Pentium
III Notebooks
Probably the most groundbreaking aspect to the recent Intel Coppermine
announcement was the introduction of new Mobile Pentium III chips based
on the 0.18-micron technology.
The smallest mobile Pentium III processor package is about the size
of a postage stamp. Not only are these smaller chips available at faster
speeds - 400MHz, 450MHz, and 500MHz - and with a 100MHz system bus (as
opposed to the previous Mobile Pentium II 66MHz bus), but they also
are designed to use lower voltages - as low as 1.1 to 1.65 volts. This
means they use less power and have improved battery life. Intel's new
QuickStart energy-saving technology should help further save battery
life by enabling the processor to work at a lower power state when the
CPU is idle.
With less power demand, and a cooler-running processor, notebooks can
now be smaller, lighter and faster. The combination of faster processor
speeds and a wider bus bandwidth should yield performance improvements
of between 10 percent and 50 percent, depending on the application.
The Mobile Pentium III chips use the same integrated Advanced Transfer
Cache --256K on-die L2 cache -- used by the other Coppermine chips.
This cache is half the size of the 512K external cache provided with
previous mobile processors, but provides three times faster access and
maximum power optimization because it's combined with the CPU. It features
intelligent buffering of read/store data, more information per read/store
access based on a 256-bit quad-wide cache line, and an integrated, full-speed
cache for lower latency on read/store access.
And since the new chips are actually less expensive to manufacture,
notebook prices are not likely to be higher than existing products and
may be lower. Intel expects to see new 500MHZ Pentium III notebooks
introduced to the market at under $2,000.
Intel is pricing the 500MHz Mobile Pentium III chip at $530, while the
450MHz and 400MHz will be priced at $348. The 400MHz Pentium III is
intended as a low-power processor for mini-notebooks.
With the introduction of the faster mobile CPU speeds, many notebook
vendors are touting their machines as desktop replacement units, a claim
that becomes more and more realistic with improved LCD screens, better
graphics capabilities and improved energy efficiency and performance.
They are also offering new lines of mini-notebooks with declining footprints
and increasing power.
THE PRODUCTS
Below is a
listing of the product announcements made on the heels of the new Intel
mobile Pentium III introduction.
Compaq
The Compaq Presario 1830 notebook PC offers a 450MHx mobile Pentium
III processor with 256 KB Integrated Cache, 64 MB of SyncDRAM, JBL Pro
Audio, a vivid 15-inch TFT screen, 4X DVD drive, ATI 3D Rage LT Pro
hardware accelerated 3D graphics with 8 MB video memory, SoftTouch palm
rest and JBL Pro Audio with Bass Reflex. The system MSRP starts at $2,899.
Compaq
also unveiled three new Armada products offering Intel Mobile Pentium
III processors -- the Armada E700, M700 and E500. Sporting a new, streamlined
industrial design, the Armada E500 weighs in at less than six pounds,
offers three-spindle support, incorporates a standard Armada MultiBay
for configuration flexibility, and provides Mini PCI communications
solutions. The Armada E500 Series top-of-the-line model includes: a
450 MHz Intel Mobile Pentium III processor; brilliant 14.1-inch TFT
displays; 64MB SDRAM standard with one open slot, expandable to 512
MB; up to a 12GB removable hard drive; 2X AGP graphics; an internal
Mini PCI 56K V.90 Modem; and a 9-cell Lithium Ion primary battery, achieving
3½-hours of continuous use, all for $2,999. A TV-out port is included
for easy connection to external video sources including DVD playback.
The Armada E700, Compaq's powerhouse notebook for enterprise customers,
incorporates a 500MHz Intel Mobile Pentium III processor, a 15-inch
TFT XGA display, an 18 GB hard drive, 128 MB SDRAM, a 4X DVD-ROM drive,
diskette drive and integrated Mini PCI worldwide 56K V.90 Modem and
10/100 ethernet card.
The high-performance, high-mobility Armada M700 product series also
gained several new Mobile Pentium III models. At 4.7 pounds and 1.1-inches
thin, this svelte new product series includes new Mobile Pentium III
models with 500 MHz and 450 MHz processors, both with 14.1-inch TFT
displays, 12 GB and 6 GB hard drives, a 24X CD-ROM, a 56K V.90 Modem
and an optional 10/100 Ethernet Combo. The Armada M700 Series includes
an 8-cell Li-Ion battery standard. All notebook products, options and
docking solutions are expected to begin shipping in the fourth quarter
in the U.S.
