Intel Launches Pentium B970 processor

The launch of the Pentium B970 makes it the highest performance processor in the Sandy Bridge line of processors. It is clocked at 2.30 GHz surpassing the Pentium B960's clock frequency of 2.20 GHz.

While it is not as great at the Core i3's ( mainly due to the absence of the Hyperthreading) it does retain most of the goodies of the Sandy Bridge line, including the Integrated Graphics and the Integrated memory controller.  The Pentium B970 also does not retain the AES, Virtualization – the VT-x and VT-d, Trusted Execution  - but most of these features are not used any way  by the entry level notebook users.

If you are looking for high performance computing, you may like to take a look at the Intel's Core i5 processors.

Differences with Core i3

- Does not support Hyperthreading
- Has only 2 MB L2 Cache ( Core i3 has 3 MB)

Toshiba Satellite L755-S5166

The L755 series of the Toshiba Satellite have 15.6 inch screen and are intended for the entry level notebooks.

Satellite L755-S5166 Processor

The Satellite L755-S5166 is powered  by Intel's Core i3-2350M processor. The Core i3-2350M is a mid level notebook that comes with two cores and has 3 MB L3 Cache. While it is not a high end notebook, it certainly is good for entry to mid level performance.

Toshiba has suggested its price at $580 which is decent for this processor. If you are looking for a high end notebook, you may like to take a look at some of the Core i5 and core i7 processors.


The Satellite L755-S5166 's 15.6" LED-backlit TFT LCD is powered by the integrated graphics in the Intel Core i3 processors. The screen comes with 366 x 768 resolution;

The notebook has great battery life ( close to 5.5 hours) and has all the regular ports - including 3 USB 2.0. On a plus side it also has HDMI output.

Toshiba Satellite L740-ST6N01 Review

Toshiba Satellite L740-ST6N01 Review 

Toshiba Satellite L740-ST6N01 is a 14 inch notebook powered by the Intel's Core i3-2350M processor. The notebook is priced slightly expensive at $749.00 by Toshiba and we are not sure if this is a good price for this notebook.But let us take a look at its specification

-6 GB DDR3 1333MHz memory
- 640GB HDD (5400rpm)

- HDMI
- Bluetooth

If you look at the spec, you notice that it comes with a higher memory and Bluetooth that does not come with entry level notebooks. We still think that the notebook is priced higher than it should. You can and should get a core i5 based notebook in this price.

Toshiba Satellite C655-S5504 Review

Toshiba Satellite C655-S5504 Review 


The Satellite C655-S5504  is powered by the Intel Pentium Processor B960 - the Intel's Sandy Bridge processor that unfortunately does not has the turbo boost. It also does not come with Hyperthreading, and so, has slightly lower performance level.

The notebook is inexpensive ( under $500) and is great for entry level computing.

Other features and specs are
 

- 4GB DDR3 1333MHz memory
 - 320GB HDD (5400rpm)
- DVD- Writer
- Wired and Wireless connectivity
-  2-USB (2.0) ports

On the down side - it does not come with Bluetooth.

The battery life is great.

Toshiba Satellite C655-S5514 Review

Satellite C655-S5514 Review

The Toshiba's new Satellite C655-S5514 noptebook is an inexpensive 15.6 inch Laptop that comes with Intel's Pentium B960 processor.

The B960 processor is a Sandy Bridge processor that is great for battery life and in known for a decent entry level graphics performance.

Other key features include

- 4GB DDR3 memory
- 640GB SATA hard drive
- SuperMulti DVD Burner
- 10/100Base-T Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN
- 15.6" TruBrite TFT LCD display
- Built-in webcam with microphone
- memory card reader
- 2 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x headphone output, 1 x microphone input, 1 x RJ-45 port, 1 x RGB port
6-cell lithium-ion battery, 5 h 30 min battery life

Toshiba Satellite Pro C650-EZ1561 Review

Toshiba Satellite Pro C650-EZ1561

Toshiba Satellite C650-EZ1561 is the latest notebook from Toshiba that comes with a regular 15.6 inch screen. The notebook comes with Intel's i3-2350M processor.

 Core i3-2350M Processor Details 

Core i3-2350M is the second generation core i3 processor from Intel ( Called Sandy Bridge processor). The i3-2350M is a dual core processor and is clocked at 2.30 GHz. Unlike the Core i5 and core i7 processors, it does not support Turbo Boost, which limits its performance as a high end processor.

However, the notebook is great as an entry level notebook. It has integrated Graphics ( HD 3000), which helps reduce the power consumption of the system and enhance battery life

Some more details of the C650-EZ1561
 
- 4GB DDR3 1333MHz memory
- Hard Drive 320GB HDD (5400rpm)
- DVD Writer


What is good

- Great battery life 6.75 hours according to Toshiba
- Inexpensive - Under $500 according to Toshiba

What is not so good. - No Bluetooth
- Does not come with HDMI
- Not great for gaming ( Intel HD 3000 graphics is not that great) 

Toshiba Satellite C650-EZ1560

Toshiba Satellite C650-EZ1560 is the latest notebook from Toshiba that comes with a regular 15.6 inch screen. The notebook is powered by Intel's i3-2350M processor.

