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General discussion

Sonoma Pentium M chip

Jan 18, 2005 9:00PM PST

How can you tell if the new chip is in the notebook? Specs to look for? Will there be a significant difference in price? And when can we expect to see them in the retail stores? Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Sonoma Pentium M chip
Jan 18, 2005 9:41PM PST

The new processors have even numbers - 730, 740, etc. These will have 533 MHz FSB and be able to take advantage of DDR2 memory.

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Sonoma Pentium M chip
Jan 19, 2005 1:03AM PST

Thanks. very helpful

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Peruse new models at manufacturer web sites first
Jan 19, 2005 3:00AM PST

Yes, right now the lowest Dothan Pentium M cpu (2mb L2 cache) is the 715 1.5 -- on the upgraded notebooks it will be an even number so the 715 becomes a 720 I think ---

Also, the manufacturers like Dell and HP/Compaq are introducing new models so that you will know what is the upgraded notebook. HP/Compaq pulled the HPZT3000/Compaq X1000 from its custom order hpshopping.com screens yesterday so they may have a new model launching as well.

You need to look at the manufacturer websites (HPshopping.com, Toshiba.com, etc) to see the new models and the specs and then shop at retail if you insist to avoid getting a closeout model.

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Sonoma Pentium M chip
Jan 20, 2005 1:24AM PST

I found this on another website. It shows what will be coming out in the next few months with new 915* chipset:
Dell Inspiron 6000 (January)
Dell Inspiron 9300 (?)
Dell Lattitude D610 (?)
Toshiba Dynabook VX 470LS (January)
Toshiba Dynabook SS (MX & LX) (January)
Sony VAIO FS Series (see picture below) (February)
Sony VAIO A Series (February)
Samsung X20, X25, X50 (February)
Asus Z71A (February)
IBM ThinkPad T43 (March)
IBM ThinkPad R53 (March)
IBM ThinkPad X41 (April)
Fujitsu S6000 Series (March)
Fujitsu S7000 Series (March)
Toshiba Satellite M45 (January)
HP ZT4000 (January)
Compaq Presario V4000 (February)
Acer TravelMate 8100 (January)
BenQ JoyBook S52, S72, A82 (January)
HP Compaq nx6120 (January)
Gateway (February)

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Cost?
Jan 20, 2005 4:04AM PST

I'm guessing you are not going to be able to touch a laptop with a Sonoma for under $1500 or so. Does anyone know if that is a correct assumption?

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Sonoma integrated video should come in under $1500
Jan 20, 2005 4:38AM PST

It seems the Dell 6000 can be ordered for under that depending on options (it is out now on their website) but that is with integrated video only (but it is improved in bandwidth over the prior integrated video).

There will be one chipset for integrated video and one chipset for dedicated video according to cnet.

The Dell 6000 will have dedicated video in a few weeks and that may drive the price over $1500 but most current dedicated video RAM notebooks are also over that price range now as well ....

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pricing
Jan 22, 2005 1:01PM PST

I looked at IBM and Dell Websites, pricing of Sonoma-configured units are running at least $200 over the cost of comparably configured 400MHz FSB Centrino units. Anyone else have any comparison figures?

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New rollout models won't have discounts initially
Jan 22, 2005 2:54PM PST

Pricing is going to be higher initially as the older units are going to be discounted to clear them.

The RAM is faster, the bus is faster (533mhz to 400mhz), there is a new chipset, there is an improved integrated video transfer (and improved dedicated video when they appear -- 1 chipset for each video type) and you have a new wi-fi card with a, b and g (not just b and g) for better compatibility while traveling and less interference than before.

An outgoing car model is going to be less than an incoming car line (at least for the remaining outgoing model on the lots).

Discounts will come on these Sonoma notebooks but not when most manufacturers don't even have them out yet at all leading to high demand for those that do have them ready to roll (like the Dell 6000 --but dedicated video on that is reportedly 2-3 weeks away also)

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D610
Jan 26, 2005 10:11PM PST

d610 launch at 1.feb 05