Eurocom is the second manufacturer to announce notebooks based on Intel’s upcoming mobile Core i7 processor which so far has been known as Clarksfield. The Eurocom joins the HP Envy 15 with its W860CU Cougar and W870CU Cheetah models.
The W860CU Cougar is a 15.6-inch model, while the W870CU Cheetah has a 17.3-inch display, although both models offer the same 1,920×1,080 resolution. Both models will be available with a choice of either the 1.60 GHz Core i7-720QM, the 1.73 GHz Core i7-820QM or the 2.0 GHz Core i7-920XM Extreme processors.
Both model uses the Intel PM55 chipset and as such a discrete graphics solution is required. Both models use a MXM 3.0 Type B connector which allows a wide range of high-end graphics options to be installed, such as the Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M or GTX 280M and the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4870, all with 1GB of GDDR3 graphics memory.
DDR3 memory support is also standard on both models and Eurocom states support for 1,066, 1,333 and 1,600MHz DDR3 memory. There’s also a wide range of storage options including SATA hard drives, hybrid hard drives and SSDs. There’s of course a built in optical drive as well.
In terms of connectivity you shouldn’t find anything missing with HDMI, DVI, D-sub, eSATA, FireWire, four USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, a memory card reader, optical S/PDIF out, a headphone and mic jack and even a built in dial-up modem. There’s of course also support for a wide range of WiFi options, Bluetooth and even WWAN over an HSDPA connection. Other features include a built in webcam and an optional TV-tuner.
At 374x263x42mm (WxDxH) and 3.3kg the W860CU Cougar is not a small notebook, but the W870CU Cheetah easily bests it at 412x279x39-48mm (WxDxH) and 4kg. These are not meant to be your everyday take to work notebok, but rather high-end gaming or workstation machines.
Both models use chicklet style keyboards and have a numerical keypad on the right hand side. We’re not sold on the layout but at least most keys are in the right location. The touch pad seems to be big, although, judging by the picture above, the buttons don’t look very comfortable to use. There’s also a biometric fingerprint scanner between the two buttons.
There’s no word on pricing as yet, but both models should launch as of next month. You can find Eurocom’s website here
