We’re not sure what’s going on in Vietnam these days but it’s suddenly a hot bed for industry leaks. Perhaps it’s due to manufacturers expanding from China to Vietnam’s relatively cheap (but limited) labor pool? Or maybe it’s because the kids at Tinhte are just resourceful as hell? Whatever it is, they’ve just scooped themselves what appears to be an unannounced MacBook update (identifying itself as a MacBook7,1) that includes a faster 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (up from 2.26GHz) and NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM (an update from the GeForce 9400M found in the current MacBook6,1) — right, the same CPU and GPU as the entry level 13-inch MacBook Pro but for only $999 (assuming Apple maintains the same entry-level pricing). These minor bumps aren’t enough to warrant a model change, however, as we’re still seeing “Model No: A1342″ stamped on the box. Of course, this could be an elaborate hoax, but Tinhte has an impressive track record and these MacBook specs are right in line with what we’d expect since the white MacBook was last updated in October 2009. No word on when we’ll see these announced but it’s gotta be soon — Tuesday perhaps, with a refreshed MacBook Air if we’re lucky. Video unboxing after the break and plenty of pics for Zaprudering at the source link below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Tinhte

On the 107th day, Stuart Hughes revealed the solid gold iPad. With 53 diamonds set in the Apple logo, and the casing crafted from 22ct gold, 10 lucky people can snap one up—for $189,000. [Stuart Hughes]

There’s no word yet on when the Motorola Motoroi will make it to T-Mobile (in the industry we call that “the T-Motoroiola rumor”) but there has definitely been a good deal of chatter concerning this handset. The latest has Pocket-lint confirming a UK release with Moto itself. Offering similarities to Taipei’s HSPA-lovin’ XT701, users in Ol’ Blighty (and the rest of the UK) can look forward to an 8-megapixel camera (with a Xenon flash), support for 720p video, mini HDMI, and an unspecified processor boost. In addition, Android 2.1 is likely to be part of the deal. We have neither a timeline nor a price, and the veracity of this rumor is yet to be established (although it does seem like a no-brainer), but if this all goes down as Pocket-lint says it will you can color us Yanks mighty jealous.

GSM Arena

Pocket-lint

We’ve still got thousands of unanswered questions (well, maybe not thousands, but definitely dozens) about RIM’s upcoming BlackBerry 6 platform — and it’s starting to look like we might be answering those questions at retail by way of this Bold 9800 slider that’s been making the rounds lately. BGR claims that the handset is lining up for a mid- to late-June release on AT&T, with the carrier having placed a substantial million-plus unit order to lock it up as an exclusive for some undetermined length of time (much as Verizon has managed to do both with the Storm and the Storm2). We hate to point out the obvious, but from a PR perspective, June’s not the best month to be announcing and / or releasing anything that isn’t an iPhone — and when you look at the 9800’s form factor and the baby steps that BlackBerry 6 seems to make toward boosting consumer appeal, we don’t think you can make an argument that this is a sufficiently different market segment the same way you could with, say, the 9700. In other words: we wouldn’t be shocked to see this date slip a bit, assuming the rumor pans out.

BGR

Although Google launched the Nexus One with grand plans to radically change the way consumers purchased phones and service, it looks like the experiment has fizzled to an end — the company just announced that will eventually stop selling handsets online and instead partner with carriers to sell the N1 in-store while using its website to promote “a variety of Android phones available globally.” Google says customers simply want a hands-on experience before buying a phone, but we’d say the lack of subsidies from any carrier except T-Mobile and some serious customer service issues probably played in killing Google’s original sales strategy — and of course, both Verizon and Sprint essentially refused the N1 in favor of the bespoke Incredible and EVO 4G. We’d also say that Android as a whole will remain unaffected, since the Nexus One was never a huge seller, but it’s still rare that a company simply gives up a business model like this, and we don’t know if Google will ever follow up with a successor to the Nexus One. The Google Phone is dead, people — long live the Google Phone.

Update: We just asked Google about future devices and support for current Nexus One owners, here’s what they said:

Google blog

Mac and Linux users are still being asked to hold their horses, but Windows loyalists can begin testing out that hotly-anticipated group video calling feature today. Skype’s latest beta, which was detailed earlier in the month, is now available to download for those willing to take the risk, with Skype 5.0 Beta adding support for “group video calls with up to four people.” Hit that source link to get things rolling, and be sure to drop us a line once you and your four besties have had a chance to give ‘er a go.

Pocket-lint

Skype

Desktop case connoisseurs will recognize the above as NZXT’s Vulcan enclosure, and they’ll also know it comes with two 120mm fans, at front and top, plus the option to add in a 200mm (that’s eight inches, folks!) blower under the mesh side panel. Mind you, you’ll be needing all the cooling you can get if you opt to run two of either the Radeon HD 5970 or GeForce GTX 480 in tandem, which this beastie can handle with its 1,200 Watt PSU. In terms of other specs, the Lan Warrior part deux will service you with anything up to an Intel Core i7-980X, 24GB of DDR3 RAM, and up to two terabytes of SSD storage. We decided we’d max those options out and got ourselves a blood-chilling $11,658 quote. Hit the source below to try and spec out a more reasonable rig, we’re sure it’s possible.

iBUYPOWER Launches LAN Warrior II – Powerful Second Generation µATX Form Factor PC Comes Locked and Loaded for LAN Party Battles

Core-i7 powered LAN Warrior has room for 2 Full-length video cards and up to 24GB of DDR 3 Memory is housed in the highly acclaimed NZXT Vulcan Micro ATX Chassis

El Monte, CA – May 14, 2010 – iBUYPOWER, a leading innovator in gaming PCs, is excited to announce the new LAN Warrior II µATX form factor PC. The LAN Warrior II is 40% smaller than most full tower desktops, but don’t let its modest footprint fool you, it packs quite a punch. The battle ready LAN Warrior II comes fully loaded with an Intel Core i7 processor, up to 2 ATI Radeon HD 5970 or 2 NVIDIA GTX 480 graphics cards in CrossfireX or SLI mode, and has room for up to 24 GB of DDR3 Memory.

Coming just over a year after the original PC Gamer Editor’s Choice-winning LAN Warrior, the second-generation LAN Warrior is the most powerful µATX gaming system in existence, offering enough cooling, space, and power to stand toe-to-toe with any full-size desktop system, while maintaining a small footprint and boasting advanced portability features.
“LAN party gamers demand more power than a notebook can deliver but disconnecting and shipping a full tower desktop to an event is a difficult and clumsy endeavor,” said Darren Su, Vice President of iBUYPOWER. “The LAN Warrior II provides gamers with a more portable solution and is ready to take on any full sized system.”

The LAN Warrior II is housed in the portable new NZXT Vulcan case, which features a durable non-slip finished top handle. The spacious Vulcan offers gamers superior cooling options with room for up to 3x 120mm, 1x 200mm, 1x 92mm fans and dual external water cooling cutouts. The LAN Warrior II launches with a full set of available air-cooling options, with a customized Liquid cooling unit to be available soon. The enclosure’s 2x USB, E SATA, Audio + Mic ports are all continently located and easily accessible on the enclosure’s top panel. The Vulcan is also available with internal LED lighting for night ops.

The LAN Warrior II starts at $999 and is available now exclusively at www.iBUYPOWER.com. iBUYPOWER systems come standard with 3 year limited warranty and lifetime technical support.

For additional information about iBUYPOWER please visit www.ibuypower.com, or contact PR representative Mark Olson at 305.576.1171 x17 or markolson@maxborgesagency.com.

iBuyPower