Hewlett-Packard Company has announced four HP ProCurve Networking 10/100/1000 switches based on next-generation Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) technology. An industry first, HP ProCurve Switch 2512, 2524, 2312 and 2324 feature 9.6 Gbps of bandwidth integrated onto a single ASIC, and yield the highest performance in their price class. The innovation highlights HP's commitment to delivering reliable products and supporting an ``always-on'' Internet infrastructure. HP ProCurve switches support HP auto MDIX for automatic cable detection and correction and come in a slim 1U package. They include a lifetime warranty and software upgrades, as well as end-user telephone support.

HP ProCurve Switch 2512 and 2524 have 12 and 24 10/100 managed switch ports, respectively, and include two gigabit transceiver slots and HP TopTools network management software. HP ProCurve Switch 2512 and 2524 are two of the first Ethernet switches to support Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), the IEEE 802.3ad standard for automatic configuration of link aggregation. In addition, HP ProCurve Switch 2512 and 2524, as well as up to 14 other HP ProCurve switches, such as the 8000M, 4000M, 2424M, 2400M and 1600M, can be stacked and managed with a single IP address. HP ProCurve Switch 2312 and 2324 have 12 and 24 10/100 unmanaged switch ports, respectively, and two gigabit transceiver slots.
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Ga-Hardware is reporting that 3dfx has received favorable court rulings concerning the patents it has asserted against nVIDIA in a patent infringement lawsuit originally filed by 3dfx. The company also announced that as a result of these favorable rulings, it plans to file for summary adjudication of infringement. In the rulings issued September 29, 2000, the court addressed 3dfx patents related to multi-texturing technology and level-of-detail mipmap dithering. In the orders construing the 3dfx patents, the court rejected all of nVIDIA's proposed claim constructions and adopted the majority of those proposed by 3dfx.
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ATI Technologies Inc. has announced that its All-In-Wonder Radeon graphics board has been selected for the new Acer Aspire 6600 consumer desktop PC system. The All-In-Wonder Radeon is the ideal graphics and multimedia solution for the latest technology consumer PC systems. It features ATI's Radeon Graphics Processor with 32MB of DDR memory, providing gamers and high end users with the graphics power needed for a compelling game and PC entertainment experience. The All-In-Wonder Radeon also brings Personal Video Recorder (PVR) technology to the PC platform, and includes a digital visual interface (DVI), stereo TV tuner, DVD playback with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and video output.

The All-In-Wonder Radeon will ship in Acer Aspire 6600 systems destined for the European market with an interactive ATI Teletext application. This application offers a flexible way to display and interact with Teletext, and includes features such as page selection, page forward, back and pause, as well as a text search capability. The All-In-Wonder Radeon is matched in the Acer Aspire 6600 with the latest Intel Pentium III processors, up to 1GHz in speed, and optional DVD drives. The systems will be sold in markets throughout Europe and Asia.
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After market close Thursday, 3dfx the maker of PC cards for 3D graphics acceleration said revenue and earnings for the fiscal third quarter would be "substantially" lower than the company expected. The lone analyst surveyed by First Call predicted a loss of 30 cents per share for 3dfx's third quarter, which ends Oct. 31.
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NVIDIA has announced that Sony Electronics features NVIDIA's GeForce2 MX graphics processor unit on its VAIO Digital Studio series. Two of Sony's newest systems for PC and video enthusiasts -- the PCV-RX270DS and PCV-RX280DS mini-tower systems -- depend on the NVIDIA GeForce2 MX GPU to enable a new generation of digital imaging, movie editing, video e-mail, and other high-powered graphics applications. Designed for the PC and video enthusiast, the VAIO Digital Studio series desktop PCs (PCV-RX260DS, PCV-RX270DS and PCV-RX280DS) comprise the next generation of computing and digital imaging convergence. The models focus on power and creativity by emphasizing digital imaging, movie editing, video e-mail and music. The DVD drive on the VAIO Digital Studio series is ideal for video playback of popular DVD titles, and the CD-RW drive is a solid storage medium for all the personal memories created through the included MovieShaker software.
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Handspring, Inc. has just introduced two new products in its popular Visor family of handheld computers: Visor Prism and Visor Platinum. Visor Prism, Handspring's first color-enabled product, boasts 16-bit color and can display over 65,000 colors for viewing picture-quality graphics, as well as vivid games and maps. In addition, Visor Prism and Visor Platinum feature the Springboard expansion slot to harness the true benefits of a color display and full expandability. Visor Prism comes in cobalt blue and Visor Platinum is metallic silver. Both products will be available in November through U.S. retail partners.

