Shuttle caught our eye with their external graphics card system called the i-Power GXT Mini, which routes the PCIe slot (as x1) to an external enclosure in which you can put any single slot GPU with a power draw of up to 90W. The system currently only works with two Shuttle notebooks, but the company will expand the range of notebooks in the future. They are also showing off their extremely compact and fanless HTPC based on ION2. It is a bit larger than a 3.5 inch hard drive enclosure, but packs all the components. A quick look at the rear shows four USB 2.0 ports and HDMI along with the the rest of usual connectivity.

Just like everyone else, they are showing off Sandforce SSDs - called Team Xtreem-S1 - with advertised speeds of 270 MB/s read and 260 MB/s write performance. It will be available in 60, 120, 250 GB capacities. On the portable storage front, they have X091 with capacities of up to 128GB in a stylish metal casing (which is not pink, just reflects that color in our picture). Then there is the X092, which has an USB connector on one side and an eSATA on the other side. The latter requires the use of a 5V power connection. We also got a glimpse at their 2400 MHz CL9 at 1.6 V dual channel kit, as well as their SDXC 32 GB and 64 GB Flash memory cards.

Corsair, a worldwide leader in high-performance computer memory, power supplies and flash memory products, including solid-state drives, today announced the Flash Voyager GTR family of USB flash drives. These USB flash drives feature outstanding speed in a variety of densities.

The quad-channel architecture employed by the Flash Voyager GTR series delivers read speeds up to 34MB/s and write speeds up to 28MB/s, approaching the maximum transfer rates supported by the USB 2.0 interface. The outstanding performance numbers translate into genuine, real-world results. In the Corsair Labs, using a typical Windows 7-based PC, the Flash Voyager GTR 128GB was tested head-to-head against a 128GB USB drive from one of the world's largest suppliers of UFDs. For the first test, a folder containing 8,125 MP3 files was copied to the Flash Voyager GTR in only 39 minutes, while the competitor took over 66 minutes to complete the same task. The second test copied a documents folder containing 37,000 small DOC files, which took just 6 minutes on the Flash Voyager GTR versus more than 37 minutes on the competitor's USB flash drive. Details of this testing can be found here.

WD, the world's leader in external storage solutions, today introduced its new My Passport Studio portable drives featuring the super-fast FireWire 800 interface and a customizable e-label that's always visible, even when the drive is unplugged. Sporting a sleek and stylish design, the new high-performance My Passport Studio drives are formatted for Mac computers, compatible with Apple TimeMachine software, and feature automatic and continuous backup with WD SmartWare software, and 256-bit hardware-based encryption. Available now at select retailers and shopwd.com, the new My Passport Studio drives are offered in capacities of 320 GB, 500 GB and 640 GB.

WD's My Passport Studio drives are designed for creative professionals and Mac enthusiasts. Their production and use of many large files require the fast transfers from computer to My Passport Studio drives that FireWire 800 provides. Professionals such as photographers also benefit from the e-labeling system to effectively organize their work.

Shuttle Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of multi-form-factor solutions such as the world-famous XPC Mini-PC-Barebones, will be unveiling at this year's CeBIT in Hanover a new, ultra-compact PC platform which, at just 3.3 cm wide, is already HD-compatible.

The Shuttle Barebone XS35 is a Mini-PC in the 1-litre class which, thanks to its shape and the standardised VESA mounting interface, can be easily fitted behind flat panel displays and therefore does not take up any space. Intel's Atom D510 Dual Core Processor (2x 1.66 GHz) and the NM10 Express Chipset serve as the energy-saving hardware platform. A high-performance NVIDIA GT218 (ION2) graphics card provides streaming 3D and video playback. The HDMI connector allows for excellent sound and picture quality and connects the device to modern flat panel displays and large televisions easily.

Active Media Products, manufacturer of SSDs and innovative USB drives, today announced immediate availability of their endangered species series of USB drives in a new 32GB capacity. These flash drives are made of non-toxic silicone rubber and are completely free of PVC, lead and mercury, poisons commonly found in other USB drives.

"Our original endangered species drives are crafted in minute detail after the features of each animal. Our design goal was to preserve the natural beauty of the beast in a functional two-inch storage device." stated Jerry Thomson, VP of Sales at Active Media Products. The drives range from 2.2 to 2.6 inches in length - small enough to carry on a keychain. All three models feature a red activity LED that makes the animal glow bright red when plugged in.

