ATI releases Mobility FireGL T2

By Alun Williams

Posted on 14 Nov 2003 at 15:57

Mobile workstations sound like a contradiction in terms. Such is the power of modern notebooks, however, that some can punch with workstation-class performance. Fulfilling the role of the high-end graphics processor within such machines is the ATI Mobility FireGL T2.

Aimed at multimedia content creators and the CAD/CAM realm of engineering professionals, the new processor from ATI is based on its FGL 9600 VPU (Visual Processing Unit). Its spec includes, 128 MB of DDR memory with 128-bit memory interface, dual monitor support, hardware accelerated anti-aliasing, support for QXGA resolutions (2048x1536), and hardware accelerated rendering for 3D and 2D graphics. ATI's SmartShader technology provides programmable pixel and vertex shader support.

In terms of mobile-related technology, the processor comes with ATI's Powerplay and Power-on-Demand technology for optimising battery life.

With OpenGL and DirectX 9 drivers, the Mobility FireGL T2 works with Windows and Linux systems. The processor is already shipping inside the HP Compaq mobile workstation nw8000.

'The Mobility FireGL T2 delivers the ultimate combination of performance, portability, workstation features, and application certified software support for workstation users who no longer want to be strapped to the confines of their office,' boasts Dinesh Sharma, ATI's Director of Workstation Products. 'The HP Compaq mobile workstation nw8000 has set the new gold standard for mobile workstation-class notebook PCs.'