December 21, 2009

Intel has announced new Intel Atom processors that feature integrated graphics built directly into the CPU, enabling improved performance and smaller, more energy-efficient designs in a new generation of netbooks and Atom-based entry-level desktop PCs. Major OEMs have committed to having systems on the new Intel Atom processors and a new companion chipset available within the next few weeks.

The newest Intel Atom platform, formerly codenamed “Pine Trail,” consist of a new Intel Atom processor, the N450, and a new low-power Intel NM10 Express Chipset (for netbooks). For entry-level desktop PCs, it consists of either the Intel Atom processor D410 or the dual core D510, also paired with the Intel NM10 express chipset. The Atom processor was designed from the ground up for small devices and low power, and remains Intel’s smallest chip, built on the company’s 45nm high-k metal gate manufacturing process. The overall package, including the chipset, just got smaller due to the increasing integration and 45nm manufacturing, which means smaller, more compact system designs, lower costs for OEMs and improved performance.

Broad Industry Momentum
Intel continues to see broad industry support for the Atom platform as netbook in particular have been hot sellers during a recessionary year due to their affordability, function and small size (7-10-inch screens). Additionally, Intel is expecting to see broad channel adoption for Atom in a variety of small form factor entry-level desktop PCs at low price points, including ultra-small designs (less than 1-litre chassis), fanless designs, and low-cost all-in-one designs.

Since Intel announced the first Atom processor for netbooks and entry-level desktop PCs in June 2008, the market has expanded rapidly. Since introduction, Intel has shipped over 40million Atom chips for netbooks to every major OEM around the world. In the same timeframe, netbooks have ramped faster and sold more units than Apple’s iPhone and the Nintendo Wii. According to ABI Research, total Atom shipments for all segments are expected to continue to grow into the 100s of millions by 2011. Intel is not letting up, offering the next-generation platform for OEMs to continue to innovate around.

“The Intel Atom processor has feuled an entirely new category of computing over the last year and a half and we think the growth will continue for devices like netbooks and entry-level PCs built around basic computing and Internet usage models,” said Mooly Eden, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of Intel’s PC Client Group. “We’re excited to be delivering the next-generation Atom platform and working across the industry as we head into a second phase of growth, powering innovative new system designs with better performance, smaller footprints and better battery life.”

Intel has over 80 design wins to-date for the new Atom platform from such leading OEMs as Asus, Acer, Lenovo, Dell, MSI, Toshiba, Samsung and Fujitsu. While the bulk of the systems will feature the new Windows 7 Starter or Home Basic operating system, consumers will have a choice when it comes to selecting an operating system, with some OEMs offering Moblin Linux v2 as an alternative for customers who desire a customizable and differentiated user interface.

Worldwide netbook shipments by telecommunication companies are also growing and expected to fuel another round of expansion. Intel has been working closely with mobile operators and modem vendors to advance 3G capabilities in netbooks in established and emerging markets. To date, approximately a dozen service providers offer netbooks in various markets, and the numbers are expected to grow with the newest platform.

Improved Processor and Graphics Performance
One of the most significant features of the new platform is the integration of the memory controller and graphics into the CPU, a first in the industry on x-86 chips. That means two chips (CPU+chipset) instead of the previous three (CPU+chipset, I/O controller hub), a lower TDP and substantial reduction in cost, overall footprint and power. The netbook platform features a 20% improvement in average power and smaller package size over the previous Atom platform. This translates into smaller and more compact system designs and longer battery life. Because of the integration, the total footprint for the netbook platform has decreased by approximately 60%. For entry-level desktop PCs, it’s nearly 70% reduction in footprint and about 50% lower TDP than the previous generation.

About the Platform
The N450 is a single core atom processor with 512k of L2 cache and a seven-watt total kit TDP including chipset. The D410 for entry-level desktop PCs is a single-core Atom processor with 512k of L2 cache and 12-watt kit TDP including chipset, and the D510 for entry-level desktop PCs is a dual core Atom processor with 1meg L2 cache and 15-watt total kit TDP including chipset. The new chips all run 1.66GHz. Pricing and availability will be announced in January as systems become available from OEMs.

Acer again brings to the fore its renowned vision for innovation with the introduction to the local media of its newest desktop product, the Acer AspireRevo R3600, an all-in-one personal computer that truly lives up to its name.

A true desktop at first glance but in an unmistakably smaller frame from that of usual laptop, the Acer AspireRevo offers itself as a radical and uncompromising yet innovative desktop available today. The AspireRevo is truly representative of the new generation all-in-one PC able to metamorphose instantly from an ordinary desktop, to a home media center and to a gaming gadget almost effortlessly to provide the entire family with great entertainment and digital value. 

With its ultra-slim, screw-less design, the AspireRevo is so innovative and easy to use that you can simply attach it at the back of your monitor, make a few adjustments for it to fit most monitor brands, and it’s all good to go whether in the office or the home. Powering on is also easy since you can position it in a way that its power button peeks over the monitor for easier reach.  

But despite its undersized dimensions, Acer made sure that the AspireRevo does not lack the processing power and environment-friendly features, which is a must for digital devices today. The AspireRevo boasts of the Intel Atom 230 processor that revolutionized the processor platform today because of its energy-saving, low-power consumption attributes.

