Turion 64 X2 Paper Launch?

[Windaria]

OK... it was well over a month now since AMD 'launched' the Turion 64 X2, and yet where are the laptops? Oh sure I see the MSI and HP ones out, and Acer is apparently shipping some Aspire 5100 (that they don't even mention on their website), but that is a dismal selection and, for that matter, none of those are even using the two faster Turion 64 X2s. So when will we actually see laptops using the faster Turion 64 X2s? When will we start to see more than just a trickle? What the HECK is going on?

 

[fbrdphreak]

You call MSI, HP, and Acer a trickle? HP isn't number two in the laptop industry for no reason.

Who else are you expecting to use them? Fujitsu might update some of their lines eventually, but that will be few and far between.

I think the reason they don't offer as many of the faster X2's is either cost or supply. HP might be eating the majority of AMD's meager production capacity, I don't know. But AMD is charging quite a bit for their mobile dual cores, even compared to Intel. T64 X2 isn't quite the bargain dual core everyone expected it to be

 

[cw42]

qft^

 

[imported_kenyee]

Plus you can find the HP dv2000z and Compaq version and the Acer at Circuit City, Best Buy, Office Depot. Not bad at all. Only problem I have is the HP dv2000z apparently doesn't support 4GB of memory (the Acer does but it uses the ATI X1100 graphics chip). The HP nx6325

No sign of the Asus z92t yet or the MSI M675 (both use the Geforce Go 7600 chip which has decent performance).

 

[sdifox]

Acer is releasing Ferrari 5000 soon. Only rich people need apply.

 

[Windaria]

OK... only 3 manufacturers. There are, however, tons of smaller manufacturers, and I haven't seen any of them pick up on it yet.

Additionally, the MSI is nothing but a tiny laptop without serious performance. The HP/Compaq ones are low-end without any serious performance or anything. The Acer isn't even mentioned on their website (the 5100 isn't covered anywhere really on their site, so why don't they get behind their own product? That concerns me.)

None of those are using the two faster Turions that were announced, only the slower two. Is AMD even releasing the faster two yet?

None of those are performance laptops. Yes, the Ferarri 5000 will be, but that isn't out yet (and who knows when? It was announced so long ago that I would definitely call the 5000 a paper launch). That said, to say only the rich need apply, Acer has been good with keeping the Ferarri line a $2000 line, so that is quite reasonable (particularly since some performance laptops are FAR more expensive).

I just want a decent performance laptop with good graphics for somewhere around $2,000... the 5000 would satisfy this requirement, but seriously! We're several months after the 'launch' of the Turion 64X2 now and there isn't even ONE laptop that meets these requirements, and even when the 5000 comes out there will only be one!

That is why I ask... paper launch? Where's the product?

 

[postmortemIA]

Answer is probably simple. There's no big demand for it, as the AMD-based laptops have secured low-end market and manufacturers don't see them selling well.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Windaria
OK... only 3 manufacturers. There are, however, tons of smaller manufacturers, and I haven't seen any of them pick up on it yet.

Additionally, the MSI is nothing but a tiny laptop without serious performance. The HP/Compaq ones are low-end without any serious performance or anything. The Acer isn't even mentioned on their website (the 5100 isn't covered anywhere really on their site, so why don't they get behind their own product? That concerns me.)

None of those are using the two faster Turions that were announced, only the slower two. Is AMD even releasing the faster two yet?

None of those are performance laptops. Yes, the Ferarri 5000 will be, but that isn't out yet (and who knows when? It was announced so long ago that I would definitely call the 5000 a paper launch). That said, to say only the rich need apply, Acer has been good with keeping the Ferarri line a $2000 line, so that is quite reasonable (particularly since some performance laptops are FAR more expensive).

I just want a decent performance laptop with good graphics for somewhere around $2,000... the 5000 would satisfy this requirement, but seriously! We're several months after the 'launch' of the Turion 64X2 now and there isn't even ONE laptop that meets these requirements, and even when the 5000 comes out there will only be one!

That is why I ask... paper launch? Where's the product?

It is not a paper launch. Just because they don't have a laptop that doesn't meet your specifications doesn't mean its a paper launch.

