Intel “DZ77GA-70K” Z77 Ivy Bridge motherboard pictured

As we know from the last couple of generations of Intel chipsets, Intel likes to make its own motherboards. Z77 will bring no exceptions, The Intel DZ77FA-70K is an LGA 1155 Z77 based motherboard.

CES 2012 Gaming Case Line-up

Going by Thermaltake's official spec sheet, the company has packed a powerful cooling system into an otherwise aesthetically superior case.

Asrock Z77 Extreme6 Socket 1155 Motherboard

Well the time has come. It is like Christmas time for many. Santa has delivered a brand new toy. In this case it is Christmas in April. Santa is Intel. And the elves are every motherboard manufacturer on the planet. The gifts contain motherboards with the brand new Panther Point Z77 chipset. Definitely just what the kiddies have been waiting for..

G.SKILL Memory Delivers the Fastest DDR3 Frequency Ever!

On 27th February 2012, the highest DDR3 memory frequency record was smashed again by the well-known Swiss overclocker, Christian Ney. Using G.SKILL extreme RipjawsZ memory kit, Christian Ney has achieved the astonishing score of DDR3 3736MHz with 4GB high capacity memory stick.

Asus P8Z77-V Deluxe Intel Ivy Bridge Motherboard Starts Selling in China

With one month to go until the official release of the Intel 7-series chipset family, a Chinese online store has listed Asus’ upcoming P8Z77-V Deluxe motherboard for Ivy Bridge processors with pricing being set at 2,499 RMB ($396 US).

Showing posts with label Ivy Bridge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ivy Bridge. Show all posts

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Motion F5t And C5t Ivy Bridge Tablet PCs

If you are looking for a tablet with a little bit more power, you might be interested in the new line of rugged Tablet PCs unveiled by Motion this week.

The new Motion PC Tablets come in the form of the F5t and C5t, which can be equipped with a range of processing power from the Ivy Bridge i3, i5 or i7 third-gen Intel processor ranges.

Both tablets have been designed and built to run Windows operating system, and also feature Motion’s hot-swap battery technology for extended, uninterrupted productivity in the field, with each battery offering up to 6 hours to use.

“Motion’s latest tablets with the 3rd generation Intel Core vPro processors are designed to meet the needs of mobile workforces by offering optimized battery life and the high performance these workers demand to enhance productivity anytime anywhere,” said Dan Russell, director of business client platforms and solutions marketing at Intel. “Further, the F5t and C5t Tablet PCs enable both the business user and IT managers to compute with confidence through a combination of Intel based security paired with exciting designs and easy automation.”

The new Motion F5t and C5t PC tablets start at $2,236 and rise depending on the configuration you require, more details are available over on the Motion website F5t and C5t.

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Intel's 40 Touchscreen Ultrabooks in Pipeline

Intel's Ultrabook Symposium starts tomorrow in Taipei, but Netbook News have sat down with Navin Shenoy, Vice President of Intel Architecture Group and General Manager of Mobile Client Platform before the event starts, to talk about various topics before the event itself.

Shenoy has confirmed that there are 140 Ultrabook designs, with only 35 of these being seen by the public. As of next month, we should expect sub-$700 Ultrabooks, across the Ultrabook board, with more than one model. One of the biggest nuggets of information here is that there are set to be 40 Windows 8-based Ultrabooks with Touch launching in Q4 of this year.

This means before the end of this year, and the end of Mayan long-count calender (and all the doom associated with it), Intel are Microsoft (and various partners) are set to unleash 40 Ultrabooks with touch screens, which is exciting news. Intel's fourth-generation Core processor, Haswell, is destined for the 22nm process, and will be the first System-on-Chip (SoC) for PC. Shenoy pointed out that the idle power consumption of Haswell will be 20 times less than Ivy Bridge, this in itself is an amazing achievement. Haswell is also said to not just be an incremental step forward, but a giant leap in performance.

I'm genuinely excited about the future of the PC, in this 'post-PC' world. I really want to get my hands on a 1080p (or above) touch-screen Ultrabook running Windows 8. Gimme, gimme, gimme.

Source: tweaktown.com

Friday, July 20, 2012

Apple MacBook Pro Review: Ivy Bridge and Nvidia GPU

For the first time, Apple has integrated its Retina Display on a non-iOS device on its 2012 MacBook Pro 15-inch. The tech world has accepted the news of Retina Display’s introduction of MacBook Pro with much fervour. The Cupertino tech giant announced the new version of its flagship professional notebook at WWDC 2012.

The new MacBook Pro, apart from the revolutionary Retina display, shows off many other incredible features. The machine is powered by Intel’s latest Ivy Bridge chips and it is to run on the imminent OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion OS.


Retina Display

As per Apple, the new MacBook Pro has “the world’s highest-resolution display.” This is certainly the most important feature of the notebook. The advanced display technology generates a high clarity screen that shows everything remarkably vibrant, detailed and sharp. Indeed, it is the “most jaw-dropping Retina display yet” thanks to its uncompromising display clarity and perfection.

Retina Display works quite marvellously on the MacBook Pro. The device packs over 5 million pixels into a 15.4-inch display; that is you will get stunning image clarity. The display features a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels. When it comes to contrast ratio, the Retina MacBook Pro is 29 percent better than a standard MacBook Pro screen. Rich IPS panel technology, 178-degree viewing angle and other features make the notebook an amazingly wonderful product, indeed.

