AMD Launches Business Class Initiative

"Business Class" is a simple term, but it means great things. Better things. Things that regular schmucks can only dream of. Well, for those who are a fan of all that business class offers, AMD has got you covered. They have unveiled an entirely new processor line-up today that caters directly to the business. While the processors themselves are similar to current offerings, it's the support that's been improved.

For starters, the lineup consists of "stable processors" (odd wording?) which include a 24-month stability warranty. Though, this seems somewhat needless. When is the last time a CPU just up and died on you? I've personally never had that happen once, or know of it happening to anyone else. But that's aside the point here. These CPUs are to be paired with the 780V chipset, which is guaranteed to be available commercially for the next eighteen months.

Models include the X4 9600B ($230), X3 8600B ($175), X2 5400B ($120), X2 5400B ($110), X2 5000B ($95), X2 4450B ($85) and finally, the lone single-core of the bunch, the 1640B ($50). This is somewhat of a unique program for AMD, but it makes sense. For businesses that use their processors, it's reassuring to know that they are backed by good support. Now, time to wait and see how well it takes off.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- April 28, 2008 --AMD (NYSE: AMD) today introduced AMD Business Class, an initiative dedicated to developing AMD processor-based commercial desktop and notebook solutions designed specifically for businesses. AMD Business Class technology is designed to offer the best value and tools on the market for OEMs and system builders to provide a solid, reliable foundation that delivers exceptional performance and power savings, industry-leading longevity and stability, and supports the essential security and manageability business users require.

Source: AMD Press Release

Stern Pinball Refuses to Let Pinball Die

I doubt too many gamers would disagree that arcades are a dying breed, and most will claim that they already are. It's true... it's difficult to find a good arcade now, and even if you happen to stumble on one, most of the games will be circa '80s or '90s. So what's that saying about pinball machines? Remember those?

I have to admit, I've always been a fan of pinball, and would own my own machine if I had room (someday, Circus Voltaire, someday), and according to a recent report at the NY Times, half of the people who purchase pinball machines today do purchase them for household use. That's saying something, given their ~$5,000 price tag.

Stern Pinball Inc. happens to be the last manufacturer of its kind, which is sad in a lot of ways. But if the owner Gary Stern has his way, pinball will not die anytime soon. His factory sounds like quite the place to work, also. Workers are required to play at least 15 minutes of pinball each workday. That doesn't sound so bad! Check out the article for some great images and other interesting tidbits about the company.

Some workers are required to spend 15 minutes a day in the "game room" playing the latest models or risk the wrath of Mr. Stern. "You work at a pinball company," he explained, grumpily, "you're going to play a lot of pinball." (On a clipboard here, the professionals must jot their critiques, which, on a recent day, included "flipper feels soft" and "stupid display.")

Source: New York Times

Want Better Dell Customer Service? Open that Wallet Wider!

One would think that Dell, being the massive company they are, could deliver great customer service. But no. Instead, they've become notorious for out-sourcing their support to India. That in itself isn't the problem, but being unable to properly understand the other person on the line is frustrating. I know, I've been there. I think it is even worse when you yourself know what the problem is, because trying to convince the person on the line to forgo the rules in the book is even more frustrating.

But Dell is looking to change that hassle. For a price, of course. Yes, to have better customer service, you will need to pay a premium, although it seems unclear at this point how large that premium will be. But if you have it, you will be able to talk to customer service based in the US that know what they are talking about, rather than those who just read from a book.

I have to wonder what kind of premium this is going to be, because as it stands, even Dell's $400 3-year warranty doesn't "warrant" you to ideal customer service. This latest attempt at good customer service is laughable at best. Good customer service shouldn't cost hundreds of dollars.

This new fee-based offering is designed specifically for those customers who want to engage with the same dedicated team each time they have an issue with any of their in-warranty Dell-branded products. The premium service offer provides household support by an advanced support team in North America for one year. The technicians are empowered to address a comprehensive range of issues across the breadth of Dell's product line.

Source: Consumerist

April 28th Tech Roundup

Motherboards & Processors
• ASUS M3A78-EMH HDMI - Legit Reviews
• ASUS P5E3 Premium WiFi-AP@n - Overclockers Club
• ASUS P5K PRO Intel P35 Green - Big Bruin
• EVGA nForce 750i SLI FTW - GamePyre
• Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P - Hardware Logic
• Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P - Virtual-Hideout
• Gigabyte X48T-DQ6 Intel X48 - Think Computers
• XFX nForce 630i GeForce 7150 - HotHardware

Displays & Video Cards
• HIS Radeon HD3650 IceQ - Overclockers Online
• Honeywell MT-SY-HWLM2216 LCD Monitor - Benchmark Reviews
• Inno3D 9600 GT Hurricane - Overclocker Cafe

Memory & Storage
• Crucial Ballistix Tracer Red 800 MHz 4 GB - techPowerUp!
• OCZ Technology 64GB SATA-I Solid State Disk - PC Perspective

Peripherals & Gadgets
• Cyber Snipa Sonar 5.1 Headset - OCIA
• Cyber Snipa Stringer Gaming Mouse - Pro-Clockers
• LiteOn EZ-DUB External DVD Drive DX-20A4PU - Techware Labs

Cooling
• CoolIT Freezone Elite - Bjorn3D
• CoolJag Falcon 92 Cu HeatPipe Heatsink - ModSynergy
• Noctua NF-P12 Case Fan - Modders-Inc
• NorthQ Siberian Tiger Water Cooler - JonnyGuru
• Vizo Propeller System Cooler - Overclockers Club

Chassis & Power Supplies
• Be Quiet! Dark Power Pro 650 - BurnoutPC
• Tuniq Miniplant 950W Power Supply - OCIA

Competitions, Complete Systems & Et cetera
• Contest: Cooler Master - Think Computers
• Hypersonic AG2 12.1-inch Notebook - i4u
• Contest: MSI Overclocking - Madshrimps