News Bits: ATI Revamps Mobility Lineup, Sager NP6260 Released, Virgin Atlantic Loosens Laptop Restrictions

ATI revamps Mobility Radeon lineup

September 24<SUP>th</SUP> - ATI is refreshing its Mobility Radeon notebook GPU lineup with updated chips providing better performance per watt. One of the GPUs, the Mobility Radeon X1700, will be manufactured using strained silicon technology. Nvidia beat ATI to the punch last month when it launched its 80nm notebook GPU (the GeForce Go7700), and the use of strained silicon technology is ATI's attempt to get ahead of its rival. Intel has been using strained silicon for some time, and AMD introduced it with its 90nm process. Strained silicon technology improves the flow of electrons in a semiconductor. The X1700 is the only ATI mobile GPU that uses strained silicon technology. It is a 90nm chip, and has 12 pixel pipelines and 5 vertex shader processors. It incorporates ATI's power-saving PowerPlay 6.0, and AVIVO video processing hardware. In comparison to the Mobility Radeon X1600, the X1700 does not provide much of a performance increase, even according to ATI's own benchmarks. The other refreshes in ATI's lineup go to the current ATI Mobility Radeon X1300 and X1400 graphics cards, which will be updated to the X1350 and X1450 respectively. They give better performance per watt than the previous parts, but ATI did not give any more specific details. ATI is depending on Windows Vista, DirectX 10, and HD DVD/Blu-ray Disc playback to increase demand for notebooks with dedicated GPUs.

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Sager releases the NP6260 12" ultraportable notebook

Sager's latest addition to its lineup is the NP6260, a 12" ultraportable notebook weighing a mere 2.8 lbs and achieving over five hours of battery life on the standard battery. It is designed for business users and those needing long battery life in a portable package.

Specifications are as follows:

• 12" XGA (1024x768) display
• Intel Core Solo U1400 Ultra Low Voltage CPU (1.2GHz/2MB L2/533MHz FSB)
• Intel 945GM chipset, GMA950 graphics
• Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG WLAN
• 512MB on-board standard DDR2 RAM, expandable to 1,536MB
• Up to 120GB 5,400RPM HDD
• Internal Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW drive
• 4-cell battery; 10-cell optional
• Ports:
  • 3 USB 2.0 ports
  • VGA port
  • IEEE-1394 mini-Firewire
  • 1x PCMCIA Type II slot
  • Microphone/Headphone jack
  • RJ-45 LAN (10/100) Ethernet &amp; 56k modem

With the optional 10-cell battery, the NP6260 can last about ten hours on battery. Prices start at $1,399 for the base model (NP6260-C), and $1,799 for the higher configuration NP6260-V.

Product Link

Virgin Atlantic eases ban on Apple, Dell notebook

Previously banning all Dell and Apple notebook use onboard flights, Virgin Atlantic today lifted restrictions on batteries that are checked by a member of the Cabin Crew and verified as safe for use. Dell had suggested to Virgin Atlantic that "They [Virgin Atlantic] could easily check out whether a laptop uses a Sony battery or other brand instead of banning them all." Virgin Atlantic revised its restrictions, and it is as follows:

Customers wishing to use an Apple or Dell laptop on board can only do so once the laptop battery serial number has been checked by a member of the Cabin Crew.

- If the battery is permitted for use, the laptop may be used as normal on board, with no further restrictions. - If however the battery is identified as being from the affected batch as identified by Apple and Dell, the battery must be removed. In cabins where the seats are fitted with In Seat Power Supplies, leads/adapters will be offered. Where no ISPS is provided or no laptop leads/adapters are available, the use of these affected laptops is prohibited. Any removed or spare batteries must be individually wrapped/protected and placed in your Carry On Baggage. This is limited to two batteries per passenger. Virgin Atlantic is in communication with Apple and Dell. As soon as this safety issue is resolved these restrictions will be lifted.

Quanta and Korean Air have not changed their laptop policies thus far.

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Micron samples DDR3 memory

Micron is the second company to sample DDR3 memory, and they claim to be the first to ship 1GB devices, with a capacity of up to 2GB.

DDR3 memory could scale up to 800MHz (DDR3-1600), which is twice as fast as the current DDR2-800 memory. Micron claims that DDR3-1600 can transfer a 100,000 page document in about 1 second. No commercial platforms support the DDR3 standard at this time; however, chip makers, including Intel, are already developing platforms that support DDR3 for introduction in the second half of next year. In addition to increased performance, DDR3 offers lower power consumption; voltage drops from DDR2's 1.8v to 1.5v. Although it consumes less power, DDR3's problem may lie with the increased clockspeeds. DDR3-800 will consume less power than DDR2-800, but DDR3-1600 will consume considerably more than the fastest mainstream memory today. Micron expects to begin mass production of DDR3 memory in Q2 2007.

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AMD's "Multi-Core Processing for Dummies"

Although AMD will not be attending the Fall IDF (Intel Developer Forum) this year, it will be sending a 32-page "Multi-Core Processing for Dummies" booklet along with journalists. A note is attached to the book: "We aren't attending this year's IDF, but were hoping you could pass something on to Intel for us. Included is a little something that we think Intel and its customers should find especially useful." There is nothing remarkable about the booklet, but its real purpose is to remind journalists that there are two processor makers.

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are these updated gpus direct x10 compatible? i thought they weren't, but i don't understand why they would expect direct x10 to increase demand for dedicated gpus....

 

Interesting and sexy little machine from sager there. 2.8 pounds... wow!

