Intel Corporation announced that a dozen of new netbooks based on its new mobile dual-core Intel Atom processors are available in stores today. The netbooks – available now and through the end of the year from manufacturers including Acer, ASUS, Fujitsu, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, MSI, and Toshiba – enable new levels of support for applications like games, as well as Adobe Flash* technology for access to a number of Web pages including online hotel booking systems and multimedia sites such as YouTube* and Hulu*.

“Acer strives to continually improve on our customers’ total mobile experience, whether it is increased responsiveness or extended Internet interactivity through longer battery life,” said David Lee, associate vice president of Acer’s Mobile Computing Business Unit. “We are pleased to select dual-core Intel Atom processors for Acer netbooks, helping to empower netbook users achieve even more – both at work and at leisure.”

With the dual-core Intel Atom processor N550, consumers can enjoy Internet access on the go with a more responsive experience in the same compact form factor, DDR3 memory support and similar great battery life as the single-core Intel Atom processor N450.

“In their short history, the netbook category has experienced impressive growth,” said Erik Reid, director of marketing for mobile platforms at Intel. “Having shipped about 70 million Intel Atom chips for netbooks since our launch of the category in 2008, there is obviously a great market for these devices around the world.”

New netbooks based on dual-core Intel Atom chips arrive in stores today and are available at a variety of consumer-friendly price points. For more information, visit www.intel.com/products/processor/atom/index.htm.

SAN FRANCISCO – Intel has launched the Atom N550 today–its first dual-core Atom processor. The next-generation Atom processor boosts the power and capabilities of smaller mobile computers–providing businesses with even more cost effective options for portable computing.

The Atom N550 processors is available on the shelf as of today in a dozen or so different netbook models. The manufacturers that are already on the dual-core Atom bandwagon include Acer, ASUS, Fujitsu, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, MSI, and Toshiba.

The Atom was designed by Intel to provide a more energy-efficient alternative to the Celeron-M processors that were being used in netbooks at the time. The launch of the Atom made the netbook a more powerful mobile computing platform and basically ignited the explosion of the netbook market.

“In their short history, the netbook category has experienced impressive growth,” said Erik Reid, director of marketing for mobile platforms at Intel. “Having shipped about 70 million Intel Atom chips for netbooks since our launch of the category in 2008, there is obviously a great market for these devices around the world.”

As the high end of notebooks–the larger and more powerful cousins of the netbook–evolve from dual-core to the more powerful quad-core processors, the Atom N550 moves the diminutive netbook platform into the dual-core era. The Atom N550 processor runs at 1.5GHz, and includes support for DDR3 memory as well.

Netbooks are the first out of the gate with the new Atoms–and the netbook market represents the most obvious benefactor of the transition to dual-core processing–but there are wider applications for the new Intel processors as well. The more powerful processor also opens the possibility of dual-core smartphones and tablets as technology continues to migrate to mobile platforms.

Intel’s work with Nokia to develop the Meego mobile operating system, and its purchase of McAfee to provide better security for connected devices of all shapes and sizes also hint at what may be on the horizon for Intel.

Companies that want to provide employees with portable computers, but don’t need mobile users to have top-end computing power can explore the possibility of deploying dual-core netbooks rather than full-blown notebook PCs. Even single-core netbooks are capable of completing the vast majority of tasks that mobile workers might need to perform.

Netbooks are smaller and lighter than notebooks, making them easier to lug around while on the go. They also have significantly better battery life than typical notebooks–lasting six hours or more on a single charge. And, let’s not forget that netbooks are generally much cheaper than typical notebook PCs.

Smartphones and tablets have pushed netbooks to the back of the mobile computing bus, but those platforms have limitations and sometimes mobile workers need a “real” computer. The Atom N550 processors bring dual-core power to netbooks, and expand the possibilities for computing on the go.

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

• Sales from Acer, ASUS, Fujitsu, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, MSI, Toshiba and others start today and through end of the year.
• Intel has shipped more than 70 million Intel® Atom™ netbook chips since its 2008 launch.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., – Intel Corporation announced today that a dozen of new netbooks based on its new mobile dual-core Intel® Atom™ processors are available in stores today. The netbooks – available now and through the end of the year from manufacturers including Acer, ASUS, Fujitsu, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, MSI, and Toshiba – enable new levels of support for applications like games, as well as Adobe Flash* technology for access to a number of Web pages including online hotel booking systems and multimedia sites such as YouTube* and Hulu*.

