Upcoming technology?

[StarTrooper3000]

I was wondering what sorts of technology, laptops, or whatnot might be down the pipeline. I'm open to rumors, announced products, and works in progress.

I ask because I'm looking to make a major laptop upgrade which will last me many years, and I like what I see out now, but I don't want to regret the purchase anytime soon.

[Doombringer]

10 more days till computex where Clevo will be showcasing their new notebooks, I'm guessing it will be the X7200 with 5870CF/480M SLI with desktop CPU, and W880CU, a W870CU upgrade with 480M and USB 3.0.

The 480M is coming, though we are not sure of how significant this will be as no one knows how it will perfom compared to 5870MR yet.

[BD2021]

I was wondering what sorts of technology, laptops, or whatnot might be down the pipeline. I'm open to rumors, announced products, and works in progress.

I ask because I'm looking to make a major laptop upgrade which will last me many years, and I like what I see out now, but I don't want to regret the purchase anytime soon.
really in my opinion it comes down to a few questions you have to ask yourself. what are you planning on doing with the laptop over the next few years you want it? how much are you willing to spend? how "future proof" do you want it to be (2years? 4 years?)? If you want to wait for the best technology there is always something new coming on the horizon and as soon as that comes out there will be something better only a few months after that...

[StarTrooper3000]

really in my opinion it comes down to a few questions you have to ask yourself. what are you planning on doing with the laptop over the next few years you want it? how much are you willing to spend? how "future proof" do you want it to be (2years? 4 years?)? If you want to wait for the best technology there is always something new coming on the horizon and as soon as that comes out there will be something better only a few months after that...

I definitely understand that the new technology is always on the horizon, and it is hard to keep up with. I was thinking of taking an alternative approach to the whole scene and buying a computer that is overdesigned for what I need now and will last for many years (6? 7? 8?) as software becomes more and more demanding. And in the present, if I want I can run w/e I want w/o worry.

I've been running my current clunker for 4 years without much trouble, but it is getting tired as I try to do most new things. I am thinking of spending a few thousand on the new one... Honestly, the Sager 9280 has caught my eye as a good bet.


@Doombringer: Cool. That's exactly what I was looking to hear about. Especially a USB 3.0 upgrade...regardless of when technology will embrace it, who wants to be limited? : )

[powerpack]

Hard to say? We are at a very good point for cost/value. What do you not like about about current? I mean if you always look ahead of course it will always be? But then you will never buy. G73 is the current hot one. What do you want?

Looking in the future is a hard game, that never wins.

[D Luniz]

Looking in the future is a hard game, that never wins.

its not hard, your just not asking the right source

BEHOLD!!!
http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ssanty/cgi-bin/eightball.cgi

[powerpack]

its not hard, your just not asking the right source

BEHOLD!!!
http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ssanty/cgi-bin/eightball.cgi:laugh::laugh:

[StarTrooper3000]

Hard to say? We are at a very good point for cost/value. What do you not like about about current? I mean if you always look ahead of course it will always be? But then you will never buy. G73 is the current hot one. What do you want?

Looking in the future is a hard game, that never wins.


Heh, yeah, I get that. But, being relatively new to the market, I thought this is an imperative question. You guys know more about past, present, and future than I do (I assume). I wanted to cover all my bases, you know?

A few features milling in the back of my mind that I'd like though: USB 3.0 (for the future), a backlit keyboard (def. not a deal breaker w/o, but it would be cool), lower cost/higher capacity SSDs (maybe someone knows of a reason either will change in the upcoming months), and more commonality of a 3 hdd system. Those are just a few random features I think about.



Along the topic of this thread though, I found this today:

http://www.betanews.com/article/Seagate-tries-a-new-hybrid-solidstate-HDD-this-time-without-Microsofts-help/1274729975

[Doombringer]

Yes, SSD prices will be lowered soon, as intel is coming out with X25 G3 mid year, which is said to cut cost by around 40%.

