NetbookTech

Think the Atom processor is losing some stream? Think again folks.

Day 1 of Computex shaped up to be a big day for the Intel Atom processor with Intel announcing:

• New dual-core Atom processors for the netbook market (finally!)
• The new “Canoe Lake” reference design for ultra-thin netbooks measuring a mere 14mm thick
• Intel “Oak Trail” – an upcoming Atom platform optimized for tablets and sleeker netbook form factors
• Intel AppUp Center to be available first on ASUS netbooks
• The addition of DDR3 support for the Intel Atom processor

We’ll start first with the new Atom processor announcements.

As expected, Intel finally announced dual-core Atom processors were coming to the netbook platform with production expected by next week and new netbooks based on the new dual-core Atom processors available by the winter holiday shopping season.

In total, four new Atom processors were announced at Computex. The single-core N455 and dual-core N475 for netbooks and the single-core D425 and dual-core D525 for nettop desktop systems. The N455 clocks in at 1.6GHz while the N475 clocks in at 1.83GHz with both mobile processors having a rated power consumption of 6.5 watts. Both desktop processors have a clock speed of 1.8GHz with the D425 having a TDP of 6.5 watts while the D525 has a TDP of 8.5 watts. The N455 and N475 for netbooks are available today while systems based on the D525 and D426 processors are scheduled to be available beginning June 21st.

Next up, Intel showed off their new “Canoe Lake” netbook reference design which incorporates their “Pine Trail” platform with a new thermal design yielding a netbook form factor measuring a mere 14mm thick. Basically, think of Canoe Lake as a demonstration of what’s possible with single-core or dual-core Atom processor based netbooks. The company expects to see netbooks based on this technology “over time” – a.k.a. don’t expect it anytime soon.

Check out more pictures of Canoe Lake over at Gizmodo.

Continuing to look ahead, Intel announced the “Oak Trail” Atom platform specifically optimized for tablets and sleeker netbook form factors and planned for early 2011. “Oak Trail” will supposedly deliver up to 50 percent reduction in average power consumption with full HD video playback and will target a variety of OS’s including MeeGo, Windows 7, and Android.

Finally Intel announced ASUS will be launching their “ASUS App Store” and will also be the first manufacturer to ship netbooks pre-installed with a client based on the Intel AppUp Center. These netbooks are scheduled to ship in the fall of 2010 on all devices running Windows. ASUS also plans to ship netbooks based on MeeGo at a later date.

Phew.. a lot of Atom stuff.. more to come!

[Check it out]

[Check out the News Fact Sheet]

[Check out PC Mag’s coverage]

Intel finally refreshes their consumer ultra-low voltage (CULV) product line with today’s introduction of the new CULV 2010 Intel Core Processors. The new processor lineup finally brings Intel’s Nehalem architecture down to the ultra-low processor segment which powers systems such as thin-and-light notebooks and ultra-portable notebooks.

All the new processors will feature the letters “UM” at the end of the product number. The new Core ULV processors being introduced today include:

• Intel Core i7-660UM clocked at 1.33 GHz with a turbo frequency of up to 2.4 GHz. 2 Cores and 4M cache. 1ku boxed pricing of $305
• Intel Core i5-540UM clocked at 1.2GHz with a turbo frequency of up to 2 GHz. 2 Core and 3M cache.1 ku boxed pricing of $241
• Intel Core i5-430UM clocked at 1.2GHz with a turbo frequency of up to 1.73 GHz. 2 Core and 3M cache.
• Intel Core i3-330UM clocked at 1.2 GHz. 2 Cores and 3M cache.

Key features of the Intel Core i7/i5 ULV processors include:

• Intel Turbo Boost Technology
• Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
• Intel HD graphics
• Intel Smart Cache
• Integrated Memory Controller and DDR3 memory support
• 18W TDP
• Intel VT technology and Intel VT-d technology
• AES-NI support
• Intel Trusted Execution Technology

Key features of the Intel Core i3 ULV processor include:

• Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
• Intel HD graphics
• Intel Smart Cache
• Integrated Memory Controller and DDR3 memory support
• Intel VT technology

The processors as a whole are also more than 32 percent smaller than standard voltage processors with CULV processors measuring 1428 mm2 in area while standard voltage processors measure 2117 mm2.

