Most of the attention in notebook computing has been on full-size models, the hefty laptops with 15- or 17-inch screens that can replace desktop units. But a spate of new ultraportable notebooks have also recently emerged, in the category often called subnotebooks or ultralight laptops.

The tech demos Sony presented at last week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) weren’t running on the actual RSX GPU but on an upcoming next-generation PC chip, which shares similar capabilities to the PlayStation 3 GPU.

IBM and others are racing to create chameleon chips that change to suit the job. Even by the standards of the Lone Star State, the claim by two Texas researchers can seem a trifle grandiose. "We're reinventing the computer."

With its C7 processor, Via Technologies hopes to eliminate its performance credibility gap and allow notebook makers to come out with light notebooks for under $800.

Today's iPod-toting hipsters have no idea how much they owe to a small band of IBM engineers who developed the RAMAC, the first system for storing data on magnetic disks. The refrigerator-size beast was a technological breakthrough, and it's considered by most to be the forerunner of today's hard drives.

From a pure processing standpoint, the PS3 appears to beat the Xbox 360, but a final determination will have to wait on actual hardware tests. The PS3 has a few other advantages, but Xbox 360, however, drops the bomb on the PS3 in a few categories as well.

IBM, Infineon and Macronix announced today a joint research initiative to explore the potential of a new form of computer memory technology called phase-change memory (PCM). PCM is a novel technology that stores data by changing the state of a special material from an amorphous to a crystalline structure, rather than storing data as an electrical charge.

Samsung Electronics has developed a replacement for conventional hard drives that is based on flash memory for its laptops. The company plans to begin mass production of the device in August, it says.

First, Advanced Micro Devices went upmarket with the Opteron chip for servers. Now, it wants to go downscale into the consumer electronics market with a new line of Geode chips for gadgets.

IBM has developed a revolutionary "Cell" processor in a joint venture with Sony and Toshiba. It has nine "brains," seven more than the dual-core processors being released by Intel and AMD, and will be featured in the PlayStation 3.

Crucial came forward to offer this portion of that market offering the ATi Radeon X850 XT 256MB card following the reference design, which currently is o­ne of the fastest cards o­n the planet. Let us see what this card is made of and what it can offer the hardcore enthusiast.

AMD will launch the first dual-core version of its Athlon 64 desktop processor at Taiwan's Computex trade show on May 31.

OVER THE PAST week, there has been one word on everyone's lips: dual-core. Makes you wonder just what the next phase of dualism will be. I'm going to add in the sister of my existing girlfriend so they can work in parallel, giving me a better user experience.

Something new from the "I want, I want" dept.:

The power supply unit is the heart of every system and power demands keep on continuously rising on a daily basis. This certain fact requires that you will require something stronger regrettably to many enthusiasts. Why not combine something stronger with great aesthetics while upgrading? AeroCool has an answer for your next power supply upgrade, the AeroPower black/silver line 550W power supply unit.

Backer of HD DVD technology announces boost that closes the significant capacity gap between rival next-generation optical discs.