American Megatrends Inc. (AMI), a leader in BIOS and computing innovations, announced the launch of Aptio V, the newest version of its acclaimed Aptio UEFI BIOS firmware, at a seminar titled "Touch the Future with Aptio V" in Taipei, Taiwan. As the "next generation of UEFI BIOS," Aptio V features support for the latest UEFI specifications, making the latest features such as Secure Boot for enhanced platform security and EDK II support - together with all of the previous experience, value adds and improvements of Aptio 4 - available to manufacturers and developers.

Providing development tools that are easy to use and promote efficiency has always been a core goal of the world's leading BIOS company, American Megatrends. As new computing platforms enter the market at a rapid pace, the ability of these systems to incorporate new functionality and ensure full compatibility between software and hardware components have become key factors influencing BIOS development. AMI's new flagship UEFI BIOS solution, Aptio V, solves both of these challenges with ease - positioning it as the most powerful development solution for BIOS on the market today.

Acer America, the number two notebook provider, today announced that the Acer Iconia W700 tablet PC, a high-performance mobile PC in a tablet PC form factor, will be available for the U.S. market. Acer's first Windows 8-based tablet PC for the U.S., the Iconia W700 features a versatile, portable design that delivers a first-rate touch and typing experience for productivity-focused PC users.

The Acer Iconia W700 tablet PC with Windows 8 delivers excellent performance using responsive and fast Intel Core i3 and Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) processors, enabling the system to take on spreadsheets, presentations, and more with ease. The powerful processors allow customers to use the Iconia W700 as their main PC for all of their everyday computing tasks, such as content creation, running multiple apps, and sharing multimedia.

Logitec also introduced a trio of portable DVD drives that are Windows 8-certified, and should work smoothly with Windows 8 installations on notebooks lacking internal optical drives. The three are bus-powered, with a single cable handling power and host-connectivity. The three include the LDR-PMF8U3L, a DVD±RW/DVD-RAM drive which features USB 3.0 interface; the LDR-PMF8U2V, which has the same feature-set as the LDR-PMF8U3L, but with USB 2.0 interface; and LDV-PA8U2VBK, a DVD-ROM drive.

The LDR-PMF8U3L includes a license to Nero Kwik Burn Express Essentials, while the LDR-PMF8U2V includes one to Nero 12 Essentials. The two measure 136 x 142 x 19 mm, weighing about 300 g. The LDV-PA8U2VBK includes a license to Nero Kwik Media + Kiwi DVD, and measures 132.8 x 146 x 15 mm, weighing 250 g. The three will be available from mid-October. The LDR-PMF8U3L is priced at 5,250 JPY (US $66.8), the LDV-PA8U2VBK at 4,935 JPY ($62.7), and the LDV-PA8U2VBK at 4,725 JPY ($60).

ORIGIN PC is now taking orders for Microsoft's highly anticipated, Windows 8 operating system. Starting today, customers can now select Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro to be installed on any new ORIGIN Desktop or EON Laptop orders and be one of the first to ship on the official launch date of October 26th. The wait is over and ORIGIN PC will begin building your system now! Avoid the rush and backlog of waiting for October 26th. Order your next ORIGIN PC with Windows 8 today.

Are you a first class sniper? Gather your friends and come take the "MSI Commando: Mission FM2" challenge together! The world renowned mainboard and graphics card manufacturer MSI, officially announced a series of mainboards equipped with the AMD FM2 chip, and is holding the "MSI Commando: Mission FM2" online activity. Participants who successfully solve the six puzzles related to the FM2-A85XA-G65 mainboard and strike the invaders within the given time, will have a chance to take home the all new MSI FM2-A85XA-G65 mainboard! This is a challenge that MSI AMD series mainboards enthusiasts cannot afford to miss! Hurry up and bring your passion and join the challenge

Continuing with the persistence for product stability and quality, the MSI FM2 series of mainboards use Military Class III components that have passed rigorous third-party laboratory tests, and are equipped with the AMD Dual Graphics technology that integrates the computing ability of the APU's built-in graphics card and a discrete graphics card, increasing 3D performance. They are also equipped with MSI's exclusive one-second overclocking technology OC Genie II, further increasing 3D performance to allow gamers to fully enjoy gaming fun.

With the availability of AMD's new lineup of APUs MSI, the world leader in extreme performance mainboards and graphics cards, is pleased to announce the availability of a new lineup of Socket FM2 mainboards. Amongst the models available are the full-fledged FM2-A85X-G65 Gaming mainboard, compact MicroATX models and a brilliant miniITX model with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Aiming to deliver the best gaming performance you will find the FM2-A85XA-G65 equipped with an amazing feature set to deliver an unprecedented gaming experience for the AMD platform. OC Genie II boosts the APUs CPU & GPU performance, Memory performance is enhanced with support for both AMP and XMP memory overclocking profiles. And MSI clock generator allows for much faster bus speeds which increases the performance of Dual Graphics and CrossFire even further! This is topped off with the first DigitALL PWM with Military Class III on a MSI mainboard.

