Qualcomm has snatched up a formerly key Intel exec, Anand Chandrasekher, who will now run marketing and external comms for the company as CMO. Chandrasekher was until recently senior VP and general manager for Intel’s Ultra Mobility Group and responsible for the Atom processor that forms the company’s mobile strategy. However, it’s the possibility of ARM chips in laptops, desktops and servers that looks to be whetting Qualcomm’s appetite.
“[Chandrasekher’s] extensive experience in marketing and management makes Anand well-suited to help grow Qualcomm’s communications and marketing efforts across the world and to amplify our consumer offerings to new audiences” Qualcomm president and COO Steve Mollenkopf said in a statement today. Those “new audiences” are likely to include non-smartphone and tablet implementations of Qualcomm chips, a segment which the company currently dominates.
Qualcomm isn’t the only ARM-based chipset firm to target what would traditionally be systems powered by x86 processors. ARM itself has been building links with production partners to create chips that support the same functionality as x86 server cores, only with reduced power consumption and at a far cheaper price.
Chandrasekher’s new role is just the latest in a series of chip company shuffles that have seen high-profile processor experts jump ship between key players in the industry. Earlier this month AMD announced it was hiring a former Apple processor expert, only weeks after Apple hired an ex-AMD Trinity architect.
Lenovo has launched its latest line of IdeaPads, and they’re targeted directly at the mainstream consumer. The Lenovo IdeaPad U410 comes with an eye-catching colored aluminum chassis – we received one in Sapphire Blue, but the U410 is also available in Graphite Grey and Ruby Red – but is this laptop all about looks, or does it have the power under the hood to still get stuff done? Read on to find out.
Hardware
Lenovo’s new IdeaPad line comes with a variety of hardware that’s meant to appeal with a broad range of consumers. The model we received is equipped with an Intel Core i5-3317U clocked at 1.7 Ghz, but other models that make use of a Core i3 or a Core i7 are available as well. Complete with Intel’s freshly-launched Ivy Bridge microarchitecture, the Core i5 will be able to handle most anything the mainstream consumer will need to do with the U410, and when coupled with the 8 gigs of RAM that comes installed, you have a laptop that’s capable of running surprisingly fast.
The HDD/SSD hybrid setup does its part to keep things moving along at a fast pace, allowing for shorter boot and wake up times than you’re probably used to with other laptops. The model we received came with a 500GB HDD, but the U410 has options up to 1TB. It also comes with a 32GB SSD, which is definitely appreciated, but a setup like this really shines when more software has been installed. It’s pretty fast out of the box, but the key is that it will be faster than most other laptops after being weighed down by additional installs.
The glossy 14.1-inch LCD screen nice, but it can be rather reflective. It’s capable of resolutions up to the laptop-friendly 1366×768 and features and adjustable brightness setting, so as long as you’re fine with no support for 1080p, you’ll probably find the screen to be satisfactory. Here’s something that came as a bit of a surprise: the 2.0 stereo speakers on this bad boy (complete with Dolby certification) actually give pretty good sound quality. Obviously, they may not be as good as the speakers you use on your desktop or that expensive pair of headphones you have lying around, but they’re not too bad when compared to other laptop speakers.
In many ways, the U410 is nearly identical to the IdeaPad U400, which we saw earlier this year [see our full review of the IdeaPad U400 here]. For instance, there aren’t any noticeable differences between the keyboards found on both. The chiclet-style keys of the U400 return with the U410, and overall there aren’t any complaints about the keyboard – the layout and the feel of the keys makes for a pleasant typing experience. There aren’t any major complaints about the track pad either, though there are times where it proves to be a bit too sensitive. Usually this isn’t a problem, but occasionally you’ll end up clicking something you didn’t mean to click. It’s a rare event, but it can be pretty frustrating when it happens.
Sadly, the U410’s 59Wh battery doesn’t quite meet expectations. Lenovo says that it provides up to 9 hours of productive use, but in reality, you can expect around 6 hours of battery life. When using programs that are more labor-intensive or running the screen at max brightness, that 6-hour time frame will likely decrease even more. Thankfully, the battery doesn’t take too terribly long to fully charge, as you can expect a charging time that’s in the area of an hour-and-a-half.
The IdeaPad comes equipped with Intel GMA HD 4000 graphics, but there’s also a NVIDIA GeFore 610M 1GB card there to pick up the slack. This setup takes advantage of NVIDIA’s Optimus technology, which switches between the two when you need a boost in graphics power. You’re not working with the best around, but mainstream consumers don’t need the best; they need functional. This setup is definitely functional, as it will undoubtedly be able to meet the needs of most, and it also works to keep prices competitive.
