NetbookTech

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.

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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.

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Ajay Mungara over at the Intel Atom Developer Program is asking netbook users two fairly basic questions- “What applications would you like to see on your netbook?” and “What is your typical usage of a netbook?”

Why is he asking these questions you might ask?

According to Mungara, users are expecting “demanding applications related to entertainment, productivity, communications, and security without compromising on either performance or usability.” The problem is, your typical netbook usage model fits somewhere between a mobile phone and a full fledged notebook which means many of today’s applications are far too demanding for a netbook system.

Thus the best way around this is to modify or create key applications that users care about and optimize them for the Atom platform. Application optimizations often center around the following:

• The apps need to be usable on a small resolution displays
• They need to be fast performing on the Atom processor platform
• They should work well within memory constrained systems
• They should not occupy large amounts of disk space

Thus going back to the original question – what apps do you use frequently on your netbook? Let Intel know and who knows – maybe Intel or someone else out there will create and/or develop an Atom optimized version of the application.

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Could time be running out for the Atom N280 processor? According to vendor sources close to DigiTimes, Intel is contemplating phasing out the N280 processor and the GN40 chipset due to “low market demand”. This would essentially leave the netbook market to the popular Intel Atom N270 processor and the 945GSE chipset.

While the N280 is newer and slightly faster than the N270, it’s safe to assume that Intel has a large inventory of N270 processors (as opposed to the N280). Thus, phasing out the N280 would make natural sense – especially if the performance gains are minimal for the processor.

Then come September, Intel is expected to phase out the N270 in favor of the next generation Atom processor codenamed “Pineview” (with the chipset codenamed “Tiger Point”).

Check out the DigiTimes article for additional information about upcoming Intel mobile processor plans.

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CNET’s News.com has an article that just might be of some interest to you netbook users out there. In the article entitled “Intel describes ‘ultra-thin’, Nehalem mobile strategy”, Brooke Crothers sits down and chats with Intel’s Director of Marketing for Mobile Products Group (MPG for you Intel folks out there) – Erik Reid. The basic gist – Intel is getting into ultra-thin, ultra-portable notebooks. Think MacBook Air, Voodoo Envy, Dell Adamo etc etc. These are systems that are aesthetically pleasing yet offer compelling performance to boot. One major difference from today’s crop of ultra-portables? Price – the company hopes to enable ultra-portables at “different price points” – presumably to make them more affordable and appealing to consumers.

Of course, this makes all the more sense when you consider the fact that mobile is HOT and that AMD Is also moving into this space with the Neo processor.

Here are some of the more interesting tidbits from the article

• Initial processors for the market segment will be a single core processor much like the current SU3500.
• Architectures could span Pentium to Core 2 to Nehalem
• First mobile Nehalem processor will be part of the Clarksdale family. Think quad core processors due out in the 2nd half of this year
• Mobile Nehalems will have similar features as desktop Core i7 except will run inside a 45 watt thermal envelope.
• Following Clarksdale will be Calpella platform with graphics integrated into the processor die. Calpella will also introduce 32m process.

So how does this all play into netbooks (we are after-all called NetbookTech right?). Well Intel spokesperson Bill Calder had some interesting comments to make about ULVs and their relationships with netbooks 

First off – it’s important to note that like AMD, Intel wants you to NOT associate ULV systems with netbooks. According to Calder, “Consumer ULVs are full-featured PCs Price points will overlap. You might have some premium Netbooks in price bands where you’ll see ULV.”

He continues..

“We don’t call it a Netbook if it’s more than 10.2 inch.”

Reid also offers up the notion that “Netbooks are companion devices, Reid said. A person with a notebook is adding to their purchase when they get a Netbook. There are relatively few cases in which the Netbook is being used as the primary device”

So where does this all take us you might ask? Here are some of my own predictions.

• The Netbook market cannot be dismissed entirely – it’s clear people want inexpensive systems that perform just well enough.
• However, don’t expect to see Intel nor AMD jump in with powerful processors for the low end market. It just doesn’t make sense for them nor the hardware manufacturers.
• However, you can be sure that both CPU manufacturers will attempt to further segment the mobile market with this ultra-thin, ULV market. It’ll have a higher price point yet offer compelling features that may make netbook followers jump ship (notably thin and lightweight form factors)
• However do expect third party CPU manufacturers such as VIA and Qualcomm to come in and attempt to steal some of the thunder of the low end market. The best thing that could happen to the consumer is additional competition because it shows AMD and Intel cannot simply ignore the low end netbook market.

All pure speculation on my part..

Interesting news of the day – Intel and TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) announced they’ve reached an MOU (memorandum of understanding) to bring the Atom processor platform to TSMC’s extensive technology platform including “processes, IP, libraries, and design flows.” With this new collaboration in place, Intel is attempting to broaden the reach of the Atom processor – especially in the area of mobile phones.

According to Dr. Rick Tsai, President and CEO of TSMC, “This MOU brings together the Intel Architecture and the TSMC technology platform. We expect this collaboration will help proliferate the Atom processor SoC and foster overall semiconductor growth. .. With this agreement, our technology platform extends beyond the two companies’ current collaboration to support future Intel embedded x86 products."”

While the Atom processor has been enormously popular in the netbook and mobile internet device space, the processor is still noticeably absent from the mobile phone/smartphone market – primarily due to the higher power constraints of the processor.

Thus the collaboration makes a great deal of sense for Intel which gains technology expertise and access to IP with TMSC (especially in the areas of system-on-chip design) as well as access to TMSC’s clients and respective markets.

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Some excellent news in the “netbook” trademark dispute with Psion Teklogix. According to ComputerWorld.com, Intel has decided to join the fray – asking the court system in a legal filing earlier this month to dismiss the “netbook” trademark owned by Psion. Intel’s point – the term “netbook” is now a generic term used to describe “a new category of small, low-cost laptops that run basic applications”. Intel joins Dell which earlier this month filed a petition to cancel the trademark owned by the UK company.  All I can say is – it’s about time Intel! 

You can also help out with this fight by going to the “Save The Netbooks” Website here.

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AMD’s Athlon Neo processor will get some company later on this year. Intel is apparently planning to release a new Core-based architecture for inexpensive ultra-portable notebooks later this year. In a CNET report, Intel sources at CES confirmed that the processor was going to be a “tweak” of Intel’s existing ultra-low voltage (ULV) line of processors and would be built on a package size of 22 sq mm. These new processors will enable inexpensive ultra-portable systems that would measure less than one inch thick and would not compete directly with netbook systems which typically cost less than $500 dollars.

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Intel announced new convertible notebook designs for the Classmate PC at CES 2009. The designs feature a touch-screen display, a 180 degree swivel design, a rotational camera, and the Intel Atom processor. Other niceties include a water resistant keyboard, a ruggedized design for backpack usage, and a “palm rejection” feature in tablet mode designed to allow the child to write more naturally by resting their palm on the touch-screen display.

Remember that Intel doesn’t sell Classmate PCs directly. U.S. manufacturers of Classmate PC-based systems include CTL, Equus, and M&A. Other manufactures include MDG in Canada, CMS in the United Kingdom, NEC in France, Olidata in Chile, ASI in Australia and Hanvon in China.

Here are official press photos:

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