Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by Onyx_black

Upgrade Windows Vista to DirectX 11

Onyx_black — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:42:00 +0800

DirectX 11 is the newest version of the API and it offers the greatest range of features. If you’re already running Windows 7, you’re all set, since it’s included with Microsoft's latest operating system. But what about the thousands upon thousands of gaming PCs still running Windows Vista? After all, having taken a fair bit of criticism for the way it handled DirectX 10, Microsoft says it has learned from its past mistakes and promises to do better this time around.

The message is clear: Windows Vista will be able to upgrade from DirectX 10 to version 11. Windows XP, on the other hand, is stuck with DirectX 9. End of story.

Microsoft’s plan is that DirectX 11 will become available to the general public with the release of Windows 7 in a few weeks. Windows Vista, on the other hand, won’t see the upgraded API until later as part of Vista’s Service Pack 3. While that may make sense from a marketing perspective (pushing the new OS based on a feature advantage) there is no real technological reason for this delayed approach.

The final version of DirectX 11 has been available since the end of August 2009. The trick is knowing how to get it installed on Vista. If you dig deep enough and go through the MS Knowledge Base, various blog entries, and the Developer Network, you can actually find an answer. However, it appears that Microsoft is determined to make upgrading Vista to DirectX 11 as difficult as possible.

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DELL Studio XPS™ 13 & 16 Notebooks [V2]

Onyx_black — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:28:02 +0800

Link(s) to previous thread(s):
DELL Studio XPS™ 13 & 16 Notebooks [V1]

Dell Studio XPS 13 Notebook (S510118MY) [Click here to start your customization]

Available options for customization

Processors
Up to Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo Processor P9600 (2.66GHz/ 1066 FSB/ 6MB Cache)

Operating System
Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic

Memory
Up to 4GB 1067MHz DDR3 SDRAM2
Up to 8GB 1067MHz DDR3 SDRAM2 for 64-bit Operating Systems

Chipset
NVIDIA® GeForce® MCP79MX

Graphics
Integrated NVIDIA® GeForce® 9400M graphics
256MB3 NVIDIA® GeForce® 9500M-GE with Hybrid SLI® Technology

LCD Display
Edge-to-edge Glossy 13.3 inch WXGA CCFL LCD display
Edge-to-edge Glossy 13.3 inch WXGA WLED LCD display

Audio and Speakers
4 Watt Integrated Stereo Speakers, 2 watts per channel, 2 channels

Hard Drives
Up to 500GB configured with a 5400RPM hard drive.
Up to 320GB configured with a 7200RPM hard drive.
Up to 128GB configured with a Solid State drive.

Optical Drives
8X DVD+/-RW5 Slot Load Drive

Power
6 cell 56 WHr Li-Ion Battery
9 cell 85 WHr Li-Ion Battery [Not available in Malaysia, yet]

Camera
2.0MP Integrated Webcam (with CCFL display)
1.3MP Integrated Webcam (with WLED display)
Dual Digital Array Microphones

Wireless

Wi-Fi Options:
Dell 1515 Wireless N Mini-Card

Bluetooth Options:
Bluetooth® Internal (2.0) mini-card

Ports, Slots, Chassis

Externally Accessible
(1) USB 2.0 compliant ports
(1) USB 2.0 compliant / e-SATA port with Powershare
15-pin VGA video connector
IEEE compliant 1394a port
Integrated network connector 10/100/1000 LAN (RJ45)
54mm Express Card slot
Display Port
HDMI Port
AC adapter connector
Audio jacks (2 line-out, 1 Mic-in)
8-in-1 Media Card Reader

Dimensions & Weight
Width: 12.56" (319mm)
Height: 0.88" (22.55mm) front / 1.35" (34.34mm) back
Depth: 9.3" (236.12mm)
Weight: Starting weight of 4.85 lbs. (2.2 kg)6(13.3" display, 6 cell battery). Weights will vary depending on configurations and manufacturing variability.

Dell Studio XPS 1340 Base Configuration