Posts in Notebooks
Total 2 pages : [1] 2
Merom chip on the loose
Darius Chang | Aug 28, 2006
Notebooks based on Intel's latest Core 2 Duo technology, previously codenamed Merom, has been given the go-ahead to start shipping from today. The latest iteration has 64-bit computing support and, according to Intel, performs 20 percent faster than its older sibling while keeping the heat signature low. The available Core 2 Duo notebook processors are:
Model |
Speed |
Price (per 1,000 units)
|
T7600 |
2.33GHz |
US$637 (S$1006.71) |
T7400 |
2.16GHz |
US$423 (S$668.51) |
T7200 |
2.0GHz |
US$294 (S$464.64) |
T5600 |
1.83GHz |
US$241 (S$380.88) |
T5500 |
1.66GHz |
US$209 (S$330.30) |
According to Intel's July 2006 processor price list, the Core 2 Duo chips are priced at the same level as the older Core Duo. This begs the question. What will become of the Core Duo notebook platform? Lillian Tay, principal analyst for Gartner Client Computing Market, told CNET Asia that there are two possible scenarios.
The first is that Core Duo chip will be relegated to entry-level notebooks, taking the space which the Celeron M processor is now occupying. For this to happen, Intel will have to drop its Core Duo pricing significantly and possibly remove Celeron M from the market.
Alternatively, if Intel intends to keep the Celeron in the value market space, then such a price drop is unlikely. In this case, it is likely that future multicore laptops will shift to the new Merom chips entirely, forcing the older Core Duo processors out of the market. In a chat with Bryon Ma from IDC, the associate director was more geared toward the second scenario and sees the Merom chip as a evolutionary transtition of the Core Duo platform.
So for now, the safest bet seems to be systems based on the Merom processor that will be debuting at the upcoming COMEX show in Singapore. However, like most new technology, expect to pay a premium to hop onto the latest Core 2 Duo bandwagon.
Fold your display
Darius Chang | Aug 28, 2006
At the International Meeting on Information Display (IMID) held in Korea, LG Philips showcased its largest flexible electronic display to date.
Touted as an E-paper, the 14.1-inch widescreen has a resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels and displays text in monochrome. With a refresh rate of 300ms, don't expect to run any videos on this device. Unlike your normal pulp-based sheet, this innovation requires power to imprint the images on the surface. We look forward to the day when picking up soaking wet newspapers on our lawn becomes a thing of the past.
Apple recalls Sony batteries
Darius Chang | Aug 25, 2006
After nine reports of its Sony-manufactured notebook batteries overheating, Apple is recalling 1.8 million of its PowerBook G4 and iBook G4 batteries due to safety concerns. Models sold between October 2003 and August 2006 are among those affected.
If you have a 12-inch, 15-inch PowerBook G4 or 12-inch iBook G4, you can check your unit's eligibility for the recall by going to Apple's Battery Exchange Program. Alternatively, you can call a local helpline number which will guide you through the process.
The batteries will take between four and six weeks to arrive. In the meantime, the Cupertino vendor advises that it is safe to use the notebook with the battery removed and adapter plugged in.
VAIO sends out smoke signals
Darius Chang | Aug 24, 2006
According to a report by the Kansas City media, a VAIO notebook went up in flames twice. Juli Kupperman said the first flames occurred when the laptop was switched off and the battery was charging. Though she put out the fire, the same system went for an encore. There was no major damage or injuries reported.
Sony Asia Pacific told CNET Asia that it is aware of this incident and investigations are underway. We will update the report when more information comes in.
Thai children to get US$100 laptops 
Darius Chang | Aug 21, 2006
| Editors' note: The specifications of the One Laptop Per Child PC, hereby christened 2B1, has been released. According to reports, it runs on a 400MHz AMD Geode processor, 128MB RAM and 512MB of flash storage. Complete with a Webcam, three USB 2.0 ports and an SD card reader, it uses a stripped-down version of Linux. Initial units will cost an estimated US$140 (S$221.26), though the price is expected to go down over time. |
According to various news articles, come October and November, more than 500 Thai children will get to test the US$100 (S$157.40) laptops as part of the One Laptop Per Child program. Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand, said that if this project pans out, elementary students in the country may eventually be carrying portables instead of books.
The US$100 (S$157.40) laptop, which uses Linux OS, flash memory instead of a harddisk, and hand- or foot-driven dynamo for power, is the brainchild of Nicholas Negroponte. Field trials for its notebooks will start in several other developing countries like Brazil, Nigeria and Argentina. More images of the laptop prototype can be viewed at our photo gallery.
Total 2 pages : [1] 2
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