Visor Prism:
Visor Prism offers consumers a superior color display combined with the flexibility and versatility of the Springboard expansion slot. The Visor Prism screen displays 65,536 colors (16-bit) on an active matrix LCD designed for optimal brightness and readability. With Visor Prism's vibrant color screen, users can take full advantage of modules and applications such as digital cameras, global positioning systems, modems, web browsers and games in rich color detail. Powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery, Visor Prism will provide nearly two weeks of normal use on a single charge. In addition, the battery recharges in minutes when docked in the Visor Prism's charging cradle. (U.S. $449)

Visor Platinum
Visor Platinum takes the monochrome line of Visor products to the next level. It is designed for users who require increased speed and performance from their handheld computer. Visor Platinum is the fastest Palm OS handheld available and includes the enhancements of Palm OS 3.5 such as wireless infrared synchronization and enhanced security. Visor Platinum runs on two AAA batteries that provide four to six weeks of performance with standard use. (US $299)

Both new editions of Visor come with 8MB of RAM and include the basic features of the Visor line of products such as enhanced applications, USB support, Mac OS compatibility out of the box and the innovative Springboard expansion slot. Both products are based on a version of Palm OS 3.5 that Handspring has optimized for fast performance, Springboard compatibility, USB connectivity and 16-bit color support. There are also standard security and usability enhancements of Palm OS 3.5 which are included in both new versions of Visor.
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Here is your Monday morning 'What's New' in hardware and gadget articles online:

• X-Dome.com has taken a look at the Xbox GPU , the NV25 and what it's capable of
• The Tech Zone takes a look at the AK74SC from DFI.
• t-break reviews Creative's 12.10.32 12X CDRW with BURN Proof Technology
• PC Review have posted a review of the new Asus A7Pro Motherboard
• The Tech Zone has posted a review of the Gateway Solo 3350 notebook
• ViaHardware has a Voodoo 4 4500 PCI vs Nvidia MX PCI shootout
• Review Zone has an Intel Ceneron Vs. AMD Duron
• GideonTech has a review of the ATI TV Wonder Value Edition
• Maximum3D has posted a review of the Abit KT7-RAID Socket A motherboard
• SystemLogic.net has a review of the Gravis Eliminator Aftershock Gamepad.
• Gamers Depot takes a look at two new products from Creative Labs, the new SB Live Platinum 5.1 and the DTT3500 5.1 Speakers
• Speedy 3D has a review of the CompuNurse CPU temperature probe, and an article on modifying your CompuNurse CPU temperature probe
• Burning Issues has posted tweaks for the MSI 694D-Pro A motherboard
• Radeonic has posted a review of the Canon CanoScan N 650U flatbed scanner
• AllHW has a review of the Olympus C-960 Zoom Digital Camera
• Hardware-Unlimited has posted a review of Boston Acoustic's Digital BA7500 Speaker system
• Tech-GODS has taken a look at the Card Cooler XT
• Overclockers.au has finished a review of a new radiator from Cool-Computers.

NEC Computers has announced the Express5800/120Le system, a dual-processor-capable, Intel Pentium III-based server. The Express5800/120Le provides support for large file/print sharing applications, electronic mail and collaboration, Internet and intranet, databases and other specialized applications. The new system offers the high-reliability features necessary for demanding computing environments, including hot-swap hard-drive capability, a redundant hot-swap power supply option and redundant cooling fans. The Express5800/120Le server delivers scalable configurability with up to two Intel Pentium III processors, six PCI expansion slots, and a 32-bit or 64-bit RAID option. The server also offers outstanding I/O performance from the Ultra160 SCSI controllers and flexible packaging as either a tower or a 5U rack-mount chassis. Built-in remote management capabilities enhance system monitoring and control of server operations.
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No matter if you are looking for that special overclockable CPU, another 128 MB of PC133 SDRAM, or even a new hard drive, you will more than likely find a few of each listed on EBay. Today Sharky Extreme presents a detailed instruction guide to the ins and outs of using this online auction service.

