Today, Intel announced the Intel Ethernet Controller X540, the industry's first fully integrated 10GBASE-T controller. This space-saving single-chip solution delivers outstanding performance for low-cost, low-power LAN on motherboard (LOM) and Converged Network Adapter (CNA) designs. The Intel Ethernet Controller X540 will help drive broader 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) adoption by providing connections that are backward-compatible with existing Gigabit Ethernet networks. Like other Intel Ethernet 10 Gigabit products, the Intel Ethernet Controller X540 features advanced I/O virtualization, supports Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), and takes advantage of platform I/O enhancements in the Intel Xeon processor E5 family.

Here's a picture of Toshiba's its newest gaming notebook in the works, the Qosmio X870. Although unveiled, it will be a little while before we can see this 17.3-incher in stores. That's because it's said to powered by "next-generation" Core processors (Ivy Bridge), and "next-generation" NVIDIA GeForce GPU (Kepler), with 3 GB of GDDR5 memory. Its 17.3-inch TruBrite display packs 1920x1080 pixels resolution. Other notable specifications of this brute includes 2TB SSD+HDD hybrid, Bluetooth 4.0, four USB 3.0 ports, Harman-Kardon speakers, Blu-ray drive, and wired Ethernet. According to the source, the Qosmio X870 is headed for a Q2-2012 launch.

Shuttle unveiled the XPC Z77R5 mini-PC barebone at CeBIT. It is built into a familiar-looking XPC chassis, but with a new motherboard based on the Intel Z77 chipset, which lends it support for "Ivy Bridge" Core i7/i5/i3 processors out of the box, apart from support for LGA1155 "Sandy Bridge" processors. Connectors include six USB 2.0, four USB 3.0, HDMI, DVI, RJ-45 (gigabit Ethernet), 2x SATA 6 Gb/s, eSATA, and 8-ch HD audio. There are four expansion slots, one PCI-Express 3.0 x16, one PCI-Express 2.0 x4, and two mini-PCIe.

The chassis includes drive bays for 1 5.25" drive (such as optical drives), two internal+exposed 3.5" bays, for gadgets such as card readers. The power supply is rated at 500W, with 80 Plus Bronze efficiency rating. The XPC Z77R5 chassis measures 32.5 x 21.5 x 19.8 cm (DxWxH). Pricing and availability information was not given out.

NETGEAR, Inc., a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, today announced a new generation of the industry's first and only stackable smart switches. Companies or remote offices with less than 500 employees can now build affordable and redundant network infrastructure without the cost and complexity of traditional IT vendor choices. The new NETGEAR Next Generation Gigabit Ethernet Stackable Smart Switch family provides scalability and redundancy without complicated command-line interfaces, special installation training or unique cabling.

This new smart switch family contains a 28 port model (GS728TSB), a 52 port model (GS752TSB), and Power-over-Ethernet versions of each (GS728TPSB and GS752TPSB). Stackable smart switches may be deployed individually and scaled at a later date, managed as a single device but failing over in a network emergency. All NETGEAR Gigabit Ethernet Stackable Smart Switches include IPv6 support and static routing for future-proofing and optimal network performance. All include performance features typically available only in more expensive products, such as dynamic VLAN assignment, Auto Voice and Auto Video, fiber uplink ports and PoE timers (as applicable). Ideal in virtualization, VoIP, video surveillance and converged networking applications, stackable smart switches help keep networking reliable, affordable and simple.

Apart from other Z77 chipset-based models that have been exhaustively covered in the past, MSI is working on a media-oriented ATX LGA1155 motherboard based on the H77 chipset, the ZH77A-G43. Why MSI added a "Z" in the model name beats us. The LGA1155 socket is powered by a simple 5-phase VRM. MSI is kind enough to provide passive cooling for the entire CPU VRM area. The CPU is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, providing dual-channel DDR3 support.

