tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20446178939719855162023-11-16T23:40:18.519+08:00Web 2.0 Technology & BeyondBatigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-23820581870199110722007-11-05T09:58:00.000+08:002007-11-05T10:02:44.537+08:00AMD Phenom pricing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://showshock.mam.by/phenom_price.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://showshock.mam.by/phenom_price.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The pricing for the AMD phenoms has arrived, but as to whether this is the final pricing for the latest offering from AMD, nobody ain't sure of it yet. But sources say it should be close or rather correct. So folks, get set for an AMD christmas!!!<br /><br />Phenom is the latest offering from AMD which is quad-core competing with Intel's quad-core.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com160tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-35751408660254168572007-11-05T09:49:00.000+08:002007-11-05T09:58:15.476+08:00Sneak Peek: AMD's Phenom Quad-Cores, Spider Graphics PlatformAdvanced Micro Devices is getting set to launch its first quad-core desktop processor and accompanying Spider platform for high-performance desktop systems. The specific details are under lock and key until the release date, but Spider is coming sooner than earlier reports indicated, and it's the first desktop platform from AMD that was built from the ground up in concert with the chipmaker's graphics division, ATI.<br /><br />The Spider release will coincide with AMD's launch of its Phenom quad-core desktop processor. That's no accident, as the platform was built to integrate Phenom with a new series of GPUs and chipsets from ATI that will be released alongside the new CPU. AMD acquired the maker of graphic processors, chipsets and video display cards last October.<br /><br />Oh, and one quick note, in case you missed it -- Phenom isn't a codename. It's the name of the new brand AMD is launching with these quad-core chips.<br /><br />Phenom's specs are impressive. It will come as no surprise that the chip's "native" quad-core design bears desktop fruit similar to what AMD's recently-launched quad-core Opteron processor does for servers. We're talking energy efficiency, high floating points for memory-intensive applications and easy switch-a-roos from dual-core Athlons to the new quad-cores. Though it's a bit apples-and-oranges, it's also worth noting that the first Phenoms to hit the market will have higher clock speeds than the initial shipments of quad-core Opterons.<br /><br />All very tasty, though AMD's stress on performance-per-watt for Phenom did strike as a bit odd. It's one thing to highlight Opteron's energy efficiency for the data centers, but don't those crazy gamers actually get a kick out of burning through more fuel than necessary? AMD's response: True, gamers aren't the most power-stingy customers around, let alone the Greenest. But better energy efficiency is still a good sell, because it means fewer fans, which means more headroom in gaming shells for system builders to drop in more gear.<br /><br />So there.<br /><br />While Phenom will be available as a processor-in-a-box, and ATI's new products don't require a quad-core processor, by combining all that good stuff on an optimized platform, AMD banks on hitting the enthusiast and high-end home theater markets hard ahead of the holidays.<br /><br />The new ATI gear fills a hole in AMD's DirectX 10-compatible Radeon line, in the $200 neighborhood. It will also support DirectX 10.1, when that multimedia/gaming interface update ships with the first Windows Vista Service Pack in January. Also look for boosts in ATI's PCI Express, CrossFire and AVIVO HD technology, as well as a brand new chipset family for Phenom called the AMD 700 series.<br /><br />And overclockers have something to look forward to as well, thanks to a little surprise AMD has built into Spider.<br /><br />Spider is already in the hands of some partners in AMD's system builder channel. When you get a chance to see it demoed, it's tough to wipe the silly grin off your face as the platform roars into action. Spider is geared towards gaming, and the way it handles lighting, angles and texture is all very impressive. <br /><br />So everyone stay tuned for AMD latest punch at Intel. Doesn't it looks good already?Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-79039767117237182922007-11-05T09:46:00.000+08:002007-11-05T09:49:47.386+08:00The Firewall In The Mac OSX Leopard Is Mostly Useless, Say Experts<span style="font-weight:bold;">"Best firewall – no firewall" has been a common joke in the IT world for some time. However, it seems that Apple has taken it for serious, and their latest released OS goes to prove it.</span><br /><br />As Heise Security's report points out, the firewall included in the Leopard OS managed to fail every security test performed by the firm. - Now that's a bummer<br /><br />Jurgen Schmidt writes:<br /><br />“The most important task for any firewall is to keep out uninvited guests. In particular, this means sealing off local services to prevent access from potentially hostile networks, such as the Internet or wireless networks.<br /><br />But a quick look at the firewall configuration in the Mac OS X Leopard shows that it is unable to do this. By default it is set to "Allow all incoming connections," i.e. it is deactivated. Worse still, a user who, for security purposes, has previously activated the firewall on his or her Mac will find that, after upgrading to Leopard, the system restarts with the firewall deactivated.”