Intel launch Intel Atom: Intel's Smallest Processor

The Intel Atom processor will be the name for a new family of low-power processors designed specifically for mobile Internet devices (MIDs) and a new class of simple and affordable Internet-centric computers arriving later this year. Together, these new market segments represent a significant new opportunity to grow the overall market for Intel silicon, using the Intel Atom processor as the foundation. The company also announced the Intel Centrino Atom processor technology brand for MID platforms, consisting of multiple chips that enable the best Internet experience in a pocketable device

The Intel Atom processor is based on an entirely new microarchitecture designed specifically for small devices and low power, while maintaining the Intel Core 2 Duo instruction set compatibility consumers are accustomed to when using a standard PC and the Internet. The design also includes support for multiple threads for better performance and increased system responsiveness. All of this on a chip that measures less than 25 mm², making it Intel's smallest and lowest power processor yet.¹ Up to 11 Intel Atom processor die -- the tiny slivers of silicon packed with 47 million transistors each -- would fit in an area the size of an American penny.

These new chips, previously codenamed Silverthorne and Diamondville, will be manufactured on Intel's industry-leading 45nm process with hi-k metal gate technology. The chips have a thermal design power (TDP) specification in 0.6-2.5 watt range and scale to 1.8GHz speeds depending on customer need. By comparison, today's mainstream mobile Core 2 Duo processors have a TDP in the 35-watt range.

"This is our smallest processor built with the world's smallest transistors," said Intel Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Sean Maloney. "This small wonder is a fundamental new shift in design, small yet powerful enough to enable a big Internet experience on these new devices. We believe it will unleash new innovation across the industry."

With personal computing increasingly going mobile and the computer industry rapidly developing new classes of products to connect the next billion people to the Internet, the Intel Atom processor offers customers the unique ability to innovate around the new low-power design. In addition to the MID opportunity, Intel believes the demand for a new category of low-cost, Internet-centric mobile computing devices dubbed "netbooks" and basic Internet-centric desktop PCs dubbed "nettops," will grow substantially over the next several years. The Intel Atom processor is perfectly suited to meet these new market segments.

Intel said the Intel Atom processor also has potential for future revenue opportunities in consumer electronic devices, embedded applications and thin clients.

Intel Centrino Atom Processor Technology

The Intel Centrino Atom processor technology brand represents Intel's best technology for MIDs. Formerly codenamed "Menlow," Intel Centrino Atom processor technology includes the Intel Atom processor, a low-power companion chip with integrated graphics, a wireless radio, and thinner and lighter designs. Together, these components are designed to enable the best mobile computing and Internet experience on these new devices.

The Personal Computer Turns 25: Then and Now Technology Timeline

From 1981–2006: 25 years of PC evolution
The introduction of the IBM personal computer (PC) in 1981 marked a fundamental turning point in computing. Looking back now, on the PC's 25-year anniversary, it’s difficult to grasp the full impact that a quarter century of personal computing has had on our daily lives. Today it is hard for many of us to imagine life without PCs in our homes and workplaces.

1980's back to top

1981—IBM introduces its first PC, which features an Intel 8088 microprocessor as the "brains" inside the computer.

1981—Adam Osborne completes the first portable computer, the Osborne I, which weighs 24 pounds.

1983—Microsoft releases Windows* and introduces a "low-cost" mouse at $195.

1983—Time magazine names the computer "Machine of the Year."

1984—Apple debuts the Macintosh*, which popularizes the graphical user interface.

1984—Hewlett-Packard markets the laserjet printer, which prints eight pages per minute.

1985—Grolier's Electronic Encyclopedia* becomes available on CD-ROM.

1985—Intel introduces the Intel386™ microprocessor and Compaq is the first to ship a PC based on the chip.

1987—IBM's PS/2 machine, with the Intel386™ microprocessor, makes the 3.5-inch floppy disk drive standard on IBM computers.

1987—Aldus releases its PageMaker* program for use on IBM and IBM-compatible computers.

1989—Intel releases the Intel486™ microprocessor, which contains more than one million transistors.

1989—Creative Labs releases its first Sound Blaster* audio card for the PC.

1990's back to top

1990—In Geneva, Switzerland, Tim Berners-Lee develops a new technique for distributing information on the Internet, eventually called the World Wide Web.

