News Bits: Tablet PC Memory Leak Fix, Google Toolbar for Firefox, Laptops in Bed?

Microsoft Fixes Tablet PC OS Memory Leak Problem

A known issue in the current Windows Tablet PC OS is thata memory leak gradually decreases RAM availability until performance gets so bad, only a reboot will resolve the poor performance. Microsoft acknowledged the problem long ago, but they never offered a fix for it even after promising they would. Until now. A patch has been releasedthat is a must download for all Tablet PC owners. All buyers over the next few months, should probably attempt to apply it as well. From the Microsoft site:

<!--StartFragment -->A memory leak in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 causes a gradual decrease in available system memory. This loss in available memory causes degradation in system performance. When this behavior occurs, the user must restart the computer. This problem is caused by a memory leak in the tcserver.exe service.

The patch may be downloaded here.

Google ToolBar for FireFox Coming

Google seems set to release it's toolbar application for the open source Firefox browser Thursday. The product willbe about the sameas Google's toolbar for Microsoft's Internet Explorer, according to ane-mail, which was sent to Firefox distributors under the name of Google developer Fritz Schneider.

The Google toolbar, like theIE version, will allow users to search directly from it, and will also incorporate a spellchecker and translators. It won't include a pop-up blocker as the Firefox browser already incorporates its own pop-up blocker.

More: Google Toolbar for Firefox

Arnold S. and the California State Government Choose Gateway and IBM Laptops

I don't think Arnold Schwarzenegger had much(anything)to do with the decision really, but the state of California chose Gateway and IBM to providelaptops to government workers for the next two years. California, being a big state, will spend $22 Million on laptopsover the next two years and $9 million on Gateway LCD monitors. That's a lot of laptops and screens, and enough to boost Gateway stock yesterday.

More: Gateway and California Contract

Intel Pentium M Processors Continue to Sell Like Hotcakes

Intel will be reporting its sales and earnings for the past quarter on July 19, but the word is already that Intel is getting fat with cash selling Pentium M processors over the past 3 months. Laptop sales have been hot, and thus so have Pentium M sales. Intel had sales of around $9.3 Billion last quarter. Yes, I said $9.3 Billion -- that's for 3 months not 12. Sick.

More: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8B6249G0.htm?campaign_id=apn_tech_down

Laptops in Bed?

I came across this article and thought it was kind of odd, it's all about how bad it is to be using a laptop in bed, apparently sitting in bed is an ergonomic no-no. But this writer gives us tips on what you should do if you really insist on using your laptop in bed -- if you don't have better things to do there.

"Beds aren't made for sitting while reading, writing, watching TV or using the laptop. But if the coziness of the bed is irresistible, at least position and support yourself with care using the tips I've given you."

More: http://www.gilroydispatch.com/lifestyles/contentview.asp?c=163079

GeForce 7800 GTX Sales to Be Boosted by ATI's R520 Delay

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ATI is currently revamping the chip design of its R520 at present, said the makers, adding that the company is facing leakage issues, as it attempts to migrate its manufacturing to a 90nm process. The situation is similar to when Nvidia postponed the availability of its 0.13-micron NV30 high-end chip in 2002 due to production issues, the makers pointed out. [/span]

Despite the delay of the R520, ATI may launch its mainstream R530 and entry-level RV515 GPUs ahead of its schedule, with both parts being manufactured at 90nm, according to sources. [/span]

Nvidialast weekannounced that Acer adopted its GeForce Go 6 series for new TravelMate notebooks. The GeForce Go 6200 GPU with TurboCache technology will be used in the Acer TravelMate 4150 notebook and TravelMate C310 convertible Tablet PC, while the GeForce Go 6600 GPU has been selected for the TravelMate 4650.

More: http://news.softpedia.com/news/GeForce-7800-GTX-Sales-to-Be-Boosted-by-ATI-s-R520-Delay-4190.shtml

 

Good news about google. I wonder why they took so long to release a toolbar for FF.

 

I agree, I'm tired of using extensions to get useful data I need like page rank.

 

I need the spellchecker for here I really don't like the googlebar that's out now anyways. Its just not the same as what Google has.

Interesting story about the laptop in bed. I thought the whole point about using your laptop in bed was so that you could laydown.