Digital Trends
Custom PC maker Maingear has unwrapped its new eX-L 18 notebook computer system…and claims it’s the most powerful gaming or desktop replacement rig on the planet. Leaving aside debate about what really constitutes a powerful system, there’s no denying the eX-L 18 brings the heat, sporting dual Nvidia GPUs with SLI, up to a 2.53 GHz Core 2 Extreme quad core processor, and a mammoth 18.4-inch LCD display with a native 1,920 by 1,080 resolution—plus capacity for heaps of RAM and storage.
Chipmaking giant Intel has announced a new effort to . it rolls out to the market—and possibly reduce consumer confusion about what processor they need (or want!) in their next latest-and-greatest system. Joining the existing Corei7 processor line will be new Core i3 and Core i5 lines: the Core i3s will appear early in 2010 and focus on the entry level market, Core i5s will focus on mainstream computing uses, and Core i7 processors will continue to occupy the high end of the company’s lines. The i3, i5, and i7 liens will be collectively marketed under the “Intel Core” brand.
Computer maker Gateway is showing it’s serious about going after the gamer market, announcing two new entries in its FX series of gaming desktops that feature Intel’s brand-new Core i7 processors…and price tags that don’t throw a fragmentation grenade (or laser pulse bomb, or whatever) in customer’s wallets.
Today is the day that chipmaker Intel formally launches its Core i7, a.ka. "Nehalem"—line of CPUs, at an event in San Francisco. The move formally makes the processors available to the public—and, of course, system manufacturers will be quickly be announcing their new i7 systems to get a jump on the market. The first systems to be launched will be at the high end of the market, targeting gamers, although Core i7 systems should appear shortly for mid-range and multimedia-focused systems.
Dell subsidiary Alienware has announced its new M17 gaming notebook, marking the first time an Alienware notebook has offered ATI CrossFireX technology, offering dual ATI mobility Radeon HD 3870 graphics controllers to push those pixels around. The system also sports a Intel Core 2 Duo or Intel Core 2 Extreme QX93000 processors, DDR memory, and a 17-inch 1,920 by 1,200 pixel display.
“By incorporating the all-out performance of CrossFireX graphics and quad-core processing into Alienware’s award-winning notebook lineup, the M17 delivers an impressive feature set at a price point that doesn’t break the bank,” said Alienware product and marketing VP Frank Azor, in a statement.
The shrunken Core 2 Duo processor that Apple dropped into its iconic Air is now available for public consumption. Intel finally slipped out specs on the “Core 2 Duo S” at developer conference in San Francisco this week.
According to Electronista, the Duo S uses a 45-nanometer process to help it run cooler and more efficiently, producing a difference of about 3 watts saved under peak performance conditions. Intel also managed to shrink the processors down 60 percent from their ordinary Core 2 Duo brethren.
Chip-maker Intel has announced a formal name for its forthcoming “Nehalem” line of desktop processors: they will be officially known as Intel Core i7, and will including a black-logo’d “Extreme Edition” for its highest-end configurations.
“The Core name is and will be our flagship PC processor brand going forward,” said Intel executive VP Sean Maloney in a statement. “Expect Intel to focus even more marketing resources around that name and the Core i7 products starting now.”
Computer maker Gateway—recently acquired by Taiwan’s Acer—has announced several new notebook and desktop PC models aimed at mass market retailers and targeted especially at the back-to-school market as parents and students get ready for a new academic year. Starting prices on the new systems range from $549.99 to $1,149.99, and Gateway has even assembled a new online retail (ahem) gateway to help users peruse the company’s offerings and find a retailer offering specific models.
It was back in January that Core Security discovered the vulnerabilities in iCal, the calendar application that’s part of the Mac OS X. Two of them could cause the computer to crash, while the third could possibly allow a hacker to take control of the computer.
Ivan Acre, CTO of Core Security Technologies, explained to MacNewsWorld that “the third one can be used to compromise the computer with all the rights of the user running the application. For that to happen, the most likely scenario is the user opening up an e-mail or a calendar file that is malicious and has been specially crafted. If the user then edits the file, the Mac would be compromised. It requires some form of assistance."
Continuing along on its plan to return to supremacy as the world’s major PC maker, Dell announced five new server platforms based on Quad-Core Opteron processors on Wednesday. Dell claims the new servers off an easy upgrade path for existing customers and can offer up to a 79 percent performance boost over similar systems running Dual-Core Opterons.
The new systems include the PowerEdge SC1435, 2970, M605 blade server and 6950 platforms, as well as the new PowerEdge T605 tower server. The first three, designed more for enterprise-level customers, offer dual-socket configurations for Dell’s claimed 79 percent performance boost. The more modest T605, for small and medium businesses, also includes the option for two processors, along with redundant power supplies, hot pluggable hard drives, and remote management capabilities.
Everyone wants to be an insider, and you can be one too! Choose your poison: sign-up for our Newsletter, join us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter. Do all three and you'll be swimming in the the latest news, reviews, videos and more gadget goodness!
Become a DT soldier! Join us on Facebook and share the best news, guides, videos and other cool information directly with all your friends. Some might even thank you for it!
Join the thousands and follow the best of us on Facebook.
Do you like information in small snippets? Then our Twitter feed is just for you. Follow Digital Trends and you'll be able to catch up daily on our latest content, or even interact directly with our team. Tweet Tweet!
Join the thousands and follow the best of us on Twitter.
That’s Right, Sign-up For Our Monthly Random Prize Drawings and You Could Be That Winner.
