HAVE you just bought a bang up-to-date computer? Does it sport the very latest Intel pentium III processor? Then I've got some bad news. It's already yesterday's technology.

Stung by criticism that it held back new models until after Christmas, CPU giant Intel recently took the wraps off its newest addition - the Pentium 4.

Intel reckons its new baby enables new levels of performance for 3D graphics and modem Internet technologies.

The Pentium 4 processor was launched with worldwide support from major computer makers and software vendors. Systems are already shipping with the new chip - just in time for the Christmas rush.

To deliver greater performance over the Internet, the Pentium 4 processor uses the grand sounding "Intel NetBurst micro-architecture".

Basically a fancy way of speeding up instruction execution, it represents the first new desktop processor micro-architecture from Intel since the P6 micro-architecture was introduced in the Pentium Pro processor in 1995.

NetBurst and other technical innovations make Pentium 4 processor-based PCs the ideal machines for creating and experiencing Internet based media.

The Pentium 4 processor I will be available at 1.4 and 1.5 GHz speeds. The Pentium 4 processor is manufactured on Intel's 0.18 micron process technology and is available now.

"The Pentium 4 processor's performance shines the brightest where PC enthusiasts and power users will appreciate it the most," said Paul Otellini, general manager, Intel Architecture Group.

"Whether streaming content, playing interactive games, encoding video and MP3 files, or creating Internet content, the Pentium 4 processor is designed to meet the needs of today's most demanding computer users."

l Christmas entertaining takes its toll on all our gadgets but none more so than the fridge, weighed down with the weight of all those Chrismas goodies - champagne, canapes and turkey.

Help is at hand from Zanussi, in the shape of the Zanussi Vivo - a frost free fridge freezer that combines intelligent technology with enough storage space to accommodate even the largest of Christmas feasts.

Zanussi's designers have introduced a gentle curve to the door, that gives greater capacity for those extra jars of cranberry jelly and bread sauce. It can also fit a five litre bottle of water and a six pack of fizzy drinks or beer, inside the capacious compartment.

Revellers will be pleased to note there's also a bottle rack that comes as standard for six bottles of bubbly!

The latest sensory technology, maintains an even temperature throughout the fridge freezer. It also has independent fridge and freezer controls, which allows you to control the temperature in each compartment.

The fridge has an 'Intelligent Airflow System' to help keep food fresher for longer, whilst making best use of energy. For all the additional vegetables and salad that will be needed during the holiday break, there's a salad crisper that can be divided into sections and a removable super chill compartment that is kept at 2C lower than the rest of the fridge, ideal for the sausages and fish.

The freezer, which has large removable drawers for easy loading, as well as a maxi drawer big enough for a 281b turkey, boasts a fast freeze facility, meaning that fresh food can be frozen quickly to help prevent the loss of essential vitamins and minerals.

The Vivo's other features include handy audible door alarms as well as auto door closing.

It comes in four models and is available from all good electrical retailers.