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There are also big advances in its processors for mobile Internet devices (MIDs), a new Atom developer program to spur mobile software on both Windows and Moblin (Linux) platforms, a working next-gen 22nm processor, ultra-thin laptops and more!
Tons of detailed information can be found at Intel’s “Developer Forum” press room, but for mobile power users with the ultimate need for mobile speed, the Core i7 mobile processor, and the even more powerful Core i7 “extreme edition” mobile processor have been a long time coming.
One of the Core i7’s tricks is built-in “turbo boost” technology, which is an officially sanctioned, internal and automatic “overclock” that, as the name suggests, boosts the processor speed during periods of heavy processing load – i.e., right when you need it.
Intel has also brought Hyperthreading technology back to life, popularised during the Pentium IV era and again, helping to maximise performance.
Dadi Perlmutter, executive vice president and general manager, Intel Architecture Group, excitedly explains that: “With intelligent features like Intel Turbo Boost Technology, Intel Hyper-Threading Technology and a host of others, Intel has revolutionised the laptop PC processor, delivering performance when you need it, energy efficiency when you don’t. For the first time, mobile users can choose a laptop that delivers Internet-server like speed, right in their laps for the most demanding tasks, from intense gaming to digital video editing and social media applications.”
2010 will see Intel unleash Core i5 and Core i3 processors, with the Core i5 having many of the i7’s benefits while lacking things like hyperthreading, and with the Core i3 being more “entry level” while still packing a lot more punch than your regular Atom processor.
Asus, Dell, HP and Toshiba have already started shipping Core i7 based systems in the US, with Asus promising two Core i7 notebooks will ship in Australia by the end of October.
Intel’s Developer Forum conference has also showcased a new range of “ultra-thin laptops” which we’ll see even more of in stores, along with new handhelds, netbooks and “full-function” laptops, suggesting a host of cool new designs which will unsurprisingly coincide with Microsoft’s Windows 7 launch and the all-important end-of-year sales, shopping and holiday season.
A new “Intel Atom Developer Program” has also been established to “encourage independent software vendors and developers to create mobile applications”. Intel says it is “partnering with manufacturers, including Acer and ASUS, to create multiple application stores where applications and application building blocks for Intel-based netbooks and handhelds will be sold.”
Given the enormous popularity of netbooks and the Atom processor, Intel no doubt wishes to see some of the iPhone App Store success rub off on nimble Atom-powered devices, so hopefully this turns out to be a roaring success.
Amongst many other developments, Intel has also publicly showcased its first 22nm processor.
It wasn’t too long ago that 90nm processors were the norm, and 65nm processors were cutting edge.
But as Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini explains, “At Intel, Moore's Law is alive and thriving. We've begun production of the world's first 32nm microprocessor, which is also the first high-performance processor to integrate graphics with the CPU. At the same time, we're already moving ahead with development of our 22nm manufacturing technology and have built working chips that will pave the way for production of still more powerful and more capable processors."
No matter which operating system you choose to run, especially with Apple rumoured to be announcing its own Core i7 powered machines next month, late 2009 and 2010 promise to be very exciting times for anyone in the market for a new computer!
