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Gigabyte busts out M1125 netvertible ahead of Computex
Gigabyte's just let its Computex 'cat' out of the bag, and while most of it is stuff we've already seen plenty of, there was one new addition. The 11.6-inch M1125 netvertible boasts a high res 1,366 x 768 display, an Intel Calpella chip, USB 3.0 and an optical disc drive. This little guy also has a new fangled docking station and a full sized keyboard to boot. We don't have anything resembling full specs yet, nor do we have pricing or availability information -- though we get the feeling we'll be seeing plenty more of this one in the week to come. Full press release follows.
Intel putting some ultra-thin laptop CPUs on hold to gauge demand?
Rumors of Intel delaying processors to avoid stepping on some of its other processors' toes? Stop us if you've heard this one before. This latest instance concerns some unspecified ultra-thin laptop CPUs that Intel has reportedly now put on hold until the third quarter of the year and, according to DigiTimes, a launch then will still depend on what demand looks like at that point. All of this is supposedly at least due in part to Acer's decision to shelve some of its ultra-thin laptops that would have used the processors, and instead focus on thin-and-light Calpella-based laptops. No word from Intel, of course, but past history suggests we could see some further back and forth before things finally shake out.
Acer launching thin, Calpella-based notebooks this summer?
The progression of ever-faster notebooks seems to have dwindled, but the quest for thinner and lighter goes on. Acer is said to be finding the balance between those two goals with its next suite of thin performers, starting with a range of mid- and high-end portables based on Intel's Calpella series of processors, the Nehalem spin-off that we haven't heard much about lately. Sizes are said to be 13-, 14-, and 15-inches, all will be manufactured by Wistron, and all said to be one inch thin at their thinnest point -- hopefully not much thicker elsewhere if they want to turn heads. These higher-performing machines will eventually phase out Acer's CULV offerings, which apparently have had unimpressive sales thanks to a perceived lack of performance by consumers. We can't imagine where they got that idea...
Intel Arrandale chips detailed, priced and dated?
Who's up for some more Intel roadmap rumoring? The latest scuttlebutt from "notebook players" over in the far East is that the chip giant has finally settled on names, speeds, and prices for its first three Arrandale CPUs, which are expected to arrive in the first half of 2010. The Core i5-520UM and Core i7-620UM both run at 1.06GHz, while the top Core i7-640UM model speeds ahead at 1.2GHz, with bulk-buying prices of $241, $278, and $305 per unit of each processor. Even if the processing speeds might not impress on paper, these 32nm chips splice two processing cores, the memory controller, and graphics engine all into the same package and thereby deliver major power savings. Platform pricing is expected to remain at around $500 for netbooks, while the ultrathins these chips are intended for should hit the $600 to $800 range... if Lord Intel wills it so.
Leaked Lenovo roadmap shows Calpella laptops coming January 2010?
Our compatriots at Engadget Chinese have happened upon what looks to be a roadmap for Lenovo's upcoming laptops between now and March 2010. Recently in the wild T400s is on there, slated for mid-July or so, with a pair of new SL models following in August. More interesting than all that, however, is the sheer number of new X, T, W, SL, and SLc laptops listed for the beginning of 2010 that utilize Intel's upcoming Calpella platform. We're not gonna put too much stock into these pictures right now, but it definitely raises a few eyebrows. More slides after the break.
Intel reveals notebook and netbook plans for the rest of the year
The netbook formula hasn't evolved much since its inception, still offering largely the same configuration and performance as it ever has. That likely won't change until the end of the summer, with Intel announcing that it's even thinking about retiring the newer Atom N280 processor and GN40 chipset entirely, leaving the older and more common N270 with its 945GSE as the main choice until September, when the new Pineview Atom chips might finally hit production. The company is also creating a whitebox N270-based 8.9-inch netbook that it's shopping around to resellers, again not doing any favors to fans of variety. Moving up to skinny 12- to 13-inch notebooks, Intel is still pushing its CULV architecture, and has its dual-core Calpella platform poised for inclusion in anything with a targeted MSRP of $1,200 and above -- and a release date sometime after the third quarter. That's a few months too late to catch the needy college freshman crowd, Intel.
