Intel

Lenovo to launch ThinkPad laptops with Intel's anti-theft technology

Paul Mah — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:23:26 -0500

Anti-theft technology is all the rage now, not surprising given high profile data breach cases involving the loss of laptops. Add to that the fact that the shipment of laptops has now surpassed that of desktops, and the reason is obvious.

This week brings news that Lenovo's ThinkPad T400 laptop will be the first to ship with Intel Anti-Theft PC Protection, an unimaginatively named implementation of Intel's anti-theft technology. In conjunction with Absolute Software Computrace, the two technologies are designed to enable laptops to detect and respond to theft.

The Intel anti-theft component comes in tandem with Intel's Centrino 2 platform and vPro technology, and with the technology built into the vPro chip itself. Absolute Software's Computrace tracking and anti-theft software are stored in the laptop's firmware, adding the ability for an IT department to track the physical location of a laptop.

Upon report of theft or loss, an IT technician can immediately and remotely render the T400 inoperable. Once turned on, the laptop will automatically sync with the preconfigured home base, where engineers can even go as far as performing a remote wipe of the on-board data. An inability to connect to the central server for a long period of time could see it being set to shut down. At the moment, it only works when connected to a LAN or WLAN though, and requires a service provider to activate.

If you recall, this is the second time in as many weeks where Lenovo has unveiled a new technology designed to thwart theft. Just last week, Lenovo unveiled a system in which SMS, or text messaging technology, can be used to remotely disable a laptop that has been stolen or lost. Unlike this scenario though, it worked through a WWAN (wireless WAN) card, and required nothing more than a mobile data subscription.

For more:
- check out the eWeek article

Ballmer dismisses Google's Android

Paul Mah — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:10:11 -0500

Microsoft's chief executive has dismissed Google's Android operating system as financially unsound. Speaking at a conference in Australia, Steve Ballmer drew parallels to himself going into a meeting with Microsoft shareholders, and announcing a new product that has no revenue model. He noted, "I'm not sure that my investors would take that very well," before claiming that this was precisely what Google is telling their investors when it comes to Android.

In addition, the Microsoft executive also pointed out that since Android was Google's first phone operating system, it is inevitable that they start out way behind. He was probably drawing upon his own experience, with Microsoft's development of its Windows Mobile operating system, when he noted that designing a phone operating system wasn't easy. Ballmer is known for his outspoken nature: Just last month, Ballmer was reported to have made uncomplimentary remarks about its partner Intel.

To read more about this story:
- check out this article from CIO.com

Will better graphics hardware result in a revitalized games market for the MacBook?

Paul Mah — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:31:58 -0500

If you have been following the news recently, you would have known that Apple recently dropped its long-standing integrated Intel graphics chip set in favor of a discreet Nvidia GeForce graphics processor. The GeForce 9400M, which is currently proprietary only to Apple, promises to be twice as fast as the old Intels.

Will this move herald the dawn of gaming on Apple's MacBooks? The answer: Probably not. A number of factors cause me to cast doubt, among them is the fact that the PC games market has actually shrunk by over a third, and let's not forget the effects of piracy. Piracy drives PC and Mac publishers toward platforms that are more difficult to steal from, such as gaming consoles. Well, I suppose MacBook-toting graphics professionals can now benefit from the hardware-acceleration for Adobe's Photoshop rendering, at least.

For more information about the story:
- check out the article at TechNewsWorld

Intel shows off new cooling technology for ultra-thin laptops

Paul Mah — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:59:18 -0400

In anticipation of a rush of ultra-thin laptops from PC makers, Intel unveiled new cooling technology that will help ensure that these thinner models stay cool. According to the general manager of Intel's Mobile Platforms Group, Mooly Eden, current thermal design technology only focuses on keeping internal component temperature down, and pays little attention to the outside of the computer. This results in laptop hot spots that can be uncomfortably hot. By using a system of laminar air-flow technology however, it is possible to move heat off a laptop's skin. This is akin to that of a jet engine where its wall is kept cool despite heat of 1,000 degrees centigrade on the inside. As it doesn't make actual laptops, Intel will license this technology to customers so that they can make thinner laptops like the Apple MacBook Air and the Lenovo ThinkPad X300.