Expansion slots include one PCI-Express 3.0 x16 (wired to the CPU), one PCI-Express 2.0 x16 (electrical x4, wired to the PCH), two PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and three legacy PCI slots. PCI slots are still in good demand by media-professionals who need them for pro-grade sound production cards. Storage connectivity includes two SATA 6 Gb/s, and four SATA 3 Gb/s. All four USB 3.0 ports on this board (two on the rear-panel, two via header) are provided by the H77 PCH. HDMI, DVI, and D-Sub form the display IO. To top it off, you get 8-channel HD audio with THX TruStudio Pro support, and gigabit Ethernet. Expect a value price-point.

Here are the first pictures of the GA-B75M-D3V up close. This micro-ATX form-factor board is designed for business desktops (small-businesses, home-offices), and is based on Intel's B75 chipset. The board supports "Ivy Bridge" and "Sandy Bridge" Core processors in the LGA1155 package. Its component loadout doesn't stretch too far beyond what the chipset offers. The LGA1155 CPU is powered by a simple 5-phase VRM, it is wired to just two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting dual-channel DDR3 memory.

Expansion slots include one PCI-Express 3.0 x16, two PCI-Express 2.0 x1, and one legacy PCI. Storage connectivity includes two SATA 6 Gb/s, and four SATA 3 Gb/s, all internal. The 6 Gb/s ports are angled. Display connectivity includes one each of DVI and D-Sub. There are four USB 3.0 ports, two on the rear-panel, two via front-panel header, all wired to the PCH. 6-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, Parallel/LPT, and PS/2 combo connector top it all off. Expect the GA-B75M-D3V to be hovering around the $100 mark.

Here are the Z77X-UD5H and Z77X-UD3H pictured up-close. The two form Gigabyte's upper-mid range and mid range offerings based on the Intel Z77 chipset, supporting socket LGA1155 "Ivy Bridge" and "Sandy Bridge" Core processors. The Z77X-UD5H is an extremely feature-rich offering, in some aspects a more complete package than even the G1.Sniper 3. It provides a 15-phase CPU and 2-phase memory VRM. Expansion slots on this board include two PCI-Express 3.0 x16 (x16/NC or x8/x8), one PCI-Express 2.0 x16 (electrical x4), three PCIe 2.0 x1, and one legacy PCI.

ORICO also unveiled the 8618NAS, a single-bay NAS device that's built in the top-loading "toaster" dock form-factor that allows snappy docking and removal of SATA HDDs and SSDs in the 3.5" and 2.5" form-factors. This unique device connects the SATA HDD/SSD to the network over gigabit Ethernet, with support for most modern home-NAS technologies, or to a standalone PC over USB 3.0 SuperSpeed interface, as a mass-storage device. The 8618NAS from Orico is slated for early-March. Its pricing and other functional details are still under wraps.

Apart from novelty mini-ITX motherboards, ZOTAC wants to put the expertise in motherboard design it gathered to use by getting into value motherboards segment, probably targeting only emerging markets. A example of this would be the ZT-H67D3 Expreview got its hands on. This micro-ATX form-factor motherboard is based on the Intel H67 chipset, and takes in Core i3/i5/i7 processors in the LGA1155 package. It uses a generous 6-phase VRM to power the CPU, which is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots supporting dual-channel DDR3 memory. The VRM uses basic DPAK MOSFETs, but doesn't skimp out on the capacitors.

Expansion slots include one each of PCI-Express 2.0 x16, legacy PCI, and two PCIe x1 slots. SATA ports include two SATA 6 Gb/s (blue), three SATA 3 Gb/s (yellow), and one eSATA 3 Gb/s. Display connectivity includes one each of DVI, DisplayPort, and HDMI (surprisingly, no D-Sub). Other connectivity features include 8-channel HD audio and gigabit Ethernet. There are no USB 3.0 ports. This board is targeting a price point of 399 RMB (US $63).

Mellanox Technologies, Ltd., a leading supplier of high-performance, end-to-end interconnect solutions for data center servers and storage systems, today announced two new products as part of its suite of end-to-end 10 Gigabit and 40 Gigabit Ethernet solutions. The SwitchX SX1024 is the industry's only top-of-rack switch system that features 48 SFP+ 10GbE server ports and 12 QSFP 40GbE ports for non-blocking connectivity to 40GbE aggregation switches, such as Mellanox's SX1036 36-port 40GbE switch. The ConnectX-3 single-port 10GbE NIC offers cost-effective, high density server connectivity. The new low-power 10GbE products support all major operating systems, and are well suited for server and storage applications in high-performance computing, enterprise data centers, Web 2.0, financial services, storage and Cloud computing environments.

