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Zacate 11.6" laptop now available from HP

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I don't really know what it means since I just don't understand all aspects of the problem. But it seems like with how chips are built now, anything trying to use system memory is going to be hamstrung by the available bandwidth. Of course, netbooks/ultra portables will be hamstrung by the constraints of size, power usage, cost and heat as well so in this little slice of the market I'm not sure if that bandwidth problem is really the be all end all anyway. 😛
 
veri745 said:
Pricey? I would have killed for that price on an 11.6" laptop with 6+ hours of battery life and decent graphics performance when I was in the market for a laptop at the beginning of 2010.

As it was, I ended up paying over $800 for an ASUS UL80Vt. I have been pleased with its performance and battery life, but for a $350+ discount, I would definitely buy the Zacate system if I needed a new lappy now.
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I reviewed the specs and numbers in more detail. Yeah, its pretty solid for that price.

Question is, do I pull the trigger on it or not? Any AT members buy one yet?

edit - Pulled the trigger. The slickdeals code, with HPs 3GB RAM and 320GB hdd upgrade options hooked me.
 
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totally want one. need to justify an actual use for it, but it seems like a way way better netbook than the atom ones.
 
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PingSpike said:
I don't really know what it means since I just don't understand all aspects of the problem. But it seems like with how chips are built now, anything trying to use system memory is going to be hamstrung by the available bandwidth. Of course, netbooks/ultra portables will be hamstrung by the constraints of size, power usage, cost and heat as well so in this little slice of the market I'm not sure if that bandwidth problem is really the be all end all anyway. 😛
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The main issue is that DDR RAM is designed to fit a CPU's memory usage profile (infrequent access of a large pool of data) Meanwhile graphics makes intensive use of a much smaller pool of data. GDDR5 VRAM is designed to fill this niche by having higher throughput, but at higher cost. I wonder if we are going to see these APUs gain a second memory controller, along with a small amount (256 or 512mb) of VRAM being soldered onto the mobo in order to correct this problem.
 
maniac5999 said:
The main issue is that DDR RAM is designed to fit a CPU's memory usage profile (infrequent access of a large pool of data) Meanwhile graphics makes intensive use of a much smaller pool of data. GDDR5 VRAM is designed to fill this niche by having higher throughput, but at higher cost. I wonder if we are going to see these APUs gain a second memory controller, along with a small amount (256 or 512mb) of VRAM being soldered onto the mobo in order to correct this problem.
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The whole point is to keep costs low. Adding another memory controller just adds on cost.
 
Very impressed after reading those reviews, looks like best in class real world performance and top notch battery life. I also like seeing conformation on the fact that even when stressed for a good period of time it stays cool.
 
Bateluer said:
I reviewed the specs and numbers in more detail. Yeah, its pretty solid for that price.

Question is, do I pull the trigger on it or not? Any AT members buy one yet?

edit - Pulled the trigger. The slickdeals code, with HPs 3GB RAM and 320GB hdd upgrade options hooked me.
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i take it the code is over. tempted to get this, but wondering if anyone else is going to come out w/ something similar from asus or acer, and maybe break the $400 barrier, heh

err, found the code, hp dm1 didn't pull anything, but dm1z, heh
 
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randomlinh said:
i take it the code is over. tempted to get this, but wondering if anyone else is going to come out w/ something similar from asus or acer, and maybe break the $400 barrier, heh

err, found the code, hp dm1 didn't pull anything, but dm1z, heh
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Looks like there are going to plenty of similar ones going by CES like the Sony Vaio YB, Lenovo Thinkpad X120e that is supposed to be about $400, MSI Wind U270, and there should be an Acer Aspire One. Acer will also use Zacate in a Windows 7 tablet with a keyboard dock.

Here's another review, first time I've seen an Asus 1215N beat out the HP in battery life
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/17/hp-pavilion-dm1z-with-amd-fusion-review/
 
randomlinh said:
i take it the code is over. tempted to get this, but wondering if anyone else is going to come out w/ something similar from asus or acer, and maybe break the $400 barrier, heh
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Here is a list of Bobcat Notebooks, Main Boards and systems I got from AMD Zone.