1991—Creative Labs introduces a multimedia upgrade kit containing a CD-ROM drive, Sound Blaster Pro* board, speakers, and multimedia software.

1993—Intel introduces the Intel® Pentium® processor and the number of people in the United States connected to the Internet reaches three million.

1993—Silicon Graphics founder Jim Clark collaborates with Marc Andreessen to create an Internet browser called Netscape*.

1995—Microsoft launches Windows* 95 and its browser, Internet Explorer*.

1996—Palm introduces the Pilot 1000* and Pilot 5000* products.

1997—Time magazine names Intel's Andy Grove "Man of the Year."

1997—Intel introduces the Intel® Pentium® II processor and the number of people worldwide connected to the Internet surpasses 100 million.

1998—Microsoft introduces Windows* 98 with universal plug and play capabilities.

1998—Intel CEO Craig Barrett predicts there will be one billion connected PCs within the next decade.

1999—Intel introduces the Intel® Pentium® III processor and the number of people worldwide connected to the Internet grows beyond 201 million.

2000's back to top

2000—Approximately 35 million Americans listen to music online1, 45 million play games online2, and the number of people worldwide connected to the Internet passes 400 million.3

2000—Intel introduces the Pentium® 4 processor designed for Internet audio and streaming video, image processing, video content creation, speech, 3-D games, multimedia, and multitasking user environments.

2001—The PC turns 20 and the number of PCs sold worldwide between 1981 and 2000 reaches 835 million.4

2001—Apple launches the iPod* personal music player, which marks a major turning point in the digital music revolution.6

2003—Tom Anderson and Chris DeWolfe found MySpace.com, one of the world's most popular online social networking services.

2003—Intel introduces Intel® Centrino® processor technology for notebook PCs, enabling breakthrough mobile performance with built-in wireless connectivity to provide everything mobile lifestyles demand.

2004—Notebook PCs outsell TVs during the 2004 holiday season for the first time.

2005—Lenovo acquires IBM's PC division.

2006—Intel launches Intel® Viiv™ technology, the company's premier brand for PCs designed for entertainment in the home to enjoy, share, manage, and control digital content—from photos and music to games and movies.

2006—Intel announces Intel® vPro™ technology, its forthcoming PC platform brand optimized for businesses. Intel vPro technology is Intel's premier platform for superior manageability, enhanced security, and energy-efficient performance.

2006—Intel launches the Intel® Core™2 Duo processor for drastically improved performance and energy efficiency. The Intel Core 2 desktop processors provide up to a 40 percent increase in performance and are more than 40 percent more energy efficient versus Intel's previous best processor.7

2006—Intel estimates that there are close to one billion Internet-connected PCs worldwide.


1Pew Internet & American Life Projects Online Music Report, September 2000

2Jupiter Consumer Survey, December 1999

3Nua Internet Surveys, December 2000

4Gartner Dataquest

5Concept PC jointly developed by Intel and Hewlett-Packard

6Apple

7Performance based on SPECint*_rate_base2000 (2 copies) and energy efficiency based on Thermal Design Power (TDP), comparing Intel® Core™2 Duo E6700 to Intel® Pentium® D Processor 960. Actual performance may vary. See www.intel.com/performance for more information.

The Evolution of the Personal Computer

In 1981, IBM introduced a personal computer (PC) powered by an Intel® 8088 processor. At first, the PC was not much more than a glorified typewriter or calculator, but relentless technological advances and innovation over the past quarter century have put powerful PCs at the center of daily activities for people worldwide. Like the telephone, automobile, and television before it, the PC has changed the way people communicate, shop, retrieve information, and entertain themselves.

Factoids

1 billion Internet-connected PCs
Intel estimates that there are approximately 1 billion Internet connected PCs worldwide today.

10,000 times as many transistors
The Intel® Core 2 Duo processor has 291 million transistors, more than 10,000 times as many transistors as the Intel 8088 CPU in the first IBM PC which had only 29,000 transistors.

The first IBM PC
The first IBM PC did not include a mouse, graphical user interface with Windows or icons, 3-D or animation capability or a hard drive to save files. The most common monochrome model cost approximately $3,000.

Today's PC
Today, consumers can buy a basic desktop PC with a workhorse Intel® Celeron® D processor, a 160 gigabyte (160 billion bytes) capacity hard drive, 256 megabytes (256 million bytes) of RAM, and a flat-panel monitor for less than $500 (U.S.). They can also buy a super high performance PC with an Intel® Core™2 Duo processor, 4 gigabytes of RAM , a 500 gigabyte hard drive, and deluxe graphics and sound systems for less than $2,300.

