Without making much noise, ASRock introduced its latest compact PCs, the Vision 3D 135B. Original name aside, the 135B is essentially a mobile-on-desktop system, that is powered by the Intel Calpella mobile platform. At the center of this is a Core i3 370M dual-core processor clocked at 2.40 GHz, and an NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M DirectX 11 compliant GPU that packs 96 CUDA cores and dedicated memory. There's 4 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1066 MHz memory on board. Apart from these, there's 500 GB of storage, a Blu-ray + DVD-RW slot-in combo drive, and connectivity that includes WiFi b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, 8-channel HD audio, and display outputs that include DVI and HDMI. The unit itself measures 200(W) x 70 (H) x 200 (L) mm, and comes in matte black and silver options. ASRock did not give out a price.

ASRock introduced two of its latest entertainment nettops, the Core 100HT and Core 100HT/BD. Unlike older models from ASRock in this category which were based on the NVIDIA ION platform, these use the much faster Intel Calpella mobile platform, making these SFF PCs. Making use of Intel Core i3/i5 dual-core processors, the Core 100HT make use of the embedded Intel HD graphics, 4~8 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory, 2.5" HDD with SSD options, and optical drive options which include Blu-ray Combo for the Core 100HT-BD, and DVD-writer for Core 100HT. Connectivity features are also updated, with the inclusion of USB 3.0, 7.1 channel HD audio with THX TruStudio Pro, 802.11 b/g/n WLAN, and gigabit Ethernet. The unit measures no more than 195 (W) x 70 (H) x 186 (L) mm. ASRock did not reveal pricing.

ASUS is preparing two new Calpella platform-based mid-sized notebooks, 14-inch N82JV-VX020V and 16-inch N61JA-JX008V. Both notebooks are driven by an Intel Core i5 520M processor, aided by 4 GB of DDR3 memory, and with 500 GB of storage. Both models have screens with 1366 x 768 pixels resolution. Connectivity options are also similar: Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, USB 3.0, FireWire, and Bluetooth. A 6-cell battery is used on both models. The differences kick in with the 14-inch N82JV-VX020V having NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M 1GB graphics which makes use of NVIDIA Optimus technology to minimise power idle draw, while the 16-inch N61JA-JX008V goes all-out for performance with an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 1GB graphics. The N61JA-JX008V and N82JV-VX020V are expected to reach Europe in mid-April, each costing 1049 EUR.

Acer's upcoming Aspire TimelineX 1830T ultra-slim notebook based on the Intel Calpella platform is closer to release with press-images making it to the public domain. The new 11.6 inch notebook uses an Intel Core i5 520UM dual-core processor with integrated graphics, with clock-speed of 1.06 GHz. It is aided by 2 GB of DDR3 memory, and a HDD with over 160 GB of storage. It has a 11.6 inch screen with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels, integrated web-camera, a typically-sized keyboard. Connectivity options include gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth and HSDPA (optional), HDMI display output, and 802.11 b/g/n WiFi. Apart from the usual number of USB ports and audio connectors, the notebook features a multi-format card reader. The Aspire TimelineX 1830T will be released later this month.

MSI G-Series and C-Series of laptop computers have reached a new apex in their evolution. The first NBs equipped with Intel's new generation Calpella platform to be shown at CES 2010, both series come with Intel's most advanced family of New Core processors and Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system. They also come with cinema-class screens coupled with top-end Surround Sound for maximum audiovisual enjoyment.

The internationally-renowned championship gaming team Fnatic.MSI has traversed the globe competing and winning competitions with a dominant weapon－MSI G Series notebooks. The newest fully-evolved G series extreme gaming notebook, the GT740, is the latest in the series to feature the newest Intel Calpella platform, the advanced Intel Core i7 quad core processor as well as Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 7. With a 17" cinema grade display, the nVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M 3D discrete graphics card (DDR3 1GB VRAM) and 5 Hi-Fi speakers with authentic SRS Premium Sound, gaming, watching video, and listening to music are all exciting and true-to-life experiences.

