CoreDuo
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Sony adds Core Solo, Celeron options to SZ notebooks
Sony has just announced several new configurations for its SZ series of VAIO notebooks, the VGN-SZ91 and -SZ81, which add Intel Core Solo and Celeron processor options to the Core Duo procs already available. Both 13.3-inch models sport 1,280 x 800 WXGA displays, but the SZ91 incorporates a thinner LCD that lobs off a few millimeters of thickness compared to the SZ81. Battery life is also slightly better on the SZ91, with a claimed 7-hours of juice in Pentium-equipped models, which is about an hour more than the SZ81 supposedly can muster using the same processor. Other than these relatively minor differences, the features on both laptops are basically the same, with integrated graphics (GeForce Go 7400 available for extra), from 512MB to 2GB of RAM, 802.11a/b/g, PCMCIA/ExpressCard slots, and options for Bluetooth 2.0, FeliCa support, and a fingerprint reader. Sony will drop both models on the 13th of this month, with the SZ81 starting at $1,343 and the SZ91 at $1,486.
Intel renames next-gen dual-core chips "Core 2 Duo," unveils quad-core Tukwila
Intel's been busy in the realm of multi-core processors lately, first unveiling their quad-core replacement for the Itanium Montecito, named Tukwila, and today -- taking a page out of MC "2 Legit 2 Quit" Hammer's book -- renaming the next-gen mobile Merom and desktop Conroe dual-core chips "Core 2 Duo." What's more, the company announced that another version of the processor will be released for performance junkies, called, not surprisingly, "Core 2 Extreme." As for Tukwila, the deets on this server-targeted chip came to light thanks thanks to a little digging by Real World Technologies, who found a set of slides that Intel recently presented on the topic at a conference in Asia. According to RWT, Tukwila will run at an estimated 40 gigaflops, sport 6MB of L3 cache for each core, and feature other additions that IT-types will likely be into, including an on-die FB-DIMM memory controller and Common Systems Interconnect (CSI) router. First called "Tanglewood" and scheduled for a 2007 rollout, Tukwila will now be released in 2008 and go head-to-head with other enterprise offerings from Intel and Sun, probably making it an exciting year for those aforementioned IT-types.Read- Core 2 Duo [Thanks, Dave Z.]Read- Tukwila [Via The Register]
Dell Inspiron E1505 reviewed
If you've been looking to go Core Duo on the cheap then wait no longer. PCMAG just busted out their Editor's Choice award on the 15.4-inch widescreen Dell Inspiron E1505 laptop. Good reason too, since their $999 test model shipped pre-loaded with XP Media Center Edition 2005 (TV tuner costs extra), sporting a 1.67GHz Intel Core Duo, 1GB DDR2 SDRAM, 80GB (5400rpm) disk, 802.11b/g, dual-layer DVD burner, and ATI Mobility Radion X1300 graphics -- not top of the line by any means, but oodles better than a lot of those integrated graphics craptops, and more likely to run Vista with some pep. PCMAG calls the E1505 "perfect" for people on a budget who "appreciate technology" which well, pretty much covers just about everyone we know. Knocks? Sure, the battery only managed about 3 hours and you have to enter a goofy Dell E-Value code "E1505PC" when ordering if you expect your kit to ring-up with that sub-grand price tag. Righteous pricing indeed for this full featured and powerful kit.
Panasonic's Let's Note goes Core Duo
Panasonic's once again updated their Let's Note series over in Japan (what we call the Toughbook in the US), this time with a slew of latter Intel chips. The Y5 features a 14-inch 1,400 x 1,050 display, low voltage 1.5GHz Core Duo L2300, up to 1GB RAM, 60GB hard drive (ahem), DVD burner, 802.11a/b/g, Ethernet, PC slot, SD, VGA out, waterproof keyboard(!) and a 12.1 x 9.6 x 1.1/1.7-inch body; the W5 and T5 feature a 12.1-inch XGA display, 1.06GHz Core Solo U1300, 60GB drive, up to 1GB RAM, 802.11a/b/g, Ethernet, SD, and VGA, the difference being the W5 has an internal DVD burner, while the T5 has none (both are 10.5 x 8.2 x 1/1.7-inches); finally, the 9 x 7.2 x 0.9/1.6-inch R5 features a 10.4-inch display and also rocks the 1.06GHz Core Solo U1300, as well as 802.11a/b/g and a supposed 11-hour battery life. Coming soon to an importer near you for way, way too much money.
