Hitachi kicks out CP-X206 and CP-X306 3LCD projectors

Look out -- here's comes a couple more snoozers from Hitachi. Sure, the CP-X206 and CP-X306 3LCD projectors will find their place in the wild, wild world, but with a 1,024 x 768 native resolution, that place isn't apt to be your home theater. Respectively, you'll find 2,200 and 2,600 lumens, while they both offer up a 500:1 contrast ratio, built-in 7-watt speaker and 29 dB noise rating in Whisper Mode. Clearly designed with classrooms and offices in mind, Hitachi threw in some swank anti-theft functionality, remote monitoring / management and a 2,000-hour hybrid filter. We've all been left out of the loop in regard to pricing, but it's not like this thing just rocketed up your list of must-have gizmos, right?

Microsoft extends life of XP for "nettop" devices

It's pretty obvious given what's going down in Taipei at the moment. Nevertheless, Microsoft just went official with it's plans to extend "Windows" for the category they (and Intel) define as "nettop" devices. So in addition to "Netbooks," "ultralow-cost PCs (ULCPCs)," and all those other mini-laptops originally intended for emerging markets, Microsoft has now officially extended the life of Windows XP for ultralow-cost desktops like ASUS' Eee Box and MSI's Wind PC. While Microsoft doesn't explicitly say it's XP in the carefully worded press release, we all know what they're talking about. Microsoft claims to be working with more than 20 OEMs -- including HP, Dell, ASUS, Acer, Lenovo, and more -- to help deliver Windows-based nettop devices. And here you Linux dreamers thought this would be a cake-walk.

Hands-on Acer's Aspire One netbook

Guess what? We're off the Eee (and your mama) and onto the launch of the competition. This time, it's Acer's Aspire One. The Atom-based, 8.9-inch, 1024 x 600 pixel laptop runs your choice of XP or Linux and packs 802.11b/g WiFi, up to 1GB of memory, an 8GB SSD or 2.5-inch 80GB, SD card slot, and optional 6-cell battery. It'll also sport an integrated WiMax module when the networks finally light up. Expected to hit the US in September for $399 (that's still unofficial) with a 3-cell, 2200mAh battery, standard. Puhlease. A few more snaps after the break, the rest at Engadget Chinese.

Asus Eee PC 1000 vs Atom-based 901 vs original 701... fight!

There you have it, the hotly anticipated 10-inch Eee PC 1000 sized up next to the 8.9-inch Eee PC 901 (center) and original 7-inch Eee PC 701. Feeling. Misty. Here's the scoop from Engadget Chinese who just got out of the press briefing at Computex in Taipei:
New 6-cell battery offers up to 7.5-hours of battery for Eee PC 1000, 7.8-hours for 901, 7 hours for Eee PC 1000H
The "H" in the Eee PC 1000(H) model means hard drive, yes, hard drive up to 80GB. A first for an Eee.
The Eee PC 1000 will max-out with a 40GB SSD
Fully equipped with 802.11n and Bluetooth -- hoozah!
Intel's Atom across the boardMore pics after the break.