Nvidia Branded PC: GeForce PC Kit is for DIY'ers

Nvidia's put its name on a DIY kit for those looking to build a modest PC.

Nvidia typically provides the underlying technology for systems makers and enthusiasts to integrate into computers, but the graphics company has unveiled a DIY barebones PC kit for beginner hobbyists.

The GeForce PC kit is an Nvidia-branded computer kit that sets itself apart with a CoolerMaster Elite 334 Nvidia Edition case with a green-tinted window. That part aside, the rest of the system is mostly off-the-shelf items with an Intel Pentium E5300, GeForce 9800 GT, 2GB DDR2 RAM, 500W PSU, 250GB HDD.

Here are the full specs:

The whole package retails for just under $500 from CompUSA or TigerDirect. Interestingly, Nvidia's support page for technical Support, RMA requests, replacements and warranty issues for the GeForce PC Kit directs users to TigerDirect, signaling it as the manufacturer.

Microsoft Giving Away Custom MacBook Pros

Hard to believe this is happening, but it's true.

While the Windows-using world is gearing up for the release of Office 2010 this summer, Mac users will have to hang on for another year before getting their own new office suite in 2011. But it appears that Microsoft wants to show the Mac-using community that it still loves them and is giving away two custom-colored 2.53GHz MacBook Pro laptops.

The MacBook Pros will come with a custom paintjob in one of the colors of the software icons (blue, purple, orange or green). Of course, each winning laptop will also come with a copy of Office 2008 for Mac.

As detailed on the official webpage for the contest, entries are accepted via Twitter following or retweeting @officeformac. The contest is open to all in USA and Canada (except Quebec).

While someone may cry sacrilege at Microsoft for giving away an Apple product, there is some amusement value of a repainted MacBook Pro bearing a Microsoft Office logo right above the glowing Apple.

Google officially allowed to buy and sell electricity.

Back in January, Google put in a request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the regulatory body that oversees the power grid. Applying under a subsidiary called Google Energy, the search giant was seeking permission to buy and sell electricity on the wholesale market.

However, Google Energy is not about entering the electricity market. Rather, Google is just eager to reduce its carbon footprint. At the time, a Google spokesperson told CNet that Google wants to buy the highest quality and most affordable renewable energy wherever it can.

"Right now, we can't buy affordable, utility-scale, renewable energy in our markets," said Google rep Niki Fenwick. "We want to buy the highest quality, most affordable renewable energy wherever we can and use the green credits."

The FERC today granted Google Energy market-based rate authorization. This means Google has been approved for the sale of energy, capacity, and ancillary services at market-based rates. However, the Commission clarified that neither Google Energy nor its affiliates "own or control any generation or transmission" facilities.

CNet's Candace Lombardi writes that it is not unusual for large corporations to be granted the authority to trade in the wholesale electricity market for the purpose of managing their own energy costs. However, it seems Google hasn't quite ruled out entering the energy business.

"We don't have any concrete plans. We want the ability to buy and sell electricity in case it becomes part of our portfolio," Fenwick told CNET News in January.

FCC Filings Point Toward PS3 Slim Refreshes

A recent FCC filing points towards a possible refresh for the PS3 Slim.

PS3 News reports that Sony has slipped two new PS3 Slim models though the FCC under its old pseudonym Sand Dollar Enterprises. The new models are labeled as the CECH-2101A and CECH-2101B and as far as we know, the only difference between the two is HDD type.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Sony has plans for a specs bump for the PS3 Slim just yet. PS3 News reports that the wireless specs on the "new" PS3 Slims include 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth, identical to the current models. The site goes on to speculate that the filing could just be because Sony found a new manufacturer for some of its wireless components, and was forced to pass the PS3 Slim through the FCC again.
Still, it's nice to dream of an upgrade.