News Bits: Maingear Dual-GPU Laptop, Intel Quad-Core Notebook Processors, 400GB HDD

G-series IdeaPads on the way

Lenovo will launch a G-series IdeaPad for entry-level/subnotebook markets. The first model will be called the G430; it will have a 14.1" display and be based on the Intel Centrino2 platform. Lenovo says it will have very competitive pricing.

Full Story (DigiTimes.com)

Intel notebook quad-core processor coming in August

Intel will introduce its first quad-core processor for notebooks next month to go along with its new Montevina/Centrino 2 platform. The processor will be called the QX9300 and will carry the Extreme designation. It will have a 2.53GHz clockspeed, 12MB of L2 cache, and a 1066MHz FSB. Pricing is $1,038 in 1000-unit quantities.

Full Story (News.Yahoo.com)

Maingear introduces dual-GPU gaming laptop

Image courtesy ComputerShopper

Maingear has introduced a new gaming laptop based on the new Intel Montevina/Centrino 2 platform, the eX-L. The 17-inch monster is available with an Intel Core 2 Extreme X9100 overclocked processor, has two MXM2 graphics card slots, and two-channel audio with a built-in subwoofer. It is not known what kind of graphics cards the eX-L will come with.
Pricing and availability are not available at this time.

Full Story (ComputerShopper.com)
Via (Engadget.com)

Toshiba introduces 400GB 7200RPM notebook hard drive

Toshiba introduced a new line of high-performance notebook hard drives. The highest-end MK4058GSX model has a 400GB capacity across just two platters and a 7200RPM speed. The drives will also be available in 80, 120, 160, 250, and 320GB capacities, all with 7200RPM speeds. The new MK4058GSX is 20% more efficient than the Toshiba's current top-of-the-line drive, the MK3252GSX.

Toshiba Press Release (Toshiba.co.jp)
Via (HardOCP.com)

Dell Latitude XT multi-touch software update now available

We recently reported that Dell was going to introduce a software update for its Latitude XT tablet PC to add multi-touch support. Multi-touch can be used for zooming in and out on web pages using a pinch motion with two fingers, Windows' built-in photo viewer, two-finger scrolling, Google Earth, and Microsoft Office. The update is now available as a 15MB update on Dell's site.

 

Good news on the quad. Any exact date yet, Chaz?

 

That was rather quick for the QX9300. I would have thought Q4 at least. Time to fry up some notebooks.

... Who's maingear?

 

hmm, I wonder if the rumoured $500 mobile quad core in q4 is still true....

 

Unfortunately no, this article as as close to a date as I have found. One way or another, I think it is not going to be worth it because it's $1000 . . . that is more than the average selling price of a notebook in the US.

I haven't heard of them prior to this announcement, but the notebook is cool. It looks like an Alienware M9700/M9750.

Interesting, do you have a link to that rumor?

 

too much for a quad-core IMO.

I would go for the D901C with a desktop quad-core... which is much more bang for the buck... as well as performing better

 

I remember MainGear being a company that makes gaming desktops. Interesting to know they are getting into laptops now.

Is this based on the 17" OCZ reference design from a couple of days back? It really seems like it is....

 

I cant find prices, but heres a link to the actual CPU:

http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2008/0602/kaigai04.pdf

Its labelled as Q9100, and it is not a extreme processer. Wiki has it down as 750 to 850, but no source for it either.

http://digitimes.com/systems/a20080521PD204.html

That one states it'll be more moderately priced, so we'll see.

 

Can a 14.1" be considered a subnotebook? I would have thought 10-11" would be the largest a subnotebook could be.

 

It certainly looks like it, there haven't been any pictures of the back of the OCZ whitebook around, however the Maingear looks quite similar to a sort of upgraded M9750, which points towards it being based on OCZ's reference design.

 

why won't they just stop teasing me and release a 500gb 7200rpm 2.5" HDD already? come on Hitachi!

 

I agree, it does look like it. I believe the ODM for the laptop is Arima, since that was the manufacturer of the Alienware M9700/M9750.

Great info, thanks. I would guess the Q9100 will have a 2.0 - 2.2GHz clock and most likely the 1066MHz FSB. More info will undoubtedly come out closer to the launch date.

 

So will there be any C2Qs compatible with Santa Rosa?

 

I doubt it, my guess is most will be based on centrino 2 platforms, which is Montevina I think? I don't think Santa Rosa could effectively use the extra power anyway due to the RAM limitations.

 

That is a definite no, unfortunately. The fastest Santa Rosa CPU is the X9000 2.8GHz.

 

My guess is Arima has exclusively licensed the design to OCZ who will will market it to other OEM's as a reference, so expect this to pop up in quite a few places. And OCZ seem pretty keen on entering the gaming notebook market, first they had your build it yourself laptop (which I assume didn't sell particularly well) and now this.

 

I believe after reading Toshiba's announcement, that the new 400gb drive spins at 5400rpm, not the 7200 as reported here, and the buffer is only 8gb.

Anyone know different?

I need to get a second laptop internal HDD and would wait, if it was worth waiting for.