Intel: dual-core Atom netbooks on sale now
N550 hits the shelves
Intel today lauded the arrival of netbooks based on its new dual-core Atom processor, the N550.
It named Acer, Asus, Fujitsu, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, MSI and Toshiba as netbook manufacturers who are shipping N550-based machines "now and through the end of the year" - which essentially means you shouldn't expect to go out and buy one of these boxes tomorrow.
Intel claimed the DDR 3-supporting CPU delivers a battery drain that's "similar" to that of the single-core 1.66GHz N450, which consumes up to 5.5W of power.
In part, that's because Intel has lowered the N550's clock speed to 1.5GHz, Intel figuring the extra core more than makes up for the slower clock speed. Reports from Taiwanese show Computex a couple of months back had the N550's TDP down as 8.3W.
Intel has reportedly said it doesn't mind N550 netbooks having displays of up to 12in, which would put the N550 up as an alternative to the Celeron, Pentium Dual-Core and Core Solo processors we've seen in 11.6in and 12in notebooks of late. ®
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How about a dual core sat nav - many have problems reading out directions and displaying the map - or re-calculating the route while showing a moving map etc.
How a chip manufacturer can dictate where and how their chips are used is absolutely amazing. When I was at University, I could order a Motorola 68008 and use if for whatever I liked - even in devices where Motorla might have preferred me to use a 68000.
Check ebay for Netbooks
Heaps of netbooks on ebay.
Netbooks are so cheap that your usual store doesn't want to bother with them, not enough profit.
If you trust ebay get one from there.
I'm waiting for an Nvidia ion system with long battery life, that will be an awesome rig.
Netbooks?
Dual core, DDR3, 12" display... That's a laptop where I'm from.
Shame that the OEMs are trying to kill the netbook concept.
good news there
dual core makes a huge difference when multitasking on small underpowered laptops - my sony TZ has a 1.2ghz dual core, and runs as well as a regular notebook under most circumstances.
Might be able to save some money and just buy a netbook next time I upgrade
Is it me?
or are these people a bit too far upthemselves?
"Intel has reportedly said it doesn't mind N550 netbooks having displays of up to 12in,"
Dear Mr Intel.
I want to use your nice dual core chip in a device with a 13 inch screen and a detachable wireless keyboard.
Dear Mr Harvey
Sorry, we only want you to use that chip in devices smaller than that
Dear Mr Intel
Who is the product designer round here? Take your nasty dual core chip and re-package it up yourself.
Dear Mr ARM
I want to....
Paris, 12 inch, etc etc.
