News Bits: Fujitsu A3130, Intel Joins OLPC, Intel Penryn Uncovered

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Fujitsu introduces A3130 desktop replacement notebook

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Fujitsu on Friday launched their A3130 desktop replacement notebook. It is designed for home users and multimedia. It features AMD Turion 64 X2 processors and a 15.4-inch Crystal View widescreen display. It currently starts at $1,149 after a $100 mail-in rebate.

Product Page (ShopFujitsu.com)


Intel joins One Laptop Per Child project

Intel has announced it will take a seat on the board of OLPC (One Laptop Per Child). OLPC may consider using Intel processors if it helps reduce costs; the orignal pricing for the OLPC was more expensive than the $100 target using AMD Geode processors.
AMD responded to the report and said:

&quot;The apparent change of heart by Intel is welcome. AMD is sure they can make a positive contribution to this very worthy project for the benefit of children all over the world. As one of the founding members of the non-profit organization, AMD will remain committed to OLPC and to the goals of our 50x15 Initiative, whose mission is to enable 50 percent of the world's population with affordable, accessible Internet and computing capabilities by the year 2015.&quot;

Read More (DigiTimes.com)


Intel &quot;Penryn&quot; mobile Core 2 Duos uncovered

Info has been leaked about Intel's upcoming Penryn-based Core 2 Duo processors for the Santa Rosa refresh. The new processors have not been given names yet but their basic specifications are known. All four use the 800MHz Front Side Bus of the Santa Rosa platform. Intel does not plan to employ the 1066/1333MHz Front Side Buses of their desktop parts for mobile chips. The chips are as follows

Frequency	FSB	Cache
2.6GHz	800MHz	6MB
2.5GHz	800MHz	6MB
2.4GHz	800MHz	3MB
2.1GHz	800MHz	3MB

Higher-end Penryn Core 2 Duos will have 6MB of cache while lower-clocked models will have 3MB. The processors will be provided in PGA Socket P and BGA format. An Extreme processor is also planned, and will run at 2.8GHz.

The next-generation Intel mobile platform, Montevina, will not be introduced until Q2 2008. Expect to see the Penryn refresh hit the Santa Rosa platform in Q1 2008.

Read More (DailyTech.com)


Kingston announces two new USB flash drives

Kingston Technology today announced two new USB flash drives - the DataTraveler II Plus Migo Edition and the DataTraveler 100.

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The DataTraveler II Plus Migo Edition has an 8GB capacity and features Migo data synchronization software. It is ideal for consumers who need to share, store, and transport large amounts of data. The retail price of the device is US$154.00.

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The DataTraveler 100 has a &quot;thumb action&quot; slide that allows for easy protracting and retracting of the USB connector. The capless design hides the connector in its case when not in use. It is available in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB capacities, retailing from US$19.00 to $116.99.

 

Seems like I will hold the ordering for a new laptop and wait until these Processors come out...

Hoping that the Lenovo Thinkpad series will have some refresh too, along with the new processors

 

Are you freaking kidding me? Right when I decide that the 4mb cache of the 2.4GHz in the Clevo M570RU is perfect for me, they decide to pull out Penryn? Damn it to hell.

Would it be worth waiting until Q1 2008 for Penryn or not?

 

Woah, calm down there. I don't see any reason to wait for these new processors. I doubt the change is going to be as major as the Core Duo --> Core 2 Duo refresh was. I would recommend buying now if you need the notebook now.

 

Oh I didnt see this one over in this forum. I was looking in the hardware forum.

 

well, the higher end santa rosas have 4MB cache which makes them better than the lower end penryns right?

 

I had figured they'd call the Penryn processors Core 3 Duo, but I guess not.

 

the way I think of it is that each processor incremental update has been a minor one. Each upgrade would probably shave off a couple of seconds in super pi calculations.

 

Yeah, Intel's roadmap works in a Minor/Major cycle, or Jab/Punch.

A punch is a complete redesign of the architecture.
A jab is a refresh of said architecture.

Core2Duo was a punch, Penryn will be a jab.
In other words, the Core2Duo primary architecture will not be completely redesigned, just tweaked and optimized (and SSE4 instructions, too).

In mid-late-2008 I think that Nahalem or whatnot chips will start coming out.
Those will be the next punch, a complete redesign. If there is a Core 3 Duo, those should be it.

 

would it be kinda stupid now to buy a new computer with Core 2 duo now then since mid next year there's gonna be a brand new architecture?

 

The initial Penryns use a 800MHz FSB because they are limited by the Santa Rosa platform. 1067MHz FSBs should come with Montevina in Q2. I guess that means we won't see Nehalem until Q4 at least.

 

As someone once told me: buy for next month, not for next year. You'll never get anything done if you keep waiting for something way over the horizon.

 

Indeed. There is ALWAYS something better on the horizon. I try not to go beyond looking 3 months. If you look further ahead than that, there will always be some sort of major update to the processor, ram, graphics card, or chipset. Things are CONSTANTLY evolving. Personally, I think the current C2D SR Merom chips are the sweet spot. They'll be fine against Penryn in most cases. I don't know much about the next Gen, end of 2008 chips though. Maybe AMD will be the leader again by then.

 

Well, it depends on the needs of each person. If you want a notebook now, go for it, if you think the new processors is interesting, save your budget for the new lines of notebooks...

 

Can't wait for Penryn!

 

I've been doing some reading on Penryn. The smaller design if one of the greatest features, I thikn, because it should allow for higher speeds and cooler running.

Even the low end 3mb caches have rather high speeds. It'll max out with a Penryn Extreme at 2.8ghz.

 

Q1/Q2 of 2008? Sweet! That's about when I'm going to look for a notebook for college.

These Penryns also seem to be, ingeneral, clocked higher than the Santa Rosa proc. we have now; does it have something to do with 45nm process I've heard a few things about?

 

Exactly, smaller manufacturing process means more transistors can be put on the same size chip, heat output can be lowered, and power leakage can be decreased. So, you can clock it higher and have the same heat envelope as previous, lower clocked, models.

 

Since HP has heating issue with Santa Rosa, I would wait for HP with Penryn, my current laptop has Turion 64 x2 1.6 GHz, I have no major complaints about it.

 

If you're gonna wait for a new computer, wait for Nehalem.

Penryn isn't a new microarchitecture. Just a die shrink.

But, waiting for the latest and greatest technology to come out will only result in a never ending wait.





does it have something to do with 45nm process I've heard a few things about?

Yes.

45nm = smaller transistors = less power used = less heat.

Therefore, the chips can be clocked higher without frying the system.

 

I'd say penryn's more than just a jab though
Its 45nm process may make some differences
Of course, the real punch comes when intel releases its 32nm in 2009
I'm probably going to replace my x61t in late 2009 or early 2010

 

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