Intel Core i7 processor

The entire MacBook Pro and MacBook Air 2012 upgrades come with the fastest mobile quad-core processor, Intel Ivy Bridge Core i7. It is the chip that provides strength for the new MacBook Pro 15-inch as well. The state-of-the-art 22nm Ivy Bridge processor delivers dazzling performance for the notebook. The processor promises speeds up to 2.7GHz and 6MB of shared L3 cache for the notebook. Running high-end programs like Final Cut Pro, Aperture and others will be not a task with the powerful processor inside the machine.

Next generation Nvidia graphics

To match with the Core i7 CPU, Apple has integrated next-gen Nvidia GeForce GT 650M GPU inside the notebook. The graphics card is based on the next version Kepler architecture with 1GB of video memory. Thanks to the advanced specs, the Retina notebook has 60 percent faster graphics performance than the former version of the notebook. The GPU is also able to provide sufficient power to drive the astonishing 5-million-pixel Retina display. Well, the Pro becomes a powerful machine for gaming and enjoying HD videos with thanks to the power graphics.

OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion

Apple demoed the new version of its operating system for Macs at WWDC 2012. The Mountain Lion is anticipated to go public sometime late this year. The Retina MacBook Pro and other Pro and MacBook Air versions have gone on sale with the current OS X 10.7 Lion. When the new version comes out, it will be available for free for the owners of the notebooks. The Mountain Lion will be known for its introduction of lots of iOS-inspired features such as an advanced Notification Center, Messages app, AirPlay Mirroring, iCloud and more.

Ports and connections

The Retina MacBook Pro sports an array of rich and high-performance ports for connectivity. It has two Thunderbolt ports, three USB 3.0 ports, an SDXC card slot and a HDMI port. Thunderbolt port is the fastest way to transfer data between two devices using a cable. For internet connectivity, you have Wi-Fi 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 for wireless connectivity.

Final thoughts

In weeks after its announcement at WWDC 2012, Apple has brought the Retina MacBook Pro into stores. Apple sells the notebook with a huge price, however. Well, the Retina Display mounted MacBook Pro doesn’t come cheaper; you have to spend a minimum of $2,199 to get even the entry-level version of the machine. The Retina MacBook Pro certainly boasts the name that it is the first Apple computer to get the Retina Display, which is already on iPhone 4, 4S and the new iPad. Maybe, in future, we can expect Retina display on many more Apple products including MacBook Air series.

Source: Nvonews

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Giada i53 Mini PC with Ivy Bridge CPU

The Giada i53 mini PC has been announced by the Shenzhen-based high-tech hardware developer and manufacturer. Quite something, the mini PC sports a stylish design and features high connectivity options in addition to full HD video at 1080p.

Built on the Intel Mobile HM76 Express chipset, it makes use of the Ivy Bridge technology platform to deliver performance while still being environmentally friendly, consuming just 35 watts. An Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor makes up the heart of the device, but it is also available in CPU options of Ivy Bridge i3 and i7.

Its support for 5.1 channel surround sound and a standard 500GB hard drive along with an Intel GMA HD 4000 GPU means that it can take the place of a home theater PC system while occupying only a fraction of the space. A single SO-DIMM slot with 2GB of DDR3 RAM should boost media performance, although this can be expanded to 4GB.

It can handle Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and Linux operating systems, and with its advanced heat control technology, it can run cool while still being quiet. Weighing less than 1kg the book-sized device is easy to plug in and set up.

In terms of connectivity, the Giada i53 has five USB connectors inclusive of a USB 3.0 port, HDMI and VGA video output, as well as an in-built multi-format memory card reader slot. A Gigabyte network socket has also been provided, as has Bluetooth and high speed 802.11n Wi-Fi.

The Giada i53 mini PC price details have been made known. The Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor specification which includes a 500GB HDD and 4GB of RAM will be available at a suggested $520.

Source: Techshout

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Dell India announces Ivy Bridge XPS Laptop for Rs. 82,990

Dell India announces Ivy Bridge XPS Laptop for Rs. 82,990Dell India has announced the launch of XPS 14 laptop in its XPS line-up today. The laptop is powered by Intel's third generation Core i5 processor with optional upgrade available up to Core i7. It has been priced at Rs. 82,990 for the base configuration and is now available in the country.
Designed for the mobile users, the XPS 14 features a durable machined aluminium chassis with silicone base in a thin 0.07cm design. It also comes with 14-inch, 400 nit HD+ display with 1600x900p resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass, a backlit keyboard, and optional performance graphics.

According to Dell, XPS14 offers up to 10 hours of battery life and a host of connectivity options ranging from USB 3.0, mini DisplayPort, HDMI, Wi-Fi a/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0.

"The XPS 14 laptop offers powerful performance, thoughtful design and a superb user experience, along with enterprise friendly features so you can use them for work and for play," said Mahesh Bhalla, Executive Director and General Manager, Consumer and SB, Dell India.


Dell XPS 14 key specs
  • 14-inch HD+ WLED display
  • 3rd Generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processor options:
  • Optional NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M 1GB GDDR5 graphics with NVIDIA Optimus technology
  • 4GB (standard) or 8GB dual channel memory DDR3 1333MHz; (1xSoDIMM)
  • 500GB 5400rpm hard drive + 32GB mSATA SSD option with Intel Rapid Start Technology and Intel Smart Response Technology
  • Standard, full size, backlit chiclet keyboard; spill-resistant
  • 8-Cell Li-Polymer, 69WHr battery
  • USB 3.0 (2) 1 with PowerShare; mini DisplayPort (1); HDMI (1); RJ-45 (1); 3-in-1 card reader; headset jack (1); mini Kensington lock
  • Built-in 1.3MP webcam with dual array digital microphones
Source: Ndtv.com

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Intel Reveals faster higher density microprocessor

Intel Reveals faster  higher density microprocessorThere is no better way to make nanotechnology cool than to put it in slim, sleek, and stylish computers.

