Intel 32nm processors

During the opening keynote speech at Computex Intel Corporation executive Sean Maloney unveiled a new family of ultra-low voltage mobile processors. The mobile processors will enable lightweight Intel-based laptops less than 1 inch thick at a variety of price points.

Maloney also conducted the first public demonstration of “Pine Trail,” the next-generation Intel Atom™ processor. These devices – combined with broad-reaching communications networks such as WiMAX – can help bridge the digital divide.

Intel will also deliver the “Lynnfield” and “Clarksfield” processors in the second half of the year and ship “Westmere” chips based on Intel’s 32nm manufacturing with the company’s second-generation Hafnium-based high-k metal gate transistor formula soon after.

While demonstrating “Pine Trail” running on a netbook, Maloney said it would have improved performance, lower thermals and a reduction in average power for longer battery life. It will also feature an increased graphics core frequency for improved visuals. “Pine Trail” will be a 2-chip platform versus today’s 3-chip platform, with graphics and memory controller moving onto the processor, resulting in a smaller overall footprint that enables smaller, thinner designs and lower platform cost.

In addition, Maloney showed a beta version 2.0 of the Moblin operating system project for netbooks. The Moblin project features a new user interface, better system responsiveness and fast boot times.

Regarding the future of desktop PCs, Maloney said, “Our next-generation chipsets are taking our 32nm processor performance to mainstream PCs with products such as ‘Clarkdale’ and ‘Arrandale’ dramatically improving the PC experience.”

Maloney said despite the slowdown in the world economy, HD video is growing at an incredible rate. Intel’s next-generation processor, “Lynnfield,” will deliver HD to mainstream desktop PCs and will become available in the latter half of this year.