Providing the catalyst for a new graphics revolution, NVIDIA Corporationhas just introduced the world's most advanced graphics processor, the GeForce3 GPU for the Macintosh platform at Macworld Expo Tokyo 2001. Powered by the new NVIDIA nfiniteFX engine the new GeForce3 GPU enables users to experience a rich, interactive environment. 3D scenes have ambiance with GeForce3 because objects appear photo realistic and custom lighting heightens drama and emotion. Characters and living creatures have organic behavior and unique expressions-their personality emerges. Programmability and performance are the catalysts for this graphics revolution. In addition, GeForce3 is:

- The first fully programmable GPU-the nfiniteFX(tm) Pixel Shader processor and Vertex Shader processor give developers the ability to program a virtually infinite number of special effects and custom looks.
- The first high-resolution antialiasing (HRAA) GPU, featuring NVIDIA's patented Quincunx AA mode, for high-resolution, high-quality, high-performance multisampling capabilities.
- A platform for advanced transform and lighting features, enabling more complex, visually exciting objects and scenes.

OpenGL® 1.2 compatible.
- Available in 64MB DDR SDRAM configuration that supports both the innovative Apple® Display Connector and the industry standard VGA connection.

NVIDIA's nfiniteFX Engine: The GeForce3 GPU's nfiniteFX engine gives developers the ability to program a virtually infinite number of special effects and custom looks. Instead of every developer choosing from the same hard-coded palette of capabilities and ending up with a generic look and feel, application developers can specify personalized combinations of graphics operations and create an unlimited list of their own effects. Two architectural advancements enable the nfiniteFX engine's programmability and its multitude of effects Vertex Shaders and Pixel Shaders.

Vertex Shaders inject personality into characters and environments. Motion invades the entire scene, not just the focal points. The vertex processing capabilities allow characters to move and show facial emotion, materials to stretch, and the scene to come alive. By customizing the skinning and motion, developers can create an appropriate personality, intensifying the impact of the visualization or animation. Pixel Shaders create ambiance with materials and surfaces that mimic reality. Amazingly realistic material effects replace the artificial, computerized look with high-impact organic surfaces. Characters now have facial hair and blemishes, golf balls have dimples, a red chair gains a subtle leather look, and wood exhibits texture and grain. By altering the lighting and surface effects, artists are able to manipulate colors, textures, or shapes and generate complex, realistic scenes.

High Performance, High Resolution, High QualityThe Lightspeed Memory Architecture(tm) brings power to the GeForce3, delivering earth-shattering performance and fluid motion even for the most complex scenes. NVIDIA's new Quincunx antialiasing (AA) mode, generates high performance samples at nearly four-times the rate of the GeForce2 Ultra, while excellent visual quality.

Rendering at high resolutions with high frame rates becomes the standard with GeForce3, as its advances in pixel rendering and memory efficiency break down the boundaries of frame buffer bandwidth and enable high-resolution antialiasing (HRAA) for the first time ever on the PC. Sophisticated Processing Technology

The GeForce3 is the world's most advanced GPU with more than 57 million transistors and the ability to perform more than 800 billion operations per second and 76 billion floating point operations per second (FLOPS). The GeForce3 GPU achieves an astounding 3.2 billion antialiased samples per second fill rate-more than four times the performance of the award-winning GeForce2 Ultra and more than seven times the processing power of any competitive consumer graphics product. As do all of the GeForce family products, GeForce3 drives the most extreme resolutions and color depths of up to 2048x1536x32. Another key feature of GeForce3 is its high-definition video processor (HDVP) that enables a variety of crystal-clear HDTV solutions when combined with a mainstream CPU and a low-cost DTV receiver. The HDVP allows mainstream high-performance processors to support all 18 Advanced Television Standards Committee (ATSC) formats with a simple, cost-effective DTV receiver card.