On the outside, we’ve got a full HDMI port, an Ethernet port, two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 jacks, a headphone jack, a 2-in-1 card slot that supports SD and MMC, and a microphone. The whole unit is about 0.8” thick and weighs in just south of 4.2 pounds, so while this isn’t the lightest laptop we’ve seen, it’s still very portable. More importantly, it feels quite sturdy, so with the IdeaPad U410, you’re getting a laptop that doesn’t feel like it will shatter if you look at it the wrong way.
Software
Surprisingly enough, the IdeaPad U410 doesn’t come with a ton of software pre-installed, and you might actually end up using what it does come installed with. Google Chrome is installed right from the get go, so you won’t ever need to touch Internet Explorer if you don’t want to. Like every other PC running Windows 7 (Home Premium 64-bit in this case ) out of the box, Microsoft Office Starter 2010 comes standard, but you’ll need to shell out additional cash if you want access to the full Office 2010 suite.
Lenovo YouCam lets you put 1-megapixel integrated camera to work, allowing you to capture and edit pictures and video, along with granting the ability to record what’s happening on your desktop. The app is easy to use and easy to learn, so it shouldn’t be too hard for most consumers to just pick it up and go. The camera isn’t just meant for recording, however, as the U410 also comes with VeriFace 4.0 installed. Using VeriFace and the VeriFace password manager, users can set up facial recognition for all of their various Internet logins, which helps to add an extra layer of security in the event that your IdeaPad gets stolen by one of the more unfavorable people walking this planet.
Dolby Home Theater v4 is onboard with the IdeaPad U410, giving users full control over the computer’s audio settings. Remember how we told you earlier that the IdeaPad’s speakers aren’t too bad as far as laptop speakers go? Dolby Home Theater lets you do more with them, allowing you to set up different profiles for audio, video, and games, along with more specific profiles should the need arise. It’s a handy little program, and those who take their audio quality seriously will probably appreciate the fact that it’s around.
System – LENOVO IdeaPad U410
Manufacturer
Lenovo
Product Type
Notebook
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Motherboard
LENOVO Lenovo
Processor
Intel Core i5-3317U
Processor ID
GenuineIntel Family 6 Model 58 Stepping 9
Processor Frequency
1.70 GHz
Processors
1
Threads
4
Cores
2
L1 Instruction Cache
32.0 KB
L1 Data Cache
32.0 KB
L2 Cache
256 KB
L3 Cache
3.00 MB
Memory
8.00 GB DDR3 SDRAM 799MHz
FSB
99.8 MHz
BIOS
LENOVO 65CN15WW
Other than those programs, the IdeaPad U410 comes with a trial version of Absolute Data Protect, the standard McAfee security center (in this case we’re working with McAfee Emerald 11.0), Adobe Reader X, and OneKey Recovery, which will help you backup your data and restore the system if anything ever goes awry. The fact that the IdeaPad U410 doesn’t come bogged down with a lot of pre-installed software is a big plus, and Lenovo earns extra points for including some programs that are actually worthwhile.
Wrap-Up
Okay, so the technophiles of the world probably won’t find much to get excited about with the IdeaPad U410, but this laptop will prove to be a good value for those who are more concerned with functionality than amazing specs. There are a few flaws, such as the shorter-than-expected battery life, but for the most part, average consumers who want a quality laptop will find a lot to love about the IdeaPad U410. The laptop’s Geekbench results reflect this – it definitely isn’t anywhere near the best, but it’s a solid computer that will meet the needs of most mainstream computers.
Benchmark Score – LENOVO IdeaPad U410
Section
Description
Score
Total Score
Windows x86 (64-bit) – Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Integer
Processor integer performance
5336
7377
Floating Point
Processor floating point performance
9615
Memory
Memory performance
7040
Stream
Memory bandwidth performance
7362
Additionally, you’re paying a fair price for what you’re getting. Prices range depending on what you want under the hood, but the model we received – which is by no means a slouch – has a price tag of $799. That’ll prove to be a pretty attractive price for most consumers, and with the IdeaPad U410, Lenovo has a laptop that will have no problem gaining the mainstream crowd’s attention.
