It’s always fun to reminisce about some of the technology that got us to where we are today. The “state of the art” computers we used as kids that had less computing power than today’s toaster ovens. Compared with current computers it’s a wonder that anything was ever accomplished, but the jobs still always seemed to get done. Of course it turns out that some of that old tech junk you have sitting in your attic or basement may be worth a couple bucks. There is a whole industry springing up around vintage tech and computers. Check out the collectible PCs slideshow and be prepared for that undeniable reality that, yes, you’re getting old.

Source: MSN Tech

IBM announced today that they are developing a chipset that can beam high definition video from PC to TV through an ultra fast wireless signal. This technology will allow full length HD video or TV to be streamed within seconds between devices, without the use of wires or network cables.

The chip uses millimeter wave radio technology (mmWave) to transmit large amounts of data over the highest frequencies on the radio spectrum. The high radio frequencies can handle data up to 100 times the rate of current Wi-Fi transfers. Full length high definition movies, video, or TV could be transferred and ready for viewing within seconds compared with upwards of 10 minutes over a regular Wi-Fi connection.

Any stationary or handheld electronic device could ultimately contain one of these chips, which means that someday you could download movies to your video iPod or other handheld device as quickly as walking by your computer or a kiosk.

Photo: Dano
Source: CRN

Wired Magazine takes a look at some of the most miniature PCs in the world. The only one I can see they left out is the Jack PC (shown above) which is definitely one of the best super-small PCs out. The World’s Tiniest PCs [Wired]

Here’s a list of 10 easy tips that can help you save energy and your money. Also, check out ways to save energy if you like to keep your computer on 24.7.

10. Upgrade your gear
9. Dim your screen
8. Consolidate and virtualize computers
7. Turn off peripherals
6. Kill unnecessary processes
5. Get a smart power switch
4. Enable energy saver settings
3. Unplug energy vampires
2. Spin down your hard drive
1. Shut down

Read more details about each of these at Lifehacker.

This enormous PC/Display is being created by GPNC in Korea. It’s meant  for commercial use and will be made in two models: touch-screen and standard LCD. Featuring a 70-inch Samsung LCD, doing 1080p. No specs no the PC part or pricing yet.Engadget says, “Hey GPNC, here’s s a tip: we recommend taking future product shots without XP error messages if you hope to instill a sense of confidence in your target buying audience.”

According to a study by Sega and iShare, over 40% of Japanese women in their 20s or 30s have regular conversation with their computers. “I chat incessantly to my computer when I’m working,” said one woman.

Some of these girls even give names to their personal computers. Ok, wait a second. My girlfriend did this, her MacBook is named ‘Pearl’ apparently. So is my girlfriend secretly Japanese, OR do young American women do the same? Someone should do a study here.

More [MSN-Mainichi Daily News] via TokyoMango

Microsoft’s is targeting the education sector in India by selling a new PC named ‘IQ’ vended by Zenith Computers. AMD hardware will be inside and will cost about 21,000 rupees ($515 USD).

But it’s not just the computers they’ll be selling. Microsoft will launch a new ‘Education Channel’ on MSN to feature tutoring and other resources for students. It’s all part of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential campaign aiming for 1 billion people to have PC access by 2015. In July, they will start selling the IQ PCs at 10 retailers throughout Bangalore.

Sun Microsystems says its hardware will power the largest supercomputer ever built - 62,976 CPU cores, over 100 Terabytes of memory, 1.7 Petabytes of disk storage, and 504 teraflops of performance. Named “Ranger”, the new supercomputer is planned to be fully functional by January 1, 2008, and is being built at Texas Advanced Computing Center at the University of Texas in Austin. Oh and… the gigantic supercomputer will run Linux. TACC via Wired

French company Calao Systems has managed to cram a full Linux computer into a USB key. The thing measurs a mere 3.3 x 1.4 inches (85 x 36 mm), with a ARM926EJ-S 190MHz processor, 64MB of SDRAM, 256MB of NAND flash, central USB 2.0 port (obviously), Ethernet port, and two USB 2.0 host ports.

They say it’s coming “soon” and “will come pre-installed with the open-source U-Boot bootloader and Linux 2.6-series kernels. GNU toolchains also appear to be available from the company.”

Via Electronista

Japanese PC builder Shimafuji has developed a 2.2 x 2.2-inch PC called the Space Cube. inside you’ll find a 300MHz processor, 64MB DDR SDRAM, and 16MB of built-in flash memory, but storage can be done through CF cards. Also on board is a VGA port supporting displays up to 1024×768, USB connectivity, Ethernet, and audio input/output. Would be nice to squeeze some more impressive options in there, but I would get this just for the sheer size and fun of it.

Via PC Launches