Intel has officially unveiled its Sandy Bridge 2011 Core series processors. There are 29 new processors in all and they will replace the existing versions of the Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors. The new Core 2011 processors have the processor, graphics and memory controller functions on a single die built with the 32nm process. They support the Intel WiDi 2.0 (Wireless Display) technology for wirelessly streaming 1080p HD video from your computer to an HDTV.

Leading the pack is the new Intel Core i7-2920XM Extreme Edition processor. Giving it company are the twelve other Core i7 processors – the i7-2820QM, i7-2720QM, i7-2630QM, i7-2635QM, i7-2620M, i6-2649M, i7-2629M (aka LV), i7-2657M and i7-2617M (aka ULV), the i7-2600K, i7-2600S and i7-2600.

There are twelve Core i5 processors. Four of them – the i5-2540M, i5-2520M, i5-2410M and i5-2537M (aka ULV) – are for laptops and the remaining are for desktop computers.

Finally there are four Core i3 processors. Only one of them – the Core i3-2310M – is a mobile chip. The other three are for desktop computers.

Sony has made a new addition to its Best Buy exclusive Blue Label VAIO S 13.3-inch laptop line – the new VAIO VPCS131FM/S.

The new Sony VAIO VPCS131FM/S has a faster processor and a bigger hard drive than its VPCS111FM/S predecessor. This model also has WiMAX capability and a longer battery life.

The Sony VAIO VPCS131FM/S is powered by a 2.53GHz Intel Core i5-460M processor. Other specifications include a 640GB hard drive. Sony claims that the laptop will get 5.5 hours of battery life. The previous model had a 2.26GHz i5-430M processor, a 500GB HDD and 5-hour battery life.

Both notebooks have Intel GMA HD integrated graphics, 4GB of RAM, a DVD burner, Windows 7 Home Premium and a silver chassis. The 13.3 inch display has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. They also support the Intel Wireless Display technology (WiDi) that would let you wirelessly stream video from the laptop to a TV.

The Blue Label Sony VAIO laptops also have built-in web camera, backlight keyboard, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Gigabit LAN, HDMI output, 3 USB ports, Firewire, and Memory Stick PRO/Memory Stick PRO Duo and Secure Digital media card readers.

Pricing and availability
The Blue Label Sony VAIO laptops are Best Buy exclusives. Although the Sony VAIO VPCS131FM/S has better features, at $899.99 it is cheaper than the VPCS111FM/S which is priced at $999.99. The prices include the Netgear Push2TV adapter, which is required for streaming video to a TV and a free copy of Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus software.

MSI has refreshed its CR420 Classic series notebook with a slew of new features. The new and improved MSI CR420 features Intel’s Wireless Display or WiDi. The WiDi lets you stream content from your PC to your HDTV wirelessly. All that you need is a computer with an Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processor and a stand alone adapter box that connects to your HDTV via an HDMI cable.

The MSI CR420 has a 14 inch display. It is powered by Intel’s Core i5 processors with Intel’s integrated HD graphics. Other features include a chiclet style keyboard, 4GB of DDR3 memory, HDMI and VGA output, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, 2 USB 2.0 ports, an eSATA/USB combo port, a 1.3 mega pixel webcam, Bluetooth 2.1 and a 4-in-1 card reader. The hard drive is available in 250GB, 320GB and 500GB capacities. The laptop comes standard with a 6-cell battery.

No word on pricing or availability at the moment.

Best Buy has started taking pre-orders for the Asus U43JC and U43F bamboo series notebooks. Asus has been showing off these machines for a while.

The Asus U43JC and U43F feature a chassis built of bamboo. According to Best Buy the notebooks will start shipping by the end of this month.

The U43JC and the U43F both have 14 inch displays. But while the $999 U43JC has a Core i5 processor, GeForce 310M discrete graphics with NVIDIA Optimus and a 640GB hard drive, the $950 U43F has the same Core i5 processor, but uses Intel’s graphics with WiDi instead of the GeForce 310M.

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Asus U43JC overview

Dell has officially unveiled its consumer-oriented Inspiron R series. The 14 inch Inspiron 14R, the 15.6 inch Inspiron 15R and the 17.3 inch Inspiron 17R are available with Intel’s Core i3 and i5 processors, up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM and optional Intel Wireless Display support which will let you wirelessly connect the laptop to an HDTV when paired with a separately sold third party Intel Wireless Display TV adapter.

All models run Windows 7. Other specifications include up to 640GB of storage, ATI Radeon HD5470 discrete GPU with 1GB of dedicated video memory (optional), HDMI, audio in/out, USB 2.0 ports, built-in webcams, SRS Premium sound and memory card readers. The Inspiron 15R and 17R also feature dedicated numeric keypads.

The new Inspiron R series is available in four brushed finishes – Mars Black, Peacock Blue, Tomato Red and Lotus Pink. They also feature smudge resistant palm rests.

Pricing and availability

The Inspiron  R series notebooks are now available for order. The Inspiron 14R has a starting price of $479.99. The Inspiron 15R and the Inspiron 17R start at $449.99 and $529.99 respectively.