<br /><br />Also, it seems that the firewall is also unable to to make the difference between trusted networks and networks that present a certain risk; Leopard will treat them all the same, at least initially.<br /><br />Of course, there's always the possibility of blocking all incoming connections, but this time the option won't be much help either. The report points out that potential attackers will still be able to communicate with at least two system services, the time server and the NetBIOS name server.<br /><br />The report notes that the “problems and peculiarities described here are not security vulnerabilities in the sense that they can be exploited to break into a Mac”. However, it suggests that Apple users would do better not to rely on the firewall for the time being.<br /><br />PS: all OS have their vulnerabilities, whether you choose to accept it or not.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-55094381350038418592007-11-05T09:41:00.000+08:002007-11-05T09:46:39.921+08:00iPhone will cost a minimum of €1601 in Germany !As you may have known, in Germany iPhone sales will start on November 9th.<br /><br />The cheapest subscription will cost €49 per month, for a minimum of 24 months.<br />And the iPhone and its activation will cost €425 ( 400+25)<br /><br />so the minimum a iPhone will cost is €1601 in Germany<br /><br />The cheapest subscription includes, unlimited data transfer, 100 calling minutes and 40 SMS.<br /><br />While the other two subscription ( €65 & €85 per month ) the iPhone will cost €2081 and €2561<br /><br />Its certainly a different way to calculate the cost of a iPhone. But it gives a rough guide of how the whole iPhone package costs.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-28182186852206009342007-10-26T10:00:00.000+08:002007-10-26T10:02:10.820+08:00Aussie student makes copper broadband faster<span style="font-weight:bold;">Up to 200 times quicker</span><br /><br />A MELBOURNE PhD student has worked out a way to make copper broadband technology 200 times faster.<br /><br />John Papandriopoulos has managed to get a signal down a copper line at 250Mbps compared with the top speed of 1-20Mbps that can be managed now.<br /><br />Papandriopoulos has patent applications for the technology being processed in the US and Australia, won one of Melbourne University's top academic prizes yesterday.<br /><br />He told news.com.au that telephone wiring is poor quality and was not designed for high-speed internet when it was created.<br /><br />One of the things that slows down broadband is the fact that a telephone line interferes with a neighbour's.<br /><br />Papandriopoulos' uses mathematic modelling to reduce the interference that slows down downloading.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-86158472777620639932007-10-25T12:19:00.000+08:002007-10-25T12:21:30.977+08:00Vista deludes itself into thinking driver upgrades are major changesA FEATURE in Microsoft Vista means that something as small as swapping the video card or updating a device driver can trigger a total Vista deactivation.<br /><br />According to APC mag, minor upgrades to your desktop will result in your PC going into "reduced functionality" mode, where you can't do anything but use the web browser for half an hour.<br /><br />You'll then need to reapply to Microsoft to get a new activation code.<br /><br />Hack, James Bannan noticed the flaw when he swapped over the graphics card on his Vista Ultimate box. A few days later he got a Windows Activation prompt and had to speak to a Microsoft customer service representative before he got all his functionality back and the feeling in his toes.<br /><br />Wondering why he got the shut down request, Bannon obtained some tools from Microsoft which listed all the hardware changes on that machine since activation. Vista thought his disk controller had changed, so the graphics card change was the final change which tripped deactivation.<br /><br />But Bannan had not changed his disk controller, all he had done was upgraded the Intel Matrix Storage Manager application. Vista reported this driver upgrade as a major hardware change event.<br /><br />It appears that Microsoft Vista designers had not worked out that if you change device drivers it does not necessarily mean you have changed your hardware. It could be, as in Bannan's case, you have updated or changed the drivers and not the hardware.<br /><br />This is quite common as some of the drivers which ship with Vista are out of date or not as good as what you can find on the manufacturer's web site.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-64353181719568928842007-10-25T12:18:00.000+08:002007-10-25T12:19:49.215+08:00Wii bubble set to burst<span style="font-weight:bold;">It sits at home and gathers dust</span><br /><br />According to the Nikkei magazine, although many Japanese homes have a Wii, they hardly get any use.<br /><br />One developer quoted in the article said that people had a Wii out of curiosity and have not needed to use it since.<br /><br />Many companies who rushed to support the console are finding that their support has not translated into sales.<br /><br />It seems that only Nintendo, who had more time to plan its Wii titles, is the only outfit benefiting from the Wii's success.<br /><br />Sales of the console fell in September which suggests that the Wii bubble is starting to burst.