Component price drops boost amount of memory in PCs

Decreasing prices for key PC components such as LCD panels is providing room for PC OEMs to increase the amount of DRAM they include in their new PCs, according to sources with IC distributors in Taiwan. Although PC OEMs tend to set a budget cap for DRAM modules, price changes in other components will affect their willingness to include more memory in their PCs. As one of their promotion packages, PC OEMs are now starting to add two 256MB modules in PCs that cost about $700, the sources said. ...more

Microsoft opens the Vista upgrade path

Ahead of the consumer launch of Vista, on 30 January, Microsoft is trying three new ways to encourage people down the upgrade path. As well as making Windows Vista and the 2007 Office release available for direct download, there will be the chance to automatically upgrade editions, for example from Vista Home Premium to Vista Ultimate. Finally, there is also a time-limited offer - aimed at multi-PC households - enabling cheaper multiple purchases of Vista for those who buy a boxed retail copy. ...more

Financial ups and downs for Microsoft

As well as being optimistic about its forthcoming financial results, Microsoft has lost billions from the value of its investments. The software colossus now expects to report fourth-quarter revenue in the range of $6.50 to $6. ...more

August sees 10 per cent spam drop

August saw a 10 per cent drop in spam levels, according to email security company Messagelabs. The company said there was a sequential drop in spam with levels falling from 94.5 per cent in July to 84. ...more

Cable rules OK in the UK

A recent survey by Oftel has shown that cable could be the driving force for consumer uptake of broadband. The price survey of Internet access during August of this year compares narrowband and broadband rates between the USA, France, Germany, Sweden and the UK. Unsurprisingly, the UK is in good shape in the narrowband arena, but it's the broadband result that makes interesting reading. ...more