NVIDIA gets official with GeForce 9M series of laptop GPUs

NVIDIA's not just going after the MIDs and smartphones of the world -- oh no, it's making sure your future notebook has the necessary oomph to blaze through Crysis without folding in on itself. Announced today at Computex, the aforesaid outfit has officially introduced its GeForce 9M series of laptop GPUs alongside a new graphics innovation dubbed Hybrid SLI. Slated to launch this summer in Intel- and AMD-based rigs, the GPUs will boast a multi-core architecture, PureVideo HD, full support for Blu-ray Profile 2.0 / BD-Live and a graphics engine that delivers "up to 40% faster performance than the previous generation of GeForce notebook GPUs." As for the Hybrid SLI technology, this simply enables a pair of the company's GPUs (one low-power and one wicked fast model) to work together to save power and dole out maximum performance when needed. Head on past the cut for more of the nitty-gritty.

Canonical makes Ubuntu Netbook Remix official at Computex

Not like we weren't totally expecting this or anything, but Canonical has chosen Computex as the expo where it will officially showcase Ubuntu Netbook Remix. Hailed as a "reworked desktop image of Ubuntu built specifically for a new category of portable internet-centric devices," the operating system will probably not be too foreign for those familiar with the standard Ubuntu Desktop Edition. We are told that this flavor will feature a launcher that enables users to "get online more quickly and have faster access to their favorite applications," and that it "leverages Moblin technologies optimized for the Intel Atom processor." Unfortunately, devices pre-loaded with UNR aren't apt to ship until "later in 2008," though OEMs interested in getting in while there is still room on the bandwagon are encouraged to hit up Canonical. Full release waiting after the jump.

Intel expects Atom processor shortage to end by September

With the Atom-based mini laptop orgy that has become synonymous with 2008, it's no surprise that Intel has had problems meeting demand for the new processor. That should end soon, however, says Sean Maloney, executive VP and GM of Intel's Sales and Marketing Group. Maloney points out that Intel now has four 300-millimeter manufacturing plants that he says will be doling out the silicon wafers en-masse by September. "We've got four 300-millimeter fabs, so we can really hose this stuff out," he told PC World. With the expected popularity of the ASUS Eee PC 901, this news is coming just in time.

AMD jumps into the netbook game, challenges opponents to a duel

Clearly not content with letting Intel, VIA, and now NVIDIA own the market on the architectures of miniature, budget laptops, grumpy underdog AMD showed off what look to be some reference designs that would sit nicely next to the Eees of the world. At Computex 2008, the company unveiled two models: a white, 8.9-inch Linux laptop with 1GB of RAM, an AMD CPU, the ATI RS690 chipset, and an almost MacBook-like black XP-based model with a 7-inch 1280 x 600 display (that's some pixel density!), a 60GB or 80GB hard drive, and 1GB of RAM.

We had heard that MSI planned to offer up an 8.9-inch Wind in overseas markets in addition to the 10-inch model we're getting 'round here, but we have

It looks like that mysterious listing on Dell's support site for a "Studio 1535" laptop is evidence of a larger branding push soon to come -- we just got a tip that says Dell's planning on creating an entire Studio line as "a midpoint between performance XPS systems and entry-level Inspiron systems." The first machines out of the gate will apparently be those rumored 1535 and 1735 laptops we caught a glimpse of last month (the 1435 appears to have been canned), but we're being told that eventually there'll be Studio desktops as well, and that the 1535 will get an AMD-based 1536 twin. All still rumors for now, but they dovetail nicely with the recent merger of the XPS and Alienware teams and Dell's hints at "new directions" for XPS -- and based on the obviously-related design language of the XPS m1530 and Studio 1535, we'd even go so far as to guess that the Studio line is destined to replace the XPS line, not simply supplement it. We'll see when we see -- any other theories out there?

8.9-inch MSI Wind shows up at Computex

We had heard that MSI planned to offer up an 8.9-inch Wind in overseas markets in addition to the 10-inch model we're getting 'round here, but we haven't actually been able to get a look at it until our crack team from Engadget Chinese hit up Computex and got up close and personal with one of 'em. Dubbed the Wind U90, this one is apparently identical to the now-familiar 10-inch model in every respect except for the screen (no word on the resolution) which, as you can see above, is accommodated by an extra-wide bezel instead of an all around smaller laptop. No word on a price, but you can look for this one to launch alongside or slightly after the 10-inch U100 model "towards the end of June."

[Thanks, Ax]

Fujitsu U2010 comes to Japan as the LOOX U / B50N, all tokidoki'd up

Sure, we're getting Fujitsu's U2010 convertible UMPC Stateside pretty soon as the LifeBook U820, but we're crazy jealous that our friends in Japan are getting this hot tokidoki version, labeled as the LOOX U / B50N. Same kit underneath, but we'd bet that exclusive limited-edition skin will command a premium -- now if we only had pricing info, we'd know whether or not to get our clandestine grey-market importers on the case. Anytime, Fujitsu.