Geforce3 graphics on the Power MacTM G4 will be available next month as a configure-to-order (CTO) option at the Apple Store and through Apple resellers.
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Adaptec Inc. has filed a Form 10 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), today, in order to proceed with its planned spin-out from Adaptec. As previously announced, Adaptec has decided to spin its software business out so each company can concentrate on its unique growth objectives: Adaptec concentrating on improving access to and protection of information stored on servers, networks and desktops, and Roxio focusing on digital media. Upon acceptance of the filing by the SEC, and formal approval by the Adaptec board of directors, Adaptec plans to distribute all of the shares of Roxio to the existing Adaptec shareholders in one distribution, which is contemplated to take place in April. Adaptec's goal is for the distribution to be tax-free.
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The second in our series of interviews with industry company executives, PR persons and general know-it-alls. Today we have AMD answering those questions posed by you, our readers.

How does AMD expect Clawhammer to fit into the 2-way space in 2002?
AMD:We have not gone into details as to the specific feature set of ClawHammer, but it has been designed to run 64-bit x86-64 code as well as deliver industry-leading performance on 32-bit x86 software. Palomino and the AMD-760MP chipset should help lay the groundwork for our future plans to further penetrate the server market with the Hammer family of products.
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Microsoft Corp. will pay Bristol Technologyan undisclosed amount to settle years of legal wrangling over Bristol's claim that Microsoft was trying to crush competition, the two companies said Wednesday. Microsoft had previously been ordered to pay Bristol $1 million for unfair trade practices and $3.7 million to cover Bristol's legal fees. Both companies said that under the confidential agreement they will discontinue litigation against each other.
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• CNet has posted two videos on their website. The first video features the GeForce 3 announcement (and a nice demo of its features) as well as a sneak peak at John Carmack's Doom 3 engine. The second video shows Steve Jobs unveiling the new iMacs.
• Apple has a page already listed which gives away some of the goodies on the GeForce 3. You can find a blurb over at Riva3D.

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The stock of Sun Microsystems plunged to a new 52 week low on Wednesday after Merrill Lynch lowered its rating for the business hardware maker to "neutral" from "accumulate" on concerns of an oversupply of used equipment being sold by bankrupt dot-com companies. The Palo Alto, Calif.-based company's stock closed down $2-5/8, or 11.8 percent, to $19-5/8 on Nasdaq on volume of more than 104 million shares, more than double Sun's average daily volume of 43.8 million shares traded. In a research note, Merrill lowered its rating for Sun as well as its earnings per share estimate for fiscal 2001 to 65 cents from 68 cents, and for 2002 to 84 cents from 89 cents. [Source: Reuters]
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Compaq Computer Corp. added two new desktops to the Presario Internet series -- the Presario 5000Z, model 5UV and 7000Z, model 7QS. The desktops are available through Compaq's "Built for You" program. Starting at $799 with a 15 " monitor, the 5000Z " Built for You" series sets a new standard for consumers seeking a smart and powerful solution at an exceptional value. Consumers can choose from AMD Athlon and AMD Duron processors, with speeds ranging from 800 MHz to 1 GHz. The Presario Series 7000Z, starting at $1,299 with a 17" monitor, features the new Double Data Rate (DDR) Memory technology which doubles a PC's available memory data transfer rate, providing more speed to the consumer. Consumers have a choice of AMD Athlon processors with speeds from 1.0 GHz to 1.2 GHz, along with the exciting new MyMovieSTUDIO turnkey video editing package featuring the new DVD-R (recordable) technology. This combination creates an exhilarating platform for extreme power users who demand a realistic 3D experience, cutting-edge broadband technologies like streaming audio and video and the ability to quickly create and edit inventive, professional quality videos.
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Panasonic has announced the release of the Toughbook CF-28, the industry's fastest, most versatile, fully ruggedized notebook. The first entry in Panasonic's third-generation of moderately priced magnesium-alloy encased, shock-and-water resistant notebooks, the Mobile Pentium III Processor 600MHz featuring Intel Speedstep technology-powered Toughbook CF-28 features Panasonic's new SuperSheet shock damper, four times the water-resistance rating of previous models, ultra-high output 13.3-inch or 12-1-inch TFT with touchscreens, a key lock anti-intrusion system, integrated wireless and network communication capability and streamlined configuration and expansion options. Featuring a completely redesigned chassis, improved moisture seals, low-profile hard-drive protection, enhanced heat-management technology, anti-loosen hinges, elastomer corner protectors and a bonded scratch-and-mark-resistant exterior coating, the CF-28 is poised to add new pages to the Toughbook line's already legendary durability record.
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