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-2739895719306265192007-10-25T12:17:00.000+08:002007-10-25T12:18:30.418+08:003 Nehalem processors in Q4 2008It looks like the eight core, sixteen thread Nehalem based CPUs will launch in 2009. According to the current plan Intel doesn’t intend to launch an eight core Nehalem in Q4 2008.<br /><br />The top Bloomfield / Nehalem generation 45 nm CPU will meet the 130W TDP and is supposed to be the successor of soon to be launched QX9770, a 3.2GHz Yorkfield based CPU.<br /><br />All new Nehalem CPUs will use the new socket LGA 1366 and have four cores and eight threads. This is understandable as the new Nehalem CPU supports DDR3 and has a memory controller on board.<br /><br />All three CPUs to launch in Q4 2008 are codenamed Bloomfield but the slower parts are positioned as the ones that will replace sub 3GHz non extreme edition Yorkfield quad core parts.<br /><br />Even these parts have 130W TDP and they supports Intel Visualization Technology, Intel's trusted execution and more importantly Spead step, executive bit and Intel’s 64 marchitecture.<br /><br />All these CPUs are scheduled for Q4 2008 introduction.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-1027987791212152332007-10-23T10:35:00.000+08:002007-10-23T10:36:42.002+08:00What do 16,000 people 'do' at Google?On Thursday, the company reported gains of 50 percent or so in quarterly profit and revenue from a year ago, beating analyst expectations. It wasn't a stellar quarter, but it was pretty darn good.<br /><br />The notable thing was the hiring. The company added 2,130 workers to its roster, bringing the head count to 15,916. What do nearly 16,000 people do at a company that doesn't make widgets (at least in the hardware manufacturing sense of the word)?<br /><br />That's an average of about 35 people showing up for their first day of work each business day during the past three months. Granted, that is in offices around the world, but still, that's impressive. By comparison, Yahoo has 13,600 employees, after hiring 1,200 during the past quarter. (Actually, when you think about it, that's even more crazy given the need for Yahoo to retrench right now.)<br /><br />Those numbers may seem surprising given the fact that Google attributed last quarter's 3-cent earnings miss to overspending on hiring, and promised to curb that impulse. However, during the conference call with analysts Thursday afternoon, Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said many of the people hired during the quarter had been given offers before the previous quarter had closed.<br /><br />The fast pace of hiring at the search giant is the one concern Jordan Rohan, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, mentioned in an interview with CNET News.com after the Google earnings call.<br /><br />"Half the company has been hired in the last 12 months. That's chaotic," he says. "The new employees find it difficult to figure out how to get things done. It's not a normal company."<br /><br />I can only guess that the new hires are working on the much-anticipated "Google phone," which is probably going to be a Google operating system for mobile devices, and on the new copyright content filtering technology deployed at YouTube this week. They're also probably tasked with taking over the advertising world with the company's lucrative online automated ad platform.<br /><br />"They have possibly the best core business in the history of the Internet," Rohan says. "That is supporting them as they attempt to find an Act II. I don't know if it will be media, display, mobile or what."Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-14823215081005165512007-10-21T12:43:00.000+08:002007-10-22T11:34:13.360+08:00Microsoft Windows 7 revealed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5677/vista2bp8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5677/vista2bp8.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.appscout.com/images/windows%207.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.appscout.com/images/windows%207.bmp" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Still hesitating about the big move to Vista? Maybe you're best off waiting for Windows 7, the successor to Vista, which Microsoft is already hard at work on. Where's the proof? Long Zheng, the Australian hacker behind the blog istartedsomething, has posted a clip from what seems to be the first public demonstration of the forthcoming operating system. Sure, it's not scheduled to be released until 2010, but still, when it arrives, it'll be super neat-and well worth the wait! Let's cros our fingers that the software is not bloated as always since the kernel has been stripped down to only 25MB.<br /><br />So what can be gleaned from the video? The portion Zheng highlights is a discussion of the Windows 7 core, which turns out to be a relatively lean machine. In it, engineer Eric Traut shows off a streamlined app called MinWin, not a product itself but probably the basis for future products, he points out. The Windows 7 source code is about 25MB on disk, an interesting comparison to the 4GB that the full Windows Vista takes up. Oh, and there's no graphical system yet, which explains the ASCII logo.<br /><br />There's also an interesting walk through the history of Microsoft's operating systems. You knew Vista was OS 6, right? And that XP was 5, and NT 4.0 was 4, and Windows 3.1 ... well, you get the picture. If Windows 7 doesn't interest you, watch the clip for a quick walkthrough of Windows 2 and 1 as well.