News Bits: Asus A8J with Nvidia Go 7700 Announced, Core 2 Duo T5200, Acer Partners wi

Nvidia, Asus launch A8Js notebook with new Go7700 graphics chip

September 13<SUP>th</SUP> - Nvidia today announced that Asus has selected the new Nvidia GeForce Go7700 graphics card for its new thin-and-light A8Js notebook.

The Go7700 has 50% more pixel bandwidth than the previous GPU in the A8 series (Go7600), thanks to 12 pixel pipelines. It features 512MB of video memory and Nvidia PureVideo technology. The Asus A8Js has the following specifications:

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor (T5500 - T7600)
• Intel 945PM chipset, PRO/Wireless 3945ABG WLAN
• Microsoft Windows XP Home, Professional
• Built in VGA webcam
• 14.1" WXGA+ (1440x900) Color Shine LCD
• Up to 2GB DDR2-667 RAM
• 80-120GB 5400RPM HDD
• Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.0
• DVI-D, mini Firewire, ExpressCard, VGA, TV-out, 5x USB 2.0, Card Reader
• Weight: 2.39kg

The Asus A8Js will be available in select countries in Asia and Europe in September. See www.asus.com for more information.

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Intel to launch budget Core 2 Duo T5200

Intel is planning to launch a budget Core 2 Duo T5200 processor in October in order to compete with AMD's entry-level Turion X2 CPUs. The T5200 did not show up on Intel's initial roadmap, much like the "unofficial" Core Duo T2050 and T2250 entry-level CPUs. The Core 2 Duo T5200 will be compatible with the Intel 945 chipset, and will gradually replace the Core Duo T2050 and T2250. It should be available for considerably less than the current Core 2 Duo T5500 and T5600.

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Toshiba launches new 1.8" hard drives

Toshiba announced its new family of 1.8" hard drives today. They are 10% smaller than its first generation of PMR (perpendicular magnetic recording) hard drives. The two new models are the 40GB MK4009GAL and 80GB MK8009GAH; both have a 4,200RPM rotation speed and an areal density of 134 gigabits per square inch. The maximum cache size is now 8MB. Toshiba currently holds an 86% market share in the 1.8" hard drive market, and their new family should help them increase their lead. 1.8" drives are used in a variety of consumer electronic devices, including digital audio players, portable media players, GPS devices and digital camcorders.

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Acer and Yahoo! form multi-year partnership

September 13<SUP>th</SUP> - Acer and Yahoo! Inc. today announced a multi-year strategic partnership - all new Acer PCs sold globally will have a co-branded toolbar and have their start page set to Yahoo! as the default search engine. Yahoo! now has front-row placement in one of the PC industry's fastest-growing vendors. Acer is currently the world's fourth largest PC maker. When a customer opens a web browser on a new Acer PC (laptops and desktops), a co-branded start page will automatically appear and offer Yahoo! content and services, along with direct links to specific Acer customer services. Acer will also set Yahoo! as the default search engine for IE7 on all of its computers. Shipments of the PCs featuring the co-branded toolbar and start page will start on October 1, 2006 in Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and South America.

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Intel offers free "relax pack" with Intel Centrino Duo notebook purchase

Intel is offering a free "relax pack" with purchase of a new Intel Centrino Duo notebook from now until October 31, 2006. It includes:

• Intel Backpack
• $100 in Marriott Bonus Bucks Coupons
• Marriott 2 for 1 Golf
• 20 sessions of unlimited access from any AT&amp;T Wi-Fi Hot Spot
• Skype Internet calling starter kit
• $5 coupon to "help you stay connected while you fly"

Link to offer. Don't forget to relax with the arcade-style mini games.

Virgin Atlantic the latest airline to ban use of Apple and Dell laptops on battery power

Korean Air, Quantas and now Virgin Atlantic have all instigated a policy banning passengers from using a Dell or Apple laptop running on battery power. You have to remove the battery and use a provided electrical outlet in the seat -- if you fly business or 1st class that is. In coach and economy you're simply out of luck as there are no outlets so you can't use a Dell or Apple laptop. These airlines are of course responding to the battery recalls made by Dell and Apple recently due to overheating and fire hazard risks.

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[B]Interesting Links[/B] [p][URL=http://dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4168]Microsoft Launches Zune[/URL][/p]

 

Grrrr, I'll be reduced to catching a boat soon...

though the new A8J looks nice, good res on a 14"

 

no word on USA release for the A8Js ?

 

i want that A8Js!!

 

Wait - didn't Microsoft release the Zune, not Intel?

 

Ah look at that, a typo. Here's a chocolate chip cookie for your efforts.

 

lol. xD ...and I thought I gave that guy a hard time.

This thing with Dell and Apple laptops being banned is getting rediculous. Even worse I bet there's more bans and recalls coming.

 

That Acer Yahoo partnership was touted by Acer as being a benefit, but in reality I think we all know this means that Acer laptops will now have even more junkware on them -- Yahoo Music, Yahoo Toolbar, Yahoo Messenger, Yahoo -- everything. It'll be fun uninstalling all of that and changing the search engine to Google

 

Really though, a lot of brands had battery recalls. Everyone seems to forget HP's recall of 165,000 batteries. Apple didn't even recall anything and it's banned on airlines, it's just that one freak accident with the exploding apple.

 

I think it's getting to the point where maybe Dell and Apple owners should just embrace the fact people think they're (including myself) walking around with bombs in there backpacks. It's becoming way to comical.

 

Huh? Apple did recall batteries if I remember correctly. Not only that, I thought they recalled a larger percentage of batteries than Dell.

