12-14-2002, 10:30 AM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Q1 2003 Laptop - Banias Anyone?
I'm looking at getting a new laptop in the spring (sometime around February) and I'm looking at a Toshiba Satellite 5200 series laptop (or perhaps a Tecra 9100). I'm considering waiting for a laptop using the forthcoming Banias processor - this processor is rumoured to be coming from Intel in Q1 2003 and will incorporate some pretty radical low-power technology (and a fat 1 MB cache). Any CPU experts out there know more? I'm curious to know what you think of it. I'm a little hesitant to put too much stock in the power-saving ability of a new CPU considering how heavily Intel discounted the power-savings of the Crusoe processor when it first came out. Screens consume most of the power on a laptop, but perhaps the Banias will be different. Opinions anyone?
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12-14-2002, 11:11 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 513
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Should be good hopefully, along w/ new Intel chipset for Banias w/ integrated USB2 (and 1000BT gigabit NIC?) if I recall... I don't suppose SATA either?
Anyways my hope is that more mainstream laptop manufacturers in the US market (besides those esoteric Japanese top-of-the-lines) can squeeze a dual-spindle model (i.e. w/ built-in modular optical bay) into about 4 lbs. Hopefully still w/ a 14" screen, but probably 12" is a necessity... Bottom line though battery life shouldn't suffer (ThinkPad X30 battery life is what I'm shooting for for future Banias laptops?) -- even when coupled with ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 and built-in Wi-Fi + BT 
Alternatively a single-spindle ultra-thin Tablet PC convertible notebook at about 2.5 lbs w/ a 12" screen (and perhaps 1.8" HDD) would be awesome too. Ditto long batt life even w/ Wi-Fi + BT...
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12-14-2002, 12:16 PM
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12-14-2002, 12:29 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 400
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Jason Dunn
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I'm a little hesitant to put too much stock in the power-saving ability of a new CPU considering how heavily Intel discounted the power-savings of the Crusoe processor when it first came out
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My understanding of Banias vs. Crusoe, is that where Transmeta went with a software approach to low power chips (taking a processing power hit), Intel is going with a hardware approach, ala scalable CPU. It sort of idles down when not needed and boosts to full power when necessary. Kind of like an x86 version of Xscale :wink: The Huge cache helps with power cunsumption as well. Bit of Trivia, it was designed by Intel Isreal. Also this is the 1st every ground up mobile chip Intel has done, they have always taken a desktop CPU and made a "mobile" version out of it in the past, usually by taking it to a smaller manufacturing process.
I'm holding off for a Banias Tablet PC, hopefully I wont have to sell my soul to afford it!! :angel:
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12-14-2002, 03:41 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 91
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My brother-in-law works for Intel and his prediction is that the chip will be very late Q1 and possibly even a Q2 release time. 
It is also supposed to have built-in wi-fi
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12-14-2002, 04:41 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 217
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I'm holding off on a notebook purchase for Banias, too.
Hopefully a convertible Tablet PC. The good thing is this time frame for Banias will coincide with Office 11, which will be much more Tablet friendly (OneNote).
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12-14-2002, 07:02 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 95
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<sarcasm>I hope Banias is as much of a speed and power improvement for laptops as the Xscale chip has been for Pocket PCs!</sarcasm>
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12-14-2002, 07:14 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Mr. Anonymous
<sarcasm>I hope Banias is as much of a speed and power improvement for laptops as the Xscale chip has been for Pocket PCs!</sarcasm>
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Augh 8O ....way to bring me back to reality! :lol: You're right, I hope Intel does a better job of Banias than their other 1st generation chip attempts.
Now I'm scared. :?
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12-14-2002, 09:34 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 400
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Well, I have greater hopes for Banias, it is based on x86 which they have alot of experience with and Intel Isreal has some brilliant people working there :wink: I also think MS will support Banias more than they have Xscale as well, since they won't have to worry about "spliting the OS market" and all the other Xscale-isms. Please don't yell at me Jason, I know you agree with MS on this and think Intel did a poor job on Xscale :werenotworthy:
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12-14-2002, 10:36 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 399
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I have to agree that toshiba is a great choice. The Evo from compaq is also a very stable and powerful notebook. My advice: if your not in a hurry wait for the next technology, but dont get caught up in "waiting for the next best thing"
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