Big Blue joins quad-core server crowd
IBM announced it is enhancing its line of x86 servers with the introduction of four quad-core IBM systems and a blade utilizing the quad-core Intel Xeon 5300 processor.
The systems include the x3650, a 2U, two socket rack server starting at US$2,419. The x3550, a 1U, two socket rack server is designed to provide application density for power managed data centres starting at US$2,369. The x3500, a two socket tower server, starts at US$2,189. The x3400 starts at US$1,839. The BladeCenter HS21 starts at US$2,159.
The System x servers support virtualization solutions such as VMWare, and come with virtualization sizing tool. With the integration of IBM Virtualization Manager into
IBM Director 5.2, IBM enables clients to manage from a single console both physical and virtual machines for VMware, Microsoft Virtual Server, and Xen environments on IBM System x and BladeCenter. IBM PowerExecutive, which is designed to provide customers with the intelligence needed to effectively manage power consumption in the datacenter, is also available on Systems x3650, x3550 and BladeCenter HS21 at no extra charge and available by download for customers.
Clients can order quad-core systems beginning Tuesday, Nov. 14, with volume shipping expected to begin in December for the system x3550 and x3650, and in January for the x3400, x3500 and the BladeCenter HS21.
Samsung aims to keep printers quiet
Samsung releaed the CLP-300, featuring its NO NOIS print engine designed to guarantee quiet operation, the CLP-300 exceeds its competitors by providing easy access to toner cartridges allowing for quick toner changes. It features print speeds of 17 prints-per-minute black and 4 ppm colour, with up to 2400 x 600 dpi effective output,150 sheets input, 100 sheets output, and a duty cycle up to 24, 200 pages per month.
The ML-4550 series, meanwhile, offer 600 MHz processor and 128MB of memory, 45 ppm (black) capacity and is priced at $899. It also features 40GB optional HDD, automatic duplex, DDR memory up to 512 MB, additional cassette feeders.
Lexmark printers feature wireless options
Lexmark Canada Inc. introduced the Lexmark X9350 Wireless Office All-in-One with two-sided printing priced at $349.
Equipped with built-in wireless connectivity and automatic two-sided printing, the X9350 also uses the new Evercolor 2TM pigmented inks, and is backed by the Lexmark Protection Guarantee that provides next-business-day replacement for up to one year.
The Lexmark X9350 is capable of printing at speeds up to 32 pages per minute (ppm) black and 27 ppm colour. It also offers a 150-sheet input tray, standalone multiple page fax and copy using the 50-page automatic document feeder, 2.4-inch adjustable and convenient colour LCD display, and a 48-bit flatbed colour scanning to scan documents or photos, scan to e-mail, or print.
TK8 handles backup chores
TK8 Software has released TK8 Backup v. 4.0, which can back up system files, Outlook and Outlook Express data, and other important information.
Features in v. 4.0 include the ability to run backup tasks automatically, the ability to make backups automatically before shutdown; and an option to turn off the computer when your backup is complete. Each backup profile tells the program which files to capture, how frequently to back them up, and where to store them.
TK8 Backup keeps track of which files are already saved, and can create incremental backups of only the new or changed files. To further save disk space, TK8 Backup uses industry-standard ZIP compression to safely compact files for efficient storage. If users have more data than will fit on a single disk, the program will automatically split the information and store it on multiple disks. TK8 Backup’s built-in FTP function can upload backups to another computer.
TK8 Backup comes with a backup management system. The program keeps track of backup disks, and knows immediately where critical files are, the company said. TK8 Backup’s Restoring Wizard takes users step by step through the process of moving files from backup disks to a computer.
TK8 Backup v. 4.0 runs on Windows 95/98/Me/NT4/2000/XP/2003, costs US$29.95 for the Standard version or US$49.95 for the Professional version.
