Stories by Georgina Swan

Lako Vision signs video card distribution deal

Melbourne-based Lako Vision has finalised a deal to distribute Osprey video cards in the Australian market.
Lako Vision, a division of video editing and sports graphics company Pineapplehead, will be the sole distributor of the cards, which employ a server-based technology that allows the simultaneous downloading of video files from the Internet or local area networks.

Acer sets sights on whitebox market

Acer's new assembly facility at Homebush in Sydney is gearing up to offer built-to-order desktops to the channel. The computer manufacturer is currently limited to supplying machines in quantity; if resellers want a customised order, they must source and install the components themselves. The new system will allow the channel to place an order for as little as one customised machine.

Watch out for buy.com: Analysts

buy.com has announced strong second quarter financial results, but profitability remains elusive.
The e-tailing giant reported Q2 revenues of $US193.2 million, up 49.4 per cent compared to the same quarter last year. The growth was driven by a 195 per cent increase in new customer accounts, while repeat orders accounted for 62 per cent of sales.

Mobile phones to carry warnings

Customers will soon be able to make a more informed decision about buying a mobile phone, following an agreement by the industry to make energy emission information more available to the consumer.
The phone industry is set to make information about electromagnetic radiation (EMR) more accessible under a voluntary scheme which could see phone EMR levels printed on the mobile packaging.

PC market slows in GST wake

The Asia Pacific PC market may be growing, but Australian sales suffered negative Q2 growth as businesses locked down spending in the lead up to the GST, according to a Dataquest report by market analyst Gartner.

Software Spectrum sells professional services in MBO


International reseller Software Spectrum has sold its Australian and New Zealand professional services division to the local operator in a management buyout.

The buyout, which involves the company's 55 employees who will become shareholders in the new business, was spearheaded by former Software Spectrum Asia Pacific managing director David Colwin.

Next Byte drops out of Apple reseller listing

One of the companies slated to form a new Apple retail conglomerate has dropped out of the project, deciding to continue trading as an independent reseller rather than listing on the ASX with the group.

Palm set to release new PDA

While most consumers would not dispute the convenience of using a personal digital assistant (PDA), there remain a few major obstacles to mainstream adoption of the devices.

HP tops channel sales, MD quits

HP Australasia's managing director Bruce Thompson has quit the company at a time when it has finally out-gunned Compaq in channel sales.

Laptop Land opens Adelaide store

The Mercury Group has moved its retail arm into the South Australian market, opening its first Laptop Land store in Adelaide.

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