Hewlett-Packard Presents Advanced Micro "Fusion" Laptop Processors

Hewlett-Packard and Toshiba are the latest PC makers to endorse Advanced Micro Devices' new "Fusion" laptop processors that are expected to make inroads into small, Netbook-class designs.

HP's 3.5-pound dm1 uses an AMD 1.6GHz dual-core E350 chip that integrates Radeon HD 6310M graphics. 

(Credit: Hewlett-Packard)

AMD's new chips appear to be a certifiable hit. They are not only populating slick, featherweight 11.6-inch ultraportable laptops from Lenovo and HP but are also debuting in a larger 15-inch class laptop from Toshiba--the Satellite C655D starting at about $400.



The "Brazos" series of Fusion processors are targeted at small, power-efficient laptop designs and include the dual-core 1.6GHz E-350 and the more power-efficient dual-core 1GHz C-50.
At CES in Las Vegas this week, HP and Toshiba will be showing new laptops powered by Fusion processors.

AMD's secret sauce is the integration of Radeon 6800 series-class graphics silicon directly on the main processor. Radeon 6800 graphics tech packs more performance than anything Intel is offering in its Atom series of processors, which is targeted at the same category of small laptops and Netbooks.

And AMD's chips don't skimp on battery life. HP's dm1 promises up to 10 hours of battery life, not unlike what the most recent crop of Intel Atom-based Netbooks offer. Starting at $449.99, a standard dm1 configuration includes 3GB of memory and a 7200RPM 320GB hard disk drive.

Lenovo has also adopted AMD's E series of Fusion processors in an 11.6-inch design and Sony is expected to follow suit at CES this week.

The upshot: Intel's Netbook-centric Atom processor has met its match and the small laptop market will likely see a lot of changes in 2011.

 

Originally posted at Nanotech - The Circuits Blog

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Lenovo Tries New ThinkPad Laptops with Dashing Designs

Lenovo is unveiling its latest computers bit by bit at the Consumer Electronics Show. The first to be unveiled are its new line of ThinkPad laptops, which are aimed at business users.

These machines reflect the attempt by computer makers to create machines that crossover between business and consumer uses. Lenovo wants you to use its machines all of the time. Lenovo is striving to get away from boring designs, but I wouldn’t say that this design stands apart from the pack. Compare it, for instance, to Apple’s lust-inducing MacBook Air.
The new line-up includes the ThinkPad Edge E220s and E420s laptops, which are thin, curvy machines that cater to business professionals who don’t want to carry a boring laptop.

They feature Lenovo’s “infinity screen” displays, a matte black finish that is soft to the touch, and “metal accents,” or strips of metal along the sides of the machine.

The machines also feature the latest Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors. They also have Lenovo’s Enhanced Experience 2.0 for fast booting and a range of wireless connectivity options. And they feature Dolby Home Theater audio (for serious play, as opposed to serious business) and high-definition video conferencing. Lenovo says the Enhanced Experience 2.0 lets you boot your machine 30 percent faster than normal.

The E220s has a 12.5-inch screen while the E420s has a 14-inch screen. The E220s is less than an inch thick and weighs 3.5 pounds. The E420s is an inch thick and weighs four pounds. The keyboard is spill-resistant, and the E420s has a slot-loading DVD player/burner. The E420s will sell for $749 and the E220s will sell for $899. Both will be available in April, and a stripped-down E520 model will be available in April for $599

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Motorola's Latest Smartphone Combo ATRIX of Year

Check out Motorola's latest smartphone, the ATRIX, which packs Tegra 2 and has two separate docking options.

We were very intrigued by the ATRIX 4G when AT&T CEO Ralph de la Vega talked about it during his company’s press conference. Though it’s an impressive phone over all, the part we were most interested in was the laptop dock that essentially turns the phone into a full-blown netbook.

