So, finally the preview 2 of Microsoft Intenet Explorer 7.0 is now available for download; this time  officially, after it was leaked last week all over the internet.  Here's a quick summary of what's new:

• New toolbars & interface with a search box
  
• Tabbed browsing (finally!) - Just like Firefox, no need to open new windows
• RSS feeds
• Better security features, which alert you if the site you are browsing is suspicious
  

Almost makes you wonder what the fuss was all about.  Frankly, we aren't impressed. Sure, the features are new for Microsoft, but they aren't for someone who is using Mozilla Firefox; things like tabbed browsing have existed in Firefox since the very early versions.  In fact, the IE 7 almost now looks  like a customized version of Firefox.  But, if you still want to have a dekho, you can click here to download (it is about 12MB in size)

That's right. And there's a good reason.  After extensive testing by major  labs, it has been revealed that the laptop's, which are using the Intel''s Centrino Dual-core processor's suffer from a major flaw that drains upwards of 80 minutes of battery life.

Though Intel is claiming at the moment that flaw is not in their dual core processor but in Microsoft Windows driver, the real issue is still unclear. But, if it is actually dual core processor fault, it could affect the newly announced Apple Macbook Pro as well.

What is perhaps making the matter more murky is perhaps the lack of fix from either one - Intel or Microsoft. So, our advice to fellow geeks is to wait a bit till there comes a clear update on the dual core processor. 

Update - 16th February 2006
Microsoft is currently developing a patch and a BIOS update for the dual core centrino problem, though a date hasn't been announced. There is a temporary fix (lookup KB899179 in Microsoft Knowledgebase), but we suggest our readers to wait for the proper fix.