14 DAY TRIAL // Intel today introduced a new batch of 16 new 45-nanometer processors during the Consumer Electronics Show that is taking place in Las Vegas. The chips cover all the IT sectors, from quad-core server CPUs to to desktop and notebook chips, yet Intel's chief executive Paul Otellini said that the most important sector is the mobile world of the personal Internet.
Today's launch shows that Intel is ready to ramp up the production of their 45-nanometer chips. "The fact we are launching 16 new products in 45nm indicates the technology is very healthy," said Shmuel Eden, general manager of Intel's mobile products group.
Five of the new released chips are part of the Santa Rosa platform refresh. Tailored with the 45-nanometer technology, these chips feature clock speeds of up to 2.6 GHz, while maintaining a low power envelope of under 25 Watts (ten watts lower than the previous CPUs in the platform).
"This will accelerate the roll out of new [smaller] form factor designs," continued Eden. Recent reports estimate that notebooks are to outsell desktop systems until 2009. Intel will continue introducing 16 more 45nm products, for a total of 32 processors to boast the new high-k/metal gate 45-nanometer technology. This will have a significant impact both on the environment (as Intel's manufacturing process is now entirely lead & halogen free) and on the overall performance in the mobile sector.
Otellini outlined that Intel will focus on a new class of pocket-sized systems that will become available with the advent of the Menlow platform. The central piece in the Menlow platform is the Silverthorne processor, Intel's first handheld CPU built its 45-nanometer technology. It is alleged that Otellini will present a vast variety of prototype Menlow devices from a variety of Asian OEMs including Aigo, Asustek, BenQ, Compal, Inventec, Lenovo and Quanta.
"With this [Menlow] architecture you will have a full experience of the Internet," Eden said. "In the past, the size of the screen was not good enough so these devices will mainly use six- or seven-inch screens. Based on our research, we think this category will ramp quickly," he added.