AMD claims dual-core first with new Opterons

AMD has marked the second anniversary of its 64-bit Opteron chip by releasing multi-core versions of the server and workstation processor and also announcing the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processor brand. This will be the dual-core offering for desktops, which is already being sampled, and it is due to ship in June. There is immediate availability of the Dual-Core AMD Opteron 800 Series processor, for four- to eight-way servers, while the 200 Series processors for two-way servers and workstations will be available in late May. ...more

Microsoft could face huge EU fine

Microsoft could face a fine as high as $2.5 billion and be forced to drop features from Windows, according to confidential documents seen by The New York Times. According to the US newspaper, the documents reveal that the European Commission is alleging that Microsoft illegally used its Windows and Office software to, 'muscle into the fast-growing market for corporate and Internet computer software,' and that it, 'illegally sought to dominate music and video software for the Web. ...more

Mandrake serves up a polished version of its Linux

Mandrake has taken version 10.1 out of the cooker and onto the plates of Linux enthusiasts in the form of MandrakeLinux 10.1. ...more

Ricoh chooses both Blu-ray and HD DVD

The headache consumers face in choosing between the HD DVD and Blu-ray formats could be soothed by a new multiformat component developed by Ricoh. According to reports, Ricoh has developed an optical laser system able to read both Blu-ray and HD DVD formats, as well as existing DVD and CD standards. The device uses a single pickup and objective lens rather than separate components for each format and employs a 'diffraction grate' to adjust the laser beams to the correct incident ray so that they are focussed through the objective lens at the right point on the disc respective of each format. ...more

iTunes glitch gives Arctic Monkeys top spot

The Arctic Monkeys must be thanking whoever it was at the iTunes Store that helped them dominate the UK music charts last week. The band's album Favourite Worst Nightmare topped the album charts at the weekend, at the same time that 17 of its tracks featured in the top 200 singles chart. Two made it into the Top 75. ...more