International computer chip manufacturer Intel recently launched their latest microprocessor known as Ivy Bridge that is first in the world to be made using 22 nanometer 3-D tri-Gate transistor technology.

The 22 nanometer transistors are nearly as small as the Human Rhinovirus, responsible for the common cold, which is around 30 nanometers in size. In contrast, a single strand of human hair can be as small as 17,000 nanometers in diameter.

Smaller transistors mean a higher density in a single microchip and thereby increasing processing power while lowering energy consumption, Intel said in a statement released during the launch.

“The performance gains found in the new processors are due in part to the groundbreaking, three-dimensional structure of the new Intel transistors,” Intel said.

“Until today, computers, servers, and other devices have used only two-dimensional planar transistors. Adding a third dimension to transistors allows Intel to increase transistor density and put more capabilities into every square millimeter of the new processors,” Intel said.

The latest processors of Intel will power more than 100 Ultrabook designs that could be released in the market by next year, Leighton Phillips, Intel Asia-Pacific Product Management Pricing Director, said in an interview.

More than 35 of the designs are already available or will be out within the next 30 days, he added.
“If you look back at our first generation of Ultrabooks with the second generation of core microprocessors, we had 20 designs come to the marketplace,” Phillips said.

“For this third generation [microprocessor, there are] five times the number of designs, 100 designs of Ultrabook are being produced,” he said.

The new processor was said to increase a computer’s performance by 20 percent compared to computers last year. It will also improve the graphics capabilities of any computer, being able to deliver High Definition (HD) videos and 3-D graphics two times better.

“All the things people love to do on the PCs – from creating and editing videos and photos, surfing the web, watching HD movies or playing mainstream games – are now quicker, crisper,” Intel said.
The new processor will also have built-in security features to protect important data and information in the computer.

Intel’s Anti-Theft Technology allows an owner to completely shut down and disable the system of a computer when it is stolen so no one can use, just like an ATM card. Users who subscribe to the service will simply report that the computer is stolen and it will lockdown completely, protecting all data inside. Should the laptop be recovered by the user, a simple password will restore the computer back to normal.

Intel’s Identity Protection Technology secures users as they connect to the internet by making sure that it’s the actual user who is logging into sites and not any malicious software or virus.
Phillips said that the new processors will open new possibilities in the forms that the computer can take. Laptops could soon have touchscreens so that it can be convertible into a tablet by pulling the screen off, he said

“The best of the tablet and the best of the pc all in one,” he said about the possible future designs of computers.


Source: Technology.inquirer.net

Saturday, June 23, 2012

With Ivy Bridge & Nvidia Kepler: Acer Releases Aspire Timeline M5 Ultrabooks

With Ivy Bridge & Nvidia Kepler: Acer Releases Aspire Timeline Ultra M5 Ultrabooks Acer is one of companies that decided to answer the call of users for usable ultrabooks with high-quality graphics. Regardless of using Sandy or Ivy Bridge processors, the integrated graphics inside those processors simply cannot satisfy all the contemporary computing demands.

During the GeForce Editor's Day 2012, held in San Francisco while Game Developer's Conference was in full swing, NVIDIA briefed journalists about the GK104 which we know as the GeForce GTX 680 and about GK107, the chip that brought GeForce to Ultrabooks. We received an Acer Timeline Ultra M3 series, which paired a Core i7 Sandy Bridge processor with a GK107 i.e. GeForce GT 640M 1GB. Unfortunately for consumers in the western markets, this ultrabook never left Asia. Acer planned on bringing the product to U.S. and EMEA markets, but the demand for the product was so strong that it was sold out in Asia-Pacific alone.

To satisfy the demand of Western markets, Acer waited on Intel's delayed release of 22nm Ivy Bridge processors and just announced the Aspire Timeline Ultra M5. The Ultra M5 ultrabooks are even slimmer and lighter than the previous generation, while keeping all the features of the M3.

The laptops are now just 0.81 inches thin (20.1mm), weighing just 4.3 pounds (1.95 kg). This package brings you a declared eight hours of autonomy, even though our experiences varied from three hours of gameplay to nine hours of video playback and productivity work of over 12 hours in a plane, working with Wi-Fi switched off. We like the fact that the notebook combines aluminum top with a plastic case, meaning the price of this Ultrabook will beat a lot of competing, all-aluminum or all-magnesium based products.

The company offers several technologies to prolong the battery life, such as a 20GB SSD that quickly restores your computer to full speed, unless you chose for a 128 or 256GB SSD drive option. One of things press releases often forget to write about is the Always Connect Wi-Fi from Acer, where the Wi-Fi connection is restored as you are typing your windows password.


According to the company, the laptops are powered by Sandy Bridge-based Core i3 and Ivy Bridge based Core i5 and i7 processors, NVIDIA GeForce Kepler graphics (GT 640M 1GB and 2GB), at least 500GB HDD with afore mentioned 20GB quick-boot SSD. Intel's Anti-theft technology is switched on by default, thus is someone steals your precious data, you can remotely brick the device.

