laptop and notebook

Apple continues to rule retail sales for $1000-and-up PCs, according to market researcher NPD Group.

Some 91 percent of retail dollars spent on computers in June went to Apple, a dramatic increase over the Mac’s 66 percent share in the first quarter of 2008, reports Betanews, which broke the story.

“Apple has had a huge share of the $1000-and-up premium retail computer market for quite a while,” NPD analyst Stephen Baker told PC World in a phone interview. “Basically, every single Mac notebook is over a thousand dollars, with the exception of one. Just from that perspective alone, [Apple] is going to be far and away the dominant player in that segment.”

And on the Windows side? “A quick glance at what’s available in the marketplace leads you to recognize there just aren’t very many Windows PCs available for over a thousand dollars,” Baker said.

With consumers migrating to cheaper, lighter notebooks, Apple’s high-end dominance isn’t necessarily a good thing. “They’re getting a bigger and bigger share of a pie that really isn’t getting any bigger,” Baker said.

In four of the first six months of this year, Apple’s unit growth was negative in notebooks. According to Baker, Apple’s response was to drop the prices on a lot of products, including the ultraslim MacBook Air.

Pricing Pressures

The retail market for $1000-plus PCs is shrinking. “Truthfully, it was never a really big market to begin with, not in the last couple of years,” Baker said.

Five years ago, the average selling price of a notebook PC was $1500. Today, it’s only $700, even when you factor in Apple systems. When you exclude Apple, the average selling price drops to under $570.

Premium Windows PCs in the retail marketplace are usually divided into two groups: stylish thin-and-light notebooks like the Dell Adamo, and ultra-powerful gaming systems.

“And while the gaming market is doing OK, those very expensive thin-and-lights are under a lot of pressure right now,” Baker said.

U.S. hydrogen fuel cell technology development - from the fossil energy system to a hydrogen energy system and the diversification of a major conversion

Energy system from fossil to hydrogen as the carrier to the new system and the diversification of energy conversion, even though seemingly incredible, but it is not unprecedented. Countries in the world until the mid-19th century is still based on its energy system as the main means of transport livestock to wood heating and cooking. Today the formation of coal, oil and gas fossil energy systems and transportation fuel and electricity energy is everywhere-dell xps m140 battery,dell xps m1210 battery, dell 6y270 battery, it has been difficult to distinguish between functions of a modern society out.

It may be in the current energy system to the next generation of the edge of the conversion and diversification. Today, including the United States, Japan and other developed countries, as well as China, Brazil and India, strong economic growth in developing countries and the international community, a strong awareness of hydrogen as a future clean and sustainable energy system, a key, it is important component. Future hydrogen energy system is an important characteristic of hydrogen as a fixed power supply, transportation, industrial and residential, commercial use of an energy carrier, hydrogen will become a new energy system for the global economy, social development is not used exhaustible energy resources.

Because hydrogen is an energy carrier, is currently in production, storage, transport and use of such areas as technology development is still in the stage of technical maturity, hydrogen will be mainly from the acquisition of cleaner production technology. Hydrogen from electrolysis of renewable energy access, or from the use of fossil fuel carbon sequestration through the restructuring process of the solution after the acquisition. Hydrogen can be like oil, natural gas and other fossil energy is effectively stored, truck or pipeline transport. When the hydrogen for fuel cells, turbine or generator to produce electricity, it is the water main by-product.

Highly concerned about the United States of hydrogen and fuel cell technology development, its purpose is: In the short term, fossil energy use due to a large number of serious greenhouse gas emissions by the enormous international pressure to bear, so far the U.S. government have not signed the United Nations issued in 1997 “Kyoto Protocol” developed countries should shoulder the provisions of the emission reduction obligations, the Bush administration has recently made many times will not sign the document, the United States and the strengthening of hydrogen fuel cell technology development is to show a positive attitude. Another consideration is the hope that the United States through high-tech development, create more employment opportunities, the country’s industrial structure adjustment and upgrade their products in the international market competitiveness and to increase the current energy security and reliability of electricity supply needs. In the long run, as the world’s mineral resources, especially oil resources will become depleted, there is an urgent need to find a new energy resources or products dell 75uyf battery,dell c1295 battery,dell gd761 battery, to the next generation energy system for the conversion and diversification of the technical preparations to do the full system and a long time accumulation of operating experience.

Generally speaking, the development and utilization of hydrogen and fuel cell technology has many advantages:

• Can make use of the United States a large number of resources and different production methods, means hydrogen fuel;
• Reduce demand for imported oil, especially in the transport of oil resources required;
• Fuel cell can power transmission grid system is not able to meet the supply, the emergency start to fill the shortage of electricity supply, electricity supply has played the role of the peak;
• Can significantly improve air quality in the United States, the atmosphere, so that vehicle exhaust and clean use of fossil fuels in electricity production system is close to zero emissions.

Speaking from principle, hydrogen fuel cell is electrolysis in reverse reaction, the air in the mixture of hydrogen and oxygen to produce catalytic electrochemical reaction current, heat and pure drinking water. In addition to the characteristics of zero emissions, the fuel cell can be higher than the internal combustion engine 2 to 3 times the efficiency of the fuel cell power generation makes it the ability to work to obtain a wide range of applications, including: portable (50 ~ 100 watts) and the fixed station ( 1 ~ 200 MW). Although fuel cells have the service in all aspects of the economic potential of the area, but today they are in terms of price than the internal combustion engine is also relatively expensive, further development of the future will be to improve reliability and reduce costs in order to have economic competitiveness.

1. To hydrogen as a carrier of energy conversion system and the diversification of energy supply is a strategic choice

(1) the United States energy consumption, demand forecast
(2) U.S. oil production, consumption
(3) the United States transport energy strategy
(4) the development of fuel cell technology the United States road map

To this end, the United States the development of fuel cell technology is the basic road map:

• In 2015 to develop fuel cell technology can be carried out after the success of business kd476 decision-making;
• 2020, fuel cell vehicles is still in development stage, but during that time, in essence, the success of the technology not have any impact on the development of a large number of imported oil this trend;
• After 2020 may reduce the oil imports and oil fields in the consumption of transport;
• If the 2040 large-scale use of fuel cell vehicles a breakthrough, then the amount of light oil per day can reduce the 11 million barrels, equivalent to the amount of U.S. oil imports.

① Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) program

② Department of Energy and the American Automobile Association (Freedom CAR) plans to

In short, as a result of fuel cell technology and energy efficiency, renewable energy technology development and wide application of strong, such technological breakthroughs and large-scale application in a certain extent, a significant reduction in the production and emission of greenhouse gases. However, despite the fuel cell has the potential of national interests, but it is in the current technological development, the need for capital investment in high-intensity running and long-term access to technical and economic indicators of the accumulation of these factors severely limits its commercial pre-set process. Based on this, the current U.S. government funding, technology development, testing fuel cell technology research with commercial applications, such as the value of the model will continue to play an important role.

2. The source of hydrogen

Long-term strategy for the United States is: the future of fuel cells required for the vast majority of hydrogen from renewable energy resources in the production of access. For example, the use of wind and solar energy dell 75uyf battery,dell c1295 battery,dell gd761 battery converter steelmaking technology of water electrolysis to obtain hydrogen; the use of sunlight or light from biomass catalytic hydrogen production methods; nuclear energy (using thermo-chemical process or electrolysis) is also an optional way. Make use of these methods as a result of increased diversification of energy sources, can significantly improve the U.S. national energy security.

The near term, hydrogen from fossil fuels will be able to (such as petroleum and natural gas) or the use of electrolysis to obtain the solution. Existing projects in the United States arrangements, the main purpose of these processes is to improve the cost and efficiency. Electrolytic method of producing hydrogen in the near future (from the distribution point of view) can be achieved, but its drawback is that use of the existing methods of electricity production, will not be able to produce energy, the environment in Iraq the ultimate efficiency; carbon dioxide absorption and to deal with the problems once they become reality can be used in this way will be from fossil fuels in the production of hydrogen, which will minimize the large number of greenhouse gas emissions.

(1) hydrogen production
(2) hydrogen transfer
(3) the use of hydrogen

International Co-City Japan and the United States reaction to the purchase of

According to overseas media reports, the international market price of cobalt in 2006 turned into the fall, and in February, after the bottom fell, with the strong growth in market demand, supply shortages, from the beginning of March the price rise become more evident. Strategic metals markets in Europe Rotterdam warehouse delivery for 99.8% grade premium grade cobalt, in February of this year fell to 12.75 ~ 13.25 U.S. dollars per pound, the has been increased to more than 15 U.S. dollars, 99.3 percent cobalt grade premium from 11.5 ~ 11.7 U.S. dollars rose to 13.75 ~ 14.5 U.S. dollars. At the same time, the actual current senior U.S. spot price of cobalt increased to 14.25 U.S. dollars per pound, the Russian Co-99.3%-level export price rose to 13.25 U.S. dollars, Zambia delivery price of 13.25 U.S. dollars, the Australian company BHP reported in Asia, Europe and North America, prices rose to 14 U.S. dollars.

According to industry estimates, global cobalt demand in 2006 up to 65,000 tons in 2007 to more than 70,000 tons. The main reason is the world’s airline industry, land-based gas turbine power stations and military arms of the active industrial production led to a marked increase in the consumption-cobalt alloy. It is understood that China will in the next 10 years to buy 180 billion U.S. dollars worth of power generation equipment, no doubt will lead to increased consumption of cobalt. The supply side, despite an ample supply of cobalt raw materials, but a serious shortage of refined cobalt production capacity. In this case, even if the capacity of refining cobalt production at full capacity, it is estimated that the market is still a shortage of refined cobalt supply and demand of 3000 tons. For this reason some people in the industry predicted that the end of the year for sustainable high-quality cobalt price climbed to 30 U.S. dollars per pound. Also has the trading community that the recent price of cobalt can be up to 16 ~ 18 dollars, because a large number of new cobalt smelting dell xps m140 battery,dell xps m1210 battery, dell 6y270 battery capacity by 2007 difficult to put into operation.

In addition, Russia Krasnoyarsk Connolly recently reported 99.3% grade for the class of cobalt base price also increased to 11.85 U.S. dollars per pound, but the company’s actual sales in the open market price of more than 13 U.S. dollars. The company is only a very small amount of a selective buyer of the company, and along with the revitalization of Russia’s aviation industry, tend to increase consumption of cobalt, it is estimated that the future will tend to decline in the export of cobalt.

Due to the rapid rebound in the international prices of cobalt alloys, as well as Japan and the chemical processing industry demand, some consumers worry about the future, Japan will further increase prices even higher, so they choose to move into the spot market to buy cobalt, or even at all costs. Japanese imports in December last year the spot price of cobalt 99.8% level has been increased to 16 ~ 17 U.S. dollars per pound, although in February this year, 1 to drop slightly, but the recent re-pricing of imports rebounded to 14 U.S. dollars per pound CIF. According to Japanese traders said that the Japanese battery industry accounted for about cobalt cobalt consumption to 60% of the total demand, and the industry under the forward contracts are usually imported cobalt was still adequate inventory, so buy on the spot market is currently little interest in cobalt.

At the same time, U.S. consumers to buy cobalt is also very active, especially in the spot dell kd476 market imports from Russia. However, 99.3 percent of Russia’s supply of cobalt-level is very scarce, and even the recent delivery of cobalt has been sold out. Russia supplies the current level of 99.3% cobalt prices and the market price of 99.8% of the difference in class is gradually shrinking, and even less than 1 U.S. dollars per pound. Some consumers are also the same by the United States the annual import turnover of the contract, so from the spot market is not buying.

South Korea voted heavily in the development of energy technologies

South Korea Ministry of Industry and Energy announced on the 23rd, in view of the international market price of crude oil continues to rise, South Korea will spend this year 367,100,000,000 (about 387 million U.S. dollars), into an energy resource development on the specialized technology research projects.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Energy of the plan, the investment will be included in the power industry in a variety of R & D projects 144,600,000,000, for new energy and renewable energy development into 124,500,000,000, and the remaining funds will be used to enhance energy efficiency dell latitude d800 battery,dell latitude d810 battery,dell latitude d820 battery and reduction of carbon dioxide gas emissions.

Ministry of Industry and Energy said the funds than last year’s energy development in an increase of 26%, showing the development of alternative energy technologies urgency.

“The focus of investment will be focused on funding the development of hydrogen fuel cells, as well as the further use of solar and wind energy,” Industry and Energy Department officials in charge of energy affairs Xuedao Kim (Kim) said. He said that the field of energy technology research will also help South Korea’s export trade.

Zhongshan University and the China-South Africa joint investment projects start green battery

The morning of April 20, Science and Technology Parks Ibraimov lithium-ion power battery to start the construction project.

