Dell today are launching their brand new Inspiron Zino HD mini PC range.

The Zino HD can pack quite a punch for its diminutive size. Measuring up at just 197mm square and 89mm tall, the Zino HD can manage to fit in a Blu-ray player, up to 1TB of storage space and an AMD X2 6850E 1.8GHz 512k processor and ATI Radeon™ HD 4330 512MB graphics card on the high-end models. Its small size and customisable faceplates make it a nifty addition to any home cinema solution.

If you're looking for just a little PC to sit on your desktop without any HD bells and whistles, the Zino HD also ships with Windows 7 Home Premium to handle any word processing, emailing or internet browsing you may need to do.

"The Inspiron Zino HD proves again that great things can really come in small packages," said David Clifton, Director of Consumer Marketing, Dell Europe. "It is a fashionable and functional computer that is small enough to fit almost anywhere in the home and can be personalised for the style-minded."

Prices start from £299 for the most basic model. Click here to browse the Dell shop.

Here's a quick spec sheet:

• Ultra-small form factor designed to fit almost anywhere.
• Easy personalisation with 6 colour choices and 3 pattern choices for Inspiron Zino HD.
• Choice of AMD Athlon processors.
• Up to 8GB dual channel DDR 2 memory.
• Up to 1TB internal hard disk storage.
• Combo DVD/CD RW drive with optional Blu-ray Disc combo.
• Integrated 10/100/1000 networking with wireless option.
• Optional wireless keyboard and mouse.
• Built in 2.1 high-definition audio and 4-in-1 media card reader.
• Integrated ATI graphics adapter with standard HDMI and VGA video connections, and optional 512MB discrete graphics card.
• Four USB ports (2 front/2 rear); two eSATA ports (rear).
• Energy-Star 5.0 compliant.

IBM have announced plans for a new cloud computing service called the Smart Analytics Cloud, offering online storage and tools to its users.

It hopes to use the service to bolster its market share, but will face stiff competition from Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud, Azure from Microsoft and Google's continued forays into cloud computing.

IBM are also set to launch an internal cloud computing model called Blue Insight. It will offer a petabyte of storage (1,000TB) to IBM's staff around the globe.

Cloud computing is already proving to be a big boon to businesses, with the industry purportedly worth $3.4 billion this year.

Acer are set to launch two new notebooks to coincide with the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

Official sponsors of the games, Acer are readying a limited edition of their Aspire 1410 CULV Notebook.

The 1410 notebook will be packing Windows 7 Home Edition with an 11.6-inch LCD LED back lighted screen displaying a 16:9 ratio. The Aspire 1410 will also feature an Intel GMA 4500MHD GPU, an Intel GS45 Express Chipset, up to 4GB of RAM and will come with a 250GB HDD.

While there are fewer details available for the Aspire 4810T Olympic special, the notebook is said to be a special edition release within the Acer Timeline series.

No word yet on whether the notebooks will ship with a chilly-weather battling thermos though.

Via: Akihabara News

ASUS and Toshiba's PC division are in partnership talks, according to ASUS chairman Jonney Shih.

ASUS have seen steady growth in the netbook market, and are looking to have completely overtaken rival manufacturer Dell by 2011, a move which would make them the third largest PC vendor.

Toshiba have an estimated 5% global share of the PC market, a sizeable portion which would certainly bolster the ASUS plans for expansion.

While Shih has admitted that talks with Toshiba have begun, no deals have yet been finalised.

First announced back in July, reports from Tech Crunch and Reuters are suggesting that the source-code to Google's Chrome OS could be released later this week.

Chrome OS is set to be stripped back affair. Its emphasis will be on speed and ease of use, and will initially be pitched towards the netbook market. There will also be a focus on cloud applications and internet use.

Google hopes that success in the portable market will build up a following loyal enough to take on the might of Microsoft's own Windows OS

While it will be interesting to get an early insight into what Google's Chrome OS will offer it's users, especially in relation to the fledgling cloud computing platform, we will have to wait until 2010 for a full retail release of the product.

Older readers probably remember her as the legendary Blue Peter presenter, alongside Peter Purves and John Noakes, but now she's moved from sticky back plastic and old bottle tops to market her own range of computers for the over 50s.

Available from her money-saving website, Discount Age, which she founded a year ago, the SimplicITy computers (get it) have been produced to help mature and technophobic computer users in the UK.

