Face Recognition. The PC is priced at AU$1,665 ( 1,250, $1760) and is available now.
A thin all-in-one computer for business users
Lenovo has introduced the ThinkCentre Edge 91z, its slimmest, most powerful all-in-one desktop yet. The PC measures 2.5 inches wide and is equipped with a 21.5-inch HD screen. It comes with an optional wireless keyboard, optional Blu-ray drive, an Intel i7 Quad Core processor, a web cam, support for HDMI, and the Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 for Windows 7. Pricing starts from $699 and the computer will be available in July.
Computers that don't have a desktop or run programs, antivirus software
Google's new Chromebooks are a new breed of web-centric laptops. Samsung's Series 5 Chrome OS laptop features a 12.1" 1280x800 display, 8.5 hours of continuous battery life, built-in dual-band WiFi, optional World-mode 3G, a HD Webcam, 2 USB 2.0 ports, a 4-in-1 memory card slot, mini VGA port, and an oversize trackpad. The smaller and cheaper Acer Chromebook comes with a 11.6-inch LED display, a battery life of 6 hours, WiFi, optional 3G, a HD Webcam, 2 USB ports, a memory card slot, and an oversize trackpad. Both versions of Google's Chromebook will be available on June 15 in the US, UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. The WiFi version of Samsung's Chromebook will be priced from $429 while the 3G version starts at $499. Acer's WiFi-only Chromebook will be priced from $349. A 3G version will also be available but pricing has not been announced..
The world's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens system camera
Panasonic's Lumix G3 is an updated version of the company's G1 and G2 interchangeable lens system cameras. It has a large 16MP Micro Four Thirds Sensor, a high-resolution free-angle LCD touch screen, full HD recording and an ultra-lightweight aluminium body design. It is 25 percent smaller than its Lumix G2 sibling and weighs in at less than 340 grams. The Lumix G3 is priced at 699 and is available at the end of June.
A compact Blu-ray player that's half the size of others
Samsung's Compact Smart Blu-ray BD-D7000 is around half the size of your typical Blu-ray player yet doesn't skimp on features. It has 2D to 3D conversion, full clear HD 3D visuals with no noise, and has built-in WiFi and Dolby 7.1. Samsung's Smart Hub, All Share and Search All features are also included in the device which weighs only 1.1kg. The BD-D7000 is available now in the US and Korea for 390,000 Won ($300, 250).
