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?

Xbox Bundle Black Friday Sale

Microsoft Store is excited to announce the beginning of their holiday offers including: Ultimate Gaming Bundle for $1999, Save $300 on a PC when you buy select software, and Holiday Xbox Bundle for $299.

Microsoft Store Ultimate gaming bundle – Dell Alien with 2 games and mouse for $1999 through November 29th

Save up to $300 on a PC when you buy select software through December 31st

Holiday Xbox Bundle for $299. Includes: Console, Wireless controller, headset, 2 games, and Xbox LIVE gold membership.

Tips for Buying Used Computers

In this modern era, high tech devices that are very expensive like the computers can be replaced with cheaper ones. Such cheap computers mostly come in the form of used computers. Used computers can be found in abundance in the used computer warehouses in various places, even in the local area of the prospective buyer’s residence. However there is no guarantee of quality when buying a used computer. The buyer has to take his own personal risk in doing so. But, if the buyer is ready to spend some money in upgrading the level of the used computer and also some time checking the quality of the used computer before purchase, it will save him from loss. Used computers can save a lot of money for the buyer when compared to buying a new computer. There are many who cannot afford to buy a new computer like the students who do not have any source of income but definitely require computers. For such people, used computers come as a boon.

Also, used computers need not always be second hand computers. They can also be recertified or refurbished computers. Refurbished or recertified computers are those, which are checked for any faults, if any corrected and sold with a warranty ensuring the working condition of the computer to be perfect. Hence, such computers are considered to be the safest form of buying a used computer. Refurbished computers can be bought from many of the online stores at very less prices. Quality computer manufacturers also sell such kind of recertified or refurbished computers. However, certain measures need to be taken while buying such kind of computers.

The prime aspect to be considered while purchasing a used or refurbished computer is to look for a good branded one. There are various companies who sell used computers or refurbished computers. The main reasons for opting for a branded one is that it comes with a warranty and also the buyer can be sure that the parts used are of good quality.

While buying used or refurbished computers related software documents, licenses and paperwork have to be got from the seller as this will avoid stolen computers being passed off as used computers to the buyer. If possible working for some time on the used computer will determine its efficiency. Most of the reputed dealers would allow the purchaser to use the computer for a shorter period to check the quality before purchase.

While checking for the efficiency of the used computer, it is good to check if the booting process is smooth, as most of the problems occur during booting and also to check all the sound drivers, video, graphics, monitor, mouse, keyboard etc. CD drives and hard disks also need to be checked. Another aspect is the support system offered for the used computer whether technical or non-technical, support staff capabilities and the number of support staff which determine the quality of service offered. If the purchaser is not satisfied, he can very well think of another choice.

Call of Duty 7 Black Ops

Call of Duty 7 has allegedly been exposed as Call of Duty: Black Ops. This has been declared by a MYSTERIOUS SOURCE from Activision that recently spilled the beans. According to this MYSTERIOUS SOURCE, Treyarch’s upcoming game will take place not only in Vietnam, but at various points throughout history, providing a narrative that spans many times and places.

World War II, the Cold War, Cuba, South America and the famous Iranian embassy siege in London are all rumored to be included in Black Ops.

Even more intriguing is the rumor that this game will bring back dedicated servers are a notoriously unpopular discharge from Modern Warfare 2. Treyarch is also said to be resurrecting World At War’s popular zombie mode, because zombies make everything more fun, apparently.

Frankly, this all sounds a bit mental to us, but we felt we’d pass along what everybody’s rambling about so you can make your own mind up. An interesting concept if it’s true, but I’d take more than a grain of salt with this rumor right now. Maybe pick up the whole shaker.

Alienware now shipping 23-inch OptX AW2310 1080p 3D monitor

Just a hunch here, but we're guessing that Alienware's CES stash all hit the production line at right about the same time. During the past day, we've seen the company's M15x, M17x and OptX AW2310 hit the shipping stage, the latter of which is the firm's first-ever 3D monitor. Checking in at 23-inches and boasting a full 1080p panel, this one also packs a 3 millisecond response time, 120Hz refresh rate and stereoscopic support when NVIDIA's GeForce 3D Vision Kit is utilized. It's up for order right now at $469, but if you follow that Logicbuy link down there, you'll be able to snag it (for a limited time) for $449.10. Too bad that 3D kit will set you back another $200, but hey, no one said that witnessing the third dimension was cheap. Or remotely interesting. But mostly cheap.

Lian-Li’s PC-888

We're not sure what percentage of each PC-888 sale goes straight to the owners of Dubai's Burj Al Arab, but it better be a lot. Lian-Li's latest eye-popping PC chassis looks pretty much exactly like the aforesaid hotel, and it's constructed from a significant amount of blue anodized aluminum. As you can probably tell from just looking, you can fit practically anything you'd ever need (as far as PC internals go) in here, with the case measuring in at 11.6- x 29.1- x 18.1-inches. A price has yet to be publicly disclosed, but a quick search brings up figures in the high $400s. Yeah, ouch.

[Thanks, John]

GoogleTube: The Best of Both Worlds

There's only one thing that GoogleTube does, but it does it very well: this Firefox extension adds a YouTube icon to your Google results so you can watch videos in the same window. No more opening multiple tabs, using the back button or getting lost within the many channels of YouTube.



Just click on the YouTube icon that shows up next to video results and a small, floating window pops out so you can watch it right there on the page. Sweet and simple.

Rumored Mac Mini refresh said to be Ion-based

Lenovo trots out new trifecta of unexciting desktops

Forgive us, but we just can't get jazzed about a trio of Lenovo desktops that offer up nothing innovative whatsoever. Sure, the IdeaCentre K220 may pack a Core 2 Quad CPU, upwards of 4GB of DDR3 RAM and an optional Blu-ray drive, but that's nothing we couldn't slap together ourselves in a few minutes. The K230 ups the ante a bit with room for 8GB of memory and Windows Vista 64-bit, while the lower-end H200 (shown above) becomes Lenovo's first desktop with an Atom under the hood. All three machines will be available this month starting at $449, $499 and $399.99 (bundled with the ThinkVision L195 monitor), in order of mention.

[Via InformationWeek]

ASUS Eee PC D200 NAS / Router

The ASUS Eee PC D200 is a NAS (network attached storage) server that also features a built in LCD touch-screen and a router.

It has 2GB of RAM, a 1-4TB HDD and it has 802.11n wireless internet. A slot loading DVD burner can be used too which allows you to create backups of your backup, or to add new media quickly to the device. With it having a small touchscreen built in the front it requires no external monitor, keyboard, mouse etc… and can work completely independently.

The idea from ASUS is fantastic and what makes it even better is the price that is a relatively low $600. The ASUS Eee PC D200 Server should be available in the first Q of this year.

Via: Gizmodo

Written by Gadget Venue.

ASUS Eee PC D200 NAS / Router

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