With no start up screen or log in requirements SimplicITy takes the user to a menu screen with just six options to choose from: email, browse the web, chat, about me, documents and video tutorials, presented by Val herself. Options are laid out clearly with big, onscreen buttons with large text.

Two models are available: a desktop with a single core processor for £299 including VAT and a mini desktop with a dual core processor costing £389. A complete package with screen, keyboard, mouse and stereo speakers costs £435 and £525 respectively. Each computer includes simple set-up instructions and a manual reproducing the video tutorials for those who prefer to read. Additionally, buyers will receive a free membership of Val's website, Discount Age , which offers a wide range of discounts off various products.

http://www.discount-age.co.uk/simplicity_computers/

CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO SEE MORE PICTURES AND SCREENGRABS

Canon are set to launch the imageFORMULA P-150 portable duplex scanner on Monday 9th November, and Tech Digest were on hand at Canon HQ today to have a test.

Weighing less than a bag of sugar, the P-150 is incredibly compact. It measures up at 280 x 95 x 40 mm when closed, folding out to 280 x 222.7 x 202.2 mm to reveal the loading tray. It'd easily fit in a hand-bag or "man-bag", and is light enough to not be too much of a hassle when travelling.

Despite its size, the imageFORMULA P-150 packs a lot of punch for a scanner so small. Capable of 15 pages per minute/30 image per minute duplex scanning in black and white and 10 ppm/10 ipm in full colour, it churns through paper work at a pretty pace.

In a nice touch, the P-150 is fully powered by USB, and thanks to built in software can be plugged into any PC and used instantly, without the need to install any extra programs.

For the high-volume user, the P-150 will be compatible with Therefore software, offering remote management and streamlined indexing of scanned items. An Office-style UI will make the management system instantly familiar to most users.

According to Canon, 23% of office space is filled with filing cabinets. With the imageFormula P-150 not much bigger than a handheld gaming console, it could be a great solution for the space-conscious.

Look for a full Tech Digest review on the imageFORMULA P-150 early next week.

Sony's new CW series is available in several different colours including blue, red, pink and white, as well as a gloss black step up model with Blu-Ray and 500Gb hard drive. There's a 16:9 14inch widescreen X-black LCD screen with LED backlight and an on-board NVIDIA GeForce graphics processor to handle HD video editing and 3D games.

Three buttons just above the keyboard give one-touch access to useful functions, including a button to start surfing in seconds without waiting for the PC's operating system to boot up and a VAIO button which launches Media Gallery, letting you browse digital photos, videos and music tracks.

Also on board is an HDMI output which connects the VAIO to any BRAVIA for enjoying big-screen movies on your HDTV and a web cam for video chatting with friends and family. The CW Series is available October 22nd. Other VAIO ranges that Sony has just announced include the L Series and X Series.

Following the announcement of the beautiful and sleek X Series notebook PC, Sony has added further new PC-based products to its line up.

Designed as the focal point of the digital home, the new VAIO L Series of home entertainment PCs incorporate a 24inch widescreen X-black LCD display complete with touch screen for control without the need of a mouse or keyboard.The wireless design also means that the L Series avoids any unsightly cables.

Other features include a Media Gallery which enables you to browse through digital images, videos and music tracks with drag and rotate gestures on the LCD touchscreen. Photos and videos can be viewed on a timeline or as events that cluster together all your images and clips from the same day, such as a birthday or wedding. Media Gallery even remembers your preferences, suggesting other images, videos and music based on your browsing history and content metadata.

VAIO Movie Story automatically selects and splices together highlights from your HD camcorder footage, ready for burning to Blu-ray Disc or DVD for sharing with friends and family. And the new Music Player offers SensMe technology that automatically analyses your music collection, sorting tracks into channels to suit any mood.

The VAIO L Series boasts two 5.5W speakers and wireless S‑Master Digital Amplifier technology. There's also a wireless keyboard with a dedicated 'VAIO' button that instantly launches the Media Gallery application. Analogue video and HDMI inputs are provided for hooking up to a games console.

The VAIO L Series all-in-one home PC is available from 22nd October 2009. Prices yet to be confirmed.