AMD today announced retail and distribution channel availability of its second generation AMD A-Series Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) for desktop, small form-factor and home theater PCs. These new APUs target do-it-yourself (DIY) PC builders, mainstream gamers and value-added resellers who want to upgrade their PC infrastructure with affordable performance, discrete-level graphics, multiple cores and fast processing for outstanding responsiveness.

The second generation desktop AMD A-Series APU is available at prices ranging from $53 to $122 USD. Compared to similarly priced competitive offerings, the new APUs offer more cores, more speed, best-in-class entertainment experiences and an easy upgrade path based on a stable socket infrastructure. AMD APU users also gain access to the AMD AppZone and a comprehensive list of accelerated applications that leverage the full compute power of the APU. With hardware-accelerated support for DirectX 11 on AMD Radeon graphics and AMD Eyefinity technology delivering a more immersive experience, the AMD A-Series APUs are the ideal solution for systems running the highly-anticipated Microsoft Windows 8 and today's Microsoft Windows 7 operating systems.

HP today introduced the HP ElitePad 900, a tablet that balances a beautiful design with enterprise-grade features, functionality and support.

Designed for business and government, it features HP ElitePad Smart Jackets, which add connectivity options and an additional ultra-slim battery for longer runtime, along with specific add-ons that customize the tablet for specialized uses.

The HP ElitePad is an ultrathin, lightweight tablet designed for Windows 8 that delivers features to keep IT managers happy and touts a design that employees will crave. It offers the full serviceability, enhanced security and manageability found in HP Elite PCs, and military-grade durability for drops, vibration, dust, temperature extremes and high altitude.

Intel Corporation and its OEM partners today unveiled the first wave of new tablets and tablet convertible designs based on Intel Core vPro, Intel Core and Intel Atom processors, including the new Atom processor Z2760 (formerly codenamed "Clover Trail").

The new Intel Atom processor-based devices provide consumers and business users with a wide choice of innovative, sleek and stylish designs with long battery life and class-leading performance. Additionally, they will be able to experience Windows 8 while continuing to run all the programs they know and love.

Panasonic announced the new Let's Note AX2, 11.6-inch notebook that converts to a tablet. The AX2 is designed for the Windows 8 era, and features a new start key on its screen bezel. The AX2 is updated with a 1366 x 768 pixel 11.6-inch capacitive touchscreen, a DoCoMo module that gives it LTE and WiMAX support.

Under the hood is an Intel Core i5-3427U (1.80 GHz with 2.80 GHz Turbo, 3 MB cache) or Core i5-3317U (1.70 GHz, 2.60 GHz Turbo, 3 MB cache) "Ivy Bridge" dual-core processor options, 4 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory, 128 GB SSD, and connectivity that include WiMAX/LTE, 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, SDXC, HDMI, and USB 3.0. The screen bezel embeds a 720p HD web-camera. The AX2 comes with Windows 8 Pro pre-installed. Prices range from 160,000 JPY (US $2,057) to 250,000 ($3,214).

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) today proudly announces that it is the first hardware manufacturer receiving the official Windows 8 WHCK (Windows Hardware Certification Kit) certification for our entire product line. This achievement not only once again approves ECS' stand in the IT industry but also allows users to take full advantage of integrated capabilities and unique features of Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 8.

With the anticipation and excitement coming along with Windows 8, ECS takes one thing further for everything that fulfills users' satisfaction by getting new drivers and BIOS ready, nearly a month before Windows 8 officially launches. On top of this, each of our products including all series of Intel and AMD motherboards and AIOs currently on the market is certified under strict validation and verification to ensure the best compatibility and stability of Windows 8 support. With few simple clicks for BIOS & Driver upgrades, experiencing Windows 8's touch based user interface and other unique features couldn't be easier.

Today, Planar Systems, Inc., a global leader in digital display technology, announced of the introduction of the Planar Helium family of multi-touch desktop monitors designed to bring the touch experience alive when paired with a Microsoft Windows 8 device such as an Ultrabook, tablet or desktop PC.

The Planar Helium family debuts with a 27-inch model (model PCT2785), capturing the Microsoft Windows 8 touch experience without costing thousands of dollars for an all-in-one solution. To use touch-enabled features, customers simply plug the monitor directly into their Ultrabook, tablet or desktop PC. The monitor includes a sleek, easily-adjustable, and ergonomically-friendly Helium Stand for a comfortable and controlled user experience. It also comes with a built-in webcam for video communication such as Skype, Microsoft Lync, and other webcam-based collaboration or video conferencing tools.

