LiewCF.com: “Apple iMac (2011): Quad-core Processor, Faster Graphics, Thunderbolt, Price List, and Buying Advice” plus 2 more

LiewCF.com: “Apple iMac (2011): Quad-core Processor, Faster Graphics, Thunderbolt, Price List, and Buying Advice” plus 2 more

Apple iMac (2011): Quad-core Processor, Faster Graphics, Thunderbolt, Price List, and Buying Advice

Posted: 03 May 2011 10:54 AM PDT

Apple imac 2011

New Apple iMac (2011) line has the same aluminum unibody but with Sandy Bridge quad-core processors, faster graphics, Thunderbolt, and FaceTime HD camera. Read on for the new features and price list, buying advice.

What’s new?

Now, all iMacs are powered by quad-core Intel Core i5 or i7 processors. It is up to 1.7x faster than the previous generation iMac. AMD Radeon HD graphic processor is used for better performance in 3D games, video editing, and running design software.

Like the MacBook Pro released previously, new iMacs now have a Thunderbolt port for fast data transfer speed. The 27-inch iMac includes 2 Thunderbolt ports allows you to connect more devices or 2 external monitors.

iMac 2011 price list

  • 21.5-inch: 2.5GHz – USD$1199 (RM3799)
  • 21.5-inch: 2.7GHz – USD$1499 (RM4699)
  • 27-inch: 2.7GHz – USD$1699 (RM5299)
  • 27-inch: 3.1GHz – USD$1999 (RM6299)

Custom configurations are available: Magic Trackpad, upgrade memory, upgrade hard drive, SSD second drive, etc.

LiewCF’s buying advice

I recommend 27-inch 2.7Ghz iMac for Mac desktop computer. It is fast, big display and dual thunderbolt ports. For power users, the dual Thunderbolt ports allows triple displays setup is a dream-come-true.

If you have less budget, then consider 21.5-inch 2.7GHz iMac. It has the same specs 27-inch 2.7Ghz iMac except a smaller display.

Do not buy 21.5-inch 2.5GHz iMac although it is cheapest iMac. You will an iMac with slower processor, slower graphic, less disk space!

Keep in mind that Apple iMac is almost not upgradable (except RAM). Get your desired specs when buying, because you hardly upgrade it later.

Also, install as many RAM as you can afford. Do NOT buy RAM upgrade from Apple. You can save a few hundreds bucks by buying from local computer shop!

Apple iMac (2011): Quad-core Processor, Faster Graphics, Thunderbolt, Price List, and Buying Advice is a post from: LiewCF Tech Blog. Follow @liewcf on Twitter and join Facebook page.

BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 Smartphones: TouchScreen, NFC, BlackBerry 7 OS

Posted: 03 May 2011 02:43 AM PDT

Blackberry bold 9900

Research in Motion (RIM) revealed two new BlackBerry Bold smartphones: BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 with full QWERTY keyboard and touch screen display, running latest BlackBerry 7 OS, powered by 1.2GHz processor, build-in support for NFC (Near Field Communications), 5 megapixel camera with 720p HD video recording…

Read on to learn more about the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 smartphones.

Note: BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 are same, except that 9930 is a CDMA phone and 9900 is a GSM phone.

Thinnest — BlackBerry bold 9900/9930 are the thinnest BlackBerry smartphones yet, at only 10.5mm.

NFC — BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 include build-in support for NFC (Near Field Communications), a new short-range wireless technology. Example of possible applications are: mobile ticketing, mobile payment, smart poster, etc. More about NFC on WikiPedia.

HD Video — BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 supports up to 720p high defination video recording and playback. You can share your videos directly from the smartphone or sync to computer using BlackBerry Desktop Software.

BlackBerry 7 — BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 are the first BlackBerry smartphones that run the latest BlackBerry 7 Operating System (OS). BlackBerry 7 improved web browser’s performance, add voice-activated search, and separates personal content from corporate content on the smartphone. Full version of Docs To Go software also included to work with Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the smartphones, as well as native PDF viewer.

BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 specifications

  • 115 x 66 x 10.5 mm, approximately 130g
  • 2.8″ capacitive touch screen display – VGA (640×480), 287 dpi resolution
  • Ultra-easy QWERTY keyboard, optical trackpad
  • 1.2 GHz Processor, 768 MB RAM
  • 8 GB on-board memory, plus microSD slot supporting up to 32 GB cards
  • NFC technology
  • 5.0 MP camera, supports 720p HD video recording
  • Orientation Sensor (Accelerometer), Digital Compass (Magnetometer), Proximity Sensor
  • Built-in GPS / aGPS
  • Dual-Band Wi-Fi – 802.11 b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and 802.11 a/n at 5 GHz
  • Bluetooth 2.1+EDR support
  • Wireless Network support:
    • 9900: Tri-Band HSPA+, Quad-Band GSM/EDGE
    • 9930: Dual-Band CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A, Dual-Band HSPA+, Quad-Band GSM/EDGE
  • 1230 mAh removable, rechargeable battery
  • BlackBerry 7 OS

Availability: The new BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 smartphones are expected to be available from carriers around the world beginning this summer.

BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 Smartphones: TouchScreen, NFC, BlackBerry 7 OS is a post from: LiewCF Tech Blog. Follow @liewcf on Twitter and join Facebook page.

Everything About Astro B.yond IPTV in Malaysia

Posted: 02 May 2011 09:41 PM PDT

Astro byond iptv

MALAYSIA: Astro Malaysia introduced Astro B.yond IPTV, a service that integrates Astro channels with HD (High Defination), PVR (Personal Video Recording) and VOD (Video On Demand), as well as high-speed broadband and voice capabilities delivered via fiber optic line powered by TIME dotcom Berhad.

In short, it is a service to combine Astro TV channels and broadband service in one fiber line. No more rain fade.

Read on to learn about Astro B.yond IPTV features, cost, set-top box, availability.

Astro byond iptv 2

Personal-Video-Recording (PVR) feature allows you to record two channels at one time, pause and rewind a live TV show. The set-top box build-in 500GB hard disk for TV recording (about 300 hours) and it is not user serviceable (cannot remove/replace hard disk).

Currently, Astro B.yond IPTV offer complimentary Video-On-Demand content. In future, Astro will provide some paid content. VOD video has an expiring time period which depends on the content.

Astro B.yond IPTV Broadband has 4 different packages, from 3Mbps (RM128/month) to 24Mbps (RM298/month). There’s no download limit but “fair share usage” is applied. Speed throttling will be triggered by mass downloads.

Astro byond iptv 3
During the demo, the broadband speed was boosted to 30Mbps.

The fiber line support speed up to 100Mbps. thus you can install 2 set-top boxes (each with own channels) plus broadband speed up to 30Mbps (isolated from TV channel).

The cost of Astro B.yond IPTV is a combination of your choice of Astro Channels plus the chosen broadband package (Astro channels + broadband plan = your monthly cost).

Astro byond iptv 1
Astro B.yond IPTV set-top box, fiber modem, and remote.

Astro B.yond IPTV customer will be provided a new set-top box and a fibre modem (with build-in WiFi modem). Lifetime warranty is given to the Astro B.yond IPTV set-top box.

The set-top box does NOT include software for online activities: web browsing, instant messaging, etc. Existing Astro B.yond customers will get a new set-top box, although the set-top box (and software) is the same.

The availability of Astro B.yond IPTV is limited by the coverage for TIME fiber optic line. Currently, the network only covered limited condominiums in: Bangsar, Sri Hartamas, Georgetown, KL Golden Triangle, and Mont Kiara.

My two cents

The Astro B.yond IPTV combo package is attractive. The subscribing fee is ok. But, it is only available for limited users in limited areas. Meaning, it is useless for most of us.

Everything About Astro B.yond IPTV in Malaysia is a post from: LiewCF Tech Blog. Follow @liewcf on Twitter and join Facebook page.