Intel unveils Atom processors

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Intel Corporation unveiled the Intel Atom processors for an emerging class of compact, easy-to-use devices called Netbooks and Nettops that will help bring the Internet to millions of new users in India and around the world.

In conjunction with widespread broadband infrastructure, the Nettops and Netbooks will help bridge the digital divide.

The Intel Atom processor is based on new purpose-built low power architecture and coupled with its industry-leading 45nm Hi-K manufacturing process it is suited for this new market opportunity—enabling smaller chips at a lower cost.

Local manufacturers HCL, Wipro and Zenith along with others will shortly be launching Nettops and Netbooks based on the Intel Atom processor.

“The newly-launched Intel Atom processor will lead to the availability of a range of affordable Netbooks and Nettops in the market. These devices, enabled with broadband connectivity will help bring the benefits of the Internet and the basic computing experience to many more people,” said R Sivakumar, MD, Sales and Marketing Group, Intel South Asia.

The Intel Atom processor packed with 47 million transistors each is based on an entirely new microarchitecture designed specifically for small devices and low power. It measures less than 25 mm², making it Intel’s smallest processor yet. These new chips, previously codenamed Diamondville, will be manufactured on Intel’s industry-leading 45nm process with Hi-K metal gate technology.

Netbooks are compact mobile devices that children, first-time Internet users and people who desire an extra PC can use for basic computing applications, listening to music, e-mailing and surfing the Internet.

They can also be used for playing basic online games, social networking and making voice over IP phone calls, and will lead themselves to many more usage models which the Internet enables for its users. They will also open up usage for purpose built devices that can address some of the opportunities in education in schools as well as in rural India.

“This will also go a long way in implementing India’s Digital Vision of 500 million Internet users, 100 million broadband connections and 100 million broadband-enabled devices—all by 2012,” said Sivakumar.

The devices are expected to be launched by the OEMs in the next few months and will be widely available by the end of the year.