Lithium-ion power batteries because of their high technical content, not on the environment caused by lead, cadmium, and as the “Green batteries”, are widely used in the field of communications and transport for national defense is the development of competition in today’s world of high-tech products.

The project total investment 50 million yuan, the use of Central South University School of Metallurgical Science and Engineering, production technology, easy to smelting by the limited liability dell latitude d830 battery,dell latitude x300 battery company and the Central South University School of Metallurgical Science and Engineering, construction investment, construction, size of an annual production capacity of 30 million lithium-ion at power batteries. Project will be completed before the end of this year, production can be achieved after the industrial output value hit 330 million yuan tax more than 13.2 million yuan.

It is reported that Kim Yi Science & Technology Park will conduct the second phase project of deep processing of tin and the production of nano-materials projects, the entire park plans to invest 500 million yuan.

Scientists invented the fuel cell enzyme

Oxford University scientists have invented a device to provide an impetus to the electronics of the fuel cell enzyme, which is the battery consumption of atmospheric oxygen and hydrogen. The enzyme used is from the natural world for the use of hydrogen metabolism in the isolated bacteria. The characteristics of this enzyme is a highly selective, able to put up with the traditional fuel cell catalysts has a poisoning effect of the gases, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. The researchers said: As a result of this enzyme to the growth, so compared to other hydrogen fuel cells by use of expensive platinum catalyst is a cheap, renewable battery.

By Professor Fraser Armstrong led the design of the research group including the fuel cell has two electrodes coated with the enzyme. They are filled with normal air, and add a small amount of hydrogen in the glass tank. As the catalyst selectivity and tolerability, so the gas can be mixed without the need for expensive fuel separation membrane.

Armstrong said: The study resulted in greater fuel-cell applications of space, as has been the cost of fuel cell applications are the main issues, but can not guarantee that the source of cleaner fuel and the need for real-time power.

Solar cell production capacity in China in 2007 accounted for 16.7 percent of global

According to China’s Taiwan, “Industrial Technology Research Institute” under the Optical Technology Center (PVTC) is expected to the end of 2007, the global solar cell production capacity is expected to reach 48,000 kilowatts (GW), of which the mainland will reach 16.7 percent global market dell latitude d830 battery,dell latitude x300 battery share, more than Taiwan, about 10%. PVTC Taiwan in 2006 is expected to remain slightly ahead of the mainland.

PVTC expects Suntech China, Nanjing PV (Nanjing PV) solar cell manufacturing plant the two together will reach about 12.5%, if the other new entrants into the mainland is expected to reach a global market share of 16.7%, far exceeding Taiwan manufacturers.

It is worth mentioning is that Suntech an annual production capacity of 2006 is expected to more than 300 megawatts (MW), expected from the world’s eighth in 2005 jumped to fourth place, behind Japan’s Sharp (Sharp), Germany’s Q - Cells and Japan’s Kyocera (Kyocera). PVTC pointed out that the positive into polysilicon production and a huge domestic market demand for solar cell production capacity in China a major factor in the rapid growth.

China’s renewable energy policy incentives, the expansion of growth in demand for solar industry

In new renewable energy policy incentives, China’s domestic supply chain in all areas toward the expansion of solar power in the direction - of polysilicon feedstock, wafer, cell and module. Investment bank Piper Jaffray analyst Jesse Pichel said in a report, China last month promulgated a renewable energy project involves 3.5 billion U.S. dollars of investment, designed in 2010 in the domestic solar power generation capacity to 500 megawatts. China also plans to solar power by 2020 will amount to 3,000 megawatts in 2050 to 6,000 megawatts.

“In China, promulgated in February of renewable energy plan under the impetus of China’s solar energy needs are expected to be substantial growth over the next few years.” He said, “apart from less than 200 dollars a month in labor costs, China’s solar energy company may also be lower because the cost of management, research and development costs and external costs to benefit. ”

According to the analyst, by 2008, China’s total module production capacity from 450 megawatts (MW) increased to 1,200 MW, the domestic solar cell production capacity increased from the current 200MW to 1,200 MW. 2005 China wafer capacity of 100MW, is expected to grow in 2008 to around 800MW, mainly from the signing of polysilicon supply, as well as contracts for the supply of a large number of polyethylene.

He said that China’s solar manufacturing equipment industry will also expand. At present, the three Chinese polysilicon manufacturers monopolized the domestic dell latitude d800 battery,dell latitude d810 battery,dell latitude d820 battery market, but it is still a shortage of supply of material.

“By 2007, Sichuan Xinguang silicon industry is still at an early stage of production and construction, planned in 2008 to 1,250 tons of annual production,” Pichel said, “LSCS current annual capacity of 300 tons, production capacity in 2007 reached 1,000 tons. Another year the current ESM about 100 tons of production capacity. “polysilicon high price to 200 U.S. dollars per kg, most solar manufacturers can accept the OEM price is about 170 U.S. dollars per kilogram.

EU and new tricks to play against the new battery directive

From Ningbo Inspection and Quarantine Bureau was informed that recently, the European Union put forward a new draft 98th directive batteries, the batteries directive in principle, be amended to reduce the hazardous and non-hazardous waste, the number of cells, and increased recycling of these products contain materials. It is reported that once the Bill comes into force of the directive will ban all alcohol concentration of more than 0.0005% of mercury in dell latitude d510 battery,dell latitude d520 battery,dell latitude d600 battery and battery (mercury content of no more than 2% except for the button cell) and by weight contains more than 0.002% of cadmium batteries and the battery light to enter the European Union market. In addition, the new directive will also require to ensure that all batteries and battery recycling need to add the correct sign, the requirements indicated in the product, respectively, the chemical symbol of the metal.

The world per capita production of batteries in China more than four

At present, China is the largest production and export of battery. The world per capita use in China more than four batteries, my bike in both production and export share of world production and exports over 60%, there were a large number of light industrial products output ranked first in the world … … “15,” the period of the rapid development of light industry, its products not only meet the needs of the domestic market, but also contribute to the advantages of cheap in the world market.

21 journalists from the China Light Industry Federation, held the second Congress was informed that at present China’s watches, bicycles, sewing machines, batteries, beer, furniture, plastic processing machinery, daily-use ceramics, sea salt, electric light source and lighting products and home appliances, etc. air-conditioning industry, microwave ovens, leather footwear industry, the sports goods industry, books, musical instruments industry, piano, violin, guitar, metal products industry, metal and plastic tools for the plastic products industry, film production, and many other products in the world first. Paper and paperboard, plastics production ranks second in the world.