One of things that we like is the addition of a second USB 3.0 port, which means that this Ultrabook ships with two USB 3.0 ports and a single 2.0 port. Both USB 3.0 ports are quick-charging ones (5V 1A), which means you can charge your phone, tablet, digital camera - all while using a single power outlet.

For me personally, one of key features of a notebook is a good quality keyboard and Acer is for some reason, traditionally more comfortable to type on than on HP or Dell, for example (subjective experience, yours may vary), and M5 brings LED backlit as well (finally).



The M5 is available in 14" and 15.6" screen sizes with prices starting at $679.99, going all the way to $829.99. Naturally, depending on a retailer/e-tailer, you should be able to upgrade the product with even higher performing parts, such as above mentioned SSDs, more memory (4GB DDR3-1333 comes as standard).

Source: Brightsideofnews.com

Friday, June 22, 2012

Ivy Bridge Asus Zenbook Prime Now Available On Amazon

ASUS' latest get it while it's hot Zenbook Prime has hit the servers of Amazon, where you can grab one while they're in stock for just $1,149. What does $1,149 get you? Well, you'll get an Intel Ivy Bridge-based Core i5 processor, 13.3-inch 1080p IPS display, and an SSD by default.

Without so much as a peep (or a tweet), Asus' next-gen Ultrabook, the Zenbook Prime, has gone on sale on Amazon.

The Asus ZenBook Prime UX31A has a similar design as the original Zenbook, but features an updated Ivy Bridge processor, backlit keyboard and a full-HD IPS panel. It also has 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, which makes it almost identical to the 13.3-inch MacBook Air, but US$50 cheaper--the CPU on the Air is 100MHz faster.

Asus also has the Zenbook UX32VD, which comes with Nvidia discrete graphics for those who demand a slightly higher level of graphics performance. It's also available now on Amazon for US$1,299.

If you're looking for a Windows laptop with a high-resolution screen, the 13.3-inch Asus Zenbook Prime is definitely a contender. Although its 1,920 x 1,080-pixel screen doesn't quite match the Retina display on the new MacBook Pro, it's probably the best alternative in the market currently--unless you can afford a Sony Vaio Z.

Unfortunately, Amazon only ships this laptop to locations within the US. According to Asus Singapore, the Zenbook Prime will only be available in Singapore from August. Residents in Singapore who wish to get it earlier can try looking for it in Malaysia, where it is expected to be available sometime next month.

Source: Cnet.com

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Acer Reveal Ivy Bridge, Aspire Timeline Ultra M5 Ultrabook With Nvidia Graphics

The parade of Ultrabooks marches on with Acer’s announcement of the new Aspire Timeline Ultra M5 lineup. Three new models offer no killer features, but do include — in the case of the two higher-priced notebooks — Intel Ivy Bridge processors and Nvidia graphics and are a mere 0.81 inches thick.

Starting at $679.99, the 4.3-pound M5-481T-6670 features a 14-inch LED-backlit 1,366×768 screen, 1.5GHz Core i3-2377M Sandy Bridge Processor and 6GB of RAM. An additional $80 nets you the M5-481TG-6814, which includes the same screen but also packs the 2.6GHz Core i5-3317U Ivy Bridge CPU and GeForce GT640M LE graphics. You do, however, only get 4GB of RAM.

The $829.99 M5-581TG-6666 bumps the screen size up to 15.6 inches (though with the same resolution) while keeping the same Ivy Bridge processor and GeForce graphics as the M5-481TG-6814. (You do get 6GB of RAM, however.) All three M5 systems include 500GB hard drives, 20GB solid state drives for quicker boot-ups (using the Acer Green Instant On feature), a DVD drive, and both Intel and Acer anti-theft technology. Acer claims battery life up to 8 hours thanks to the M5’s PowerSmart long-life battery pack.

While the Aspire Timeline Ultra M5 notebooks won’t wow you like the HP Envy Spectre, they continue the Ultrabook’s path toward becoming the mainstream laptop platform, which becomes important as back-to-school shopping kicks off soon.

Source: Zdnet.com

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Microsoft Launch Windows 8 Pro with Intel Powered Ivy Bridge Tablet

Microsoft Launch Windows 8 Pro with Intel Powered Ivy Bridge TabletMicrosoft has introduced a Windows 8-based 9.5mm thick "Surface" tablet with a USB 2.0 port, rear/front cameras, a built-in stand (on rear only 0.7mm thick), HDMI output, and a magnetic cover.
The tablet weighs only 0.680 kilogram and comes with an Ivy Bridge Core i5 processor or an ARM processor.

Under the bonnett is Microsoft Office, PDF markup apps and digital ink support is also built in.

The tablet has a 10.6 inch high-definition touchscreen and front and rear facing cameras, which all fit into a 9.3 millimeter, 1.5-pound frame.

But Surface also brings some new innovations to the tablet space. The device's cover, for instance, flips down to become a full keyboard. It features a rigid case built from magnesium, a pen that clicks into the tablet and a built-in kickstand.

Microsoft is recycling -- or extending -- a brand name it has used before. The first "Microsoft Surface" device, which began shipping in in 2008, was a giant touchscreen computer aimed at retailers and other commercial customers.

Microsoft's Surface tablet will first be available on a version of Windows 8 called Windows RT. That operating system will run on microchips designed by ARM (ARMH), which are inside 95% of the world's smartphones and tablets. Another version of Surface will be designed for the fuller Windows 8 operating system, which will run on Intel chips.

