C3 stepping Phenoms started shipping

AMD has started shipping C3 stepping Phenom II processors. With no change in TDP ratings, but the new stepping will allow for some lower operating voltages and power consumption. Both new Phenom II 945 and 955 Black Edition are still rated at 95W and 125W respectively. AMD already decreased the TDP in Phenom II CPUs previous revision. The price is same as that of C2 versions, which is around €120 for the 945 and €130 for the 955 BE.

Before AMD’s transition into 32nm, Stepping 3 would be the last revision.

Three Arrandale 32nm to hit the market on 3rd January

Intel has in mind to launch 3 processors based on Arrandale Core i5 and Core i7 next year in the month of January. The cheapest of all Core i5 520M to have two cores and four threads at a base frequency of 2.4GHz which will support Turbo Mode and can run even faster. It will have 3MB of cache and to be retailed at $225.
While the second is Core i5 540M with two cores, four threads, supporting the Turbo Mode. It features 3MB of L2 cache, a 2.53GHz frequency to be retailed for $257.

While the last is Core i7 620M which has two cores and four thread. This one features 4MB of cache and is clocked at a base frequency of 2.66GHz. This one supports Turbo Mode. To be retailed for $332 in quantities of 1,000,
All the chips have TDP ratings (including the graphics core) ending at 35W.

Medion Akoya Mini E1217 on sale in Europe – obsolete specs

Medion, a reputed brand in Europe, has unveiled a new netbook, Akoya Mini E1217. This new Medion Akoya has a 10.1-inch display, Intel Atom N270 processor, 160GB HDD and 1GB RAM. It ships with Window 7 starter. It has WiFi b/g/n and bluetooth radios too.

Priced at 329€, this is clearly a sleek netbook with outdated specs. On one hand, companies are unleashing netbooks that run a N280/Z540/Z550 processors; have 250GB HDDs and more and on other hands, we have Medion, who have the atrocity to release N270 netbooks in the Q4 2009 and that too pricey!

Dell Zino HD Nettop available officially in UK, Ireland and US

The Dell Zino HD Nettop available officially in the UK, Ireland and US. There are two models to choose from:

• One has integrated ATI HD3200 graphics, 320GB – 500GB Hard disk, standard DVD burner and 2-3 GB RAM
• Second model includes an additional Dell 2010N 20-inch monitor
• Third model has ATI Radeon HD 4330 512MB graphics, 1TB Hard disk, Blu-ray drive and 6GB RAM

You can choose between Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional as operating system. Prices start from mere £249 and go upto £744. The choice for the processors ranges between various AMD 64 and X2 processors. Galore of colors are available: Flamingo Pink, Formula Red, Tangerine Orange, Plum Purple, True Blue, and Spring Green and Piano Black

Edit: Also available in Germany for 329 Euro (thanks nvdevil)

[Dell Zino HD at UK site] [Non HD UK version] [Dell Zino HD at US site]

Myka Fanless nettop unveiled – starts at $379

New ION powered fanless ION nettop powered by Myka has been launched. This ION nettop brings HUlu, Boxee content to your TV. Powered by a dual-core Atom 330 processors and ION chipset, you should have no problems in getting those HD videos to work flawlessly on your nettop.

Comes with 4GB memory, 10 USB 2.0 ports, VGA / DVI / HDMI outputs, eSATA and LAN port. Prices starts at $379. Black and White are the colors available. You can order it from Myka and it will take a month or less for delivery.

[myka]

HP Envy 14 – CULV or not?

Although HP tries hard to keep their projects secret, but they are just never able to hide these projects from some wise guys. The newest HP leak is Envy 14. Will it sport a CULV processor just like the DV-series?

We think that it won’t be a bad decision on HP’s part to equip this laptop with a CULV processor as they are more powerful than Atom processors and still deliver great battery life.

HP ProBook 5310m packs CULV chip – shipping in Europe

This HP new netbook may give you a glimpse of business netbook, but it comes with a CULV chip that is becoming more and more common in the netbooks and ultra-portables these days. However, that has not stopped HP in using those processors in this sleek netbook with aluminium chassis touting a pretty chicklet keyboard.

There are several variants for 5310m. You can go for Celeron SU2300 dual-core or Core 2 Duo SP9300 CULV processor. The RAM capacity ranges from 1GB of memory (SU2300) and 160GB of storage to 4GB of memory (SP9300) and 320GB of storage. The SP9300 model has many other goodies including 3G connectivity. The entry level version comes with FreeDOS and is listed over €500, while for around €1000, you get high end model that comes with SP9300 processor.

Where most CULV notebooks carry a glare/glossy screen, the ProBook 5310m is surely an exception on that list. Several SKUs of HP’s 13-inch ProBook 5310m have already started shipping in Europe.

ViewSonic Viewbook VB130 launched – very thin and light

ViewSonic has made its newest 13-inch CULV notebook official. ViewSonic VB130 features Celeron 743 CULV processor coupled with the Intel’s GS40 chipset. It is also possible to get one with SU4100 and SU7300 processors (with GS45 chipset). It packs 2GB of memory, 320GB of hard disk storage, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR,. It has HDMI output port, memory card reader, 1.3MP webcam, VGA out and even an ExpressCard 34 slot which is becoming absent from ultra-thin notebooks/netbooks these days.

At just 22.9mm thick and 1.45kg in weight, this is one of the tinniest 13-inch notebook out there. Price: Over €500 for the Celeron CULV version. €574 and €656 for the SU4100 and SU7300 models respectively.

Weibu N10A netbook out in Japan – ION powered netbook

Many manufactures are churning out ION-powered netbooks as they allow the users to view HD content without any hiccups. Weibu, a Japanese manufacture, has unveiled Weibu N10A netbook, that comes with an 10.1-inch display (1024×600) and Nvidia’s ION chipset. It retails for an affordable $556, which is a fine price considering the fact it packs an ION chipset.

Another interesting fact to note is that it uses Atom 230 processor that is used in nettops. It features 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD and HDMI out.

It is surprising to see Microsoft now allowing the use of nettop processors in netbooks. However, battery life is a big question mark as nettop processors are not as power-frugal as the ones used in usual netbooks.

Acer Timelines notebooks now with Celeron based CULV processors – Acer Timeline 3410T and Timeline 5410T

Acer’s Timeline 3410T is slowly appearing in retail shops along with its bigger brother 15-inch, the 5410T. Both the models use Intel’s 1.2GHz Celeron 723, the cheapest and slowest CULV processor around. Acer is doing this bring the prices of its CULV notebooks down. The 3410T is being sold for just €426 and Timeline 5410T for €475.

Prices are comparatively lower than some netbooks too because of the cheap CPU. The Timeline 3410T is actually not a bad deal at all: 3GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, 6-cell battery, n-wireless and HDMI