Intel rolls out Santa Rosa notebook platform, Macs to benefit

[AppleInsider]

Intel Corp. on Wednesday formally ushered in the "Santa Rosa" upgrade to its Centrino notebook platform, offering faster Core 2 Duo processors and chipsets, improved graphics, stronger wireless signals, better battery life, and an option to turbo-speed boot time and software application loading.

The world's largest chipmaker said more than 230 Intel Centrino Duo and Intel Centrino Pro processor technology-based designs from PC manufacturers, resellers and integrators around the world are expected to take advantage of these and other features this year.

Santa Rosa notebooks are expected to emerge in a plethora of shapes and sizes, with designs ranging from fully loaded, 17-inch wide-screen models ideal for entertainment to tiny, energy-saving notebook PCs that weigh less than three pounds.

"When we introduced Intel Centrino 4 years ago, Intel changed the computing landscape with our mobile innovations," said Mooly Eden, Intel vice president and general manager, Mobile Products Group. "Now, simply said, we have improved virtually all aspects of Intel-based notebooks, the most popular and fastest growing computing market segment in the world."

At the heart of the new Intel Centrino Duo and Intel Centrino Pro processor technology-based notebooks is the next-generation of Intel's highly acclaimed Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which delivers enhanced mobile performance and responsiveness for demanding business users and consumers alike.

Users will experience improved performance when running multiple applications simultaneously such as downloading a video clip while doing a virus scan, Intel said.

In addition, the Santa Clara-based chipmaker said its new Mobile Intel 965 Express chipset family with Intel Clear Video Technology will enable an enhanced high-definition video experience for Santa Rosa notebook owners. Users will be able to share their content with family and friends via TV easier than before with Intel TV Wizard, which is a simplified way to connect to HD-enabled TVs.

In order to download or upload digital content faster from the Internet, the available Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N will provide 802.11AGN WLAN capability and allows users more freedom to do more, delivering up to five times the performance for such tasks as downloads and twice the wireless access range, Intel claims.

Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile chip line (top four are the new MacBook Pro-bound second generation chips)

Meanwhile, Turbo Memory is an optional feature, unique to Intel technology, that can access frequently used software applications twice as fast and reduce the amount of time it takes to turn on, or boot-up, a laptop by as much as 20 percent. In turn, this NAND flash-enabled feature lets users save on power consumption and increase battery life.

Intel said it expects hundreds of notebook models in a range of prices to be widely available beginning today.

For its part, Apple's first notebook design to incorporate Santa Rosa features should arrive in the form of an update to its 15-inch MacBook Pro during the second quarter of the year, which should pack a faster 800MHz frontside bus and second generation Core 2 Duo mobile processors ranging up to 2.4GHz with 4MB of L2 cache.

AppleInsider was first to report on the MacBook Pro update in an exclusive report this past January. In the report, it was also noted that the mainstream Apple notebook would be the first of the company's machines to adopt an LED-backlit display -- a claim that was recently corroborated by Apple chief executive Steve Jobs.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[majordude]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Intel Corp. on Wednesday formally ushered in the "Santa Rosa" upgrade to its Centrino notebook platform, offering faster Core 2 Duo processors and chipsets, improved graphics, stronger wireless signals, better battery life, and an option to turbo-speed boot time and software application loading.

Great news!

Motorola updated their chips, what, once every few years?

[Buck]

Users will experience improved performance when running multiple applications simultaneously such as downloading a video clip while doing a virus scan, Intel said

AppleInsider always picks out the best stuff.

[syklee26]

i was getting annoyed by fanboys crying for Santa Rosa MBPs for months. Hopefully this will end soon. (plus I think most of those fanboys who cry for certain products never buy them once they hit the market anyway. They are just annoying).

[kilraq]

AppleInsider was first to report on the MacBook Pro update in an exclusive report this past January. In the report, it was also noted that the mainstream Apple notebook would be the first of the company's machines to adopt an LED-backlit display -- a claim that was recently corroborated by Apple chief executive Steve Jobs.