Microsoft didn't give specifics, but the company said the Windows RT version will be available sometime in the last quarter in 32- and 64-gigabyte versions, and will be priced "comparably" to other tablets on the market.

The full Windows 8 version will be available three months later in 64- and 128-GB versions. Microsoft plans to set its price point in the same zone as ultrabooks, which typically run around $1,000.

Source: Smarthouse

Monday, June 18, 2012

Apple announces New MacBook Air with vy Bridge Processor is shipping today

Apple announces New MacBook Air with vy Bridge Processor is shipping todayApple's skinnier, lighter MacBook option checked in for another (irregular) hardware update at this year's WWDC.

Just under a year since the last time the range was renovated, the move to Ivy Bridge processors wasn't the only thing that changed. First up, those processors will reach up to 2GHz Core i7, with Turbo Boost tipping these up to 3.2GHz.

The FaceTime camera is now 720p, with the display on the 11-inch model staying put at 1366 x 768 (but with Intel's HD graphics 4000 doing the pushing). The 13-incher will house a 1440 x 900 screen and both will arrive with a pair of USB 3.0 ports and capacity for up to 8GB of RAM.

Storage will now extend to 512GB, while prices will start at $999 for the most basic option, up to $1099 for the speediest offering. The best part? They'll start shipping today.

Source: Endgadget

Friday, June 15, 2012

Intel Announces Ivy Bridge Core i3 Processors Coming in June

Intel Announces Ivy Bridge Core i3 Processors Coming in JuneChipzilla has announced that its entry-level Ivy Bridge Core i3 processors will be available after June 24. This is a lot earlier than the third-quarter which most people expected.

Intel’s Taiwan branch announced these chips will start shipping as early as the third week of this month. The dual-core Core i3 chips were expected to launch just in time for the holidays. Intel's Core i3 chips, we should soon see even more affordable laptops and desktops.

Higher-end versions of Intel’s third-generation processor were released earlier this year - the top-of-the-line Core i7 and mainstream Core i5 processors. These are already showing up in new and updated laptops and desktop PCs.

It is unclear whether Intel moved up the timing on the Core i3 processors to help ramp up Ivy Bridge computer sales. It is also strange because most of us thought this move was waiting for Windows 8 to be released.


Source: Fudzilla

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Ivy Bridge upgrade For Panasonic Toughbook CF-19

 Ivy Bridge upgrade For Panasonic Toughbook CF-19Panasonic‘s Toughbook CF-19 convertible touchscreen notebook has seen an Ivy Bridge upgrade, bringing the ruggedized swiveling slab up to 3rd-Gen Core i5 speed and stretching battery life to 10hrs. Targeted at the sort of users who would crush a puny iPad between their huge, bear-like hands (or perhaps just want to take it outdoors), the CF-19 has a Core i5-3320 processor, HD 4000 graphics and a fanless chassis, relying solely on passive cooling.

Storage is either HDD (up to 500GB) or SSD (up to 256GB), paired with low-voltage RAM. As for the display, that can be outfitted wiht either a resistive touchscreen layer of a combo resistive/active digitizer panel. It has a transflective LCD for outdoor use without active backlighting, which Panasonic says is the equivalent of a 6,500 nit backlight without actually using any power.
Connectivity includes Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, and an optional HSPA+ modem. Those playing it old-school with their hook-ups will be pleased to know that there’s a serial port and a PC Card slot.

Ruggedization meets MIL-STD 810G for drops, and IP65, MIL STD 810G for water, dust, vibration and temperature protection, thanks to a magnesium alloy casing, HDD damping and heating, and foam packing for flexible seals. If your idea of dangerous use involves lurking unseen in the shrubbery, there’s a “Concealed Mode” that shuts off the backlight, any status LEDs, the speakers and the wireless options.

All this doesn’t come cheap, mind. The Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 goes on sale in July, priced from €2,950 ($3,709).

Source: Slashgear

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Apple MacBook Air Revised SSD features on Ivy Bridge Module

The do-it-yourself repair aficionados at iFixit have taken a look inside the latest Ivy Bridge-powered MacBook Air and found very few changes. However, Apple has revised the essentially custom SSD module the ultraportable uses for storage. The change means that current third-party replacements designed for the 2010 and 2011 MacBooks Airs won't work, and it also appears Apple hasn't adopted the increasingly popular mSATA standard, either.

The battery configuration, logic board, speakers, trackpad, keyboard, and display are nearly identical to the previous-generation MacBook Air. In fact, according to iFixit, the Broadcom wireless module, which supports 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0, is identical except for some repositioned stickers. Even the fans are the same symmetrical design used in previous Airs, and not the asymmetrical design found in the Retina MacBook Pro.

The Sandy Bridge processor has been swapped for an Ivy Bridge replacement, the controller chip is likewise upgraded, and the RAM has been improved to 1600MHz. Apple also updated the Thunderbolt controller to the four-channel Cactus Ridge variant, which supports two DisplayPort outputs and could theoretically drive two external monitors with the integrated Intel HD4000 GPU. However, Apple only promises that one external monitor will work with the new Air.
In an effort to eke out yet more performance from the custom, NAND flash-based SSD modules used as primary storage, Apple has apparently adopted a slightly revised connector with a different pinout compared to previous MacBook Air SSD modules. Unfortunately, that means there will be a significant delay before third-party alternatives are available, though Apple does now offer a 512GB option—double the previous maximum.

