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October 10, 1998
News
- I’ve got more goodies to give away this week and for the
next few weeks—this time courtesy of AT&T’s WorldNet Internet Service. The
package of software we’re giving away includes a Tom Clancy computer game, graphics
software and more.
- In addition, I’m in a celebratory mood—even though
the show is shortened to only two hours today due to KSFO’s live coverage of Fleet
Week festivities—because I’m celebrating the one-year anniversary of my web
site, everythingcomputers.com.
- Microsoft, on the other hand is not in a particularly
celebratory mood, I’m sure, since they’ve now formally announced that Windows 98
will have its first Service Pack around the beginning of next year. As I reported in two
previous columns, Service Pack 1 for Windows 98 will offer some new features, as well as a
variety of bug fixes. Some of the new and/or "improved" features include better
support for ACPI and power management options on both notebooks and desktop computers, and
support for IEEE 1394—commonly known as "Firewire"—based storage
devices and Device Bay. The Service Pack will also have support for USB modems, networking
enhancements, and Internet security-related issues.
- This coming week is the annual Microprocessor Forum, where
all the big chip companies, such as Intel, AMD, Cyrix and Motorola unveil their products
and product strategies for the next few years. I’ll have more details next week, but
numerous tidbits have already been released, including the fact that we’ll all be
using 1 GHz—that’s 1,000 MHz—rated processors in the not-to-distant future.
In the immediate future, we should be seeing 500 MHz processors with support for a new set
of MMX-like instructions called Katmai from Intel. They’ve announced this next
iteration of existing Pentium II technology will be available in February of next year. In
addition, we can look forward to other even faster processors with lots of built-in L2
cache—a la the Celeron A CPUs and Xeon workstation-oriented chips. Alternative
processor companies are also expected to make a big hit with AMD unveiling their
next-generation K7 chip—which is due to be a real product in the second half of 1999.
In addition, Cyrix will be talking about a new MIII processor that incorporates more of
the functionality of a PC—including accelerated 3D graphics and more—into a
single solution. Yes, we really are moving towards the one-chip computer. Finally, a new
startup company called Rise is expected to announce their low-cost processor, which the
company hopes will be used in low-cost notebook computers by the end of this year.
- Sony has unveiled several new computers, many of which
include support for the IEEE 1394 Firewire standard, although Sony calls it the iLink
port. At the moment, only digital camcorders use this connection technology, but as I
mentioned before, Microsoft will be adding complete 1394 support for hard drives and other
types of devices to Windows 98 with Service Pack 1. The new tower models with Firewire
support include the $2,299 PCV-E308DS with a 400 MHz Pentium II, 128 MB of RAM, and 13.6
GB hard disk. The PCV-E302DS with a 350 MHz Pentium II, 64MB of RAM, and 10.2 GB hard disk
drive is $1,499. Both models, which Sony calls Vaio Digital Studios, also include a 5X
DVD-ROM, optical digital audio outputs, and support S-Link technology for remotely
controlling CD and MiniDisc changers. In the notebook arena, Sony has introduced new
models based on the 266 and 300 MHz Mobile Pentium II processors, although they don’t
include support for Firewire. The PCG-818 features a 300 MHz PII, 64 MB of RAM, 6.4 GB
hard drive, 2x DVD-ROM and 13.3" screen for $3,299.
- Lexmark is offering a new photo-quality inkjet printer called
the Photo Jetprinter 5770 for $349. The unit offers 1,200 x 1,200 dpi (or what
they’re calling 1.44 megapixel) resolution and prints speeds up to 8
pages-per-minute. One of the more unique features of the printer is that it has a slot for
CompactFlash and SmartMedia cards, which are used in many digital cameras. With it, you
can take the memory card out of the camera, pop it into the printer, and hit
print—all without even using a PC. In addition, by replacing the optional six-color
photo cartridge with a standard four-color cartridge, you can use the Jetprinter 5770 for
standard color printing jobs as well.
- The latest version of the popular shareware Windows
compression utility WinZip is now available. WinZip 7.0 offers several new features,
including support for Microsoft’s CAB format—which the company often uses to
distribute software and upgrades—as well as the ability to create self-extracting
files across several floppies. The program also offers a number of user interface
enhancements. You can download a copy by heading over to www.winzip.com.
- Finally, for all you iMac users out there who don’t care
for the circular iMac mouse, you now have a graphically pleasing set of options to choose
from. Mac peripheral vendor Macally has released the $49 iMouse USB replacement mouse and
$59 iBall USB replacement trackball. Both units—as well as several other
iMac-oriented peripherals the company offers—come in a matching translucent blue
finish.
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