Unreleased Core i7 based Macbook Pro spotted at Geekbench

Somebody’s testing the next generation of MacBook Pro on Geekbench. Modeled as MacBookPro6,1, this notebook is based on the Intel Core i7 M 620 CPU running at 2.66GHz with 4GB RAM. Me wants!

Google is feeling Valentine’s day

Here is the latest ad for Google that will supposedly air during Super Bowl. Goes on to show how Google is humanizing itself and I must say that they’ve done a pretty good job with this ad. I need a tissue.

Microsoft Arc Keyboard

Weighing in at less than a pound, the Arc Keyboard is beautiful and easy to move from room to room. Its domed keyset comfortably rests on the lap so you can kick back on the couch or type away on the kitchen counter. Described by Microsoft as “style that works,” the Arc Keyboard isn’t intended to stay just on your desk.

Chinese new year delays HD 5830, Fermi

Counting down to the Chinese New year, we know there will be a lot of delays during this time as most of the factories will be full-time down, the shipments alike. Fermi will be strongly affected by the delayed shipments, but another victim will be the Radeon HD 5830 GPUs which were said to be leaving for the Chinese factories no earlier than 10th. Shipments can also hang at the ports up until 20th of April..

Business PCs Arrive with New Intel Core vPro Processor Family

Intel Corporation today unveiled its 2010 Intel Core vPro processor family to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes for PCs with greater, more flexible performance, theft prevention and cost savings in a rapidly changing business computing environment. These and several other capabilities are at the heart of many new Intel-based business laptop and desktop computers beginning to roll out from computer manufacturers worldwide.

The Intel Core vPro processors arrive as business computing evolves with the emergence of video, Internet telephony, social networking and other heavyweight applications - in many cases running at the same time - making a computer's performance an even bigger priority.

"Businesses, particularly those that haven't purchased PCs for several years, face a computing environment that no longer handles the applications many workers and IT are adopting," said Rick Echevarria, vice president, Intel Architecture Group, and general manager, Business Client Platform Division. "The integration of intelligent performance along with smart security and cost-saving manageability features in the Intel Core vPro processor family provide IT and SMBs a no-compromise platform. We also are excited about how Intel vPro Technology gives IT the flexibility to look at client virtualization, consumerization and rich cloud applications."

The platform based on the 2010 Intel Core vPro processor family includes the new Intel Q57 Express chipset, and new Intel 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection for notebooks and Intel 82578DM Network Connection for desktop PCs.

Computer manufacturers worldwide, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Toshiba, are rolling out business PCs based on the 2010 Intel Core vPro processor family. In addition, developers of software solutions for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and enterprises such as Aternity, Bomgar, Kaseya, LANDesk, Level Platforms, LogMeIn, Microsoft, N-Able, RealVNC, Spiceworks, Symantec and WinZip will support the new features in their upcoming products. IT service providers, including AT&T Tech Support 360 and PlumChoice, plan to adopt Intel Core vPro Technology capabilities into their SMB offerings.

Thinking Fast
The processors are based on Intel's award-winning "Nehalem" microarchitecture and manufactured on Intel's groundbreaking new 32-nanometer process. Intel has integrated high-definition graphics in its processors for the first time, and incorporated Intel's second-generation high-k metal gate transistors that help increase computing speed and battery life.

The 2010 Intel Core i7 processors and Core i5 processors feature Intel Turbo Boost Technology and Intel Hyper-Threading Technology for adaptive, "smarter" computing. Intel Turbo Boost Technology automatically adjusts the speed of the processor when it senses a workload change - faster when the user, for example, is multitasking or watching a video, and slower, more energy-efficiently when the worker goes for coffee and only background applications are running.

Contributing to the industry-leading speed and energy efficiency of the processors, Intel Hyper-Threading Technology interconnects multiple processor cores with multiple "threads" that enable faster processing of instructions in parallel.

Using standard benchmarks, a notebook with the 2010 Intel Core i5 vPro processor can run business productivity applications up to 80 percent faster, multiple applications up to twice as fast, and protect confidential data up to 3.5 times quicker compared to a 3-year-old mainstream notebook.

