Eurocom Crams Core i7 Into a Notebook

Computer company, Eurocom today proudly displayed the specs for the upcoming D900F PHANTOM i7 and a name like that, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what the fuss is about: a laptop with Intel’s Core i7.

CeBit is just around the corner and considering the weather is getting colder and snowier, we’re hoping the show in German will give us something hot to keep us warm. However, while a Core i7 notebook sounds great, there are a couple of things to consider before we get all hot under the collar.

It’s no secret that the Core i7 isn't built for laptops -- not yet, at least. Intel has said it will be scaling down its Nehalem architecture to suit laptops in 2H 2009 so why cram the monster processor into a notebook? ‘Cause they can.

The Eurocom D900F Phantom i7 mobile workstation is a high-end 17-inch notebook based on Intel's desktop-class Intel Core i7 processor and X58 chipset.  The notebook also features an Nvidia G280 GPU.

We won’t mince words, this thing is a monster. The Core i7 and 8 MB of L2 aside, the D900F packs 8 GB of DDR3, up to 1.5 TB of storage, 4 USB ports and a 12-cell battery. Unfortunately the spec sheet doesn’t list how long you can expect that 12-cell battery to last when you’re running this thing but we’re going to go out on a limb and assume you won’t want to be away from a power outlet for very long, which is great because the thing weighs the same as a very large baby. That’s right, be prepared to lug around 11.9 lbs of bulk. If nothing else, at least this will be the most compact Core i7 box on the market.

Check out the fill specs below. No word on pricing yet but we’ll likely know more as the May release date nears. In the meantime, any takers for this behemoth?

  • Greatwalrus
    Sure, I'd be up for it if it's less than $1200. I currently only use my laptop for a desktop, but I really want to get a desktop next because I'm tired of having a laptop AS a desktop..
    Reply
  • Shouldn't the title be more along the lines of Clevo crams Core i7 into notebook, since Eurocom only rebrands them and does final customization?
    Reply
  • fulle
    @Turtle
    Yeah, this has little to do with Eurocom, since they just re-brand. This is a Clevo D900F... and I'd expect it to be branded by many companies, including Sager.

    Clevo's done this before, too. So, its nothing too unusual. Look at the Clevo d901c, aka Sager 9262. Clevo already has experience cramming desktop CPUs into large 17" laptops.

    IIRC, the Q6600, was 105W, and the i7s are like 130W... so, I'm pretty amazed they got it working in a laptop this quickly. I can't remember the previous laptop model having a higher power CPU than the Q6600, and they now just use 95W Q9650 CPUs...
    Reply
  • bbruzzes
    Pretty amazing there is already a Core i7 notebook coming that soon, considering Core 2 Quad mobiles are just starting to appear now. However, being nearly 12 lbs. though makes it a bit too travel unfriendly to me so I think I'll pass.
    Reply
  • nukemaster
    Those specs are just amazing!!!
    Reply
  • Wait Nvidia 280 DDR5. DDR5 must be a mistake.
    Reply
  • Tindytim
    I'm glad they aren't buying into this thin bullsh!t, but good god, 60cm! that's 2.4in.

    I could see this being somewhat useful if you go to quite a few LAN parties, rather than dragging a big box, you could slide this into bag and carry it. But I don't see it being that useful as an actual laptop.
    Reply
  • dmccarron
    ElectricTurtle & Fulle - so you know, you've got it backwards. Clevo is the main MANUFACTURER. Eurocom is indeed a Clevo reseller, but they do a significant portion of the R&D for Clevo's new models, so it's fair to give them the credit for it - even if they don't mass-produce it they likely still made a large part of the the prototype here.

    Sager is completely a reseller, not a designer, AFAIK, mainly for the US market. They are the most ubiquitous re-brand of Clevo's shells that end up in about a dozen or so "no-name" reseller's hands, like PcTorque, etc, who market for Sager exclusively. Other boutique builders use the Clevo shells extensively too, but don't have a Sager or Clevo logo. They tend to do more extensive customizations, however to add their flavor to it, so that's their prerogative (falcon NW/hypersonic/voodoo/alienware/etc come to mind).
    Reply
  • StupidRabbit
    TindytimI'm glad they aren't buying into this thin bullsh!t, but good god, 60cm! that's 2.4in.I could see this being somewhat useful if you go to quite a few LAN parties, rather than dragging a big box, you could slide this into bag and carry it. But I don't see it being that useful as an actual laptop.
    :D i dont believe it. 60mm/2.4 inches.. it looks like they took an x58 motherboard, put it in a box and slapped a screen on in. i would prefer a lanbox over this cause with those dimensions its not going to look like a cutting edge notebook but more like a 10 year old levono A31 i had.. that thing was thick!
    Reply
  • ahmshaegar
    If the laptop were 5, 6, 7 pounds, I might agree with the title of the article. However, the laptop's 12 pounds. That i7 was crammed into the notebook about as much as how a toddler is crammed into an SUV.
    Reply