"Apple tweaked the SSD form factor and switched to a different flash controller," iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens told Ars. "The new unit is based on a SandForce SATA-III controller chip, but stamped with Toshiba markings. While the board bears visual similarities to mSATA, it is not using the same connector."

It's too early to tell for sure, but it also appears that Apple is using a different form factor for the SSDs in the new Retina MacBook Pro. Though the pinout may be the same as the new Air (and both still use the latest revision of the SATA protocol), the layout of the chips and the maximum 768GB capacity suggest a different physical board size.

Source: Arstechnica

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Apple Reveals cheaper MacBook Air Powered with Ivy Bridge

Apple Reveals cheaper MacBook Air Powered with Ivy BridgeApple has chosen WWDC week to announce an update to its MacBook Air line. It may lack the Retina display of its newly upgraded, headline-grabbing cousin, the MacBook Pro, but the 2012 Air sees significant advances too. An upgrade from Sandy Bridge to Ivy Bridge processors with improved integrated graphics is chief among the upgrades, and onboard memory has also received a boost.

What hasn't changed is the ultra-thin form factor and (with the thick end of the wedge maxing out at 0.68 in or 17 mm), weighing in at 2.38 pounds (1.08 kg) for the 11-inch model and 2.96 pounds (1.35 kg) for the 13-inch. Battery performance remains as is (which is no bad thing), with a touted 5 and 7 hours for the smaller and larger models respectively while wirelessly browsing the web.

What's new is an upgrade from Sandy Bridge to the faster Ivy Bridge processor, which brings with it a switch up from Intel HD Graphics 3000 to Intel HD Graphics 4000. This should bring with it a noticeable performance boost, though its doubtful that hardcore gamers will be rushing to buy the new Airs as portable gaming rigs this year.

The included random access memory allowance has doubled from 2 to 4 GB (configurable to 8 GB), and has been upgraded to lower voltage 1600-MHz DDR3L SDRAM. Flash storage remains at 64 GB and 128 GB in the entry-level 11- and 13-inch models respectively, though this is now configurable up to 512 GB.

Connectivity sees a significant boost with the inclusion of two USB 3.0 ports in addition to the Thunderbolt port. The USB 3.0 standard allows data transfer more than ten times the speed of USB 2.0. The power connection has been upgraded to Apple's MagSafe 2, which is simply an even smaller version of the MagSafe port that lets the power cable disconnected safely in the event of jarring cable snag, preventing unwelcome MacBook/floor interface scenarios.

Though the 11-inch Air still starts at US$999, the 13-inch has dropped $100 to $1199, making it all the more compelling to laptop-hunters on the prowl for an ultrabook.


Source: Gizmag

Monday, June 11, 2012

Nvidia GT 650M GPU & 2.7GHz Ivy Bridge CPU in New MacBook Pro

Nvidia GT 650M GPU & 2.7GHz Ivy Bridge CPU in New MacBook Pro
The big question surrounding the next refresh of the MacBook Pro laptops is whether Apple has opted for a significant redesign or just upgraded the internal spec. There’s increasing evidence to suggest the latter.

A leaked spec sheet last week suggested there is no redesign. Apple is planning to keep the MacBook Pro pretty much the same except for an update to an Ivy Bridge range of processors. Now we have more evidence to suggest that this is the case, but also that Apple has opted to use a Nvidia GeForce GT 650M GPU.

Leaked images have appeared that claim to be shots of the revised 15-inch MacBook Pro components. There’s two things to note in the shots. The first is the use of the new Nvidia GPU, but also that the layout of the board is very similar to the existing MacBook Pro. If the shots are real, it confirms Apple isn’t messing with the overall design of the laptop too much.

What Apple will offer is a new range of MacBook Pros with some serious performance on offer. Intel Ivy Bridge processors including 2.3GHz, 2.5GHz, and custom 2.7GHz parts will be coupled with a GeForce GT 650M GPU using 1GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory.

These Pros certainly won’t struggle running anything the Mac App Store or Steam has to offer. All we need now is confirmation from Apple, which could happen as early as today if they intend to use WWDC to make the refresh announcement.

Source: Geek

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Ivy Bridge vs Sandy Bridge Comparison

Ivy Bridge vs Sandy Bridge ComparisonWhat are the key differences—and similarities—between Intel's second- and third-generation Core (aka Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge) processors? We break them down for you.

It happens every year, almost like clockwork—literal and figurative: Intel implements one or the other part of its tick-tock development strategy, which guarantees processor innovation is an ongoing, rather than an intermittent, process. But whether any given year is the tick (a reduction in the production process) or the tock (a new microarchitecture), it can occasionally be difficult to know exactly what's changed, or what impact it will have on you. So if you've been wondering about the differences between Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge, respectively Intel's second- and third-generation Core processor technologies, here's a list of the most important differences—and similarities—between the two.

1. Sandy Bridge is last year's news. Intel introduced its Sandy Bridge desktop and laptop processors at the start of 2011, just in time to coincide with the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Ivy Bridge, due to a number of delays, arrived in April of 2012, and essentially replaced Sandy Bridge in the market. This doesn't mean you won't still find Sandy Bridge processors, or systems using them, for sale in some places, but they're more or less in their end-of-life cycle now, with the newer technologies and benefits of Ivy Bridge having replaced them.

