Computex 2008: Netbooks & WiMAX

At Computex in Taipei, Intel rolled out two new versions of its Atom processor aimed at powering a new generation of low cost computers. It will also roll out high-end chip sets for more traditional desktops, targeting high definition video. Intel’s Sean Maloney kicked off the keynote with an Intel-centric view of the world. PC World has indepth coverage of Computex 2008.

The new Atom parts include the N270 for so-called netbooks and the N230 for what Intel calls net-tops. The chips run at up to 1.6 GHz, provide 512 Mbytes cache and a 533 MHz front-side bus. They have average power consumption as low as 2.5 W.

The portable netbooks should sell for about $250-300, reports EE Times, while some net-tops may cost as little as $200, said Erik Reid, director of mobile platforms at Intel. The new price points could drive as many as 100 million new users to the Web by 2011, the company forecasts.

The main focus at Computex was on the Netbook. The $299 EeePC, running Linux on a 7″ screen, became a sales phenomena. Since its launch in October 2007, the Eee PC series has sold more than 1 million units, at between $399 and $549 each.

It has spurred a variety of small, inexpensive Netbooks. Most now run on an Intel Atom processor at 1.6 MHz, feature XP or Linux, real hard drive space and wireless options like WiMax. Intel estimates a netbook using the Atom N270 processor running at 1.6GHz, a 7-inch to 10-inch screen, 512MBs of RAM, and 2GBs to 4GBs of flash storage should cost around $250.

• ASUS, which started it all, now has a Eee PC 900 with a 9-inch screen and the Eee 1000 with a 10-inch screen. Both feature an Atom processor and WiMAX options. The 10.2-inch 1000-series features either a 40GB SSD on the Linux-based 1000 or 80GB traditional hard disk on the XP or Linux-based 1000H. But prices are steep; from $550-$650.
• Acer’s Aspire One is equipped with the Intel Atom, Linpus Linux Lite or Windows XP Home, and comes with 512 Mbytes or 1 Gbyte of RAM memory and an a 8.9-inch CrystalBrite LED backlit display. Storage options include either an 8-Gbyte SSD or an 80-Gbyte internal hard drive. It’ll also sport an integrated WiMax module when the networks finally light up. Expected to hit the US in September for $399.
• Intel introduced a small “nettop” board based on the Mini-ITX standard. It includes the 1.6GHz Atom 230 processor, an Intel 945GC Express chipset with GMA 950 graphics, and Serial ATA (SATA) with USB 2.0 for about $80. It will compete with other small “nettops” like the Asus Eee Box which packs an Intel Atom N270 (1.6GHz), 1GB of memory, an 80GB hard disk drive, and Windows XP for $299.
• The MSI Wind has a 10-inch “netbook” and introduced a 8.9-inch model today. Dubbed the Wind U90, it’s functionally identical to the 10-inch model. The Windows version features XP Home, a 1.6GHz Atom, 945GMS graphics chipset, 1GB of 667MHz memory, and an 80GB hard drive, a 1.3-megapixel Webcam, three USB ports, and a 4-in-1 media card reader. The 6-cell battery is rated to run for 5.5 hours. Laptop Magazine has a review.
• The 2goPC by CTL is available at Amazon for $399 with a 900 MHz Celeron M Processor, 512 MB, and 40 GB Hard Drive.
• Gigabyte’s M724 mini-tablet and M912 mini-tablet feature touch-screens, run Vista or Ubuntu Linux atop Intel’s Atom processor.
• Sony was showing a generic prototype based on the Via OpenBook at WiMax Expo. It featured a 1.6GHz Via C7-M processor with Sony as the manufacturer.
• Via’s Open Book with WiMax support. GCT is supplying WiMax chips for the Asus and Via machines. The hardware design was released under an open-source license last week. It’s intended to make customization easier and shorten design time. The OpenBook (below) is based on Via’s 1.6 GHz C7-M processor and VX800 graphics chipset. The design includes an 8.9-inch 1,024 pixels by 600 pixel screen, 80Gig, 2.5-inch HDD, three USB 2.0 ports, VGA out, a 4-in-1 card reader and front and back 2 megapixel webcams. There’s also room for 2GB of RAM and you can run Vista, XP or your Linux flavor of choice.

Intel was also demoing Centrino 2 (Montevina) gear at Computex, using the Asus M51VA WiMAX client.

Intel’s new Montevina architecture, with new graphics, memory and communications components, has been delayed a month until July 14th.

Intel expects that a WiFi/WiMAX option will be essentially “free” when tied to its Centrino and Atom processors, stimulating sales of both Netbooks and full-size Notebooks.

Nvidia unveiled their laptop GPUs, called the GeForce 9M Series, expected to compete with Intel. The new chips are said to offer many of the same benefits found on Nvidia’s latest desktop offerings.

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