Corsair, a worldwide leader in high-performance computer and flash memory products, today announced the availability of its new Flash Padlock 2 secure USB flash drive. This unique USB flash drive is very cleverly and comprehensively designed to protect your critical business or personal data from unwanted exposure.

The Flash Padlock 2 employs two security technologies for superb data protection. The first of these technologies is a user-definable personal identification number or PIN. To unlock the drive and access the data, this PIN is entered using the drive's integrated numeric keypad. The Flash Padlock 2 cannot be accessed without correctly entering the PIN for that individual drive. The second technology used is secure 256-bit AES data encryption of the drive contents. 256-bit AES is recognized worldwide by both corporations and governments as the premier standard for data protection, and its use in the Flash Padlock 2 ensures that data protection cannot be compromised by disassembling the drive to gain access to the flash ICs.

Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend), a worldwide leader in storage and multimedia products, announced the release of its JetFlash 620 USB flash drive. The JetFlash 620 features compact portability, fast transfer speeds and built-in 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) security, making it ideal for carrying, storing and securing important digital files against unauthorized access.

The JetFlash 620 comes bundled with Transcend's exclusive JetFlash SecureDrive software that helps safeguard users' confidential data by creating a private, password-protected area on their JetFlash drive. Once enabled, nobody but the password owner will be able to see or access files stored within the secure Private Zone. For extra convenience and security, the JetFlash 620 also allows users to easily resize the Private Zone and frequently change their password, ensuring that their sensitive data never falls into the hands of hackers, nosy co-workers, curious family members or identity thieves.

Buffalo Technology introduced its newest portable solid state drive, the MicroStation SHD-PEU2 series. These portable SSDs come in 32 GB and 64 GB capacities, measure 57 x 13 x 98 mm, and connect to the host using USB 2.0 interface. The enclosure itself has a piano-black surface. The drive's software bundle includes Memeo Autosync and Secure Lock Ware data synchronization and protection software.

"The SSD technology incorporated into Buffalo's latest drive is truly innovative and has allowed us to combine style and portability with efficiency and reliability, making it a pleasure to use," said Paul Hudson, Northern European Sales Director, Buffalo Technology. "Still not a mainstream consumer product, the MicroStation SSD portable drive is ideal for early adopters," he added. Backed with a two-year warranty, the MicroStation SSDs will reach stores later this month, with prices starting at 115 EUR.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a world leader in digital consumer electronics and information technology, today announced the Samsung S2 Portable, a fully transportable external hard drive, pre-loaded with the movie 'Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT'.

Timed with the DVD and Blu-ray Disc release of 'Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT', the pre-loaded external HDD will be available at major European retailers from February 22, 2010.

"We are excited to present this movie starring Michael Jackson, the greatest entertainer of all time, pre-loaded on the Samsung S2 Portable," said H.S. Lee, Vice President, Storage Marketing, Samsung Electronics.

Active Media Products, manufacturer of SSDs and innovative USB drives, today announced the new MotKey key-shaped USB 2.0 drive. This key drive is available today in 4GB and 8GB capacities.

Styled after a car key, this key drive will blend in on any keyring while accommodating up to 8GB of data. "The MotKey is shock- and scratch-resistant, and will look cool on any keychain", commented Active Media Products' VP of Sales, Jerry Thomson. This product is compatible with Windows, Linux and OS X. It measures just 2.9 x 1.2 x 0.5 inches (73 x 30 x 13 mm). AMP includes a keyring and cord with the MotKey.

In light of consumers' needs for high speed data transfer, renowned memory manufacturer Walton Chaintech is launching its latest Astro Drive 266X, which delivers an incredible reading speed of 40.9 MB/s and a maximum writing speed of 25.2 MB/s. The specifications of Astro Drive 266X far exceed the performance of all existing USB2.0 flash drives currently available in the market. Featuring innovative technologies to lower the costs of production, Walton Chaintech has successfully enhanced the economic benefit for the product by a large margin. The Astro Drive 266X provide a variety of memory capacities: From the mainstream specification of 16GB to the ultra-large 64GB to cater to the needs of different user demographics while offering exceptional C/P value for the product.

With the Astro Drive 266X, consumers will notice significantly reduced waiting time for data transfer between PCs and the USB disk, especially for large audio/video/multimedia files, demonstrating the product's blazing fast performance.

Kingston Digital, Inc., the Flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the release of the DataTraveler 5000 USB Flash drive. The DataTraveler 5000 is FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified with Level 3 pending, and features 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption. It uses XTS cipher mode and also uses elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) algorithms to meet Suite B standards approved by the U.S. government.