Twenty five years of PC evolution

The introduction of the IBM personal computer (PC) in 1981 marked a fundamental turning point in computing. Today it would be hard for many of us to imagine our lives without Personal Computers.

Visit the Intel Museum

The Intel Museum, located in Santa Clara, California, USA, showcases Intel's history through unique, educational exhibits designed to let you explore Intel's advanced technology and manufacturing first hand. The museum is 10,000 square feet of fun and interactive learning for children and adults. Located within Intel Corporation's headquarters in Santa Clara, the museum offers a unique Silicon Valley experience for thousands of visitors from around the world each year.


Operating days and hours

Hours:
Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm
(Closed on USA holidays)


Intel Museum and Intel Museum Store closed:
July 3–4, 2009
September 7, 2009
November 25–26, 2009
December 25, 2009



Schedule a tour
Learn about tour options

Schedule your tour


Location & contact information

On the Web:
www.intel.com/museum

Museum address:
Robert Noyce Building
2200 Mission College Blvd
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Phone: 408-765-0503
For directions ›

General information

Admission and parking are free.
Bags and backpacks are not permitted in the Intel Museum or Intel Museum Store.
Coat check services are not available.
Photography is allowed in the Intel Museum.

New Intel Wireless Product for Laptops

New Compatibility Program for Intel® Centrino Users with Wireless-N

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 23, 2007 — Intel Corporation today introduced the Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N network connection, an upgrade to the wireless component found inside Intel® Centrino® Duo mobile technology and other Intel-based laptops that helps consumers better connect to wireless networks.

As notebook PCs increasingly download broadband-intense content such as movies, videos and music, a more powerful networking solution is needed. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, the Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N technology addresses that need by offering users up to five times** the performance and twice the wireless range – while providing up to an extra hour of notebook battery life when compared to existing Draft-N products.**

In addition, Intel said it has initiated the "Connect with Centrino" program. Through this program, Intel has worked with leading access point (AP) vendors including Asus, Belkin, Buffalo, D-Link and Netgear to better ensure compatibility and performance. Intel's wireless-N product is certified to work with multiple APs and as these AP's successfully pass Intel's rigorous real-world testing certification criteria, they will display a "Connect with Centrino" identifier on their product packaging, allowing consumers a choice for connecting with more confidence.

"Integrating wireless-N technology into notebook computers based on Centrino Duo with the Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor delivers the speed, coverage and multi-tasking abilities needed for consumers to enjoy their home networking and digital entertainment," said Dave Hofer, director of wireless marketing for Intel's Mobile Platforms Group. "Additionally, access points that are identified by our new 'Connect with Centrino' logo assure consumers that they are purchasing a compatible wireless-N system."

The new wireless-N technology improves the home network experience – especially when multiple people access their wireless network simultaneously and enjoy bandwidth consuming applications such as audio and video entertainment. Intel's Next-Gen Wireless-N product reduces "dead spots" in the home; optimizes high-definition (HD) entertainment experiences such as streaming HD movies; improves battery life and provides the benefit of working with existing 802.11 a/b/g access points.

Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology-based laptops operate faster and more efficiently with Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N enhanced wireless communication capabilities. At the heart of the platform, the Intel Core 2 Duo processors have two processing cores – or computing "brains" – that can handle multiple tasks in less time while consuming less power. When integrated into Intel Centrino Duo-based systems running wireless-N, the Intel Core 2 Duo processors can improve viewing and playing back HD video, speed up conversion of songs into a digital format to upload to an MP3 player, and more quickly run the latest virus protection updates.

Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N technology as well as the "Connect with Centrino" identifier will be delivered in conjunction with new notebook computers powered by Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology from OEMs such as Acer, Asus, Gateway and Toshiba that are being distributed with Microsoft Windows Vista beginning in late January and other OEMs to follow.

Intel Wireless Lan

Wireless LAN

A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a wireless local area network that links two or more computers or devices using spread-spectrum or OFDM modulation technology based to enable communication between devices in a limited area. This gives users the mobility to move around within a broad coverage area and still be connected to the network.