Last night we got a chance to look at that dock (and the phone) a little more closely. The smartphone itself packs Nvidia’s Tegra 2, HSPA+, 1GB of RAM, up to 48GB of memory, fingerprint log-in, a 4-inch QHD display, a front-facing camera for video calls and a 5-megapixel camera with an LED flash on the rear. Software-wise it packs Android 2.2 and a customized version of Linux put in place to help with that laptop transformation we talked about before.

Set for availability in Q1 of this year, this phone, with its dual core processor and unique dock, is nothing short of a beast. A beautiful beast. The laptop docking station features an 11.6-inch screen, full keyboard, stereo speakers, and a 36Wh three-cell battery that delivers up to eight hours of battery life. It also charges the phone while the phone is docked. It weighs just 2.4 pounds and features an ultra slim design. No word on pricing just yet and we didn't get to see the AC adapter for the laptop, so we have no idea what it looks like or how heavy it is. Still, we were told it looks "just like a regular laptop charger."









Motorola also has a second dock for the ATRIX, which is more like an iPod dock. It features three USB ports and HDMI support.

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Dell unleashes 7-inch Slate and 3D Laptops at CES 2011

 

Darius Chang  |  Jan 07, 2011

Dell Streak 7
(Credit: Dell)

Dell's first foray into the Android tablet market, the 5-inch Streak, was also the smallest device in the slate category. So it was not surprising when some people considered it more an oversized phone than a tablet device. The Texan company promised that there will be more screen size options for the Streak family and, at CES 2011, it has announced a 7-inch model which compliments its existing line.

Instead of Honeycomb, the Dell Streak 7 comes equipped with the current Android 2.2 OS. However, it does up the ante by offering 4G connection with US-based operator T-Mobile and a dual-core Tegra processor to power the 7-inch multitouch display. It also comes with dual cameras and Adobe Flash compatibility. Dell said that the Streak 7 will get a Honeycomb update in the future. A 10-inch prototype was also showcased at CES, though this model is meant more for enterprise and business markets.


Dell Streak 7

Dual Core 1GHz Nvidia Tegra T2 processor

7-inch screen

Support for T-Mobile's 4G network

Dual cameras: 5-megapixel rear camera and 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera

Runs Android 2.2 and full Flash 10.1 implementation; upgradable to Honeycomb in the future.

Live news, sports and entertainment television via T-Mobile TV

First 4G tablet (according to Dell)

Up to 802.11n Wi-Fi

Offers the full Dell Stage interface with Stage widgets

Weighs less than 450g

Gorilla glass covers the screen

At the same time, Dell has released 3D versions of its XPS 17 and Alienware M17x R3 laptops. Sporting the latest Intel Sandy Bridge platform, these machines are based on Nvidia's 3D Vision technology along with 3DTV Play software for streaming high-definition content to external displays. Both machines start from US$1,499 and will be available from February, while details for the Streak 7 will be given at a later date.

Dell XPS 17
(Credit: Dell)

Dell XPS 17

CPU: i3/i5/i7 Sandy Bridge dual core and quad core

The i7 version now supports Optimus, unless configured with the optional 3D full-HD panel (which uses the discrete GPU full time)

Full-HD WLED display (1,920 x 1,080 resolution) option

Configurable with the latest NVIDIA 500 series mobile graphics

Supports Wi-Di and can stream up to 1080p

Dell Stage experience

Chiclet keyboard

Skype HD certified Webcam, JBL speakers and Waves Maxx audio

Alienware M17x R3
(Credit: Dell)

Alienware M17x R3

Core i5 and i7 quad core Sandy Bridge processors

Intel P67 Express chipset

HDMI-in capability (for connecting a Blu-ray player, Xbox 360 or PS3)

Wireless HD streaming capability

Graphics option: 1.5GB Nvidia GTX 460M/1GB ATI Radeon HD6870M/2GB ATI Radeon 6970M

Full-HD WLED 120Hz display (1,920 x 1,080 resolution)

Update: Images and details from CNET Crave have been added to the story.

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