Intel Core i3 530 arriving on January 4, now on pre-sale at PC Hub Gilmore

First listed on the price list of local computer parts reseller Enigma Technologies, Intel's Core i3 530 processor is now on pre-sale at PC Hub Gilmore. The asking price may still be a bit steep for some -- 5,999 Pesos -- especially for a dual-core CPU with a 133MHz FSB. This new Core i-series processor will be compatible with LGA1156 socket motherboards, which are available for as low as 5,000 Pesos. So perhaps there is a point to having a CPU this affordable and, ahem, underpowered (compared to even the i5 750). Expect the first batch of i3 530s to arrive by January 4th.

Source: [PC Hub]

Pinetrail: Intel's Atom D510 processor and NM10 chipset get tested

Intel's Pinetrail Atom platform isn't just intended for netbooks, but also nettops, or as Intel likes calling them, entry-level desktops. The first entry-level desktops with Pinetrail are expected to hit the market by January 2010, and they will be fitted with either the single-core Atom D410 CPU or the dual-core Atom D510 CPU (partnered with the new NM10 chipset which was previously referred to as Tiger Point; see a better explanation of the Pinetrail platform here).

If you plan on getting any of the new nettops that will come out running on Pinetrail in January, then you might want to check on the benchmarks ran by Tom's Hardware, comparing the performance and power consumption of the new Intel dual-core Atom D510 with the last generation Atom and a low-end Pentium E-series processor. The results are not in the least bit surprising. The Intel Atom D510 didn't show a significant increase in performance. In fact, it even failed to complete some tests and constantly crashed during testing. However, it did show a significant reduction in power consumption, and if you're after low electric bills, I'm sure you'll find that to be very good news.

There's a lot more information to be digested about the new Pineview Atom desktop processor, so head on to Tom's Hardware for the full test results.

Source: [Tom's Hardware]

ECS intros TIGT-I motherboard with Intel Atom D510 CPU and GMA3150 graphics

Your next nettop/SFF PC motherboard has just arrived, courtesy of ECS. Pictured above, the ECS TIGT-I motherboard features an integrated Intel Atom D510 processor (clocked at 1.66GHz) with GMA3150 graphics, the standard configuration for Intel's recently announced Pinetrail platform. Built in a Mini-ITX form factor, the ECS TIGT-I motherboard offers a built-in Ethernet port, high definition audio, 2 x SATA3.0 Gb/s, 1 x PATA, 4 x USB 2.0, 2 x DDR2 800, and 1 x PCIe x1 expansion slot. ECS's press release boasts that this mobo saves 50% power but increases up to 20% performance than the previous generation. Plus it will be perfect for fan-less systems, small form factor PCs or other portable devices. Hard to argue with that.

Source: [ECS]

Intel prepping Pentium Dual-Core E5500 processor

While Intel is heavily promoting its upcoming Core i5 and Core i3 processors for system builders, it still has its eye on the budget segment, for which it is preparing to launch a new Pentium Dual-Core processor to be called the Intel E5500. A step up from the E5400, the E5500 will have a stock clock speed of 2.8GHz with an 800MHz FSB, 2MB of L2 cache and a 65W TDP. Fudzilla, where the report of this processor's existence originates, mentions that it will be available for $74 USD or about 3,400 Pesos by early Q2 2010.

Source: [Fudzilla]

Intel says NVIDIA's Ion platform overkill for 3D gaming, suggests upgrade to Clarkdale and Arrandale instead

Intel's stance on 3D gaming and multimedia consumption on netbooks is a bit hard to comprehend. On one hand, they think of NVIDIA's Ion platform as overkill for applications such as 1080p video playback and light 3D gaming. This is according to Anil Nanduri, Intel's netbook marketing director who said in an interview with Laptop Magazine: "We believe (Ion) adds unnecessary additional cost and the other trade-offs make it less desirable."

However, writing on one of Intel's own blogs, corporate communications manager Bill Calder says, "[Netbooks] aren't for 3D gaming and multi-tasking. For that Intel offers a wide range of full-featured laptops including some exciting new Intel Core systems based on our latest 32nm process technology coming soon." Then he links to a report on CNet where it says that Intel's upcoming Clarkdale and Arrandale family of processors will be on the market very soon.

So, they think the combination of a good enough processor in the form of the Atom coupled with a great mobile graphics processor in NVIDIA's Ion platform is too much, and yet go on to suggest a move to full-featured laptops which are far more overkill and overpriced for the tasks that Ion is able to achieve, for less money. And they say, "the market is going to decide." Well, who do you think is deciding now?