*Chuckles* We like to toot our own horn dont we. :P

In order to download or upload digital content faster from the Internet, the available Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N will provide 802.11AGN WLAN capability and allows users more freedom to do more, delivering up to five times the performance for such tasks as downloads and twice the wireless access range, Intel claims.

I though the "N" was already in our comps? Is this a hardware update or a new version of the product? I dont claim to be an expert on the hardware side, so any clarification would be appricated. ^^

[Phizz]

Originally Posted by syklee26

i was getting annoyed by fanboys crying for Santa Rosa MBPs for months. Hopefully this will end soon. (plus I think most of those fanboys who cry for certain products never buy them once they hit the market anyway. They are just annoying).

Well then celebrate while you can. Won't be long before they start crying for Montevina MBPs (5th gen centrino - 45nm - due 2008).

[bewebste]

What about the 17" MacBook Pros? From the info given, it doesn't look like 17" LED screens will be available yet, but surely they'll still get a speed bump if the 15" MBPs do, right? It would be supremely lame if you could get a faster 15" machine than you could for a 17" one.

[jwdawso]

Any word or speculation on when and how much the 667 frontside bus chips will drop in price? I have a Mac Mini Core Solo that I've been wanting to upgrade the processor on, but have sworn to myself to wait for the price drop.

[Carol A]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Santa Rosa notebooks are expected to emerge in a plethora of shapes and sizes, with designs ranging from fully loaded, 17-inch wide-screen models ideal for entertainment to tiny, energy-saving notebook PCs that weigh less than three pounds.

Ah... for a cute little three-pound notebook from Apple. If only.

And this:

...improved graphics, stronger wireless signals, better battery life, and an option to turbo-speed boot time and software application loading.

What's not to love.

[ChevalierMalFet]

Originally Posted by kilraq

...I though the "N" was already in our comps? Is this a hardware update or a new version of the product? I dont claim to be an expert on the hardware side, so any clarification would be appricated. ^^

The N hardware in current Apple laptops, I believe, is there because Apple is using chipsets from other vendors. Intel's announcement means that their Centrino "platform"—which includes the CPU, wireless, memory interface, and in some instances video chip—supports A, B/G, and N. The previous iteration, I believe, was A and B/G.

Bewebste: I suspect the laptop upgrades will come independent of the LED screens, an added cost option over the LCD, at least initially. Which is not really what I'd like to see as I'm about due for a new laptop and I'd really rather a 17" w/LED over a 17" LCD or worse 15" LED.

[snoboardguy21]

So theoretically we could see speed bumps and price drops like we used to in the PPC days?

[ChevalierMalFet]

I'm not sure I'd count on a price drop. Certainly not on the LED based machines, possibly I guess on some models if they still offer LCDs, given that the 2.4Ghz part is $100 cheaper than the 2.33Ghz part. Apple could just as easily bump up the base RAM, or bundle a higher end video chip to justify a stable price.

[kilraq]

Originally Posted by ChevalierMalFet

The N hardware in current Apple laptops, I believe, is there because Apple is using chipsets from other vendors. Intel's announcement means that their Centrino "platform"—which includes the CPU, wireless, memory interface, and in some instances video chip—supports A, B/G, and N. The previous iteration, I believe, was A and B/G...

Thanks for the clarifcation. ^^

[noirdesir]

Not to forget: finally 4GB RAM in a laptop. Aperture (and its related processes) can easily use up one GB, with Matlab I also often hit the 1 GB mark. My 3 GB often already get used pretty completely.

[HiddenWolf]

I'll believe the better battery life when I see it. It seams a G965 chipset will now actually consume more memory than a 2.4Ghz dualcore proc.

I'm guessing they upped performance while keeping power consumption the same. That means reducing power consumption for some parts, and upping performance for others.

