Acer Ferrari 1005WTMi is the latest addition to Acer Ferrari’s series. The new laptop comes equipped with a 12 inch screen and a 1366 x 768 resolution and is distinguished from other laptops by its sleekness and built in 1.3 Megapixel camera.

Features:

• AMD Turion 64 X2 mobile technology TL-60 / 2 GHz processor that has ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 chipset graphics
• Gigabit Ethernet , Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
• Extensions ports: AC adapter, Docking-port, Firewire, Infra-red (with a VGA out for connecting to your TV), Line In, LineOut, RJ-11, RJ-45, S/PDIF, S-video ,USB 2.0
• 160GB harddisk, and 2GB DDR2 Speicher RAM
• 512 video memory

One of the reasons for Apple to incorporate Blue-ray is to offer Macintosh’s users high definition videos and to compete with Windows Vista, which supposedly has support for HD DVD. On Vista, the native support requires no additional software to work as opposed to blue-ray discs, which require additional programs to be installed, for playback and other actions.

One advantage of having Blue-ray is that the user is able to watch movies at a 1920×1080 resolution with Dolby Digital audio, while the single-layer DVD could only offer a 720×480 (NTSC) or 720×576(PAL) resolution. Another advantage is that the new discs can store up to 27GB on a single layer and up to 50GB on two layers. The downside: it costs too much to produce.

According to ThinkSecret the first Blue-ray drives are scheduled for February 2007.

A few days ago Apple introduced the new line of MacBook notebooks which are upgraded to Intel Core 2 Duo processors.

Characteristics:

• one-inch thin
• aluminum enclosure
• available in 13,15 and 17 inch model
• 3 models: white 1.83 GHz, white MackBook 2.0 GHz, MacBook black 2.0 Ghz

Performance

• up to 25 percent faster than the previous generation
• double the memory
• greater storage capacity

New features

• built-in iSight® video camera for on-the-go video conferencing
• Apple’s MagSafe™ Power Adapter that magnetically connects the power cord to the MacBook and safely disconnects under strain, preventing the notebook from falling off its work surface
• iLife® ‘06, Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications - makes it super-easy to create amazing websites with photos, blogs and podcasts and publish them
• Apple’s Sudden Motion Sensor – protects the HDD in case of fall
• built-in AirPort Extreme® and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) – take and use your laptop anywhere, office, classroom, etc..

Suggested retail price:

• White 1.83 GHz : $1,099
• White MackBook 2.0 GHz: $1,299
• Black MacBook 2.0 Ghz: $1,499

802.11n wireless connectivity is the latest upgrade introduced by Apple for MackBook and MacBook Pros notebooks.

What’s new:

• the new chip contains three antennas (which could provide better reception, or different frequencies)
• comes in 2 variants: the 2.4/5 GHz AR5008E-3NX and the 2.4GHz AR5008E-3NG
• The card should be 650% faster (speeds of approximately 200Mbits/sec) and cover more distance (~160 feet) compared to 802.11g

According to ZDNet, the final 802.11n specification is projected to be released in December 2006 but that could slip as far back as 2008.