Of course the new processors are also expected to be higher performing than the current crop of CULV Intel processors. For example, Intel claims the new Intel Core i5-430UM processor when compared to the Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 achieves performance increases of 35% in multi-tasking operations, more than 40% in video-editing operations, and more than twice the performance in graphics operations.

Rounding out the new crop of CULV processors will be the low-end dual-core Intel Pentium Processor U5400 clocked at 1.2 GHz and  dual-core Intel Celeron Processor U3400 processor clocked at 1.06GHz.

Finally supporting the new CULV processor rollout will be the Mobile Intel 5 Series Chipset which features multiple audio/video options, enhanced data and PC protection via Intel Anti-Theft technology, and data protection for user’s digital assets.

[Check out the press release]

[Check out the FACT sheet]

[Check out the launch presentation]

As previously reported, Intel plans on releasing a new dual-core Atom processor during the third quarter of this year called the Atom N550. The new processor, slated for netbooks, will feature a clock speed of 1.5GHz, 1MB of cache, and a TDP of 8.5 watts. This would be the first Atom processor specifically designed for netbooks as all previous dual-core Atom processors were officially designed for desktop systems (aka nettops).

Additionally, Fudzilla reports Intel plans on refreshing their current Atom processor lineup with the new Atom N455 and N475 processors which are expected to be slightly faster than current N450 and N470 processors.

Netbooks based around the N455 and N475 are expected to cost between $249 to $349 while netbooks with the N550 are expected to range from $350 to $400 dollars.

Expect dual core netbooks to start appearing during the third quarter of this year.

[Check it out via ZDNet]

[Reprinted from Krunker.com]

Intel announced a new version of the Atom processor platform (code-named Moorestown) yesterday designed specifically for the low-power requirements of markets such as smartphones, tablets, and mobile handheld products.

The new platform is made up of the Atom processor Z6xx Series Family (formerly known as “Lincroft”) system-on-chip (SOC), the Intel Platform Controller Hub MP20 (formerly known as “Langwell”), and a dedicated Mixed Signal IC (MISC) formerly known as “Briertown.”

Just like the “Pineview” Atom processors, the new Atom Z6xx processors combine the 45nm Intel Atom processor core with 3D graphics, video encode, and video decode, as well as memory and display controllers into a single SOC design.

Taken together, the new platform delivers “significantly lower power including >50x reduction in idle power, >20x reduction in audio power, and 2-3x reductions across browsing and video scenarios – all at the platform level when compared to Intel’s previous-generation product”.  According to Intel, all these savings translates to more than 10 days of standby power, up to two days of audio playback and four to five hours of browsing and video playback battery life.

Yet despite the power-consumption reductions, the new platform will supposedly deliver up to “1.5-3x higher compute performance, 2-4x richer graphics, >4x higher JavaScript performance, and support for full HD 1080p high-profile video decoding and 720p HD video recording.”

Lower power requirements and higher performance – always a good thing in our book!

According to Anand Chandrasekher, Intel senior vice president and general manager of the Ultra Mobility Group,

“Intel has delivered its first product that is opening the door for Intel architecture [IA] in the smartphone market segment,”

Intel certainly hopes this new platform will result in more (or rather new) smartphone/tablet design wins – especially since current generation Atom processors have been primarily relegated to netbooks and nettops systems. Oh .. and did anyone notice how many new devices were coming out supporting the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor? Yeah we’re sure Intel’s been noticing too!

[Check it out]

It’s been awhile since I published a roundup of netbook reviews from around the web – sorry I’ve been bogged down with work from my day job!. So without further ado, here’s a quick roundup of netbook reviews that you might find interesting.