The GT740 runs on Microsoft's new Windows 7 operating system and uses the latest-generation Intel Core i7 processor. The high grade nVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M 3D discrete graphics card (DDR3 1 GB VRAM), and the GT740's outstanding software specifications provide gamers with highly efficient operations and the world's strongest gaming notebook computer.
Through a complete hardware evolution, the GT740 offers Intel's advanced Intel Hyper-Threading technology, which gives its quad core processor the ultimate in processing power. When used in conjunction with Turbo Boost technology, flexible distribution of system resources in concert with the Windows 7 operating system deliver smooth execution and efficiency. With a simple user interface and the nVIDIA GeForce GTS 250M 3D discrete graphics card's high performance video processing capabilities, this notebook is the ultimate representative of high-speed performance and a specialized, must-have weapon for gamers!

Intel has everything going its way when it comes to mobile computing, and the processors it sells that power notebooks and netbooks across every segment of the market. Intel uses the common classification of portable computers (consumer segment), using sizes and form-factors to differentiate mainstream notebooks, performance notebooks, ultra-thin notebooks, "larger" sub-notebooks (netbooks), and common entry-level netbooks. To cater to each of these, Intel made things easier by coming up with platforms (sets of processor and chipset combinations), a market approach both Intel and AMD have been using recently.

Starting with mainstream, and performance notebooks (traditionally above 14-inches in size, above US $1200 in price), Intel has the Calpella platform, that marks the entry of Nehalem architecture to the mobile scene. This is slated for 3Q 2009. Intel will simultaneously lower the prices of its current Montevina platform, to let inventories digest. Major hardware manufacturers are preparing their "launch-vehicles" for the Calpella platform, which will make it in time for Q3 2009.

According to industry observer DigiTimes, Intel would be giving its Montevina mobile computing platform an update, with the introduction of new processors and core logic (chipsets). The update, for the most part, revolves around the mid/high range products. Intel would be introducing Core 2 Duo models T9900 and P8800. The T9900 would be Intel's flagship mobile dual-core chip, with the P8800 leading the performance mainstream range.

Intel also plans new chipsets. The Intel GM47 Express would be the company's next high-end mobile chipset, and is slated for Q1, 2009. Intel will also launch GM43 and GS43 Express chipsets for entry-level notebook and small form-factor (SFF) PCs. In other news, it is also expected that the company gets ready to launch the GM55 (Mobile Ibex-Peak) chipset between July and August, 2009. GM55 would be Intel's Nehalem processor supportive chipset for the Auburndale dual-core and Clarksfield quad-core processors, with the platform itself being codenamed Calpella.

Intel Clarksfield, the company's Nehalem based mobile platform, was reported on Monday to begin production in the second half of 2009. Although mass production of the first Core i7 processors is scheduled for next month, on the mobile front Intel users will have to wait until late next year. Clarksfield will be produced using the same 45-nanometer production process that's used to make Intel's current chip lineup. The upcoming chip will be the heart of a new Intel Centrino platform, codenamed Calpella. As its desktop variant, Clarksfield CPUs will have all the enhancements Nehalem offers, as well as the brand new integrated memory controller all in one package. Clarksfield is also expected to include more advanced power-management features than Intel's current mobile chips.

We are barely months into having Centrino 2 laptops at the store, following delays of six weeks with its launch owing to last minute glitches with its integrated graphics (IGP), and Intel has already demonstrated a Nehalem-based mobile computing platform at the ongoing Intel Developer Forum (IDF). This mobile computing platform for now can be loosely called a prelude to the successor of Centrino 2, it is codenamed Calpella.

The platform will be using dual-core and quad-core CPUs codenamed Auburndale and Clarksfield respectively. Intel set-up a Clarksfield validation platform with the mobile Nehalem in situ. The size of the active cooler explains a lot, and that's a quad-core chip we're talking about. It wouldn't be too far sighted telling that by this time, next year high-end laptops will be equipped with an 8-thread-capable Nehalem mobile CPU.

DigiTimes published today information on what's believed to be Intel's next generation notebook platform Calpella.

Intel's next-generation notebook platform (Calpella) is scheduled to launch in the third quarter of 2009. As with other Nehalem generation products, Capella will abandon the current northbridge and southbridge chipset arrangement and transfer many typical northbridge components to the CPU package. A single integrated chipset codenamed Ibex Peak-M will coordinate other features on the motherboard, according to sources at notebook makers. Ibex Peak-M will support Intel's next-generation notebook CPUs (Clarksfield and Auburndale), both of which include an on-die DDR3 memory controller. Auburndale will also have a graphics core integrated in the CPU package. The Calpella platform will support Wi-Fi a/b/g/n (Puma Peak) or WiMAX (Kilmer Peak) wireless modules.