We may also see some cheaper Zacates later on. Maybe the E240 single core version?

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-fusion-interview-2010.html

X-bit labs: Those low-cost systems are not designed for demanding applications and nobody actually launched them on netbooks. Do you expect Fusion to change usage models of PCs?

Godfrey Cheng: The level of expectations set by Atom netbooks is so low that Zacate-based machines with all their benefits will redefine what a $349 notebook should be. We absolutely intend to revolutionize the value at those price-points.
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Almost pulled the trigger on this one. Decided to wait for the Sony as I really don't like hp design or build quality.
 
Zap said:
Not only now available, but free shipping and $25 off code slickdeals25 (thanks SD).
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Coupon code at least covers the tax in my state.
Codes DEALIGG25, SVP1583, SVMB39487, CMOUNTAIN25 also work.

After multiple problems (hinges, video chip burnout) with my daughter's HP laptop I'm a bit reluctant to buy another HP netbook/laptop. They had/have the highest laptop malfunction rate. http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/17/laptop-reliability-survey-asus-and-toshiba-win-hp-fails/

Most of their laptops exhaust hot air out the bottom causing premature video chip failures due to excess heat. According to the PC Mag review this netbook/laptop is different. "The dm1z also features HP's CoolSense technology, which involves better part placement and design methodology. It uses a combination of plastic, glass, and soft-touch paint on the outside, while metal is used strategically on the inside to reduce heat conductivity. The air vents are placed toward the back, where the air is blown away from the laptop rather than toward it, which is what happens when vents are placed on the bottom. The main component generating heat, AMD's APU, resides below the keyboard rather than where your palm rests. Not that these parts are hot to begin with, but the dm1z was indeed a cool-running netbook."

My Dell mini 10v that I snagged new (canceled order) from their outlet store last year for ~$180. is still running fine with 2Gb ram and Win 7 Ultimate 32bit. For what I use it for it's ok for now. I'll wait and see what HP's competitors have to offer.
 
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PhoKingGuy said:
Almost pulled the trigger on this one. Decided to wait for the Sony as I really don't like hp design or build quality.
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yeah HP is a level above dell imo, but there are better brands then both when it comes to laptops.

im waiting for a dual core zactate EeePC. after taking apart my 1005hab, i really like the way they are built. and i really like the way asus designs motherboards (even the ones for their netbooks)
 
Anyone know from whence cometh the name? Zacate means grass in Mexico and Central America. 🙂
 
Think this chip will be offered in a 10" (< 3lb) netbook soon? Maybe from ASUS or Acer? I've been looking at the ASUS 1015PEM and don't really want to get anything bigger (or heavier).
 
i just ordered the HP dm1z for my son. It should be here by wednesday of this week. the reviews were all excellent and seemed to me like a good price.
 
Slickone said:
Think this chip will be offered in a 10" (< 3lb) netbook soon? Maybe from ASUS or Acer? I've been looking at the ASUS 1015PEM and don't really want to get anything bigger (or heavier).
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Well, there have been 3 pound 11.6" notebooks. For instance the Acer 1551 (Nile platform) that my wife has supposedly weighs 3.08 pounds, but I weighed it on my postal scale and it was under 3 pounds. Sure, it is wider and deeper by a hair than a 10" netbook, but it is also THINNER.
 
Zap said:
Well, there have been 3 pound 11.6" notebooks. For instance the Acer 1551 (Nile platform) that my wife has supposedly weighs 3.08 pounds, but I weighed it on my postal scale and it was under 3 pounds. Sure, it is wider and deeper by a hair than a 10" netbook, but it is also THINNER.
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Actually the 10" width is more important to me than the weight and thickness, assuming they don't get any thicker than any current 10" netbook (which are all certainly thin enough).
 
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