News Bits: Core 2 Duo Benchmarks, New Verizon EVDO for ExpressCard Slots, XPS M2010 Reviewed

Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 performance benchmarks

Tom's hardware has benchmarked the flagship of Intel's mobile Core 2 Duo lineup, the T7600 (2.33GHz). Compared with the current Core Duo (Yonah), it is up to 20% faster, while consuming about the same amount of power. The Core 2 Duo also improved very slightly in battery life.

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Verizon Wireless ships ExpressCard EV-DO card

Previously sold only in the older PCMCIA format, owners of new notebooks with ExpressCard slots had no options for EV-DO cards. Verizon Wireless has finally started shipping the Novatel Wireless V640 ExpressCard/34. It is available now, and will be in retail stores on August 24th. Prices vary with the service agreement - $229.99 for a one-year, and $179.99 for a two-year.

The Novatel Wireless V640 is about half the size of a regular PCMCIA card. Its advanced dual-band diversity design allows for stronger network signal reception.

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Asustek notebook profits to increase in 2006

Digitimes is reporting that Asustek Computer could generate more than NT$3 billion (US$91 million) in profits from its notebook business this year. It might even outdo Acer's estimated NT$2.8-3 billion. Asustek declined to comment on the report.

According to IDC (International Data Corporation), Asustek recorded the largest shipment growth on-year in Q1 2006. Asustek estimates it will ship 5 million notebooks this year, well up from the 3.7 million last year.

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AirDefense announces Mobile 4.0, the most powerful laptop-based 802.11 wireless analysis tool

August 3<SUP>rd</SUP> - AirDefense today announced AirDefense Mobile 4.0, the newest version of the company's security and wireless network assessment tool. It features a new analysis engine, which is built on the patented technology used in the company's flagship product, AirDefense Enterprise. The analysis engine provides network administrators with more than 100 security and performance-based alarms. Several new features include alarm notification via email or Syslog messaging.

AirDefense is used to locate rogue access points and stations, and take steps to close security holes. According to Spencer Parker, product line manager at AirDefense:

"AirDefense Mobile is the most powerful laptop-based wireless analysis tool on the market today and nothing else comes close to offering this broad set of features at a similar price. Customers are amazed at what they detect in their air when they first start using the tool. They find using Mobile really proves that most freeware tools, such as NetStumbler, only show the basic broadcasting networks and can't be relied on for true operational support."

AirDefense Mobile runs on Windows 2000/XP, and installs on any laptop with an Atheros-based 802.11a/b/g wireless card. A 14-day fully-featured demonstration version is available for download from http://www.airdefense.net/.

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Dell XPS M2010 reviewed

BIOS magazine has reviewed Dell's XPS M2010, a 20.1", 18-lb monster of a multimedia machine. It is designed for gamers and enthusiasts.

The M2010 features eight speakers and a sub, Intel Core Duo processor, ATI's Mobility Radeon X1800 graphics card, pop-up, slot-load 8X DVD+/-RW DL drive, web camera, and detachable Bluetooth wireless keyboard. This product is truly unique and has a price tag to match - $3,500 USD starting (from £1999 inc. VAT in the U.K.).

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Dell classifies their XPS M2010 as a mbile computer, I really cannot see how that is the case. It is a "portbale desktop" in my opinion.

The air defense thing could be very useful for home use as well...considering the number of people who are using others' wireless connections without permission.

 

Merom processors are 20% faster then same clocked Yonah processors. I wonder how much gain I get, if I upgrade from my T2300 to T7600? Warranty or no warranty, I think this might be worth upgrade for me.

 

If the Verizon Express Cards used Rev A it might be worthwhile to upgrade to it.

 

I would believe Tom's hardware reviews. If you want to see some real Intel selling their Core 2 Duo notebooks, see this CNET video which is basically an extended ad that claims "an entire flight worth of computer time"

http://news.com.com/1606-2_3-6100051.html

 

I really like the idea of the XPS M2010, and it has really nice features, though 20.1" is just a little too big for me; 17" is as big as I'll go. The thing that kills me about the 2010 though is the x1800. I mean, Dell uses mostly nVidia cards anyway, and the XPS line is targeted at gaming, and it has an x1800? When Alienware has 17" laptops with dual 7900GS' and 19" with dual 7900GTXs, the x1800 in a 20.1" seems a little underkill. I think the fact that they made the keyboard detachable is what killed it in that area though. It cut too much space out. Just my 2cents though. Good to hear about the Core 2s though. I think I'll wait till I build a desktop to jump on the Core 2 wagon, but I may upgrade the M90 someday.

 

I believe that Core 2 Duo was marginly shorter on battery life in those test if I remember right ( read it a few days ago ) and in other unoffical tests here and there .

Hopefully this will be improved with an updated bios which was missing in those tests .