Statistics show that China’s light industrial products in 2005 reached 194.13 billion U.S. dollars, up 23.53 percent, which is equivalent to “Ninth Five-Year Plan,” the end of light industrial products-dell latitude d610 battery,dell latitude d620 battery of 2.74 times the volume of foreign trade, light industry exports China’s foreign trade accounting for more than a quarter of total exports. Furniture, household appliances, ceramics for daily use, culture and education, sporting goods, bicycles, watches, sewing machines, leather, electric lighting and lamps, pens, musical instruments, toys, glasses, and other industries down the world’s exports to the forefront of exports. Ceramics for daily use of which exports of world exports accounted for 65% of the total, exports of bicycle industry trade of the world’s total trade volume accounts for 70%, household appliances industry products exported to the world at present more than 200 countries and regions.

According to Chen in the light can be introduced in conjunction president in 2005, than the “Ninth Five-Year Plan” more than doubled in the late production of dozens of kinds of light industrial products. Including refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, electric water heater, electric baking utensils, rice cookers, dishwashers, mechanism of paper and paperboard, newsprint, paper products, furniture, gas water heater, dairy products, canned food, beverages , frozen drinks, fur clothing, the books, ink, photographic film, fragrance, plastic products-dell latitude d510 battery,dell latitude d520 battery, hand tools, household stainless steel products, candy, cakes, biscuits, instant noodles and umbrella.

China’s light industry technologies and equipment and product quality are greatly improved: the backbone of large-scale dairy enterprise technology and equipment to reach the international advanced level; washing the basic technical level of industry reach or approach international advanced level; paper, leather, plastics processing, lighting, batteries, etc. industry technology and equipment to reach the world advanced level. By the end of 2005, China’s light industry in China’s famous brand products 40% of brand-name products, many world-class product quality level.

New energy into the energy development will focus on

Sustainable Development Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, honorary head of the group not long ago, said Niu Wenyuan, the world’s energy development is accelerated from the “carbon-based energy” to “hydrogen-based energy” forward, “China’s energy strategy is not only a big topic, but also the world’s largest energy strategy proposition. ”

In the newly published by the People’s Publishing House “Who can drive in China - the world’s energy crisis and China’s strategy of” one book, said Niu Wenyuan, a breakthrough from the first “Light-harvesting protein” genes of biological photosynthetic energy efficient chip-to-large-capacity hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen-based energy from the acquisition and transmission to the “Space Spider” energy network weaving, from -3 isotope helium surface on the acquisition and preparation of energy into controlled thermonuclear fusion, such as consumption, these new energy will gradually energy development path, “the central stage.”

“Energy has become China’s future development, one of the major bottlenecks.” Niu Wenyuan said that China’s energy strategy, on the one hand to firmly grasp the universal energy-saving, industry-wide energy saving, energy-saving society as a whole, “a key element,” not to relax On the other hand, did not slacken our efforts for the deepening of opening up new energy. “As an energy consuming country dell latitude d600 battery,dell latitude d610 battery,dell latitude d620 battery, China should be at the same time the consumption of traditional energy sources, energy development as soon as possible the next generation to take active steps to plan.”

According to authoritative statistics, Chinese people can be a one-time energy production per capita, compared with the world, with lower values. At the same time, the intensification of China’s energy level is still relatively low, a waste of a very serious situation. These data show that, on the one hand, China’s rapid industrialization and urbanization development, requires a large amount of energy to support, on the other hand, China’s energy-saving potential is very great.

 
Kevin Turner, Microsoft COO, is claiming Apple lawyers called him requesting Microsoft stop running the “laptop hunter” ads based upon outdated pricing information. Apple recently updated their laptop line and lowered some of their prices, something that was much needed as Apple’s prices were a step above the price improvements we’ve been seeing.

So, with Apple’s price drops, are the Microsoft ads inaccurate or is their premise still true, that there’s an Apple tax making Apple’s computers more expensive than those from Windows OEMs? I suspect there is still an Apple tax but I’ve not seen any updated comparisons showing if there’s a gap, and how much it might be.

Here’s a video taking apart the Laptop Hunters from a Mac advocate’s perspective. He does have a good point that if you want to be a film maker, you’re going to use Final Cut Pro on the Mac.

(Okay, Microsoft advocates: where’s your side of the argument?)

Either way, should Microsoft stop running the Laptop Hunter ads, or at least update them to reflect current prices? Apple’s certainly enjoyed their fun at poking Vista with a sharp stick in their ads, and it looks like Microsoft’s Laptop Hunter ads must have at least some impact or Apple wouldn’t bother asking for them to be removed.

I doubt Microsoft will drop the ads altogether, but I would at least like to see new ads reflecting current pricing from both camps. In the end, I suspect the ads aren’t making a major difference as I’m guessing buyers pretty much have decided if they are getting a Mac or a Windows PC before they enter the store.
 
For more information about enterprise networking, go to NetworkWorld. Story copyright 2008 Network World Inc. All rights reserved.

Kevin Turner, Microsoft COO, is claiming Apple lawyers called him requesting Microsoft stop running the “laptop hunter” ads based upon outdated pricing information. Apple recently updated their laptop line and lowered some of their prices, something that was much needed as Apple’s prices were a step above the price improvements we’ve been seeing.

So, with Apple’s price drops, are the Microsoft ads inaccurate or is their premise still true, that there’s an Apple tax making Apple’s computers more expensive than those from Windows OEMs? I suspect there is still an Apple tax but I’ve not seen any updated comparisons showing if there’s a gap, and how much it might be.

Here’s a video taking apart the Laptop Hunters from a Mac advocate’s perspective. He does have a good point that if you want to be a film maker, you’re going to use Final Cut Pro on the Mac.

(Okay, Microsoft advocates: where’s your side of the argument?)

Either way, should Microsoft stop running the Laptop Hunter ads, or at least update them to reflect current prices? Apple’s certainly enjoyed their fun at poking Vista with a sharp stick in their ads, and it looks like Microsoft’s Laptop Hunter ads must have at least some impact or Apple wouldn’t bother asking for them to be removed.

I doubt Microsoft will drop the ads altogether, but I would at least like to see new ads reflecting current pricing from both camps. In the end, I suspect the ads aren’t making a major difference as I’m guessing buyers pretty much have decided if they are getting a Mac or a Windows PC before they enter the store.

For more information about enterprise networking, go to NetworkWorld. Story copyright 2008 Network World Inc. All rights reserved.