2. Ivy Bridge is a "tick," Sandy Bridge was a "tock." With its Sandy Bridge chips last year, Intel introduced a new microarchitecture that changed the building blocks of the processor's operation. Because Ivy Bridge uses the Sandy Bridge architecture, just about each individual change Intel debuted before (Turbo Boost 2.0 for dynamic hands-off overclocking, Quick Sync Video for speedier video transcoding, and so on) also applies now. The changes this time around are far less sweeping, with the processing die shrink from 32nm to 22nm being the biggest news. Intel has added some additional features as well—enough, in fact, that for a while the company referred to this year's move as a "tick-plus"—but this is the most fundamental.

3. Ivy Bridge uses some newer technologies. In order to achieve the reduction in Ivy Bridge die size, Intel developed a new kind of three-dimensional "Tri-Gate" transistor. But there are some additional advancements in Ivy Bridge, as well, including support for PCI Express (PCIe) 3.0 and DDR3L (low-voltage) memory, buffed-up security features, and better integrated graphics (see below).

4. Ivy Bridge is faster—but just a little. Performance generally improves more between "ticks" and "tocks" than between "tocks" and "ticks," and you can see this in the relationship between Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge. In our testing, for example, an Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge processor earned in our CineBench R11.5 multicore rendering test a score of 1.65, compared with a Core i7-2700K (the fastest Sandy Bridge chip) in the same system earning 1.58. The chips' scores in PCMark 7 (3,679 versus 3,867) and times in Adobe Photoshop CS5 (2 minutes 47 seconds versus 2:50) and Handbrake 0.9.6 (32 seconds versus 31 seconds) also bear this out. So you will see speed bumps, but they'll be small this time around. Chances are, however, that next year's "tock" will boost the speeds of new processors considerably more.

5. Ivy Bridge uses less power. With die shrinks typically also come a reduction in the amount of power that processor needs to operate. That's certainly true in the case of Ivy Bridge. As long as we were testing the Core i7-2700K and the Core i7-3770K with otherwise exactly the same hardware setup, we decided to take some power readings using an Extech Datalogger. Though the full systems idled at almost the same electricity draw (about 71 watts), there was a stark difference when we maxed out all four of the processors' cores: The Core i7-2700K system needed 166.5 watts, but the Core i7-3700K drew only 136.3—a remarkable change.

6. Ivy Bridge has better graphics... Sandy Bridge processors sported a redesigned video system (available in two flavors: Intel HD Graphics 2000 or 3000, with the latter being more powerful), but one that was limited in a few key ways. Ivy Bridge chips removed one of the chief limitations by replacing Sandy Bridge's dusty DirectX 10.1 (DX10.1) support with DX11 capabilities, and generally improving their speed and functionality. We didn't see enormous frame rate leaps between HD Graphics 3000 (in the Core i7-2700K) and 4000 (in the Core i7-3770K) in our testing with currently popular 3D titles, but we definitely saw some.

7. ...but still not good enough for intense gaming. But the fact remains that, despite these changes, you'll still want a discrete video card if you're serious about playing 3D games like Max Payne 3, Batman: Arkham City, or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Neither generation of Intel HD Graphics was designed to provide outstanding frame rates in those kinds of titles, particularly with maxed-out graphical details or at larger resolutions, so a standalone card from either AMD or Nvidia will enhance your experience tremendously. Don't care at all about those types of games? Then any incarnation of Intel HD Graphics will suit you just fine.

8. Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge are backward-compatible. Intel has a not-entirely-undeserved reputation of forcing people to buy new motherboards every year or every other year if they want to be able to use the highest-performance CPUs available. The good news is that that's not the case with Ivy Bridge. Sandy Bridge processors will work in Ivy Bridge motherboards, and vice versa (although, in that case, you may need to update your motherboard's BIOS to ensure compatibility). You may find yourself a little constrained in some ways by using a newer CPU in an older board, but this is a good way to get your hands on the latest technologies without having to perform a full-scale upgrade on your PC. It's also a good way to reduce confusion in the market—and one we'd be happy to see Intel adopt again in the future.


Source: Thinkdigit

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Toshiba Portege Z930 Intel Ivy Bridge Ultrabook

Toshiba Portege Z930 Intel Ivy Bridge UltrabookToshiba is now shipping the Portege Z930, a 2.5-pound Ultrabook with Intel Ivy Bridge processors, Tivoli technology from IBM and hardcore business features like a fingerprint reader.

Toshiba introduced the Portege Z930 Ultrabook and R930, R940 and R950 ultra portables June 5, all running Intel “Ivy Bridge” processors. Lest the machines risk being lost in the dozens upon dozens of new machines to run the 3rd-generation processors, Intel executives have said that more than 100 Ultrabooks have been designed around them. Toshiba has paired them with a second technology of note, a Smart Client Manager, powered by Tivoli from IBM.

The Manager puts an emphasis on three areas: power management, patch management and security.

“Those three things are very, very important when you’re looking at business notebooks,” Cindy Zwerling, Toshiba’s B2B Product Marketing Manager told eWEEK.

With the Manager, if people leave machines on over the weekend, an IT manager can adjust monitor power consumption for better energy efficiency gains. If a PC is stolen, IT has the ability to lock itself out of the network. And, from a single console, IT can control the deployment of patches, resolve problems from previously applied patches and provide up-to-date patch visibility. It’s Toshiba’s first venture with something from IBM, said Zwerling, and it’s on all four new notebooks, which are now shipping.

“What can we say that no one else can? Toshiba owns the entire process, from designing to manufacturing. We don’t ODM anything.”

Because it controls the process, she continued, “the end result is durable, high-quality PCS with some of the lowest failure rates in the industry.”

