Feb 22

HP gets down to business with redesigned and refreshed EliteBook and ProBook laptops (hands-on)

Posted in: hands-on, HP, sandy bridge, SandyBridge, Today's Chili

Two weeks ago “consumers” got totally redesigned HP Pavilion dv and g-series laptops, leaving those poor guys in the conference room with nothing but their “old” Calpella-based machines and sad Excel spreadsheets. Well, it’s their turn now alright — HP’s been stirring up brand new EliteBook and ProBooks for the guys and gals in suits (though, we’re really of the mind that these laptops are for anyone looking for some tough and powerful hardware). All ten of the new machines (yep, 10!) have been given new metal designs, Intel’s latest Sandy Bridge processors, facial recognition software, and an easy-access latch to get to the hard drive and RAM. And there’s more — hit the jump for a break down and impressions of each of the models, and don’t forget to check those galleries below for some shots of these rigs in the flesh.

Gallery: HP EliteBook p-series hands-on

Gallery: HP ProBook b-series, s-series hands-on

Continue reading HP gets down to business with redesigned and refreshed EliteBook and ProBook laptops (hands-on)

HP gets down to business with redesigned and refreshed EliteBook and ProBook laptops (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 22

Dell rolls out updated XPS 15, XPS 17 laptops

Posted in: sandy bridge, SandyBridge, Today's Chili

Well, it’s not the promised thinner and lighter replacement for the XPS 14, but Dell has just announced two other new XPS laptops: updated versions of it XPS 15 and XPS 17. Both of those are available today in a whole range of different configurations, including your choice of Sandy Bridge or Huron River processors, NVIDIA GPU options up to a GT 540M on the XPS 15 or GT555M on the XPS 17, up to 8GB or 16GB of RAM, and even an optional 3D-capable panel on the XPS 17. As usual, prices vary widely depending on the configuration, but things start at just $899 for a basic XPS 17 or $1049 for the XPS 15 — hit up the link below to check out all the options available.

Dell rolls out updated XPS 15, XPS 17 laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 22

Sony VAIO CA and CB pack the latest Core i5 power for those who can look past the neon

Posted in: CoreI5, laptop, sandy bridge, SandyBridge, sony, Today's Chili, vaio

We’re aware, the “exclusive” green and orange neon color of Sony’s VAIO CB and CA laptops can make your eyes bleed, but Sony’s pretty excited about the aesthetic and the way it radiates light around the edges of the laptop. Oh, and don’t forget how the touchpad “emits a beautiful glow.” It’s true, the rigs do have an interesting glow stick-like look to them — at least, we thought so when we saw them last month — however, we found their innards and features to be more enlightening. Starting at $800, the 14-inch CA10 and 15.5-inch CB10 will both be available with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i5 processors, AMD Radeon HD 6630 graphics, and Blu-ray drives. Select models will also pack Intel’s WiDi 2.0, which lets you stream 1080p video to your TV. And remember Sony’s Remote Keyboard, which lets you navigate your PS3 or Bravia TV with the laptop? Yep, the CA and CB both have that functionality baked in as well. What’s that? You’d be interested if they didn’t blind you? What if we also told you they will come in black and white? We thought that might change your mind, and according to the official press release below there will indeed be alternative color versions. You’ll be able to pre-order them both on March 13th, but until then you can always see if the neon grows on you with the photos below.

Gallery: Sony VAIO CA and CB Series

Continue reading Sony VAIO CA and CB pack the latest Core i5 power for those who can look past the neon

Sony VAIO CA and CB pack the latest Core i5 power for those who can look past the neon originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 21

Lenovo trots out new ThinkPad T, L, and W series laptops

Posted in: ati, lenovo, NVIDIA, sandy bridge, SandyBridge, thinkpad, Today's Chili

It feels like just yesterday that Lenovo unleashed a serious amount of Sandy Bridge laptops at CES, but left out of the bunch were the more traditional ThinkPad T, L and W models. Well, Lenovo’s got those on its mind right now, and each is being refreshed with Intel’s latest Core 2011 processors, NVIDIA Optimus or ATI discrete graphics, and improved VoIP features. One even promises 30 hours of battery life! Yep, there are a few key updates coming to each series, so hit the break for a short breakdown of each of those, and don’t forget to peruse the glossy press shots below.

Gallery: Lenovo T Series press shots

Gallery: Lenovo ThinkPad L and W Series

Continue reading Lenovo trots out new ThinkPad T, L, and W series laptops

Lenovo trots out new ThinkPad T, L, and W series laptops originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 18

MacBook Pros may be in for an imminent refresh, about time too

Posted in: Apple, laptop, Laptops, launch, macbook, macbook pro, MacbookPro, refresh, rumor, sandy bridge, SandyBridge, speculation, Today's Chili, upgrade

Welcome back to our annual tradition of speculating on just when and how Apple will freshen up its laptop range. AppleInsider is citing multiple sources today in support of its assertion that the MacBook Pro line will be getting upgraded by Apple, potentially as soon as next week. The Mac OS vendor is reportedly briefing folks to be ready for a “significant product launch” soon, which is narrowed down to its laptop division by a couple more pieces of circumstantial evidence. Apple’s Asian online stores have shifted their promised MBP delivery times from 24 hours to “one to five days,” indicating potentially lower stock quantities, while Italian blog iSpazio has dug up five new product SKUs that could be the markers for new laptop models. None of that sets anything in stone, of course, but we’re also hearing the expected upgrade to Sandy Bridge won’t afflict Apple’s new machines with that Cougar Point chipset flaw, so whenever Apple deigns to bring us this upgrade it should be nice and pristine.

