IntelAtom
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Intel Atom coming to larger notebooks?
Why does Intel have to be so darn stubborn? First it insists on only bundling the Atom processor with their own graphics (simultaneously breaking poor NVIDIA's heart), and then there's whole thing where it restricts the CPU to netbooks under 10.2-inches. But like all good things, this too might someday come to an end. According to Gadget Mix, HP is currently negotiating with the chipmaker with the intent of using the processor in notebooks 13-inches and larger. This isn't without precedent -- the Dell Mini 12 is Atom powered, after all, and there is certainly a market for folks who only need a notebook for web browsing and productivity apps -- but we'll see if people are willing to sacrifice performance without gaining portability.
Atom 330 is benchmarked, fares slightly worse than expected
PC Pro's given Intel's dual-core, 1.6GHz Atom 330 (coupled with a 7200 RPM SATA hard drive and 1GB of DDR2 RAM) the benchmark run-through, and they've got some conflicting details to pass on to you. Overall, the testers found the Atom to be, as expected, faster than the N270, but only by 16 percent. In specific tests, the 330 ran Office 2003 slower than both a 2GHz VIA C7-D and the single-core Atom; PC Pro actually performed the test several times just to be sure it wasn't a glitch... and it wasn't. The 330 performed better running 2D graphics, outpacing the N270 by 41 percent, and it also outperformed its competitors in encoding and multitasking. Not enough details for you? Hit the read link for the full-on benchmarking experience.
Futuristic, cylindrical TVBE computer wants to rule your digital life
The geniuses over at CLVE Computers have, somehow, and at long last, managed to make a tiny Atom-powered PC that looks just like an evil but adorable garbage can with fangs. Inside the TVBE is a single or dual core 1.6 GHz Intel Atom CPU, the option of 1GB or 2GB of RAM, a 320GB or 500GB hard drive, and an Intel GMA 950 GPU. It also boasts an impressive six USB ports -- four on the bottom and two on the top -- on an otherwise austere exterior. The whole package weighs in at a breathtaking 9.9 pounds, and measures 9.6-inches tall. This bodacious beast is on sale today for the "fair and affordable" price of €299 (roughly $384) in Germany, with the promise of availability in other countries "in the very near future," which we can only hope means in time for the holidays.
New HDPC from MIU offers sleeker shell and Intel Atom-power
When it was introduced two years ago, the premise of the Hybrid Dual Portable Computer was simple: mobile OS up front, Windows XP below, and ugly all over. The most recent refresh was a big visual improvement, but MIU apparently isn't done, teasing another new version that looks far sleeker and packs an Intel Atom processor inside, though exactly which hasn't been revealed. Beyond that, this pocket-wunderkind offers the same bevy of features as before, obviating the need for a separate nav system, PMP, e-book reader, netbook, and even in-car rear-view camera monitor. It'll make phone calls too, and with GSM, GPRS, and CDMA connectivity, you're pretty well guaranteed to be able to check your mail anywhere. No information on price or availability just yet, but hopefully the former stays close to the current version's $500 and the latter extends to somewhere in North America.[Via Pocketables]
Intel's dual-core Atom 330 reviewed in desktop guise
Intel's Atom processor and the netbook are the silicon equivalent of Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson; they're inseparable. Naturally we can't wait for the dual-core Atom 330 to cozy up to the next generation of economical portables, but have to wait a bit as it's being soldered exclusively into tiny desktops at the moment, like the one tech site The Guru of 3D just ran through a series of benchmarks. The posted results could have been interesting had they compared its performance to the single-core Atom 230 rather than AMD's (relatively) heavy-hitting Athlon 4850 X2 and Phenom 9850 -- not exactly apples to apples. We'll just have to assume it's roughly twice as fast on the right apps, all that for only twice the power consumption. That's still only a measly 8-watts! [Via The Inquirer]
Abaco announces the production of Europe's 'first' Atom dual-core desktop
Italian Engadget readers, take note: Abaco Computers of Milan just announced the production of Europe's 'first' Intel Atom dual-core PC. Measuring up to a mere 27 x 20 x 10 cm (just under 11 x 8 x 4 inches) in the classic and classy "box" configuration, what appears to be a Betamax VCR at first glance is actually a reasonably stacked PC. The machine boasts a 1.6 GHz Atom CPU and up to 2GB RAM; oddly, the site says it sports a "generous" six USB ports, while the pictures clearly show only four and a single firewire jack (which they failed to mention altogether). The Abaco comes loaded with Ubuntu 8.04. Available in Desktop, Thin Client and Solid State flavors, according to your needs. Price varies by configuration, and needless to say, this isn't available Stateside.Update: According to an email from Abaco, we weren't seeing things when we noted a firewire port in those pictures on the site: they were promo shots from a different unit, albeit one with the same case.