Intel demos first-ever 32nm processors
Intel had a little roadmap event today to shed some light on its massive $7b fab investment, and the focus was mostly on the upcoming transition to 32nm processors -- highlighted by the first-ever demo of a working 32nm Nehalem-based Westmere chip. It was just a demo, so there aren't any hard benchmarks available, but eventually the tech will show up in the Calpella platform's dual-core Clarkdale laptop processors that integrate two processor cores, a graphics core, and a memory controller all in a chip the size of one 45nm quad-core Clarksfield chip. (Yes, the codenames are confusing as hell.) Intel wouldn't lock down the schedule for any of this stuff, but when we asked them about the rumored Calpella delays we heard about this morning we were told that parts of the platform will definitely go into production sometime in 2009. Video, slides, and the full press release after the break.
Intel invests $7 billion in Stateside 32nm manufacturing
You might not be getting you hands on that Calpella any time soon, but that isn't a sign that Intel is backing down -- if anything, the company has big things in store, including a newly announced $7 billion plan to upgrade four of its Stateside facilities so they can start rolling out those new-fangled 32nm chips we've been hearing so much about. This is good news for the struggling American manufacturing sector, and great news for fans of smaller, faster gadgets -- but not particularly great news for AMD, who entered the new year with a $1.4 billion loss and an eroding share of the x86 processor market.[Via Forbes]
Intel puts the freeze on notebook prices, ponders Calpella delay
We know what you're thinking. A global economic downturn can only mean one thing: savings! Perhaps, but if you were holding out for a price break on that new Intel-powered laptop, it looks like you may have a little longer to wait. According to DigiTimes, Intel is notifying its partners that it won't be cutting notebook prices before the end of May. If the report is correct, the company will start reducing the price of some notebook CPUs (including the Core 2 Duo T9600) by 13-40% in June, adjusting the launch schedule of its Calpella platform "based on its partners' inventory status and market demand." You know what that means -- no new processor, and no price cuts, not until manufacturers get rid of their current inventory. And it looks like Intel means it. Now go clean up your room or you won't get any dessert.[Via SlashGear]
Leaked Intel roadmap shows Centrino 2 bump just before Calpella hits
Intel's Montevina mobile processors will get a significant bump in the 2nd quarter of 2009 with the 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo T9900, and the 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo P8800. A completely separate, slightly more suspect Digitimes rumor tells of a possible Core 2 Quad Q9600 CPU of unknown speed and power. Regardless, we won't get to bask in their awesomeness for very long, as the switchover to the Calpella platform (and Clarksfield) will follow quickly in the 3rd quarter of 2009. Will the rumor-mill never cease to torture us? [Via Electronista]Read - Intel Clarksfield & Ibex Peak-M Chipsets In Q3 '09Read - Intel planning Montevina Refresh
Intel Nehalem processor gets "turbo mode," blinking red lights
Well, one of the two at least. As Extreme Tech reports, Intel let out word of the hereto unheard of "turbo mode" for its Nehalem Core i7 processors at its big Intel Developer Forum this week, with it describing it as an "entirely new process technology for power." More specifically, the mode, or so-called "power gate," turns off cores that would otherwise be left idle when they're not in use, and reroutes the power budget that normally would be applied to those cores to the active cores, which promises to further boost their performance without wasting power. According to Intel, that'll be a standard feature across the entire Nehalem family, including the first mobile versions of the processor that'll be at the center of the Calpella platform, which is on track for a launch sometime next year.[Via PC Magazine]
Intel's Nehalem-based laptop platform to be called "Calpella"
Intel's barely out the door with Centrino 2, but those in the know are already getting ready for Nehalem -- so get used to hearing the "Calpella" codename a lot more, since it's apparently what Intel is calling its next laptop platform. In addition to supporting WiMAX in addition to b/g/n WiFi, the new chipset rearranges things from Intel's typical package, with the memory controller moving onto the CPU and a new integrated chipset called Ibex Peak-M handling many other duties. Like all processor / chipset roadmaps, this one is definitely still in flux -- and it's a Digitimes rumor, so expect things to significantly change by the time the first Nehalem laptops hit the street in the second half of 2009.[Via The Inquirer]
