Intel is hoping for its new processor to help stimulate further development of the netbook platform, which was once the fastest rising new device category. Things have changed since the release of Apple’s iPad; some new Android 3.0-running tablets, which have just started to hit the market, also represent a threat.

New netbook designs, based on Atom’s architecture are currently being developed by ASUS, Lenovo and Samsung. The companies use CeBIT to show netbooks based on the recent dual-core Atom for netbooks.

Such an important delay could explain, at least partially, why Apple’s Mac Pro workstations are lacking updates, the last one being made not later than in March last year. Apple’s fastest computer is dependent to a high degree on Intel’s update schedule to decide when new releases are possible. Mac Pros have the longest release cycle ever found for any Mac and major updates were not more frequent than once a year since 2006 when the system has been released.

Intel has reaffirmed again its affinity for Apple and has reinforced it through a contest meant to be an incentive for resellers, in France at least, to buy its current solid-state drives with 160GB capacity. Customers who buy five SSDs as a minimum are being entered into a contest with prizes and can win an iPad, or a free 160GB drive, or a 100 euro Amazon gift certificate. However, the iPad uses no Intel technology inside, as it uses an ARM processor.

The two leading systems can also use Athlon II and Turion II processors and can have a choice between either Radeon HD 4250 integrated video or Mobility Radeon HD 540v graphics. Users preferring Intel processors can have the 6450b and 6550b with the same screen sizes but dual Core i3, i5 or i7chips and Intel’s graphics as an integrated choice. The larger models will ship in June and will cost $779 for the AMD-based computers and $849 for the correspondent Intel models.

The group of mid-size models are made for a lower-cost audience but their speed is similar. The 13.3-inch ProBook 4325s, 14-inch 4425s and 15.6-inch 4525s computers have the same choices between Athlon II, Turion II and Phenom II processors and Mobility Radeon HD 4250 video, but with a slightly slower dedicated chip, Mobility Radeon HD 530v. These models would ship in May and their prices would start from $619.

Two options are present for budget workers, the 425 and 625. They also have 14- and 15.6-inch displays and a more limited choice of processors, but they still can use Phenom II chips. Hewlett Packard has priced the425 and 625 models at $549 and the shipping date was scheduled for June this year.

The main difficulty is the optimization of the processor software, according to Intel, as most software is designed to work with a significantly smaller number of cores and needs redesign in order to be able to provide multitasking that efficiently uses the increased number of cores. Java-based Hadoop was used to achieve portability with cloud computing applications, but Intel intends to reach the home area with CPUs of this magnitude and that is why different software is fully needed. For example, the process consisting in rerouting of tasks to specific cores will be simplified by using Grand Central Dispatch in Apple’s Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

Some visionary applications that use parallelism to recognize the environment by using a camera and triggering interactions and overlays regardless of using input or not will be soon possible. This way, an accurate 3D image of the clothes that a customer wares in a store could be easily shown.

Some features of the SCC, not known yet, will show up when Intel’s processor line will be available in 2010. Intel has not said how soon production designs resembling closely to the prototype will be available. What is known is that six-core processors, such as Core i9 and Xeon will not be shipped until early 2010. Eight-core processors are likely to be ready later next year.

MSI, as usual, has not given a price information or release date, although most of the X-Slims are shipping to the United States.

The “Bulldozer” is a major revision for notebooks and desktops that will be more efficient at multithreading code than current designs. It is optimized to be paired with graphics chipsets. It will be accompanied by “Bobcat”, a version of the “Bulldozer” designed for ultraportables. The first version of the “Bulldozer” will be named “Zambezi” and will be an eight-core processor meant for high-end mainstream desktops. Other technical details are not available. According to leaking information, AMD will release its 32nm Bulldozer CPU late 2010 even though Intel’s rival processor will roll out in the fourth quarter 2009.
The “Zambezi” will ship the same year. However, it’s likely that AMD’s first 32nm processors will not use the Bulldozer architecture.

Another platform for notebooks and desktops is “Llano” and will be available in 2011. This is the first design that fully matches the AMD’s Fusion strategy and it will integrate fast graphics into the main processor. Another version of the ultraportable, partly based on “Bobcat”, is “Brazos”, also due in 2011.

The short-term plans focus on notebooks like “Danube”, the first quad-core mobile processor from AMD. In certain models, the battery should provide energy for up to eight hours. “Nile” is the third generation of Athlon Neo-based ultraportable platform and will provide seven hours of runtime. The desktop line for 2010 includes “Leo”, maybe the first AMD platform sporting a six-core desktop processor. The “Magny Cours” chip will be the fastest in the line. It will add eight- and twelve-core Opterons to workstations and servers.

The first six-core processors, non-server, from Intel will not come until the 32-nanometer Westmere-based chips appear in the beginning of 2010. They would be bounded to Xeons in Mac Pros and should be followed by the Core i9 processors. Intel is the first manufacturer to offer very efficient processors, such as the CULV and Atom series and mobile quad-core.

Mike Nash suggested that Windows CE instead, that is already powering ARM processors, could be used to power such devices. He also revealed that, according to market studies, many netbook users would pay a premium for having Windows 7, even if some vendors expressed their option for cheaper operating systems. The same strategy could be applied to the smartbook market where there would be Windows 7-powered devices on the high-end and Windows CE-powered smartbooks on the low-end of this spectrum.

Linux or Android-based operating systems would continue to power ARM processors because supporting them natively and in order to keep prices down.

The flexibility of the system allows play back and encoding 720-pixel at the same time or can encode 1,080-pixel video at 24 frames per second. The 3D and audio features were perfected and the chip can process up to a billion pixels per second using OpenGL ES 2.0 for video processing and X-Fi sound effects. The chip also includes an integrated HDMI controller and Flash acceleration.

ZiiLabs claim that the ZMS-08 is meant to be used in portable media players, networked media hubs, tablets, and other high definition capable devices. The ZMS-08 is already tested by some companies and could be in mass production in winter next year.

The device will be powered by Android 1.6 and will be upgraded to Android 2.0 next year. The handset has a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display and an 800×480 resolution. The internal memory is 256MB of RAM. The device has a five-megapixel camera with auto focus. HSPA network compatibility is provided, as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a GPS sensor and a 3.5-millimeter headset jack. Longer battery autonomy is promised for intense users.

About $520 is the price of the Acer Liquid in Europe, not taking into account carrier subsidies. The release date of the phone is scheduled for this year.

Connectivity is possible through Wi-Fi connection or a 3G module allowing China Telecom access. There is also Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR.

Soyea’s Z5 sports a 5-inch (800×480) resistive touchscreen.