Source: [LaptopMag, Liliputing, Technology@Intel]

Asus X77 laptop update to feature Intel Core i5 CPU, Radeon HD 5730 graphics

Gaming on a laptop is not something I enjoy doing personally, but I do know that there are a lot of people out there who do enjoy doing this. So I can understand why anyone would be excited over hearing that the Asus X77 laptop, a 17.3-inch screened monster that is currently available for anyone with a heart for gaming and a very deep pocket, will get an upgrade this coming January 2010 to include an Intel Core i5 430 processor and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 graphics.

The particular GPU mentioned above has not yet been revealed by AMD and will likely be a less powerful version of the Radeon HD 5750 and 5770 GPUs. Other specs include two 500GB hard drives, 4GB of memory, eSATA, HDMI-out and a native resolution of 1600x900. Pricing info is not yet known at the moment, though it will probably be around 1000 Euros or about 66,500 Pesos.

Source: [Fudzilla]

Dave Explains: Intel's new Pinetrail Atom platform detailed

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Today we had a total of five different netbook models announced with Intel's new Pinetrail Atom N450 processor (the Fujitsu LifeBook MH380, Asus Eee PC 1005PE, MSI Wind U130 and 135 and the Dell Inspiron Mini 10). But what exactly is this new processor all about, and how does it differ from the N270/N280 Atom CPUs that we've been hearing about in netbooks for the past year? In a way, Intel's Pinetrail platform of CPUs heralds a new age for the company's aging x86 processors. And things can only get better. Continue reading for a more in-depth explanation.

Fujitsu announces LifeBook MH380 with Intel Atom N450 processor

With the recent slew of Pinetrail Atom-powered netbooks from Dell, Asus and MSI, Fujitsu doesn't plan on being one to be left behind. The company has just announced its newest netbook offering with Intel's Pinetrail N450 Atom processor, and sure enough, it's got some features that differentiate it a bit from the crowd.

Pictured above, the Fujitsu LifeBook MH380 features a 10.1-inch LED backlit screen with a native resolution of 1366x768 and 200 units brightness, built-in Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Wi-Fi N, 1.3MP webcam, 100/10Mbps Ethernet, and an interesting combination of a multi-touch trackpad plus full-fledged scroll wheel for onscreen navigation. It comes standard with 2GB of RAM, a 250GB HDD, 6-cell battery and an 82-key keyboard with 17.5mm Key Pitch and a 1.9mm comfortable stroke, which according to Fujitsu is tastefully done.

Fujitsu has also made the LifeBook MH380 usable as a 32GB flash drive, and by using a bundled compatible USB connector, you can download its contents to another computer and vice versa (if I'm not mistaken). I don't understand how there can be a 32GB limit to space/storage that can be shared, though. Its web site states that today is the netbook's official release, but it will likely hit stores only in January 2010. Continue reading for the full press release.

Asus Eee PC 1005P and 1005PE netbooks officially announced

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First Dell. Then MSI. You knew it was only a matter of time until you heard about Asus's offering with Intel's new Pinetrail Atom CPU under the hood. And here it is, though not quite live and in the flesh, the Asus Eee PC 1005PE. Announced alongside the Asus 1005P in Italy, this new netbook comes with Intel's new Atom N450 processor and offers no less than 12 hours of total battery life (or so Asus says). And it is quite believable considering how the new Pinetrail processors from Intel offer about 20% less power consumption by virtue of design.

As usual with Asus netbooks, the 1005PE will come with free online storage/backup space that goes up to 500GB and something new: ASUS Express Gate, a feature that enables a user to boot and operate the netbook in mere seconds, though not into Windows, but to a limited pseudo-OS which shows a user's photo gallery, e-mails and an option for a quick Internet search.

The new Seashell netbooks are expected to become available in January 2010 in five different colors (white, black, blue, red and pink) for 279 Euro or about 18,500 Pesos before taxes and subsidies.

Source: [Eee PC Italia]

MSI Wind U130 and U135 netbooks announced with Intel Atom N450

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Dell's not the only one getting into the Pinetrail Atom netbook game. MSI has announced not just one, but two netbooks carrying Intel's new N450 processor under the hood, and these are the MSI Wind U130 and MSI Wind U135. Aside from the Intel's new low-power CPU, both MSI netbooks offer usual netbook niceties like a 10-inch 1024x600 screen, built-in webcam, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 4-in-1 card reader and WiMAX Forum certification (a first for any netbook).