Synology America Corp. today announced the latest in its high-performance XS series, boasting 100,000 IOPS and transfer rates over 1,000 MB/s. Launching at under $5,000, both the DS3612xs and the RS3412RPxs models can easily scale to over 100 TB storage.

With support for 10 gigabit Ethernet cards from both Emulex and Intel, the XS series continues to push Synology's leadership into the sub-$10,000 market. While maintaining the same level of performance, the DS3612xs and the RS3412RPxs offer a new internal design to improve reliability. The new design takes advantage of passive cooling technology on the CPU to eliminate a single point of failure. Redundant exhaust fans are tuned to automatically adjust speed in the case that one should fail.

Chinese motherboard manufacturer that specializes in high cost-performance motherboard, ONDA, is working on a micro-ATX motherboard based on the Z77 chipset. Its pictures made it to the press. The board mostly sticks to the chipset's feature set, except using an additional PCIe-PCI bridge that gives out two legacy PCI slots. As a Z77-based motherboard, it should support both overclocking and Smart Response SSD caching. The LGA1155 socket, which supports today's Sandy Bridge and tomorrow's Ivy Bridge processors, is powered by a simple 4+1 phase VRM. It is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting dual-channel DDR3 memory.

All of the chipset's SATA ports are wired internally, including two SATA 6 Gb/s and four SATA 3 Gb/s. The board provides four USB 3.0 ports, two on the rear panel, two via header, all four are wired to the PCH. Apart from the two legacy PCI slots, we have one PCI-Express 3.0 x16 and one PCIe 2.0 x1. Display outputs include DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. 6-channel HD audio and gigabit Ethernet make for the rest of the connectivity.

Japanese peripherals maker AREA PC introduced a nifty little network controller called the USB2GLAN. Simply put, it's a network controller that plugs into a USB 2.0 port on one side, and gives out a gigabit Ethernet connection on the other. Needless to say, the 1000 Mbps Ethernet connection will be bottlenecked by the 480 Mbps USB 2.0 interface, but it's still a fair bit faster than 100 Mbps Ethernet. The main unit measures 57 x 14 x 14 mm, the short cable is about 8 cm long, the whole thing weighs 23 g, and is self-contained, as it draws power from the USB port. It works plug-and-play on Windows and MacOSX. It is priced at 2,480 JPY (US $32).

A goof-up by Samsung's US website team saw the product page of an upcoming Intel Ivy Bridge-powered notebook getting published, and later redacted, leaving enough time for a Google cached copy to take shape. Carrying the model number NP700G7C, the notebook is a large-format 17.3-incher, which looks slim enough not to be labelled "desktop-replacement". The notebook is driven by Intel Core i7-3610QM quad-core processor, which is clocked at 2.30 GHz, and packs 6 MB of L3 cache. The processor is wired to four 4 GB DDR3 modules, totaling 16 GB.

The storage subsystem on this notebook consists of two 1 TB HDDs that are striped (RAID 0), backed a small 8 GB SSD that acts as a cache, temporarily holding hot-data of the volume. The optical-drive is a slot-in Blu-ray ROM. The 17.3-inch screen provides 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution, which is driven by NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M graphics with 2 GB GDDR5 memory. Other features include wireless b/g/n with Intel WiDi support, gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, two USB 3.0 ports, and a USB 2.0 port. The top-mounted webcam features 2 MP resolution. The product page also went on to reveal a price, US $1,699.99.