BTW Chazzy, isn't that cute. According to the specs on Sager's webby it's a widescreen so it has WXGA! Do I get a cookie?! xD! Make it a black/white. =P

 

Judging by the picture, it looks like a standard screen... Awesome little machine anyway. If I had an extra $1.5k lying around I'd jump on it just for the sake of it.

C.

 

ATI is going to depend on Windows Vista more than anything to fuel demand for dedicated GPUs, even for those who don't game. I don't believe DirectX 10 is going to play a major role right now, so I suppose they are going to depend on it for future demand.

Oh I'm pretty sure it says "12.1" XGA" display.
http://www.sagernotebook.com/pages/notebooks/product2.cfm?ProductType=6260&SubType=V

Also on PowerNotebooks it says the same thing:

Now you owe me a cookie.

 

The new little Sager is making me consider getting it and just building a desktopfor my gaming needs. <,<

 

Desktop + gaming + wallet make a happy family...
... if you live in the same place at least 11 months a year.

C.

 

As far as I know there are no DX10 generation graphics cards on the market right now. ATI's R600 is delayed until Q1 next year and nVidia's G80 is pushed back to November/December. With the reports that R600 consumes more than 200W and even the G80 using upwards of 150W with it's wierd 384-bit memory interface, it may be difficult to get DX10 GPUs for mobile platforms. Especially with the delays in 65nm and both the G80 and R600 looking to come out on the 80nm half node.

About the ATI refresh, I posted links including ATI's launch slides on the weekend:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=79433

Strained silicon probably isn't very effective since ATI is boasting more about Back Bias which was in the MR X1600 than Strained Silicon.

 

http://www.sagernotebook.com/pages/notebooks/product2_w.cfm?ProductType=6260&SubType=V

Follow this link Chazzy. Apparently Sager can't agree on which it is then. ;

 

Good to see a little easing up on the "laptop discrimination".

@Niki--1024x768 is XGA though...

 

I gotta admit, that new Sager (or Clevo should I say..) is a bit of a surprise. Never thought they'd make a business model.

 

Considering Clevo doesn't put out the rigs like they used to, nothing under 17 has a GPU anymore. It's not completely surprsing to see Sager introduce a business model and change the game plan a little bit. I'm sure Sager and others like Sager who exclusively rebrand Clevo are feeling the hurt. I mean not having atleast a 15.4" with some sort of dedicated graphics solution; even if it were a weak one, must hurt. I am suprised though that no one but PortableOne has picked up the UX's barebone.

 

Guys I am very very confused!

The X1650 is supposed to be X1700 right? Why did they changed names at the last second. Not that I dont like it, the x700 (9700, X700 etc.) were great videocards for notebooks. I think ATI made a good step by calling it X1700 in stead of X1650. But too bad it isn't a DX 10 card

Charlie

 

I think ISTNC is also selling the Clevo model on which the UX is based on! From what Donald has says, Clevo is hurting from not making a 15.4 and 14" with a gpu. I think Compal's success this year was due to Clevo's lack of comparable offerings.

 

The same way direct x9 forced many to replace the whole notebook ( me included ) .

What I don't get is why would anyone want an ATI x1700 when any Nvidia 7800 is faster not to mention 7900 & GTXs , so why holding back ? --

Unless ATI is planning a new line of powerfull cards just around the corner that will be DX10 compatible and fast enough to compeat with Nvida offering .

There for I wouldn't buy now any notebook for the x1700 .

 

That's what I figured. Clevo would be hurting along with the boutique brands that only rebrand clevos like Sager and Prostar. You have to wonder what goes threw a company's collective minds when they make some of the decisions they do. I'm no product researcher nor manufacturer. But I am a thinker.

The one on ISTNC uses a pentuim M(Unless they've upgraded it over the weekend. I've frequintly been checking on a certain Quanta model only ISTNC seems to carry). The UX is a Core Duo laptop.

 

there are specifications of new GPU's on ATI's site. Don't be so lazy to check them

 

So true, having gone down from a 17" to my current 15.4", I would be anxious to see what SAGER had in the 15.4" gaming segment like Chaz's NP5320. I don't really want to go back to 17".

I do recall Donald mentioning that there should be something in the 15.4" gaming segment from Clevo/Sager next year after they realized what an error it was to drop them.

Ah yes, here it is:

The go 7800 and above only fit in 17"+ systems. The x1700 and go 7700 are upgrades of the current "best available" GPUs for 15.4" and smaller systems.

 

Naturally, there's a reason why 15.4 is considered the 'mainstream' size and absolutely every manufacturer atleast offers a weak dedicated graphics solution. That's one heck of a miscalculation you have to admit.

 

Perhaps the signs were pointing towards the market wanting the larger screens in 17"+ systems? I know I wanted one until I actually owned one .

I'd love to see a nice 14" WXGA+ SAGER with gaming GPU too .

 

Perphaps the NP5720 and other 17" have always been the best Sellers for the companies that rebrand Clevos. So they invested more heavily on larger notebooks. So they took that as there sign. I recognize that could of been the the case. I didn't say I wouldn't want to see a 14.1" with dedicate graphics, heck I say smaller, 13.3 (ofcourse is my not be possible to put a midrange card in there, for me low end would suffice). I may be to harsh sometimes on companies after personally dealing with TV networks (Yes that's a whole 'nother animal far as companies go, I know) and crazy fanbases in the past who make some seriously dumb decisions sometimes.

 

I'm with you there .

13.3" with higher than the go7400 would be sweet!

 

They say nothing impossible. =)

 

if it is thick enough yes it would be possible.

personally, i want to see a 15.4" with a 7900GS

 

who doesnt?

clevo could do it if they wanted, they have a 15" with P4 and X800