CES 2011 Preview: What's New in the New Year Discussion

Christmas isn't even here yet, but the team at NotebookReview.com can barely contain our excitement as we prepare for the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Keep reading to find out the inside scoop on what you can expect to see in the new year.

CES 2011 doesn't officially open its doors until Thursday, January 6th, but news about the newest laptops, accessories and related technology has already leaked onto the Internet. Although the editors here at NotebookReview.com have to keep a few secrets until after the start of the show, we can talk about the press releases and rumors that are already public knowledge.

The Las Vegas Convention Center will play host to much of the consumer technology industry as manufacturers showcase their latest and greatest -- and possibly even a few not-so-great products. Here's a quick look at a few of the big stories you'll want to follow during CES 2011. We will also be updating this article with links to the rest of our coverage so be sure to check back for more news from the show floor.

Read the full content of this Article: CES 2011 Preview: What's New in the New Year

 

We are eager to know the secrets that you are referring

 

yes man! we are can't wait Looooooool

 

Same here! Just can't wait

Panther214

 

2011 has some cool products coming out, indeed. i love desktops, but i do admire my notebook just as much. i just can't wait until small notebooks are able to pump out high end graphics fluidly. i'm really hoping for the MXM "standard" to standardize eventually so the aftermarket notebook community grows!

 

The MXM standard has been pretty much dead in the water since the end of 2009. That's not to say that we'll never see a widely adopted standardization for discrete graphics modules in notebooks, but if we do it will probably be different than MXM.

One of the big problems that MXM faced was a "chicken or the egg" argument within the notebook industry as to what should come first. Some notebook manufacturers made notebooks that used MXM, but those companies didn't put MXM in everything because they didn't see enough OEMs making MXM cards to put inside those laptops. On the other hand, the OEMs were holding off on MXM because there weren't enough notebooks that use them.

Combine that with the fact that you can build a smaller, less expensive laptop if you don't have to worry about the MXM slot and the simple truth that the overwhelming majority of the notebook market consists of people buying laptops with integrated graphics.

As an avid gamer (desktops, notebooks and consoles) I'd love to see something like MXM cards in notebooks so I can just buy a new notebook graphics card instead of buying a new notebook when I want to upgrade. However, I don't see that as something likely to happen in 2011.

 

I don't see the notebook manufacturers ever implementing a graphics card standard if they can help it, for the reason you specified Jerry; many would just go out and buy a new graphics card instead of a whole new notebook, which would mean less money for them.

I do have one question Jerry. Can you say at this point whether or not we will get more USB 3.0 enabled notebooks this coming year or not?

 

so the E-350 note/netbooks are due out then during/around CES? cuz I've been waiting for that platform to come out I need it for school. any updates about that specific chip?

 

i want one thing from CES; lenovo to announce a U260 sporting a Zacate Fusion APU.

 

How about a U270....but from MSI?

Top choice of the 5 Series MSI Laptops at CES 2011 Attention Stealing

 

if it has the E-350 ill take it! I want a small 10-12incher with the E-350 id take asus as well...

 

These guys are in like Flynn. I bet they have Dell and Lenovo test units already.

I remember the old days when they used to share with reviewers.

:cry:

 

QFT on both aspects ... *sigh*.

 

Oh cool, I've been really interested in computers for a while now, I had no idea that the CES 2011 was so soon! It's two days after my 21st birthday, what a treat

 

Roger, I'm sorry I didn't notice this question until now.

I'm waiting until after CES 2011 next week before I publish an editorial rant or blog about this, but I doubt we'll see widespread USB 3.0 adoption next year ... and the blame falls on Intel and (to a lesser extent) AMD.

Intel isn't including native support for USB 3.0 on their chipsets because Intel is still trying to get "Light Peak" off the ground (something that probably won't happen until 2012 or 2013). Light Peak is a proprietary port that Intel owns and it even has a few technical advantages over USB 3.0.

Since Intel doesn't natively support USB 3.0 on the chipset, notebook manufacturers have to pay to add a USB 3.0 controller to the motherboard (something that costs extra and takes up extra space inside the notebook).

I have little doubt that we'll see more notebooks in 2011 with USB 3.0 but we won't see the port showing up in most low-cost notebooks or most thin-and-light notebooks. Since the controller costs extra and takes up extra space the manufacturers are only putting USB 3.0 on laptops with a higher price point ($700+) and laptops that have enough room inside for the controller.

We probably won't see USB 3.0 on all budget laptops until it has native chipset support.

I can understand Intel's financial motivation (even if I don't agree with it) for not supporting USB 3.0, but I don't really understand AMD's decision not to include native USB 3.0 support on their new chipsets.

Considering the substantial benefit that comes from USB 3.0 it's downright shameful that Intel and AMD aren't natively supporting it from the beginning of 2011.

 

yes yes yes!!!!

 

I would also add, an MxM type system that DOESN'T require you to strip your entire laptop, and yank out the mobo just to swap out the vid card. My vid card on my IFL90 bit the dust, but I'm seriously thinking about getting a new laptop instead of dropping $150 for the part, and then hoping I don't totally FUBAR my machine taking it apart.

 

That already exists, in all of the high-end notebooks from Dell/Alienware, MSI, and Clevo, in which you have full access to the GPU after simply removing the backpanel and a heatsink.

Asus, on the other hand, must be letting monkeys design their internals.

 

i would like to see better technology with lower prices that is affordable for everyone and more durability and flexibility, switchable or optimus graphics is a must

 

AMD is with one Fusion notebook chipset, the Hudson M3.

 

AMD, we've been apart for far too long. Let's make up.

 

But this is not at the beginning of 2011 -- that's a Llano chipset which the latest rumors don't place until summer of 2011 at the very earliest. It most certainly won't be anywhere near CES.