Top Capabilities to Look For in A 2nd Generation Notebook 

Tags:Notebook, Digital media, Graphics, Gaming, Turion, Radeon, GPU

 

There has been a lot of discussion and buzz around 2nd generation notebook technologies.  It can get pretty confusing and I wanted to add my two cents to see if I couldn’t help cut through the hype.  In fact, it’s pretty easy to get distracted by some of the more flamboyant (and in my view, irrelevant) claims and “miss the forest for the trees”.  I recognize that end users have many different tastes in what they are looking for a notebook - and I can only speak for my own tastes and needs here -  but hopefully, you can gleam something out of it.

So, simply asked, can or does your 2nd generation notebook do the following:

·         Play high definition video like Blu-ray or rich web video downloads smoothly, efficiently, and with high quality?  If not, check out notebooks that have ATI Avivo™ HD Technology.  The notebooks provide up to 5X the HD image quality (as compared to a competing product) for a sharper picture.¹  Additionally, the ATI UVD technology actually offloads much of this high definition processing from the processor to the graphics chipset, allowing for superior power efficiency, long battery life, and a cool and quiet experience.

·         Include wireless technology from the same brands that have their silicon in consumer routers and switches?  If not, check out AMD-based system employing technologies from leading companies like Broadcom, Atheros, and Ralink for Wi-Fi certified solution that can transfer videos, photos, and music in under 2/3rd of the time of competing solutions.²

 

·         Provide the 3D graphical horsepower for today’s graphically-oriented operating systems and applications?  If not, check out the ATI Radeon™ HD 3200 Graphics technology in our new “Puma” notebooks, which delivers up to 3X the 3D capability of competing products.³

 

·         Automatically switch between discrete and integrated graphics to alternately provide maximum graphics capability or extra battery life?  If not, then look for systems with ATI PowerXpress™ Technology.   ATI PowerXpress™ dynamically switches (no reboot required) in real time between an ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3400 series graphics processor and an integrated graphics processor. Experience superior discrete graphics performance while plugged in, or switch to energy efficient integrated graphics when on-the-go to help extend battery life.

 

·         Provide a great casual or even mainstream gaming experience with the base, integrated graphics?  If not, then check out the new AMD Turion Ultra 64 X2 notebooks with ATI Radeon™ HD 3200 graphics.  These are  ATI “branded” graphics, not generic IGP, and you can even dive into action-packed games like the Sims 2  ;>.  OK, they also let you play games that are a lot more intense than that!  Although I personally love (and recommend) a rig powered with a “kick ass” discrete card (like the new ATI Radeon™ HD 4870), I even played Call of Duty 4 last night with my HP tx2000 AMD-based system with ATI  Radeon HD 3200 integrated graphics – and enjoyed it too!  And with the U.S. Retail market consisting almost 90% integrated graphics4, this is very important, because you likely aren’t going to be able to upgrade your notebook if you buy an under-powered graphical system.

So, when you are out there considering those 2nd generation notebooks, ask yourself these questions to make a more informed decision.  And, of course, tell me what you think below….

http://twitter.com/PatrickMoorhead

(1)   Preliminary test results performed by AMD performance lab using HD HQV with AMD Turion™ X2 Ultra Dual-Core processor based reference design as compared to an HP Compaq 6510b notebook PC with Intel Core 2 Duo processor. 

(2)   Tests performed between Atheros AR9280 versus Intel 4965AGN utilizing 5 home videos, 200 pictures, and 80 songs.

(3)   3DMark 06 scores comparing AMD Turion X2 Ultra ZM-80 with  ATI Radeon HD 3200 integrated graghics versus Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 with Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics.

(4)   NPD U.S. Retail Notebook market , May, 2008, 89.7% integrated graphics.

 Pat Moorhead is Vice President of Advanced Marketing at AMD.  His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied.

