Core i3, i5 Notebooks Launching in January

I believe it is the i7 that will incorporate more of the power saving features. Even when testing the Clarksfield i7s (quad cores), they had low idle power consumption when compared to C2D and C2Qs; however, their load power consumption was higher (but time is also a factor as full load is only necessary for a shower amount of time).

 

I'm not sure how much I'd trust that review. Not that I argue with their methodology, but notice that they're reviewing an ES "i3-520", which is not currently in the release lineup. The chip they're reviewing is also listed as having Hyper-Threading, which the current desktop i3 is not listed as having. The fact that they're using an engineering sample that has some marked differences from the release lineup (let alone the fact that it's a desktop processor and not a mobile) makes me question how much their results might apply to the actually released processors.

 

Don't forget the 32nm Arrandales have integrated GPUs on chip. So in terms of battery life, if you have the option of graphics switching, you could essentially subtract 7-9W for the CPU-alone TDP .

Also the Arrandales are also going to have more chipset options other than the PM55 (which is nothing to write home about, frankly).

 

Enough info to help make your decision should be out in around 15 days. If you can't wait that long, then go ahead and buy now. I think it's worth waiting, because the IGP might be all I need and even if it isn't, the C2D notebooks will surely be cheaper. Supposedly the chips will be available shortly after CES.

There is a little more info about Arrandale in Serg's thread as well - page 1 and starting at page 14.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=422174&page=14

 

Is there going to be new Arandale i7 quad cpu's that replace the current i7 quad cpu's next month?

 

No. Arrandale is dual core+HT only.

 

Noticed that FutureShop in Canada has 2 i3 laptops:

http://snipurl.com/tyh3s - Future Shop: Computers: Laptops: Toshiba Satellite 16” Intel Core i3 2.13GHz Laptop (L500-00F)

http://snipurl.com/tyh4i - Future Shop: Computers: Laptops: Gateway Intel Core I3-330M 2.13GHz Laptop (NV5905H)

Would like to know if I should return a T6600 MSI laptop I have coming from Futureshop and either hold off for a i3 as I can spend a max of $800 CDN on a business laptop. One thing with the MSI that is coming it supposedly has a 2 year warranty.

 

Core i3 is not worth it, it does not have the goodies i5 and i7 have (hyperthreading and turbo boost). I'd only return it for a model with i5 or i7.

 

For $730cad Gateway with an ATI 5470 512mb video is worth it. Most laptops in that price point is integrated video.

 

This is the MSI I have coming http://snipurl.com/tyhg8 - Future Shop: Computers: Laptops: MSI 16” Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6600 2.2GHz Laptop (CX600) so the difference is the CPU in the above laptops are i3s vs the T6600 in this MSI.

 

I just came back from Fry's and was surprised to see a Core i3 laptop already on display. It was a Toshiba S200, I believe it was a 13" and was the heaviest laptop I've ever felt for it's size. Sale price was $799.
Actually considered buying it, but figured I'd better go and do some more research first... but can't find any information on it anywhere. Not even Fry's website has the model.

 

Just terrible, was a Futureshop and the Gateway NV5905H uses Intel Graphics and not the ATI 5470.

 

What gpu did the Toshiba come with?

 

They didn't have any sort of display tag with the specs listed. I asked one of the workers for some more details on the laptop, but he just lifted it and showed me the Fry's sticker w/ model number and price on the bottom of the laptop
More than likely, it'll be integrated. I don't remember seeing an NVIDIA or ATI sticker on the palmrests.

 

Oh geez. Hope that isn't the case with the MSI T600 I have ordered from FS. Its specs said dedicated video card. If it is then will be taking it back and raising cain.

Thats the problem with these big box stores getting unique model #s the specs of the machine can not be confirmed unless like you did go down to a store and hope it has stock.

 

New thread everyone needs to see.

 

Hmm looks like the two i3 laptops that mentioned in this thread that were showing up on FutueShop's website have been taken off the site.