Nicholas Rayner

Computer Hardware

Nicholas — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:05:00 GMT

A list of my computer hardware as at 6th July 2009:

PC Hardware

I use the Touchsmart as my main desktop when I am in the home office. The Touchsmart is great as a desktop PC as it only required one cable (power supply) and takes up limited desk space.

CPU	Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.2 Ghz
RAM	4GB RAM @ 800Mhz
HDD	320GB 7200rpm
Video	Intel Series 4 Chipset
Other	Slot loading DVD +/- RW
	Ralink AGN Wireless Card
Operating System	Windows Vista SP1 x64

HP EliteBook 2730p Tablet PC

I use the 2730p mostly for work, i use OneNote and Project 2007 heavily in taking notes and managing projects. This is the lightest of my Tablet PCs and the preferred device for a day out of the office.

CPU	Intel Core 2 Duo Centrino 2 @ 1.86GHz
RAM	4GB RAM @ 800Mhz
HDD	80GB 5400 RPM
Video	Intel Series 4 Express Chipset
Other	Multi-touch screen
	HP Docking Port with DVD +/- RW
Operating System	Windows 7 RC (Build 7100) x64

Fujitsu Lifebook T5010 Tablet PC

I use the T5010 when i need more power, with the 2.53 GHz CPU and 4GB of RAM this device is great for programming, running virtual machines and as a desktop replacement with a glorious 13.x” screen. Of course i use this device with OneNote and Project 2007 too :)

CPU	Intel Core 2 Duo Centrino 2 @ 2.53GHz
RAM	4GB RAM @ 1066MHz
HDD	320GB 7400rpm (Primary) 250GB 5400rpm (Secondary, removable)
Video	Intel Series 4 Express Chipset
Other	Intel WiFi Link 5300 AGN
	Wacom Digitizer
	DVD +/- RW
	Fujitsu Docking Port
Operating System	Windows 7 RC (Build 7100) x64

Fujitsu T2020 (With 3G) Tablet PC

Currently on loan

CPU	Intel Core 2 Duo Centrino 2 @ 1.2GHz
RAM	4GB RAM @ 1066MHz
HDD	250GB 5400rpm
Video	Intel Series 4 Express Chipset
Other	Intel WiFi Link 5300 AGN
	Wacom Digitizer
	Sierra Wireless HSPA (7.2 Mbps)
	Fujitsu Docking Port
Operating System	Windows Vista Ultimate SP2 x64

HP Touchsmart TX2-1015au

CPU	AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core 2.0 GHz
RAM	2GB RAM @ 667MHz
HDD	250GB 5400rpm
Video	ATI Radeon HD 3200
Other	N-trig Digitzer support Multi-touch
	Webcam, Fingerprint reader & Wireless N card

Viliv S5 Premium Air – Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC)

CPU	Intel Atom 1.33 GHz (Z250)
RAM	1GB RAM
HDD	16GB SSD
Video	Intel Series 4 Chipset
Other	Huawei HSPA Modem
	GPS SiRFstar3

HP Pavilion DV7

CPU	Intel Core 2 Quad Core @ 2.0 GHz (Q9000)
RAM	4GB RAM @ 1066GHz
HDD	2 x 500GB 5400rpm
Video	ATI Radeon HD 4650 (1GB RAM)
Other	17.3-inch HD Flush Glass Display
	HP Integrated HDTV Tuner
	Altec Lansing Speakers with SRS Premium Sound & Subwoofer

HP Mini 1115NR

CPU	Intel Atom 1.6 GHz
RAM	1GB RAM @ 800GHz
HDD	16GB SSD
Video	Intel Series 4 Chipset
Other	8.9 inch WSVGA LED Widescreen

Server Hardware

CPU	Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz
RAM	8GB RAM @ 800MHz
HDD	80GB 7200rpm (System)
	500GB 7200rpm (Data)
Operating System	Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta (Build 7000) x64
Features	Domain Controller
	Hyper-V
	File Server

This is my main server and runs 2 Virtual Machines under Hyper-V whilst providing me with a Domain Controller and Network File Services. The two virtual machines are:

Virtual Machine 1:

This virtual machine is used to manage the health of my network and to ensure that all PCs are up-to-date with both Windows Update and Anti-Virus definitions and to provide a File Server for all machines to access.