Some details of the Core i3-2350M Processors
Core i3-2350M is the second generation core i3 processor from Intel ( Called Sandy Bridge processor). The i3-2350M is a dual core processor and is clocked at 2.30 GHz. Unlike the Core i5 and core i7 processors, it does not support Turbo Boost, which limits its performance as a high end processor.

However, the notebook is great as an entry level notebook. It has integrated Graphics ( HD 3000), which helps reduce the power consumption of the system and enhance battery life

Some more details of the C650-EZ1560 The

- 4GB DDR3 1333MHz memory
- Hard Drive 320GB HDD (5400rpm)
- DVD Writer


What is good

- Great battery life 6.75 hours according to Toshiba
- Inexpensive - Under $500 according to Toshiba

What is not so good. - No Bluetooth
- Does not come with HDMI
- Not great for gaming ( Intel HD 3000 graphics is not that great)

Samsung NP305E5A-A03US Review

Samsung  NP305E5A-A03US is powered by AMD's A6-3420M, AMD's new Llano APU, known for its great graphics capability.

The good thing about the notebook is its stunning display 15.6-inch LED-backlit ( resolution 1366 x 768 ) powered by the Integrated graphics in the A6-3420M - The Radeon HD 6520G. Other specification are customary 500 GB Hard Drive, webcam DVD Drive and media Card reader. A budget notebook, the Samsung NP305E5A-A03US includes Bluetooth, even when it is available for just $400 or so at bestbuy at the time of writing. Additional bonus include an HDMI that you can use to display its content on HDTV. On the down side the processor inside the NP305E5A-A03US is not as powerful as the Intel's Core i5. Though its integrated graphics Radeon HD is much better than the Core i5 of Intel. If you are looking for good graphics performance at low cost this notebook is for you. Otherwise you may like to take a look at some of the Intel's Core i5 based notebooks. But they will not come cheap. And if you add a discrete graphics, you are looking north of $5600 or so.

Toshiba Satellite L755D-S5104 review

This Toshiba's Satellite L755D-S5104 is powered by the AMD's Quad-Core A6-3420M APU (Accelerated Processing Unit - AMD's term for new Llano Series).

The AMD's A6-3400M is a quad core processor clocked nominally at 1.5 GHz and its frequency can rise to higher at 2.50 GHz using turbo boost based upon requirement.

The graphics is driven by the AMD Radeon HD 6520G integrated graphics and which provides DirectX 11 support ( Unlike the Intel's HD 3000 that does not has DirectX 11 support).

The display in the  Satellite L755D-S5104  is 15.6" LED-backlit and comes with  1366 x 768 resolution. Other important notable specification include 4GB DDR3 memory, built-in webcam  and multiformat media reader.







The missing USB 3.0 and the Bluetooth makes it and entry level notebook and is priced moderately at $430 at best buy at the time of writing. But it does comes with HDMI, in case you wish to view its content on an HDTV.

Of course, it also comes with the support for Wired and Wireless connectivity features.

HP Pavilion g7-1173dx Price and User Feeback

HP Pavilion g7-1173dx Review

HP Pavilion g7-1173dx Specification

Prices and user feedback

HP Pavilion g7-1173dx Price and User Feeback

The Pavilion G7-1173DX is not available on amazon. The refurbished Pavilion g7-1173dx  is available at $329 at best buy and the prices for a brand new Pavilion G7-1173DX  is close to $429.

If you are looking at better alternatives, you may like to take a look at newer Sandy Bridge Core i3-2310M based notebooks. The notebook may also not be suitable for you if you are into gaming, with a lackluster HD 4250 graphics.

A large number of refurbished parts may also suggest that the notebook has one or more issues. Though we have not heard about large feedbacks from users.

HP Pavilion g7-1173dx specs

HP Pavilion g7-1173dx Review

HP Pavilion g7-1173dx Specification

Prices and user feedback

The large screen and a robust, fast 2.8 GHz AMD Pehnin ii P650 processors ensures a decent performance for the g7-1173dx. It also has HDMI - which is useful if you wish to see movies or any other content for that matter on a large screen. It may not be suitable for the gaming. The HD 4250 is at the most suitable at lower settings for most games. Table : HP Pavilion g7-1173dx specs Features and Specs

Notebook	HP Pavilion g7-1173dx review
Make	HP
Processor	AMD Phenom ii P650
No. Of Cores	2
Processor Freq	2.80 GHz
Memory	4 GB
Hard Disk	500 GB
Display	17"
Graphics	ATI Radeon HD4250
Ports	3 USB 2.0, DVD, wifi, Wired LAN
Other Features	HDMI