[powerpack]

StarTrooper I can't really comment on some of what you ask as I just do not know but let me mention some of what I do. Intel trys to release platform upgrades every year around July. It seems like every other year or so it is a major meaning CPU and chipset. The last release was delayed and it is said at the request of the major notebook retailers wanting to unload major inventory. What will happen this July? I do not know but it will still be "i" CPU's will there be new ones, I do not know. Will this be pushed back beyond July. It could July might no longer be the critical month as it has been with Sonoma, Napa, Santa Rosa and Montevina. USB 3.0 is something that I think might be one of the added functionality.

SSD's I just do not track them. They are dropping in price. On the hybrid 4GB SSD w/conventional HDD. I have written on this kind of thing in the past in much more detail but........ I find it to be a gimmick. Have you ever noticed size increases from CPU L1 to L2 to L3 to RAM to drives. This was the flaw of "Turbo Memory". By the time it came to market RAM was equal to or greater than Turbo RAM. I have forgotten how to explain this but it is a theory that is basic in CPU design. The caches need to keep increasing in size at a large rate. If not found in L1 unless substantially larger not worth having. This 4GB SSD is equal or lower than what common systems have for RAM. Unless there is a reasonable likelihood of finding data it is just a waste of time that slows the process.

If you want to wait and don't mind? You are right at the point thinks might change soon. I do not think USB 3.0 is going to be in the Intel chipsets this time around. I also think it is overrated at this time.

Good luck.

[jbermi]

well, whatever intel does have in store, this I do know, low voltage i3,i5,i7 dual coresare on the way, i7-740 and 840 are on the way to replace the i7-x20QM chips. just a bump in speed when turbo boosting and and non turbo. AMD looks to make a major push into the laptop market, too.

computex in a coming up shortly, after that we shall see what's coming out.

I don't think USB 3.0 is overrated, USB 3.0 drives are finding their way into the market shortly, I am quite interested in the Seagate Free Agent Flex Go drives, you can get usb 2.0, eSATA or USB 3.0 adaptors for the drives. plus Intel's light Peak technology will utilize USB 3.0 ports from the sound of it, but i think that will be a year off from now...

you blink and there is something new coming out. I am rather happy with my new laptop and think i will get 2-3 years life out of it, before i want something new.

[Doombringer]

Graphics Clock – 425 MHz
Processor Clock – 850 MHz
Memory Clock – 1200 MHz

Memory Configuration – GDDR5
Memory Interface Width – 256 Bit
Memory Bandwidth – 76,8 GB/sec.

CUDA Cores – 352
Gigaflops – 897

SLI - 2 Way


GeForce GTX 480M (http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-geforce-gtx-480m-us.html)


Specs for 480M is out, seems that it has drastically exceeded everyone's expectation, probably will be on par with 2x 5870MR in crossfire.

[jbermi]

...yeah and consumes almost twice as much power (cost twice as much, too) and will also heat your house. and is such a watered down version of the desktop 480... shouldn't even be given 4xx number. but keep drinking the nvidia kool-aid.

anyways, if thats what will make your gaming rig, then so be it. I been an outsider on the whole nvidia vs ATI for the past few years, but as far as I can tell, in the world of mobile gaming GPUs, ATI is still winning.

[Doombringer]

Well, it's actually a 465 GTX desktop, and in 465 GTX preview, it's actually on par with desktop 5870 in directx 11 games, though slower than 5850 in dx10 games without tessellation. Also, it's not really twice the TDP, the TDP nvidia give is always for the whole card, while the one ATI give is for the chip alone, so the 60W TDP that ATI gave is actually a lot higher in practise with the TDP of the card added in, which won't be such a big difference from 100W TDP of 480M, though there is still some difference.

[lordvader]

well, whatever intel does have in store, this I do know, low voltage i3,i5,i7 dual coresare on the way, i7-740 and 840 are on the way to replace the i7-x20QM chips. just a bump in speed when turbo boosting and and non turbo. AMD looks to make a major push into the laptop market, too.

computex in a coming up shortly, after that we shall see what's coming out.