 
11-Jul-08
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Comments


Jaime commented on Friday, 11-Jul-2008
I work at an office supply store in the tech department. I have been waiting to sell "Puma" based notebooks for the back to school season and so far we only carry the tx2000. To say that I am disappointed is an uderstatement. I realy expected to see alot more "Puma" platforms on my shelves. To be honest AMD, which is a company I believe in, lost shelve space to Intel in the back to school season. I expected big things from ACER and AMD yet there's only 1 AMD based solution from the combined ACER companies. It's not even a "Puma". It's all fine and dandy on paper, but in real life I am not seeing any of the so called design wins. When I see Puma on my shelves then I will believe in it. 1 notebook out of 20+ not exactly a stellar beginning. (Pat: Thanks for commenting. There are many SKUs available for sale today (7/12/ 12PM) out there in retail and etail. And of course, there will be more to come. Don't forget that many of our non-Puma SKUs blow away the competition on a lot of vectors and also that only AMD has these next generation notebook available, unlike our competition. Here are a few Pumas I found in just a few minutes of looking: Best Buy: http://tinyurl.com/6jzgpu Circuit City: http://tinyurl.com/5v7jaa Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/6mqhjo Google Product Search: http://tinyurl.com/5cz2nm Again, thanks for commenting.)

Daniel commented on Monday, 14-Jul-2008
I agree with Jaime's last comment. I'm an AMD investor, and a self professed AMD fanboy. I have been anxiously waiting for Puma notebooks in Canada but haven't seen much choice! Where are the design wins? It seems especially ironic since I'm in a country where AMD is based, and I can't go out to buy a product from a local employer. (Pat: Check these great Canadian-based retailer Puma SKUs.... Turion Ultra: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10108006&catid=25315&logon=&langid=EN Turion X2, RM-70: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10107611&catid=25317&logon=&langid=EN Athlon X2, QL-60: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10107609&catid=25313&logon=&langid=EN)

Patrick Moorhead commented on Tuesday, 15-Jul-2008
Jaime, Thanks for commenting. There are many SKUs available for sale today (7/12 12PM) out there in retail and etail. And of course, there will be more to come. Don't forget that many of our non-Puma SKUs blow away the competition on a lot of vectors and also that only AMD has these next generation notebook available, unlike our competition. Here are a few Pumas I found in just a few minutes of looking: Best Buy: http://tinyurl.com/6jzgpu Circuit City: http://tinyurl.com/5v7jaa Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/6mqhjo Google Product Search: http://tinyurl.com/5cz2nm Again, thanks for commenting.

Patrick Moorhead commented on Wednesday, 16-Jul-2008
Daniel, thanks for commenting. You can, in fact, buy these in Canada. Check these great Canadian-based retailer Puma SKUs.... Turion Ultra: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10108006&catid=25315&logon=&langid=EN Turion X2, RM-70: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10107611&catid=25317&logon=&langid=EN Athlon X2, QL-60: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10107609&catid=25313&logon=&langid=EN Question I have is, where are the new competing 2nd generation notebooks? Do you see those at the retail store? :>

Daniel commented on Thursday, 17-Jul-2008
Thank you for your reply! I appreciate it. I think as a consumer, it's kind of hard distinguishing a puma and non-puma platform, and I have an engineering degree! I think there needs to be more consistency in the keywords (RS780M, RM or ZM) used in the marketing. For example, check out the futureshop link here: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10107611&catid=25317&logon=&langid=EN Do you notice anything lacking in the summary? I'm BUYING this tablet anyway, but I had to scroll down to the very bottom to read about the 3200 graphics etc, that should appear in the Futureshop summary. So my point is, that the people selling your products, should know how to, and the summary they write should match your marketing message!

Daniel commented on Monday, 21-Jul-2008
Just an additional thought, the hybrid graphics, having both integrated and discrete graphics, really needs to be spelled out in the advertisements/specifications on best buy or other websites like it. Those that care about graphics will want to know.

Clayton Raymer commented on Monday, 21-Jul-2008
The comments that have been added to your post are all good insights. My concern is with brand identity. I ask average computer consumers if they know what AMD is and a resounding number have no idea. Why don't I hear more about what is being done to create a demand or brand image for AMD's products? The best product means nothing if no one knows anything about it.
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