Dual-core notebook processors star at CES

The hottest news in notebook computers at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is dual-core processors. Vendors are eagerly touting the advantages these processors offer — and they offer a lot.

Notebooks with dual-core processors have significant performance increases that allow users to run multiple high-performance applications, such as medical or engineering software, virus scanners, or system backups. Those tasks would usually lock up a system with a standard processor.

Dual processors also lower power consumption and therefore improve battery life. Vendors are taking advantage of this by offering optional extended-life batteries and second batteries that can extend the total battery life of a notebook computer to nearly 11 hours. That means all-day computing with no worries about recharging.

One vendor that is showing new dual-core processor notebook computers at CES is Lenovo, which announced two new ThinkPad models, ThinkPad X60/X60s and ThinkPad T60. Those computers double the performance of previous models but are thinner and lighter than their predecessors.

Fujitsu introduced the E8110 for business users. Thanks to a dual-core processor, it offers significantly improved performance, increased battery life, better power management and extended connectivity options.

Alienware also joined in the fun, introducing an Advanced Micro Devices-based version of its most popular notebook computer in the government space. The new Aurora m7700 is a counterpart to the popular m7700i desktop computer replacement system, and the company offers it in a dual-core processor version.