Outsmarting Evil Doers
Intel Anti-Theft Technology, available with Intel vPro Technology frustrates thieves by locking access to a PC if a central server or built-in intelligence concludes it is lost or stolen. New Intel Anti-Theft Technology version 2.0 (Intel AT 2.0) enables encryption solutions to disable access to cryptographic keys through hardware to completely block access to data, and also makes it simpler to reactivate a PC once in rightful hands. Also, a custom message can be displayed in a pre-OS screen of the disabled PC for anyone who tries to access the computer. Many computer makers plan to support Intel AT 2.0, such as Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo and Panasonic, and such security companies as Absolute Software, PGP, Phoenix and WinMagic.

Thinking Straight on Management
The new Intel Keyboard-Video-Mouse Remote Control (KVM Remote Control), features available with dual-core Intel Core i5 and i7 vPro processors work in conjunction with Intel integrated graphics, bringing a stop to IT administrators' frustration with having to ask users, "What do you see?" Instead, they will see users' displays just as the users do and have full control of the PC, even if the operating system is inoperative. Previously, KVM functionality required appliances that cost as much as $200 and more per PC.

As encryption becomes more prevalent in business PCs, Intel has added features that avoid productivity slowdowns. First, Intel incorporated new instructions for the Advanced Encryption Standard into the hardware, speeding up encryption and decryption. Second, new Intel Remote Encryption Management enables distant IT personnel to manage PCs with encrypted hard drives by more securely unlocking those drives, making all of the Intel vPro Technology capabilities available.

Another new feature, PC Alarm Clock, can wake a PC from off at a predetermined time to perform maintenance, security and other tasks on its own.

Boost for Small-, Medium-sized Businesses …
Today, Channel OEMs and system builders, including ASI, Equus and Seneca Databegan introducing notebooks for SMBs based on the 2010 Intel Core processor family and other Intel building blocks. The full-featured line of notebooks, supported by an Intel enablement program called "Spring Peak," are being developed by original design manufacturers such as Gigabyte and Pegatron, and sold through Intel channel distribution. The Spring Peak platform offers distinctive design, docking station, 15.6-inch LED LCD performance notebook and supports Intel Anti-Theft Technology.

... and Enterprises
Intel launched a workstation platform based on the new Intel Core i5 processor and the Intel 3450 chipset. The platform creates an innovative category of entry-level workstations that delivers workstation efficiency, power and reliability at near-traditional business PC prices. The platform is aimed at SMB and enterprise users who run such applications as digital-media creation or entry-level computer-aided design. The platform takes advantage of new Intel HD graphics and has been certified on applications from ADOBE, Autodesk and others. Workstations based on the platform are being introduced by Intel channel providers, including Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo and NEC.

For wireless performance that complements the speed of the new Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors, Intel unveiled the Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 and Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 802.11n WLAN adapters. The adapters offer advanced 802.11n multi-stream capabilities, dual-band support, consistent coverage and higher speeds (up to 450 Mbps for the 6300 and 300 Mbps for the 6200). Intel also introduced the Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 adapter, which offers up to 20-Mbps WiMAX and advanced 802.11abgn (up to 300 Mbps) WiFi for maximum versatile coverage. All three adapters support Intel vPro Technology.

AMD Announces ATI Radeon HD 5450 Graphics Accelerator

AMD today announced the introduction of the ATI Radeon HD 5450 graphics card, the latest addition to the award-winning line-up of ATI Radeon HD 5000 Series graphics cards The ATI Radeon HD 5450 graphics card delivers a state-of-the-art HD multimedia and game experience at a value price. Sharing the same leading edge features found in the critically-acclaimed ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series - support for DirectX 11, ATI Eyefinity multi-display technology and ATI Stream technology - the ATI Radeon HD 5450 provides an uncompromising Microsoft Windows 7 experience.

• Cutting-edge technology for today’s software: The ATI Radeon HD 5450 graphics card offers great performance, allowing users to get the true Windows 7 experience5 with full DirectX 11 support, for less than USD $60 for a 512MB memory configuration.
• Expanded productivity with multi-display technology: Featuring support for ATI Eyefinity multi-monitor technology, the ATI Radeon HD 5450 graphics card helps users be more productive in today’s visually rich applications by expanding their on-screen real estate, putting more information at their fingertips.
• Silent running: Offering leading-edge performance per watt, the ATI Radeon HD 5450 redefines entry level performance and ultra-low power consumption, making it possible for AIB partners to deliver passive cooling models to market in addition to whisper-quiet, single slot fan-cooled versions.
• Rich HD multimedia experience: Home theater buffs will particularly appreciate the ATI Radeon HD 5450 graphics product. This passively-cooled, ultra-quiet card is a home theater PC builder’s dream, enabling high quality, high-definition home theater experiences. The home theater experience is enriched with features such as HDMI 1.3a with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio for the ultimate media PC.