Dell
The Dell Inspiron 3700 and Inspiron 7500 notebook PCs now both
offer Intel Pentium III mobile processors at 450 MHz and 500 MHz speeds.
With prices starting at $1,999, the Inspiron 3700 features the DualPoint
design and a variety of interchangeable peripheral modules. The Inspiron
7500 provides users with desktop-like performance and expandability
in a convenient notebook package with prices starting at $2,099.
The Dell Latitude CPx H500GT corporate notebook, offers the new Intel
mobile Pentium III 500MHz processor and the new Dell DualPoint design
that integrates two pointing devices: a touch pad and a track stick.
The standard Latitude CPx H500GT configuration starting at $2,999 includes
three-year, next-business-day, onsite service, 64 MB RAM (up to 512MB),
4.8 GB hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, 8 MB of video RAM and 2X
AGP support for smooth video performance on the 14.1-inch TFT display,
and a 24X-maximum CD-ROM drive. All Latitude C-family notebooks share
the same docking and peripherals, including DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, floppy
disk drive, additional hard disk drive, LS-120 drive and AC adapter.
Fujitsu
Fujitsi is now offering four new Lifebook Series notebook lines
using the new Intel Pentium III processors. The new Fujitsu LifeBook
S Series with 400MHz Intel Pentium III processor has built-in modular
bay, yet weighs less than four pounds. Running Microsoft Windows 98
Second Edition, the ultra-thin LifeBook S Series measures 11.3" wide
by 8.8" deep by 0.97" (min.), 1.25" (max.) high, and weighs only 3.74
pounds with Lithium ion battery and weight saver. The LifeBook S Series
features a 12.1" SVGA TFT display, an Intel 400MHz Pentium III processor,
choice of 64MB or 128MB of RAM, choice of 6GB and 9GB hard drives, an
internal flexible bay, and both a built-in 56K2 V.90 modem and built-in
10/100 base-T Ethernet LAN. It is priced starting at $2,299 and will
be available in early November.
The new LifeBook X Series notebooks deliver complete desktop replacement
features including a 500MHz Intel Mobile Pentium III processor, a large
15.1" TFT display, 8.0MB of video memory and choice of CD-ROM, DVD or
CD-RW drive. Weighing less than eight pounds, the three-spindle LifeBook
X Series features up to 256MB of system memory, up to a 12GB removable
hard drive, a built-in floppy disk or SuperDisk 120 drive, and a flexible
bay that supports hot swapping of CD-ROM, DVD or CD-RW drives. The LifeBook
X Series will be available in mid-November, with prices starting at
$3,399.
The
re-engineered LifeBook E Series delivers enhanced performance with Intel's
450MHz and 500MHz Mobile Pentium III processors in a new thin design.
The new LifeBook E Series features a variety of system configuration
choices along with multiple docking options to support numerous configuration
preferences. Users can choose among four powerful Intel processors --
the Intel Mobile Pentium III at 500MHz or 450MHz, the Intel Pentium
II at 433MHz or the Intel Celeron processor at 433MHz. Systems are available
with either 13.3" or 14.1" XGA TFT display, up to 256MB of RAM, choice
of 6.4GB or 10GB removeable hard drive and choice of a modular CD-ROM,
DVD or CD-RW drive. The E Series also now integrates wireless IR mouse
support and the new LifeBook Security Panel and is available for immediate
shipment, with prices starting at $1,699.
Fujitsu's popular C Series notebooks now offer the latest Intel Mobile
Pentium III processors at 450MHz & 500MHz with exceptional multimedia
features. The LifeBook C Series models include a 14.1" XGA TFT display,
built-in CD-ROM, DVD or CD-RW drives, and up to 256MB RAM. Windows 98
Second Edition is pre-installed and a built-in 56K V.90 modem is standard
on all models. The LifeBook C Series also features the LifeBook Application
Panel with personal CD player. Select configurations offer ATI Rage
Mobility-P high-performance graphic controller, with 2x AGP support
and an advanced Yamaha audio controller, while all models feature high-end
Pioneer bass-reflex speakers for clean and crisp sound. New LifeBook
C Series products will be available in early November.