“Acer strives to continually improve on our customers’ total mobile experience, whether it is increased responsiveness or extended Internet interactivity through longer battery life,” said David Lee, associate vice president of Acer’s Mobile Computing Business Unit. “We are pleased to select dual-core Intel Atom processors for Acer netbooks, helping to empower netbook users achieve even more – both at work and at leisure.”

With the dual-core Intel® Atom™ processor N550, consumers can enjoy Internet access on the go with a more responsive experience in the same compact form factor, DDR3 memory support and similar great battery life as the single-core Intel® Atom™ processor N450.

“In their short history, the netbook category has experienced impressive growth,” said Erik Reid, director of marketing for mobile platforms at Intel. “Having shipped about 70 million Intel Atom chips for netbooks since our launch of the category in 2008, there is obviously a great market for these devices around the world.”

New netbooks based on dual-core Intel Atom chips arrive in stores today and are available at a variety of consumer-friendly price points. For more information, visit www.intel.com/products/processor/atom/index.htm.

By Yardena Avar
March 5, 2010

December 21, 2009

Intel has announced new Intel Atom processors that feature integrated graphics built directly into the CPU, enabling improved performance and smaller, more energy-efficient designs in a new generation of netbooks and Atom-based entry-level desktop PCs. Major OEMs have committed to having systems on the new Intel Atom processors and a new companion chipset available within the next few weeks.

The newest Intel Atom platform, formerly codenamed “Pine Trail,” consist of a new Intel Atom processor, the N450, and a new low-power Intel NM10 Express Chipset (for netbooks). For entry-level desktop PCs, it consists of either the Intel Atom processor D410 or the dual core D510, also paired with the Intel NM10 express chipset. The Atom processor was designed from the ground up for small devices and low power, and remains Intel’s smallest chip, built on the company’s 45nm high-k metal gate manufacturing process. The overall package, including the chipset, just got smaller due to the increasing integration and 45nm manufacturing, which means smaller, more compact system designs, lower costs for OEMs and improved performance.

Broad Industry Momentum
Intel continues to see broad industry support for the Atom platform as netbook in particular have been hot sellers during a recessionary year due to their affordability, function and small size (7-10-inch screens). Additionally, Intel is expecting to see broad channel adoption for Atom in a variety of small form factor entry-level desktop PCs at low price points, including ultra-small designs (less than 1-litre chassis), fanless designs, and low-cost all-in-one designs.

Since Intel announced the first Atom processor for netbooks and entry-level desktop PCs in June 2008, the market has expanded rapidly. Since introduction, Intel has shipped over 40million Atom chips for netbooks to every major OEM around the world. In the same timeframe, netbooks have ramped faster and sold more units than Apple‘s iPhone and the Nintendo Wii. According to ABI Research, total Atom shipments for all segments are expected to continue to grow into the 100s of millions by 2011. Intel is not letting up, offering the next-generation platform for OEMs to continue to innovate around.

“The Intel Atom processor has feuled an entirely new category of computing over the last year and a half and we think the growth will continue for devices like netbooks and entry-level PCs built around basic computing and Internet usage models,” said Mooly Eden, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of Intel’s PC Client Group. “We’re excited to be delivering the next-generation Atom platform and working across the industry as we head into a second phase of growth, powering innovative new system designs with better performance, smaller footprints and better battery life.”

Intel has over 80 design wins to-date for the new Atom platform from such leading OEMs as Asus, Acer, Lenovo, Dell, MSI, Toshiba, Samsung and Fujitsu. While the bulk of the systems will feature the new Windows 7 Starter or Home Basic operating system, consumers will have a choice when it comes to selecting an operating system, with some OEMs offering Moblin Linux v2 as an alternative for customers who desire a customizable and differentiated user interface.

Worldwide netbook shipments by telecommunication companies are also growing and expected to fuel another round of expansion. Intel has been working closely with mobile operators and modem vendors to advance 3G capabilities in netbooks in established and emerging markets. To date, approximately a dozen service providers offer netbooks in various markets, and the numbers are expected to grow with the newest platform.