"The ATI Radeon HD 5450 offers consumers another next-generation graphics product from AMD, and further reinforces our price-performance value at a wide range of price points,” said Matt Skynner, vice president and general manager, AMD Graphics Division. “With the addition of the ATI Radeon HD 5450, home theater enthusiasts and casual gamers have access to cutting-edge features and solid performance at an incredible value.”

The ATI Radeon HD 5450 is available immediately from a number of partners, including ASUS, ASK, Club 3D, DMM, GBT, HIS, LDLC.com, MSI, Sapphire, TUL, VT and XFX. For more information, visit the product page.

Crysis 2 screenshots and details

Interesting new things in Crysis 2.

-Will be set mostly in New York but also other locations
-New nanosuit abilites and customizations upgrading during missions ( Armor, Power, Tactical and Infiltration )
-Free big roaming missions requires investigation and you can decide how to go from point A to B, you can mark a location and follow the directions on the map to get there.
-Climb gameplay ... ( know what )
-Addition to the military there will be a third faction to hamper it. ( Perhaps a faction of researchers who are looking to discover the potential alien ) my opinion...

Sapphire Readies Radeon HD 5450 Low-Profile Accelerator

 Sapphire is ready with its entry-level DirectX 11 compliant graphics card based on the new ATI Radeon HD 5450. The design is a low-profile capable single-slot accelerator, with passive cooling for silent operation. This gives us a rough idea of how the move to 40 nm process helped AMD's lowest-end GPUs. This particular card has 1 GB of DDR2 memory across a 64-bit wide memory interface. As a first sighting, you can see ATI-branded memory chips on this card. Display connectivity includes DVI-D, HDMI (with 7.1ch audio), and D-Sub which protrudes out. A set of low-profile brackets is also bundled. The Cedar GPU bundles 80 stream processors and a 64-bit wide memory interface. Expect the card to be released soon, at a price targeting the sub-$50 segment.

  

Upcoming Intel Core CPUs Detailed

Intel is poised to release new performance and high-end processors across its various Core family brands, within Q1 2010 and later. OCWorkbench, citing sources in Japan, released tentative release dates and information of new Core family processors. Among a few known names such as the six-core Core i7 980X, there are a few new ones. Details and dates are as follows:

>> Core i7 980X "Gulftown": six-core, LGA-1366, 3.33 GHz (turbo: 3.60 GHz), March 16

>> Core i7 970 "Bloomfield": quad-core, LGA-1366, 3.33 GHz (turbo: 3.46 GHz), Q3, 2010

>> Core i7 930 "Bloomfield": quad-core, LGA-1366, 2.80 GHz (turbo: 3.06 GHz), February 28

>> Core i7 880 "Lynnfield": quad-core, LGA-1156, 3.06 GHz (turbo: 3.73 GHz), Q2, 2010

>> Core i5 680 "Clarkdale": dual-core, LGA-1156, 3.60 GHz (turbo: 3.80 GHz), Mid-May

>> Core i3 550 "Clarkdale": dual-core, LGA-1156, 3.20 GHz, Q2, 2010

>> Pentium E6700 "Wolfdale-2M": dual-core, LGA-775, 3.43 GHz, Q2, 2010

Although the Core i7 960 is available in its OEM form, the company doesn't plan to retail it with its retail packaging.

NVIDIA's First DirectX 11 Accelerators are GeForce GTX 480 and 470

A tweet on NVIDIA's Twitter account reveals that the company's first DirectX 11 compliant consumer graphics products will be named GeForce GTX 480 and GeForce GTX 470, against popular opinion that they could make for the GeForce GTX 300 series. The most likely reason for this could be that the company has released mobile graphics products under the GeForce GT 3xx series which are based on its GT21x series GPUs which are DirectX 10.1 compliant. It would be hence easier to make out that DirectX 11 products start in the 400 series.

The two are based on NVIDIA's GF100 GPU which physically has 512 CUDA cores (shader units), a 384-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface, and DirectX 11 compliance. While the GTX 480 is likely the full-featured part, it remains to be seen how NVIDIA carves out the GTX 470 SKU. An enquiry by AnandTech confirmed the authenticity of the Twitter account.