"The DataTraveler 5000 delivers unsurpassed levels of security and encryption to government and enterprise customers," said Mark Akoubian, business manager, Secure USB Products, Kingston. "This portable data solution represents state-of-the-art data protection while providing end users with the simplicity of plug and play."

Kingston quietly made an addition to the SSDNow V+ series solid state drives (SSDs), the SSDNow V+ 512 GB (SNVP325-S2B/512GB). The new drive offers 512 GB of storage in its existing 2.5" form-factor. It uses multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash chips, a controller that supports SATA 3 Gb/s and USB 2.0, and offers read/write speeds of 230/180 MB/s. It is available both as packages with just the drive, and in a bundle which includes SATA power and data cables, 3.5" to 2.5" spacers, USB cable, and a 2.5" enclosure which makes it portable. The bare drive is priced at roughly $1598 (US), and the bundle at roughly $1698.

Verbatim is unveiling its second generation of Micro USB drives in a range of vibrant colours and capacities. The tiny drives, which are only 3 cm long and no thicker than a Euro coin, can store up to 32 GB of data, and are available in stores now.

The Micro USB drives are manufactured using System-in-Package (SiP) technology which integrates the electronic components into a robust, sealed casing, ensuring that the drives are resistant to dust, water and static discharges, making them one of the smallest and most reliable USB drives available on the market today.

A-DATA Technology Co., Ltd., the worldwide leader in DRAM memory and Flash application products, introduced its latest Portable HDD, the CH94. Resembling the shape of a notebook, the ergonomic streamlined enclosure of CH94 gives a smooth touch as if an actual diary is held in hand. With the thickness just less than 20mm and the built-in wrap-around USB cable, CH94 is neatly designed to fit right in your pocket. Providing both convenience and easy portability, CH94 is the perfect companion for users who need be constantly on the go.

VIA Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of PC and prosumer audio silicon, today unveiled the VIA Vinyl Envy VT1730 USB 2.0 Audio Controller, the industry's first highly-integrated single chip solution that leverages the broad USB 2.0 bandwidth (480 Mb/s) to deliver uncompromised audio quality.

The VIA Envy VT1730 is an 8-channel, 24-bit/192kHz audio controller specifically designed to achieve cinema-quality audio recording and playback in high fidelity USB and MIDI system applications. Whether it's using the bandwidth capacity of USB 2.0 to simultaneously support audio streams from a guitar, bass, keyboard and microphone, or delivering true-to-life sound to multiple speakers in a home theatre set-up, the VIA Envy VT1730 offers outstanding audio performance and impressive application flexibility.

We posted their press release here, but have now managed to get a few more infos for you. The unit will only ship in silver, comes with a 3.5" SATA hard drive and sports multiple USB connectors in the back along with a network jack. It has the same foot print as an AppleTV, but is slightly taller, while the casing seems to be made of aluminum. Besides that, we snapped an image of an external hard drive with an LCD screen. While this may not be anything out of the ordinary, the technology used in the display allows it to function just like eInk. It does not require any power to change the state of the screen, so that you will always know how much free space is available, even when it is not connected.

CoolIT System has a bunch of new CPU and GPU coolers. They are showing a full range of new coolers for the CPU, starting with the ECO A.L.C. which now places the pump right into the cooling base, increasing compatibility with cases. The unit has an MSRP of $74.99 and should be available now. The next step up is the Vantage A.L.C, which incorporates a display and all the electronics on the CPU bracket. The LCD is a programmable 84x48 pixel screen with a dynamic, custom color backlight and 2.4 GHz wireless communication module. Two buttons on the Vantage module provides a user interface for optimizing all chassis fan speeds, RGB case lighting, LCD Backlight color along with monitoring and alarm triggers. The Vantage also features the so called ESP (Extra Sensory Peripherals) wireless technology which enables the cooler to be controlled and monitored through CoolIT's Maestro software and USB wireless controller.On the GPU cooling front, we got a good look at the OMNI A.L.C. This unit has the same wireless system and features interchangable plates between the water block and GPU. This means that you can simply exchange the this plate when upgrading your graphics card.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a world leader in digital consumer electronics and information technology, today announced the G Series, its new line-up of external hard drives, designed under an eco-friendly green concept. The new G series strengthen Samsung's external drive portfolio of 1.8", 2.5" and 3.5" drives, targeting the young adult market, which are looking for a fashionably styled mobile drive but that is also reliable with high density.