<br /><br />Source: <a href = "http://www.istartedsomething.com/20071019/eric-talk-demo-windows-7-minwin/">http://www.istartedsomething.com/20071019/eric-talk-demo-windows-7-minwin/</a>Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-84819923962545284012007-10-21T12:42:00.000+08:002007-10-21T12:43:23.365+08:00AMD already produces 45nm CPUsAlthough we still haven't seen the native quad-core Messiah known as Phenom, AMD is already starting to talk about 45nm processors which, according to CTO Dirk Meyer, are already being made in Fab 36 in Dresden.<br /><br />The 45nm production ramp is (still) planned for H1 2008 while the first 45nm CPUs are set for a release in H2 of 2008 with the first arrival being the server processors codenamed Shanghai.<br /><br />As for the things closes to our hearts and pockets, the Phenom processors, they are set to arrive next month, at speeds that top 2.5 GHz.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-64580494182128350792007-10-19T09:14:00.001+08:002007-10-19T09:16:51.839+08:00Celeron goes dual core, pricing revealed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.hkepc.com/database/images/12.41.49.18.10.2007.Intel%20Celeron%20Dual%20Core%20offering%20in%202008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.hkepc.com/database/images/12.41.49.18.10.2007.Intel%20Celeron%20Dual%20Core%20offering%20in%202008.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Intel will begin the phase out of single-core processors for desktops in first quarter of 2008 with the launch of an entry-level dual-core series, the Celeron E1000, according to sources at PC makers. The company will also add two 45nm processors in its E4000 family during the quarter.<br /><br />The first dual-core Celeron processor, the E1200 will have core frequency of 1.6GHz, 800MHz FSB and 512KB L2 cache with price of US$53 in thousand-unit quantities. Although Intel will enter 45nm process production this November, entry-level processors such as those in the E1000 series will still be fabbed at 65nm using a Conroe-based core, noted the sources.<br /><br />Many PC makers have started to clear out old, single-core processor inventory in order to avoid overstock problems, the sources added.<br /><br />Intel will also launch two E4000 series processors based on its 45nm process in the first quarter. The E4700 will have a frequency of 2.6GHz, 800MHz FSB and 2MB L2 cache. The CPU will launch with a price of US$133 in thousand-unit quantities. The model number for the second CPU has not yet been set, but the sources detailed that it will support a 1066MHz FSB and have 3MB L2 cache.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-38211264043251615332007-10-19T09:12:00.000+08:002007-10-19T09:13:59.318+08:00Sony slashes and burns PS3 price in USAFTER MAKING cuts in Asia and Europe, Sony US has followed their lead and cut the price of units in America.<br /><br />Let's hope you just haven't bought one.<br /><br />The 80GB Playstation 3 will cost $499, $100 down from the previous price.<br /><br />A 40GB model is bundled with the Spiderman movie and will cost $399. It won't go on sale until November the 2nd.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-79650926389171584652007-10-18T12:54:00.000+08:002007-10-18T16:46:58.140+08:00AMD Sheds Additional Phenom Details<span style="font-weight:bold;">AMD reveals the model names and operating frequencies of its quad-core Phenom desktop processors</span><br /><br />AMD guidance revealed information on the model names and clock frequencies of its forthcoming quad-core Phenom desktop processors.<br /><br />AMD plans to debut its initial quad-core Phenom processors in late November: the Phenom 9600 and 9500. The 9600 will come clocked at 2.4GHz and the 9500 will have a slightly lower operating frequency of 2.2GHz.<br /><br />Both Socket AM2+ processors feature a 512KB of L2 cache for each core and a shared 2MB pool of L3 cache. In addition, both processors will operate on a 3.6GHz HyperTransport bus and will have an 89 Watt Thermal Design Power envelope. <br /><br />In December the slightly higher-end Phenom 9700 will become AMD's third desktop Barcelona-derivative. All technical aspects of the processor will be the same as those for the 9600 and 9500, save for a few improvements. The processor will run at a slightly higher operating frequency of 2.6GHz. The downside of these improvements is a higher 125-Watt Thermal Design Power envelope.<br /><br />An additional Phenom 9xxx desktop processor is on the horizon and is expected to make its debut in Q2 2008. Although the official clock speed has not been set for this new processor, AMD guidance suggests that it will not exceed 3GHz. The company has demonstrated its 3GHz Phenom processors since July 2007.<br /><br />Whereas Intel usually releases its high-end chips first, AMD seems to have a completely reverse policy. AMD will be launching its high-end Phenom desktop processors after the initial launch of lower-end Phenom desktop models. AMD's high-end Phenom FX chips will appear on the market in Q1 and Q2 of 2008.<br /><br />In Q1 2008 the Phenom FX-82 will be the first Phenom FX chip to make its debut. The chip will feature a clock speed equal to or greater than 2.6GHz . Like all of the other Phenom models, it will also come with 512KB of L2 cache for each of its four cores and a shared 2MB L3 cache. The Thermal Design Power of the chip is yet to be decided.<br /><br />An additional Phenom FX-8x model will make its way to market in Q2 2008. AMD has yet to release additional details of this new processor.<br /><br />All quad-core Phenom desktop processor are manufactured on a 65nm node.