Improved Processor and Graphics Performance
One of the most significant features of the new platform is the integration of the memory controller and graphics into the CPU, a first in the industry on x-86 chips. That means two chips (CPU+chipset) instead of the previous three (CPU+chipset, I/O controller hub), a lower TDP and substantial reduction in cost, overall footprint and power. The netbook platform features a 20% improvement in average power and smaller package size over the previous Atom platform. This translates into smaller and more compact system designs and longer battery life. Because of the integration, the total footprint for the netbook platform has decreased by approximately 60%. For entry-level desktop PCs, it’s nearly 70% reduction in footprint and about 50% lower TDP than the previous generation.

About the Platform
The N450 is a single core atom processor with 512k of L2 cache and a seven-watt total kit TDP including chipset. The D410 for entry-level desktop PCs is a single-core Atom processor with 512k of L2 cache and 12-watt kit TDP including chipset, and the D510 for entry-level desktop PCs is a dual core Atom processor with 1meg L2 cache and 15-watt total kit TDP including chipset. The new chips all run 1.66GHz. Pricing and availability will be announced in January as systems become available from OEMs.

March 15, 2009

Motherboard-On-the-Go
By Billy Joe I. Allardo
Published in the November 2008 print edition of PC World Philippines

Asus P5Q3 Deluxe wi-Fi-AP @n
www.lenovo.com/ph

Nope, the image is not a misprint. The Asus P5Q3 Deluxe initially looks like the Asus P5Q Premium we had last September due to its same copper heatsink design and the layout of the expansion slots. Based on Intel’s P45 Northbridge chipset, the Asus P5Q3 Deluxe is actually beefier than the other aforementioned Asus motherboard. It offers the same support for dual- and quad-core Intel LGA775 processors with bus speeds of 1600MHz, but this board can support up to 16GB of 1600/1333/1066/800MHz DDR3 memory.

1600/1333/1066/800MHz DDR3 memory. The Southbridge Intel ICH10R chip can oversee up to six Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s devices with RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 configurations. On the other hand, a Marvell 88SE6121 manages the Parallel ATA header and the lone external Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s port. A Silicon Image SIL5723 supports two more Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s, but enhances it with a unique technology that allows immediate backups and boosted file transfers.

What makes Asus P5Q3 Deluxe a little bit more special is its wireless capability, as it comes with an embedded WiFi card. All you need to do is to screw in the pair of the bundled antennas, and upload the needed driver from the utility CD. The built-in WiFi card is compatible with the draft 802.11n standard, making it capable of connecting up to 300Mbps, yet it is backwards compatible with earlier 802.11g/b standards. The setup is straightforward, and it also allows for switching between client and access point modes.

It has a dual Gigabit Ethernet port for network purposes. As for connectivity, the rear I/O ports features six USB hubs with Firewire and external Serial ATA ports.

Like most Asus motherboards lately, the board comes equipped with Express Gate, a Linux-based operating system (OS) that allows immediate use without having to wait for the main OS to boot up. After filling up the necessary network parameters, you can browse the Internet using a Mozilla Firefox-based browser, view stored images, and create or answer e-mails or instant messages. I find Express Gate useful for doing quick tasks.

Perhaps the most overlooked feature of the Asus P5Q3 Deluxe is its layout, designed to maximize power distribution by lessening heat emission at the same time, thus stabilizing the system while prolonging the integrity of each attached component. The heatsink zigzags in between the parts that radiate the most heat, coupled by choice capacitors and transistors that aim to provide a stable performance under intense heat generated from long PC uptimes.

I find the Asus P5Q3 Deluxe as a full-featured motherboard that can figure in a number of specific themes. The performance chipset can serve as the backbone of a high-end PC, armed with a top-end processor, a set of brawny graphics cards, with a lot of memory. It can also serve as the central computer of a network hub. Its embedded Wi-Fi card enables it to be the main access point to which other wireless devices will hook up to.

In addition, the Express Gate utility provides on-the-go ability, giving you the opportunity to pour over e-mails, instant messages, and the latest news before heading out.