Not much is known about the difference between the two models at the moment, but it's been said that the MSI Wind U135 has a chiclet keyboard while the MSI Wind U130 does not. Both netbooks are expected to be available in January from £229 (about 17,000 Pesos) for the Wind U130 and £279 (20,800 Pesos) for the Wind U135.

Source: [Netbook Choice]

Acer chairman faults Dell and HP for weak adoption of ultra-thin notebooks

Acer chairman JT Wang knows what consumers want their notebooks like: ultra-thin and with lots of battery life. Acer has put out quite remarkable models in their Timeline-series of notebooks, and they're enjoying a fair number of sales, but Wang believes that the numbers could be bigger if only American companies like Dell and HP wouldn't get in the way. Acer's Wang blames Dell and HP for preventing ultra-thin notebooks from becoming the mainstream product in the market by bringing down prices of its own non-ultra-thin mainstream notebooks to as low as $399. The small price gap is what holds back adoption of ultra-thin notebooks, which are usually underpowered (for the sake of prolonging battery life) compared to current mainstream notebooks. Acer is currently planning on releasing more ultra-thin models in the future, but if Dell and HP won't let up, there's a chance that we might not see these products ever released at all.

Source: [DigiTimes]

Dell Vostro V13 ultra-portable laptop gets a hands-on

Dell's Vostro V13 ultra-portable laptop seems mighty interesting on paper, what with its 0.65-inch thickness and overall portability. But how well does one fare in real life, both from an aesthetics as well as business standpoint? I probably won't have a chance to handle one in person until later this month or early next year, but the gang over at Engadget has already spent a bit of time with the Dell Vostro V13. Their early impressions imply that they walked away satisfied, saying that "there are compromises, just like in life, but for the most part this is one of the least timid computers we've seen from Dell in a while." Watch their quick hands-on video of the Dell Vostro V13 which I've posted above for a better look at things. Meanwhile, I'll be over here waiting to get my hands on a sample.

Source: [Engadget]

Ultra-portable Dell Vostro V13 business laptop officially announced

Even before Seagate gets a chance to unveil its much-touted 7mm Momentus Thin hard disk drives, Dell has already gone and announced a new ultra-thin model in its Vostro series of business laptops called the Vostro V13. The Dell Vostro V13 measures a mere 0.65-inches thick (16.5mm) and weighs 3.5 pounds (1.6 kilos), running on Intel's Mobile GS45 Express Chipset with compatible Ultra Low Voltage processors and GMA 4500MHD graphics.

Thin and sleek as it is, the Dell Vostro V13 features a 13.3-inch LED-backlit 1366 x 768 "anti-glare" screen, support for up to 4GB of DDR3 SDRAM, 802.11 g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet, a 5-in-1 card reader, 34 mm ExpressCard slot, 3.5mm microphone and headphone jacks and 2 USB 2.0 ports (with one being part of a USB 2.0/eSATA combo port).

Dell offers the Vostro V13 with either Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Ubuntu Linux and asks $450 USD or about 20,677 Pesos for it (though you can expect it to become slightly more expensive when it becomes available here in the Philippines). See a gallery of the Dell Vostro V13 after the break.

Upcoming Intel Core i3 and i5 CPU prices revealed by Enigma Technologies

A local computer parts reseller (which also happens to be an Intel Channel Partner Premier Member) called Enigma Technologies has just listed three of Intel's upcoming LGA1156 desktop processors in their latest online price list. The said processors are the Intel Core i3 530, Core i3 540, and the Core i5 650; all of which fall under Intel's Clarkdale family of processors done on a 45nm process and have a 133 MHz FSB.

The local prices, according to Enigma Technologies, are going to be 5,900 Pesos, 6,900 Pesos and 9,100 Pesos respectively. With all of these being dual core Clarkdale processors clocked at 3.2GHz and below, the pricing is a bit ridiculous--especially when you consider than the quad-core Intel Core i5 750 processor sells for just 9,500 Pesos these days. But anyway, prices are probably subject to change, and of course you're free to look elsewhere for possibly lower prices. Still, it sort of makes you wonder: why did Intel even bother?

