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Lenovo Intros Tiny ThinkCentre Desktops

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Lenovo refreshes the ThinkCentre desktop and all-in-one PC range with Ivy Bridge processors-- and models including the "Tiny" M92p and M72e desktops.

Lenovo TinyThe M92p and M72e are a bit smaller than a Mac Mini, measuring 18 x 18 x 3.5cm. The diminutive cases (a bit thicker than a golf ball) fit x5 USB ports (with x3 USB 3.0 ports in the M92p) carry 3rd generation Intel Core processors and either HDD or SSD storage.

The Lenovo all-in-one desktop range gets the ThinkCentre Edge M92z-- the thinnest Lenovo commercial all-in-one yet, being only 5cm thick. An Infinity Glass front panel covers a 21.5" IPS LED display, and processor options include up to Core i7 chips. Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) technology allows one to connect the M92z to HDTVs or other displays.

Aiming at small business owners, Lenovo includes remote management tools with Lenovo Solution Center powered by Intel Small Business Advantage.

Customers wanting a more traditional PC also have Lenovo options-- the budget ThinkCentre Edge 72 or the higher-end ThinkCentre M82, both with optional 23" ThinkVision LT2323z displays.

Go Lenovo

Security Fails Antivirus Pioneer

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Physical security fails antivirus pioneer John McAfee-- the "Gang Suppression Unit" (GSU) in Belize reportedly raided his home, arresting the McAfee founder and shooting his dog in the process.

McAfeeThe raid took place on May 1, with the armed police unit allegedly smashing down the door to McAfee's house before ransacking his property.

McAfee says the GSU then took his passport and handcuffed him and 12 of his employees, arresting him for owning an illegal firearm, a charge McAfee describes as "bogus."

"They began, with sledge hammers, to break the doors of the buildings-- none of them were locked, but they just went and broke them in any case... handcuffed me and everyone and for 14 hours outside in the sun, I sat handcuffed without food or water..." McAfee says of his ordeal.

The Belize authorities give no reason for the arrest, instead reporting the find of a cache of weapons including shotguns, handguns, rifles and ammunitions. McAfee says he has permits for all but one of the weapons, which make up his company's physical "security."

McAfee blames the incident on his refusing to donate money to "the local political boss."

This is not the first time John McAfee found himself in legal troubles. In 2010 Fast Company suggested McAfee exaggerated his company's financial losses-- and moved to Belize, becoming a permanent resident-- in order to avoid fallout from the lawsuit surrounding the death of his nephew in a flying accident.

Go Antivirus Founder John McAfee Says Politics Caused GSU Raid

Go Fast Company John McAfee Profile

HP Back on Top in PCs

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According to Canalys HP takes back the lead in the WW Q1 2012 client PC market, following its getting beaten by Apple (mainly thanks iPad shipments) in Q4 2011.

PCOne has to keep in mind Canalys counts tablet shipments in its PC shipment totals, while other industry analysts (including Gartner and IDC) do not.

The analyst says HP has a close lead on the Q1 2012 market, outshipping Apple by around 40000 units. Apple shipments for the quarter reach 15.8m, 11.8m of which being iPads.

Canalys reports EMEA PC shipments show 19% Y-o-Y growth. Total WW Q1 2012 PC shipments reach 107m units with 21% Y-o-Y growth.

Windows 8 Gets Media Center as Add-On

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Microsoft announces Media Center for Windows 8 will be available as an add-on-- a digital purchase one does through "Add Features" in the Control Panel.

Media CenterMedia Center comes free in Windows 7 Premium and Pro.

Apparently the price covers royalty costs of codecs supporting broadcast TV (DBV-T/S, ISDB-S/T, DMBH, and ATSC), VOB file playback and DVD playback. A codec all versions of Windows 8 do support is Dolby Digital Plus.

In case you are wondering the standard Windows 8 standard Media Player does not play DVDs and Blu ray discs. But that is what 3rd party software is for, right?

Microsoft still has to announce pricing for Media Center.

Go Making Windows Media Center Available in Windows 8

Wifi Gets Fourth Revision

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IEEE publishes the latest revision of the 802.11 wifi standard, IEEE 802.11-2012-- with revisions promising improved connections, greater security and smoother handoffs between wifi and mobile networks.

IEEE wifiThe 4th revision since 1997, 802.11-2012 consolidates the 10 amendments to the base standards approved in the 2007 revision. These include 802.11n (defines MAC and PHY modifications to enable throughputs of up to 600MB/s), direct-link setup, "fast roam," radio resource measurement, operation in the 3650-3700MHz band, vehicular environments, mesh networking, security, broadcast/multicast and unicast data delivery, interworking with external networks and network management.

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