[doemel]

Originally Posted by syklee26

plus I think most of those fanboys who cry for certain products never buy them once they hit the market anyway.

exactly. at that point they'll have enough information on the next generation of the products to cry for those. a never ending story. i for one am happy that i just upgraded from a 2GHz to a 2.3GHz MBP. 3GB of memory instead of only 2GB was reason enough to make me do take that step. FW800 and the faster processor were just added value to that upgrade
i'll be in the market for another upgrade soon enough. good thing macs usually retain an excellent price on the 2nd hand markt for quite long. there's really no reason to hold out with any purchase from Apple.

[superkaratemonkeydeathcar]

Side Note:
Technology Review has a pretty good article on Apple's Design. Not super-revelatory, but still worth a read. http://www.technologyreview.com/Biztech/18621/

[Rolo]

I'm patiently waiting for a new SR MBP w/LED LCD. I hope it'll have 1GB of flash Turbo Memory (Robson). Any rumor sleuths have any info about that? How about the case design? Any changes there?

As for Penryn and the rest of the goodies next year, there's always something better down the road but I'd like to get a new 15" MBP this year. Leopard will be out 4 months after the SR MBP ships so it'll be nice to have a new Mac to load it on when the time comes.

[drkick]

My girlfriend's 3 years old laptop (worth <$400) just broke and it would cost $220 to fix it.
The 2 choices at this point are to fix it or buy a new one. (looking at a refurbished macbook). I would normally go for the new one but 2 things keep me from doing so.
1. If a new "Santa Rosa" Macbook is released soon and current Macbook prices drop, i'd be pissed
2. She doesn't use her laptop much so she could easily work with her old for maybe another year.

Just like to get some opinions from others before I make a move.

Thanks

[K.C.]

Originally Posted by drkick

Just like to get some opinions from others before I make a move.

You're setting yourself up for disappointment no matter happens. There will always be speed bumps and price drops shortly after you buy, no matter what you buy.

The first generation of LED displays are coming, a flash based minibook is coming, higher max ram capabilities are coming, and much more.

Jump in when you need to buy. If you want to wait then do so.

[TBaggins]

Originally Posted by drkick

My girlfriend's 3 years old laptop (worth <$400) just broke and it would cost $220 to fix it.
The 2 choices at this point are to fix it or buy a new one. (looking at a refurbished macbook). I would normally go for the new one but 2 things keep me from doing so.
1. If a new "Santa Rosa" Macbook is released soon and current Macbook prices drop, i'd be pissed
2. She doesn't use her laptop much so she could easily work with her old for maybe another year.

Just like to get some opinions from others before I make a move.

Thanks

Tough to say what to do. The new Santa Rosa MacBook Pro is likely coming soon (by the end of June), but the new Santa Rosa MacBook? Hard to say... though you'd think they'd want to get it out no later than September, to hit the back-to-school buying season.

.

[Zandros]

Originally Posted by HiddenWolf

I'll believe the better battery life when I see it. It seams a G965 chipset will now actually consume more memory than a 2.4Ghz dualcore proc.

I'm guessing they upped performance while keeping power consumption the same. That means reducing power consumption for some parts, and upping performance for others.

The G965 chipset does have a terrible power draw, that is why they are using the GM/PM965 chipset in Centrino Pro...

IIRC, they will increase battery life by using dynamic bus speeds, so it won't be at 800MHz all the time, in addition to the usual multiplier EIST.

Originally Posted by Phizz

Well then celebrate while you can. Won't be long before they start crying for Montevina MBPs (5th gen centrino - 45nm - due 2008).

The Santa Rosa refresh will actually bring 45nm Penryn, with further power improvements such as independent clock scaling and split power planes. I'm not quite sure if it was Penryn or Merom 800 that would introduce dynamic overclocking.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by jwdawso

Any word or speculation on when and how much the 667 frontside bus chips will drop in price? I have a Mac Mini Core Solo that I've been wanting to upgrade the processor on, but have sworn to myself to wait for the price drop.