Gateway
The Gateway Solo 2550 puts the power of the mobile Intel Pentium
III processor within reach for less than $2,000. With the new Intel
Pentium III 450MHz processor, the Solo 2550 builds on the features of
the Solo 2500 and adds 1X AGP video, an integrated V.90 modem and a
100MHz front-side bus. For the $1,999 price tag, you get 32MB SDRAM
expandable to 288MB, NiMH battery and AC pack, 13.3" XGA active matrix
color display, 4GB Ultra ATA removable hard drive (18GB available),
and a 4MB SGRAM video graphics accelerator. The 10X min./24X max CD-ROM
or DVD-ROM, floppy drive, and modem are integrated into the system,
minimizing the need for extra peripheral components. The Solo 2550 is
also available with Intel's mobile Pentium II and Celeron processors.
Its dimensions are11.5" x 9.3" x 1.9", and it weighs approximately 7.41
lbs.
The Gateway Solo 9300 is designed to deliver desktop performance in
a portable form factor. It is offered with both the 450MHz and 500MHz
Pentium III chips, as well as with an Intel Celeron 433MHz option. With
up to a 15inch display in a thin, light design, the 9300 is also flexible
with two option bays for mixing and matching different modular drives.
Models include the 2x AGP ATI Mobility-P with 8MB SGRAM, up to 18GB
Ultra ATA removable hard drive, up to 288MB SDRAM, modular 4X DVD-ROM
Drive, and integrated V.90 56K modem. Dimensions are 12.7" x 10.39"
x 1.62" and approximate weight is 7.76lb.
Hewlett-Packard
The HP OmniBook 4150 and HP OmniBook 900 incorporate Intel's new mobile
Pentium III architecture for faster and more efficient computing with
better audio and video performance, and faster, more efficient access
to memory. The new configurations of the HP OmniBook 4150 notebook PC,
expected to sell for an estimated U.S. street price starting at $3,749,
will feature the following: Intel Pentium III 450MHz or 500MHz processor;
12GB hard drive; 64MB SDRAM; ATI RAGE Mobility graphics accelerator;
14.1-inch XGA TFT display; and 4X DVD-ROM drive.
The HP OmniBook 900 notebook PC is the lightest OmniBook notebook PC
available, weighing only four pounds. This high-performance system offers
customers maximum portability without compromising functionality. An
external bay shares modules with the HP OmniBook 4150 series, including
floppy, CD-ROM, DVD and LS-120 drives, as well as a second hard drive.
The new configuration, expected to sell for an estimated U.S. street
price of $2,699, will feature the following: Intel Pentium III 450MHz
processor; 6GB hard drive; 64MB SDRAM; ATI RAGE Mobility graphics accelerator;
and 12.1-inch SVGA TFT display. Improvements in battery technology,
as well as new power-management software developed by HP, will yield
a significantly extended battery life for HP OmniBook notebook PCs.
Battery life of the HP OmniBook 4150 notebook PC, for example, will
increase from almost 2.5 hours to nearly 4 hours.
IBM
IBM also now supports the new Pentium III chips and offers them
in the latest versions of its ThinkPad 600 and ThinkPad 390 lines, available
in a wide range of configurations, including both 450MHz and 500MHz
Pentium III processors. The ThinkPad 600X (2645-4EU/8EU) model sells
for between $3899 and $3999 and includes the 500-MHz PIII, 64MB memory
(576MB maximum), 12GB hard drive, 24X CD-ROM, 56Kbps modem, a 13.3-inch
display, and Windows 98 or NT. It has a travel weight of 4.9 lbs. The
ThinkPad 390X (2626-LOU/LNU) sells for $3099 to $3199 and includes the
450-MHz PIII, 64MB memory (512MB maximum), a 12GB hard drive, 24X CD-ROM
drive, 56Kbps modem, a 14-inch display, and Windows 98 or NT. It has
a travel weight of 7.7 lbs.