GIGABYTE introduces the GB-AE21T, its latest barebone All-in-One PC based on the Thin Mini-ITX standard. It is also its first model being fully compliant with the touchscreen experience of the upcoming Windows 8, which will unleash at last the long awaited potential of All-in-One computers. Optimized for touchscreen usage, the new operating system will bring a unique experience to All-in-One users with many new software and applications tailored for this fine combination of the power of a desktop PC and tablet interactivity.

Of course, this new model is fully upgradable with an easy access to all the internal components, and offers options such as TV tuner, 3G connectivity and internal backup battery. It is therefore an ideal multimedia PC for families, as well as a comfortable and stylish work machine for the office.

Microsoft plans to hold a launch event for its upcoming client operating system, Windows 8, on October 25, 2012. The event will be held in New York. In all likelihood, the event leads up to a midnight launch of the operating system on the 26th. Microsoft's next big launch for the year, the Surface, could be part of the event. Windows 8 is Microsoft's next major update to its flagship product, which radically changes its user-interface for the "post-PC era." It is also the first mainline Windows version since Windows 95 to support a machine architecture apart from x86 and IA-64 (Windows 8 RT, supporting ARM).

Tt eSports, a division of Thermaltake which specializes in PC gaming peripherals, opened its first specialty ground store in Taiwan. The store deals with Tt eSports-branded products, though in the future, it could be used to sell products under Thermaltake's mainline brand. The store, located in downtown Taipei, is in the ground floor of an IT and consumer electronics-centric mall opposite the Taipei Railway Station. It is jointly operated by Thermaltake, Super A Electronics, which also operates the Studio A retail chain of Apple products in Taiwan, and Taiwan Tea Corporation (TTC).

Starting off with gaming peripherals, indications are, that Tt eSports could expand into pre-built gaming PCs that combine Thermaltake's components such as casing, power supply, cooling, and of course, peripherals. Launch of the new product line could follow that of Windows 8, in October. The joint venture between Thermaltake, Studio A, and TTC plans to start as many as 30 Tt eSports retail stores in Taiwan, over the next two years, according to Thermaltake.

The 1 TB, 2.5 inch HDD is the world's first SATA III (6 Gb/s) hard disk drive , and Eurocom is the first to offer it in such a small form factor netbook. Adding the advanced storage technology of the Hitachi Travel Start 5K1000 to the EUROCOM Monster allows Eurocom to meet user's demand for super large storage capacity and high performance .

"The EUROCOM Monster is like we stuffed a High Performance Notebook into a Netbook form factor, it always had the performance and now it can be customized with a massive amount of high capacity 1 TB, high speed 6 Gb/s SATA storage, in other words, the Monster lives inside of this beast!" Mark Bialic, Eurocom President.

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) today reveals the newest production of Black Series with AMD FM2 chipset- Golden Limited Edition: A85F2-A GOLDEN. The ECS A85F2-A GOLDEN builds on their already strong performance of FM2 motherboards by adding a host of powerful new features in the Trinity technology platform and also adapting the exclusive gold plating technology for the strictest quality and a higher outstanding performance.

The individually-numbered, handcrafted motherboards are stunningly outfitted in cool black with gold plated key components, giving A85F2-A GOLDEN a sophisticated and classy appearance that is unprecedented in the PC motherboard industry. Key features include: World 1st AMP Technology support to take the full advantage of their unique operating design, newest graphical uEFI BIOS: EZ BIOS, with stunning user-friendly interface and easy-to-use function radically takes full advantage of the performance, high-end gaming, multi-tasking and Windows 8 support, ATI CrossFireX graphics support with next generation PCI Express 2.0 to achieve the ultimate in 3D gaming performance, separate 4 display output design allowing users to fully satisfy their visual quality and growing demand.

Today Agawi, the cloud-based games streaming platform for "any game, anywhere, instantly," is announcing a collaboration with Microsoft that will enable a variety of games on Windows 8 devices, utilizing the Windows Azure platform for streaming from the cloud.

Agawi, formerly iSwifter, recently launched its version 2.0 to offer cloud streaming of all forms of games content-including social Facebook games as well as mid-core and hardcore titles-to all devices. Popular AAA games will be made available in the coming months for instant play on Windows 8 devices with no additional work required by developers, who are encouraged to contact the company at Agawi.io to be included in the developer partner program.

HP today announced four new consumer all-in-one (AiO) PCs, including two additions to the HP ENVY line that feature the latest touch-technology innovation in a small footprint, one-cord solution.