<br /><br />This week AMD announced additonal price cuts and new chips for its Athlon brand of processors. These are expected to be the last Athlon price cuts before the Phenom launch.<br /><br />In September AMD launched its newest Opteron server processors. The company has also confirmed that it's next-generation graphics processor, RV670, and its next-generation desktop chipset, RD790, will launch at the same time as Phenom.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-80019613776282118122007-10-18T09:49:00.000+08:002007-10-18T16:50:31.195+08:00Microsoft Vista has a memory problemMICROSOFT'S latest operating system, Vista is running out of memory faster than a politician in a corruption scandal.<br /><br />According to users, the 'Out of Memory' error, which is the same as Terry Pratchett's 'out of cheese' error, is seriously stuffing up Vista's file handling.<br /><br />The problem can be clearly seen when a user tries to copy 16,400 files or smaller groups of files that add up to 16,400 between reboots.<br /><br />After you get the 'Out of Memory' message you will also suffer from menus and tabs disappearing within the Windows environment and even reboots and BSODs are reported.<br /><br />The problem occurs where users are running Kaspersky security products, but it is not the software that is causing the problem. Other software also suffers but it seems that the Kaspersky software shows the error in its full glory.<br /><br />The kicker is that despite Microsoft knowing about the problem for months it is not going to be fixed in SP1. Microsoft is currently offering a hotfix for the problem but you have to ask it nicely.<br /><br />Users have also found some other file handling problems in Vista when it handles more than 1,500. A quick look at the memory use shows that it is causing serious spiking which does not go away until a reboot.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-87255906959071613812007-10-17T10:33:00.001+08:002007-10-18T16:51:25.859+08:00Intel to up 45nm Core 2 Extreme prices by 50% next yearReghardware.com reports that the upcoming 'Penryn'-based 45nm high-end quad-core CPUs may well attract an even higher price premium than before, it has emerged. INTC has apparently informed customers that next year's Core 2 Extreme processors will cost up to 50% more than today's models. According to newly released Penryn pricing data posted by a number of websites, Nov's Core 2 Extreme QX9650 will cost $999 when sold in batches of 1000 chips. That's the price point Intel has maintained for the Extreme line of gaming processors since the family was introduced back in the Pentium D days. However, 1Q08 will see the 3GHz, 12MB L2, 1333MHz FSB chip joined by two 3.2GHz models: the QX9770 and the QX9775, priced at a staggering $1399 and $1499, respectively.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-38487019399095683902007-10-17T10:31:00.000+08:002007-10-17T10:36:43.131+08:00Intel posts 43% jump in profit, sets more job cutsLongtime CFO Bryant is replaced by an aide as part of his move to new post<br /><br />SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Intel Corp., the world's No. 1 chipmaker, reported a 43% increase in third-quarter profit Tuesday, benefiting from a robust personal-computer market, but also announced plans to shed 2,000 more jobs as part of a continued reduction in staff.<br /><br />The Santa Clara, Calif.-based semiconductor maker (INTC:Intel Corporation<br />INTC 25.48, -0.27, -1.0%) also named Stacy J. Smith as its new chief financial officer, replacing Andy Bryant, in what one analyst said was an expected transition in the company. Smith, currently a deputy CFO, will report to Bryant, who was promoted to chief administrative officer.<br /><br />Shares of Intel, a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, rose more than 4% in after-hours trading following the report.<br /><br />"It was not a surprise to the investment community," analyst John Dryden of Charter Equity Research said of Bryant's new post. "I believe it has been a known transition that was coming. It was just a matter of timing."<br /><br />Noting that Bryant is the company's longest-serving CFO having started in 1994, Dryden said, "It's just time for new blood. I would say it was a planned change. It was not based on Andy's performance."<br /><br />Intel also set in motion more staff cuts, saying it would shed 2,000 jobs in the fourth quarter, reducing the company's head count to about 86,000. That's down about 9% from where it stood in the end of 2006.<br /><br />The company reported profit of $1.9 billion, or 31 cents a share, for the period that ended Sept. 29 compared to $1.3 billion, or 22 cents a share, for the comparable period last year.<br /><br />On Wall Street, analysts on average estimated Intel would earn 30 cents a share, according to a Thomson Financial survey.<br /><br />Revenue grew to $10.1 billion compared to $8.74 billion in the same period last year. Analysts were expecting revenue of $9.6 billion.<br /><br />Intel exceeded its own higher revenue projections of between $9.4 billion to $9.8 billion. It also projected fourth quarter revenue to be between $10.5 billion and $11.1 billion, higher than the $10.4 billion predicted by analysts.<br /><br />Analyst Doug Freedman of American Technology Research said the chipmaker offered "very strong" fourth-quarter earnings projections.<br /><br />"This should push next year's numbers higher, as the gross margin starting point is higher and ripples through the model," he added.<br /><br />Analyst John Dryden of Charter Equity Research said "PC demand continues to exceed expectations globally ... The mix to mobile is providing an added benefit to Intel."