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The Washington Post (OK really PC World) reviews the ASUS Eee PC 1001P-MU17 netbook here on their website. The 1001P-MU17 features the following:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 10.1 inch LED backlit display
• 92 percent keyboard
• Multi-touch enabled keyboard
• 160GB HDD
• 1GB of RAM
• 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
• Built-in webcam and microphone
• 11+ hour battery life

Here’s what they thought of the 1001P:

“The Asus EeePC 1001-MU17 is a solid effort from the company that started the netbook craze. It has a very nice keyboard and exceptionally well-adjusted touchpad–factors often overlooked in the netbook purchasing equation. While not ostentatious, it’s still sedately handsome, and if you regularly need quick access to the Web, the Express Gate can be handy indeed.”

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CNET’s Crave took the new Intel Convertible Classmate PC for a spin here on their website (photo above from CNET). Similar to last year’s version of the Classmate PC, the latest version adds a rubberized outer shell, a spill-resistant keyboard and screen, and a sturdier chassis with shock-absorbing corners and a shock-detecting hard drive. After-all, kids are going to be rough with their toys right? Specs include:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 160GB HDD
• 1366 x 768 resolution 10.1 inch display (nice to see a higher resolution here)
• VGA, two USB ports, two headphone jacks, microphone jack, and SD card slot

Here’s a snippet from the hands-on:

“Overall, the new Classmate is a great idea, with tools that seem like they’ll help the implementation of an "educational laptop" in school systems ready to adopt them. The only question is, at $499, would a school possibly choose an iPad instead?”

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Washington Post has yet another netbook review (courtesy of PC World really) – this time of the Samsung NB30 netbook. The rugged NB30 features:

• Intel Atom N450 processor
• 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 resolution display
• 160GB HDD
• 1 GB of RAM
• Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• Built-in 1.3 megapixel webcam
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• Three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, VGA port, headphone jack
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Windows 7 Starter
• 6.5+ hours of battery life

Rugged features include:

• Hard drive freefall sensor automatically parks the hard drive heads if it senses the netbook dropping
• Scratch-resistant texturized matte black finish
• Water-tight seal prevents damages from contact with up to 50cc of spilled water if removed within 10 seconds

Here’s what they thought of the NB30:

“The NB30 is priced a smidge higher than the competition, but those extra dollars fetch a few features that may help this otherwise run-of-the-mill netbook avoid an untimely death.”

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Finally, Bloomberg Businessweek takes a look at the Sony VAIO X thin-and-light notebook/netbook. This pricey system (how pricey? how about a starting price of $1299.99?) features an 11.1 inch display, Atom processor, and an incredible light weight of 1.6 lbs.

Full on specs for the $1299.99 model include:

• Intel Atom Z550 processor clocked at 2GHz
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• 11.1 inch LED backlit LCD display
• 2GB of RAM
• 64GB SSD
• GPS
• Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband support
• Bluetooth
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Ethernet
• Intel GMA 500 graphics
• Standard and extended batteries for up to 14 hours of power

There’s also a VAIO Signature Collection X series with a starting price of $1499.99 which features a 128GB SSD drive.

Here’s what Businessweek thought of the system:

“A handy business tool for on-the-go professionals”

Intel looks to make solid state drives more affordable with today’s introduction of the new X25-V Value SATA SSD. The 40GB SSD is priced at $125 dollars making it a viable storage upgrade for low-cost netbooks or dual-drive/boot-drive desktop setups.

Features of the X25-V include:

• 2.5 inch form factor
• 40GB of 34nm NAND flash memory
• Sustained sequential read speeds of up to 170MB/s
• Sustained sequential write speeds of up to 35MB/s
• Features Intel SSD Toolbox, Intel SSD Optimizer, Intel Matrix Storage Manager
• SATA Revision 2.6 compliant and compatible with SATA 1.5Gb/s and 3Gb/s interface
• The X25-V also supports the Microsoft Windows 7 Trim function via the Intel SSD Optimizer

BTW, for those of you not familiar with the boot-drive option for SSDs, it’s the idea of placing the OS and your favorite applications on the SSD. Since SSDs are faster than standard hard disk drives, system boot times will speed up and application launch times will also start-up accordingly. Of course, a 40GB SSD will only get you so far so we’d probably just stick the OS and maybe one or two favorite apps on the SSD.

