Intel to Release a New CPU for Ultra-thin Laptops But Marvell Targets Netbooks

If last year was the year of thousands new netbooks in the market (often with the same typical feature set), this year will be the year of new processors from Intel to other chip makers for netbooks and lower-cost ultra-portable laptops, surely.

Intel is going to release a new chip for ultra-portable laptops reduce the price of these expensive chic laptops from the range of $2000 up to over $4000 to the range of $1500 up to over $3000. Well this is really nice idea and will help more consumers to afford to have these dreamy laptops. And it seems this chip will be as standout as Atom processor in the market.

Well, I think earlier than Intel, AMD thought of it and tried for it while watching the growth of netbook laptops and success of Atom processor.

At CES 2009, AMD announced it new processors- Athlon Neo processor targeting ultra-thin laptops which will have the prices in the range between $700- sub-$1000. Although the idea and aim of these two leading chip makers is similar, their targets are still far different.

The AMD’s new Athlon Neo processor seems to reduce the prices of budget laptops of the range of $900 up to $1600 down to $700 up to $1000.

Although these two upcoming Intel’s and AMD’s processors will not interfere in fields of each other, they will be brining the Whole price of laptop market to a lower range. Thanks to Asus Eee PC and Intel’s Atom processor to make laptops more inexpensive computers and have made them more popular and natural among the average people.

Cnet reports:

The processor is "going to enable notebooks that are less than one inch (25mm)," according to the sources. The architecture will be a "tweak" of Intel's existing ULV (Ultra-Low-Voltage) processors, said the sources.

Current ULV Core 2 Duo mobile processors, such as the SU9300 and SU9400, have a power envelope (Thermal Design Power or TDP) of 10 watts, much lower than standard Intel mobile Core 2 Duo processors that have a TDP of between 25W and 35W.

The package size of the new processors will be 22 millimeters by 22 millimeters, according to the sources.

You can find ULV processor easily among the ultra-slim 12-in or 11-inch laptops like Toshiba Portege R600 or Sony VAIO TT (respectively).

The market of netbooks has just become one year old and it seems to be hotter than past in 2009. Marvell is bringing out a new processor for netbooks to challenge Atom processor:

“The Marvell PXA168 is based on a new innovative architecture that delivers the processing capabilities of an entry-level laptop to instant-on, digital consumer devices by enabling full-featured web surfing, Internet widgets, multi-format video, Adobe Flash-based content playback, image processing, video conferencing and advanced graphical user interfaces (GUIs) – at consumer price points with ultra-low power for longer battery life.

This new class of applications processor is scalable beyond 1GHz to enable converged consumer devices. Devices powered by the Marvell PXA168 can include connected digital photo frames, portable navigation devices, portable media players, automotive dashboard displays and infotainment systems, home automation, portable TVs, digital signage and other devices that utilize Internet connectivity, media processing and touch screen interfaces."

It should be noted that parallel to Marvell, Freescale announced earlier its upcoming i.MX515 processor targeting netbook market to reduce the price and deliver longer battery life.

VIA is also releasing some new Nano processors in this year from time to time that are suitable for netbook laptops.