At Side-by-Side Geek, we're all for open source.  In fact, the site runs on a build of Linux, Apache, MySQL, and Drupal.  If open source were a person, we'd buy him/her a drink.  We love open source.

But come on, there has to be a limit.

Near the end of the month, a group called openDesktop.org will be releasing into the wild a computer built entirely around the idea of open source.  Everything bit of hardware used to build the Open-PC 1 is "...completely documented and supported by free drivers."  Which then, in turn, means that all the software is open source and completely free.  It runs Linux with KDE on top, uses Firefox as its browser, OpenOffice.org for productivity, digiKam for photo sorting, KMail for email, and Amarok for listening to music.  That's a list we open source geeks have grown to know and love over the years.

As far as hardware, according to open-pc.com, here are the specs:

• Atom N330 1,6GHz Dual-Core Processor
• 3GB RAM
• 160GB Harddisc
• ASRock Mainboard
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Mini ITX-Case
• 250watt power supply

Interesting, if not perhaps a little underpowered.  This machine would work pretty well for basic web surfing, photo sorting and editing, email, and music enjoyment, but you won't be playing any of the latest high-end video games on it.  So what does all this open source goodness cost?

359 EUR, or roughly $500.

I'm not sure about you, but the $500 price tag takes the shine off the proverbial apple for me.  While I'm fully behind the idea of open source, I could take my $500 to any electronics retailer and get twice the machine.

It just doesn't make sense.

In an effort to keep up with the times, we just installed an automated update system that will keep our library up-to-date with the latest laptop and desktop computers available.  Make sure to check out our Library pages, or use the Search function at the top of the page to find whatever you might be looking for in the way of computer specifications.  And as always, the comparison system is available for you to make comparisons between different laptops or desktops right here on the site.

Enjoy!

To those who are having issues with CPU throttling on your Dell XPS Laptop, specifically the 1645, Dell released a blog entry on their community website a few days ago to let you know they're still working on the problem.  According to their post, a BIOS upgrade which would adjust the algorithm used to throttle the CPU under load is, they feel, the best bet toward resolving the issue.

Over at notebookreview.com, they have different ideas.  They've started a thread on their forums with user-submitted details on the issue.  They feel that, not only is a BIOS upgrade necessary, but a higher-powered power supply is needed as well.  They're recommending at least a 130W power supply, to replace the factor-supplied 90W supply.

Just in case you're not sure if you're experiencing the problem, here's the description according to notebookreview.com:

Symptoms usually occur during gaming or other stressful applications. Can be in the form of extremely large stuttering under certain conditions. Even if these slow downs do not occur it is very likely you could see a performance boost by allowing the laptop to run properly, given a modern game. A quick test is to run on battery, giving the system a few min's to settle, and see if performance is improved.

The problem occurs due to the cpu slowing itself down to maintain the 90w power limitation set by the adapter. The cpu speed is calculated as 133mhz * a multiplier. This multiplier should be 15x + for most games, but due to throttling can be observed around 8-10x or the minimum 7x, a huge performance hit.

Of course, this only applies specifically to the Dell XPS 1645 and Studio 17 laptops.  If you own one of these two models, and are experiencing issues, make sure you head over to http://support.dell.com and put in a ticket.  This will help Dell track the issue when a resolution is found.

Dell took the opportunity this year at the Consumer Electronics Show to introduce a bunch of new gear that's got us drooling.  Included in the mess of goodness are a few brand new items, like their 5-inch tablet concept and a Dell Android-based smartphone.  They've also got some updates to their existing lines of PCs and laptops, including the new Alienware M11x laptop and the Alienware OptX AW2310 23" 3D Full HD widescreen monitor, which enables stereoscopic 3D effects when paired with a supported NVIDIA 3D video card.

Here are some specifics on a few of the items that will ship this year.  For more information on all the new stuff from Dell, click here.

Alienware M11x

At less than $1000, Dell is boasting graphics comparable to a 15-inch notebook in an 11-inch formfactor.  The magic is the NVIDIA GT 335M GPU that's slated to run graphics in the little bugger.  With switchable graphics modes, the M11x should be able to run for up to 6 hours, according to Dell dog-and-pony show at CES.  With an HDMI port outputting 720p to your favorite HD monitor or television, the M11x seems like a very viable option for gamers on the go.

Alienware M17x and M15x

Dell's Alienware division is also releasing updates to their 17- and 15-inch laptop lines with the M17x and M15x, respectively.  The M17x will rock an Intel Mobile Core i7 processor and dual graphics systems, which Dell feels makes it "the most powerful 17-inch gaming laptop in the universe".  The M15x won't be far behind with optional NVIDIA GTX 260M graphics and its own Intel Core i7 processor.  These beasts can be had starting at $1,799 for the M17x and $1,399 for the M15x.

Dell Inspiron and Studio

Both the Inspiron and Studio lineups are getting refreshed as well, with Inspiron 14, 15, and 17-inch laptops receiving a redesign that includes a thinning chassis, 16:9 aspect HD displays, and Intel Mobile Core i3 or i5 processors.  The Inspiron desktop lineup also receives the upgraded processor choices, as well as some funky new colors. 

Dell's Studio family of computers got upgrades that include the new Intel Core i5 and i7 processors.  The laptop version of the Studio also took on some new multimedia features, including True HD screens and enhanced audio.  Finally, Dell introduced the new Studio XPS 8100, which features the new Intel Core i5 processor and THX TruStudio PC sound.

With the ratification of the 802.11n standard, the WiFi Alliance is now setting its sights on further improving our wireless lifestyle.  The new 802.11ac standard is being discussed in labs as we speak, and the future looks amazing.

Just like the 802.11n standard has improved bandwidth and range, the new 802.11ac promises more of the same.  Some of the ideas being floated for the standard, which is set to be ratified around December of 2012, include bumping the number of transmit and receive streams from two to three, exclusively using the 5GHz frequency band, and widening the frequency channels from 20MHz to up to 160MHz.  There are also techniques being played with that would allow multiple user information streams to be carried on a single channel.

What does all this add up to?  Alone, each of these techniques would serve to improve wireless range and bandwidth, but not nearly to the degree that they would in combination.  Together, they spell the possibility that the next generation of wireless devices could pass the gigabit mark.  Not only that, but the added range and distance before signal loss have the potential to greatly decrease the cost of going wireless, both in large homes and businesses.  It would take fewer 802.11ac-based access point to cover the same square footage than current, 802.11n-based equipment does now.

The new technology does come with some potential challenges, however.  As any good network engineer knows, your network speed is only as good as the slowest link.  In order for network infrastructures to support gigabit wireless, upgrades would have to be made.  These upgrades could be prohibitively expensive to smaller, less cash-infused companies.

On the home-front, 802.11ac could go a long way toward putting reliable, truly high-speed networking in every room of the house.  Especially larger homes that experience dead spots could greatly benefit from the increases bandwidth and range that 802.11ac promises.