Do not pay the water the sun

The shortage of fossil fuels to the sustainable socio-economic development of China’s tremendous pressure, strong research and development of clean renewable solar energy and the formation of industry, and is promulgated to implement the new “renewable energy law” an important measure. March 28 to “China’s solar energy development opportunities and strategies” as the theme of the first 273 times Xiangshan Science Conference was held in Beijing, more than 50 experts and scholars on China’s solar energy development and utilization of the problems faced and the future of solar energy technology latitude d410 battery,dell latitude d420 battery,dell latitude d430 battery the direction of development, such as in-depth discussions carried out.

Materials encountered a “bottleneck”

Meeting of the Executive Chairman, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences Academician Liang Junwu comment on the report of the theme of “solar cell material world situation and China’s response” that the solar cell and materials development, is in today’s world of concern to the two major issues — - Energy and Environment meeting point, the cause of great importance to the world; China’s energy production and consumption power, the protection of the environment is a concern, therefore, solar cells must be fully aware of the material.

Meeting of the Executive Chairman, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences Academician WEN Lishi, China’s most abundant solar energy resources, as a permanent solar clean energy technology development has a unique charm and unlimited room for development. Solar energy will not reduce the earth’s resources, not to cause pollution, not only economically, but also no doubt that solar energy industry will be a hundred industries. Especially with other renewable energy technologies, China’s solar energy technology is to develop the best and most mature, China’s solar energy products with international quality and technical level of developed countries or less the same, or even very close.

Jun-Wu Liang said that since 1954, Pearson and others successfully prepared the first silicon solar cell has been the continuous development of photovoltaic industry, since 1998 the world production of photovoltaic cells to 30% ~ 40% of the rate of growth of crystalline silicon solar today The main battery materials. According to projections, if the world photovoltaic industry maintained at 15% or 30% of the growth rate, while in 2008 the global shortage of polysilicon will reach 1800 tons or 8600 tons, now including China, many countries are polycrystalline a serious shortage of silicon.

Immediately hear that, because of Germany, the United States, Japan and other developed countries of the world led the rapid development of photovoltaic industry, polysilicon material caused a serious shortage of supply. China has yet to form a polysilicon material scale industries, the import is very difficult polysilicon, solar energy photovoltaic industry is therefore facing the silicon material is even more severe situation. Polysilicon materials has become a constraint in the development of China’s solar energy industry “bottleneck.”

The challenges of cutting-edge technology from

Sun Yat-sen Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Professor Shen-hui in the “on the Development of China’s photovoltaic and Recommendations” report on the current forefront of the development of photovoltaic technology and the key issues, pointing out that Germany and Japan in recent years latitude d500 battery,dell latitude d505 battery, PV technology research and development must pay full attention to trends, including the application of automation and mass production technology, a large area, thin silicon, silicon-efficient production technology, high-efficiency thin-film batteries and high efficiency production process, such as environmental protection.

Crystalline silicon photovoltaic solar cells is the core of the system devices, in highly automated production equipment, with the support of a production line abroad has now reached a size of 30MW or more than 60MW, compared to China’s production equipment is also not for the formation of the automation system . Due to shortage of silicon materials, the resulting thin silicon technology has been quickly developed, thus reducing the cost of solar cells to improve efficiency; thin silicon solar battery cells may lead to the formation of a significant change in technology and our existing battery production technology challenge. At the same time, thin-film solar cells in a significant reduction in costs and improve efficiency has good prospects for development.

Li-Shi Wen said, according to PV development trends abroad, China should accelerate the development of polysilicon production technology and continue to enhance the production of crystalline silicon cell technology, thin film batteries, etc. At the same time to strengthen the research and development, for the development of low-cost solar cells to find a solution way. Liang Junwu suggestions: as soon as possible should be SiHCl3 polysilicon production process, so that domestic production of polysilicon in the plant put into operation as soon as possible; the active use of the world’s most advanced polysilicon technology, building energy consumption per kilogram of silicon, metallurgical silicon consumption, cost per kilogram of silicon and environmental indicators are the world’s advanced level in the new polysilicon production lines.

In addition to leaving a shortfall of what technology?

Li-Shi Wen pointed out that the current solar photovoltaic technology popularization and application, not only depend on the development of photovoltaic technology itself, but also the development of national energy policy and strategy.

In the promotion of solar photovoltaic applications, Germany and other countries should learn from the experience. The German government to take the lead in the use of solar energy, such as the parliament building in Berlin, Berlin train station and many other public facilities and places of use are a large number of photovoltaic power generation equipment and products, which the government subsidies for photovoltaic power generation policy and bank lending policies has played a very good incentive . In China, the current development of photovoltaic solar energy industry, there are still many issues to be resolved. If there is no one in the area of renewable energy unified decision-making, management and coordination of national leadership; study weak dispersion; solar energy industry and promote the use of the lack of relevant policies and specific measures; no long-term development strategy, the annual development plan and objectives.

WEN Lishi and other experts suggest that China is an earthquake, typhoons and other natural disaster-prone countries, posed by the photovoltaic solar cell system has better security and reliability, and the technology has matured and should therefore give priority to the development of solar energy technology. Government should take the lead in promoting solar energy technology, and should take the lead in government buildings, public buildings, public works, such as the promotion of solar energy utilization technologies; use, such as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games an opportunity to build a number of demonstration projects for solar energy utilization. Countries should choose city conditional-grid solar photovoltaic demonstration and popularization and application, while continuing in the western region at the same time the development of photovoltaic power generation, but also encourage the development of coastal areas of solar photovoltaic power generation, and at dell latitude d500 battery,dell latitude d505 battery the right time to implement solar energy Millions of photovoltaic roof plan. The condition of our country to develop in line with the utilization of solar energy incentives.

Li-Shi Wen said that over the past several hundred years, human development and utilization of large-scale coal, oil, natural gas, such as “yesterday’s sunshine,” but with the rapid development of the world economy, “the sun yesterday,” will cease to exist 200 years. Hailed as “the sun today,” the solar energy industry is a century industries, the Millennium industries, believe that human beings from the large-scale use of “yesterday’s sunshine” to the large-scale use of “the sun today,” the time will not be too long.

Dalian developed high-tech capacity battery

According to “Dalian Daily” reported that the CAS Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, the successful development of all vanadium flow battery energy storage system, so that our country, following Australia, Canada, Japan, after the master key to the fourth power storage technology.

