P200, P205, X200, X205 will support Peryn processors

Very, very nice!!!

Toshiba released an BIOS update for P200, P205, X200, X205 Satellite Models that will make them support the future Peryn processors.


Version 1.40

• Corrected: When "Power on Display" is set to "Auto-Selected" in the Setup Menu, nothing will be displayed on the external monitor.
• Added: HDMI function in the Toshiba Value Added Package (TVAP).
• Added: Winflash64 support.
• Updated: ATI M72M DDR2 VBIOS.
• Updated: Micro code for Celeron M540 CPU <10661h>.
• Corrected: Set the numeric keypad keys to be accepted in BIOS passwords.
• Corrected: Black screen after waking from Standby mode on certain models.
• Modified: The "Power on Display" item will be hidden from the Setup Menu on certain models.
• Corrected: The Fn+F5 display switch function doesn't work on certain models without TVAP.
• Modified: HDD password string "User Only" and "User+Master" on the Japanese language setup menu.
• Modified: Codec SSID for Dolby Home Theater on some models.
• Added: Nvidia NVIF TV mode support function due to a new driver requirement.
• Updated: NV 8ESE VBIOS.
• Modified: Verb table for changing EAPD behavior.
• Added: Intel Penryn CPU support.
• Added: NV-SLI VGA chipset support.
• Updated: Micro code for Penryn CPU <10671h>.
• Updated: Micro code for Merom CPU <6FBh>.
• Updated: ATI M72M DDR2 VBIOS version 25625 to fine tune the VRAM setting.
• Changed: Fn+F1 function scancode to press send makecode and release send break code when no TVAP is not installed.
• Corrected: Silent Mode can not be triggered after waking from Standby mode.
• Modified: The CoolingMethod status is stored when CoolingMethod is changed, and is restored after the Embedded Controller (EC) is initialized.
  "StickyKey "behavior was modified to avoid issues when switching between temporary mode and twice-lock mode.
• Modified: The Caps/Num lock LEDs will turned off when a KB reset command is received.

There is some references about SLI support too. Maybe there is an option to ad one more grap card in the future and put them in SLI. Ohh 2x 8700M GT

 

Nice!!!

Since the Penryn is based on the 45nm process it runs cooler. Should not be much of a problem to upgrade the X200 to 3GHz.

 

I'd be more impressed with GPU upgrade availability...

 

I'm not so sure about that. Usually Toshiba releases BIOS updates for their whole line of laptops (x205/x200/P200/P205 series in this case). This BIOS will also be for future x205 laptops that have the chipset supporting Peryn cpus. If I recall correctly at the moment Intel's current Santa Rosa mobos do not support peryn cpus but they will in their Spring 08 iterations.

 

Dont know if i am right but, to me it seems that the first generation of Penryn CPUs will support the current Santa Rosa platform. Later on the Montevina. Penryn for Santa Rosa will top out at 2.8GHz. Have i missed something?

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=5117

 

Some more info about Penryn CPU for Santa Rosa

After letting information leaks about frequencies and prices of future Xeon Penryn, information spread on the web about the future Penryn-based CPU which will power our notebook in a near future. Based on 45nnm engraving and Core architecture those Santa Rosa-compatible processors will use 800MHz FSB, while clock speed should not really increase and top at 2.6GHz, cache memory/core will increase to 3MB. Those CPUs will also embark some SSE optimizations to boost performance especially for multimedia applications; but more importantly it should be less power-consuming giving longer battery life cycles.

Next evolution of Intel mobile platform will come mid-2008, entitled Montevina, it will replace Santa Rosa for high-end notebooks. Montevian will bring a lot of new features as well as support for many technology enhancements. It will be based on 45nm Penryn CPUs featuring 1066MHz FSB. Montevian chipsets will support both DDR2/DDR3 memory as well as DisplayPort and HDMI/HDCP. On the wireless side, a new module codenamed Shirley Peak should bring improvements of 802.11n capabilities (not used so far by Apple), while a module named Echo Peak will bring support WiFi/WiMAX. Last but not least, Montevian will sports the new Cantiga GM/PM northbridge chipsets, and the ICH9M southbridge, letting us expecting for a faster integrated shared memory graphic chipset too.

In the second half of 2008, Intel will offer Low voltage (LV) and ultra-low voltage (ULV) version of Penryn processors, to give integrators processing solutions for smaller devices. In addition, LV and ULV Penryn CPUs will have their die shrink from the 35 squared mm for current Merom LV/ULV CPUs to 22 squared mm.

 

Sorry, I was confusing Montevina with Peryn. You guys may be right.