The first processors are apparently lined up for an April 8 launch. Digitimes reports that Intel will introduce 17 desktop CPUs and eight notebook CPUs that day.

According to the post, the company will launch the quad-core desktop processors Core i7-3770K, 3770, 3770S, 3770T, as well as Core i5-3570, 3550 and 3450 with tray prices between $184 and $332. The Core i5-3470T is scheduled for May and at $184, Digitimes wrote. The desktop CPUs will be complemented by the Z77, H77, Z75 and B75 chipsets initially, while the Q77 and Q75 will launch on May 13.

On the notebook side, the publication highlighted the Core i7-3920QM, 3820QM and 3720QM, which will be spearheading the mobile portfolio with tray prices of $1096, $568 and $378, respectively. Mainstream versions, including Core i5-3520M, 3360M, 3320M and the ultrabook CPUs Core i7-3667U and Core i5-3427U will be unveiled “later”. The mobile chipset lineup will include the HM77, UM77, HM76 and HM75 in April and the QS77 and QM77 in May.

SOURCE via DigiTimes

TechPowerUp received a “leaked” presentation that allegedly details Intel’s Sandy Bridge-EP platform, along with early performance numbers.

Intel is taking its newly launched Core i7 Sandy Bridge-E platform to the enterprise market with a new line of Xeon processors. Intel’s new enterprise variations include the Sandy Bridge-EN and Sandy Bridge-EP. The Sandy Bridge-EN is designed for high-density, low-power servers, while the Sandy Bridge-EP is designed for high-performance servers and workstations. The Sandy Bridge-EP is multi-socket capable platform.

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The document, filed in 2007, describes a networked environment of devices and is a step beyond the WoL (Wake on LAN (Local Area Network)) feature. In an environment of at least three devices, where on device is requesting data from a second device that is turned off, there is a third device that will is capable of determining that state and switch on a computing device on demand. The benefit of such an environment may be reduced power consumption as WoL device never can be entirely turned off and will always consume power.

According to Intel, the feature of “powering on devices via intermediate computing device” not only applies to enterprise scenarios, but also home environments where “devices coupled to a network may act as distributed media storage and playback with reduced power consumption when such devices are not in use.” The power-on message is supported to be transmitted via wired and wireless signals over local and wide-area networks.

While Intel remains blurry about the exact technologies and protocols being used – the patent refers to virtually any networked computing environment and their data transfer protocols – the company specifically notes that the power-on feature may be built into processors and other circuits, logic units, or devices within the system. The actual data transfer takes place “via a point-to-point (PtP) interface using PtP interface circuits, respectively.” The microprocessor would include a high speed (e.g., general purpose) I/O bus channel in some embodiments of the invention to facilitate communication with various components (such as I/O device(s)),” the patent states.

SOURCE via USPTO

Zalman’s newest line of solid state drives, the F1-series, is slated for launch tomorrow in Japan. The F1 Series SSDs utilize a 2.5-inch form-factor SATA 6 Gb/s interface. The drive is based on the SandForce SF-2281 controller with multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory. Its available in capacities of 60 GB, 120 GB and 240 GB. Pricing is listed at 11,980 JPY (US $153) for the 60 GB, 19,800 JPY ($254) for the 120 GB, and 39,980 JPY ($513) for the 240 GB model. In addition, the drive has support for TRIM, NCQ, AES-128/256, SMART and is AHCI mode optimized.

The F1 Series performance offers read speeds of up to 560 MB/s, and up to 530 MB/s write speeds. The 60 GB and 120 GB models offer 4K random write performance of 30,000 IOPS and the 240 GB model offers 45,000 IOPS. Zalman has provided a speed comparison chart on the new F1 Series against “General” but isn’t kind enough to list was the “General” drive is. Based on the number listed, “General” looks to be your standard SandForce SF-2281 controller. Zalman is boasting its performance seen in incompressible data transfers most commonly used by audio, video and photography professionals. Read more on the F1 Series at its product page.

We’ve already seen a few benchmarks and other hints that they’d soon be shipping, and Intel has now officially announced that its new Cedar Trail Atom processors are finally available, with the first systems using them set to roll out early next year. The two chips you’ll likely be seeing the most of are the Atom N2600 and N2800 — both dual-core, and both designed for use in netbooks, where they promise to allow for up to ten hours of battery life and “weeks of standby,” and offer support for 1080p video playback. Also rolling out today are the D2500 and D2700, which are designed for use in entry-level desktops and all-in-one computers, as well as more commercial systems. As for all those systems themselves, details remain a bit light, but Intel says you can expect to see some from Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, and Toshiba.

SOURCE via Anandtech

Due to the tight supply of hard drives stemming from the Thailand flooding back in October and November, hard drive manufacturers have reportedly asked PC vendors to sign a one-year contract at specified prices and volumes to ensure their required number of units.

While hard drive manufacturers and component makers have largely resumed operations within the last month, they’re not at optimum level, and the pace of recovery varies from factory to factory, making it hard to determine if the worst-case supply scenario is over. As it stands now, hard drive makers expect the global unit output to decline 30-percent sequentially in 4Q11 and extend on into 1Q12, producing only 140 million units between January and the end of March.

