News Bits: HP G60 At Circuit City, Dell Precision Workstations, Samsung 14" Notebook

HP quietly introduces 15.6" G60 notebook

HP has quietly introduced its first notebook featuring a 15.6-inch display. It is currently being sold at Circuit City with the following specifications:

• 15.6-inch 1366x768 resolution display
• AMD Turion 64 X2 RM-70 processor
• 250GB 5400RPM hard drive
• 3GB DDR2 RAM
• LightScribe DVD burner
• 802.11a/g/b/n wireless
• Built-in webcam
• Windows Vista Home Premium

The G60-120US at Circuit City is currently retailing for $779.99, though with current discounts it can be had for $629.99.

Product Link (CircuitCity.com)

Dell teases with new Precision workstations, coming soon

Dell has a few teaser images up on its website about a new Precision Mobile Workstation it will be introducing later this fall. The upcoming 17-inch Precision will feature an Intel quad-core processor, up to 16GB of RAM, up to two hard drives with a terabyte of storage in total and RAID, 1GB of video memory, and a 100% Adobe color gamut RGBLED display.

Product Link
Via (Laptoping.com)

Samsung announces X460 14.1" notebook

Samsung today introduced its X460 notebook. It features a 14.1-inch LED-backlit display, Nvidia GeForce 9300M-GS graphics, and a weight of only 4 pounds (1.84 kg).

Full Story (TrustedReviews.com)
Special thanks to forum Super Moderator John Ratsey for submitting this bit

Windows 7 will not come with the usual included programs

According to a story on CNET, Microsoft will not be including any built-in programs for e-mail, photo editing, or movie making with Windows 7 as it did with Windows Vista. The replacements for Windows Mail, Windows Photo Gallery, and Windows Movie Maker will come in the form of better-quality downloadable programs from Windows Live.

Microsoft general manager Brian Hall said the decision not to include the programs was made to expediate the release of the new operating system, and so the company only has to support one program instead of two.

Full Story (CNET.com)

 

One additional detail about the HP G60-

Even though it has the most recent AMD processors, it doesn't benefit from the ATI Radeon Mobility HD 3200. Instead, it uses the nVIDIA GeForce 8200M, also seen in the basic Compaq Presario CQ50Z.

 

On the last story:

"Sure, our competitors at Apple and Ubuntu might deliver you fully featured operating systems with all of the programs you need to be creative and productive free and preinstalled, but we at Microsoft have a different philosophy. Namely, the philosophy that since our OS will be foisted onto you anyways, we'll strip out all useful features and if you don't like it you can go [screw] yourselves with big rusty handfuls of nails and bolts, you consumer tarts."

 

That would be a weird response marine, because from what I heard, one of the complaints about Windows (any version) is that it includes proprietary software that nobody uses, and can't be removed, for example Outlook Express and Windows Messenger. So those programs are just taking up space.

In fact, to me, this is a welcomed move. Those programs have equivalents all over the place that are either free and/or perform better than Microsoft's.

 

hhmm, I partially agree.

I mean I really liked Vista, but from what I read, windows 7 is just vista with a ribbon interface(which I HATE with a passion) and is now stripped right down, remove 3 of the most important applications from my computer. Now I have to download what 1/2GB of programs and install them just get that functionality? Ubuntu looks better and better every day.

By the way, just so people know there are .iso of Windows 7 in the wild, incase you wanna try it.

 

I would really like a stripped down version of windows 7 so that I could choose what I want to have on my computer. It follows what should be Microsoft's attitude of the customers choice and not like Apple who force you into doing things their way. Provided the Microsoft options for media player, mail etc are still free I don't see too much trouble. Perhaps Microsoft could include these programmes on the CD/DVD/other media for users to install? It is also highly like that manufacturers will have the windows live software installed on their anyway.

 

Wow. Dell knows design.

 

The HP G60 looks like a Compaq Presario Model. I'm surprised that it's being sold as an HP, not a Compaq...

That 17" Dell Precision, though the specs are a little vague right now, look to be serious contenders with the HP Elitebook 8730w and the Lenovo ThinkPad W700. I wonder how much they'll cost... I wouldn't be surprised if the top config was over $4000...

 

16gigs of ram... Those new Precision Workstations seem more like portable servers!

 

lol you got that right this laptop will probably be about $5000 with everything possibly more and im 100% sure on this lol can you imagine the price of one 4 gig stick?!

Also that HP will probably be a best seller at circuit it's still a good deal, that samsung looks pretty tasty too bad it wont come state side

 

The picture of the new 15.6" HP here and at Circuitcity website is wrong. I saw the new notebook in person at Circuit City store yesterday, and the keyboard is typical HP silver, not the ugly Compaq black. However, it share most of the ports layout as Compaq Presario, instead of HP Pavilion. No multimedia keys, no firewire, no extra earphone jack. This notebook is about 1" wider than a typical 15.4" notebook. However, the addition of numeric keypad is a big plus for those who need it. Also, the bezel round the LCD is non-glossy type. Basically, I found this notebook very appealing. Unfortunately, 1366x768 is just not enough screen resolution for me. For this size, I hope they can come up with a higher resolution screen.

 

The new 15.6-inch HP G60 is also available at Staples.

Thanks for the writeup. I agree with you fully about the screen resolution. 1366x768 is horrid, especially on a 15.6-inch display. I strongly believe a higher resolution = higher productivity, especially when working with multiple programs/windows. I think it is time the mainstream moved on from 1280x800 and similar resolutions.
I find it funny how Sony only equipped their latest budget Blu-ray notebooks with a 1280x800 resolution . . . that is only 720p, not 1080. It's sad.

 

16 GB of RAM - wow. Sounds like the new Precisions will be quite the impressive noteooks - though I suspect the current (and pretty new) M2400 and M4400 will be the better deal - they already are a pretty good deal IMO.

IDK, I like relatively "low" resolutions and intentionally chose 1280x800 in a 15.4-inch. Being used to 80 DPI on desktop CRT's (and 58 DPI for several years before that), 100 DPI's is already a good increase in DPI and I didn't want more than that.

A numeric keypad is nice. That is a feature I miss from time to time.

 

What? No love for the Samsung?

 

wow... love for the samsung right here~

i'll gladly take one... providing the price was right
heard its around 999 pounds... WHICH of course will bring that close to asus VX3 pricing here in Aus (street price not rrp)
which means ... no thanks samsung

 

I'm still trying to figure out what market niche this model is apparently trying to fill??? The odd screen size, the barely adequate CPU/IGP combination. The dv5z has with the same processor has superior graphics but can be had for close to the same price. The fact that it was launched without even an announcement from HP only makes it more unusual....***?

 

I would love the X460 if it had a WXGA+ display (perhaps because the Samsung WXGA+ LED backlit display isn't good enough). My biggest complaint about my Dell E6400 is the weight and Samsung has shown what can be done in this respect.

John