Workstation

There are occasions when mobile computing needs in the field simply can't be met by notebook or tablet solutions. The kind of high performance processing needed for applications like geospatial imagery analysis, UAV ground control, or HD digital video processing is often given over to rack-mounted servers, but NextComputing has another option. Sporting the latest off-the-shelf components within a rugged dual-design chassis, the Vigor EX compact, mobile, all-in-one workstation solutions are built to withstand more than the odd bump and designed to operate in harsh environments. Read More

Liquid cooling specialist Asetek has announced three new CPU coolers designed for chassis with 92mm (3.6-inch) exhaust fans. Two of the trio are being made available to OEMs and system builders immediately, with the remaining unit coming later this month. All of the units benefit from quiet operation and should be no more difficult to install than air-based coolers. Read More

Researchers from Aachen University's Media Computing Group have created a computer workstation where the desk and screen are transformed into one multi-touch display. The display is curved at the middle and uses infrared emitters and cameras to track user movement over the whole of the surface, which has its graphical user interface beamed onto it by a couple of short throw projectors hidden within its wooden frame. Read More

It’s important to give growing kids a well-balanced upbringing and foster their imagination by sending them outside to explore and exercise their bodies and minds. But when they’re inside the house and you don’t want their inquiring minds “playing” with your laptop and its valuable content, maybe it’s time they had their own specially-built kids computer. Little Tikes has combined its plastic furniture prowess and computer knowledge to create the Young Explore - a combination desk and desktop computer, complete with mini mouse and keyboard to help get kids ready for the world ahead of them while at the same time having fun. Read More

Fujitsu has announced the immediate availability of six new additions to its proGREEN range of energy-efficient computers and laptops. All of the new models are Energy Star certified and are powered by Intel Core i3/i5 or i7 processors, with the LIFEBOOK E780 being claimed to have a huge 18-hour battery life. Read More

Although great strides have been made recently to make offices more energy efficient, fluorescent office lighting is still great cause for concern. Installing controllers which automatically switch off lighting when no movement is detected is one method of saving energy but Solaroad Technologies proposes recycling otherwise wasted light energy by placing cylindrical photovoltaic harvesting and storage devices on top of workstation cubicle walls. Read More

For certain school children with learning disabilities, focusing on the task at hand is a major challenge, especially with so many distractions to be found in the classroom. To address the problem university student Aaron Kowald has designed the Study Nook – a miniature desktop office that functions as a learning aid for children with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), like autism and Down's Syndrome. Read More

Anyone looking at getting a HP xw9400 Workstation has a couple of extra processor options to consider with the company announcing the high-end workstations are now being offered with the Six-Core AMD Opteron 2400 Series processor. According to HP, the extra grunt provided by the new AMD Opteron processors will make the xw9400 a better option for 3-D digital content creation and areas that attract lots of “mega” and “multi” prefixes - “multi-threaded applications, multi-tasking and mega-tasking environments.” Read More

Multi-track recorders allow home users to get professional results on a budget and Zoom Corporation takes this a step further with the versatile and truly portable R16. The diminutive R16 rolls a 16 track recorder, audio interface and control surface all into one. Perhaps the most notable feature is the ability to record to an SD memory card (supporting up to 32GB on an SDHC card). Not only does this add to the R16 portability credentials, but also avoids the pitfalls of hard drive crashes and associated problems. Read More