For the home user, wireless has become popular due to ease of installation, and location freedom with the gaining popularity of laptops. Public businesses such as coffee shops or malls have begun to offer wireless access to their customers; some are even provided as a free service. Large wireless network projects are being put up in many major cities. Google is even providing a free service to Mountain View, California and has entered a bid to do the same for San Francisco. New York City has also begun a pilot program to cover all five boroughs of the city with wireless Internet access.

Intel moving 32nm processors up to 2009

Intel may be accelerating the launch of its first 32 nanometer desktop parts to this year if claimscirculated by mainboard producers are accurate. Its first dual-core processors based on the most recent Nehalem architecture, nicknamed Clarkdale, was originally thought to be shipping in early 2010 but is now said by DigiTimes to be releasing these processors late this year. Production would be limited at first but would already have 32nm chips overtaking Core 2 Quad processors in terms of volume.
Launch clock speeds and other details aren't available, although Clarkdale should inherit Nehalem's Hyperthreading technology and in some cases simulate a quad-core processor by assigning two instructions per core. Shrinking the chip assembly technology from 45nm to 32nm will allow either higher clock speeds without affecting power and heat or else can reduce those two at the same clock speed. Intel is reportedly interested enough in Clarkdale that it will account for 20 percent of all the company's processors and overtake most regular 45nm parts.

Why the processor line would move up isn't definite, although the change would hurt AMD, which has recently been regaining some of its lost market share and is lagging behind Intel in producing 32nm chips. Clarkdale would also permit smaller, more compact desktops without sacrificing speed.

Intel to launch 3.2GHz Core i7 in fall

New rumors from the mainboard industry today hint that Intel is poised to update its top-end desktop processor once more this year while also updating its Celerons earlier in the year. Currently topping out with the 3.06GHz Core i7 950, the fall should see that model replaced by the 3.2GHz Core i7 960. Its amount of cache and other features aren't expected byDigiTimes to change, but it should represent the first time a home, non-Extreme desktop processor from Intel has reached 3.2GHz and should be much faster than the similarly-clocked Core 2 Extreme.
Pricing hasn't been revealed for the new class leader and isn't likely to be revealed until closer to the launch, though previously non-Extreme parts cost between $500 and $700.

The Celerons will involve two new models, the 2.4GHz E3200 and 2.5GHz E3300, that will each have 1MB of Level 2 cache, an 800MHz bus and hardware virtualization support. Both should arrive in the summer.

Intel's first Pine Trail Atom for nettops, the dual-core D510, isn't due until the fall and will be followed by the single-core D410 in winter 2010.

Intel pushing back Core i5

Intel's Core i5 processor platform has been pushed back until September, according to claims by those producing mainboards for the platform. The delay would move the launch from the original July and is purportedly meant to clear out stock of earlier designs due to the poor economy. When it does launch, the desktop processor range will reportedly start with 2.66GHz, 2.8Ghz and 2.93GHz processors in bulk prices of $196, $284 and $562 along with a matching mainboard chipset, the P55, costing $40 in volume.
Core i5 is intended as a mainstream counterpart to Core i7 that preserves the new Nehalem architecture but with features scaled back enough to lower the price. Initial models should involve quad-core processors and will have a thermal peak power of 95W. It's anticipated to eventually lead to lower-power desktop processors.

Entry-level Core i5 chips, codenamed Havendale, are expected in January and should be quickly followed by extra chipsets. The delays aren't believed to affect Auburndale, the mobile version of Nehalem, which could show as early as this summer.

The Intel X25-M , World Fastest Drive

No one really paid much attention to Intel getting into the SSD (Solid State Disk) business. We all heard the announcements, we heard the claims of amazing performance, but I didn't really believe it. After all, it was just a matter of hooking up a bunch of flash chips to a controller and putting them in a drive enclosure, right?

The closer we got to release and the more time I spent with competing products, the more I realized that Intel's biggest launch of 2008 wasn't going to be Nehalem - it was going to be its SSDs. If Intel could price them right, and if Intel could deliver on the performance, the biggest upgrade you could do for your PC - whether desktop or notebook, wouldn't be to toss in a faster CPU, it would be to migrate to one of these SSDs. Combine Nehalem and one of these mythical SSDs and you were in for a treat. But that was a big if...Intel still had to deliver.
We already talked about the drives back at IDF. The Intel X25-M and the X18-M, available in 80GB capacities, 2.5" and 1.8" form factors (respectively) with 160GB versions on the way. Today we are allowed to share performance data and pricing information, one of which is more impressive than the other. Intel will be selling the X25-M at $595 MSRP through OEMs and channel vendors, although I hear the street price may be lower.