According to reports, Zhang Hua-min to create a group-wide level 10 kilowatts vanadium flow battery energy storage system, the experimental prototype, the energy conversion efficiency of more than 80%, start fast, run the process of charging and discharging switch only 0.02 seconds, the depth of discharge can not damage to the battery can be run at room temperature and environmental protection, energy storage tank of electrolyte-free self-discharge phenomenon, and the construction of low-input. Ministry of Science and Technology Acceptance of qualified experts, the Provincial Science and Technology Department of the results identified that the technology to achieve “national leader, the international advanced level.”

Leshan advantage of the use of mineral resources to create the “Silicon Valley”

Leshan has the natural advantage of the mineral resources, its production of polycrystalline silicon and monocrystalline silicon R & D strengths, seven years ago, Motorola has attracted foreign entry. This year is the Leshan City “project in”, investment and create, Leshan has become a hot spot for economic development and focus inspiron 9200 battery,dell inspiron 9300 battery. 30, an investment 3 billion yuan, covers an area of 400 acres with the silicon industry closely related to the project signing ceremony was held in Chengdu.

Over the years, Leshan foster a base, resources, and has been the formation of 100 tons of polycrystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon 60 tons and 20 tons of production capacity of silicon processing. Today in the energy shortage, silicon resources Leshan finally got “useless.” Nantong, Jiangsu and Sichuan Leshan strong enterprises of the two places together, the project formed after the introduction of the silicon industry chain — polysilicon and monocrystalline silicon products “solar photovoltaic (battery)”, will greatly meet the needs of China’s western region power supply. Expected to be fully completed in 2008, its products “photovoltaic” sales will reach 2 billion yuan. Then a new “Silicon Valley” will rise in the west.

Tsinghua University, carbon nanotubes have been new breakthroughs in hydrogen storage technology research

Carbon nano-materials, Tsinghua University research team recently found a post-processed to show a significant hydrogen storage properties of carbon nanotubes, it is expected to become a new clean energy - hydrogen energy battery material.

Study Group on the orientation of scientific and technical personnel of the electrochemical hydrogen storage properties of carbon nanotubes to carry out a systematic study found that the carbon nanotubes have a number of new mechanical, electrical, thermal and optical properties, in particular, it mixed with copper powder After showing remarkable performance of hydrogen storage. Sub-topics will be made from carbon nanotube electrodes for electrochemical constant current charge-discharge experiments, results showed that copper powder mixed directional multi-walled carbon nanotube hydrogen storage capacity of the electrode is 10 times the graphite electrode, non-directional multi-walled carbon nanotube electrodes 13 times as high capacity 1625mAh / g, corresponding to hydrogen storage capacity of 5.7wt% (mass fraction), has excellent electrochemical hydrogen storage performance. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) hydrogen storage technology for the development of vehicle standards, the research team published the results have been close to the weight of hydrogen storage materials and hydrogen storage density requirements.

This technology can be applied to the manufacture of fuel cells, the sustained and steady play the role of the hydrogen source. Is a fuel cell without combustion to electricity for the fuel in response to the chemical energy directly into electrical energy generating device. Of these, proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) in pure hydrogen for fuel, with low operating temperature, output power, and small size inspiron 9400 battery,dell inspiron b120 battery, light weight, “zero emissions” the advantages, in particular the use of suitable means of transport.

Inspection and quarantine to remind: import battery to be filed

A few days ago, a company Zhangjiagang imported from Germany 2 test battery Zhangjiagang Inspection Bureau was ordered to send back.

March, Zhangjiagang inspectors examine the import in the forklift when the forklift is found that these batteries as a power source. In accordance with the provisions of the AQSIQ, all battery products in the import inspection and quarantine agencies to apply for the record, the record made before the import of books, and the battery does not import the record of private imports. Accordingly, the Board made the decision to deal with battery returned.

Battery products to enhance the prevention and treatment of mercury pollution, protect and improve the ecological environment in China in 2000, AQSIQ issued the “Import and Export Inspection mercury batteries regulatory approach.” The “solution” provides the record imports of battery products, the applicant (manufacturer, importer or the import agents, etc.) the battery should be the products they are importing to the relevant inspection and quarantine agencies to apply for the record. Inspection and quarantine institutions to the structure of the battery, the electrochemical system, as well as mercury in batteries comprehensive test results to determine whether the filing requirements, without a record to ban the import of battery products.

Entry-exit inspection and quarantine departments to remind the Chinese enterprises to strengthen national policies and regulations related to learning and research, did not understand the policy to avoid the occurrence of “illegal” behavior, which to the normal production and operation of the impact and lead to unnecessary inspiron b130 battery,dell inspiron e1405 battery losses.

Growth of ZnO by the progress

Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences by researchers using vapor deposition method, has successfully synthesized a variety of micro-morphology of the ZnO nano-materials, such as nanowires, nanorods, nano-cone, four feet, such as nano-ZnO, but also the realization of nano-ZnO in carbon nano - direct the growth tube, and prepared a variety of unique morphology of the ZnO micro-nano-materials by this method from synthetic materials are highly luminescent properties and catalytic activity.

Quasi-one-dimensional nanomaterials with a quantum size effect due to a number of specific physical, chemical characteristics, is to examine the conduct of electronic transmission, optical characteristics and mechanical properties, such as the size of the physical properties of an ideal system, in building nano-electronic and optical devices has a lot of potential applications are widespread attention in recent years. Unique nano-ZnO quantum size effects, interface effects and the coupling effect of its UV laser, optical waveguide devices, light-emitting components, surface acoustic wave devices, solar cell window materials, varistors and gas sensors have a wide range of uses, referred to as “third-generation semiconductor materials.”

Recently, the United States, “Applied Physics Letters” notice of Mechanics, the nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) growth and characterization of the work of the contributors were formally employed APL, and the text of the picture as the APL of May 8, 2006 cover a picture (Cover Image inspiron e1505 battery,dell inspiron e1705 battery), note the growth of ZnO nano-mechanics which work to achieve substantive progress.