If you're talking about RAM, the price is dropping as I type.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by bewebste

What about the 17" MacBook Pros? From the info given, it doesn't look like 17" LED screens will be available yet, but surely they'll still get a speed bump if the 15" MBPs do, right? It would be supremely lame if you could get a faster 15" machine than you could for a 17" one.

Jobs hinted that they wouldn't get LEDs just yet. If he includes 17" in his definition of "large screens", then he's waiting for price drops.

We've had a faster 15" before. It took the 17" a little while to catch up.

[Marvin]

Any news about products drying up at retailers? There was a rumor ages ago about that (I think related to the Mini) but nothing has come of it. The Mini desperately needs an update to the Core 2 Duo processors.

Other PC manufacturers have already announced new designs with this chipset so I'm guessing Apple can use these just as quickly. As in tomorrow. The laptops won't be updated until June because they are getting new LED backlights but the Mini just needs a drop-in chipset and CPU upgrade.

Would they be able to use 1.83 Core 2 Duo with Santa Rosa and 800MHz Ram and maintain the same price point?

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Rolo

I'm patiently waiting for a new SR MBP w/LED LCD. I hope it'll have 1GB of flash Turbo Memory (Robson). Any rumor sleuths have any info about that? How about the case design? Any changes there?

No worthwhile rumors on that.

As for Penryn and the rest of the goodies next year, there's always something better down the road but I'd like to get a new 15" MBP this year. Leopard will be out 4 months after the SR MBP ships so it'll be nice to have a new Mac to load it on when the time comes.

Penyrn will be out this year, second half, likely forth quarter, unless they move it up some, as they have been doing the past 18 months or so.

[jwdawso]

Originally Posted by melgross

If you're talking about RAM, the price is dropping as I type.

Whoops - I was unclear! No, I meant the Merom processors (T7200, T7400, etc.) that are pin compatible with the Mac Mini.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by jwdawso

Whoops - I was unclear! No, I meant the Merom processors (T7200, T7400, etc.) that are pin compatible with the Mac Mini.

Ok, I haven't seen prices for that as yet.

But look at this article anyway.


http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/31958/135/

Oops!

At the end of the second page of the article is cpu pricing.

[Rolo]

Originally Posted by melgross

Penyrn will be out this year, second half, likely forth quarter, unless they move it up some, as they have been doing the past 18 months or so.

I know Intel will be making Penryns later this year but I don't expect to see them in any Mac before January using the Santa Rosa platform. There will be a slight improvement in speed, better battery life, and cooler operating temps but a minor improvement overall. The next major platform improvement will be a far bigger deal. It isn't worth it for me to wait another year or so.

Now, if the June MBP doesn't have Turbo Memory and/or a new case design, I might have to do some reconsidering.

[backtomac]

Call me crazy but I think Apple may skip Santa Rosa. With the modest increase in fsb and clock speed I'm not sure that performance increases will be much better than 10%. With Apple just now testing LED backlighting (and not yet ready for production) and Penryn ahead of schedule and due for a release later this year, maybe Apple will wait till the fall and release MBPs with Penryn chips and LED backlighting and Macbooks then get top end Santa Rosa with LED backlighting. What do others think?

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by backtomac

Call me crazy but I think Apple may skip Santa Rosa. With the modest increase in fsb and clock speed I'm not sure that performance increases will be much better than 10%. With Apple just now testing LED backlighting (and not yet ready for production) and Penryn ahead of schedule and due for a release later this year, maybe Apple will wait till the fall and release MBPs with Penryn chips and LED backlighting and Macbooks then get top end Santa Rosa with LED backlighting. What do others think?

