Notebook News: Intel Dothan in May, Toshiba Struggles, Laptop Torture Tests

Intel Next Generation Mobile Processors Should Be Ready In May

Intel has released to motherboard makers the serial numbers for its upcoming 90nm processors, code named Dothan. The next generation of Pentium M processors will feature a faster front side bus speed and faster available processor speeds. The Dothan processors were supposed to be released last December but problems with manufacturing have continually pushed back the release date. However, based on the fact the serial numbers are fixed it is reason to believe these chips will be available next month. Although Intel is trying to deemphasize processor speed these days, we'll go ahead and trumped the fact that the fastest processor to be released in this family will clock in at 2.13GHz. Below are the chips that will be released in May by Intel.

Intel’s 90nm Dothan processors
Serial number	Corresponding processor
715	Pentium M 1.5GHz
725	Pentium M 1.6GHz (400MHz FSB)
730	Pentium M 1.6GHz (533MHz FSB)
735	Pentium M 1.7GHz (400MHz FSB)
740	Pentium M 1.73GHz (533MHz FSB)
745	Pentium M 1.8GHz (400MHz FSB)
750	Pentium M 1.86GHz (533MHz FSB)
755	Pentium M 2.0GHz (400MHz FSB)
760	Pentium M 2.0GHz (533MHz FSB)
770	Pentium M 2.13GHz (533MHz FSB)

Toshiba to Revamp it's Notebook Production and Sales

Toshiba is still the third- largest maker of notebook computers, in the world, but it was once number one with its innovative Satellite notebooks. Over the past two years Toshiba has actually been losing money selling notebooks, $248 million to be exactin the business year ended March (ouch!). Because of this, Toshiba will likely announce a completereorganization ofits notebook computer production in a bid to return the business to profit.

``We are reviewing operations,'' said Toshiba spokesman Keisuke Ohmori, responding to an earlier Nihon Keizai newspaper report that the company will close a factory in the Philippines, scale down its Tokyo plant and shift all notebook PC production to China. ``No specific details are complete yet,'' Ohmori said.

Toshiba will brief the press today at 3 p.m. Japan time on its business strategy, with President Tadashi Okamura to attend the meeting.

Laptop Magazine Annual NotebookTorture Test Report

LaptopMagazine has finishedits torture test of notebooks to determine which is the hardiest of them all. In this test Laptop Magazine the editors "...froze the notebooks, subjected them to a simulated rainstorm, baked them for an hour, and dropped them three feet onto a layer of plywood over concrete," says Laptop magazine torture-tester Rich Malloy. Apparently the Panasonic CF-29 survived the best. No indication as to whether the Toughbook still worked or not, I can't imagine it did. For a full report pick up next months Laptop Magazine issue, which is a great read by the way.

Motion Computer Launches a New Tablet PC - Motion M1400

Motion Computing announced a refresh of their M1300 Tablet PC today. The M1400 will feature Intel's new 1.1 GHz ultra low-voltage processor, improved display and 802.11 b/g. Units are now shipping starting at $1999.

“The M1400 is the third generation of an award-winning slate tablet PC design that has yielded demonstrable productivity improvements in a variety of vertical markets, and propelled Motion to top-tier status in worldwide tablet PC market share,” said David Altounian, Motion’s chief product officer.

“Our build-to-order business model ensures customers have quick access to the latest technologies, and we’ve listened to customers, resellers and leading hardware and software developers to integrate the best technologies in the M1400,” Altounian added. “We’re confident its improved features and benefits will help speed the adoption of ink-enabled computing in the markets we serve.”

Each system is equipped with high-speed wireless connectivity using an integrated Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 BG 802.11 card. Other features include the Intel 855GME chipset, 256MB to 2GB of fast 333MHz DDR memory, an enhanced 12.1-inch display, hard drive options of 20GB, 40GB or 60GB, integrated Bluetooth, integrated Ethernet, built-in fingerprint reader, USB mobile keyboard, desktop stand and hardtop cover.

See the full report at BargainTabletPC.com: http://www.bargaintabletpc.com/default.asp?newsID=56

 

Sweet. I'm pretty excited about this release. May even make me sell my notebook for one of these. [ ]