I don't think USB 3.0 is overrated, USB 3.0 drives are finding their way into the market shortly, I am quite interested in the Seagate Free Agent Flex Go drives, you can get usb 2.0, eSATA or USB 3.0 adaptors for the drives. plus Intel's light Peak technology will utilize USB 3.0 ports from the sound of it, but i think that will be a year off from now...

you blink and there is something new coming out. I am rather happy with my new laptop and think i will get 2-3 years life out of it, before i want something new.


If we get the - USB 3.0 Seagate Free Agent Flex Go drives
do we have to have Usb 3.0 in our Laptops ?
cos there are hardly any gaming laptops with Usb 3.0 :(
or it doesnt matter ?

[jbermi]

If we get the - USB 3.0 Seagate Free Agent Flex Go drives
do we have to have Usb 3.0 in our Laptops ?
cos there are hardly any gaming laptops with Usb 3.0 :(
or it doesnt matter ?

well you can get it and wait til you get a laptop with 3.0. it works with 2.0 but you won't have the 3.0 speeds.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/31/asus-debuts-15-6-inch-rog-g53-3d-gaming-laptop-at-computex/

i doubt it has a fermi card in it.

[Jingerlynn]

Ok, so if I woulda just ordered the damn g73 when i first started looking for a laptop, i probably would have had one by now. But, things got busy, traveling, etc ... here we are still typing on ole faithful. Quite honestly, suprised its still working, cudos to Dell on that one. But i digress.

One important thing has changed, the HTC incredible phone. In short, it is incredible. I find myself using it constantly for emails, navigation, weather, etc., and so the reliance on the laptop has diminished dramatically. Yet, as cool as it is, it will not let may play WoW or Crysis in 17" gaming goodness size when stuck in a crappy hotel room in North Dakota (no offense ND, your state is great and you can drive fast in it). And a presentation on a micro screen will certainly not impress a potential customer.

I briefly considered the desktop unit, and keeping ole faithful laptop, but I still think a new laptop may be the best avenue, solving both the portable and home gaming needs in one.

I priced up the 9280 with everything i think i need and learned from the forums here. It totalled out around $4700.00. For that kind of Jack, the 480 vid card better be unbelievably good (paired with the 980x).

So my question is, do we have any information at all on what we can expect in performance? Is the 480 going to stomp on the 5870? Is this going to be the fastest gaming laptop ever made? Anything will help. It would be great if you could do a video like you did for the ASUS 73.

I am still kind of pissed we cant get the 9280 with the 5870, that would have made all this unnecesary.

Please help Joseph, you are our only hope.

[Maverick494]

If I am guessing I would say that real world the 480M will be about 10% faster than the 5870M, maybe more in apps and games specifically designed for Nvidia. However so far I have yet to see how the card is on heat.

also there is absolutely 0 chance that this card comes in anything less than a 17" chassis and I bet it probably won't make it down to the 8760 class and stays in the 9280 and above class, which are desktop based.

[powerpack]

If you have the money go for the NP9280, no doubt! I would!

[lordvader]

If you have the money go for the NP9280, no doubt! I would!

Looking for gaming laptop with USB 3.0 :)
hopeing for better ones in next few months

[UntilMoraleImproves]

Looking for gaming laptop with USB 3.0 :)
hopeing for better ones in next few months

The ASUS G53 should fit the bill if you're looking for a 15" machine. As we've stated before though, USB3.0 doesn't necessarily future proof a machine.

[UntilMoraleImproves]

Graphics Clock – 425 MHz
Processor Clock – 850 MHz
Memory Clock – 1200 MHz

Memory Configuration – GDDR5
Memory Interface Width – 256 Bit
Memory Bandwidth – 76,8 GB/sec.