Apple will do what it will do, so there is a chance. It depends on many factors. I hope that Apple doesn't skip Santa Rosa for the Pro notebooks, that would look pretty stingy given the premium price. Not having Santa Rosa in the consumer notebooks has a different drawback, keeping the same old graphics chip, which is probably the biggest performance boost the chipset offers.

[EagerDragon]

Ummm no word on 4 Gig internal ram.
This version of the Chipset should be able to support it.

[Rolo]

Apple has to keep up with the competition and all the other notebook makers are shipping out SR ASAP. Also, SR iMacs and Mac minis would be very nice. There won't be a new platform improvement for another year, at least.

[EagerDragon]

Originally Posted by drkick

My girlfriend's 3 years old laptop (worth <$400) just broke and it would cost $220 to fix it.
The 2 choices at this point are to fix it or buy a new one. (looking at a refurbished macbook). I would normally go for the new one but 2 things keep me from doing so.
1. If a new "Santa Rosa" Macbook is released soon and current Macbook prices drop, i'd be pissed
2. She doesn't use her laptop much so she could easily work with her old for maybe another year.

Just like to get some opinions from others before I make a move.

Thanks

First choice --- Fix the old one, as you stated, the GF does not need any of those features she is a low level user.
You can also do a hand me down, get a super machine for you, and give her your old one.

[backtomac]

Originally Posted by Rolo

Apple has to keep up with the competition and all the other notebook makers are shipping out SR ASAP. Also, SR iMacs and Mac minis would be very nice. There won't be a new platform improvement for another year, at least.

They should keep up with the 'competition' but Apple will do whatever it pleases. Penryn is out this fall an it would surprise me if they waited until then to upgrade the iMac, mini, MB and MBP.

[kukito]

Originally Posted by Zandros

The G965 chipset does have a terrible power draw, that is why they are using the GM/PM965 chipset in Centrino Pro...

?? Compared to what? The G965 is mostly used in lower power mATX motherboards. You can configure a PC with integrated graphics and C2D with just a 250 watt PSU. The P965, used in higher performance ATX motherboards also draws less power than Intel's own 975 Express chipsets and those from nVidia. The GM/PM965 are just the mobile variants of their desktop counterparts and will of course consume much less power.

[Corey]

Too soon for OLED?

[kukito]

Originally Posted by backtomac

Call me crazy but I think Apple may skip Santa Rosa. With the modest increase in fsb and clock speed I'm not sure that performance increases will be much better than 10%. With Apple just now testing LED backlighting (and not yet ready for production) and Penryn ahead of schedule and due for a release later this year, maybe Apple will wait till the fall and release MBPs with Penryn chips and LED backlighting and Macbooks then get top end Santa Rosa with LED backlighting. What do others think?

Penryn laptop chips are not due until next year. Intel will use this year's batch for Xeons against AMD's new K10 server chips.

[Bageljoey]

Originally Posted by EagerDragon

First choice --- Fix the old one, as you stated, the GF does not need any of those features she is a low level user.
You can also do a hand me down, get a super machine for you, and give her your old one.

This is what I was thinking. If she is just using the laptop for internet, word processing and keeping pictures or something like that, it doesnt make sense to be buying bleeding edge or even being close to it.

If $220 gets her a computer that she is happy with--then that is a great solution. Save that extra $1k from getting a new MB and think of the killer machine she could get in two years with that money...

[backtomac]

Originally Posted by kukito

Penryn laptop chips are not due until next year. Intel will use this year's batch for Xeons against AMD's new K10 server chips.

I bet Intel will beat this and release early. According to anand the SR chipset will be updated to support mobile Penryn CPUs. As I suspected, anands review of SR showed it to be very modest in it's performance adavntage as compared to current meroms in Napa chipset. All those that waited for this will be disappointed IF Apple choose to update MBPs with this chip and chipset. Robson was even deemed a disappointment as it did not reduce the awakening time from hibernate. Sorry folks this is not what you were waiting for. Link for the article:

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=2985&p=1