Alienware X51 launched

Dell’s Alienware brand is one that targets gamers, and I for one, am extremely glad that Dell did not water down the Alienware brand after they acquired it many years back. Alienware continued to maintain their own range of high powered, high quality gaming PCs, although those tend to veer towards the bulky side. It would be very rare for someone to lug their Alienware machines to another’s house for a LAN party – but all of that might eventually change as of today, thanks to the release of the Alienware X51.

This is the company’s smallest gaming desktop to date, but do not let its small size fool you. Capable of high performance capability, the Alienware X51 was specially designed to deliver an exhilarating 1080p high definition and 3D gaming experience, cramming in high class performance in a smaller chassis design that will be able to look perfect in just about any room (except maybe for being in the kitchen).

The Alienware X51 boasts a dual-orientation chassis that supports 7.1 surround-sound audio, in addition to an optional Blu-Ray disc drive just in case you want to enjoy your collection of Blu-ray discs on this instead of on your PS3 or dedicated Blu-ray player. Running on Intel’s second generation Core i processors, the X51 will also be equipped with the NVIDIA GeForce GT or optional GTX class graphics cards, Wireless-N technology for easy Internet access, HDMI 1.4 for connecting to 3D TVs and watching 3D Blu-ray movies, a couple of SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports, High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio and GDDR5 graphics memory.

Even the entry-level configuration is something that will drop your jaws – we are looking at a Core i3 processor, 4GB RAM, 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 545 graphics, and a 1TB 7,200rpm hard drive, enabling it to yield an average 34 frames per second in Battlefield 3 – at high settings, and in a resolution of 1080p. Is that jaw dropping or what? To top it all off, the starting price of $699 is definitely a deal clincher for many, I believe. Will you be getting the Alienware X51 as your primary gaming rig now?

Ubuntu TV making its debut at CES

Canonical’s Mark Shuttleworth promised that Ubuntu would come to TVs eventually, but we never expected it would arrive so quickly. A concept preview is here at CES for convention goers to get their eyeballs on and we’ll be swinging through the company’s booth to get some hands-on. For now it’s largely a technical demo and concept, but there are already some neat features on display like a 3D dash, searchable guide and streaming video apps. The goal, the company says, is to “uncomplicate television” by removing as much of the paraphernalia that accompanies it — primarily the boxes and cables.

LG Cinema Screen

CES 2012 will be the place where LG Electronics introduces their latest LG Cinema Screen Design that will see action in a range of new Cinema 3D Smart TVs that are headed your way this year. The bezel of this Cinema Screen has been reduced to a mere 1mm, resulting in a more optimal and comfortable environment especially for immersive 3D viewing. According to Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company, “The 3D experience is still evolving and we at LG intend to push the limits of what 3D can deliver. With our 2012 CINEMA 3D Smart TVs, we have been able to take a significant step forward, thanks to a series of new and upgraded 3D features led by the CINEMA SCREEN Design.”

A bezel of just 1mm is certainly something interesting to look at – if you can see it, that is, considering how slim it is. The removal of such physical obstructions will pave the way for a greater immersion of 3D effects, making you think back of how watching a 3D movie in the cinema felt like for the first time. LG will make sure their new Cinema Screen Design is accompanied by the new Cinema 3D glasses that are being slated for a 2012 release as well, where the latter will feature a trio of elegant-looking models that are 20% lighter compared to its predecessors, increasing the comfort level so that you can enjoy 3D movies longer than ever before.

This kind of optimal setting is perfect for immersive 3D viewing, and when one applies the theory of 3D TV technology, Dual Play has been slated to be the suitable solution for an ultimate gaming experience. The introduction of LG’s Dual Play function and the special Dual Play glasses will enable players to view two entirely different full images, compared to the traditional split screen display where you only have halve the screen to focus on. In addition to that, 3D Sound Zooming will generate audio output so that it will be synchronized with the location and movement of the various on-screen objects, enabling immersive sound to complement immersive visuals.

Needless to say, the new Cinema 3D Smart TVs will be equipped with LG’s Smart TV function that sports over 1,200 apps, while you are also able to enjoy premium content services like 3D World, immersing yourself in an abundance of 3D content – as long as you are willing to fork out the dough, that is.