Sandy Bridge is basically a codename within Intel, but what it boils down to is architecture. Sandy Bridge takes the 32 nm manufacturing process from previous processor models (which were codenamed Westmere, or Nehalem-C) and applies it to new architecture, combining the memory controller and the graphics processor into one enclosure.

This accomplishes a few things for these next generation processors. First, they will be able to natively play Blu-Ray movies, allowing for a more high-definition experience to a wider array of users. By combining these two components of the processor, they are able to decode more efficiently, and a wider range of video file types, which is how they will be able to handle Blu-Ray decoding.

These processors will also be easier on battery life. By combining the memory controller and the graphics processor into a 32 nm enclosure, versus the previous 45 nm enclosure that once separately housed the graphics processor, the two can be powered together, reducing the strain on your laptop’s battery.

One other thing of note about these processors is that they facilitate a switch becoming more and more popular in notebooks today, and that is having discrete graphics cards. Similar to how your laptop dims itself when placed on battery power, to conserve energy and make your battery last longer, this processor will be able to run graphics at a low level on your machine. When you’re plugged in, you can use software on your laptop to tell your computer to switch to the discrete graphics card for the better quality, but when you’re just working on a document for school, you can switch over the Intel Sandy Bridge chip, and cut off the full graphics card, thus saving you even more battery life.

This new processor is expected to ship at the end of 2010, and it definitely looks to shake things up for Intel.

Many desktop users use their SSD drive for the operating system and other frequently used files, and an HDD for storing large files or those less frequently used. The Momentus XT emulates this setup within a single drive. It has solid-state memory for storing frequently-used files, and platters for storing less-used and larger files. This really provides the advantages of both drives. You get the speed of SSD and the cheaper, larger storage of HDD.

Some users might be disappointed to find that you can’t control what gets written to the flash memory and what gets written to the platters. This is by design, however. Essentially, the drive learns what data is accessed most often, and manages the data for you appropriately. While this does potentially provide less control for the user, it also makes it easier to use for those who want the speed benefits without the need to spend a lot of time tweaking.

Speed tests have shown the Momentus XT’s performance to be faster than even the fastest platter-based drives, while being just a bit slower than dedicated SSDs. In some tests, the Momentus XT was able to boot Windows 7 in around 15 seconds, compared to 49 seconds on a slow HDD.

Overall, the Seagate Momentus XT is one of the first hybrid drives on the market, and we are likely to see even more in the future. Combining the two technologies offers great benefits while still keeping prices much lower, which is a definite win for consumers.

How is this accomplished? First, the notebook runs on an Nvidia Tegra 250 chip, which uses very little power, and uses 8 GB of flash memory instead of a hard drive. While this might seem like a very small amount of storage, there is a SD/MMC card reader for additional storage on flash cards. With the lack of a hard drive and the use of memory cards for storage, the Toshiba AC100 requires somewhat of a re-thinking of what a laptop or notebook can be. Users wanting to use it as a full-fledged laptop may be disappointed, but those willing to think of it as more of a large-screen portable device should be quite happy with it. The machine weighs an impressively light 870 grams.

What is perhaps most notable about the AC100 is that it does not run Windows or Linux, but in fact, runs Android 2.1. Android is an operating system designed by Google, which was originally intended for smartphones. The stream-lined and light-weight operating system could be just what users need for such a compact machine, but only time will tell how well the Android operating system adapts from smartphones to notebooks.

The 10.1 inch screen has LED backlighting and a 1024×600 resolution. The machine is capable of HD video playback, and even has an HDMI port for connecting to an HDTV.

With so many untested features such as the inclusion of the Android operating system and the lack of a hard drive, it is difficult to judge how the Toshiba AC100 will be received by users. It requires a re-thinking of the notebook concept, and only time will tell if its innovations with strike a chord with buyers.

For example, the unit can be placed on its side, the one screen acting as the touch screen keyboard, while the other acts as a traditional screen, displaying an open document to type into. In this way, it can act like a traditional Netbook. Flip the unit vertically, however, and the screens can work together to display two pages of an eBook. As another example, one screen could display a document or eBook page, while the other can be used for notes or annotations. The possibilities are seemingly endless.

Powering the device is an Intel 1.2Ghz Pentium U5400 processor. While this is a bit underpowered by Netbook standards, it is more power than the average Smartphone, and since Libretto W100 seems to skirt the line between a handheld PDA-style device and a Netbook, this seems an appropriate choice. The energy savings of including a Pentium processor should also help battery life, which is always important for a compact mobile device.

Speaking of compact, the device has two 7 inch screens and is only 1.2 inches thick when folded up. It weighs a mere 1.8 pounds, making it very portable, and its overall size is small enough to fit into a purse or bag.

The main issue could be the software. The device is slated to use a modified version of Windows 7, which is excellent for software compatibility with the programs you already use, but it remains to be seen how the modified interface works in a Windows environment.

The Libretto W100 is expected to see a limited release in August of 2010, and is expected to cost around $1,100. Whether users will like the dual-screen interface is unclear, but the concept is definitely something to keep an eye on.