Let’s talk about Intel Atom Processors (new PineView on its way)
There’s a new Intel Atom processor coming out for netbooks this October – the same month as the Windows 7 launch. Intel first introduced the Atom microprocessor just last year, in 2008 with the Atom N series, code named Diamondville. This was followed by the Z series code named Silverthorne. The N270, N280, Z520 and Z530 processors power most netbooks today. The Pine View processor will represent the next generation of Atoms.
Atom N series – Diamondville
The N series are generally cheaper and more power hungry processors. The N270 is the standard Atom that most netbooks come with – especially the Asus and Acer lines. The N270 allows for basic computing and is perfect for netbooks which weren’t made for heavy applications anyway.
The 1.6 GHz N270 has a 533 MHz bus speed. Intel then came out with a more superior Atom N280 with a 1.66GH and a 667 MHz bus speed. Both processors use up to 2.5W of power when running applications, but the N280 allows for faster computing and faster boot times. The N280 has the fastest bus speed of all Intel Atom processors.
Atom Z series – Silverthorne
The Z series – the Z520 and Z530 – in particular consume far less power – only up to 2W – thereby extending the battery life of the netbook. The Dell Mini 10 series, the 11.6″ Asus 1101HA and Acer Aspire One 751h are some netbooks that use the Z520 processor. The Z520 is also slower than the N series with a clock speed of only 1.33GHz.
The below chart shows you the similarities and differences between the various processors.
*Intel Virtualization Technology enables you to run multiple software inside a single more stable platform.
The New Atom: PineView
The PineView processor is the next big innovation in Intel’s Atom line, and will utilize a new system-on-a-chip Pine Trail platform. The new design means the graphics unit and memory controller will now live on the processor chip itself. Not only will this save a lot of space and result in a smaller singular chip, it will also reduce power needs by half and increase performance.
Essentially, this will lead to smaller devices, longer battery lives and stronger processing power – all of which are great things for netbooks!
The dual core PineView processor will be launched in Q4 2009 (possibly as early as October) and the single core processor will appear in Q1 2010. The PineView processor may possibly lead to to the demise of the N270 processor. Word is that Intel will begin to phase out the N270 in 2010.
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