Still another distinction is that Toshiba calls the Portege Z930 the world’s lightest 13-inch Ultrabook. It weighs less than 2.5 pounds, measures 0.63-inches thick, offers up to eight hours of battery life and supports up to an Intel Core i7 processor with vPro and AMT technology.

Its solid-state drive makes it particularly responsive. There’s a “full complement” of ports, according to Toshiba, as well as a fingerprint reader and a solid, travel-ready case that includes a magnesium alloy casing along with a reinforced honeycomb rib design for shock absorption and increased rigidity.

An Ultrabook with a fingerprint reader, AMT and TPM? Reviewing the Z930’s specs, Zwerling insists, “No one has the offering that we have in this notebook.”

Pricing will start at $1,249.

Toshiba calls the Portege R930: world’s lightest 13.3-inch full performance ultraportable business laptop with an integrated DVD drive. An inch thin and 3 pounds, it supports up to an Intel Core i7 full-voltage processor and comes with two USB 3.0 ports, Bluetooth 3.0 and can be configured with a hard storage disk or solid-state drive.

Pricing starts at $1,399.

Rounding out Toshiba’s new lineup are the Tecra R940 and R950, machines weighing less than 4.5 pounds, measuring an inch thick and featuring LED-backlit widescreen HD displays—14- and 15.6-inches, respectively.

Both offer an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, a bump in memory and graphics over previous models and a 2-megapixel HD Webcam—something Zwerling says customers have asked for. Spill-resistant keyboards, a fingerprint reader and Toshiba Sleep & Charge technology round out the features for this model.

Pricing starts at $1,199 for the R940 and $1,179 for the R950.

Source: Eweek

Tuesday, June 05, 2012

Possibly Fake Copy of MacBook Pro specs show USB 3.0, Ivy Bridge, no Retina display

Fake Copy of MacBook Pro specs show USB 3.0, Ivy Bridge, no Retina displayAn image claiming to show specifications for an unreleased 13-inch MacBook Pro shows it equipped with an Ivy Bridge processor and USB 3.0 ports, but without a high-resolution Retina display.

The image, published on Tuesday by Macotakara, could easily have been faked. But the questionable image shows hardware specifications as they would usually appear on the box of an Apple notebook.

The image claims the computer will feature a 2.5 gigahertz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with 3 megabytes of L3 cache and Turbo Boost up to 3.1 gigahertz. It also features 4 gigabytes of 1600 megahertz DDR3 SDRAM, a 500 gigabyte 5400-rpm hard drive, and the new Intel HD Graphics 4000 found in the latest Ivy Bridge processors.

The purported specifications also show the MacBook Pro with a 13.3-inch LED backlit glossy widescreen display with a resolution of just 1,280 by 800 pixels. That resolution would not qualify as an Apple-branded Retina display, as the company is expected to debut new MacBook Pros with higher resolution screens at next week's Worldwide Developers Conference.

In addition to having a traditional spinning hard drive, the list of features also suggests the 13-inch MacBook Pro will have an 8x slot-loading SuperDrive for CDs and DVDs. Apple's next MacBook Pros are instead expected to be a significant redesign that will ditch the optical drive for a thinner design like the MacBook Air.

However, the alleged MacBook Pro update does feature two high-speed USB 3.0 ports, in addition to a Thunderbolt port, SDXC card slot, and FireWire 800 port.

The size and weight shown on the spec sheet has the MacBook Pro sized at 12.78 by 8.94 by 0.95 inches and 4.5 pounds. Those are identical to the current 13-inch MacBook Pro sold by Apple.

If legitimate, it's possible the specifications could show a low-end 13-inch MacBook Pro that Apple intends to release. That model could lack some of the features of the higher end models, like a thinner design and Retina display.

Source: Appleinsider

Monday, June 04, 2012

Kingston Introduce Dual-Channel Ram Kits For Intel Ivy Bridge CPUs

Kingston Introduce Dual-Channel Ram Kits For Intel Ivy Bridge CPUsMemory maker Kingston announced on Monday that it has begun shipping memory kits engineered specifically for Intel’s new third-generation Core i5 and i7 “Ivy Bridge” processors.

The company’s HyperX dual-channel kits come in 8-gigabyte and 16-gigabyte pairs at 1600MHz, 2133MHz, 2400MHz and — soon — 2666MHz frequencies.

As always with speeds and feeds, the name of the game here is performance — whether for benchmarkers, enthusiasts or the designers at your company who have been complaining to the IT department that Adobe Creative Suite keeps dragging down their aging systems. (Or, in our case, our colleagues over at GameSpot who actually play games for a living. Just saying.)

The new memory kits are available now through the usual channels.

A rundown:

KHX26C11T1K2/8X HyperX T1 8GB 2666MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL11 DIMM @ 1.65v (Kit of 2) XMP — “Coming soon.”
KHX24C11T1K2/8X HyperX T1 8GB 2400MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL11 DIMM @ 1.65v (Kit of 2) XMP — $89.99
KHX21C11T1K2/16X HyperX T1 16GB 2133MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL11 DIMM @ 1.6v (Kit of 2) XMP — $219.99
KHX21C11T1K2/8X HyperX T1 8GB 2133MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL11 DIMM @ 1.6v (Kit of 2) XMP — $74.99
KHX16C10B1K2/16X HyperX Blu 16GB 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL10 DIMM @ 1.5v (Kit of 2) XMP – $129.99


Source: Zdnet