Intel to Launch New CPUs for Low-Cost Thin Notebooks

To compete with AMD's Athlon Neo processors

The Santa Clara, California-based leading chip maker is expected to debut a series of new microprocessors that will take advantage of the company's old Core-architecture, according to the latest info coming from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Said processors are expected to be implemented in upcoming lower-cost, thin laptops that will not compete with other Atom-powered devices.

Intel's upcoming Core-based processors are said to be targeting a price segment below that of today's ultra-portable computer systems, which are typically priced at around $1500 to $3000, or higher in some cases. These devices aren't designed to compete with current Intel Atom-based portable systems, most of which have a maximum price tag set at $500. Basically, the new Intel laptop CPUs will be going for a market segment that is placed between netbooks and pricey ultra-thin, fully-fledged notebooks.

It is expected that the new Intel laptops are actually meant to compete with the recently launched Athlon New processors, designed by Intel's archival, Advanced Micro Devices. These processors are built for ultra-thin laptops with prices between $700 and $900. The aforementioned devices are expected to boast a thickness that is less than one inch, according to sources. The CPUs will be designed as a tweaked version of Intel's current ULV (Ultra-Low-Voltage) processors.

Currently, Intel is providing a couple of ULV Core 2 Duo mobile processors, including the SU9300 and the SU9400, which are designed with a power envelope (Thermal Design Power) of 10 watts, considerably lower than that of the company's mobile Core 2 Duo processors, which are basically rated at a TDP of between 25W and 35W.

The specific release date of Intel's new ultra-thin laptops is yet to become available, but when they will be released, these mobile CPUs will be incorporated in portable computer systems such as the Toshiba Portege R600 and Sony's Vaio TT, but with a price tag that is lower than $2000.