For those who have been saving money and thinking that they are going to be laughed at for not buying the newer Sandy Bridge computers, this is the time for you to get the last laugh. Unknown to a lot of people out there, the newest and more powerful hardware called the Ivy Bridge systems are already unleashed. The new latest Ivy Bridge laptops contain even smaller sized CPU based on the latest 22 nanometer technologywill allow the CPUs to run even faster and yet consume less power. Lets take a look at some of the technological advances in the new Ivy Bridge computers.

 

1. More power

 

As always, newer technology brings even more computing power. If you feel that the 2nd generation i7 systems are already amazing, imagine a 3rd generation i7, i5 core. One easy way to identify Ivy Bridge laptops will be to look at the CPU model. The sticker should have 4 digits with a 3 in front. Example will be Core i7-3770K.

 

2. Better on board graphics

 

The previous generation laptops running the Sandy Bridge systems have only up to Intel 3000 HD graphics. Such graphics enable you to run Blu-Ray movies with ease and play some 3D games in low resolution. But the newer Ivy Bridge systems come with Intel 4000 HD graphics. Even though it is not going to mean that you can run games in extreme graphics, it enables you to run even more powerful 3D games in playable frame rates. Do take note that some lower end models that contain the Ivy Bridge i5 processors might pack in a lower end 2500 HD graphics. So you might want to choose the higher end models so that you will not feel disappointed.

 

3. USB 3.0 support

 

Some of the 2nd generation laptops only come with USB 3.0 for selected models. For the Ivy Bridge systems, you can be assured that most of them will come with USB 3.0 ports. The USB 3.0 ports will look more like a squarish rectangular port with 3 holes instead of one slim rectangular port.

 

 

As usual, it is going to be hard to identify between the Sandy Bridge laptops and those with Ivy Bridge .  My suggestion to everyone out there is to pay attention to the CPU model number.  it should have 4 digits and start with a 3.   As of this point in time, I suggest all users to target the new latest Ivy Bridge laptops.