The AspireRevo also comes with an NVIDIA ION chipset for a more flawless processor operation and execution of computing and gaming tasks is also not undermined because of the AspireRevo’s 2GB DDR2 memory that guarantee peak performance even when doing multiple operations without worries of downtime or less-than-optimum run time. Added to these features is the NVIDIA ION graphics solution for a more impressive graphics display, perfect for everyday computing. 

Connectivity to other forms of media is also a plus factor for this power-packed PC package, with featured ports for D-sub VGA, High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), and even for eSATA hard drives for unhampered transfer of files. There are numerous USB ports as well, two in front and four in the rear, and a four-in-one card reader that supports various removable storage cards like MultiMediaCard (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), xD-Picture Card and Memory Stick. 

For the ultimate living-room entertainment, you can also purchase gaming and other accessories like a 3D game controller in case you want to throw a gaming party with friends at your house, or peripherals like the usual keyboard, Webcam, speakers, and mouse if you want the AspireRevo to function as normally as a traditional PC would. 

Overall, the Acer AspireRevo R3600 presents itself as the newest, coolest and hippest gadget you can ever own and be proud to proclaim as one of your most important digital finds of the year that can fit any type of office or home and you can enjoy thoroughly with family and friends. 

Go head off to the nearest Acer authorized reseller and see how this pocket-sized powerhouse can change your vision of the digital age.

With the objective of fusing the idea of taking care of our environment and providing top-notch technology at the same time, Acer introduced to the local Lifestyle and IT media the new Timeline series of notebooks, Inc., brought to local shores by Acer’s local office, Acer (Philippines), Inc.

Thriving on the fact that it has one of the longest-if not the longest-battery life among notebook computers in the market today, this chic and ultra-modern gadget is out to prove itself as an efficient piece of equipment that allows everyone to perform more digital tasks without fear of using up its power quickly and yet feel environmentally pro-active about it. Excellent energy-saving qualities aside, one also gets better-quality performance and unmatched usability in an eye-catching less-than-one-inch form factor.

The Acer Aspire Timeline AS4810T and the Acer Aspire Timeline AS3810T both bank on the Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500 (1.4GHz, 3MB, 800 FSB) processor partnered with the Mobile Intel GS45 Express Chipset to deliver steadfast, unequaled computing functions. And with the 2GB DDR3 memory module for the Aspire 4810T and 3GB DDR3 for the Aspire 3810T that’s both upgradeable to 4GB, multitasking is such a breeze.

Both also carry the Intel Graphics Media accelerator 4500MHD with up to 1759MB DVMT 5.0 (64MB dedicated memory, up to 1695MB shared) for more powerful and life-like images that can be viewed in the Aspire 4810T and Aspire 3810T’s 1366×768 resolution of its high-bright Acer CineCrystal LED-backlit TFT LCD (14 inches for the Aspire 4810T and 13 inches for the Aspire 3810T) display screen. With this kind of graphics quality and display feature, no wonder these two will soon become favorites of mobile cyberwarriors who prefer to go out in the open and carry out their computing tasks at the most convenient and relaxing environments possible (aka, coffee shops and malls).

Given this scenario, what would be more appealing to consumers is that both the Aspire 4810T and Aspire 3810T are both capable of up to three hours of battery life with its six-cell batteries. However, due to the revolutionary Acer PowerSmart Manager, with its centralized control over system-wide power, battery life can extend up to 8 hours long. It’s like charging fully your laptop before leaving the house and not worrying anymore about losing battery power and having problems looking for a recharging station elsewhere, which is pretty scarce. With this wonderful feature, Aspire Timeline notebook series is dubbed as the world’s first Ultra Low Voltage notebooks.

Other energy-saving and environment-friendly features of the Aspire 4810T and Aspire 3810T include the Acer PowerSmart key, a one-touch energy conservation element, and the Acer PowerSmart Adapter, which gives the two laptops the ability to save up to 66% more power when put into sleep mode. The two also have the Laminar Wall Jet Engine design that air-cools the processor and the notebook case for a more comfortable use, especially when you put the laptops well, in your lap.

Some basic differences, though, like in terms of storage, a 250GB SATA hard drive for the Aspire 4810T and 350GB SATA hard drive for the Aspire 3810T, and weight (1.9 kilos for the 4810T and 1.6 kilos for the 3810T), where the latter quality serves as a more persuasive and fascinating feature about the Acer Aspire Timeline series of notebooks, aside from the fact that their super-thin dimensions makes both notebooks as perfect companions that you can bring anywhere.

Designing the Aspire Timeline Notebooks, Acer broke another barrier: creating the finest and lightest notebooks to provide all-day computing. At its thinnest point the Aspire Timeline is just 24mm thick (less than an inch) and thanks to the aluminum cover it’s a featherweight, ranging from 1.6kg for the 13.3-inch model up to just 1.9 kg for the 14-incher, making it both lighter and easier to carry around than anything else. The Aspire Timeline notebooks open up a new dimension where lightness and more time meet and you have total freedom to get things done unhurriedly anywhere you want.

If you want to experience how revolutionary and inspiring the Acer Aspire Timeline Notebook Series - Aspire 4810T and Aspire 3810T are, then head off to the nearest authorized Acer reseller and ask for a quick demo to get hold of one and see how light and thin these babies are, definitely more affordably-priced compared to its competitors. You can also take a sneak preview of these featherweight yet powerful notebooks via www.acer.com.ph.