<br /><br />Noting Intel's projected 57% gross margin for the fourth quarter, Dryden said: "I was bullish, but didn't target 57% gross margin until [the second half of 2008]." He said this suggests that Intel is gaining share in the market for server microprocessors.<br /><br />In a written statement, Chief Executive Paul Otellini cited "a combination of great products, strong and growing worldwide demand, and operational efficiency" as the key factors for the growth seen in the quarter. The company said its performance was driven by growth in chips for laptop and other mobile devices, along with the corporate market.<br /><br />Last month, Intel raised its revenue projection to between $9.4 billion to $9.8 billion, from a previous range of $9 billion to $9.6 billion.<br /><br />Intel is the No. 1 chipmaker in the world, with about 13% of the industry's total revenue in 2006, followed by Samsung Electronics with 8%, and Texas Instruments Inc.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-73542029435410655242007-10-17T10:30:00.000+08:002007-10-17T10:31:22.202+08:00Mac OS X Leopard to be released on October 26The most pretty OS since Vista, Mac OS X Leopard is ready for its time in the spotlight and will be officially released on October 26. Already available on pre-order, the new operating system comes with more than 300 new features and introduces a brand new desktop with Stacks, a new way to easily access files from the Dock; a redesigned Finder that lets users quickly browse and share files between multiple Macs; Quick Look, a new way to instantly see files without opening an application; Spaces, an intuitive new feature used to create groups of applications and instantly switch between them; and Time Machine, an effortless way to automatically back up everything.<br /><br />“Leopard, the sixth major release of Mac OS X, is the best upgrade we’ve ever released,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. And since the Jobs Man couldn't resist not kicking Microsoft in its soft part he also added - “And everyone gets the ‘Ultimate’ version, packed with all the new innovative features, for just $129.” It's a good thing (for Microsoft) Leopard doesn't really 'do' PCs.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-33061679640651286172007-10-16T10:15:00.002+08:002007-10-16T10:16:12.272+08:00Intel P45 and G45 Eaglelake infoIn the second quarter 2008 , intel will release the desktop chipsets Intel eaglelake. They will propose support to PCI express 2.0 for the wide population, and the south bridges series ICH10 will forget about old interfaces as PCI, PS/2, COM and LPT. The memory controller in eaglelake chipsets will preserve compatibility with DDR- 3 and DDR-2.<br /><br />Eaglelake chipset found the proper names: Intel p45 for the discrete version and Intel g45 for the integrated version. This Last has the graphic core GMA x4500 with directX 10 support , which will be three times more productive than graphic system in chipset intel g33. This chipset will also support interfaces DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort. The decoding of high quality video from blu-ray disks and HD DVD will be accelerated at the hardware level.<br /><br />In the third quarter 2008 , intel will present Eaglelake- Q chipset , which will find use in corporate segment. Let us recall that the south bridges series ICH10 will also move in the chipset tylersburg-DT, which will ensure the support of nehalem generation processors in the fourth quarter 2008. In the third quarter the portion of eaglelake chipsets will exceed 20%.<br /><br />I note that the wholesale cost of chipset intel x48 will be $70- much more expensive than Intel x38 ($50); . I hope that this additional payment is not only due to the support of DDR 3-1600 and 1600 MHz system bus, but for the improved overclocking potential.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-63809464314232636662007-10-16T10:15:00.001+08:002007-10-16T10:15:32.782+08:00Barcelonas are hard to come byA month on since the native quad core Barcelona launch it seems that AMD has run into some supply troubles. ChannelWeb talked to several channel partners, to check out how AMD's new baby was doing and these chaps had some interesting things to say.<br /><br />Brian Corn, VP of marketing and business development at Source Code, and Corn made several interesting remarks concerning the availability of quad core Opterons. As far as the hardware side of things goes, Corn had only words of praise for AMDs new part.<br /><br />"There are no hardware conflicts and the power draw is as promised. They delivered on their technicals. On these high-performance compute and memory-intensive applications, they're kicking Intel's butt," said Corn.<br /><br />But he was far from pleased when it comes to AMD's customer relations in the system builder channel.<br /><br />"We're extremely disappointed with AMD on a product delivery level. What's nice about the product is it runs great, it's rock solid, it really performs. The real problem seems to be is that AMD doesn't have any of these things," he said.<br /><br />Corn went on to say that AMD offered no response to numerous questions concerning the availability of the new products and that the company had turned its back on the channel, taking care of their teir ones and favored partners instead.<br /><br />Not all partners have experienced similar problems, but the delivery of quad core Opterons has been an issue among some.