Intel Netbooks make Computex appearanceWhat some call sub-notebooks, Intel is planning to rename as Netbooks. With Atom-based Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) nowhere in sight, the chip maker is keeping the pressure on its competitors with the announcement of new low-cost Atom processors for netbooks and nettops. Laptops for your lap, desktops for your desk. As the name suggests, Netbook and Nettops are devices designed for Internet access. Pioneers of the former include luminaries like the Asus Eee PC, Acer Aspire One and MSI Wind, all of which are low-cost machines which sacrifice performance for portability. Intel notebooks use the new 45nm 1.6GHz N270 Atom processor on a 945GSE chipset. With screen sizes between 7 and 10 inches, Intel's Z-P230 PATA solid-state drive and a mini-keyboard to boot, this category of machines (which go for around US$250 per unit) are good for emails and surfing, but limited when it comes to multimedia creation. The same can be said about the deskbound nettop which puts the Atom 230 chip on an Intel 945GC mainboard so small and cool, the chassis can be easily hidden in a drawer or behind the screen. The shift of focus from MIDs to subnotebooks at the Computex show is not all that surprising given the popularity of the Asus Eee PC line and Nvidia heating up the race with the just-announced Tegra platform. The latter promises the performance of an Atom processor with exceptional battery life. But enough words. Let's take a look at the latest Atom-based Netbooks showcased during the event. |
)
- Talkback
-
There are currently no comments for this story.
To post comments, you need to become a member. It's FREE.