Yet many PC vendors are reluctant to sign a one-year contract. According to industry insiders, the vendors fear that hard drive prices may drop sharply once the supply chain fully recovers from the impact of the floods, and the contract will be locking them in at the higher, inflated price. Currently many PC vendors are purchasing hard drives on a quarterly basis.

Meanwhile, Stellar Data Recovery reports that PC vendors will likely turn to the “grey market” to acquire the hard drives not supplied in the normal channels. The grey market is defined as “the trade of a commodity through distribution channels which, while legal, are unofficial, unauthorized, or unintended by the original manufacturer.”

“The lack of good quality HDDs means computer manufacturers will seek out other markets and procurement channels in order to meet demand,” the company reports. “The grey market is likely to appear in the guise of an attractive and easy alternative. Stellar Data Recovery is keeping a vigilant eye on this alarming development, for the simple reason that HDDs from grey sources are more likely to fail, as they are unlikely to have undergone all the necessary quality checks. Normally, Stellar Data Recovery is able to recover lost data, even from ‘grey’ HDDs. Nonetheless, the increase in data loss and downtime due to the reduced quality of HDDs will have unwanted knock-on effects for many businesses in the future. “

Using HDDs supplied by the grey market means the quality of many products, PCs, laptops and cheaper servers could be compromised, the company said.

If you’re looking to quell your inner storage enthusiast after the holidays, RunCore may have something to satisfy your appetite. The company announced that it has two products intended for launch at CES. The Falcon series is a Marvell-based storage solution that boasts R / W IOPS speeds that best the outfit’s Pro V SATA 6Gb/s SSDs. Speaking of the Pro V series, RunCore is looking to set up shop in Ultrabooks with a 7mm model of its 2.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s SSD with 540 MB/s read and 500 MB/s write speeds.

Intel was able to increase its lead microprocessor sales over AMD in the third quarter of 2011. According to an estimate by market research firm IHS, Intel processors accounted for 83.7 percent of all processors revenues in Q3, up from 82.5 percent in the second quarter and up from 80.9 percent in Q3 of 2010. AMD slipped from 10.5 percent in Q2 and 11.5 percent in Q3 2010 to 10.2 percent in the most recent quarter.

IHS said that the third quarter brought good and bad news for Intel:

“The boom in media tablet sales has packed both upsides and downsides for Intel—hurting its business in netbook microprocessors – but boosting its sales of chips used in data centers to support cloud computing,” said Matthew Wilkins, principal analyst for compute platforms research at IHS. “Because of its broad product line that addresses both the consumer and business side of the microprocessor business, Intel in the third quarter managed to outperform the overall market. Even with the company warning that its fourth-quarter revenue will fall short of expectations, the company still is expected to expand its lead in the global semiconductor market based on its strong performance in the third quarter and the rest of the year.”

It is particularly interesting that Intel has managed to pull itself out of the negative impact of the decline of the netbook market, which is a segment that it fueled with its Atom processors. IHS said that global netbook shipments may drop to 21.4 million units in 2011, down a staggering 33.5 percent from 32 million in 2010. Shipments are expected to fall to 13.4 million units in 2015.

Thunderbolt could become much more available in April as Intel is apparently working with first-tier vendors to integrate the interface in their systems.

Digitimes reports that Thunderbolt-supported motherboards, notebooks and desktop PCs are on their way and are being prepared for an early Q2 launch.

Initially, Thunderbolt carried a cost of more than $20 per device and is prohibitively expensive for most computer systems. The cost may drop in the second half of the year as the technology is adapted on a much broader range, but Intel will have to actively support and drive the technology into the market to make it a success.

Digitimes said that Sony will pick up Thunderbolt and Asustek Computer will, at least, put the technology into its high-end systems. Gigabyte will be launching a Thunderbolt motherboard in April. Intel confirmed in September that Acer and Asustek Computer will introduce Thunderbolt computers in 2012 to begin the breakaway of the interface as an Apple-exclusive technology.

Looking for a way to extend your home or office network without the hassles of Ethernet cords and spotty Wi-Fi signals? Why not use the power outlet mounted in your wall instead?

On Wednesday TRENDnet released the latest edition to its Powerline AV series, the 200 Mbps Compact Powerline AV Adapter (TPL-306E) and Adapter Kit (TPL-306E2K). This adapter essentially establishes a network connection from a router to a PC via a building or home’s electrical lines, but consumes less physical space on the wall outlet than previous models.

“The TPL-306E replaces and is approximately 30-percent smaller than the older TPL-303E series,” the company reports. “Its small form factor saves space when plugged into a crowded electrical outlet. Network one adapter to a router and plug another adapter into any outlet on the same electrical system for instant high speed network access.”

The TRENDnet adapters connect automatically to each other over a secure encrypted signal with no CD installation required. They also feature an LED display which relays device status for power management and troubleshooting. And because they’re always on, TRENDnet has implemented its embedded power-saving technology which lowers power consumption by up to 70-percent in standby mode.

End users looking to set up a powerline-based extension to their network will need at least two TPL-306E adapters, costing $54.99 USD for each. However for $99.99 USD, the 200 Mbps Compact Powerline AV Adapter Kit provides two adapters to get you started.