If it's Thursday, then it must be time for more AMD rumors - this time a few different sources report the chipmaker's given its channel partners the high sign indicating "Kuma" dual-core Phenom-based processors will finally see the light of day. For those too shy to indulge in triple- or even quad-core action, El Reg says Phenom X2 dual core chips will range from 2.3GHz to 1.90 Ghz, sporting 1MB L2 cache and 2MB L3 cache for. Freaky 3-core overclockers can look forward to new, better performing 2.4Ghz Black Edition Phenom 8750s, and more efficient 125-watt Phenom 9950 CPUs, if we can trust leaked German sales charts -- and we always do, don't you?

Read - The Register
Read - PC Perspective

Oh AMD, you just can't keep it together, can you? Advanced Micro Devices, a company known for its share of "issues," has once again delayed its much-hyped, energy efficient Barcelona CPU. Apparently, a technical irregularity has caused the company to push back the release date for widespread availability of the chip until sometime early next year. The glitch, which causes the chip to fail, is just another line of setbacks on the product's path to release (originally set for mid-2007). John Taylor, a company spokesman, says, "We're continuing to ship it but only to specific customers." The company is offering a workaround for the chips until the problems are solved, though users will see an impact on performance. In other heart-wrenching (though seemingly unrelated) AMD news, the chipmaker has decided to re-up its older K8 architecture, refocusing on "Brisbane"-based chips, and even adding a few new models to the line. Over the next two quarters, the company will release 11 new 65nm chips based on the older format, while just three new entries will be made in the "Phenom" -- or K10 -- line. Look, Hector, everyone is pulling for you (except maybe Intel) -- just get it together, man!

[Thanks, Gary J]

Read - A.M.D. Delays Energy-Efficient Chip Again
Read - AMD Resurrects K8 Architecture for 2008 Roadmap

When it's been nearly six months since we've seen an elusive PowerPoint slide pointing to future AMD processors, it's been far too long, but it looks like the forecasting can begin again thanks to information about AMD's star-packed Q3. According to a roadmap slide charting out the future of AMD's "Stars" family of processors, a number of dual- and quad-core processor options will be headed to the desktop market sometime in the third and fourth quarters, and while the firm's "value" Athlon 64 X2 and Sempron chips will also see minor overhauls headed into Q1 of 2008, the focus seems to be on the Phenoms in the crew. The flagship quad-core Phenom FX (dubbed Agena FX) will clock in from 2.2GHz to 2.6GHz, sport 4 x 512KB of L2 cache, 2MB of L3 cache, and sport bus speeds of 3,200MHz or 3,600MHz. The X4 chips ratchet down in speed a bit, and only handle the AM2+ socket while the top-end FX plays nice with the 1207+. The X2 CPUs go the dual-core route, top out at 2.8GHz, but won't be ready for ordering until Q4 of this year. Be sure to hit the read link for a (larger) peek at the chart -- unless you just completed an order for a current-generation chip, that is.

[Via RegHardware]

If you fancy yourself a bit of an oaf then check this new business laptop from Toshiba. Said to withstand both drips and drops, the Dynabook Satellite K15 features a spill-proof keyboard, shock protected disk, and a reinforced, chip resistant 6.6-pound kit said to keep your data (and lease) safe from drops at up to 27.5-inches. Great and all, if you possess the freakish tendency to work at the kiddy table. Nevertheless, the K15 packs in a 15.4-inch, 1280 x 800 LCD, up to a 2.0GHz Core Duo T2500, 2GB memory, a rather wimpy 40GB (max) of 5400RPM disk, CD/DVD drive, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, and integrated Intel 945GM Express graphics. The K10 brings much of the same but with Intel's Celeron M processor and ATI's RADEON XPRESS 200M graphics thumping away at the heart. Additionally, the Satellite J60 series was announced which also pulls the Core Duo procs but with a 15-inch, 1400x1050 display, fingerprint reader, up to 2GB RAM, and that same, anemic 40GB disk listed amongst the specs. And get this, the J60s also feature a serial port, parallel port, PS/2 connector, and even a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive which, according to the machine translation, is built-in -- Hoozah! Expect a fully-spec'd K15, K10, and J60 to snag about ¥249,900 ($2,189), ¥174,300 ($1,527), and ¥268,800 ($2,354), respectively, when these drop in Japan next week. Click on for a snap of the J60 with floppy, 'cause just like a highway pile-up you know you can't look away.

[Via Impress]