KEY FEATURES
* VAIO L Series: premium HD home entertainment PC
* Chic, space-saving all-in-one design
* Super-size, high resolution 24" LCD touchscreen for intuitive fingertip control
* Explore and enjoy your media collection with Media Gallery

Billed as the world's lightest notebook (until the next one comes along that is) Sony's latest 11.1inch laptop tips the scales at just 655g and is 13.9mm slim.

Designed primarily for the business traveller, the X Series is available in three finishes: gold, black and premium carbon. Customers can choose the specifications that suit them best and create their own personal VAIO X with 'VAIO by you' custom ordering from Sony's website.

Sony claims that because the chassis is sculpted in tough, light carbon fibre it is both strong and incredibly light. The aluminium palm rest is designed to provide a stable base for comfortable, error-free typing on the keyboard while a new multi-finger touchpad simplifies navigation through your files.

The 11.1inch X-black widescreen LCD with LED backlight technology offers high contrast and true-to-life colours, reckons Sony, while thanks to its extremely low voltage processor and power-efficient LCD panel, the VAIO X Series offers approximately 8 hours of charge. An optional extended X battery accessory boosts stamina further still, up to 16 hours of battery life.

When away from a Wi-Fi hotspot, the VAIO Everywair WWAN lets users stay connected with high-speed access to 3G HSPA mobile broadband networks at download speeds up to 7.2 Mbps. Two USB, Gigabit Ethernet and VGA ports are complemented by 802.11 b/g/Draft n and Bluetooth connectivity. There's also a mic, headphone jack and card slots for Memory Stick and SD media. A 2.25mm Motion Eye camera is provided for videoconferencing with clients and colleagues.

The Vaio X series runs Genuine Windows 7 Professional while Energy Star 5.0 rating reduces your carbon footprint. Optional accessories include a luxurious slip case in genuine leather, external USB DVD drive and a wireless mouse.

The VAIO X Series notebook PC is available from November 2009.

KEY FEATURES
* VAIO X Series: just 6551 and 13.9mm slim
* Stay productive for longer with up to 162 hours of battery life
* Clear, bright 11.1inch widescreen X-black LCD with LED technology
* Stunning aluminium/carbon fibre design available in three finishes
* High-speed Mobile Broadband with Everywair Wireless WAN

Ready for some quality Apple gossip? Well according to Apple Insider, and they have been right on quite a lot of stuff in the past, Apple is about to revamp its IMac line up with some new upgraded models arriving as early as October.

The blog reckons that the new dual core desktops will sport a thin industrial type design, boast some new audio facilities and will be available at cheaper price points than the last gen of iMacs.

Apple Insider's big punt though is that at least one of the high end iMacs will feature a Blu-ray player, a format which Steve jobs has up until now been quite cynical about.

Gizmodo has just pulled off one hell of a scoop. The site has got its mitts on the Courier, an innovative new device from Microsoft that just might bit the kit that makes the company cool.

Apparently in its late prototype stage the Courier is a booklet (and not a Tablet) style PC which sports a pair of seven inch screens. They are multi touch and are designed for writing flicking and drawing using a stylus. There's also a sophisticated user interface, wireless facilities and an integrated camera.

In short it looks much more like what we'd expect from Apple than the crew in Seattle.

Gizmodo will have more on the Courier over the next few days. It'll be very interesting to see what kind of reception the Courier gets. It certainly looks very cool.

Every now and then Medion surprises us with something really rather interesting, and today the company has hit the jackpot with the very intriguing TOUCH X9613.

Essentially the TOUCH X9613 is a 24inch HD resolution screen/TV, but it also includes a integrated Windows PC as well as audio facilities, Blu-ray and a DVD. It is controlled in interesting ways too with users able to access apps using either touch or voice. The unit also comes with its own avatar called Laura, who can help guide the user through the various applications and features.

As well as its primary entertainment style facilties the TOUCH X9613 can also be used for sending emails (users either tap on the screen or use the accompanying wireless keypad) or access sites like Facebook though a dedicated interface.

There's loads of room for content too with the device sporting a huge 1Tb hard drive.

Other specs worth mentioning include Medion's Photo Viewer for looking at images, a digital TV tuner, a two mega pixel webcam and microphone, Bluetooth, an Intel Core 2 Quad processor Q9000, NVIDIA GeForce GT240M graphics card and 4GB of DDR RAM.

