SuperWasp

Productivity tips, reviews, tools, software and gadgets.

Dell UltraSharp 2709W Review & Driver

Update: a little bird pointed me to the first review of Dell 2709W.

Update 2: here's a link to the Dell 2709W User Manual

Dell has released drivers for the upcoming Ultrasharp 2709w LCD monitor. Download here: DELL_2709W_A00-00_R186104. This also means that an 2708w or 2708wfp will not be released.

Labels: Dell, driver, LCD, monitor

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  Posted by oVan on Friday, May 16, 2008 | PermaLink | 2 comments

Dell releases Vostro Notebooks & Desktops

No mention yet on the Dell websites, but here are the details I know so far. All Vostro models carry Intel Dual Core processors. Here's the line-up:

Dell Vostro 200 (desktop)

• Intel Pentium Dual Core E2140


• Windows Vista Business


• 1024MB DDR2 667Mhz memory


• 250GB SATA HD


• Dell 19" Flat Panel (SE197FP)


• DVD+/-RW Dual Layer


• 1 Year Collect & Return support

399€ excl. tax & transport

Dell Vostro 1400 (notebook)

• Intel Centrino Duo T7100


• Windows Vista Business


• 1024MB 667Mhz DDR2 memory


• HD 120Gb


• 14.1" LCD


• 128MB nVidia GeForce 8400M GS


• DVD+/-RW


• Intel Pro Wireless 3945 a/b/g


• 1 Year NBD support

799€ without tax/transport

Dell Vostro 1500 (notebook)

• Intel Core 2 Duo T5470


• Windows Vista Home Basic


• 1024MB 667Mhz DDR2 memory


• HD 120Gb


• 15" LCD


• 128MB nVidia GeForce 8400M GS


• DVD+/-RW


• Intel Pro Wireless 3945 a/b/g


• 1 Year NBD support

599€ without tax/transport

Dell Vostro 1700 (notebook)

• Intel Centrino Duo T7100


• Windows Vista Business


• 2048MB 667Mhz DDR2 memory


• HD 160Gb SATA


• 17" LCD


• 128MB nVidia GeForce 8400M GS


• DVD+/-RW


• Intel Pro Wireless 3945 a/b/g


• 1 Year NBD support

879€ without tax/transport

Labels: Dell, desktop, notebook, Vostro

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  Posted by oVan on Friday, July 06, 2007 | PermaLink | 0 comments

FIX: SigmaTel AC'97 on Vista

For all users of the dreaded SigmaTel AC97 audio chipset (a lot of notebooks use this), you will be greeted with Microsoft signed Vista drivers when you install the RTM of Vista.
However, that joy will fade away quickly: the ever-lasting problem of sound crackling and stuttering will soon make you angry again.
I do not understand why so many notebook manufacturers still keep using/implementing this piece of crap... the only reason I can think of is that it must be really cheap!

Enough whining, here are a few possible fixes:

• You can try the RealTek AC'97 drivers for Vista


• You can also try the High-Definition Audio Codecs, also from the RealTek website.


• You can also scan for SigmaTel drivers on the Dell website here, maybe they'll release a new driver set also. In fact, even the older driver sets from 2005 that you'll find in this list, are more recent than the driver included in Vista. It's not the first time that Dell advises to revert to older SigmaTel drivers because they were far more stable..

Labels: AC'97, AC97, audio, codec, Dell, driver, HD Audio, high-definition, install, Microsoft, RealTek, RTM, SigmaTel, Vista, Windows

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  Posted by oVan on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 | PermaLink | 0 comments