CUDA Cores – 352
Gigaflops – 897

SLI - 2 Way


GeForce GTX 480M (http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-geforce-gtx-480m-us.html)


Specs for 480M is out, seems that it has drastically exceeded everyone's expectation, probably will be on par with 2x 5870MR in crossfire.

LOL!
/10char

[retron09]

The ASUS G53 should fit the bill if you're looking for a 15" machine. As we've stated before though, USB3.0 doesn't necessarily future proof a machine.

Nothing will ever future proof a machine...unless you know that the end of the world will be the week after you buy the newest and best machine out there; or unless a computer manufacturer starts a new buying method (ie: you pay $10,000 and you get free hardware upgrades for life to whatever is newest and best. :laugh::laugh:

[mrmatt]

how about a laptop with a expresscard slot and you just buy a USB 3.0 expresscard? they're ~$45 which isnt bad.

[powerpack]

Someones math is wrong on the 480 or we are not comparing apples to apples. And I think it is Nvidia. When we all talk GPU memory we talk core clocks (GPU-Z).

The listed bandwidth of the the HD5870 is 64GB/s.
The GTX480m 76..8GB/s

Here is links to 480 (http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-geforce-gtx-480m-us.html) and 5870 (http://www.amd.com/US/PRODUCTS/NOTEBOOK/GRAPHICS/ATI-MOBILITY-HD-5800/Pages/hd-5870-specs.aspx) specs.

This could be a simple Nvidia math mistake or the 480 really comes with 600MHz.

5870 1000Mhz 64GB/s. That is 1000 (MHz)x2 (GDDR5 trust me)= 2000x2 (DDR)= 4000/8 (bits to bytes)=500x128 (bus)=64GB/s.

480 1200Mhz 76.8GB/s? 1200x2 (GDDR5)= 2400x2 (DDR)=4800/8 (bits to bytes)=600x256 (bus)=153.6GB/s.

So where is the mistake? Does the 480 actually have more bandwidth than listed? Did they forget that unlike previous DDR you need to double your core clock before doing so for DDR? Is the RAM really core clocked at 600MHz?

I don't know but do know the math does not work out. I take clocks over bus. Clocks are real when talking bandwidth bus is theoretical.

[lordvader]

how about a laptop with a expresscard slot and you just buy a USB 3.0 expresscard? they're ~$45 which isnt bad.

That is my Last option :)

So which laptop Laptop does Xotic recomend

Asus G73 or Msi 740 ?

Wish Xotic had a Power rating when we clicked on the
Gaming Laptops so we know which is more powerful than the other :)

[mrmatt]

That is my Last option :)

So which laptop Laptop does Xotic recomend

Asus G73 or Msi 740 ?

Wish Xotic had a Power rating when we clicked on the
Gaming Laptops so we know which is more powerful than the other :)
Personally, I ordered the G73, canceled, considered the MSI and ultimately bought the Sager NP8760. I didn't like the resolution of the MSI and its inferior cooling, and the wait on the G73 is long and it is known to have some problems.

[powerpack]

That is my Last option :)

So which laptop Laptop does Xotic recomend

Asus G73 or Msi 740 ?

Wish Xotic had a Power rating when we clicked on the
Gaming Laptops so we know which is more powerful than the other :)Isn't the G73 a no go for you, no express card slot? If you can swing the 8760 I agree a good choice.

[lordvader]

Isn't the G73 a no go for you, no express card slot? If you can swing the 8760 I agree a good choice.

Thats a very nice laptop

wonder why Exotic doesnt have :no: 256gb Solid State Drives ?

[jbermi]

Thats a very nice laptop

wonder why Exotic doesnt have :no: 256gb Solid State Drives ?
they are an option on the ASUS laptops, not the Sagers...not sure why.

[powerpack]

they are an option on the ASUS laptops, not the Sagers...not sure why.I believe the upgrades are done on the Sagers at Sager the Asus is done at Xotic. SSD's are not a hard upgrade so I would not concern myself much.

