Asus this week lauded its latest laptops' successful attempt to win the thumbs-up from audio specialist Dolby. Announcing two new machines, Asus said one comes with the Dolby Home Theater stamp of approval, while the other ships with "gameplay transforming" Dolby Digital Live technology.

Acer has re-iterated its plan to bundle Vodafone-branded 'super 3G' HSDPA data cards with a pair of upcoming notebook PCs, pledging to introduce TravelMate and Aspire laptops with the cards in the coming months.

Acer yesterday announced the second notebook to support HD DVD, following the lead set by Toshiba, the next-generation optical disc format's chief cheerleader, and as predicted. But don't expect it to ship with such a drive immediately - the first models may only ship with DVD drives.

Mesh has launched two new gamer-oriented desktop PC families, each based on AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual-core and equipped with ATI's Radeon Xpress 3200 chipset - on an Asus A8R32-MVP Deluxe motherboard - to enable CrossFire multi-GPU graphics.

It's official - the blurry 'Windows Vista-capable' logo that appeared on the web last week is real, as Epson demonstrated today when it launched a desktop system for the Japanese market that conforms to the certification process centred on Microsoft's next generation of Windows.

Fujitsu has put on show a pair of conceptual PC designs, one intended to show how an "ultra-mobile" machine might operate, the other a home computer system which looks funky enough but probably won't give Apple's industrial designers any sleepless nights.

UK mobile device reseller Expansys has become one of the first companies here to begin taking orders for Samsung's Q1 ultra-mobile PC. But it's not cheap - the Windows XP-based handheld is set to ship for the best part of £800 ($1,390/€1,148). The compact unit is scheduled to ship on 1 June.

Intel this week unveiled its entry into the low-cost developing-world computer stakes, and it's a whopper. Designed for India, the tower-on-its-side system is dubbed 'Jaagruti - which means 'awakening' in the local lingo - though 'juggernaut' might be a better choice given its size.

Dell has upgraded its Precision family of mobile workstations, adding a pair of new models to the line-up, both equipped with mobile-oriented Nvidia Quadro FX GPUs and Intel dual-core microprocessors.

Dell has begun taking orders for its anticipated Latitude D620 and D820 business-oriented notebooks - and has said the higher-end machine will sport an Nvidia graphics chip as yet unannounced by the GPU maker. It also said the machine will be offered with an HSDPA 3G data card - but not yet.

Nvidia hasn't announced its GeForce Go 7900 GS mobile GPU yet, but Toshiba yesterday said it has begun shipping a gaming-oriented notebook which delivers "state-of-the-art graphics" thanks to the new chip, 256MB of graphics memory and a 17in TruBrite display.

Dell UK appears to believe Intel's integrated graphics cores provide plenty of power for its laptop customers' needs. All but one of the PC giant's Inspiron notebooks - including the recently released 6400, highlighted for its "versatile entertainment" provision - now ship without a discrete GPU, it has emerged.

Gateway will next month ship what it claims is not only the most serviceable all-in-one desktop PC but one of the most secure - thanks to its Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip, used to encrypt data stored on the machine's hard drive.

In a bid to color up a dull computer line, Dell has agreed to purchase flashy PC maker Alienware.

With the buy, Dell gains a maker of high-performance systems aimed at gamers and other demanding customers. The often pricey Alienware boxes stand out for their colorful designs and high-end components. Dell officials earlier this month had downplayed rumors of an Alienware buy.

Dell today starts taking orders for its "limited edition" XPS 600 Renegade quad SLI, physics engine-equipped desktop gaming rig. The kit will set you back a whopping $9,930, although this includes Dell's 30in LCD monitor.

Samsung has shown off what it claims is the world's smallest dual-core notebook, a machine it describes as "ultra-mobile" that weighs just 1.9kg and sports a 12.1in, 1280 × 800 widescreen display.

Lenovo will next week ship its first own-brand dual-core notebook. The new model will be pitched a small-business buyers on a "limited budget".

Samsung has launched what it reckons its the world's first 32GB NAND Flash-based hard disk drive replacement unit. The company claimed the so-called "solid state disk" can access data three times faster than an HDD can and write files one-and-a-half times more quickly - though we don't know what HDD spec it was comparing its product to.

Philips has begun pitching its entry into the Media Centre PC arena to UK consumers, touting its MPC9350i as the ultimate home entertainment rig, offering music and movie playback, twin TV tuners, hard disk-based PVR functionality, wireless internet access and more.

Acer is to join Toshiba next month and offer a high-end notebook with an integrated HD DVD drive. So claims Chinese-language newspaper the Commercial Times today, according to a DigiTimes report.