[Check it out]

Intel pumps up the speed of the Atom Pinetrail platform with today’s introduction of the Atom N470 processor. Clocked at 1.83GHz, the Atom N470 becomes the highest clocked Atom processor for netbooks yet.

The N470 comes with 512k of L2 cache, DDR2-667 support, and of course, integrated graphics built directly into the CPU.

Intel expects major OEMs to introduce systems based around the new processor over the coming months.

[Check it out]

Dropped by the Intel table over at the Digital Experience tonight and snapped up some still shots of new netbooks and MIDs on display. I don’t have details on these systems but they’re really not anything new to frequent netbook news readers out there. These systems are all based on the new Pine Trail platform so expect the Atom N450 (or even the new N470 processor). We’ll be dropping by the Intel booth at CES Day 1 tomorrow so stay tuned for even more info. Enjoy the following pics.

Hoping to capitalize on the incredible growth of the netbook platform, Intel has released the beta version of their Intel Atom Developer Program Software Development Kit (SDK) for both the Microsoft Windows and Moblin Operating Systems. With the SDK, independent software vendors (ISVs) and individual developers can design, develop, and submit applications for Intel-based netbooks to a future-planned App Store – similar to Apple’s App Store for the iPhone.

The notion of an Application Store specific to the netbook platform is certainly a compelling idea especially when you consider the number of netbook units sold is expected to reach 50 million by the end of this year. Just consider the thought of selling apps to even 10 percent of that audience.

So why would Intel encourage app development specific to netbooks?

1. Deliver apps that take advantage of the constrained form factor and limited resources of a netbook. These applications would take into consideration the limited display resolutions of netbooks, the smaller keyboards, the limited computing power, and of course battery efficiency of these systems.
2. To further lock in the Atom processor platform as the platform of choice for netbooks. Think back to the old days where Intel convinced software developers to optimize their apps specific to the MMX instruction set.
3. Help create additional revenue streams for ISVs and independent developers to capitalize on the incredible growth of the netbook market

The beta version of the SDK is available for C and C++ developers on the Microsoft Windows OS and for C developers on the Moblin OS. With the beta, developers will be able to submit their applications for validation, and once validated, begin to take advantage of the program’s “revenue-generating opportunities” next year.

To help encourage developer interest in the program, Intel will be offering incentives for developers to begin submitting apps by offering a chance to win prizes such as a smart car or a vacation package.

[Check it out]

Missed this one last week but the Moblin steering committee released Moblin v.2.1 for Intel Atom processor-based netbooks and nettop systems. Features in the latest release of Moblin include the following (courtesy of the Moblin.org website here):

• New Internet browser which “far exceeds” the previous browser performance and adds plug-in support and add-ons
• 3G data support using Ericsson MBM 3G modems
• Moblin Application Installer is integrated. Application selection comes from the Moblin Garage
• Clutter 1.0 animation framework
• Bluetooth device support. Device discovery and pairing is now supported via a new panel in the toolbar. Moblin now supports Bluetooth audio devices, input devices, OBEX file transfer, and using a Bluetooth  phone as a 3G modem
• New version of ConnMan which now supports Ethernet, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and 3G
• Support for nettop systems
• Improvements to Instant Messaging
• Input method support now included across the system
• Localized in English, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, Swedish, Finnish, Korean, Japanese, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional
• Includes updated versions of key technology components including Linux kernel version 2.6.31, Intel Linux graphics driver 2.9, X server 1.6.4, and Mesa 7.6.

If you’re curious about one person’s experience in getting Moblin 2.1 up and running on a netbook, head over to the Intel Atom Developer Program and check out Gina Bovara’s posting on installing Moblin 2.1 on an ASUS Eee PC 1005HA netbook.  Here’s a quick blurb from that posting:

“I have entered the world of Moblin with my Asus Eee 1005HA netbook, and I am loving it so far! I’ve been move productive on the go this week and I am having a lot of fun doing it!”

We tried out Moblin 2.0 beta when it was first released earlier this year. While it was certainly promising, it was still a bit too raw and buggy for our liking. We’ll have to give 2.1 a spin and see how this version fares!

You can download the images by going to this link over at the Moblin.org website.

[Check it out]