Benchmarking outfit Futuremark has announced that Intel, Qualcomm, Acer and SingTel-Optus are joining the development program for the company’s 3DMark for Android. The quartet is in good company, joining a list of industry heavyweights that includes AMD, Microsoft and NVIDIA, amongst others. While the Helsinki-based outfit hasn’t mentioned a specific release date for its latest analysis application, it’s on course to arrive “later this year.” For us, that simply isn’t soon enough — but then again we don’t get out much.
If you’re a fan of Angry Birds, and you must absolutely play every available level for the game, you’ll definitely want to check out the new Intel branded version of the popular game on Facebook. In the Intel Angry Birds game, the birds follow those dastardly green pigs inside the brains of an computer.
You’ll notice Intel branded backdrop, and the green pigs also have what appear to be circuit etchings on their foreheads and there are various resistors and other parts lying about, and some of the wooden pieces you’re used to seeing in the game have been replaced with green circuit boards in this version. The birds can also be found lounging about on a tiny ultrabook if you look carefully.
Other than the branding and the odd high-tech sound effect, the gameplay mechanics are the same as any other version of Angry Birds on Facebook, though these are brand new levels. Use the mouse to pull the slingshot back and shoot the bird. Birds with special features such as bombs or the ability to speed up need to be clicked to activate. The scoreboards from the game can be shared with other Facebook friends as well. If you’re looking to waste some time, head on over to Facebook and play it now.
Sure, we know there’s great temptation to go the DIY route when considering your next HTPC, but if you’re looking for a small form factor solution, there are legitimate advantages inherent to prebuilt systems. HotHardware just put the ASRock Vision 3D 252B through a rigorous review, and while it isn’t the newest rig on the block, it’s said to be worthy of your consideration just the same. At the system’s heart, you’ll find a Core i5 2520M — which is from the Sandy Bridge era — but the diminutive computer is said to provide flawless playback of all media types. Other high points include the system’s quiet operation and low power consumption, and in summation, “The component choices, connectivity options, and form factor all hit the sweet spot.” While the roughly $900 price may deter some, HotHardware recommends the Vision 3D 252B as a worthwhile HTPC that provides better connectivity options and a smaller size than the DIY alternative.
The godfather of Linux, Linus Torvalds, may think that NVIDIA is “the worst,” but Valve respectfully disagrees. The company has been working closely with the manufacturer, as well as AMD and Intel, to boost performance of its hardware under the open source OS. The developer clearly has an interest in getting the best from those companies as it works to port Left 4 Dead 2 and Steam to Linux. That close partnership is already bearing impressive fruit as Valve claims its co-op zombie shooter now performs better on Ubuntu than it does under Windows 7 using a GeForce GTX 680. The first Open GL Linux version managed a measly six frames per second, while the Direct X powered Microsoft one was topping 270. Only a few months later, and Left 4 Dead 2 is hitting 315fps on the 32-bit version of Precise Pangolin, outperforming even the Open GL Windows port which sits at 305fps. Of course, it’s relatively well established that Ubuntu has lower overhead and running Direct X only compounds the issue, though, its unparalleled driver support can’t be denied. While it’s not completely fair to compare performance on a 32-bit OS to a 64-bit one, Valve is proving that gaming on Linux need not be some proof-of-concept exercise. Linus can flip NVIDIA the bird all he wants but, through its work with Valve, it may be doing more to bring Linux to the mainstream than anyone previously has.
Lenovo floated the ThinkPad X1 Carbon past us in May without so much as a whisper of what the lightweight Ultrabook’s price would be. The company doesn’t mind shouting it out in what looks to be a Hong Kong back-to-school promo flyer, though. As long as the Newsmth.net post represents the final pricing, local residents can normally expect to pay about HK$12,880 ($1,660 US) for an X1 Carbon with a 1.7GHz Core i5, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. That’s quite the premium if you compare it directly to what we see in the US for a PC like the Samsung Series 9, although it’s tricky to tell if prices will be comparable on the other side of the Pacific: there’s no sales tax in Hong Kong, among other factors. Even if the price varies by the time of the US launch later this summer, students in the city are already getting a discount to HK$9,180 ($1,184) that suggests at least some wiggle room if competition among Ultrabooks grows especially fierce.