[Jingerlynn]

Well there is never going to be the "Perfect" futureproof laptop ... but, one can't wait forever. As i continually waited for upcoming technology, I found these forums very helpful, and all you people (umi, powerpack, slow, matt, Mav) have been great with useful advice and lively "debate". Although scrolling back through this thread, glad you were wrong on the 480M being installed on an 8000 chassis and USB 3.0 being on the chipset ;). And Joseph was pretty helpful at xotic as well with excellent knowledge coupled with honest and helpful suggestions.

My final decision was influenced by these key points: USB3.0, Esata, the newest chassis, expandability, reasonable heat & noise levels, the ease to replace components, Phase 4 in 7 biz days :), and of course pretty damn fast. The 9285 was a close second, but the lack of USB 3.0 and the sheer weight of it, steered me back to the 8850.

Sager NP8850 (Built on Clevo W880CU) Gaming Laptop (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2798%7b76%7d2438%7b94 %7d1074%7b92%7d2670%7b187%7d2742%7b88%7d1728%7b194 %7d2594%7b186%7d1532%7b93%7d2003%7b112%7d656%7b98% 7d1295%7b96%7d1406%7b97%7d2608%7b104%7d674%7b168%7 d1453%7b116%7d696%7b117%7d705%7b120%7d703%7b110%7d 2770%7b169%7d1449%7b119%7d1898%7b100%7d2407%7b164% 7d2576%7b107%7d689%7b106%7d2665%7b121%7d694%7b108% 7d2799%7b109%7d711%7b170%7d1591%7b173%7d1175%7b167 %7d1452%7b103%7d2707%7b113%7d1413%7b111%7d1414%7b6 9%7d1918%7b196%7d2719)
- 17.3" FHD LED Backlit 16:9 "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1920x1080)
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- Intel® Core™ i7-920XM Extreme, 2.0-3.2GHz, (45nm, 8MB L3 cache)
- - IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU
- nVidia GeForce GTX 480M 2,048MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11 (User Upgradeable) - ETA Middle June
- No External Graphics Card
- No Video Adapter
- ~ 8,192MB DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS)
- Standard Finish
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 160GB Intel X25-M Solid State Drive (SSD2 Serial-ATA II)
- ~ 500GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)~
- HDD Raid Settings - OFF
- No Back Up Hard Drive
- No Floppy Drive
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Intel® Ultimate-N 6300 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
- No Network Accessory
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- External USB ATSC HDTV / Analog TV Tuner with Remote (TVT-6010)
- Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xmod Wired/Wireless Sound Card System (Broadcast Xtreme Fidelity Audio from PC to other audio devices wirelessly)
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- 11.1V Smart Li-Polymer battery pack 3800mAh, 42.18Wh
- No Car Adapter
- Sager NP8850 Spare AC Adapter
- No Dock/Hub/Adapter
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- No External Keyboard or Mouse
- No Notebook Cooler
- ~Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
- No Office Software
- No Software Bundle
- Sager 3 Year Parts & Labor Warranty w/ Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Toll Free Customer Support - Special!
- No Xotic PC Gear

[Maverick494]

Hey I was partly right, so far there isn't a single laptop less than 17" with that GPU in it =P

[Jingerlynn]

Just FYI, i dropped a quick note in the owners lounge if anyone is interested in the 8850.

[powerpack]

Sager always gets back on top. Not that many would think they ever fell but now no doubt.

I am still happy with my choice but see why others choose different.

[lordvader]

Is there any Sager or Asus Laptop
with Always on USB (think its a Yellow Usb)

so can charge the phone even if the Laptop is off
Toshiba Laptops has that

Its nice & useful

Thanks

[mrmatt]

Is there any Sager or Asus Laptop
with Always on USB (think its a Yellow Usb)

so can charge the phone even if the Laptop is off
Toshiba Laptops has that

Its nice & useful

Thanks

Not that has ever been mentioned. I think it's probably easier to carry around a phone charger over a laptop but that's just my opinion