Windows 7

While there seems to be an unending stream of wireless speakers designed primarily to stream audio from iOS or Android mobile devices using AirPlay or Bluetooth, Oregon-based Aperion Audio is showing Windows-using music fans some love with the ARIS wireless speaker. The unit is designed to work with Windows 7’s “Play To” feature that makes it easy to stream content from a PC over a home network.  Read More

HP announced the release of its HP Slate 2 tablet PC today. Featuring an 8.9-inch diagonal capacitive multitouch display that works with both touch and pen or stylus input, the Slate 2 throws the company's hat into the arena of the white hot tablet market, while filling a niche need for its business-oriented customers.  Read More

Apple released its Magic Trackpad in July 2010 but it wasn’t until the release of Lion a year later with its support for multi-touch gestures borrowed from iOS that the device really came into its own. With Windows 8 also set to embrace touch in a big way Logitech has provided a way for Windows 7 users to get is some early Windows touch experience with the Logitech Wireless Touchpad.  Read More

Fujitsu has launched what is claimed to be the world's smallest Windows PC / smartphone. Available only in Japan at the time of writing, the new F-07C phone has two modes of operation - one which gives users all we've come to expect from a modern smartphone, and another that launches a full version of Windows 7 to offer personal computing in the palm of your hand. It's powered by an Intel Atom processor, has system memory and solid state storage, and benefits from a slide-out tactile keyboard.  Read More

Along with a pair of Android 3.1-based tablets, Lenovo has unveiled its plans to release the 10.1-inch Lenovo IdeaPad Tablet P1, powered by the 1.5GHz Intel Atom CPU and running the Windows 7 OS. Despite the fact that this system is not as tablet-tailored as Android Honeycomb, and Windows 8 has already been revealed as a touch-optimized OS, Lenovo apparently believes there still is a market for a Win 7-based tablet. The device is due out in the fourth quarter of 2011.  Read More

Archos media players have long been a favorite of mine, offering ease of use and excellent video/audio quality. In 2009, the French consumer electronics company was first to market with a Windows 7 tablet computer and has now announced a new improved version of the Archos 9 PC Tablet. Unfortunately the upgraded version still has a resistive touchscreen and only gets Windows 7 Starter Edition but there is better storage in the shape of a Solid State Drive (SSD) and a more powerful Atom processor.  Read More

Amid the growing community of Kinect hackers that have turned Microsoft's controller-free gaming device to everything from the obvious Minority Report-style user interfaces to a set of eyes for the visually impaired, Microsoft has announced it will release an official Kinect SDK for Windows 7. At MIX11, the company revealed the non-commercial beta SDK would arrive in the northern spring to give enthusiasts the tools to more easily explore the potential of the device for both gaming and non-gaming applications.  Read More

Recently, devices like LG's Tegra 2-powered Optimus 2X have blurred the lines between smartphone and mini-computer but they're still geared towards the former. The Magic W3's primary function is as a handheld computer that also happens to have telephone functionality. What's the difference? The Atom-powered W3 runs on a full version of Windows 7 Home Premium for multi-tasking productivity and includes 32GB of onboard solid state storage.  Read More

Sony Europe has announced the forthcoming release of its new VAIO S series notebook. Benefiting from a full flat design made with magnesium housing and an aluminum palmrest, the new 24mm thin notebook will feature a dual battery option to double the run time, hybrid graphics that swaps between integrated and installed graphics for optimum performance, a fast boot into Windows and the ability to get users online from cold in seconds.  Read More