A few surprises have been revealed in Intel’s CPU database updates today. It turns out that some U-Series processors – the ones we expected only to appear in Ultrabooks – will have HD4xxx graphics. Given that Intel had previously said that Ultrabooks will only have GT3 graphics (HD5000 and Iris HD5100) it could mean that mainstream laptops will also have the option of U-Series SoCs and therefore the possibility of smaller mainboards and S0ix support (for Windows 8 Connected Standy.) It’s confusing and we’re trying to get clarification from Intel but we’ve got an overview of the part numbers, TDP, clocks and graphics below including some Y-Series processors and the real meaning of “6W SDP” which is actually an 11.5W TDP CPU.

Read the full story

Sure, we can all get an Ultrabook to run for 10hrs. I did it myself recently when I put a Samsung through a typing test but how about being online and running web apps? Running the web through a browser is one of the most taxing things you can do to a laptop so seeing 9.5hrs runtime in a MobileMark2012 test is something worth checking out, in 60 seconds with a timelapse video. Haswell is doing the business.

Read the full story

You’re looking at buying a Transformer Book? Wait! A Haswell refresh is coming and it could make a huge difference. Mobilegeeks spotted the refreshed (not redesigned) T300 model at Computex today. Video below.

Read the full story

Intel released some 4th-Gen Core Ultrabook definition last week and today, following the official launch of 4th-Gen Core (Haswell) and the Computex Keynote (round-up here), Intel have published more information.

Ultrabooks with screen sizes less than 14” need to be 20mm or less. WiDI 4.1 is included on every Ultrabook along with touch, an array mic, 6 hours of HD media playback and security features but surprising to us is the inclusion of Thunderbolt on all Ultrabooks with the 4th-Gen Core.  We’re trying to get clarity on this Thunderbolt requirement (what about models that get a 4th-Gen Core refresh for example?) and we’ll update when we hear back from Intel.

Update: The requirement for Thunderbolt is an error in the PDF. Intel confirmed that in terms of connectivity, at least one USB3.0 is required. Thunderbolt is an option.

The following is a re-formatted copy of the press release available here. (PDF)

Read the full story

We’ve already heard that all Ultrabooks based on 4th-Gen Core (Haswell) will have to have WiDi capability and touchscreens but PCWorld have just published some more details from Intel.

Read the full story

It’s finally happened. Intel’s 4th-Gen Core has launched.

At time of writing we’re not seeing any news direct from Intel and it looks like only quad-core reviews are being let out of the gate for the time being but there’s one important bit of news we’re picking up and that’s that products with Haswell inside will be available starting 4th June. Yes, next week. Those products include tablets so we assume that the first Ultrabooks with Haswell will be available too.

First out of the gate onto our search results was Techage but there’s already a Core i7-4440K (desktop part) review available from Hexus and PC Advisor.

At this stage there’s not much more we can add so we’ll leave it at that and resume our search for more Ultrabook news related to Haswell and 4th-Gen Core.

We’ll update with the Intel PR when we find it.

Update: Engadget are claiming Haswell will officially launch on 4th June. At this stage I think we can safely say that it’s official and ignore any reference to ‘launch.’

ARSTechnica have a technical review up.

I mentioned the timeline for Haswell-based Ultrabooks in an article about Connected Standby yesterday so let me just bring that up-front for you to see (and discuss) today.

Read the full story

Update: High quality video from the Intel CES 2013 press conference here.

Notes from the Intel Press Conference at CES. (Ultrabook-related only, for Bay Trail, see UMPCPortal)

Intel just announced the 7W TDP Core processors that we’ve been expecting. (see previous article)

Read the full story