AMD plans to launch three six-core desktop processors (Thuban) under its new Phenom II X6 1000T series in May 2010, while Intel plans to launch its six-core desktop processors (Gulftown) beginning at the end of March, according to sources from motherboard makers.

Three processors from AMD, the Phenom II X6 1075T, 1055T and 1035T, will each adopt a 45nm process. AMD will also launch the quad-core Phenom II X4 960T alongside the six-core models, the sources noted.

AMD will launch compatible 890FX (RD890) and 890GX(RS880D) chipsets that pair with its SB850 southbridge, a month prior to introducing the CPUs, the sources added.

Intel's six-core desktop offering will kick off with the Core i7-980X, which is expected to be priced more than $1,000 USD, the sources said.

Both AMD and Intel declined the opportunity to respond to this report saying they do not comment on unannounced products.

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CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner.

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Apple today unveiled its iPad, after years of rumors that the company was building a tablet-like device. Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the device today during a special media-only event, saying it is "way better than a laptop, way better than a phone. It's the best web experience you've ever had."

Jobs began the introduction by discussing what kind of device might fit between a smartphone and a laptop. "We've wondered for years as well—in order to create that category, they have to be far better at doing some key tasks... better than the laptop, better than the smartphone," Jobs said. "Now, some people thought that was a netbook—the problem is that netbooks aren't better than anything!"

Then Jobs brought out the iPad, which looks much like an oversized iPhone. It features an interface that essentially a hybrid between Mac OS X and iPhone OS. In addition to browsing the web, included applications also give users access to iTunes media, including HD video content, calendars, photos, contacts, and more. The built-in e-mail client also looks like a hybrid between Mail on the Mac and Mail on the iPhone. Text entry is done with a large, on-screen QWERTY keyboard, which seemed very responsive during Jobs' demo.

The iPad hardware itself is built using a custom Apple-designed chip dubbed the "A4," running at 1GHz. It also has a beautiful 9.7" IPS LCD display with full multi-touch input. It also packs in 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, accelerometer, compass, speaker, microphone, 30-pin dock connector, and between 16 and 64 gigabytes of storage, as well as a 10 hour battery capable of a full month of standby time. All of that hardware in contained in a case that is just half an inch thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds.

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• There is no camera on the iPad.
• There's no way to lock the screen into landscape or portrait mode. Some apps lock the screen (like on the iPhone) but there's no universal way to lock the screen as you might on a Kindle or Nook.
• The landscape and portrait switching works in all 4 orientations, so you could read upside down if you liked.
• There's a sleep/wake button on the top, just like an iPhone. Also, there is a headphone jack and a speaker on the top (and one speaker on the bottom).
• There is a volume rocker switch on the side, just like the iPhone. You can also silent the device.
• No brightness controls outside of the system preferences, just like on the iPhone.
• You can use any bluetooth keyboard you want, instead of Apple's keyboard dock. You could use the case/stand with your existing bluetooth keyboard.
• You cannot use a bluetooth mouse, however.
• The screen resolution is 1024x768 (4:3).
• It can play 720p movies from iTunes.
• The case itself is some crazy soft rubbery microfiber material that no Apple rep could or would identify.
• The case/stand is $39.
• The case is very flat and solid like a Kindle case, but you can use it to prop the iPad up into a triangle so you can watch movies or use it like a laptop.
• The keyboard dock is $69 and the normal dock is $39.
• The browser is like Safari on the iPhone but it has toolbar favorites like on the Mac.
• It's much easier to click and navigate on the iPad than on an iPhone, just by virtue of it being larger.
• Size/weight is very comparable to a Kindle DX, which is twice as heavy as a Kindle 2.

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