<br /><br />Shah Gautam, president of custom server builder Colfax also praised the new chip, but he too said that it looks like AMD is focused on tier one customers in the initial phase.<br /><br />Appro International has ordered some 48 thousand Opterons for its Linux computing clusters ordered by the Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos and Sandia national labaratories. It claims that the new CPU is a winner, but John Lee, VP of advanced technology solutions, says that "the rollout wasn't as crisp as we would have liked."<br /><br />Demand seems to be great, but it's beginning to look as if the numerous delays have chained AMD to tier one customers in this initial phase, and that it's forced to put the channel on hold, at least until it can fulfill its obligations to tier ones. Hopefully this situation won't last long.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-13887399497350487212007-10-16T10:11:00.000+08:002007-10-16T10:14:33.999+08:00List of all Opteron (3rd gen) K10 Processors [Including Budapest]<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7933/semttulo3to6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7933/semttulo3to6.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Here it is folks.<br />All these CPUs shall be in the market from January/2008.<br />I've also heard about some 2362SE & 1362SE Optys @ 2.6GHz, that would probably debut in March.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-20683027055914362142007-10-15T16:58:00.000+08:002007-10-15T17:00:43.616+08:00Intel X48 chipset supporting DDR 3 memory only<span style="font-weight:bold;">Intel X48 chipset to ditch DDR 2?</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRgiBrKaJBz_l2i7FwEmd_WD9dAubZCquQsDKDUvRn2Zj7p3rvyjGLVsZjOHaIv1EZsyBfvA-GWW7s29a913A-HHndRT8b2fV41UVSEe_62I6GJCNKAbfTiSC4nbMnkmU-ccDylBCTI0/s1600-h/15.40.32.12.10.2007.X38+and+X48+Express+Chipset+FSB+and+DDR+Feature+Comparison.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRgiBrKaJBz_l2i7FwEmd_WD9dAubZCquQsDKDUvRn2Zj7p3rvyjGLVsZjOHaIv1EZsyBfvA-GWW7s29a913A-HHndRT8b2fV41UVSEe_62I6GJCNKAbfTiSC4nbMnkmU-ccDylBCTI0/s400/15.40.32.12.10.2007.X38+and+X48+Express+Chipset+FSB+and+DDR+Feature+Comparison.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121485688391034146" /></a><br /><br />Intel's X48 high-end gaming-oriented chipset, the anticipated successor to the only-just-released X38 chipset, is set to debut in Q1 2008 - supporting DDR 3 memory only, it has emerged.<br /><br />According to leaked Intel presentation slides posted by Chinese-language site HKPEC, the X48 will not support DDR 2 memory, though it will up the frontside bus clock frequency to 1600MHz.<br /><br />It will handle DDR 3 DIMMs clocked at 800, 1067, 1333 and 1600MHz - the latter using Intel's so-called XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile) specification, designed to make overclocking a less hit and miss operation.<br /><br />X48-based boards will sport up to four DIMM slots, two per channel. However, only two 1600MHz, 1.8V DIMMs can be added to the board. Anyone using 1600MHz memory will only be able to connect up a 1066MHz or 1600MHz FSB processor. Only non-ECC memory modules are supported.<br /><br />The X48 supports two x16 PCI Express 2.0 slots and connects to Intel's ICH9 southbridge chip, which brings six 3Gbps SATA ports, Gigabit Ethernet, 12 USB ports and six PCIe lanes for configuration as two x1 ports and either a x4 connector or four more x1 slots.<br /><br />The first X38 motherboards began to be launched this week, less than a month after it was first claimed Intel was readying the X48.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-62173598850069087262007-10-15T16:56:00.000+08:002007-10-15T16:58:18.056+08:00Hitachi promises 4TB hard drives by 2011Funky hard drive making division of Hitachi, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies have just announced that they have developed the world’s smallest read-head technology for hard drives. The technology, which enabled Hitachi to make new heads in the 30-50 nanometer (nm) range is expected to bring 1TB notebook drives and 4TB desktop hard drives by 2011.<br /><br />“This is an achievement for consumers as much as it is for Hitachi. It allows Hitachi to fuel the growth of the ‘Terabyte Era’ of storage, which we started, and gives consumers virtually limitless ability for storing their digital content.” said Hiroaki Odawara, Research Director at Hitachi.<br /><br />The new heads are called "current perpendicular-to-the-plane giant magnetoresistive" (CPP-GMR) and are said to enable densities of up to one terabit per square inch (Tb/sq. in.). This new technology is set to be implemented in shipping products in 2009 and reach its full potential in 2011.<br /><br />What will you do with all this capacity? I can only shudder at what you'll do because my imagination precludes speculation on such matters.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-6598236594574023942007-10-14T11:29:00.000+08:002007-10-14T11:31:51.831+08:00Intel prepares 1600FSB Extreme quad-core CPUNovember 12 will see Intel release its first 45nm-built desktop processor, the $999-tagged QX9650, an Extreme-branded quad-core CPU clocked at 3.0 GHz and running with a 1333 MHz bus. Just two months after this CPU releases Intel will have a new high-end chipset, the X48, and since this one will 'officially' support' the 1600 MHz FSB, Intel will release a new Extreme processor to go with it.<br /><br />The QX9770 will be clocked at 3.2 Ghz, will have that 1600 FSB, 12 MB of L2 cache and will come with a price tag of $1399. The QX9770's release date is Q1 2008.