Published in Mobiles

Notebook makers happy with Intel's shift to mobile

by on20 May 2011


Should help see off tablets
Notebook makers are happy that Chipzilla is to change its chipmaking R&D to emphasis mobile gear.

Yesterday Intel announced at its investors' conference that it will change its CPU R&D strategy and create designs for notebooks. On the drawing board are thinner and lighter appearances, 10 hours of battery longevity, performance enhancements as well as instant boot. Atom processors power consumption figures will plummet over the next two years.

Talking to Digitimes, the unnamed notebook players have welcomed the changes which they think will help Intel defend against the assault of the tablet PC. But Digitimes warns that it will be at least two years before Intel can put the fear of God into ARM. Intel's notebook CPU power consumption figures are between 35-60W, and it will take two years to get the chips down to 15W.

Intel has recently released specification designs for ultra-thin notebook platforms for the upcoming year. The idea is that these will provide Chipzilla with the design assistance to improve both system performance and heat dissipation. Laptop makers have told Digitimes that the Atom System on a Chip processor's power demand will be lower than 10W. Chipzilla will speed up moves to develop new process technology and will enter 32nm Saltwell, 22nm Silvermont and 14nm Airmont designs in the next three years.

In the first half of 2012, Intel will release the 32nm-based Medfield-based smartphone platform and will cooperate with Google to launch Android 3.1-based tablet PCs, Digitimes claims.
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