Solar power, how high the threshold

Experts predict that the next 20 to 30 years, the global energy mix will be a fundamental change in the 50s of this century, new energy and renewable energy will account for the entire energy constitutes 50%. Solar energy as a great potential for development of new and renewable sources of energy has long been a concern all over the world, China has also done a lot of research, it is regrettable inspiron 8600 battery,dell inspiron 9200 battery that many years later, solar power seems to have been in people’s is a concept of distance and symbols, you can feel better but it shall not close, then the threshold of solar, how high, delays in the industrialization of disease in the end there, this new energy, one of the protagonists Ho gorgeous debut when are people want to solve the… …

How much solar energy

Under the authority of the world’s energy analysis, the world has proven a major fossil fuel reserves and production can not be optimistic about the world. Length of remaining recoverable oil is only 41 years, their share of world total energy consumption of 40.5%; number of years of remaining recoverable natural gas 61.9 years, their share of world total energy consumption of 24.10%; number of years remaining recoverable coal 230 years, their share of world total energy consumption by 25.2%; number of years remaining recoverable uranium 73 years, their share of world total energy consumption by 7.6%; other hydraulic their share of world total energy consumption of 2.6%.
Traditional fuel energy is being reduced day by day, energy issues can not be ignored have become global issues. Search for new energy sources, has become a top priority. They soon focused its attention on the people around us in the renewable energy, wind energy, solar, geothermal, biomass power generation … … the new alternative to traditional energy sources have become new targets one-time energy. Wealth of daily solar radiation is inexhaustible and pollution-free, low-cost, free use of human energy and vision to become the first to incorporate the best choice for people. Solar energy per second to reach the ground up to 800,000 kilowatts of energy, if the Earth’s surface to 0.1% of solar energy, change rate of 5 percent, generating an annual output of about 5.6 × 1012 kilowatt hours and the equivalent of the world’s energy consumption about 40 times. Our country is rich in solar energy resources in the world. Desert area of China has 1.08 million square kilometers, mainly distributed in the light of the northwest region is rich in resources. 1 sq km area that can be installed 100 megawatts of photovoltaic arrays, generating 150 million a year degrees; 1 percent if the development and utilization of desert, you can issue the equivalent of China’s electricity consumption throughout the year in 2003. At present, China’s northern, coastal, and many other areas inspiron 9300 battery,dell inspiron 9400 battery, the volume of annual sunshine hours in 2000, Hainan is reached more than 2400 hours, the solar energy resources to name but a few large countries.
Such a huge energy reserves, we have developed is the situation be?

China’s solar energy industry into the environmental protection industry processing plants abroad

Solar cells can convert solar energy into DC energy, the production of solar PV industry chain is the most crucial aspect. The world’s most widely used solar cells are crystalline silicon solar cells, crystalline silicon solar cells production of raw materials - high-purity polysilicon has a severe shortage in our country, the vast majority of the need to rely on imports. According to experts in the Chinese Academy of Engineering survey, in 2005 the demand for China’s polysilicon for 3800 tons, of which the demand for photovoltaic industry 2691 tons, while in 2004 the output of polycrystalline silicon in China only 60 tons, even if all the supply of photovoltaic industry, but also only 2.6% of market demand, and the rest can only rely on imports. To form the photovoltaic industry in China well-known “two out” phenomenon: the raw materials for more than九成dependence on imports, exports more than九成. The reason is that the face of high cost of solar cells, temporarily unfit for wider use of home. Caused by the direct cause of this phenomenon is that technology can not keep up, raw material control.
Solar PV cells manufacturing chain as follows: quartz sand - polysilicon - cut into a silicon (or into a monocrystalline silicon) - batteries and battery components (individual cells can not generate electricity), then components portfolio, and finally installed in projects for electricity generation. Product monopoly of transnational corporations, it is polysilicon. Seven companies around the world, controlled almost all the high-purity polysilicon sales and manufacturing, they do not cooperate, or joint ventures, technology is completely closed.
In fact, the upstream poly-silicon raw material quartz sand is no shortage in our country. Polysilicon many overseas companies are direct procurement from China. However, Chinese enterprises for the silicon purification technology, has been the lack of progress. The’90s, there were more than 40 companies in the study of small poly-silicon technology, but is not a company can take on large-scale production of polysilicon. Technology can not break through the bottleneck, there will be others to complete, so even if there are no raw materials, technology, and can only be a low-cost processing of foreign environmental protection industry. Thus led to the solar industry, I have been hesitant. Solar power generation cost and the cost of traditional coal-fired power generation than the current purchase price of solar power is about 3.5 yuan / kilowatt-hour, there are the ordinary generating units of the purchase price, about 10 times the cost is so high dell inspiron b120 battery,dell inspiron b130 battery, it is clear there is no universal possible, so we have no alternative but to enjoy the warm sunshine at the same time, watching a lot of energy in the close loss, but could do nothing about it!

Number of legs to walk, to find a new way out for China’s solar power generation

In order to make solar power closer to the people at an early date, the domestic research institutions have done a lot of work. Recently, the Japan Science and Technology Agency to take the lead, China, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Tsinghua University, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Japan Aerospace Technology Foundation, Toshiba and Tohoku University in Japan to participate in solar power generation solar thermal compound system will continue to conduct joint development and will be the beginning of April this year in China’s desert area in Inner Mongolia for a model test the durability of the year, and gradually moved to one run. Solar thermal power generation system is a composite of visible light and ordinary use of solar energy systems useless or harmful infra-red system for the new generation. The system through a special lens to gather sunlight for the visible separation of light and infrared, visible light, after reflection of solar cells for small, infrared, through the special lens used in electric power generation module. At the same time as a result of the use of the visible and infrared sources of energy, power generation efficiency of existing solar-powered 2-fold. In addition, the system can also use waste heat to provide hot water, solar energy utilization rate reached 65%. Because there is no removable parts, is a maintenance-free power generation methods, applicable to the desert area. The system to support the western region as the “bright work” part of China’s western region will be 23 million families with a lack of electricity power.
There are news in recent days, China University of Technology developed a new type of Tingri mirror, can effectively track the sun’s rotation, which makes use of solar power generation than coal-fired electricity generation is expected to lower internal cost. This mirror mirror Tingri to any position of the incident sunlight, can be effectively eliminated by the mirror caused by deficiencies in the design of aberration that can effectively track the sun’s rotation, the control system can usually Tingri by the mirror reduced to only two-dimensional control required for one-dimensional control. Condenser as a result of the cost of solar energy a significant reduction in the human will be more than the coal-house low-cost electricity.
It can be seen that through the efforts of solar power generation in China is not tight in the power of a new energy concept of speculation over the years not only done the protagonist of the situation debut will be the past, solar energy as the most potential and most resource-rich new renewable energy inspiron e1405 battery,dell inspiron e1505 battery, its large number of days used in power generation will not tell us to wait very long!