It'll be available by the end of the year. Alas there's no news on price yet.

Star billing at today's LG monitor launch went to the LGW86 series of LED backlit monitors. The high performance widescreen monitors will come in 22 and 24 inch versions, available for £249 and £299 respectively. They have a 2 millisecond response for the optimum gaming experience and 700:000:1 contrast ratio.

The monitors include smart controls, comprising functions such as auto brightness, which works out what the ambient lighting is in a room and adjusts the brightness control automatically. There's also a fun key that offers photo effects such as monochrome and sepia and EZ Zooming where you can home in on certain parts of the picture.

The monitors are available in October.

LG's visual department held a launch the UK today and paraded a pair of new LCD monitors, a new LCD 1080p LCD TV, an LCD projector and a new high-end LCD monitor.

Click on the gallery, which kicks off with the LG M62D LCD TV, to see the new products

It hasn't been a great F1 season for Ferrari, or their great rivals McLaren Mercedes for that matter too, but that hasn't stopped Acer from teaming up with the Italian sports car company to produce a new go faster laptop the Ferrari One.

Of course all that the PC has in common with the car is its dancing horse logo and red livery, but don't let that put you off. Under the hood it has a dual-core AMD Athlon X2 L310 1.2GHz CPU and 2GB of 800MHz DDR 2 memory, a 250 Gig hard drive and an ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics processor.

Also on board is a memory card slot, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, an 11inch 1366 x 768 display and optional Bluetooth.

It will sell for around £400 when it arrives in stores next month.

I can normally see where the extra money goes when paying through the eyeballs for a Sony Vaio but I can't say it was all too obvious when I got my hands on the Sony Vaio Mini W. It looks and feels just like pretty much any netbook out there and, in fact, there are much slinkier ones in the shape of the Acer Aspire One for example. Take a look and see what I mean.

At approcimately £400 that's quite a lot more than any other netbook and the only thing it really has going for it, on first inspection, is the keyboard. It's still pretty small but Sony has somehow managed to keep their isolated keys design while making it easy enough to type on. I'm not saying I'd want to write a book on the thing but it'll drive you a lot less crazy than a lot of the others out there.

I'd need some up close and personal time with the thing to really see how much I'd pay for it but, until then, I'm not going to be losing any sleep. Oh, and brown was the other colour I was after.

Sonystyle

If you actually own three devices that connect via Firewire, and you don't happen to use a Mac, then the Packard Bell ixtreme Maestro is probably for you; all three of you.

It comes with up to 3TB of HDD; a choice of Core i7 processor, Intel Core 2 Quad or AMD Phenom II X4 quad-core processors and you're unlikely to find yourself bottlenecking on the RAM with up to 12 GB of DDR3 to play with. There's a Blu-ray combo drive, a piffling 10 USB slots, 2 x eSATA, HDMI and a multi-card reader too. So many holes, it's a surprise the thing stays together.

PC World has announced that they'll be exclusively stocking the Advent PQD-9002 desktop PC. This looks like being a good, media-centre, family PC.

It's got an AMD Phenom X4 9350, 2GHz, Quad-Core processor with a 512MB ATI Radeon HD4350 graphics card so it should be able to handle gaming pretty well as well as playing video without any lag. There's 4GB of RAM in there and has a fairly substantial 640GB hard-drive so you can store plenty of media as well.

The Advent PQD-9002 will cost just under £600 with an 18.5-inch LG monitor. It will cost slightly more if you want a bigger screen - 20 and 22-inch monitors are also available. It's a shame it hasn't got a Blu-ray drive but it's not a bad price for what you're getting.

If you're interested, order one from PC World.

This Skull PC case is the work of Argonart - a Midlands-based company who specialise in custom built sculptures. The photo shows it in its early design stage - check out the video for a look at it in action.

The Skull is handmade out of 3mm aluminium alloy and is an example of a gaming PC casing that customers can have made to order. The spec of the PC is also up to the customer - although it would be pointless to have this scary-looking casing hosting a low-end PC. You want to be doing some serious gaming with a monster like this.

I particularly like the way the DVD drive comes out of the skull's mouth whilst the eyes look menacingly on.

As far as customisable PC casings go - this is about the coolest I've seen. If you're interested in having one made contact Argonart directly and get a quote. The skull design would set you back about £2,000 for the case.