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1600FSB QX9775 Yorkfield XE Pricing</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/news/2007-10/intc_dt_cpu_prices_q1_2008.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/news/2007-10/intc_dt_cpu_prices_q1_2008.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Even though there are not a lot of single-core chips in Intel’s microprocessor lineup now, quad-core processors are not going to become really affordable soon enough. After Intel introduces its new 45nm central processing units in January, 2008, the company will not cut pricing of its Intel Core 2 Quad below $266.<br /><br />The new code-named Yorkfield processors, which will be sold under Intel Core 2 Quad trademark with Q9550, Q9450 and Q9300 model numbers, will be priced at $530, $316 and $266 in 1000-unit quantities, respectively. Intel will also not cease to offer its 65nm quad-core microprocessors Q6700 and Q6600 for $530 and $266, respectively. The newer chips are projected to deliver considerably higher performance compared to predecessors thanks to improved micro-architecture, higher-speed processor system busses and cache sizes.<br /><br />The fact that Intel has no plans to reduce pricing of its quad-core chips signals that the company feels itself comfortabe selling products with four processing engines at price-points starting at $266 and expects no substantial competition from Advanced Micro Devices, who is struggling to deliver quad-core enthusiast-class chips in late 2007 and quad-core and tri-core desktop processors in Q1 2008.<br /><br />Intel officials did not comment on the news-story.<br /><br />The new Q9000-series/45nm microprocessors are projected to have greater instructions per clock (IPC) execution compared to today’s chips, which means that they will be faster and more efficient even at the same clock-speeds with the current generation chips.<br /><br />The major micro-architectural improvements for new Intel Core 2 processors, besides SSE4 instruction set, include the so-called Unique Super Shuffle Engine and Radix 16 technique. The Super Shuffle Engine is a full-width, single-pass shuffle unit that is 128-bits wide, which can perform full-width shuffles in a single cycle. This significantly improves performance for SSE2, SSE3 and SSE4 instructions that have shuffle-like operations such as pack, unpack and wider packed shifts. This feature will increase performance for content creation, imaging, video and high-performance computing. Radix 16 technique, according to Intel, roughly doubles the divider speed over previous generations for computations used in nearly all applications. In addition, Intel also improved virtualization technology as well as added some features to dynamic acceleration technology, which is supposed to boost single-threaded applications’ performance on multi-core chips.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2044617893971985516.post-54779022270430147642007-10-12T13:16:00.000+08:002007-10-12T13:19:04.983+08:00Intel Preps Dual-Core Celeron Microprocessors<span style="font-weight:bold;">Intel Readies Dual-Core Microprocessors for $35 - $50</span><br /><br />It was just a matter of time before the leading makers of central processing units (CPUs) start to sell dual-core chips for value computers and it now seems that the time will come in the first quarter of next year, when Intel Corp. unveils dual-core Intel Celeron microprocessors aiming the most affordable personal computers (PCs).<br /><br />The first Intel Celeron E1200 dual-core processor working at 1.60GHz, utilizing 800MHz processor system bus and featuring 512KB of unified secondary-level cache will emerge in the first quarter of 2008 to target cost-effective desktops. Later during the year Intel plans to add more chips into the Intel Celeron E1000 dual-core lineup, creating a comprehensive family of affordable chips with two processing engines.<br /><br />Intel’s Celeron E1000 dual-core processors are set to be made using 65nm process technology and are projected to fit into 65W thermal design power envelope. The new CPUs will be drop-in compatible with all platforms that support code-named Conroe processors, e.g. Intel Core 2 Duo or Intel Pentium dual-core E2000-series.<br /><br />According to documents seen, Intel plans to describe the new Intel Celeron dual-core processor as delivering “entry multi-tasking experience for value-conscious customers”. Currently Intel sells Celeron processors for $34 - $59, therefore, it is possible to expect that the new E1000-series will also fit into that gap. It is interesting to note that the launch of the new Celeron dual-core chips will not mean end of life for Intel Pentium processors, which will continue to serve upper segment of low-cost desktop systems.<br /><br />Given relatively low clock-speed and not a large cache, it is unlikely that Intel Celeron E1000 dual-core microprocessors will show incredible performance. Nevertheless, the forthcoming emergence of the new chips proof that multi-core technology are rushing into the value segment of the market.<br /><br />The launch of low-cost dual-core Intel Celeron E1000-series processors will cause the chip giant’s rival Advanced Micro Devices to either waterfall prices of its entry-level single-core AMD Athlon LE and AMD Sempron chips, or to introduce value dual-core processors as well and reconsider pricing of single-core offerings.Batigolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04016113821235606119noreply@blogger.com0