Posted by Brooke Crothers
December 30, 2008 10:30 PM PST
Dual-core Intel Atom rivals are in the works.
Via Technologies is planning a very low-power, dual-core Nano 3000 processor, according to Chinese-language Web site HKEPC.
Intel currently offers the dual-core Atom 330 that is targeted at Nettops--small desktop computers.
Advanced Micro Devices will target its low-power dual-core "Conesus" at the laptop market segment above Atom's Netbook-centric space.
Meanwhile, Freescale Semiconductor has indicated that it will bring out a very-low-power ARM chip that features a dual-core graphics engine targeted at Netbook-like laptops.
All of these developments indicate that the market for ultra-small devices and laptops and should heat up in 2009.
The dual-core version of the Via Nano 3000--due in late 2009 or 2010--may use a Fujitsu 45-nanometer or TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) 40-nanometer manufacturing process, according to HKEPC. The Intel Atom is based on 45-nanometer process technology.
The Via chip may also include SSE4 instruction support, HKEPC said. Generally, SSE4 (Streaming SIMD Extensions 4) instructions speed up multimedia applications.
Via is also slated to bring out other improved Nano processors in 2009, according to the report.
Hewlett-Packard uses Via's C7-M ULV (ultra low voltage) processor in its 2133 Mini-Note Netbook.
source : news.cnet.com
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