HP EliteBook 8740w specs begin to take shape, ATI FirePro M7820 revealed

You've been wondering, we know, why the newly unveiled 2540p and 2740p EliteBooks from HP weren't accompanied by their heavyweight compadre, the 8740w, but as it turns out the latter might be taking a bit longer to launch due to its inclusion of ATI's as yet unannounced FirePro M7820 GPU. Joining up with the earlier leaked M5800, this is likely to form the backbone of ATI's pro graphics refresh, with its innards based on the successful HD 5870, meaning it offers DirectX 11 functionality, 1GB of GDDR5 memory, and probably the most graphical horsepower your lap has ever seen. This is aided by the low-voltage, but highly potent Core i7-720QM CPU and four DDR3 slots for up to 16GB of RAM on the 8740w. You have until the end of the month to figure out what to do with all that power, which is when the rumormongers expect this machine to be announced.

[Thanks, Reznov]

[xsacha Posted Mar 4th 2010 8:38AM]

HP EliteBook 8740w
Intel Core i7-720QM
16GB RAM
ATI FirePro M7820 (HD 5870 based) 1GB GDDR5

I'm predicting a recession when this gets released. Engadget Recession Antidote?

[ddmeightball Posted Mar 4th 2010 8:45AM]

@xsacha Agreed. This thing will be expensive enough to put me into a personal recession so Engadget needs to have a give away! This thing will be a beast!

[think before you react Posted Mar 7th 2010 9:07PM]

@ddmeightball
I would LOVE to see this graphics processor supported by Apple. Then I could get my hackintosh on OR I could get a Mac with this processor in it and play Valve's new line up for Mac.

Too bad Apple doesn't support good graphics chips. I mean COME ON!- My MBP is almost 3 years old and I still have the same high end GPU that is in current MBP's. (9600 is just a rebrand of the 8600) Gimme graphics Apple!

[ddmeightball Posted Mar 4th 2010 8:43AM]

...drool....

[Prevacator Posted Mar 4th 2010 9:09AM]

About time ATi is refreshing their FireGL series with the new RV870 chips.

[crumble Posted Mar 4th 2010 9:19AM]

With this, I can conquer the world.

[feelings Posted Mar 4th 2010 9:49AM]

Hmm. Might have to make this my next SolidWorks business laptop.

[Gi Posted Mar 4th 2010 10:48AM]

under 3gs and you're mine!

[KO Posted Mar 4th 2010 1:11PM]

I'm seeing 3/17 for release.