Will better graphics hardware result in a revitalized games market for the MacBook?

Paul Mah — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:31:58 -0500

If you have been following the news recently, you would have known that Apple recently dropped its long-standing integrated Intel graphics chip set in favor of a discreet Nvidia GeForce graphics processor. The GeForce 9400M, which is currently proprietary only to Apple, promises to be twice as fast as the old Intels.

Will this move herald the dawn of gaming on Apple's MacBooks? The answer: Probably not. A number of factors cause me to cast doubt, among them is the fact that the PC games market has actually shrunk by over a third, and let's not forget the effects of piracy. Piracy drives PC and Mac publishers toward platforms that are more difficult to steal from, such as gaming consoles. Well, I suppose MacBook-toting graphics professionals can now benefit from the hardware-acceleration for Adobe's Photoshop rendering, at least.

For more information about the story:
- check out the article at TechNewsWorld

NVIDIA unveils new processor that packs a punch

Paul Mah — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:44:02 -0400

NVIDIA has unveiled a new family of processors designed from the ground up for mobile gadgets. The Tegra is a computer-on-a-chip that is smaller than a dime with a power efficiency that NVIDIA claims to be 10 times better than existing products that run "compelling visual computing applications."

Other than an 800 MHz ARM CPU, the Tegra has an architecture featuring multiple specialized processors for specific tasks such as a HD video processor, an audio processor, and even an ultra-low power GeForce GPU. It also packs a display support for an impressive range of devices such as 1080p HDMI, WSXGA+ for both LCD and CRT as well as NTSC/PAL TV-output. The NVIDIA Tegra is expected to reach consumers by the end of the year.

For more on the patent:
- check out this NVIDIA press release