Intel Previews Capable Low-Power Chips – Can You Say Sub-Notebook?
12:25 am, December 18th, 2007, Pete Mortensen
Once Apple began to work with Intel, it got a lot easier to begin predicting the future development of Mac hardware. When IBM and Motorola provided the horsepower (or lack thereof, as the case may be) for the Mac platform, it was anybody’s guess when Apple might ship new machines — or what would cause the shipping delay this time. Intel, however, is an open book. They show off their processor roadmap up to a year in advance.
RIght now, everyone is waiting for Apple to unveil new portable Macs using the Penryn chip, the world’s first consumer 45nm CPU. They should drop at MacWorld. But Intel’s way out in front. According to BusinessWeek’s Reena Jana, the future will be ultra-efficient chips powering greener laptops with longer battery life. She writes about her exclusive preview on the Next blog.
Yet Intel seems to really be walking the walk on these two matters. Chip-wise, the company will be rolling out a platform code-named “Menlow,” in Q2 or Q3 of 2008. It’s the first-generation of low-power platforms, which promises to run on 10 times less CPU power and is 5 times smaller than previous chips.
Sounds like the ideal way to make a tiny MacBook with extremely efficient battery life that won’t burn your knees. I’m just waiting for the first Mac portable that can operate for 9 hours without a charge.
Posted by Pete Mortensen in Hardware | Comment on this article
yeah, yeah. Subnotebook this, subnotebook that. If there was an actual subnotebook market, somebody would already be selling it. Even Apple dropped the 12″ PowerBook.
What I want to know is, what is “10 times less CPU power?” If my CPU runs at ( I haven’t any notion) say 40 watts, that means this new chip will run at -360 watts? (40-[40*10] = 40-[400] = -360). That’s cool! A laptop that generates more power than it uses!
Is this what happens when you combine Moore’s Law and with Compound Interest?
imajoebob, on December 25th, 2007 at 7:48 pm