MPC TransPort T3200 business laptop
MPC Computers just announced their stoic little TransPort T3200 laptop targeting high-end, security-minded professionals. If that's your gig sonny, then listen up. The T3200 gets it done with a full line-up of Intel Core Duo processor options, up to 2GB DDR2 RAM, 120GB S-ATA (5400RPM) disks, DVD/RW combo drive, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, Bluetooth, integrated fingerprint scanner, and 15.4-inch WSXGA (1680 x 1050) display driven by ATI Mobility X1600 graphics for right around $3,000 large, fully-spec'd. Slap in an optional GPS and GPRS module and set the workers free![Via MobileWhack]
Fujitsu-Siemens' 3G-enabled Lifebook E8210 reviewed
With most manufacturers concentrating on making smartphones ever-smaller, it's refreshing to see Fujitsu-Siemens flip the script and release what may be the world's biggest Windows-powered handset, eschewing CE for XP in the process. Actually, F-S is marketing the six-pound Lifebook E8210 as a laptop, what with its 15.4-inch, 1,680 x 1,050 display, 2GB of RAM, and full-size keyboard, but any data-centric device that can make cellphone calls (thanks to the built in HSDPA-compatible 3G card) is a smartphone in our book. Whatever you wanna call it, the E8210 impresses on many fronts, says Trusted Reviews, who give the 2.16GHz, Core Duo T2600-powered model nine out of ten stars, highlighting its connectivity (802.11/a/b/g, Bluetooth, HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE/GPRS, PCMCIA/ExpressCard slot, four USB, and even serial, parallel, and D-SUB ports), security (fingerprint reader and Smartcard), and benchmark performance. The only downsides here seem to be the lack of a 3G CDMA option and the ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 graphics, which definitely makes this Lifebook anathema to gamers -- but at over $3,500, the E8210 is clearly being targeted at corporate, and not LAN party, deployment.
Gateway's CX210 / M285-E tablet with Core Duo
It's been a little while since Gateway's widescreen CX200 Tablet PC has been on the scene, but Gateway's given it a spec bump and a badge nudge, bringing the CX210 / M285-E series (model based on where you buy it: home, or professional) up to date with Intel Core Duo processors. It also appears they've added standard Bluetooth and 802.11a (in addition to the already standard b/g), and an option for ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 graphics, which should goose that $1399.99 base price a little.
Dell's XPS M1710 gaming laptop
Today Dell dropped a new XPS gaming laptop in the form of the M1710. This rig hauls up to a 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo T2600, 17-inch widescreen display, 512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GTX graphics, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a 120GB SATA disk, dual-layer DVD combo drive, and an array of ports including Firewire, 6 x USB 2.0, DVI and component video, S/PDIF digital audio out, hi-def sound with integrated sub, and 5-in-1 memory card reader. But this type of performance ain't cheap. A fully specced slab in Special Edition Formula Red "armor" will set you back right around $5,000. Look out Velocity, game's on cuz.[Thanks, Micum M]
LG's new LW25 DMB compact laptop
No stranger to DMB notebooks, LG is busting out a new one for what looks to be the Korean market. Sporting a 12.1-inch screen and weighing in at 4.2 pounds, we're not in ultra-compact territory, but at least this leaves room for a dual-layer DVD burner and, of course, the DMB tuner and antenna. The LW25 is powered by a Intel Core Duo processor, unlike its slimmer XNOTE cousin, but there's no word on GPU or other fun specs. We're also in the dark as to the price and availability, but we're not sure that particular info would lift our spirits in this case.[Via MobileMag]
Toshiba's Qosmio F30 and Dynabook SS MX, CX, TX, and AX laptops
Toshiba blasted us with a heap of new additions to their Dynabook and Qosmio line-up of laptops today. Let's start with the Qosmio F30/695LS Core Duo T2300 (1.66GHz) which features a bright 15.4-inch, 1280 x 800 (WXGA) LCD to check the teevee pumped out those integrated analog and digital terrestrial TV tuners. The F30 also features 160GB of storage for TV recording fun, up to 2GB RAM, nVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 graphics, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, fingerprint scanner, shock protection, and harmon/kardon's bass reflex speaker system already spotted on the G35. Next up is the new 1.9-kg Dynabook SS MX/395LS which also packs a Core Duo T2300 but delivers on a 12.1-inch WXGA LCD with 80GB disk, a dual-layer DVD burner, 512MB RAM, and 802.11a/b/g WiFi and goes 5.2-hours on a single charge. The compact, 2.5-kg Dynabook CX/875LS offers a 14.1-inch WXGA display and Core Duo T2300, harmon/kardon's speakers, and dual-layer DVD burner we've seen before. Rounding things out are the "high-grade standard" TX/880LS and budget AX/40LS which both offer 15.4-inch displays with the TX going Core Duo T2300 and 120GB disk while the AX manages to slip-in Celeron M 370 and dual-layer DVD burner on the cheap. Looks like all the models will be shipping no later than the 28th of this month. Big snaps of the SS MX and F30 after the break.[Via Akihabara News]
Okoro's Core Duo-powered OMS-LX100 HTPC
Okoro Media Systems has just released a low-profile, reasonably priced home theater PC based on Intel's Core Duo processor that has also received the coveted VIIV seal of approval, which we're still not exactly sure about, but whose very existence makes us scared of buying any products without this enigmatic certification. Besides the 1.73GHz Yonah T2300, the OMS-LX100 features one gig of 677MHz DDR2 RAM, a Nvidia GeForce 7300 GS PCI Express video card with 256MB of memory, an ATI Theater Pro 550 PCI TV/FM tuner with MPEG-2 encoding (OTA HDTV tuner optional), 250GB hard drive, 16x dual-layer DVD burner, IR or RF remote, Dolby Digital Live support, your choice of operating system and bundled multimedia software, and a host of ports: component, S-Video, composite, DVI, VGA, optical and coax digital audio, plus the usual complement of USB, FireWire, and PS/2 hookups. Available immediately, Okoro's dual core HTPC will set you back just $1,400.
