Intel platform for PineTrail netbook: first contact
ByThe first generation of processors for netbook and nettop Atom series marked, for better or worse, a milestone in the path of mobile computing. Despite many misgivings about the performance of these chips, the choice to give priority to saving energy on any other factor has proved to be accurate and awarded Intel and PC vendors that have shown greater confidence in the model “netbooks.” One can not denyIntel Atom Diamondville CPU with 230, 330, N270, N280, and Silverthorne Z500 series, the merit of having contributed to the widespread success of low-cost computers.
The combination low cost and low power consumption has been the formula with which they were carried as many as 40 million netbooks in 2009, but technological change is relentless and requires a new advancement. On what basis?
A study by Morgan Stanley showed that, at the dawn of 2010, we can give up everything to go out for pizza or a meal in a restaurant, to buy music and books, even the phone, but not to a high-speed Internet connection Keep out!
If compare this with estimates of sales of netbooks, which provide an almost constant growth rate of 47% over the next 5 years, it reinforces the vision of concreteness and buy some Intel mobile computing: co-existence between netbook and notebook is possible because meet different needs. The netbooks are ideal for Web browsing, to exchange e-mail or access to instant messaging services, while more typically used for multimedia (playingvideo and photos, listen to music online) and for content creation users continue to prefer traditional desktops and laptops.
In the year of the booming netbook, however, the giant of Santa Clara has also faced the challenge set by the other chipmaker to its leadership in utra-low cost: a VIA Technologies, traditionally present in this sector with its range of processors , were complemented by Nvidia, with chipsets Ion, Congo and the platform with AMD processors with Neo and SmartBook based Qualcomm Snapdragon platform.
The new brood of Intel Atom, therefore, also the task of raising the level of supply of the multinational Californian possible to counter the rise of competing solutions.
Finally, we can not ignore the expectations of users, who are hoping for a substantial increase in processor performance for netbook and nettop, or at least sufficient to manage personal productivity software and multimedia applications. The fragments of information have emerged so far at the IDF and international presentationsseem to suggest that Intel will continue to focus on reducing consumption and energy efficiency in spite of performance, but remains strong curiosity for the first empirical tests.
This is the scenario that is described briefly served as an incubator for the birth of new lever Atom CPU, codenamed Pineview, part of the new ultra-ultra-lowcost mobile platform from Intel, codenamed Pinetrail. This is a solution composed of dual-chip processor that integrates graphics and memory controller, and a controller I / O Communication Hub renamed to distinguish it from traditional ICH.
The official christening of the first netbook and nettopbased on the new platform was set at January 4, 2010, to coincide with the CES in Las Vegas, appropriate stage for an announcement of similar magnitude. Already today, however, Intel has started to disclose the technical details of Pinetrail and we are able to make a first detailed analysis of its characteristics.
The data is immediately apparent that the platform Pinetrail has a design on 2 chip 3 chip against the Menlow platform and Shelton ‘08 – Navy Pier, which provided, in addition to CPU Silverthorne and Diamondville SC or DC), the glorious and the 945 chipset Southbridge ICH7M. The closer integration between the components reduces the overall dimensions and fuel consumption and allows you to make devices even smaller and thinner, with dissipation in some cases completely passive,which had no fans.
The two-chip layout also allows for greater simplicity in the design of the motherboard, which may be made to 4 layers 6 layers against the former in favor of miniaturization, energy efficiency and reduce costs.
Another advantage of this solution is that you only use the DMI connection for all chip platform, allowing for faster overall system.
Mooly Eden, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of PC Client Group, Intel, and tireless promoter of mobile computing has commented on the launch of the new platform Pinetrail: “For a year and a half now, the Intel Atom feeds an entirely new category computer systems, and we believe that this growth will stop and will continue to fuel the spread of devices such as netbooks and entry-level PC to be used for activitiesbase and the Internet. ”
The focus of Eden He noted also on the prospects for a “channel”: “We are excited to offer the next generation Atom platform and collaborating with the industry entering a second growth phase, which will be available new innovative designs systems with higher performance, smaller form factors and extended battery life”.
And in fact, January 4, 2010, expect no less than 80 designs of new netbook and nettop proposed byall major OEM distribution supported by carriers such as Vodafone, Telecom Italy, 3 and Wind. Promises particularly rich variety of compact desktops, competitive prices and the reduced dimensions, including some new all-in-one models and ultra-compact chassis with less than 1 liter and a passive heatsink, fanless, for use in living systems as mediacenter by absolute silence.
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