Intel shipping Atom N280 Netbook processor

Intel confirmed on Thursday that it is shipping the Atom N280 processor to PC manufacturers, which is intended to bring improved performance and graphics to Netbooks.

The new single-core Atom processor is paired with a chipset that allows users to watch high-definition content on Netbooks while drawing less power. The new GN40 chipset includes a hardware-based high-definition video decoder that allows users to watch 720p HD video content (and coupled with the N280, can do 1080p, says George Ou --Ed.).

Intel originally perceived Atom chips for Netbooks to run basic applications like Web surfing and productivity applications. Howeverm the capability to decode HD video should allow Netbooks to better handle streaming video content, Intel spokesman Bill Calder said.

Previous Atom chips -- like the Atom N270 with the 945GSE chipset -- do not include hardware-based HD video decoders. To fill the void, companies such as Nvidia released products to improve Netbook graphics, such as Nvidia's Ion platform, which allows Netbooks to display 1080p content.

The Atom N280 runs at 1.66GHz, a marginal speed increase over the N270, which runs at 1.6GHz. The new processor also has a faster front-side bus that runs at 667MHz. The Intel Atom N280 processor draws about 2.5 watts of power, similar to the N270.

Intel did not disclose pricing for the chip.

The N280 will power Asus' $399 Eee PC 1000HE Netbook, which the PC maker claims offers up to 9.5 hours of battery life. No shipping date for that Netbook has been announced, but Amazon is already taking pre-orders for the device.

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