Operating System	Windows Server 2008 R2 RC (Build 7100) x64
Features	IIS 7
Software	Microsoft Widnows Server Update Services 3 SP2 Beta
	Microsoft Operations Manager 2007 SP1
	Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Virtual Machine 2:

This virtual machine is used to host my Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 site and some smaller sites that are in development. For larger web development projects i use a separate virtual machine, but this machine is only turned on when required.

Operating System	Windows Server 2008 R2 RC (Build 7100) x64
Features	IIS 7
Software	Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007
	Microsoft Office Project Server 2007
	Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Twikini – Twitter client for Windows Mobile

Nicholas — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:24:00 GMT

Over the past few weeks i have been looking for a new Twitter client for my Palm Treo Pro to replace CeTwit. I stumbled across Twikini and i LOVE IT! The UI is clean and simple and displays greater performance over other Twitter clients for Windows Mobile.

To see more features in Twikini, head over to their site and either download a trial or purchase a copy (highly recommended!)

SBTUG: IT News – Week in review 12 April 2009

Nicholas — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 05:22:00 GMT

I’ve just posted the latest Tech news from the past week over on the Sydney Business & Technology User Group (SBTUG) blog

SBTUG: IT News – Week in review 29 March 2009

Nicholas — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 04:14:00 GMT

I’ve just posted the latest IT News from this week over on the Sydney Business & Technology User Group blog, head over their now to check out some great news from the past week.

MIX09 Predictions – was i right?

Nicholas — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:36:00 GMT

Last weekend I posted my six predictions of the announcements to come at Microsoft’s MIX09 Web Developer & Designer conference. Well how did i go?

Internet Explorer 8 – release to manufacturing CORRECT
Silverlight 3 – announcement & beta availability CORRECT
Azure Services Platform – platform announcements, new functionality for SQL Data Services, .NET Services, Live Framework CORRECT
Microsoft Expression Suite – beta of the next version announced CORRECT – well half a point here as Expression Blend 3 was the only product update to be announcement, hopefully more to come soon
Visual Studio 2010 – more details, possible beta availability but that will probably wait for Tech-Ed North America WRONG – no announcements here :(

Overall I did pretty good, I would have loved to see another CTP of Visual Studio 2010 but i guess we’ll have to wait a little while longer.

SBTUG: IT News – Week in review 22 March 2009

Nicholas — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:19:00 GMT

I’ve just posted the weekly round up of IT News with a heap of new product announcements for Developers including Silverlight 3, Microsoft Expression Blend 3 & Expression Web Preview as well as some updates to the Windows Azure Services platform. Head over the the Sydney Business & Technology User Group website to check it out

I’m a Tablet PC video

Nicholas — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:57:30 GMT

While catching up on news feeds and social networks i looked at the latest discussions on the LinkedIn Tablet PC Enthusiasts group and found this great video.

And BTW the I’m a Tablet PC logo was designed by Craig Pringle, Microsoft MVP – Tablet PC

New Windows Mobile ad

Nicholas — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:42:07 GMT

This is a great ad from the Windows Mobile team

Via Eileen Brown

IT News – Week in review 15 March 2009

Nicholas — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 09:17:00 GMT

I’ve just posted this week’s IT News – Week in review over on the Sydney Business & Technology User Group blog, the post summarises the major news events relating to Microsoft and related technologies over the past week.

MIX 2009 predictions

Nicholas — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 03:49:00 GMT

With Microsoft’s MIX 09 conference fast approaching (March 18-20) i thought i would offer up some predictions on what Microsoft may announce this year.

Internet Explorer 8 – release to manufacturing
Silverlight 3 – announcement & beta availability
Azure Services Platform – platform announcments, new functionality for SQL Data Services, .NET Services, Live Framework
Microsoft Expression Suite – beta of the next version announced
Visual Studio 2010 – more details, possible beta availability but that will probably wait for Tech-Ed North America

I am also expecting (well hoping) that Microsoft announce a new product or major product update that no one has predicted