Notebook suppliers lined up behind Intel's three new
Dothan Pentium M processors with new and updated systems featuring
the improved chip.
The Pentium M processors based on the 90 nanometer Dothan core
can run at faster clock speeds than their predecessors based on the
Banias core. They also feature twice the Level 2 cache with
2Mbytes, allowing the chip to store larger amounts of frequently
accessed data close to the processor.
The new processors are also Intel's first with its new processor
numbering system - the Pentium M 735, Pentium M 745 and the Pentium
M 755.
Chips built with the Dothan core take on the 700 series label,
and the last two digits of the label reflect the overall
performance of the chip based on factors such as clock speed, cache
size and front-side bus speed. Older chips based on the Banias core
will retain their clock-speed product labels.
Dell and Hewlett-Packard will support the chip on several
notebooks for enterprise and consumer users. Customers can choose
configurations of Dell's Latitude business notebooks, the Inspiron
8600 consumer notebook or the Precision M60 mobile workstation with
the 735, 745 or 755 chips.
A base configuration of the Latitude D600 with the 745 chip,
256Mbytes of memory, a 20Gbyte hard drive, a 802.11b/g wireless
chip from Broadcom and a 14.1-inch display will cost $1,779.
All of HP's enterprise notebooks will support the new chip in
configurable models, as well as a number of fixed configurations
available through retailers and HP's website.
Five new fixed configurations are available on HP's website. On
the low end, the HP Compaq Business Notebook nc6000 costs $2,049
with the 735 chip, 512Mbytes of memory, a 40Gbyte hard drive, a
DVD-Rom/CD-RW (CD-rewritable) drive, a 14.1-inch display and
Intel's Pro/Wireless 2100BG chip for 802.11b/g wireless
networks.
Customers looking for extreme performance can select the nw8000
mobile workstation for $3,699, with a base configuration consisting
of the 745 chip, 1Gbyte of memory, a 60Gbyte hard drive, a DVD+RW
hard drive, a 15-inch display and a dualband 802.11a/b/g wireless
chip from Atheros Communications.
IBM also announced new models within its ThinkPad notebook line.
The ThinkPad T42 and the mobile workstation T42p are both available
with the Dothan-based Pentium M chips and new 15-inch displays that
allow viewing angles up to 170 degrees.
Gateway and Toshiba also joined the Dothan launch party with new
systems. Gateway updated the 450XL notebook and M275XL convertible
Tablet PC with the 745 processor. The 450XL costs $2,099 with the
745 chip, 512Mbytes of memory, a 60Gbyte hard drive, a
DVD-Rom/CD-RW drive, a 15-inch display and Intel's Pro/Wireless
2100BG chip. The M275 also costs $2,099 with the 745 chip,
512Mbytes of memory, a 60Gbyte hard drive, a DVD-Rom/CD-RW drive, a
12.1-inch display and Intel's Pro/Wireless 2100BG chip.
Toshiba's Tecra M2, Tecra M2V, and Portege M200 notebooks are
available with the new Pentium M chips, while future Satellite
models will also support the chips.
Tom Krazit writes for IDG News
Service