Intel plans see Calpella, CULV chips processor in summer

A leak of Intel's notebook processor plans for the second half of 2009 show the company moving aggressively into its new platforms during the summer. Those within notebook builders tellDigiTimes that the Nehalem-based notebook processor line, Calpella, is still on track for summer and is slated for mid- to high-range notebooks costing about $1,200 or more. Whether or not this will involve only quad-core processors, as recently rumored, isn't known.
Also due in a similar timeframe are ultraportables based on the CULV (Consumer Ultra Low Voltage) design, which is based on current-generation Core 2 (Montevina) technology. It's now been given a narrower suitability range and will most likely be used in systems with 12- or 13-inch screens and prices between $699 and $1,200. Although it's unclear whether it's truly being used by these companies, Acer, ASUS and MSI all claim to already be using the processors in newly introduced notebooks.

Intel is also reported as looking to phase out its relatively high-performance netbook combination of the 1.66GHz Atom N280 and GN40 chipset and instead push its aging 1.6GHz Atom N270 and 945GSE combination until September, when Pineview-era Atom processors ship with a much faster, integrated graphics core and a smaller footprint. Low demand is cited as the cause but is likely affected by GN40's reduced battery life, competition from NVIDIA's Ion platform and the absence of Windows 7, which would be needed to take full advantage of the extra graphics features.

As part of its effort to maintain the existing netbook platform, Intel is said providing a "white box" generic netbook design for smaller PC makers that would have the N270/945GSE combination, an 8.9-inch display, 8GB or 16GB of storage, 512MB of RAM and Moblin Linux for the equivalent of $256. Its longevity isn't mentioned and may be at Intel's discretion, as the company will "strictly monitor" supply to avoid oversaturating the market.

Intel Unveils New Brand Identity

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 3, 2006 – Intel Corporation formally unveiled a new brand identity today that represents a significant milestone in the company’s history and further signifies the company’s evolution to a market-driving platform solutions company. The key technologies behind Intel’s platform focus include the microprocessor, chipset and software that together enhance system performance and improve the overall user experience.
Intel has been driving a fundamental shift in its approach to the market that began with the development of the Intel® Centrino® mobile technology platform. The company reorganized itself around the platform model last year, and is now focused on four key market segment opportunities: mobile, digital home, enterprise and health. The company has also announced that it will deliver a new platform for the digital home – Intel® Viiv™ technology – in early 2006.
With the coming launch of new brands such as Intel Viiv technology, the new branding system simplifies and unifies the look and feel across Intel products and platforms in an effort to better communicate important characteristics and value to consumers. The system includes new logos for Intel Viiv technology and Intel Centrino mobile technology, and re-designed logos for individual processors, chipsets, motherboards and other Intel technologies. Each product logo also incorporates the new Intel logo.
“Intel has one of the most valuable brands in the world, and we intend to grow the value of our brand as we evolve the company,” said Eric Kim, Intel senior vice president and general manager of the Sales and Marketing Group. “This evolution will allow Intel to be better recognized for our contributions, establish a stronger emotional connection with our audiences, and strengthen our overall position in the marketplace.”
The new brand identity involves changes to the widely recognized Intel Inside® logo that was created in 1991, and the original Intel “dropped-e” logo, which was created by Silicon Valley pioneers Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore 37 years ago as they were forming their new “integrated electronics” company. Intel’s new logo combines the essence of both of these powerful symbols, building on Intel’s rich heritage, yet also signaling the new direction the company is headed today. It also includes a new tagline: “Intel. Leap ahead™.” This tagline is Intel’s unique brand promise and is designed to communicate what drives Intel as a company, and what Intel makes possible.
“‘Intel. Leap ahead.’ is a simple expression that declares who we are and what we do,” said Kim. “This is part of our heritage. Our mission at Intel has always been to find and drive the next leap ahead – in technology, in education, social responsibility, manufacturing and more – to continuously challenge the status quo. It’s about using Intel technology to make life better, richer and more convenient for everyone.”
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
Intel, the Intel logo, Centrino, “Intel. Leap ahead.,”, “Intel. Leap ahead.” logo, Intel Viiv and Intel Inside are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.