Dashiel's Flash Memory Storage

HP Mini 311

emer_ald33 — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:10:15 +0000

Netbooks are becoming popular these days especially if you value portability and mobility.

Last December 2009, I purchased a netbook called HP Mini 311-1002 which sports an Intel Atom 280 and an Nvidia integrated graphics (both collectively called Nvidia ION). It’s running Windows 7 Starter and I’m still too lazy to at least try out and experiment with other operating systems. I have a habit of naming my PC hardware so I named it as Macross.

Basic internet browsing, word processing, casual gaming and high definition (1080p) movie playback / bluray playback are all go on this nifty device with a generous 11.6″ screen. I actually loved the hidef media playback (read: MKV files, har har they’re mighty pirates). Couple this with players that support DXVA (PowerDVD and MPC-HC to name a few that I know) and prepare to be amazed on GPU (graphics card) doing all the legwork in video processing and decoding.

Don’t expect it to be a replacement for your desktop though as multi-tasking (in the form of multiple tabs open in Firefox and other things running in the background ) will bring this netbook to its knees because of the lowly Atom processor.

Overall, don’t expect it to perform heavy duty tasks for you. It’s not a replacement for your desktop, it’s just a mobile pc.

Full specifications :

Intel Atom Processor N280 1.66Ghz
11.6″ Diagonal LED HD BrightView
250GB 5400RPM Hard Disk
2048MB DDR3 SDRAM
802.11b/g WLAN & Bluetooth
LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVDRW with Double Layer Support
6-Cell Lithium-Ion battery
5-in-1 Digital Media Reader
Genuine Windows 7 Starter
nVidia ION with shared graphic memory
HP Webcam

Happy New Year

emer_ald33 — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:20:14 +0000

Well, it’s not yet the New Year, at least not 3 days from now. All I can say is that 2009 could have been better for me in terms of my career. There were moments of trials and flashes of success but then it still feels like something is missing. Maybe I haven’t found “it” yet. I’ll have to be positive and hardworking (according to the chinese horoscope I read for the Rooster).

I’ll do better in 2010. My new year’s resolution (doesn’t this sound cliche already?) is to do my new year’s resolutions.

Happy New Year everyone!

Christmas is in the air

emer_ald33 — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:20:26 +0000

Long time no post for me. A lot of things happened the past few months, most notably, we got flooded at our home back in September. Anyway we’re sort of recovering from that now. I may not have material things this Christmas, but I’m still thankful for everything. I just wish happiness, good health, better opportunities for me and my family (as well as Belle’s family as well.) To everyone reading this blog.. Have a blessed Merry Christmas!!

12 more days to go folks!

3G Broadband at affordable rates

emer_ald33 — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:02:18 +0000

Broadband is now widespread in the Philippines. Previously only a select few can take advantage of DSL speeds that are based on wired connections. However, as the years progressed, telcos were able to take advantage of their existing mobile infrastructure and are able to rollout DSL to areas that were not previously reachable by landlines. 3 Main players exist: Globe, Smart/PLDT, and the newest player Sun Cellular.

Also, telcos nowadays practice cutthroat competetion. First, SmartBRO prepaid kits now cost P995.00 (previously at P1,995.00 and initially at P4,500.00!!) only while Globe followed suit with P895.00. Globe prepaid usually prices their kits on a lower bracket. Depending on location, one ISP is preferred over the other.
(Image courtesy of blog.knightlust.com)

Recently, belle and I, bought kits for ourselves. Her purpose is to replace the lousy, shitload Globe so-called broadband (fixed wireless internet) in their home. Mine is too have a backup in case DSL goes down for long periods as well as serve as a future mobile provider for my *ahem* future laptop

The package comes with 3G USB modem (i think it’s the ZTE MF627 modem). In both our cases (Bulacan area and Marikina area), signals were good speeds were up to par for browsing sites such as Facebook, blogs, YM chatting, et al. I haven’t tried it though for torrent downloads hehe. She can reach 3g signals while here in Marikina HSDPA speeds can be achieved.

Initially, she was only able to get GPRS speeds but as she was able to move around their house, 3G signals were apparently present. Speedy internet for her! The only downside is that if you solely depend on this connection you may end up reloading and paying for more internet time. There are post paid plans though, but since we’re just testing the waters here, we’ll see how it pans out. IMO, our purchase was well worth it.

Nice trendy modem with catchy packaging, affordable rates, and cutthroat competetion, hey– what more could you ask for. This sure is a steal!

Console Price Cuts

emer_ald33 — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:53:26 +0000

First the Sony Playstation 3, now Xbox 360 has cut the price of its Xbox 360 Elite down to $299 USD. Price cuts to follow suit in Asia.
The price cut follows what seems to be a phase out of the now older Xbox 360 Pro model.

Now this got me thinking…xbox 360 or playstation 3…why not both?