Intel Atom is early success, could care less about this recession thing
Things are looking rosy in Intel's land of Atom, the little chip that could. Early reports from the chip maker indicate that Atom sales are brisk. After declaring a 25% rise in quarterly profit, Intel noted that the MID, netbook, and embedded-friendly Atom isn't cannibalizing sales of its traditional processors. In fact, it notes that Atom chips are creating a completely new money machine. Intel calls Atom a "perfect recession product" as it plays well into people's desire to pick up a second PC or a low-cost small computer for kids. Meanwhile, the embedded market hasn't even been reported yet. Once those numbers come in, it will probably be time to call Atom a success.
VIA Nano trounces Intel Atom in HD video playback? Not quite.
As a recent VIA promo video would have you believe, the company's lightweight Nano processor is capable of soundly beating Intel's competing Atom CPU when it comes to playing HD video. Or is it? Not willing to take VIA's word at face value, jkkmobile decided to try out the very same 1080p video on an Eee PC with the same Atom processor that VIA used in its test and -- surprise, surprise -- they found that the video played just fine. Now, it is entirely possible that the Nano can beat the Atom in playing video under certain circumstances (and given the raw benchmark numbers, that even seems likely), but when it comes to basic HD video playback, it seems that the Atom can at least hold its own. Head on past the break to see for yourself.
Cool Hack: Running Leopard on an MSI Wind UMPC
Mac owners often look on with envy at the Ultra-Mobile PCs (UMPCs) in the Windows world. These are truly tiny laptops, often with 10" or smaller displays and weights that make a MacBook Air seem downright obese by comparison.MoDaCo network founder and Microsoft MVP Paul O'Brien decided to get his OS of choice, Mac OS X 10.5.4, up and running on one of these little wonders. The machine is a variant of a recently released UMPC called the MSI Wind, which weighs in at 2.3 lbs and sports the new Intel Atom N270 CPU running at 1.6 GHz.While Paul admits to a few small issues, he was not only able to load and run Leopard on the Wind, but he also documented the entire procedure in text and video (see above) if you want to make your own Ultra-Mobile Mac. After watching how easy the process is and finding out how inexpensive the Wind is, I'm tempted to try this myself! Be sure to let us know if you're successful at following Paul's footsteps.Direct link to the video and step-by-step instructions.
Leaked slide shows AMD's BGA CPU could take on Intel's Atom processor
While AMD has been making headway with some impressive high-end processors, Intel's Atom has been all the rage in netbooks and ultra-portables. You didn't think they were going to just sit around and let that happen, did you? This supposedly leaked slide (for which we couldn't verify a source) details a single-core 64-bit processor dubbed "BGA CPU" that runs at 1GHz, utilizes DDR2-400 memory, and sports on-chip L1 & L2 caches. As for size, you're looking at 27 x 27 mm (1.06-inches square). All said, the chip's 8-watt thermal footprint isn't going to win any super-portable or MID manufacturer converts. We'll keep an eye on this.[Thanks, kris120890]
MSI Wind desktops and laptops exposed and fondled, Atom seen by all
MSI has been teasing us with its Atom-based laptops and desktops for some time now, so it's only right that they finally give it up and let some journalist rip open a Wind for some straight-up circuit porn. Confirmed on the board are the aforementioned Atom 230 processor, 1GB DDR2-533 RAM, a 160GB SATA drive, gigabit ethernet, a DVD combo drive, 65-watt power supply, and passive cooling with that gargantuan heatsink. As for performance, testers say the machine was capable of playing 720P video without much ado, but wouldn't deal with 1080P. On the laptop side of things, it looks as though the U100 will come in a whole rainbow of colors beyond the red, black, white, and pink we've already seen. Nothing new on that side other than the usual "is it still $399?"Read - Up close with MSI desktop in TaipeiRead - Extreme closeup with MSI Wind notebooks
Medion's Akoya Mini takes aim at the Eee
The Eee-sparked trend towards smaller, cheaper laptops continues unabated -- which is good news if you like small, cheap things. The latest entry into the ultraportable market comes in the form of the Medion Akoya Mini, a handsome looking entry that clearly aims to compete with ASUS' wunderkind. The 10-inch laptop scores big points right out of the box due to its inclusion of Intel's infamous Atom CPU. The system will feature a traditional hard drive, with some form of Linux on-board, 1GB of RAM standard, two USB ports, a memory card slot, VGA out, and a 1.3 megapixel webcam. No word on if we'll see this in the States, but it's hitting Europe soon with a starting price of €399 (or about $638).[Via le Journal du Geek; Thanks, Anh]