To read more about Intel's new cooling technology:
- check out this article from CNET News.com

Shipments of notebook processor gives Intel better-than-expected quarter

Paul Mah — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:58:57 -0400

A better-than-expected quarter for chip maker Intel propelled the company's market share to 81.2 percent, compared with just 76.2 percent from the same period in 2007. According to an October 23 report from Mercury Research, Intel's performance can be attributed to its shipments of mobile processors for laptops; mobile processors outstripped that of desktops in terms of total processors moved. In contrast, competitor AMD's market share slipped to 17.7 percent from 23 percent. 2007 was a rough year for AMD, and the company's performance most likely contributed to the layoffs earlier this year.

For more:
- check out this article from eWeek

HP gets serious about netbooks, launches three new versions

Paul Mah — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:47:35 -0400

Hewlett-Packard has decided to get serious about their netbook operation after its brief experiment with the Mini-Note 2133 netbook. Sporting a C7 processor from Via, HP claimed that the product was strictly targeted to "K through 12 students and some business travelers." Apparently, the sales of the 2133 exceeded expectations, and has led to the launch of the HP Mini 1000, which is available worldwide in three versions ranging from $379 to $699, starting on Wednesday.

All of them will sport Intel's Atom processor. The Mini 1000 will run Windows XP and is available in 8.9-inch or 10.2-inch screens, and costs $399 and $449, respectively. The Mini 1000 MIE will be sold for $379 and runs Linux--though it won't be available in the United States until January. The final model is also the boldest-looking one--the Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition, goes on sale in mid-December.

For more about HP's new netbooks:
- check out this article from CNET News.com

Intel buys Linux developer Opened Hand

Paul Mah — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:38:50 -0400

In yet another sign of the growing interest in operating systems tailored for mobile devices, Intel has acquired startup Linux developer Opened Hand. Opened Hand is a London-based firm that has created fundamental software for companies such as Nokia and the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC). The Opened Hand team will be tasked with helping Intel develop its Moblin Software Platform. Moblin is an open-source software stack designed specifically to integrate Intel's own Atom processors with Mobile Internet Devices (MID), netbooks and embedded systems. Existing projects such as Clutter and Matchbox will continue to be led by Opened Hand employees.

For more about Intel's acquisition:
- check out this PCWorld article

Netbook prices set to fall

Paul Mah — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:03:20 -0400

Acer has slashed the prices of its Aspire netbook from $399 to $349. In addition, its Linpus Linux Lite will also see its price drop from $379 to $329. Netbooks, a new category of affordable, low-powered computing platforms, was a major topic at the recent Intel Developer's Conference (IDF), where Intel reaffirmed its commitment to netbooks. Post-IDF, industry speculation is that netbooks are headed over a price cliff because of the sudden realization by manufacturers of the number of competitors they faced. Richard Doherty, research director for Envisioneering--an electronics market research firm--remarked about the recent IDF conference, "Dozens and dozens of netbooks were shown." Certainly, netbook makers would have come to the conclusion that they will need to be more aggressive in terms of pricing. Good news for consumers, I suppose.

To read more about netbooks:
- check out this blog from the New York Times

Microsoft to extend Windows XP for nettops as well

Paul Mah — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:48:10 -0400

Microsoft will extend the availability of its die-hard Windows XP operating system to manufacturers of ultra low-cost PCs, aka nettops. Not surprisingly, Microsoft's corporate vice president of the Original Equipment Manufacturer Division, Steven Guggenheimer noted that "Customers and partners have made it clear to us that they want Windows on their netbooks and nettops." With Intel projecting sales of more than 100 million netbooks and nettops annually by the year 2011, it is easy to see how Microsoft could ill-afford to miss the bandwagon. Still, this move to protect their market share is ironic in that it is likely to be at the expense of Windows Vista.

For more on Windows XP for nettops:
- check out this Guardian article

Canonical showcases UBuntu Netbook Remix distribution

Paul Mah — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:46:27 -0400

Canonical, the commercial sponsor of well-known Linux distribution Ubuntu, will be demonstrating a reworked version of Ubuntu specially catered to netbooks at Computex this week. Based on the standard Ubuntu Desktop Edition, the Ubuntu Netbook Remix is optimized for Intel's range of Atom processors. It also features a launcher that allows users to get on-line and access their favorite applications more quickly.

A number of OEMs already are expected to deliver devices running on the operating system by the later part of 2008. Remix will not be available as a free download though, according to marketing manager Gerry Carr. Instead, it will only be offered direct to prospective netbook vendors.

For more about Ubuntu Netbook Remix:
- check out the Canonical press release