They also had a larger percentage of laptops melting/catching on fire if I remember correctly. I'm not too sure about this one though.

 

Well, I don't keep up with my lappy neews as much as I need to

 

Aha Thanks *munch, munch*

I also agree with those out there who think the Apple/Dell ban has gone a bit far. Not only are the airline companies not letting Dell and Apple users use their computers on-board, they're also giving off bad rep. to these companies as well.

 

anyone look @ the intel relax pak offer thing?

can anyone get the "order form" pdf link to work? It does nothing for me when i click it.
thanks..

 

That A8Js sure seems to fill the gap for those who wanted 14.1" gaming machines with a higher resolution.

Although I'm sure the Acer/Yahoo! deal won't hinder Acer sales, I wouldn't really be happy with a Yahoo toolbar. Getting rid of the default start page should be easy enough though--but having advertising on your desktop seems a bit much to me.

Also agree on the Dell/Apple ban being a bit harsh. But I guess it helps passengers feel safe to not have to see the guy next to them open up a bomb (as Metamorphical calls them) at 30,000 feet up.

 

Dude hit the deck! It's a Dell!

 

LOL!!!!
that one's great

 

I definitely need to get that a8js

 

wow a 7700 in a 14" (with 2 gigs of ram!)...why in hell is this not available in north america? are they too good for us?

 

The ban of Dell and Apple notebooks is quite funny, because the batteries were made by sony... at least the dell's was. So are they going to ban Sony now also? But man that A8js looks nice

 

I can swear to God I've seen a pic of the A8js using a complete new design (than the a8jm). Can anyone please elaborate on that?

edit:
Nevermind. Found it myself:
http://laptopmag.com/Review/Asus-A8Js.htm

 

I kind of don't think that is an actual picture of the A8js....

 

Yes, it's not too convincing. Besides, I disagree with the statement: "The tradeoff for this graphics power is short battery life, as the system lasted just 2 hours and 36 minutes." Considering what's under the hood, I don't find that bad at all.

Also, a starting price of $1500...? Is that possible? Would be the best deal on Earth...

C.

 

Its not just the GPU that'll suck up battery life. The Core 2 Duo didn't keep with Intel's promise of power efficiency.

 

Right. C2D is "power efficient" in general, just not more so than CD as promised.

C.

 

C2D is not that bad when it comes to battery life. It's like the same, and sometimes better than CD. From the battery benchmarks I saw, on almost every test, the C2D got 1-10mins better battery life... Now.. I'm sure that 2.5hrs for the A8js is simply using it with high screen brightness, wi-fi on etc. I would imagine it would get around 4hrs when using it for light tasks....

 

14" notebook with an 7700Go... Oh my God this is a dream, someone pinch me

Charlie

 

Actually if I remember correctly it was not the batteries with HP it was the Power adapter. Not as much of a problem on an airplane.

 

chaz i love you, i didnt think id see anyone outside of dapreview refer to digital audio players by their accurate name. yay

 

Did they also accidentely call it Intel's Zune too?

 

Has it come to time when laptops have become "too powerful" for their cooling systems.

Laptops blowing up and Airlines banning some of them. It's somehwhat madness...

 

If not, then what is it then, 'cause it looks nice!

 

Didn't I hear a rumor that the laptop will be $1599 in the US at release and have fewer features?

 

the picture in the review is an a7j

 

oh asus ahead of the dell in mobile nvidia gfx... that is a nice laptop... maybe dell will do a xps m1410 refresh with that vid card option as well? sure be cheaper to get it from dell than asus with poor build quality and bad customer service as bonus...

i don't have problem banning those notebook batteries as long as they update their fleets of planes to modern standard, ie with power outlets

besides, they don't really know how safe other manufacturer's laptop batteries are anyway just because they didn't annouce any recalls...

also tons of consumer electronic devices use lithion ion rechargables, who can gurantee that they won't all go up in flames sometimes... especially those exploding cellphones...

sg

 

Arent some dells made by asus?

 

Yes.

<filler>

 

Ok guys... for those of you wanting more information on the A8js... Well I have you covered

I just went down to a computer mall here in Taiwan, and saw the A8js in person. It uses the same external shell as the A8 series, so the looks are exactly the same. Now, because it is a new model, it is the only Core 2 Duo Asus notebook they have here. They have many Acer's with Core Duo 2. The sales reps at some of the stores informed me that they are expecting the Core Duo 2 refresh models in 1-2 months time.

Here are the specs:

Intel Core Duo 2 1.83ghz
1GB DDR2
120GB 5400RPM
14" 1440x900
Geforce 7700 512MB
DVD Burner

The place I asked wanted ~48,000NT - ~$1460 USD and that included 5% tax. So, I'd expect to see it in the US for $1499-$1599.

 

That sure is a great deal and a nicely configured system. Thanks Jason!

 

Is the vent fan on the right side again?

 

thank you jason

is the a8jp also for sale in taiwan right now?

 

A8jp - no I have not seen that one yet.... And yes, I'm sure the heat vent is on the same size as in the A8jm. The external shell is exactly the same!

 

Hi all!

I phoned ASUS Sweden yesterday as I can't wait to get my hands on one as well. I also emailed ASUS HQ about this as well.

I asked when the A8Js will be available in Sweden, as well in EU in general, and both answers were "Beginning or middle of next month! (October)"

Dammit, I can't wait to get rid of my desktop as well as my sluggish Dell Latitude C610, and replace them both with this powerhouse that fits in my pocket! (Well, maybe not quite.. )

Cheers //Patrik

 

I need a nice portable machine to work on Maya 3d with...im not sure to go with the A8Js or the Dell 9400.