NEC launches the Versa P520 notebook

NEC has launched the Versa P520. It is a 15.1in notebook that - NEC claims - delivers the performance of a workstation to mobile business users. ...more

Intel debuts 'Woodcrest' Xeon

Chip giant Intel has officially announced the first Xeon processor the Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 5100 series based around the Intel Core micro architecture. Intel is claiming that the new processor, the Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 5100 design previously codenamed 'Woodcrest', delivers up to a 125 percent performance improvement over previous generation dual-core Intel Xeon processors and up to 60 percent performance improvement over 'competing x86-based architectures' (for which read AMD Opteron). Based on Intel's 65nm process, the 5100 is fitted with fully-buffered dual in-line memory (FB-DIMM) technology, Intel virtualisation technology, Active Server Manager to integrate hardware, software and firmware, and I/O acceleration technology to improve application response time, server I/O performance and reliability. ...more

Broadband gets BT (over)bullish

Q3 2002 results show BT's upward trajectory slowing. BT Group has released figures for the quarter ending 31 December with earnings per share jumping 71 per cent, before one-time costs are added. In a similar vein, the group reported profit before tax at ?521m, up 37 per cent. ...more

Oracle to release free version of its 10g DBMS

Database giant Oracle has finally faced up to the threat of MySQL and decided to fight fire with fire. It is to release a free version of its database manager in order to stem the flow of developers and particularly novice programmers to the open source database. The company has announced the Oracle Database 10g Express Edition (Oracle Database XE), a free, starter edition of the world's largest proprietary database software. ...more

Sony cuts 10,000 jobs worldwide

Sony is to cut 10,000 jobs worldwide, around 7 per cent of its workforce, and sell more than $1bn of assets in order to reverse its recent disappointing performance. Chief executive Howard Stringer hopes that the restructuring will give an annual saving of $1bn. 'Sony and its peers all face tremendous pressure in the marketplace, but we have a sense of urgency and we have a sense of purpose,' he said at a press conference. ...more