Windows 7 Family Pack Returns

Microsoft is bringing back the Windows 7 Family Pack for this Holiday Season. It will become available sometime in October and will be available “while supplies last”. Come on Microsoft, just make more copies…

Here is the official Press Release:

All summer long we’ve given you some great reasons to purchase a new PC and make the move to Windows 7, an operating system loved by a whopping 94% of folks who use it! Here’s one more: starting October 3 in the U.S., Windows 7 Family Pack will be available for purchase at participating retailers and online at the Microsoft Store. Purchasing the Windows 7 Family Pack gives you three upgrade licenses of Windows 7 Home Premium for the low price of $149.99. To take advantage of Family Pack, you’ll need a PC running a genuine copy of either Windows Vista or Windows XP that is capable of running Windows 7. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor can tell you which features and editions of Windows 7 will run on your computer(s).

For those of you who don’t live in the U.S., Family Pack may be coming your way too. It goes on sale in Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia and many other markets on or after Oct. 22 (Windows 7’s 1 year anniversary!)

According to IDC’s Consumerscape 360 data, there are 2.1 PCs per household in the U.S., but, as we all know, networking isn’t easy. Windows 7 has built in features – like HomeGroup- that make it easy and quick to get all of your home PCs connected and sharing files, music, photos and printers.

So, don’t delay. The Windows 7 Family Pack will be available soon while supplies last.

Fractal Design a Larger version of its Define Noise Canceling Computer Case

The Define XL is a larger version of the award winning Define R2/R3 case. Similar in design to the Define R2/R3, it offers a number of interesting functions with a very stylish appearance. The case design focuses on low noise level, without neglecting other important features such as cooling, expandability and ease of use.

The Define XL is pre-fitted with dense noise absorbing bitumen material, covered with a soft foam texture. This material effectively absorbs noise generated by the components and fans inside. Paired with other noise preventing features such as a covered top panel with a 180mm fan mounted with an angle to blow out air in the rear and silicone grommets for hard drive mounting, the XL truly excels in delivering a low noise solution.

The unit is designed around providing excellent cable routing capabilities with large holes and enough space behind the motherboard plate.The cable routings are covered with silicon covers that help to hide the cable clutter. A fan controller can be mounted in an expansion slot in the rear can control up to three fans with one knob and is included with the case.

Key Features:

• Stylish design
• Pre-fitted with noise absorbing material
• Configurable thermal chamber design
• Great cooling possibilities, 3x fans included (2x 140mm, 1x 180mm)
• 10x HDD slots
• Unique ModuVent design in side panel

Specifications:

• 4x 5,25" bays, 1x 5,25" to 3,5" converter included
• mini-itx, micro ATX, ATX and E-ATX motherboard
• 10x HDD trays. 4x HDD trays in the HDD cage in the main chamber. This HDD cage is removable and rotatable. 6x HDD trays in the lower HDD chamber. These HDD cages are fixed.
• A total of two 140mm fans and one 180mm fan included. Front 140mm fans are mounted with removable, washable filter. A fan controller is included, for mounting in one of the rear expansion slots.
• Pre-fitted with dense noise absorbing material in both side panels.
• ModuVent feature, allowing the user to choose between an optimal low noise level, having the cover mounted or optimal airflow by removing the cover and mounting a fan for intake.
• Case size (WxHxD): 232x560x561.3mm
• 17.95kg

Cooling system

• 2x 140mm fans (one 140mm included, one optional) with removable and washable filters, in the front. Recommended for intake of air.
• 1x 120mm fan optional with removable and washable filter, in the front. Recommended for intake of air.
• 1x 180mm fan included in the top of the case. Recommended for exhaust of air.
• 1x 140mm fan included in the rear of the case. Recommended for exhaust of air.
• 1x 120/140mm fan optional in the side of the case. Recommended for intake of air.

Cooler Master announces a “Cool” New Case

Cooler Master Follows Up with HAF-912 Plus Case to give you a quieter case with great expansion.

Following up with the release of HAF 912, Cooler Master rolled out the HAF 912 Plus, provides some interesting upgrades of the HAF 912 with more features for a small premium. The case is has the same exact dimensions: 30 x 480 x 496 mm, weighs 8 kg, has every feature of the HAF 912, except that it includes an eSATA port on the front-panel, has a largely tool-free design comprising of thumbscrews for quick and easy entry, all-black interiors, a red LED-lit 200 mm front fan, and a top 200 mm fan. The base model has two 120 mm fans and no fan on the top (with just the room to install one). The expansion slot covers are perforated for more ventilation. The Cooler Master HAF 912 Plus is available now, priced at $79, close to $20 over the base model.

Bacterial light-harvesting proteins make a regenerating solar cell

A recent article published by ARS Technica discussed replacing the traditional technology being used in photovoltaic cells with biological materials that provide a sustainable and renewable resource. If you are interested in energy technology this is a really interesting alternative to traditional methods of solar energy collection that may bring the price down on implementing the technology.

Bacterial light-harvesting proteins make a regenerating solar cell

Buffalo Introduces MiniStation HD-PCTU2 Series Portable Hard Drives

If you follow me at all you know that I have a penchant for making multiple copies of my data on multiple devices, locations and sources. Buffalo is coming out with a  new series of portal hard drives that will help you make backups and share your data between machines and locations.The HD-PCTU2 comes in piano black and pearl white colors, and capacities that include 320 GB, 500 GB, and 640 GB, priced at around $119, $149 and $200, respectively. Measuring 77 x 14 x 114 mm, the drives weigh 165 grams. USB 2.0 handles power and connectivity. The bundled EcoManager software cuts down power draw by 20%. These devices have a 1 year warranty.

I love the size of this type of drive and that it will draw it’s power from your USB port connection. That it has less of a power draw will make it a great choice as a mobile solution along with your mobile computer for backup or extending storage capabilities.