TUAW in Firefox in XP Home on an iMac Core Duo on TUAW
Subtitle: First Impressions of XP on a Mac.BAM! How's that circularity for you? Yes, folks. Last night, I bravely installed Windows XP Home on my iMac Core Duo and here's a Flickr set of my installation pictures (taken with my camera phone).What are my first impressions? It's pretty darn fast. Easily the fastest "Windows machine" I've ever worked on (and keep in mind, I used to run labs full of them). The installation was relatively painless, although I did have a few errors on my internal hard drive and had to boot off of the installation disk and run Disk Utility to repair the disk before Boot Camp would let me create the Windows partition. Unfortunately, you cannot resize this partition on the fly, so make sure you give yourself enough room. I thought I had done so, but once World of Warcraft started updating, it quickly ate up all the free space on that drive with its temporary files. So, I have to uninstall and then reinstall. I already activated this copy of XP though... how does that whole business work?Also, I chatted with Jason Clarke over at our sibling blog, The Unofficial Microsoft Weblog, via email last night, and I think they may be posting some helpful tips for any Windows virgins who use Boot Camp to install XP on their Macs. In the past, TUMW has been the sibling weblog that we've been in a fight with, but since yesterday's release of Boot Camp means that all things Apple will eventually overtake all thinks Microsoft (as if Apple were the Borg), I don't have any problem linking to any such posts which they will produce. *grin*My two cents: Run all the Windows Updates immediately upon installation and Download Google Pack so you have some spyware and virus protection. Keep in mind: some of those nasty Windows' viruses and worms are geared toward attacking Intel chipsets, and without OS X running interference, there's definite risk to your Intel-based Mac. Update: Title corrected. I took another pic of TUAW in IE too, but posted the wrong one. *sorry*
Video of a MacBook Pro stomping a PowerMac G5 compiling Java
What's a big news day without a little bit of a hardware smack down? Call me crazy, but I just found this Gear Live site through diggdot.us, and these guys posted a video podcast in a variety of formats of a MacBook Pro with a (comparatively) measly 1 GB RAM making mince meat out of a Dual 2.0 GHz PowerMac G5 with 4 GB RAM in a Java compile test.While it isn't a comprehensive rundown of a variety of tasks and apps these two systems can run, it's still pretty impressive to see how well this next generation hardware can perform.
