Intel Roadmaps Show That Medfield Will Replace The Atom Processor
Details have come forth over the weekend of a future 32nm Intel chip for netbook devices that is both the processor and chipset as a system-on-a-chip (SoC) component. Codenamed Medfield, the processor is expected sometime in 2010, and will be preceded by Pineview, another future netbook processor due in 2009.
Medfield would integrate the processor, memory controller, multimedia functions, and I/O (Input/Output) into a single chip. The I/O hub has typically been on a separate piece of silicon–as has the memory controller (for Intel silicon) until recently. Like the current Intel Atom lineup, dual-core designs will be offered. Medfield would also have a PC-based graphics core, the report said. The report also noted that “the concept of netbooks” will evolve “from from basic web page consumption to multimedia consumption including high-definition (HD) video.” Battery life should improve from two to three hours to closer to five hours as wide area network connectivity is added such as WiMAX, 3G/HSPA, and/or LTE. Features such as GPS and touch screens will also be bolted on.
Comments are closed.