Notebook processors getting faster and faster

Zatni Arbi Columnist Jakarta zatni@cbn.net.id

Do you still remember the Acer TravelMate 630, which I reviewed briefly in this column back in May? Last week, Acer Indonesia launched its latest generation notebook, the TravelMate 636LC.

All of the features of this new business notebook from Taiwan remain the same as we found them on the TM 630 model, including 256 MB of DDR-266 SDRAM, a slot for smart-card reader, a firm keyboard with curvy rows of keys, a large and brilliant 14.1 or 15-inch screen and optional wireless LAN capability.

The new notebook is also equipped with a DVD and CD-Writer combo. "Our models with the CD burner capability have been selling very well," Jason Lim, Acer's country manager for Indonesia, told me.

Clearly, people today are feeling more confident using the CD- R or CD-RW to back up their data. Besides, a CD-RW makes it very easy for them to make copies of everything from VCDs to audio compact discs.

The most important feature of the TravelMate 639 is perhaps the processor that it uses. This notebook is supposed to be the first on the market powered by Intel's latest Pentium 4 M processor, which runs at a clock speed of 2 GHz.

To M or not to M

Intel Indonesia took part in the Acer launch and used the opportunity to address the issue of using a Pentium 4 M as opposed to a Pentium 4, without the "M", for notebook computers. As is commonly known, on the market today we have a notebook that is built on a processor intended for a desktop computer.

"The M stands for mobility," explained Thommas Tansil, the veteran marketing manager at Intel Corporation. "Definitely it is far more complex to make the Pentium 4 M than the desktop Pentium 4 processor. The M version is intended for notebook computers, and therefore it has features such as Enhanced SpeedStep that are intended to reduce power consumption when using the battery," he said.

All of the capabilities of the desktop version of the Pentium processors, which do not have the "M" in their names, are available in the Pentium 4 M. However, Pentium 4 M has to be made smaller to allow flexibility in notebook design -- especially as notebook users always look for the thinnest and lightest models.

However, Thommas said that Intel had no objections to its desktop processors being used in a notebook computer. "While the advantage is clearly the price difference, which can range between 50 and 80 percent depending on the clock speed, the compromises are quite a few."

A notebook with the desktop processor, for example, will not work for as long as one with the M version when powered by the battery. Heat management is also another challenge if the desktop processor is used in a notebook.

Low-priced, too

In addition to the powerful notebook, Acer also introduced a low-cost computer notebook aimed at the mass market. The TravelMate 223X does not look much different from the high-end TravelMate 636LC. However, it runs on an Intel Celeron processor with a clock speed of 1.13 GHz.

Jason pointed out that the processor comes with 256 KB of L2 cache memory, and I fully agreed with him that the notebook should provide adequate computing power for most of the applications we use on a daily basis.

Acer Indonesia has promised to let me play around with this low-cost notebook -- currently offered at US$1,050 or about Rp 9 million -- for review as soon as they have a demo unit available. I look forward to the opportunity.

Acer is by no means the first or the only notebook-maker to offer notebooks at about the $1,000 price mark. Toshiba and IBM are two other leading computer-makers with products targeted at the very price-sensitive market.

However, it is also commonly known that low-cost notebooks tend to be less durable than the high-end ones. To protect its customers, Acer Indonesia promises one-day service to ensure that its customers will not be left without a notebook for too long should they have any hardware problems.

Tablet sneak preview

Another interesting product that was also showcased at the launch party last week was Acer's new Tablet PC. This device has not been officially launched yet, but it is expected to become available in Indonesia in November.

"This is already our shipping version," I was told by Jason. He said that Microsoft had purchased 1,000 units of the Tablet PC, which it will distribute to its Fortune 500 customers for field trials.

The Tablet PC is one of Microsoft's latest ventures, and a number of PC-makers have expressed their commitment to manufacturing and marketing the device with a touch-sensitive screen. Acer's design of the Tablet PC is quite interesting, though. It is actually a complete notebook with a swivel screen. Flip the screen on top of its keyboard, and you will have a tablet that you can write on. You can use the included stylus to scribble notes, draw diagrams and even enter your signature.

One of Acer's managers, Chandradi Halim, who was showing the Tablet PC to the IT journalists at the event, explained that the screen was also pressure-sensitive. So, unlike most other touch- sensitive panels, his company's Tablet PC will detect differences in the pressure of the stylus. More pressure will result in a thicker line, which will make captured signatures closer to the real thing.

"Several major banks have decided that they will accept signatures entered using this Tablet PC," Chandradi said.

And, if you flip the screen over, you get the keyboard, mouse and all of the common notebook functionalities. The nice thing about it is that the entire gadget is not thick and heavy.

When the product is launched, I hope I will get the opportunity to test-drive it and report to you what I think.