Stones from other hills

Development of solar energy industry abroad

Germany: Bavaria, will build a large-scale solar power generation market

Solar power generation technology in the forefront of the highest in the world Germany, in the Franconia region of Bavaria Stein Arne completed the large-scale solar power generation market, and its 12.4-megawatt power generation, 3500 at the same time meet the electricity needs of the family.
The solar field covers an area of 77 hectares, will have 1,500 sets of solar power installations. It consists of two private joint planning, after the completion of power generation is currently the world’s largest 5-megawatt wind power stations more than doubled. The two companies plan to complete the purchase through private means to build the market to raise 75 million euros required. Sets of individuals to purchase solar power installations need to invest € 14,400. According to the survey, which raise funds to build new solar power generation market in Germany means there are broad prospects for development.
Production of renewable energy resources of modern science and technology has been popular in Germany. German Ministry for the Environment commissioned the market research institute Forsa was conducted early in May 2005 survey indicated that almost 62% of Germans think that we should increase the renewable energy input. The majority of the respondents supported the use of wind power, and endorses the efforts in the next 20-25 years. The use of offshore wind power plants to meet 15 percent of the country’s electricity demand.
In the next 20 years to 30 years, solar energy will be another significant source of energy for development. The survey also showed that 85% of the German people to solar energy as alternatives to the traditional inspiron e1705 battery,dell latitude d410 battery ideal.

Japan: Government to sell its power generation but also

In 1973 the first oil crisis broke out in Japan had a major impact, the oil crisis put an end to Japan’s era of rapid economic growth. Since then, the Japanese government to promote energy conservation, strengthening of new energy development, energy relaxation of restrictions on developing new energy, using solar, wind, fuel cells, hydrogen energy, such as superconducting can. Japan is seeking more than strong point of view, a full range of energy security, through these efforts to protect the environment, to build a new level of sustainable development. In alternative energy and energy-saving technology R & D, Japan willing to invest effort to ensure that the commanding heights of the future energy technologies, the introduction of the “New Sunshine Plan”, an annual allocation of more than 570 billion yen in research of renewable energy technologies, energy transportation and storage technologies.
In Japan, solar power is very popular. In the family, the popularity of solar power is that the cost of the difficulties is very high. The purchase of solar power devices than the electricity cost can be cost-effective is the key, which is impossible in the past. Solar power plant at the time it is very difficult to sell because selling a small number, it is not a large-scale production.
Now, families to buy such a device, half the cost of subsidies by the Government, so now more and more sold, the price also decreased. It is understood that 10 years ago, Japan 3 kilowatts of power generation equipment, the price is about ￥ 6,000,000, which is probably enough to pay the electricity for decades, and now the market price to reduce by half. Converted into yuan, 400,000 yuan dropped from about 20 million.
In Japan the use of solar power generation devices have a unique advantage: during the day and not electricity, but electricity sold to power companies or the government, which has also been actively acquired, so that income can be used to offset part of the tariff. According to statistics we can see an interesting situation - in the popularity of the solar power device family, instead of saving to do better work.
After years of painstaking efforts, Japan has become the world’s highest energy efficiency one of the countries (the United States, 2.75 times). Japan, the world’s leading solar energy technology in 2002, Japan’s solar power generation accounts for 46% of the global total.

Korea: in 2006 will build the world’s largest solar power plant

South Korea Jeollanam-do government has said they will be in April in conjunction with the U.S. latitude d410 battery,dell latitude d420 battery,dell latitude d430 battery company building the world’s largest solar power plant, generating 17 megawatts per hour.
Generating capacity of the plant far more than an hour in Germany with the type of 5-megawatt power plant generating capacity, is currently the world’s largest solar power plant.
Earlier, South Jeolla Province government and the U.S. wholly-owned Kore Group in a project agreement, the project injected 150 million U.S. dollars of foreign capital.
The agreement is based on regional governments and the United States in 2004 a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the Korean Peninsula building solar power plants in the city of Mokpo. Kore Group MOU explicitly provide funding for the project and implementation supervision.

Israel: the development of legislation to promote solar energy

As we all know, Israel is a sufficient sunshine, solar energy resources in countries with better conditions, the use of technology in solar energy research and development, not only by government departments, research institutions and enterprises attach great importance to and at the same time, but also with the United States, Europe, Australia countries and regions in a wide range of cooperative relations, so that Israel in this field has been in the ranks of the world’s leading.
An area of 1000 acres, generating power for 500,000 kilowatts of the world’s largest solar power plant will be in Israel’s southern Negev desert in the building. The solar power plants will reach a power-generating capacity 100,000 kilowatts by 2012 when the project is completed, power generation capacity will reach 500,000 kilowatts of electricity to the national electricity production accounts for about 5%. A long time, Israel has been the emphasis on solar energy technology research and development, domestic well-known research institutions in the field of solar energy technology has achieved many important results, so that Israel in the development and use of solar energy technologies to maintain the level of the world’s leading. However, due to the high cost of solar power, Israel has greatly restricted the development and utilization of solar energy. The power station was Israel’s first solar power station.

Israel’s lack of conventional energy sources is the inspiron 8600 battery only civilian in the law must install solar water heaters countries, Israel, therefore, solar water heater up to 90% penetration, per capita use of solar water heater area of the world.

Kevin Turner, Microsoft COO, is claiming Apple lawyers called him requesting Microsoft stop running the “laptop hunter” ads based upon outdated pricing information. Apple recently updated their laptop line and lowered some of their prices, something that was much needed as Apple’s prices were a step above the price improvements we’ve been seeing.

So, with Apple’s price drops, are the Microsoft ads inaccurate or is their premise still true, that there’s an Apple tax making Apple’s computers more expensive than those from Windows OEMs? I suspect there is still an Apple tax but I’ve not seen any updated comparisons showing if there’s a gap, and how much it might be.

Here’s a video taking apart the Laptop Hunters from a Mac advocate’s perspective. He does have a good point that if you want to be a film maker, you’re going to use Final Cut Pro on the Mac.

(Okay, Microsoft advocates: where’s your side of the argument?)

Either way, should Microsoft stop running the Laptop Hunter ads, or at least update them to reflect current prices? Apple’s certainly enjoyed their fun at poking Vista with a sharp stick in their ads, and it looks like Microsoft’s Laptop Hunter ads must have at least some impact or Apple wouldn’t bother asking for them to be removed.

I doubt Microsoft will drop the ads altogether, but I would at least like to see new ads reflecting current pricing from both camps. In the end, I suspect the ads aren’t making a major difference as I’m guessing buyers pretty much have decided if they are getting a Mac or a Windows PC before they enter the store.
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