Source: [Enigma Technologies Philippines (PDF pricelist)]

Intel working on 32nm Cedarview-D Atom platform with sub-10W TDP

Think the Atom processor is small enough? Well apparently, Intel does not. The Atom processor is going to get smaller and smaller, and consume less power as the months go by and we enter into 2010. Based on information picked up by Fudzilla, Intel is set to launch a new Atom platform codenamed "Cedarview-D" possibly some time in late 2010. We'll bear witness to the Pineview-D nettop platform's launch when next year arrives, but then it will make way for the new 32nm Atom CPUs with sub-10W TDP which are part of the Cedarview-D platform. So it offers less power consumption with a smaller TDP, less cost due to being part of Intel's 32nm process, and better reliability... or so we are told. One can only hope, though, that this doesn't result in an even weaker processor that bogs down the entire system as the biggest bottleneck as with most Atom-powered mobile devices these days.

Source: [Fudzilla]

Intel's Gulftown Core i9 hexa-core CPU previewed with set of benchmarks and overclocking

The fabled Intel Core i9 processor, codenamed Gulftown with its six physical cores and support for multi-threading, sounds like a pretty promising piece of hardware, doesn't it? Polish hardware site PClab.pl has gone through the trouble of showing its potential through a series of benchmarks, as well as monitoring power consumption and performance when overclocking. The result? It is indeed something to watch out for. It's not going to be very useful for gamers with the limited multi-threading support in games these days, but for desktop servers and workstations, Intel's hexa-core 32nm Gulftown CPU should shine, able to overclock easily up to 4.3GHz and providing six additional virtual cores to go alongside the six physical ones it already has. Check out the full hands on review for more.

Read - Intel Core i9 (Gulftown) - 6 cores, 32 nm: hands-on review

Sources: [PCLab, NordicHardware]

Lenovo ThinkPad W701 might carry Core i7 Extreme CPU

A new W series ThinkPad from Lenovo is on the horizon according to documents recently unearthed from the FCC's web site. It will reportedly have a Samsung-produced 17-inch 1920x1200 LCD screen, 320GB Fujitsu hard drive and a built-in Wacom Digitizer. What's interesting is that it is also listed as having a 2GHz Intel CPU, and Engadget infers that it may well be an Intel Core i7 Extreme CPU with 8MB of L3 cache, 3.2GHz single-core max speed and 55W TDP. This doesn't bode well unless you're willing to spend ridiculous amounts of cash to get the power of a desktop on your lap. And besides, this info hasn't been confirmed by Lenovo and can't be cross-checked anywhere else for now, so don't cross out the ThinkPad W701 from your Christmas wishlist just yet.

Sources: [FCC, Engadget]

Intel to launch Core i5 and Core i3 processors in mainstream notebooks on January 2010

While having Intel's top-of-the-line Core i7 processors on notebooks might not sound like a very good idea to some (taking power consumption and heat generated into account), having Intel's Core i5 and upcoming Core i3 processors on notebooks seem like a much more interesting proposition. And this will become a reality soon as Intel is expected to launch a total of four 32nm dual-core Arrandale CPUs during the first half of January 2010, which are the Core i5-520M, Core i5-430M, Core i3-350M and Core i3-330M. This is according to notebook players being cited in a recent report by DigiTimes. The Chinese news site adds:

The Intel Core i5-430M runs at a clock speed of 2.26GHz, but with Intel's Turbo Boost technology, it can run up to 2.53GHz for a single core. The Intel Core i3-350M also runs at 2.26GHz, but does not support Turbo Boost technology; Intel Core i3-330M runs at 2.13GHz and also does not support Turbo Boost technology.

Core i5 CPUs will feature a graphics clock that runs at a base speed of 500MHz but can also run at speeds up to 766MHz. The Core i3 also runs at 500MHz but can also run at speeds up to 667MHz. Both series support DDR3 memory up to 1066MHz and feature 3MB L3 Cache with a TDP of 35W.

This is definitely good news and is worth waiting out for. Do not buy new notebooks come Christmas time is what I'm trying to say.

Source: [DigiTimes]

LG Electronics intros XPION S30, A30, and T30 desktop PCs for 2010

LG Electronics has been a household name for years now, but that's because they make appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and TVs with home theater systems that help us better enjoy our time spent at home. But now it seems the Korean electronics titan is set on making its mark in the desktop PC environment as well, as it officially launches three new desktop PCs in its XPION 30 series range with Intel processors and NVIDIA graphics. The three new desktop PCs are, pictured above from left to right, the XPION A30, T30, and S30. Two have dual core Intel processors while the last one has an i5 750 under the hood. Can you guess which one?