Intel launches 45 nanometer notebook chips

Intel on Monday launched its first Centrino chips based on its 45 nanometer manufacturing process.

The lineup, unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show, features 16 processors. Intel has touted its 45 nm chips as a way to cut power consumption by increasing speed.

Of the 16 processors launched, 12 are designed for desktops and notebooks with the remainder focused on powering servers. The focus of Monday's announcement was squarely on the mobile aspects of the lineup.

Intel is hoping its 45 nanometer manufacturing can enable new designs for smaller devices because upcoming chips are 25 percent smaller. Of course, all of these devices would presumably have Intel processors inside them. In a statement, Intel said that it would deliver these smaller chips "later this year."

A few notable points from Intel, which didn't initially provide a lot of detail on clock speeds and other specs:

• Five mobile processors were launched under the Centrino brand. These processors support HD DVD and Blu-ray (with an encoder), have Intel's 965 Express Chipset and support 802.11n and WiMax.
• Intel will launch three quad core and four dual core desktop PC processors based on 45 nanometer manufacturing. These chips, "arriving later this month," feature a range of undisclosed clock speeds. The dual core processors will ship this month and the quad core versions will come this quarter.
• Four Xeon processors for servers will ship this quarter.