Samsung's new G-Series, introduced at the International Consumer Electronics Show, consists of the 2.5-inch G2 Portable with 250/320/500/640GB densities and the 3.5-inch G3 Station available in 1/1.5/2TB versions.

Verbatim the information storage pioneer now celebrating its 40th anniversary, is "backing up" its already impressive assortment of portable hard drives with an all-new range of exceptionally reliable and fashionably thin models to help consumers effortlessly preserve their most vital files - verbatim! The exciting new additions, part of Verbatim's complete 2010 product line, will be on display at Booth #36523 in South Hall 4 of the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 7-10, 2010.

"We are thrilled to celebrate our 40th anniversary with a spectacular line-up of data storage products that perfectly provide everyone - from time-pressed parents to busy business executives - with extremely dependable and easy-to-use units that give consumers exactly what they want in a hard drive - reliability, functionality and style," said Charles Klinker, Verbatim's Director of Marketing, HDD Products. "Whether it's increasing the storage capacity of a laptop or desktop system, backing up and protecting data, music, photos and videos, or transferring large files between computers, Verbatim's new portable storage devices efficiently and affordably do it all - while looking great, too!"

LaCie today unveiled LaCinema Mini HD, the all-in-one WiFi High Definition media center. Its amazingly small and stylish design packs a big punch, bringing your HD movies, photos and music collections to your widescreen TV in full 1080p resolution.

LaCinema Mini HD bridges the gap between the computer and entertainment worlds in full HD quality. Featuring built-in high-speed 802.11n WiFi, LaCinema Mini HD brings a DLNA media player and server to your home without wires.

Transferring content to the LaCinema Mini HD is easy through the bus-powered USB connection for maximum transfer speeds, or by connecting the drive to a home network. Users can conveniently load files wirelessly from their computer or via the Ethernet connection.

OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high-reliability memory and flash-based storage as an alternative to hard disk drives, plans to unveil an array of next-generation solid state drives (SSDs) along with other premium hardware at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show to be held January 7-10, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nevada. With its finger on the pulse of emerging and booming markets, OCZ's impending line of SSDs is designed to optimize entire businesses as well as the computing experiences of everyday consumers.

"For this year's Consumer Electronics Show, OCZ continues to build on its lineup of SSD solutions designed for enterprise-class applications," commented Ryan Petersen, CEO of OCZ Technology Group. "We are uniquely positioned as the leading developer of SSDs, which we believe will ultimately replace traditional hard drives. In addition to our robust lineup of 2.5-inch solid state drives, we will be launching new drives at CES with interfaces that include SAS and PCI-E. These interfaces make it easier than ever for enterprise clients to replace expensive-to-maintain, traditional storage media with a higher-performing and more reliable solution."

Lexar Media, a leading global provider of memory products for digital media, announced today the launch of its flash-based, backup drives, Lexar Echo SE and Lexar Echo ZE. Designed to protect valuable data on netbook and notebook computers, Echo SE and ZE backup drives provide users with portable, easy-to-use file backup solutions for their mobile lifestyles. For additional information about the Lexar Echo SE and ZE backup drives, visit this page.

High-performance Echo SE is an ultra-portable drive that easily plugs into a computer's USB port to perform automatic backup and transfer of files, at read speeds up to 28MB/s and write speeds up to 10MB/s. Echo ZE, with its low-profile 20.1 by 15.1 millimeter size and plug-and-stay design, is an always-ready drive providing a convenient means to automatically back up essential files -- anytime, anywhere. Both drives are interoperable between Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, as well as Mac OS X operating systems, allowing data to be seamlessly accessible whether using a PC or Mac computers.

You're already using your laptop to listen to music, play games, and watch movies, TV and videos. You're already using it on the couch and on the bed. But you're looking for a way to be comfortable, and you know what a difference high-quality audio can make when you're enjoying good entertainment. For a theater-like experience on your laptop, Logitech today introduced the Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700 - the company's first all-in-one laptop accessory with integrated stereo speakers, a built-in fan and a wide padded base.

"More and more people around the world are enjoying fantastic entertainment on their laptops - but with mediocre sound and comfort," said Denis Pavillard, Logitech vice president of product marketing for laptop accessories. "In fact, according to our research nearly 50 percent of laptop users report being dissatisfied with the sound quality of the built-in speakers. The Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700 helps transform your laptop into a private theater in the cozy confines of your lap."