14 DAY TRIAL // Though Intel may, currently, be focused on bringing out several new CPUs for netbooks, it is definitely keeping a close eye on the development of its next-generation platform, set to be made official in the first quarter of 2011. As consumers probably know, the next-generation series of CPUs will be known as Sandy Bridge and should have both higher computing as well as graphics capabilities. These chips will be part of the Huron River platform, which the Santa Clara company intends to design as especially versatile.
All inbound technologies have a knack for not being completely detailed until very late in their development, but reports and leaks will always be sure to shed some light on them. Huron River is no different, and it appears that its maker is paying heed to significantly more than just raw performance.
Sandy Bridge chips will have better graphics than current Intel Core CPUs and should be able to handle certain games and most multimedia formats. There will also be built-in support for the latest HDMI specification. In fact, it seems that the CPU maker won't leave things half done and, according to Fudzilla, it will make sure that, besides “just” Blu-ray support, Huron River will also be capable of Blu-ray Stereoscopic 3D playback.
“The plan for Huron River is to include new Sandy Bridge based Intel HD graphics and as a part of that, this 2011 notebook platform will support HDMI with 1.4 version, the one that brings the 3D support in,” states the report.
Blu-ray 3D support is definitely an asset. What remains is for LCD makers and PC suppliers to start making notebooks with 120Hz screens, otherwise this feature will be for naught. This, of course, will mean overall higher laptop prices, but consumers have plenty of time to save up until Q1 2011 comes.