quad-core

Imagining a quad-core Motorola Xoom

As chipmakers trip over each other to announce tablet-centric chips packing four processing engines, it's not hard to see where a product like the Motorola Xoom is headed.

Where? The same performance space a mainstream laptop occupies now. A graphic Nvidia released to CNET shows its next-generation Tegra processor exceeding Intel's Core 2 Duo processor (the chip used in many, if not most, laptops today) in performance.

And Nvidia is claiming benchmarks back up this (see second embedded video below). Benchmarks aside, it's easy to imagine a future Motorola Xoom tablet crunching image data at speeds similar … Read more

Nvidia pushing tablets to quad-core chip this year

With its Tegra chip already well-ensconced in some of the most highly anticipated tablets from Motorola and Samsung, Nvidia is keen on moving the market quickly to super-high-octane tablets packing quad-core processors.

Nvidia's dual-core Tegra 2 is already in the Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and LG Optimus Pad. Those products are due in the coming weeks and months.

Not resting on its laurels, Nvidia has started sample shipments of a quad-core Tegra processor codenamed Kal-El. "We're providing samples now to our customers. We're expecting the first products with this processor to be out this holiday … Read more

Get a quad-core HP desktop for $369 shipped

Quad-core desktops have been mighty popular of late. The ones I've posted in recent weeks have all sold out in a matter of hours. I think that's because a lot of folks are looking to replace their aging Windows XP boxes with something more powerful--and Windows 7-powered.

J&R has a refurbished HP Pavilion p6247c quad-core desktop for $369 shipped. I won't say this is the best configuration I've ever seen, but it packs more than enough punch for most home users.

The system's heavy hitters include a 2.6GHz AMD Athlon II X4 … Read more

Get a quad-core desktop PC for $348

A couple weeks ago I posted a Gateway quad-core desktop PC for $279.99--a pretty killer deal by all rights, which is probably why it sold out almost instantly. Hopefully today's will last a little longer.

Update: Uh, no, guess it didn't. These quad-cores are obviously very popular items. It's beyond my control, I'm afraid, but I apologize once again for the quick sellout.

Update No. 2: Back in stock! For the moment, at least...

An outfit called BuyDakota (by way of Buy.com) has a much-better equipped Gateway SX2802-01 quad-core desktop PC for $347.99 shipped.… Read more

Get a quad-core desktop PC for $279.99 shipped

Finally ready to replace that old Windows XP box? Here's your chance to score a seriously powerful system for a seriously low price: Buy.com has the Gateway DX4200-09 quad-core desktop for $279.99 shipped.

I know what you're thinking: too good to be true. But I'd say this system has only two shortcomings, both of them minor.

First, it's a refurb with the typical 90-day warranty. You know my thinking on that: any problem that might have existed with the system has been fixed, so in some ways it's actually better than new.

Second, … Read more

Get a quad-core desktop PC for $325

It's remarkable how much bang for the buck you can get from a PC these days.

For example, if you're looking to replace an aging desktop with something far more powerful, Tech For Less has a refurbished HP Pavilion a6700y quad-core desktop for $325.04. Shipping will run you about $25.

The system offers some mighty impressive specs for the price, starting with an AMD Phenom 9150e quad-core processor. Multitask all you want; it won't break a sweat.

It also comes with 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, a DVD burner, and built-in 802.11b/g (… Read more

Some assistance for the new 27-inch, Quad Core, Late 2009 iMacs

Apple has just released a few knowledge base articles to help users with issues they may experience when setting up and using their new iMac. These articles cover using the correct Mac OS X system software, what to do if your startup keys do not work with your wireless keyboard, and migrating from Mac OS X 10.5 with wireless migration.… Read more

Quad-core chip makes sense for Apple laptop

If the speculation about a new MacBook Pro is on the money, the step up to Intel's quad-core mobile technology would have a profound impact on this vaunted line of Apple laptops.

So, why would Apple adopt a Core i processor in a laptop? The short answer is OS X Snow Leopard. The new operating system is designed to be better at wringing more performance out of multicore processors--and the Core i chips pack four cores.

The long answer is the Core "i" chips themselves. The Core i, a.k.a. "Nehalem," is a brand … Read more

A quad-core, Blu-ray, media-center desktop for $479.99

If you're in the market for a PC to serve as the hub of your home theater, look no further than the refurbished HP Pavilion Slimline S3750F. It's compact, loaded, and on sale at Buy.com for $479.99 shipped.

As many of you pointed out in last weekend's post about the Nero LiquidTV TiVo PC, Windows Media Center offers some pretty killer DVR features.

I agree 100 percent, which is why there's a PC much like this HP sitting in my family room, connected to my TV.

The S3750F features a quad-core AMD processor, 4GB … Read more

AMD eyes Intel, Windows 7 with $99 chip

Advanced Micro Devices will try to inject new life into the lackluster desktop PC market with the first sub-$100 quad-core processor aimed at Windows 7--and Intel.

It's all about mobile computing today. But AMD's Athlon II X4 quad-core processor will give consumers something to consider on the desktop when Windows 7 ships in October. The chip is priced at $99 for "system builders," according to AMD.

"The introduction of the new AMD mainstream desktop platform coupled with Windows 7, allows...a faster, higher performing experience at an attractive price point," said Mike Ybarra, … Read more