sandy

Intel 'Ivy Bridge' chip delayed, Windows 8 in September, report claims

The next-generation Intel chip destined to populate the upcoming crop of ultrabooks is delayed, an Asia-based report claims.

The delay of the "Ivy Bridge" processor is being reported by DigiTimes, a publication that typically voices the concerns of device makers. Those concerns are just as often opinion as they are fact.

That said, the key point is that volume shipments of Ivy Bridge won't happen until "after June," Digitimes said, citing sources at "first-tier notebook vendors [that] are having trouble digesting their Sandy Bridge notebook inventories due to the weak global economy."

A &… Read more

Apple slated AMD chip for MacBook Air?

Here's one strictly for the rumor hopper: Apple was on the verge of coming out with a MacBook Air packing a processor from Advanced Micro Devices.

The reasoning put forward by chip-centric Web site Semiaccurate is that AMD offered better graphics horsepower. Today, the Air--and all the MacBooks--use Intel's Sandy Bridge processors.

"If you are wondering why the Air wasn't really revamped much this last time, it is because you are looking at plan B. Plan A was basically a low power [AMD] Llano in an Air shell, and that would have been a really tasty … Read more

Ultrabook pricing heads south

With Best Buy getting ready to sell a $799.99 Toshiba ultrabook and the Acer Aspire S3 now going for $839.99, the prospect of affordable ultrabooks is real.

Surprisingly, this didn't take long to happen.

"I think Intel is cheering right now--that the price came down that low that fast," said Deron Kershaw, an analyst at Gap Intelligence.

"What's the magical price point that sales really begin to take off? That's probably $599 to $699 next year. But we didn't think we were going to see anything around $800 this year," … Read more

Toshiba Ultrabook to debut at Best Buy for $799

Toshiba is poised to launch a model in its Z830 Portege Ultrabook series for $799.99 at Best Buy, which will be a new low price point for this emerging laptop category.

The Portege Z835 at Best Buy (model: Z835-P330) packs a "Sandy Bridge" 1.4GHz Core i3-2367M processor, 4GB DDR3 memory, 13.3" LED-backlit display (1366x768), and 128GB solid-state drive.

The 0.6-inch thick, 2.5-pound laptop also includes Intel HD 3000 graphics, built-in webcam and microphone, one USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet LAN, Wi-Fi, and Windows 7 Home Premium.

Interestingly, … Read more

New MacBook Pros coming?

Just when you thought it was safe to buy a new Apple product. New MacBook Pros may be on the way, according to a pair of Apple enthusiast Web sites.

9to5Mac kicked off the speculation last week when it claimed new MacBook Pros may be launching soon.

And Apple Insider is now chiming in, saying the launch date may be later than 9to5Mac's wager on next week.

Apple Insider adds that the shutdown of facilities at Catcher Technology--which makes the aluminum chassis for MacBook Pros--isn't helping matters.

Whatever the timing turns out to be, updates to all … Read more

Intel revenue tops $14 billion for first time

Intel's revenue in the third quarter jumped 28 percent year over year, while profits also shot up over the previous year.

The world's largest chipmaker reported revenue of $14.2 billion on a GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) basis, on GAAP earnings of 65 cents per share. Adjusted income was 69 cents per share. This compares to $11.1 billion in revenue in the year-earlier period, or 52 cents a share.

Intel was expected to report earnings of 61 cents a share, on revenue of $13.9 billion, according to an analysts' consensus.

The chipmaker surpassed $14 billion … Read more

Windows $899 Ultrabook arrives: Acer Aspire S3

Intel has been busily promoting the Ultrabook as an inexpensive Windows ultraportable laptop that will start at under $1,000. Well, Acer delivered on that promise today with the Aspire S3 that starts at $899.99.

The S3 is truly thin and light, not like the faux "ultrathins" of years past. The 13.3-inch chassis is 0.68 inches thick and weighs 2.98 pounds. That thickness is identical to the more expensive--at $1,299--MacBook Air, which weighs 2.96 pounds.

And price is important. Intel CEO Paul Otellini promised Ultrabooks would appear priced under $1,000. That's requirement No. 1 to compete effectively with the popular MacBook Air, which starts at $999.

Acer's S3 isn't the first sub-0.8-inch featherweight Windows laptop made from metal but it's the first in this price range: an $899 aluminum-clad, half-inch thick 13.3-inch laptop is truly a Windows milestone.

Acer Aspire S3-951 salient specs:… Read more

Apple's Jobs still shapes PC laptop future

Steve Jobs' imprint on PC laptop design in 2012 and beyond will be large. But we have to step back a few years to see the arc of that influence.

In January 2008 Apple introduced the MacBook Air. That groundbreaking design bore most of the hallmarks of PC laptops that are expected to flood the market in 2012.

Let's look at what Jobs said at that time (see video below).

Highlights of Jobs' MacBook Air presentation in January 2008:

"Instant-on the minute you open it up" "Generous trackpad" Multitouch gesture support Solid-state drive Under 0.… Read more

Dell unveils thin 14-inch XPS z laptop

Dell is adding a 14-inch model to its new line of thin XPS z series laptops--though availability, for now, will be limited to China.

The 4.4-pound XPS 14z boasts a borderless--or bezel-free--display yielding a design that's similar to a 13-inch laptop. And Dell squeezes an optical drive into a form factor that's just less than an inch thick.

Like the earlier XPS 15z, the 14z has Intel Core i5 and Core i7 Sandy Bridge processors. It also comes with an Nvidia GeForce GT 520M graphics option, USB 3.0 ports, and a 1366x768 HD LED display.

Availability is in China only and is being launched ahead of the country's Golden Week holiday. Availability in other regions, including the U.S., will be announced in the coming weeks.

By announcing in China first, Dell is acknowledging the enormity of that market.

In China a model with an i5 processor, 4G RAM, 500GB HDD, and 1GB video card will be priced at 7,699 yuan. Information about pricing and sales in the U.S. was not immediately available. … Read more