November 08, 2005, 3:54 PM PST
Which chip for your computer?
Posted by: Dorian Benkoil

You just want a laptop that works, and you don't care too much about the microprocessor. It's not terribly impressive to you that computers with AMD at their core surpassed Intel in sales last month, though the industry is aflutter. You'll buy whichever seems to have the better features at the better price for the business you do. And if AMD is that good, great, you'll take one of those-thar PCs off the shelf.

But as CNET's Justin Jaffe points out, computers with the different chips perform better for different things. Also, be aware of something IT department folks (that means the techie computer guys) have told me: There can also be functionality differences. Not all software that works on one chip will necessarily work on another. So, for example, if you've bought certain office-suite software to run on your Intel-based laptop, it might not work perfectly on the AMD-based one. How to know beforehand? Some vendors make different versions of the same software for the different chips. I'm afraid the only solution I've been given is to ask them.

Permalink | 4 comments

• Read also: Work
• Email to a friend | Print this post

November 08, 2005, 1:05 PM PST
Is Dell stepping out with AMD?
Posted by: Molly Wood

Dell is selling AMD processors on its Web site--although the forbidden-fruit chips aren't yet allowed in Dell machines. Still, given Dell's historic insistence that it's Intel-faithful, even a whiff of AMD could be a scandalous portent. What will transpire?! (Yes, the soap opera prose is over now.)

Permalink | 5 comments

• Read also: Buzz
• Email to a friend | Print this post

November 08, 2005, 11:37 AM PST
A Razr refresh
Posted by: Kent German

Say what will you about the Motorola Razr V3's shortcomings, but there's no denying the popularity of this slim cell phone. The Razr currently ranks as a top-selling handset this year, and Motorola's U.S. market share during the third quarter eclipsed even Nokia's. But don't think the company is resting on its laurels. Today, Motorola announced five new Razr models that range from those with simple cosmetic changes to full-blown retrofits. In addition to the black and silver versions, the Razr will now be available in an eye-catching pink and a more subtle ice blue. The long-awaited Razr V3c will operate on CDMA networks and comes with a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and an MP3 player; the Razr V3i world phone promises a 1.23-megapixel camera, an MP3 player, and support for iTunes (much like the Motorola Rokr E1); and the V3x world phone will have a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, an MP3 player, and support for 3G UMTS networks. Availability is set for late this year. Although no carriers have been formally announced, it's no mystery where the Razr V3c will land. As a CDMA phone with BREW support, Verizon Wireless will be the carrier. The rumored debut is November 28, but considering Verizon is reportedly still testing the phone, the premiere date is far from certain.

Permalink | 9 comments

• Read also: Cell phones
• Email to a friend | Print this post

November 08, 2005, 11:23 AM PST
Microsoft issues one Critical update
Posted by: Robert Vamosi

Today Microsoft published its November list of security bulletins. There is only one, but it's designated as a Critical update. The vulnerability spelled out in MS05-053 affects users running Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows XP x64 edition, Windows Server 2003 (but not Windows Server 2003 SP1), and Windows Server 2003 x64 edition. Not affected are Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, and Windows Me. The MS05-053 patch is available via Microsoft Update.

MS-05-053.Critical

Entitled "Vulnerabilities in Graphics Rendering Engine," this update fixes vulnerabilities in the Windows Metafile (WMF) and Enhanced Metafile (EMF) files when processed by the Windows Graphics Rendering Engine. Criminal attackers could exploit flaws within these files by placing a malicious file on a Web site, embedding a file within a Microsoft Office document that is shared on a network, or within an HTML e-mail.

Permalink | 1 comment

• Read also: Security
• Email to a friend | Print this post

November 08, 2005, 10:41 AM PST
Xbox 360 on Amazon--not for the faint of wallet
Posted by: Molly Wood

Hooray, the Xbox 360 is available for preorder on Amazon.com! Unfortunately, you can get it only in bundles that each cost (cough-cough) $1,000. But geez, what's the big deal? I mean, you'll get like 10 games. You won't want 9 of them, but you'll get them.

Permalink | 11 comments

• Read also: Buzz
• Email to a friend | Print this post

November 08, 2005, 10:37 AM PST
Razrs in pink, blue, 1.3 megapixels, and EV-DO
Posted by: Molly Wood

Thank heavens. Motorola has officially announced that Razrs in the much sought after pink (currently toted by fab celebs) will be available this quarter--and surprised us with an "ice blue" model as well. Oh, other Razr updates include a 1.3-megapixel camera and EV-DO support. But really--it's all about the pink.

Permalink | 5 comments

• Read also: Buzz
• Email to a friend | Print this post

November 08, 2005, 10:12 AM PST
Protect your e-mail
Posted by: Dorian Benkoil

How could you not password-protect your online e-mail (let alone set up other kinds of more intense security)? Pizza chain Papa John's didn't. The company says it didn't cause any breaches--having an unavailable, nonpublic Web address--and even if it had, the breaches wouldn't lead to identity theft.

But do you want to be making that kind of explanation to customers who send you e-mail or are in your database? I didn't think so.

Permalink | Post a comment

• Read also: Work
• Email to a friend | Print this post

November 08, 2005, 7:41 AM PST
Yahoo! Shakes Its Booty
Posted by: Brian Cooley

As I stepped out of my cab and into the SEMA show in Vegas, a booming PA system greeted me with the invocation "Whoa, check out Tiffany -- that's a battery-operated booty!" Sure enough, Tiffany and her cohorts did appear to have battery-operated booties, dominating the tone of the vast area outside the Las Vegas Convention Center. It was all part of the Yahoo! Custom Autos booth where many pierced, tattooed and mouth-breathing young men stared for hours as Tiffany and Co. carried out their pantomine of carnal instincts on a high platform. Clearly, Yahoo! nailed the tuner vibe on its first try. Normally one has to attend a cockfight to enjoy such an atmosphere.

Permalink | Post a comment

• Read also: Auto shows
• Email to a friend | Print this post

November 08, 2005, 7:36 AM PST
Matrox DualHead2Go doubles up your displays
Posted by: Rich Brown

Leveraging its experience with dual-display graphics cards, Matrox announced its new DualHead2Go today. A palm-size box with a VGA input and two VGA outputs, the DualHead2Go is designed to give notebook and desktop users an easy way to expand their desktop real estate, adding up to the equivalent of an additional 2,560x1,024 resolution display.

With an MSRP of $169, it's a little pricey for what's effectively a VGA Y-cable, but it's being marketed toward business users and their typically large technology budgets. The DualHead2Go will be available in mid-November, directly from Matrox.

Permalink | Post a comment

• Read also: Peripherals
• Email to a friend | Print this post

November 08, 2005, 7:35 AM PST
NBA Ride.
Posted by: Brian Cooley

Toyota showed a pretty cool NBA-style Matrix at the SEMA show in Vegas. Aside from all the usual Pimp My Ride electronics, it sported a cleverly styled interior featuring polished hardwood floors and basketball-textured seat upholstery. To even have a hope of getting an NBA player to fit in it, Toyota removed the B pillars and gave the little Matrix vertical opening scissor doors.

Permalink | Post a comment

• Read also: Auto shows
• Email to a friend | Print this post