Hot thin Air

Apple has unveiled the ultra-thin MacBook Air, the world's slimmest laptop. Adding to the MacBook's already stellar reputation, the new model is less than 20mm high. It includes the usual iSight camera, an ambient light sensor, and an oversize multi-touch trackpad which allows you to manipulate objects on screen using more than one finger, like the iPhone. It runs on a 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo CPU custom-made by Intel, with 2GB of RAM and either the standard 80GB hard drive or a 64GB SSD. The MacBook Air will retail for about Rs 145,000 and will be here by the end of January.

Among the latest smartphones from Nokia is the E61i, which is basically an updated E61, but this time with a 2-megapixel camera. As well as VoIP support and MP3, it has a five-way navigation key instead of a joystick, a 2.8-inch QVGA display and a 222 MHz ARM processor. The E61i is available for Rs 30,000.

Also from Nokia comes their new N-series model, the N82. This high-powered phone has GPS satellite navigation, a 5-megapixel camera with Xenon flash and MPEG-4 VGA quality video capture at 30 frames a second. It also has Wi-Fi connectivity, comes with Nokia's N-Gage mobile gaming platform and is loaded with Nokia Maps software.

Last but not least is the E90, aimed squarely at the business market. It comes with a 3.2-megapixel camera and flash, integrated GPS, video, FM radio, MP3, quad-band GSM with automatic switching between bands for talking on every continent, and 3G high-speed mobile broadband.

Shining bright

Already launched in Nepal, the fully stainless steel-bodied LG KE770, better known as the Shine Bar, is phone, camera and MP3 player in one. It is sleek and slim enough to fit neatly into your jeans pocket. On top of the SD memory card slot, it has a 70MB internal memory. The big metallic screen works as a mirror when other functions are not in use. It costs Rs 14,190 and comes with a free stereo headset and data cable worth Rs 1500.

Double the fun

Samsung's new SGH-F500 has a dual-face design that is both a phone and a personal media player. One side features a compact mobile phone with a 1.46-inch display while the other side has a 2.4-inch QVGA media player display. The phone is ultra slim at 10.7mm and has a 2-megapixel camera. It is 3G compatible, comes with a backup battery and retails for Rs 33,000.

A cursory wave

Logitech's new gyroscopic mouse is just the thing for computer users with persistent hand and arm pain caused by poor ergonomics or repetitive motion. The operator can control the cursor just by waving the cordless mouse through the air, but can also use it as a standard laser mouse when it is placed on a flat surface. The MX Air has a touch-sensitive scroll panel to replace the traditional scroll wheel, a volume button and a dedicated play/pause button that works in most media-playing applications. It has a built-in rechargeable battery and sits in a small recharging dock when not in use. The MX Air will be unveiled at CAN InfoTech 2008.

Summer blockbuster

The story goes that Steve Jobs decided to tinker with a touchscreen, and it ultimately evolved into an epic, the iPhone. This multimedia mammoth has a virtual keyboard interface, phone and internet capabilities, embedded digital camera function and, inescapably, the iPod music player. Those familiar with Apple products will not find it hard to slip into this new identity as it functions on an optimised OS X platform. But the real drama lies in its collaboration with third parties like Google, which allows for the easy installation of applications such as Google Maps. This much-hyped blockbuster will arrive in Asia this summer. Price: Rs 40,000 at press time.

Your life in your pocket

Those of you constantly on the go will have more to celebrate when the world's smallest notebook is launched in Nepal next week. The Fujitsu LifeBook U1010 is also a convertible tablet with a twistable 5.6-inch screen that fits nicely in the palm of the hand, yet comes with all the necessary specifications: an Intel processor running on 800MHz power, a 40GB hard drive, pre-installed Windows Vista, Bluetooth capability and a fingerprint sensor feature for security. Small has never been this big. The LifeBook is priced at Rs 125,000.

Biometric security

The new 3000 Y-series of notebooks from Lenovo have a lot to offer. The Y500 comes with a 1.8 or 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 15.4-inch LCD screen, a 160GB hard drive, 2GB of RAM, a built-in TV-tuner card and Wi-Fi. It also incorporates Lenovo's biometric face recognition technology that enhances data security while also allowing for multiple users. This laptop sells for about Rs 150,000.

Compact Compaqs

CAS Trading House is launching Hewlett Packard's new range of notebooks with the Compaq 8510p Notebook PC. This new notebook comes with a 15.4-inch LCD screen, Core 2 Duo processors, pre-installed software with a choice of Windows Vista, XP or SuSe Linux, DDR2 SDRAM upgradeable to 4GB and SATA hard drives up to 160GB. HP's professional software is also available with HP 3D DriveGuard, Privacy Filter, ProtectTools and Disk Sanitizer. The notebook is available starting at Rs 125,000.

All-in-one

Buy HP's Laserjet M2727nf and you'll be getting a printer, fax, copier and scanner all in one. The Laserjet comes with a 450 MHz processor and 64MB RAM. It can print and copy pages at a rate of 27 pages per minute at high resolutions of 1200 dpi. Documents can be fasex at up to33.6 kbps at a maximum input capacity of 300 sheets. The Laserjet is available for Rs 60,000 including taxes.

IT Education

Logging on, on the move
Informatics Kathmandu, known for its new products and technology, is launching a brand new program with a unique delivery mode called 'Informatics Mobile Learner' this month. The new concept of 'Mobile Learning', which has already been launched in Singapore, will now allow people of any age group in Nepal to attain an internationally recognised qualification from the Informatics Academy. The Mobile Learner kit makes use of devices and technologies surrounding the learner. The kit contains a simple secure digital card which can be read in almost any type of media. If the learners require any assistance, with a simple one-time log-in they will be able to access the integrated learning solution on Purpletrain.com. Learning solutions include one-to-one chat sessions with a tutor, class sessions, group chats and face-to-face sessions. An e-library and exam registration are also available.

Study with Lord Buddha
The Lord Buddha Education Foundation offers courses in various IT-based subjects such as bio-informatics, biotechnology, banking and even fashion design. The LBEF is an associate study centre of Sikkim Manipal University, which is recognised by Kathmandu University. The foundation has updated its courses to offer a BSc in applied biotechnology and fashion design, a banking MBA and MSc in bio-informatics and information technology. The prices of the courses range from Rs 155,000 for the banking MBA to Rs 285,000 for the BSc in applied biotechnology.