Here are the first pictures of MSI's Z77A-GD55 motherboard. The GD55 is a notch below the GD65 in terms of its feature-set, and will likely hold a cost-benefit sweetspot. The motherboard is designed to support today's "Sandy Bridge", and tomorrow's "Ivy Bridge" Core processors in the LGA1155 package, and is based on Intel's Z77 "Panther Point" chipset. The CPU is powered by a lighter 9-phase VRM compared to the 12-phase VRM on the GD65. It retains the expansion slot layout of its elder brother, consisting of two PCI-Express 3.0 x16 (x16/NC or x8/x8), four PCIe x1, and one PCIe 2.0 x4 (physical x16).

The Z77A-GD55 has two fewer SATA 6 Gb/s ports compared to the GD65, all its internal ports are wired to the PCH. That's two SATA 6 Gb/s and four SATA 3 Gb/s. There are no eSATA ports. Further, there are no third-party USB 3.0 controllers, either. All four of the USB 3.0 ports (two on the rear panel, two via front-panel header) are wired to the PCH. Display connectivity includes DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. 8-channel HD audio with optical and coaxial SPDIF outputs, and gigabit Ethernet make for the rest of its connectivity.

Toshiba launched the Satellite U840 Ultrabook in Singapore. This 14-inch Ultrabook is Toshiba's first. It is 19.9 mm thin, and weighs as low as 1.59 kg. It uses an aluminum body with a silvery brushed-metal finish. The metal body also adds rigidity. It is driven by 2nd generation Core ULV "Sandy Bridge" processor, backed by DDR3 memory, and storage options that include either 128 GB SSD or a HybridHDD that has a 16 GB SSD subunit that caches hot data on the rest of the drive.

Toshiba's proprietary Hi-Speed Start technology works to reduce start-up time. The 14-inch display offers "HD resolution", we're guessing it's 1600 x 900 pixels. Network connectivity includes gigabit Ethernet, WiFi b/g/n, and Bluetooth. The lone display output is a full-size HDMI. Other connectivity includes USB 3.0, and USB 2.0. The SleepCharge technology allows you to charge your smartphone even with the notebook powered down. Slated for later this Q1, 2012, the Satellite U840 is priced at SGD $1,399 (US $1,125).

NETGEAR, Inc., a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, today announced four new 12- and -24-port NETGEAR ProSafe Gigabit L2+ Managed Switches with PoE+ connectivity. Perfect for organizations requiring intelligence at the network edge, these NETGEAR access layer switches are an extremely cost-effective component of converged voice, video and data networking solutions. Additionally, the complete NETGEAR ProSafe managed switch product line now includes lifetime 24x7 telephone technical support and three years of onsite service.

British technology start-up, Power Ethernet, has launched the 'PE Socket', the first product to integrate Powerline networking technology directly into an electrical socket. The PE Socket provides a simple and professional way of specifying high-speed data network connectivity throughout a building by using electrical cabling. The 'PE Socket' is available from leading electrical resellers including CPC and Rapid Electronics.

Based on the HomePlug AV standard for Powerline networking, Power Ethernet's all-in-one PE Socket combines four Ethernet network ports, a fully-managed network switch and filtered power socket into a single device. It fits a UK Standard 35mm double gang metal back box and uses a building's electrical wiring to create a high-speed and secure data network for connecting computers, Voice over IP phones, Internet-connected TVs and digital signage, home automation and entertainment systems, building management systems, CCTV cameras and other Ethernet connected-devices.

We have previously reported on the super cheap ARM-based Raspberry Pi hobby computer that's been under development from the Raspberry Pi foundation. However, it's now going into production and is generating a lot of interest, so gamesindustry.biz interviewed its founder, Eben Upton, about it (free registration required).

The computer's primary purpose is as a computer science teaching aid in schools and colleges and also for home brew use by enthusiasts who want to tinker with it and make specialized solutions out of it. However, it seems that enthusiasts will have a nice surprise in that the onboard GPU is surprisingly good. The actual ARM implementation is a Broadcom BCM2835 System on Chip (SoC) containing an ARM 11 CPU and a custom graphics core, which has been designed by the Raspberry Pi team, including Upton. In the interview, Upton claimed that it can double iPhone 4S performance and handily beats NVIDIA's Tegra solution, because of its tile mode architecture.

