CES - Computers and hardware

Chipmaker Nvidia was giddy about the possibilities of mobile and 3D technologies--two big topics this year at CES 2011--in its keynote address by President and CEO Jen-Hsun Huang at the trade show this afternoon. Among the new additions are its Tegra 2 processor for mobile devices, in-car displays in BMW and Tesla vehicles, and a 3D content-sharing site called 3DVisionLive.

Nvidia's keynote came just hours after rival Intel took the stage to unveil a lineup of desktop and laptop CPUs powered by its new line of "Sandy Bridge" processors, which do not require a separate graphics chip. … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Several new laptop graphics cards are joining the Nvidia family today, namely the GeForce GT 555M, GeForce GT 550M, GeForce GT 540M, GeForce GT 525M, and GeForce GT 520M. These new GPUs support all the proprietary technologies that Nvidia uses to set itself apart from the competition, including Optimus, PhysX, and 3D Vision.

Optimus is notable because it allows laptops to include both integrated graphics (typically from Intel) and a discrete Nvidia graphics card, then switch between them automatically as needed. Other graphics-switching technologies typically require users to hit a manual or virtual button, or else have very simple commands, such as switching off the discrete graphics when running on battery power.

All of the new Nvidia 500 Series GPUs support Optimus, while the 550M, 500M, and 540M support 3D Vision, Nvidia's self-contained ecosystem of 3D active-shutter glasses, IR emitters, and compatible monitors and GPUs.

Nvidia is also taking advantage of this launch to lob a few attacks at sometimes partner, sometimes rival Intel. The CPU maker is aiming to reduce the need for discrete graphics cards (Nvidia's main business) with its revamped Sandy Bridge integrated graphics, which aim to be good enough so that most mainstream users (such as World of Warcraft players) won't need a discrete GPU. … Read more

Editor's note: This live event has concluded. For a brief rundown of what was announced, check out our summary post here. You can also replay our live blog in the Cover It Live module below.

LAS VEGAS--Join us Wednesday at 1 p.m. Pacific for Microsoft's afternoon press event at CES 2011. Please note this event is separate from the CES keynote address taking place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and headed by Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer.

As for what to expect, high-level rumors from both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal have … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Between its ThinkPad and IdeaPad brands, Lenovo had a ton of laptop announcements at CES 2011. While many are basically revamps of existing lines adding new processors, there are a few standouts: the ThinkPad Edge series has bold, higher-end ultraportable models, and the Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid tablet/laptop has finally emerged as a real product.

>>One year later, the IdeaPad U1 rises as a Windows 7 laptop/Android hybrid

>>IdeaPad S205 and S100: 11.6-inch AMD Fusion ultraportable and 10.1-inch Atom Netbook

>>IdeaPad B, V, G, Y and Z series updates … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Along with its budget SX slim tower and mainstream DX midtower desktops, Gateway has also added Intel's new Sandy Bridge CPUs to its FX line of performance towers.

The new FX6850-51 gets Intel's new Core i7 2600 chip. This is the non-overclockable version of the 3.4GHz Core i7 2600K we've seen in a few boutique gaming PCs. It also comes with a midrange Nvidia GeForce GT440 graphics card, 8GB of DDR3 SDRAM, a 1TB hard drive, and a DVD burner.

As is typical with the FX line, there's a somewhat blurry distinction between it … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Toshiba has always had a prolific variety of laptop lines and configurations, and CES 2011 has ushered in a variety of new products for them, including one fascinating prototype.

>>Hands-on with Toshiba's glasses-free 3D laptop

>>Qosmio X505, Satellite A665 3D Edition, Satellite A665, M645, and L series laptop coverage

>>Toshiba's new budget Netbook, the Mini NB505

>>AMD Fusion processor finds its way into budget 15-inch Satellite C655D

>>The Best Buy-exclusive Satellite E305

PC maker Asus says it is unveiling a line of "notebooks featuring full support for Intel's 'Sandy Bridge' second generation Intel Core processors."

Specifically, the laptops in the G, K, N and VX7 Series are being upgraded, and the gamer-centric ROG (Republic of Gamers) G53Sw, and G73Sw laptops are adding built-in 3D display technology.

Also notable, the N series of laptops are designed with audio playback in mind, using a proprietary audio technology called Asus SonicMaster. And finally, no Asus line update would be complete without a new Lamborghini-branded system, so the new Asus-Automobili Lamborghini VX7 will … Read more

Editor's note: This live event has concluded, but as expected, it was focused on mobile technology with demos of Nvidia's new Tegra 2 mobile chip and the introduction of the LG Optimus 2X. For a brief rundown of what was announced, check out our summary post here. You can also replay our live blog in the Cover It Live module below.

LAS VEGAS--Chipmaker Nvidia, best known for its PC graphics cards, may be looking to get into mobile.

That's the word on the street as the PC graphics chipmaker gets ready for the big Consumer Electronics Show … Read more

We're still cranking away on the performance testing on a handful of desktops using Intel's new Sandy Bridge chips. Look for the full reviews next week, but in the meantime, we thought we'd share our CineBench 11 scores for a few systems, given that's what Intel used today in its own press conference demo.

The charts below feature five recent performance gaming desktops. The Maingear F131 and the Digital Storm Special Ops systems both use older, overclocked Intel Core i7 950 CPUs. The Falcon Northwest Mach V and the Origin Genesis all use new Sandy Bridge Core i7 2600K chips, all overclocked from 3.4GHz to 4.6GHz and 4.7GHz, respectively. The Maingear Vybe uses a Sandy Bridge Core i5 2500K overclocked from 3.3GHz to 4.7GHz. Expect to see the occasional overclocked Sandy Bridge chip hit 5.0GHz or higher. Full specs for each system are listed at the end of this post.… Read more