MacBook Pros may be in for an imminent refresh, about time too originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 16

Toshiba Satellite R830, R840, and R850 laptops unveiled at MWC

Posted in: hands-on, intel, Laptops, mwc, mwc 2011, Mwc2011, sandy bridge, SandyBridge, Today's Chili, Toshiba

There have been a lot of phone and tablet announcements here at MWC 2011, but laptops? Not so much. Toshiba’s not following the crowd here, though. Instead, it’s touched down in Barcelona with three fresh Satellites — the 13.3-inch R830, 14-inch R840, and 15.6-inch R850. Aesthetically, they should look very familiar as Toshiba’s basically refreshed its Portege R700 series with Intel’s latest Core i5 and i7 Sandy Bridge processors and enhanced its cooling system. The company was a bit vague on specific configuration details (though, we took some shots of the system properties in the gallery below), but its press release does list that the rigs will be available with up to 8GB of RAM and 640GB of hard disk storage, SSDs, and USB 3.0. The R830 (pictured above) is still one of our favorites, and like the R705, it is made of magnesium, only weighs 3.2 pounds, and still has a optical drive. The R840 and R850 have been slightly retooled with subtlety striped lids, which we are told of made of a high stiffness resin. Both models have chiclet keyboards and regular touchpads with two mouse buttons, though the 14- and 15-inchers have pointing sticks. All three models will be hitting in April, but Tosh is keeping quiet on pricing. Hit the first gallery for a few shots of the rigs and the second for a look at the special copper airflow cooling system Toshiba’s cooked up.

Gallery: Toshiba Satellite R830, R840, and R850 hands-on

Gallery: Toshiba Airflow Cooling Technology

Continue reading Toshiba Satellite R830, R840, and R850 laptops unveiled at MWC

Toshiba Satellite R830, R840, and R850 laptops unveiled at MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 15

MacBook Pros to get Sandy Bridge CPUs in March?

Posted in: Apple, intel, laptop, Laptops, macbook pro, MacbookPro, processor, rumor, sandy bridge, SandyBridge, speculation, Today's Chili
As the above Danish-language email clearly indicates, the world might very well see a MacBook Pro update on March 1. That is, if the person who sent the tip to blogger Kenneth Lund is to believed. And at the very least, blogger Kenneth Lund thinks that this is the genuine article. Speculation regarding new Apple laptops with Sandy Bridge processors has been rampant, of course, and as TUAW points out, the aforementioned processors are set to make the scene at the end of this month. Besides, March 1 is a Tuesday, the day that Apple usually announces new computer models (also the release date of the Beady Eye album, which at least one Engadget editor is really looking forward to). Besides the new CPUs, there is not much solid indication of what design changes might occur, but if the source here is correct it won’t be long until we find out for ourselves.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

MacBook Pros to get Sandy Bridge CPUs in March? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 15

iBuyPower’s Chimera XLC sports Core i7, 240mm liquid cooling system: FarmVille will never be the same

Posted in: CoreI7, gaming, intel, sandy bridge, SandyBridge, Today's Chili
iBuyPower’s ironic Chimera line is back with the Chimera XLC. First seen at CES, this bad boy features an extreme! flame motif on the outside of the box — in addition to the 240mm liquid cooling system in the box. That’s right: 240mm radiator, a 200mm fan, and five (count ’em!) 120mm fans. This bad boy also packs an Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti GPU, and support for Level 3 Power Drive Overclocking service. Not bad for $1,599, eh? And it’s available now. PR after the break.

Continue reading iBuyPower’s Chimera XLC sports Core i7, 240mm liquid cooling system: FarmVille will never be the same

iBuyPower’s Chimera XLC sports Core i7, 240mm liquid cooling system: FarmVille will never be the same originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 03:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 11

Intel to start shipping remedied Cougar Point chipsets on February 14th

Posted in: intel, sandy bridge, SandyBridge, Today's Chili
Well, it looks like Intel’s $700 million problem with its Series 6 Cougar Point chipsets is now one step closer to a resolution — the company has just announced that the fully remedied B3 revision of the chipset will start shipping out on February 14th. That will bring with it an updated BIOS, full pin compatibility with the previous B2 chipset and, most importantly, a “minor metal layer change” that promises to improve “lifetime wear out with no changes to functionality or design specifications” — in other words, a fix for that rogue transistor affecting SATA ports. Hit up the source link below for Intel’s official notice (in PDF form).

Intel to start shipping remedied Cougar Point chipsets on February 14th originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feb 11

Sandy Bridge memory performance tested, value of expensive top-shelf memory questioned

Posted in: benchmark, intel, memory, performance, sandy bridge, SandyBridge, Today's Chili
Sandy Bridge memory performance tested, value of expensive top-shelf memory questioned

Intel’s Sandy Bridge chipset hasn’t exactly had a flawless launch, but let’s move past that and take a look at how well it performs before it starts breaking. One of the improvements here is meant to be better memory performance, and The Tech Report ran a variety of sticks through the gamut to see what the benefits of high-cost, high-speed memory is versus the cheaper stuff. The results showed that, in the vast majority of cases, DDR3-1333MHz memory was barely outclassed by the DDR3-2133MHz stuff, exhibiting only a modest improvement in games, just a couple FPS at most. Lesson learned? Save your pennies — or go ahead and spend ’em elsewhere, like that new Thermaltake case.

Sandy Bridge memory performance tested, value of expensive top-shelf memory questioned originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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