Lenovo‘s next attempt at a pen-enabled tablet has been prematurely revealed, the ThinkPad Tablet 2, this time running Windows 8 on an Intel dual-core Clover Trail processor with an optional keyboard dock. The business-focused slate has a 10.1-inch WXGA touchscreen, so presentations slides leaked to The Verge reveal, along with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Update: Full specs now leaked, read on for all the details…
There’s also NFC, a fingerprint reader, and HSPA+/LTE connectivity for mobile use. It’s the accessories that have us most curious, however, one being a keyboard dock complete with trackpoint navigation – and hopefully delivering that envied typing-feel from Lenovo notebooks – and a pen stylus for handwriting and sketching.
Exactly what technology thee pen will use is unclear at this stage. Lenovo is likely to be using an active digitizer, for more precise input, however, given the company has already used such technology in previous Windows-based ThinkPad tablets (which have usually been convertible notebooks rather than slates).
Pricing and availability are unknown at this stage, but Lenovo’s marketing document is keen to position the ThinkPad Tablet 2 as not only a rival to Apple’s iPad but to other Windows models using the ARM-focused RT version of the OS.
Update: Thanks to more of the leaked slides shared with Techin5, we know more about the ThinkPad Tablet 2. The tablet will measure in at 262.6 x 164 x 9.8 mm and weigh 650g, and have a 10-finger multitouch display with an optional digitizer (i.e. the active digitizer we suspected). It will have twin 1W speakers, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera and 8-megapixel rear camera, both with LED flash, and a dual microphone array with digital noise reduction.
The fingerprint reader and NFC will be a bundled option, while ports will include Mini HDMI, a 3.5mm headset port, microSD and a USB 2.0, along with a docking connector. HSPA+ will be optional. GPS, a digital compass, ambient light sensor and a vibration motor will be included, along with a physical volume control and a rotation-lock switch.
Bearing a TP00043AWD model number, Lenovo’s Windows 8 ThinkPad tablet has apparently stopped by the FCC for testing, making it the second we’ve seen after ASUS’ Tablet 810 made the rounds. Although there aren’t any glamor shots or specs available, the design shown closely matches the tablet we spent some hands-on time with at Computex in June and a quick zoom in the lower right corner reveals that new Windows logo alongside another one for Intel. When we saw it last the spec list included a 10.1-inch 1366 x 768 display, Intel Clover Trail CPU, 2- and 8MP cameras front and back plus the usual assortment of connectors. Check after the break for a bigger look at the diagram and zoom of the revealing logos, or hit the source link to go through any unsealed documents with a fine toothed comb.
This week Lenovo is coming up with a brand new laptop model made specifically for students looking to bring their technological excellence up to par. This is the ThinkPad X131e, a laptop computer with rugged design as well as a powerful interior. You’ve got the choice between Intel Core and Celeron processor or AMD E-Series APUs for your engine, and Dolby Advanced Audio will be backing you up for sound.
This device has an 11.6-inch display and the entire unit weighs in at 3.5 pounds for easy transport. As for the specifics inside, it appears that this device will be closer to a netbook than it will be to an ultrabook – but you be the judge. The display has 1366 × 768 pixel resolution across its lovely LCD face, and you’ll be running Windows 7 right out of the box.
This device has a chiclet keyboard, a trackpade and a pointing stick for you Lenovo hardcore fans, and it’s got 8GB of RAM ready to rock and roll. The video camera up top has 720p video capability, you’ve got up to 500 GB for max HDD, 128GB for SSD, and a multi-card reader as well. There’s one USB 2.3 port, two USB 3.0 ports, and an ethernet port as well. You’ve got a full-sized HDMI port out as well!
This notebook works with wi-fi, its battery is set to bring you 8.5 hours of wireless action, and for everyone deciding on an Intel processor for their configuration of this device, you’ve got the full Intel Learning Series on your side as well! Your choices again for the innards of this device include:
• Dual-core AMD E-300 and E2-1800 APUs with AMD Radeon graphics or • Intel Core i3-2367M and Intel Celeron 877 processors with Intel HD Graphics
For the teachers there’s an LED light on the laptop’s cover showing whether or not the device is connecting to other devices – or the web – wirelessly. This will come in handy for when notebooks are allowed during a test but the internet is not. This device also has several hardcore abilities to keep itself save, including, per Lenovo:
• Reinforced hinges • Stainless steel hinge brackets • Tightly aligned keyboard • Dustless fan • Strengthened AC adapter cable • Enhanced HDD shock performance
This device is currently only shown in black or red but will soon be available with custom colors and etching options – great for schools looking to purchase devices in their own colors with their own logo!
You can pick up the ThinkPad X131e laptop starting immediately if not soon from your favorite business partners as well as online at Lenovo’s own online shop starting at $499 USD.
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