Sony Playstation 3 Slim

emer_ald33 — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:25:24 +0000

The rumors are now aside. It is confirmed that the Sony Playstation 3 Slim SKU would be out by September 2009. It comes in a smaller form factor than the original, a 120GB hard drive and the latest firmware from Sony (version 3.00). At $299, I think it’s a steal!

If I can afford it, I’ll buy this as well.

More information can be found in Gizmodo’s article.

Samurai Umbrella

emer_ald33 — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:56:07 +0000

Rainy days are here already and like most guys I don’t wanna be lugging around an umbrella no matter how big or small. Much more if it’s colored white with roses or even red with weird designs.

I recently stumbled upon a blogger (winterheim)who had one cool umbrella, it has a handle of a sword and it’s colored black! Wooot! Thing is I’m not sure if it’s readily available..plus it’s so expensive at more than Php 2,000 pesos!!

Anyway here are the pictures for you to enjoy, they are found as well on an online store called thinkgeek.com

Sweet PC cases

emer_ald33 — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 03:27:12 +0000

If you are in the hunt for latest and greatest computer cases, look no further. Hopefully the steep price stag would not put off potential buyers in exchange for the drool factor.

Latest mouthwatering, drool-inducing computer cases from different manufacturers. Check them out below:
(Photos were taken from hardware.info)

Coolermaster and Silverstone PC Cases

24

emer_ald33 — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:35:40 +0000

I was going to write this sana on a piece of paper or record it on video using my camera, but then battery died on me and unfortunately I cant go out to buy new ones. Instead, I’ll just post it here.

—-
I’m looking forward to a lot more laughs and smiles. Thank you for:
1. Painting a smile on my face
2. Making me laugh when Im sad
3. Cheering me up when I’m not in the mood
4. Taking care of me (patience and your concern)
5. For loving me and for being there for me (happy moments, sad moments and et al.)

Continue to be the positive, sweet, charming, witty, smart, caring and thoughtful person that you are.
I love you so much. Happy anniversary!

Computer table

emer_ald33 — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 12:56:33 +0000

A good pc with a good table complement each other. It’s like dancing partners that do cha cha or rumba or whatever type of ballroom dance you could ever think of.

I was looking for a good table way way back. My wish list indicated a glass table. I never knew that I would ever find one of this type. Actually the table that I got was the table I was eyeing before. I even showed Belle the table and back then, I was still undecided if I would get this or not. Due to my indecisiveness, on the day that I was about to purchase the table it was already gone! In disbelief I walked away from the store. I even asked Belle to go the attendant and ask when are new stocks going to arrive. The store attendant said that they’re not sure.

Anyway, we were walking along Araneta Center in Cubao last Wednesday, Belle asked that we go look inside the Office Warehouse store. I said “out of stock na dyan and I’ve been there before”. But she insisted that we go take a look inside, as we entered…lo and behold..the table that I was salivating for was there! I hesitated for a moment. But then this chance might never come again so I decided to purchase the table.

Assembly of the table was a litle tough for me and my brother. Pictures below:

Old Table

New Table

More pictures on here.

And with that wishlist was updated.
Item #20 is a check

The rest of them, well…let’s wait and see.

Ciao!

———-WISHLIST———-

I wish for the following this Holiday Season (and even if it’s not Holiday Season):

1. A lot of time (quality time)
2. Peace on earth
3. Good vibes from everyone (family and firends)
4. Happy and smiling faces and less stress or nothing at all (myself, family and friends)
5. 3 x 1TB Harddisk Internal SATA Drive
6. 1 x 1TB WD myBook
7. Samsung LCD TV or Panasonic Plasma tv (32″ or up)
8. Home theater receiver (Onkyo, Denon, Harman Kardon)
9. Speakers (B&W, Monitor Audio, Wharfedale)
10. Xbox 360 Elite console with Guitar Hero world tour as my first game
11. PC Bluray drive
12. 24″ LCD Monitor
13. Popcorn Hour A-110 with 1TB of hard disk space (wish granted with lots of content to boot)
14. A dedicated Home theater PC based on AMD 780g / AMD 790GX or Intel 9300
15. A new computer case for my existing Core 2 Duo E6600 desktop (Coolermaster Cosmos perhaps)
16. 2 x 1TB Hard disk for my D-Link NAS
17. A new NAS (Synology or QNAP)
18. Legit Warhammer or World of Warcraft MMMORPG
19. TV stand i drooled last time with Belle at Trinoma (Sigma something), dont know where to find this anymore since it was just under the BPI Madness recently.
20. A new computer table (glass preferred)
21. A dedicated file server / torrent downloader PC
22. A 1080p LCD projector (Panasonic or Sony) with 100″ screen
23. A condo with loft (please…please…please..)
24. A Mitsubishi Lancer 2008 (vrroooom!)
25. A Canon DSLR Camera (Click..click!)
26. A freezer/refrigerator full of goodies
27. Logitech Squuezebox
28. Logitech Harmony One Universal remote
29. A lazy boy / a couch, with lots of chips and popcorn together with ice cold drinks, to top it all off Belle beside me (naks!)