The Test Center highlights noteworthy PC components that came through the lab so far this year. Manufacturers' ability to build components that support both quad- and dual-core hardware platforms continues to impress us.
Acer's latest Aspire Gemstone laptops come just in time for the holiday shopping blitz, targeting consumers with a range of entertainment-focused models.
It's been a busy quarter for shakeups in some of the industry's top channel companies. Here we look at several channel executives who have come and gone in the last few months.
Inside This Issue: March 17, 2008
Cover Story
The Desktop Ain't Dead
How desktop virtualization is becoming one of the hottest trends in the channel.
Slide Show: Vendors Sound Off On Desktop Virtualization
Vendors large and small are looking to stake their territory in the hot desktop virtualization market.
News Analysis
Rising Tide
Windows Server 2008 has arrived and the view on what that means for Vista is decidedly mixed.
Social Networking For Business
Social networking isn't just about friendly interaction--for some VARs, it's a valuable business tool.
>> IBM Gears Up For UC Battle
>> UC Agenda Bears Fruit
>> Dell's EqualLogic Leverage
>> SMB Cash In HP Crosshairs
>> Revolution In Five Parts
Fast Growth
Crossing The Pond
Cognizant Technology and Pinnacle Data Systems both make major inroads into European markets.
Presence Drives Pinnacle's Europe Play
Market Focus
Open Range
SMBs have a number of VoIP solutions at their disposal already and now comes the advent of open source PBX.
Tech Focus
Android Dream
With the iPhone SDK here, the CRN Test Center questions whether Google's Android has a niche of its own to carve.
>> Apple's iPhone SDK Arrives
>> Your PC Workspace, Secured
>> Adobe's Not The Only Game In Town
ShadowRAM
ShadowRAM: March 17, 2008
Jay Mohr's 'Everything Channel' Vew; VARs Build Bikes For Kids; Seen And Heard.
These articles were mentioned in this issue of CRN.
• 2008 CRN Channel Champions Awards
• HP's Promises Major Increase In Channel Investment
• Microsoft Demos Integration Of Windows Server, SQL, Visual Studio
• Intel To Push New Categories With Atom Brand
• 2008 Channel Chiefs: The List
• Video: SonicWall On Enterprise Strategy
• Slide Show: HP's Extreme Partner Conference
COLUMNISTS
Robert C. DeMarzo:
Channel Centric
Big Winners, Surprises In Channel Champs
Smaller VARs and those reliant on two-tier distribution are more comfortable with these players than they have been in a long time.
Robert Faletra:
On The Record
It's An Ideal Time To Be A Solution Provider
Sure, technical expertise is still important, but to drive your business you are going to have to get better at marketing.
Craig Zarley:
On The Front Lines
Clearing The Hurd-les
Mark Hurd wants to invest in the channel more of HP's most expensive sales and marketing asset: himself.
Larry Hooper:
Under The Radar
Will SP1 Boost Vista?
Those of us in the tech world have had a good year bashing Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows Vista.
