Multimedia powerhouses: 133MHz Pentiums and Pentium Pros

Article Abstract:

New 133MHz Pentium (P5)- and 150MHz Pentium Pro (P6)-based PCs provide the multimedia professional with a growing range of high-powered tools for rapid graphics processing and 3D acceleration. Both chips are superscalar for the simultaneous execution of multiple instructions, but denser P6s handle three instructions in any order to the P5's two in lockstep. The P6 also has a faster cache memory, will support Intel's Native Signal Processing for on-chip multimedia execution, and handles 32-bit applications far faster in a full 32-bit operating environment such as Windows NT. Features typical to both P5 and P6 multimedia PCs include minitower chassis, 16MB RAM, 4X or faster CD-ROM drives, high-performance graphics acceleration, and 16-bit audio cards with resident or optional wavetable support. P5-based PCs usually have EIDE hard disks with a SCSI option and the Windows 95 operating system. P6 systems usually have SCSI hard disks and Windows NT.

Buyers Guide, Hardware buyers' guide, Pentium Pro-based system, Pentium Pro based computers

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The big picture: Multimedia monitors

Article Abstract:

Fifteen large monitors are reviewed for their suitability to multimedia usage. Nanao's $3,185 FlexScan FX2-21 is one of the highest-ranking products in the survey. It delivers a very rich and sharp image with thorough digital control facilities. The controls work on both the PC and Mac, and are extremely easy to use. The monitor comes with Sonnentech's Colorific color management software. Its high scan rate makes it comfortable to use all day without eyestrain. On the other end of the spectrum, Sony's $3,940 Sony GDM-2000TC has an unwieldy base and inconvenient controls. The costly monitor does offer sophisticated color calibration making it useful for prepress work. Although the tube provides uniform color and rich colors, there are uncorrectable moire problems. The lowest-priced monitor listed is Mitsubishi's $1,750 Diamond Scan 20H, a 20-inch monitor with slightly less sophisticated technology than the higher-end Diamond Pro.

Computer peripheral equipment, not elsewhere classified, Sony Corp., Mitsubishi Corp., Color monitors, Color monitor, Nanao USA Corp., Mitsubishi Diamond Scan 20H (20-inch color monitor), Sony GDM-2000TC (20-inch color monitor), Nanao USA FlexScan FX2-21 (21-inch color monitor)

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Show-stopping multimedia portables

Article Abstract:

Of the seven Pentium-based multimedia notebooks reviewed, Twinhead's $4,695 Slimnote 8120TV earns the highest ratings in almost every category. The notebook packs an incredible array of multimedia technology into a 7.3 pound package, including a quad-speed CD-ROM drive, 16-bit audio, and software-based MPEG video. The 120MHz Pentium model is especially fast in screen redraws and OLE links, although dusky colors can sometimes mar the otherwise excellent display. Texas Instruments' $3,799 Extensa 560CDT is at the low end of the price scale. Although it offers a large hard drive and quad-speed CD-ROM drive, the CPU is only a 75MHz Pentium, and there is no hardware MPEG option. At $6,840, Panasonic's V41 Mark III is the most expensive. Its biggest advantage is the 12.1 inch TFT display, but it suffers from poor performance rankings and inadequate speakers.

Texas Instruments Inc., TXN, Notebook computer, Panasonic Co., Twinhead Corp., Panasonic V41 MK III (Pentium-based notebook), Texas Instruments Extensa 560CDT (Pentium-based notebook), Twinhead SlimNote 8120TV (Pentium-based notebook)

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