It is also important to remember that EBay auctions are fully legal business transactions and if you bid on a lot and win, you enter into a contractual agreement to purchase that item. Most EBay members understand and abide by the rules, but all too often certain individuals start bidding frivolously on several auctions at a time, and after the dust has settled, find out that they do not have the means to pay for them all. Several vendors have taken legal action against non-paying bidders and it is essential that this process be taken very seriously.

IBM has introduced the IBM eServer pSeries 680 - and announced it will ship the UNIX-based system to customers in volume beginning November 17th. Code-named "Turbo," the pSeries 680 has already captured eight major performance benchmark records using up to 24 copper microprocessors with IBM's breakthrough Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) technology. Building on IBM's award-winning RS/6000 S80 design, the p680 delivers superior performance with fewer processors than Sun and Hewlett-Packard systems, while also bringing new mainframe-inspired functionality to UNIX customers. The IBM eServer pSeries 680 starts at $420,000. You can view the BM eServer pSeries 680 specifications here.
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Silicon Storage Technology, Inc. (SST) has announced it has entered the application-specific serial flash memory market with the introduction of a new product family. SST's SPI (serial peripheral interface) serial flash family will initially consist of three products: the SST45VF512, a 512 Kbit device, the SST45VF010, a 1 Mbit device, and the SST45VF020, a 2 Mbit device. All three products are based on SST's proprietary, high-performance SuperFlash technology and therefore feature many benefits over competing serial flash products on the market today. Serial flash memory uses a three-wire interface, thereby resulting in a lower pin-count, which is beneficial to applications requiring a small footprint, low-cost flash memory solution.

Because of the small die sizes of SST's serial flash products, the company is able to offer high-density products in smaller packages compared with some competing solutions. For example, SST offers a 2 Mbit serial flash product in a small 8-pin SOIC (small outlined integrated circuit) package, whereas competing 2 Mbit serial flash products may require higher pin-count packages such as 28-pin SOIC or 32-pin PLCC packages. SST's small 8-pin SOIC package requires minimal board space, thus resulting in an overall reduction in system cost and making miniature product designs possible.
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MSI was already on the scene when the Thunderbird launched with their K7T Pro (MS-6330) motherboard. Sporting a clean layout and average feature set, Microstar's pioneer KT133 board was able to offer value and stability in a well-engineered product. Check out the full review of the MSI K7T Pro Mainboard here at SharkyExtreme.

The K7T Pro is one of the slimmest KT133 boards we've dealt with - a trait that may be attributed to a very clean layout and the lack of an integrated ATA/100 controller (and the extra IDE connectors that accompany it). Instead of using a multitude of 2200uF electrolytic capacitors, MSI opted for seven of the massive 3900uF cylinders. Whether or not this decision affects stability is up for discussion, but we do know that it saved on PCB real estate.

Today, Sharky Extreme takes a look at the newest high-end video card from ASUSTek, their AGP-V7700 Deluxe 64MB, an NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS 64MB video card with integrated video digitizing, time-shifting (like TiVo), and wicked 3D power.

The V7700 Deluxe 64MB is based on the NVIDIA GeForce2 GTS GPU, but it strays far from the path set by NVIDIA's reference design. While it appears that the core circuitry around the GeForce2 GTS GPU is essentially standard fare, adding video digitizing is not just a matter of cutting and pasting. ASUS pulled out the scalpel to do some major reconstruction on the outside portion (nearest the back of your machine), both front and back, of the V7700 Deluxe. They made room for several new video components as well as an S-video in, an S-video out, a composite-out, and their own VR-out for 3D glasses.