Intel launches new Atom chip for netbooks

Intel's latest N450 processor and NM10 Express chipset--technology that had been previously referred to as "Pine Trail" - will be used in a new raft of netbooks that will debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. Hewlett-Packard, Acer, Dell, Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo and others are expected to either announce new systems before the show or exhibit new models there.

Intel said there will be more than 80 new netbook designs--typically priced around $350--on the way, with systems coming available by January 4.

The Pine Trail design squeezes the graphics function, previously on a separate chip, onto the central processing unit, or CPU, a first for Intel. The result--by decreasing the number of chips from three to two--is a reduction in the overall chip package size by 60 percent.

For more, read "Intel launches redesigned Atom chip for netbooks" on CNET News.