MSI rolls out Intel Core i7-based GT640 laptop for gamers

MSI have unveiled the Core i7-based MSI GT640 15.4-inch laptop for gamers, featuring Windows 7 OS.

Along with a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, the GT640 features the NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M 1GB dedicated video card, up to 4GB of DDR3 memory, up to 500GB of hard drive storage, and a built-in DVD burner or Blu-ray drive.

The laptop also includes stereo speakers, a 2MP web camera, HDMI and VGA outputs, 7.1-channel audio output, 802.11n WiFi, optional Bluetooth, a Gigabit LAN port, a modem, two standard USB ports and an eSATA/USB combo port, an ExpressCard slot, and a 4-in-1 media card reader.

It looks set to be a major player amongst the laptops for gamers market.

Toshiba laptop release breathes life into gaming market

Toshiba have unveiled their new laptop relear – the Qosmio X500 Series, a new line of multimedia and gaming laptops that feature an Intel Core i7 processor, Windows 7 and Intel’s turbo boost technology.

Toshiba’s press statement is full of the obligatory praise-singing, so we’ll pull out the bits you want to hear. The Qosmio X500 comes with 18.4-inch diagonal widescreen display, DDR3 system memory, dual hard-drive configurations, as well as NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M graphics with 1GB of GDDR5 video memory. Some models come with an integrated Blu-ray drive.

Toshiba laptops have always faired well with gamers, and the company feels the new series will allow users to ‘rip through the latest 3D games at lightning-fast frame-rates’ and create HD video and audio faster and efficiently with smooth rendering and encoding.

Cinema to let people watch…and work

Tyneside Cinema

Cinemas are getting more and more like our living rooms each and every day. Alcohol, popcorn and hotdogs can now be bought at the cinema and mums and dads are actively encouraged to bring their children to parent and baby showings.

However one cinema has moved that step further and is inviting home owners to bring their computers into its auditorium and work to their hearts content whilst watching films during designated “laptop screenings.”

Mark Dobson ,chief executive of Newcastle’s independent Tyneside cinema said they used the idea as an experiment to become more inclusive and give people the opportunity to see films no matter what the circumstances.

Georgia, a fellow watcher/worker runs an event management company in Newcastle. “I love the idea and know quite a few others who’d be interested in trying it out. I use the free wi-fi here quite often, but I don’t usually have time to watch the films so it is a good balance of the two.”

The general opinion of the idea has been divided. “People love it or hate it,” said Dobson, “There’s no in-between.”

Not only is their an impracticality of laptop film watching, people actually pay to work in an environment designed for people to relax and enjoy a film.

Chris Scott, the Tyneside’s press and publicity officer, said: “In my experience, most film-makers want people to see their films and give it as wide an audience as possible. So if this is another way to do it I don’t see a problem with it.

“There are obviously details about the film that might get missed but if people like it they can come and see it again or get it on DVD and watch it more carefully.”

Gaming Laptops

For those of you who just can’t be without a few rounds of Call of Duty even when you aren’t at home, then a Gaming Laptop is the way to go. It may just be the hobby you need to mix with friends and spend less by staying at home and by the time you come up for air, who knows the recession may well be over.

Technology in the gaming world is changing at a rapid pace. The key attributes of a good gaming machine are high spec processor, dedicated graphics chip and a large amount of system memory.

For the most vivid and realistic gaming experience, you should be looking for a laptop which features screen technology such as CrystalBrite from Acer or X-Black from Sony. Most manufacturers have their own version which ensures a crystal clear display with much sharper colours, ensuring you can appreciate the detail found in the latest games.The screens need to be capable of showing visuals in high resolution for best possible picture and should be a size of at least 15.4inch.

They come packed with excellent features as standard, like wireless online gaming and DVD writers for large backups. They can hook up to the web via mobile broadband allowing you to chat with and challenge other gamers worldwide.

All new laptops come with a graphics card but beware, the lower spec models wonít be able to handle the latest flashy games. You need to get the largest amount of RAM possible as this will determine how much graphics your laptop will be able to handle. 

The rest is up to you. Keeping in mind the above points, you are sure to find the gaming machine to meet all your requirements. It may sound easy but with the wide selection of laptops on the market your decision may prove difficult and will take some thought.