Cisco, the worldwide leader in networking, today announced a suite of Linksys HomePlug AV Powerline solutions that allow consumers to use their home network by using their existing home electrical wiring. The HomePlug AV Powerline standard provides speeds of up to 200 Mbps* to bring streaming video, gaming, and other data-intensive applications to computers, tablets, consoles, televisions and other Ethernet-enabled devices.

"Cisco's Linksys products set the standard for great home networking experiences with their ease of use and outstanding performance," said Scott Kabat, director of marketing, Cisco Home Networking business unit. "Our new Powerline products deliver on this promise. Just plug them in, and they start working."

Mellanox Technologies, Ltd., a leading supplier of high-performance, end-to-end connectivity solutions for data center servers and storage systems, today announced a new pricing structure and expanded channel for its high-performance line of end-to-end 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) solutions. Analysts are predicting significant movement towards 10GbE in 2012, particularly with the upcoming launch of the Intel Romley and Sandy Bridge with PCI Express 3.0 platform. Mellanox's solutions provide end users with better application performance, lower power consumption and lower cost vs. offerings currently available from other Ethernet vendors.

ADLINK Technology, Inc., a leading global provider of trusted I/O platforms, announces the release of the new Matrix MXE-5300 series of rugged, quad core, fanless computers, based on the high performance 2nd Generation Intel Core i7/i5/i3 processor and QM67 chipset. The MXE-5300 is the ultimate Matrix fanless embedded computer, featuring top-of-the-line processor performance, outstanding wireless optimization capability, robust mechanical design, and Intel AMT 7.0 support. The MXE-5300's combined features make it an ideal choice for intelligent transportation, in-vehicle multimedia, and surveillance and factory automation applications.

Buffalo Technology, a global leader in the design, development and manufacturing of storage and wireless networking solutions, has validated its commitment to innovation by showcasing 802.11ac technology on the show floor at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Operating in the 5 GHz space, the next generation wireless technology boasts unmatched wireless speeds of 1300 Mbps, approximately three times faster than 802.11n.

Accompanying the 802.11ac technology is the class leading Buffalo AirStation WZR-1750H wireless router; combined, they provide complete backward compatibility with 802.11a, 11b, 11g and 11n, in addition to offering 2.4 GHz transmission speeds up to 450 Mbps and exceptional coverage. The WZR-1750H provides consumers with total aggregate wireless throughput of 1750 Mbps.

TP-LINK, a global provider of SOHO and SMB networking products, unveiled a wide range of products at CES 2012, including the world's smallest router (TL-WR702N), a portable 3G powered wireless N Router (TL-MR3040), a new Network Attached Storage (NAS, TL-NS210) device and a hybrid Hy-Fi router that combines Wi-Fi and PLC technology in a single device.

"Championing innovation and ensuring that TP-LINK is at the forefront of the industry is at the heart of our business, so it's great to preview such an advanced group of products at CES 2012," said Eric Wang, country manager of TP-Link UK. "The breadth of our new products enhance the existing portfolio and reaffirm the ongoing consumer desire for fast, efficient, secure and reliable solutions."

Here is the first picture of Sapphire's socket LGA1155 motherboard in the works, based on Intel Z77 "Panther Point" chipset. Carrying the model number PT-CI7Z77, the board will probably carry the company's "Pure Black" branding. Its chipset and VRM heatsink designs have not been finalized, yet. To begin with, the LGA1155 socket, which supports upcoming "Ivy Bridge" processors out of the box, is powered by a 10-phase VRM. This VRM uses ferrite-core chokes, Driver-MOSFETs, and a secondary NEC-TOKIN multi-phase capacitor to condition power. Three other phases handle memory and miscellaneous power domains on the board.

The processor is wired to four DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting dual-channel DDR3 memory. It is also wired to two PCI Express 3.0 long slots, which are auto-configured as x16/NC or x8/x8, depending on the second slot being populated. Other slots include a PCI Express 2.0 x1, and a PCI Express 2.0 long slot (gray), which is electrically PCIe 2.0 x4, and wired to the Z77 PCH. There are two legacy PCI slots, driven by an ASMedia-made bridge chip.