Why would HP or MSI or anything other manufacturer put AMD in their high priced notebooks? Or better yet: how many manufacturers HAVE high priced notebooks these days? HP's consumer models a very competitively priced, as are MSI's. Acer's Ferrari is more considered a boutique brand, like Alienware.

It could be a manufacturing capacity issue, but I'd imagine HP isn't making as many of the hgih end models because companies don't want them. They need to keep notebook prices low and AMD's pricing is already being beat my Core Duo overall. In case you missed it, over the past 6-10 months AMD's and Intel's roles reversed. AMD was the performance leader (not in notebooks mind you, but overall) and had no incentive to reduce pricing. Roles have switched and AMD is on the offensive with price cuts, but the T64 X2 is so new the price cuts are taking a bit longer. I think I last heard October we'll see T64 X2 price cuts.

AMD has generally not had "a decent performance laptop with good graphics for somewhere around $2,000," the original Turions were more of a value oriented line while the T64 X2 can't beat the value of Core Duo. Original MSRP's of notebooks like this were above $2K as they will be with the Ferrari 5000 when it hits, but give it a few months and they will drop. AMD aims for thin & light value, not high end performance; so since these notebooks are few & far between there is no incentive to offer them at lower prices.

Oh, and the Ferrari's should be hitting the U.S. anytime now; we'll have one of each soon.

 

[lazybum131]

You can add Gateway and Asus to the list of manufacturers. Best Buy and FutureShop in Canada have a few budget Gateway models with the Turion X2, I'd be surprised if there weren't any in the US. Europe already has the Asus A6T (z92t barebone in NA).

 

[Windaria]

Maybe I should have been more precise then and asked paper launch? regarding the TL-56 and TL-60 which were 'released' some time ago but don't appear to be in use in any of the listed notebooks that are actually out now (supposedly Ferarri will have one, but that is about it).

 

[lazybum131]

Oh yah that's true. The HP dv6000z can be customized with the TL-56 on the HP USA site but other than that the higher clocked Turion X2's are MIA. Other than the possibility that AMD simply can't produce enough of the higher clocked Turion X2's, it could also be that the manufacturers don't see the point of including faster chips.

The Turion X2 could've probably hold it's own versus the Core Duo, but it came months afterwards and in most benchmarks the Core Duo still has the edge clock for clock (not counting 64-bit but few ppl use 64-bit OS and applications). With Merom already announced and available right around the corner there's no way the current X2's can match performance without ramping up clockspeeds a lot. I think it's similar to the desktop situation, Conroe beats K8 handily so if you're looking for high end you'll go with Conroe, whereas the low end K8 chips after the price cuts can still appeal to the budget consumers as long as they aren't overclocking.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Very good point on the TL-60. I've dispatched an e-mail to AMD to find out

 

[Windaria]

Any word regarding that email? I would love to hear what is holding up the faster Turions.

And yes, true. Right now few are using 64 bit aps and the like...

But let's be honest. Vista is now just around the corner, and when it comes out 64 bit is supposed to be far more common.

Do you really want to buy a 32-bit only laptop now, and possibly have to upgrade again so soon to take advantage of the 64 bit aps?

Unless you are someone who spends FAR more than I do on technology... that just sounds like a bad buy to me.

 

[fbrdphreak]

AMD says there is no problem on their end with the TL-60. I've contacted HP as to why they don't offer more of the TL-60. However it was pointed out to me (despite me not seeing it personally yet) that the nx6325 offers a TL-60 configuration and the forthcoming dv6000z will offer the TL-60 as an option.

dv6000z:
http://www.laptoplogic.com/news/detail.php?id=1127

 

[imported_kenyee]

windaria:
Here ya go...yes, you can actually choose a TL-60 w/ the Asus Z92T and it even comes w/ a Geforce Go 7600:
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv...=PROD&Store_Code=GPS&Product_Code=Z92T

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: kenyee
windaria:
Here ya go...yes, you can actually choose a TL-60 w/ the Asus Z92T and it even comes w/ a Geforce Go 7600:
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv...=PROD&Store_Code=GPS&Product_Code=Z92T

Interesting, I hadn't heard about that system.

WTF is that vendor doing offering an Intel card on an AMD notebook? I guess it should work, but WTF!

 

[Brainonska511]

Nevermind.