The latest generation of Intel x86-compatible microprocessors, branded Core i7, was released on November 17, 2008. Intel Core i7 microprocessors are based on new Nehalem microarchitecture, which, like AMD K8 microarchitecture, replaces Front-Side Bus interface with on-die memory controller with its own dedicated memory bus, and a separate QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) controller that uses point-to-point protocol to communicate with I/O devices and other processors in multi-processor systems. Server-class Core i7 CPUs will have two point-to-point links.
There are many other performance improvements in Core i7 processors, such as enhanced branch prediction, secondary 512-entry TLB buffer, new SSE4.2 instructions, and others.

Intel Core i7 microprocessors are packaged in 1366-land Land-Grid Array (LGA) package, and require socket 1366 motherboards. Future Core i7 processors may also be packaged into 1160-land package.

Other major features of the Nehalem microarchitecture include:

• Quad-core design on a single die. Previous generation of Intel quad-core processors, Core 2 Quad, essentially packed two dual-core processors into one package.

• Future Core i7 CPUs may have up to 8 cores.

• Each core now includes non-shared very low latency 256 KB level 2 cache. All cores share large level 3 cache.

• Turbo Boost technology improves performance of single or dual-threaded applications by increasing the frequency of one or two cores when other CPU cores are idle.

• Simultaneous Multi-Threading feature adds Hyper-Threading technology to each microprocessor core, which allows any Core I7 quad-core CPU to execute 8 threads at the same time.

The latest addition to Sony’s VAIO notebook family is the VGN-Z12GN and is designed for mobile users that want a tough, stylish and swift notebook for their journeys. On all those counts, this VAIO succeeds without any trouble.

The notebook gains its toughness edge thanks to Sony’s use of carbon fibre in the construction of the notebook. Carbon fibre consists of extremely thin fibres that are generally 0.005 to 0.010mm in diameter and these are composed mostly of carbon atoms. These are bonded together in microscopic crystals that ultimately makes this material very strong and very light. (High performance sports cars generally use this expensive material.) As a result, the VGN-Z12GN feels incredibly tough and rigid with no sign of flex when held from one of its edges. At a weight of just 1.48kg with the battery installed, it’s also light enough to travel.

The notebook features a slider switch which is marked ‘Stamina’ and ‘Speed’. This allows the user to quickly select whether he or she wants the notebook to offer maximum battery life or maximum performance. The switch between one mode to the other is almost instantaneous and is far simpler than having to use Windows’ power-management software.

The Sony’s 13.3-inch LCD screen offers strong brightness and contrast so watching movies and looking at still images is a pleasure. The screen’s 1600 x 900 pixel resolution also suits the screen-size perfectly. Text is crisp and razor sharp meaning you’re not going to tire your eyes out by squinting.