Embree is a collection of high-performance ray tracing kernels, developed at Intel Labs. The kernels are optimized for photo-realistic rendering on the latest Intel® processors with support for the SSE and AVX instruction sets. In addition to the ray tracing kernels, Embree provides an example photo-realistic rendering engine. Embree is designed for Monte Carlo ray tracing algorithms, where the vast majority of rays are incoherent. The specific single-ray traversal kernels in Embree provide the best performance in this scenario and they are very easy to integrate into existing applications.
Imagine when gaming will have photo-realistic graphics in the future with ray-tracing algorithms optimized for future Intel processors and multi-core processors. I hope that future is not too far off.
Is anyone drooling yet? Oh my, this baby looks simply amazing. The Dell XPS 15z laptop, one of the thinnest 15-inch PCs, and the first in a series of new thin and ultra-powerful products from Dell to come this year. With the XPS 15z, everyone from mobile warriors to students and small-business owners now have everything they need to work hard and play hard in one stunning package.
The new Samsung Notebook Series 9 is such a slim, sweet, delectable beauty. It is ultra light, weighing only 1.31 kg and measuring 0.64 inches in thickness. Crafted from Duralumin, an ultra lightweight material that is twice as strong as aluminum and normally used in advanced aircraft design, the Samsung Notebook Series 9 underwent an exhaustive testing process to ensure it is durable enough for use at home and on the go.
In addition, the Samsung Notebook Series 9 sports a SuperBright Plus display with 400nit brightness is two times brighter than conventional displays, as well as its vibrant Color reproduction (16 million colors) and Super Contrast ratio (1,300:1).
HP has revealed a redesigned consumer PC devices for 2011 with sleek looks and the latest technologies to enhance the way consumers connect to the people, entertainment and information that matter to them to pursue and achieve their personal passions.
HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook
First up, we have the HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook. Available in a dark umber metal finish, it uses design elements from the award- winning ENVY line such as a sleek metal finish and HP‘s exclusive BeatsTM Audio. The Pavilion dv6 also includes newly optimized on- board quad speakers. Available with second-generation Intel® CoreTM i7 processors and AMD RadeonTM graphics, the Pavilion dv6 provides enhanced performance. HP CoolSense Technology combines advanced hardware and intelligent cooling software for a notebook that feels noticeably cooler. To help protect personal information and simplify password management, the Pavilion dv6 also includes HP SimplePass, providing secure access to online accounts and passwords with the swipe of a finger. Designed with security and protection in mind, all HP Pavilion dv series notebook PCs feature HP ProtectSmart, which helps to lock the hard drive to secure photos, music and memories, and protects against accidental drops.
The HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook starts from S$1799 and will be available from March 2011 in Singapore.
HP Pavilion dv4 Notebook
Next, we have the HP Pavilion dv4 Notebook. Designed to maximize any user‘s multimedia experience, it expresses full PC functionality and performance with up to second-generation Intel Core® i5 processors and powerful AMD RadeonTM 6750M graphics. With a stylish exterior in an Espresso Black lattice imprint to match its powerful interior, the notebook measures from 1.11-inch thin and weighs from 2.2-kilos. It features a 14.0-inch diagonal HD BrightView display and has an optional integrated Blu-Ray player. An integrated six-cell battery provides up to 6 hours of battery life.
The HP Pavilion dv4 Notebook starts from S$1299 and will be available from March 2011 in Singapore.
HP Pavilion g4 Notebook
Striking a balance between design, performance and affordability, the new HP Pavilion g4 Notebook is ideal for the everyday user, offering second- generation Intel® CoreTM i5 processors, attractive designs and essential features at a great value. Available in charcoal grey and sonoma red, the Pavilion g4 offers full connectivity for surfing the Internet and connecting with friends. The notebook also include a HD BrightView display, with Altec Lansing speakers and SRS Premium Audio for enjoying movies and music.
The HP Pavilion g4 Notebook starts from S$1099 and will be available from March 2011 in Singapore.
HP TouchSmart 610 Consumer PC
The new HP TouchSmart610 Consumer PC offers consumers increased range of motion, superior viewing and an intuitive touch experience with a 23- inch diagonal high-definition (HD) display(1) that reclines up to 60 degrees and tilts forward up to five degrees. The wide-angle, LED backlit LCD screen provides optimal viewing angles, even when reclined, while multi-touch technology allows for an accurate response.
With its refined industrial design and the latest version of HP TouchSmart software, the HP TouchSmart610 Consumer PC has touch- optimized applications from Facebook, Twitter, as well as HP‘s exclusive RecipeBox, webcam and music applications where users can add new applications via the TouchSmart Apps Center. It also features BeatsTM Audio and the new HP LinkUp application for users to wirelessly link a notebook PC to the TouchSmart using a home network.
The HP TouchSmart610 Consumer PC starts from S$1899 and will be available from March 2011 in Singapore.
HP x2301 Micro Thin LED Monitor
The limited edition, stunning, multi-faceted 23 inch HP x2301 Micro Thin LED monitor, features LED backlighting which illuminates the display and an edge lit illumination around the screen. The HP x2301 Micro Thin LED monitor comes in a sleek, slim and sophisticated profile and full HD resolution. With its fast response time, extremely high dynamic contrast ratio and HP HD BrightView technology, the powerful monitor comes mounted on a translucent aquamarine base while allowing users to view crisp, sharp and detailed imagery for all their entertainment experiences.
The HPx2301 Micro Thin LED monitor starts from S$499 and will be available from March 2011 in Singapore.
Intel has discovered a design issue in a recently released support chip, the Intel® 6 Series and the Intel® C200 Series Chipset, and has implemented a silicon fix.
How to determine you have an Intel® 6 Series / Intel® C200 Series Chipset
1. Go to Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Device Manager
OR search for “Device Manager” OR type “devmgmt.msc” in your RUN…
2. Expand the “System Devices”
3. Check to see if your chipset is “Intel(R) 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port…”
If your chipset is an Intel® 6 Series / Intel® C200 Series Chipset
Here’s what you should do:
Contact the shop you purchased your PC or laptop from
OR call the customer service of the manufacturer you purchased your PC or laptop from
OR contact the shop you purchased your chipset from
Affected Chipsets
All Intel® 6-Series Chipsets include “Intel® H67 Express Chipset” and “Intel® P67 Express Chipset” for desktops, “Mobile Intel® HM67 Express Chipset” and “Mobile Intel® HM65 Express Chipset” for laptops.
Well, I was invited to participate in this 2010 Intel CPU IQ Blogger Challenge to answer some questions regarding Intel. Although you’ll probably not be able to get any prizes, but it’ll be fun to see how much you know about Intel. Try the questions for fun, and post your answers in the comments.
Who knows, I might just give out a small prize if someone answers all the questions correctly.
