14 DAY TRIAL // For a good while now, Intel's Atom processors have been making the headlines, as they have been featured in almost every low-power, entry-level computer system recently released. On that note, IBASE, a company specializing in the development of single-board computers, has just introduced the IBASE IB888, offering support for Atom CPUs with a core speed between 1.33GHz to 1.6GHz. The new platform has been announced just as Intel has adjusted its target shipments for single-core and dual-core Atom processors, which will now account for 50 percent of the entry-level desktop sales by the end of 2009.
The IBASE IB888 has been designed as a single-board computer that is 3.5 inches in size and can be powered by a 1.33GHz or 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor with a 533MHz FSB. The board incorporates the US15W XL system controller hub and is featured with the Intel GMA500 graphics chip. It offers support for a maximum of 2GB of memory on a single DDR2 SO-DIMM memory slot.
Thanks to the integration of the GMA500 graphics chip, systems built on the IB888 provide support for DirectX 9.0E and OpenGL 2.0 graphics. The board also offers DVI or LVDS connectivity, Realtek Gigabit LAN, one IDE connector, 8 USB 2.0 ports, 4 COM and support for SD/SDIO/MMC. There's no word on pricing and availability just yet, but the board could be used in some of the upcoming low-power, Atom-based computer systems.
The success level of Intel's Atom processors has enabled the company to reorganize its shipment target for the entry-level market. According to a recent news article on Digitimes, citing sources in the industry, Intel has shifted its focus on Atom processors, which are now expected to account for approximately 52% of its annual chip sales for the entry-level desktop PC market. In addition, the company is expected to unveil a next-generation dual-core Atom processor that will become available in the fourth quarter of 2009.