"The clean look of an all-in-one PC and the ease of one-cord set-up are key reasons customers turn to HP," said James Mouton, senior vice president and general manager, Personal Computer Global Business Unit, HP. "The Spectre design is art as well as a powerful entertainment hub. Across our rich line of all-in-ones, we continue to drive value and differentiation that have earned us sales of more than 5 million all-in-ones."

Toshiba UK today announces the launch of the Satellite U920T - a new hybrid device combining the ease-of-use, wake up time and performance of an Ultrabook with a tablet's touchscreen interface and portability. The 31.8cm (12.5") touchscreen transforms easily from laptop mode to a tablet with a simple sliding motion that reveals a full size keyboard.

The Satellite U920T is perfect for users looking for a versatile computer in an extremely compact form. Offering the best of both worlds for both content consumption and creation, the convertible Ultrabook can be operated in tablet mode, or in a more traditional laptop position when required, such as writing lengthy emails or for web chats.

Toshiba UK today expands its range of high-performance Satellite P-series laptops with the launch of the Satellite P845. Building on the P series' premium design and power, it now features an Intel Core ultra-low voltage (ULV) processor - delivering more efficient power consumption and a longer battery life.

Perfect for movie enthusiasts, gamers, photographers or video editors looking for a portable laptop without compromising on performance, the Satellite P845 also lets users interact with games and multimedia content in a new way, using the highly responsive 35.6cm (14") capacitive touchscreen.

Toshiba UK today adds the Satellite U940 to its growing family of high powered, stylish and portable Ultrabooks. Encased in an elegant Ice Silver chassis, and featuring a 35.6cm (14") display, the Satellite U940 is the perfect choice for those looking for a lightweight laptop capable of running more demanding tasks - the perfect companion for taking on long journeys or using away from a mains power source.

Combining a 3rd generation Intel processor for Ultrabooks with dedicated graphics, the Satellite U940 offers a fast and responsive experience when performing everyday tasks, and is capable of running HD multimedia content smoothly. Integrated graphics also allow casual games to be played with ease, whether installed on the system or running from a browser. The slim chassis accommodates powerful stereo speakers enhanced by SRS Premium Sound 3D for a rich sound experience.

Today at the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA) conference, Dell unveiled three powerful additions to its industry-leading XPS brand of computers. Joining the award-winning XPS 13 Ultrabook, and the XPS 14 and XPS 15 laptops, the new XPS computers enable both consumer and business customers to do more with their technology - from multimedia, entertainment and creation to full business productivity to transition seamlessly from home to office.

The new products include the XPS 10, a 10-inch tablet built to support WindowsRT; the XPS Duo 12 convertible that combines two devices in one, a powerful Ultrabook plus full featured tablet; and XPS One 27 all-in-one PC, which offers a stunning Wide Quad HD display, and will soon be available with touch functionality. The XPS brand has a distinguished heritage of delivering the latest technology and thoughtful design for performance and craftsmanship without compromise. Each product in the XPS portfolio is tailored for very specific customer needs, and the new products unveiled today are designed to take advantage of emerging software and technology, with the same XPS brand attributes that customers expect from Dell.

HP today announced three consumer notebooks featuring multitouch displays, including a uniquely designed hybrid PC that gives people more choice in how they access information.

The HP ENVY x2 is a powerful and ultrathin hybrid PC with the advantages of two devices in one. As a notebook that doubles as a tablet, the HP ENVY x2 has a detachable screen that becomes a full tablet when separated from the keyboard via a seamless magnetic latch. Customers no longer have to choose between a product that lets them create rich content and another that lets them enjoy entertainment on the go -- they can have both in one device.

The HP SpectreXT TouchSmart Ultrabook and HP ENVY TouchSmart Ultrabook 4 bring the intuitive power of touch to ultramobile PCs.

Like its compatriot Sony, Toshiba has taken advantage of IFA 2012 to showcase a Windows 8 hybrid machine that can be used as a tablet or as an ultrabook, depending on its owner's needs. Known as the Satellite U925t, Toshiba's 'best of both worlds' mobile solution is just 0.78 inches thick, it weighs 3.2 pounds (~ 1.45 kg), and features a 12.5-inch sliding touchscreen (protected by Gorilla Glass), a backlit keyboard, an Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) processor, a 128 GB SSD, a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera, and a HD webcam.

The U925t also has two USB 3.0 ports, a HDMI output, support for Intel's Wireless Display technology, NFC, and comes pre-loaded with a few branded apps like Desktop Assist, Toshiba Central, App Place, News Place and Book Place. Toshiba's creation is expected to become available on October 26th (Windows 8's launch day) priced just north of $1,000.