Touchscreen Intel iMacs available
This is good news. We have several touchscreen-enabled Macs at my day job, all from Troll Touch. Earlier this week they announced that the 20" Intel iMac will be added to their lineup. Their system uses the Mac's existing screen, so there's nothing you need to attach to the front (that kids constantly pull off, prompting frequent recalibration). Like I said, I support several of these, and we've never had a problem. You can make use of the display with either a stylus or a finger.You can order a touch-enabled 17- or 20-inch iMac Core Duo directly from Troll Touch for $2,275US or $2,675US respectively, or they'll convert the one you already own for $869US and $1045US (including round trip shipping).[Via MacNN]
MacBook Pro vs PowerBook 2.0 GHz benchmarks
No, that headline is not a typo. I found an extensive set of MacBook Pro benchmarks over at Bare Feats that pits the machine against a Dual Core G5 2.0 GHz, an iMac Core Duo 2.0 GHz, a MacBook Pro Solo 2.0 GHz (for good measure I guess) and a PowerBook G4 that has been upgraded to 2.0 GHz, thanks to Daystar Technology. Yes, from checking out their site it looks like it's possible to upgrade some PowerBooks to 2.0 GHz G4 chips, but it'll cost ya - the upgrade is $499.Getting back to the benchmarks topic: Bare Feats ran the typical Cinebench and Photoshop tests between these machines, and as usual the iMac Core Duo typically won out, with the MacBook Pro pleasantly nipping at its heels. They also produced some pleasant frame rates when testing Doom 3 and Unreal Tournament 2004. Bare Feats also tested whether matching memory pairs - such as two 1 GB sticks - made any difference in performance over a 1 GB 256 MB configuration. Fortunately, there was virtually no difference in their tests, save for small, single digit improvements in iMovie and Photoshop CS that aren't really anything to write home about.[via IMG]
Core solo Mac mini upgraded to core duo
Check this out. Xtreme Systems forum user Fugger bought an Intel Mac mini core solo and upgraded it to a core duo on his own using an Intel Yonah 2.16 Core Duo. He writes:"Once the motherboard is out, flip it over and locate the plastic tabs that hold down the CPU bracket. Squeeze them and it will pop off. I highly suggest using one hand to hold heat sink level as it can and will flop to one side with possible damage to core edges. The same goes for reassembly. You will also see a small connector for a thermal diode attached to the underside of the heat sink once you have it loose, remove the clip if you want to remove it completely."Pictures were up at the time of my sitting down to write this (11:30PM EST March 5), but have since disappeared. Hopefully he'll put them back up.
AnandTech takes a look at the Intel iMac
Anand, from the appropriately named site AnandTech, has gotten his hands on an iMac G5 and an Intel iMac and took both for a spin. He spends lots of time in this very lengthy review comparing the performance of the two, and time after time the Intel iMac is faster, but not mind blowingly so.This review is extensive (have I mentioned that?), but it is well worth a read because there are many thought provoking gems in there. If you don't have the time to read it, Anand likes the iMac (though it isn't the computer for him) but he thinks that the iMac to get will be the next rev when we will (hopefully) see a brand new design that takes advantage of a much cooler running processor.Thanks, Raghu.
Engadget Podcast 066 - 01.31.06
We may have lost the QRIO and the AIBO last week, but when one gadget company shuts a door, another opens a window: Nintendo announced the DS Lite, a smaller, um, lighter version of the DS. Microsoft also announced CableCARD 2.0 support for Vista (for a price, anyway), and one of their own, Ford Davidson, took a few to sit down with us and discuss Windows Mobile in the marketplace. And, of course, our usual dose of next-gen optical discussions continues, with a pinch of listener voicemail and a touch of gadgety democracy thrown in for good measure. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the show (enhanced AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - 'Suits' in Japan Format 1:10:20, 32.1MB, MP3 Program 01:17 - Nintendo announces DS Lite 05:39 - Sony killed AIBO and QRIO 10:38 - Study finds robot pets as good as live ones 14:02 - Netflix to support HD DVD and Blu-ray 16:28 - Samsung SH-B022 Blu-ray burner reviewed 18:27 - Culprit uncovered in Core Duo battery drain: Microsoft driver 21:44 - CableCARD on Vista to require CableLabs certification 26:00 - TiVo undelete forthcoming! 28:31 - Interview with Ford Davidson of Microsoft's Mobile division 52:01 - Listener voicemail! 48:19 - Engadget Awards ending soon, and we're up for two Bloggies! LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Call up the Podcast at: 1-888-ENGADGET
Update on Intel's OS X Software Development Tools
I have a bit of an update to my previous post on Intel's release of Fortran, C , and Math Kernel Libraries for OS X. In an article at ZDNet, James Reinders of Intel notes that to take full advantage of the Intel Core Duo dual processors for OS X applications, programmers will need to use these tools. This sounds like a bit of marketing hutzpa, but maybe it's true that XCode in and of itself won't be tuned for dual core processors.Also, pricing has been released for the tools (currently in beta) set to release in Summer of 2006: Intel® C Compiler for Mac OS: $399 Intel® Fortran Compiler for Mac OS: $499 Intel® Math Kernel Library for Mac OS: $399 Intel® Integrated Performance Primitives for Mac OS: $199 I sure hope they have educational discounts for the numerous researchers in science and math who commented on the last post.[via MacFixIt]
Apple - Intel info
Apple has created a website to answer all your questions about the new Intel Core Duo chips that now power some of our beloved Macs. Thrill to the performance charts that show Intel chips kicking G4 and G5 butt. No one toasted Intel bunny in sight.It is a brave new world, friends, and I for one welcome our new Intel overlords with open arms.