Micron
The Micron TransPort TREK2 line of high-performance desktop replacement
notebooks is based on the mobile version of Intel's Pentium III processor
(450MHz or 500MHz). Micronpc.com has also added a new high-end graphics
solution to its TransPort TREK2 notebooks -- the S3 Savage/MX 3D graphics
chipset, which includes 16MB of video memory, enhanced DVD playback,
multiple monitor support and AGP 2X. Micronpc.com is the first major
notebook vendor to offer notebooks with this powerful S3 graphics technology.
TransPort TREK2 systems are lightweight, desktop replacement notebooks
designed for use in a variety of business settings. Key features of
the TREK2 family include toolless entry for simple upgrades and servicing,
a removable hard drive for improved flexibility and data security, dual
pointing devices, and two USB ports. The new notebooks support Windows
NT 4.0, DMI 2.0 and ACPI. The new TransPort TREK2 systems are available
for order immediately, and are expected to begin shipping in November.
A system equipped with a Pentium III processor at 450 MHz, 128 MB of
memory, 6GB hard drive, 4X DVD ROM drive, S3 graphics with 16MB of memory,
and 56K modem is priced at $2,999.00
Sony
The Sony VAIO PCG-F390 and PCG-F370 robust models are an extension to
the VAIO PCG-F360, PCG-F350, and PCG-F340 notebooks launched last month.
Both the F370 (450 MHz) and F390 (500 MHz) have Intel Pentium III processor,
12GB HD, 15-inch and 14.1-inch displays. The full line offers Sony's
3MAX+ notebook system featuring maximum display size, maximum battery
and maximum mobility, plus an all-in-one design that includes a fixed
floppy drive, hard drive and CD-ROM or DVD-ROM built-in. The unique
three-spindle design also enables the use of dual batteries along with
the DVD-ROM for full DVD movie playback capability of up to two hours.
The PCG-F390 and F370 feature Sony's complete suite of digital video
software including DVgate Motion and Dvgate Still. In addition, for
easy data transfer between computers, all F Series models feature an
i.LINK (IEEE 1394) digital interface for quick and easy video and photography
transfer from a Sony DV Handycam camcorder. An optional 10BaseT Ethernet
port feature is available via the universal F Series port replicator
for added convenience in connecting to a network. The F390 and F370
both ship in November with estimated selling prices of $3,699.99 and
$3,299.99 respectively.
The
Sony PCG-XG9 sports an advanced expandable intercooler flap enclosing
the cooling fan and an innovative keyboard with reflective key text,
and a convenient tilt angle. Features include a fast, mobile 500MHZ
Pentium III processor, 13.3" active matrix display, and convenient modular
design - all weighing in at just six pounds with a 1.75-inch thin profile.
Also added is a handy jog dial feature - a first for Sony's VAIO notebook
line. Other features include: a hot swappable versatile drive bay for
the removable 4X DVD-ROM, CD-RW, additional hard drive, floppy drive,
and dual battery bays; high-capacity Lithium-Ion battery; a digital
touch pad; 18.1GB fixed hard-drive; 128 MB SDRAM; state-of-the-art digital
video editing features; 256 bit graphics chip; and built-in stereo speakers.
Optional Sony accessories include an innovative privacy screen, 10GB
HD, AV/IT docking station, and modular CD-RW slim drive. The Sony VAIO
PCG-XG9 ships in November with an estimated selling price of $3,499.99
Toshiba
Toshiba plans to offer the 500-MHz PIII as part of its Tecra 8000
Built-to-Order line. The featured Tecra 8000 configuration, available
in high volumes, includes the 500-MHz PIII, 64MB of PC100 memory (expandable
to 256MB), 10.1GB hard drive (18GB available), 4X DVD-ROM drive, a 14.1-inch
TFT display, integrated 56 kilobits-per-second modem, and Windows 98,
for $3999. With prices starting at $3,500, the Tecra 8000 with the Mobile
Pentium III processor at 500MHz will be available in late October through
Toshiba's traditional distribution channels, VARs and mail order partners.
The Tecra design allows customers to seamlessly transition from Mobile
Pentium II to Mobile Pentium III processors without having to re-qualify
the platform. Customers can continue using previously purchased port
replicators, docking stations and accessories as they upgrade to new
technology.
proceed
to The Price War
