IraqiTek » Netbook

AMD Planning Netbook Chip for 2011

Data-Base — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:07:56 +0000

After a long time on the sidelines, Intel rival AMD is getting into the netbook game with a dedicated chip designed specifically for computers with screens 12 inches or smaller.

Advanced Micro Devices plans to release a processor in its “Fusion” line that will be positioned for the netbook market, putting it in competition with the Intel Atom, and, to a lesser degree, the ARM processor.

The “Fusion” program is AMD’s (NYSE: AMD) long-term project to integrate its CPU cores with graphics processor cores from ATI, which it acquired in 2006. The first Fusion processors are expected some time early next year. Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) has its own integrated processors, the Westmere family of Core i5/i7 chips, which feature integrated graphics in dual-core CPUs.

AMD hasn’t yet hammered out all the specifics, but the netbook part will run in the 10-15 watt range, which is similar to the Intel Atom, and “it will have a good processor integrated with graphics, so you won’t need the [Nvidia] Ion graphics to give it half-decent performance,” according to Nigel Dessau, chief marketing officer at AMD.

The processor is likely from the “Bobcat” line of chips first disclosed last November. It will be designed for 12-inch and smaller screens. Intel has defined netbooks by screen size, and only supports 10-inch and smaller devices. AMD chose to make a new part rather than whittle down an existing one for the low-power, low-profile environment of netbooks.

www.internetnews.com

OCZ Technology Offers “Do-It-Yourself” Netbook.

Data-Base — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:01:39 +0000

OCZ Technology, a popular supplier of premium computer components and advanced memory products, has unveiled the world’s first “do-it-yourself” (DIY) netbook, which end-users can configure themselves. While the product seems to be rather interesting, it does not exactly fit into typical netbook framework of low-cost low-performance sub-notebook.

OCZ’s Neutrino netbook barebone features 10″ screen and, according to the company, allows end-user to install memory, hard disk drive or solid state drive based on demand and preferences. It is unknown whether OCZ will provide an option to choose between factory-installed single-core and dual-core Intel Atom processor, but that would be a tremendously useful feature for enthusiasts. It is also not clear whether OCZ Neutrino is based on the rather outdate Intel 945 GSE core-logic platform with DirectX 9-class graphics or utilizes the newest Intel GN40 chipset with DirectX 10-supporting graphics core.

The new DIY initiative from OCZ proves that netbook category has become rather popular on the market and even suppliers of advanced components sold at premium price believe that their customers may be interested in customizable netbooks.

“Proving that good things come in small packages, the Neutrino packs a huge punch for on-the-go traveling, educational, home use, or any user looking for a physically light computer but heavy on the useful applications and functionality,” OCZ said in a statement.

OCZ Neutrino barebone is expected to emerge in the U.S. sometime in Q2 2009.

www.xbitlabs.com

ARM Shows Prototype Netbooks

Data-Base — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:27:39 +0000

Chip company ARM is prepping to make its move into the netbook market, and now it has shown off a few prototype designs that really show off the benefits of using the ARM platform: thanks to passive cooling, no fans are required, enabling ARM netbooks to be much thinner and lighter than their Intel counterparts.

they are all capable of driving HD content, can surf the web for 8 hours, and will cost round and about 250 USD. They are all focused on Ubuntu; ARM and several of its licensees have worked with Canonical to bring their ARM-port up to speed. I must say that I am pretty much impressed.