Atom Most Discussed Posts

Well, the Apple iPad has finally been launched, and it looks grand. But, really what can it do that a Linux-powered tablet can't do for less?

By year's end, we're going to see Windows 7 Starter Edition on netbooks; netbooks that confuse the difference between laptops and netbooks; Linux netbooks using ARM processors, and, drum-roll please Google Android netbooks. Here's how it's going to work out.

Dell and Google Android; Intel, Novell, and Moblin; and who knows how many vendors with ARM-powered netbooks: this summer is going to see a flood of Linux-powered netbooks arrive.

Congratulations Linux. Yesterday was the day you made Microsoft blink. Microsoft has changed its mind and has decided to keep XP Home around after all.

I'm sure that Microsoft's change in heart was in part due to efforts like InfoWorld's Save XP efforts, which put names to over 200,000 users who don't want to move to Vista. I'm even surer though that what really changed Microsoft's mind is that Linux, and not Windows, was taking over the red-hot UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) market.

The news today from IDC that PC processor shipments fell last quarter at the fastest rate ever recorded since IDC began tracking shipments in 1996 is even worse for Microsoft than you might imagine. That 17% decline over the previous quarter would have been far worse if sales of Atom chips --- the brains of netbooks --- hadn't continued to grow. And the growth of netbooks is bad for Microsoft.

Intel's launched its new Atom platform for netbooks and small desktops. The new N450, D510, and D410 'Pineview' CPUs and 'Pinetrail' NM10 chipset should bring smaller devices and better battery life. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers spy a slap in the face to Nvidia. Not to mention always in the season...
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Has Apple tweaked the new build of Snow Leopard to prevent you running Mac OS X on a netbook? Reports say that it won't run on Intel Atom hackintoshes any longer. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers wonder if it's a deliberate block or just a side-effect of something else. Not to mention movie timelines...
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New sales figures show that shipments of Atom chips, which power netbooks, slumped 33% last quarter, leading some to say the heyday of netbooks is over. But pronouncements about the death of the netbook are premature. Here's why.

Intel is porting Android 2.2 Froyo to its x86 architecture. That'll mean, for example, Atom-based netbooks and tablets can soon run Google's Linux-based OS. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers ponder the future. Not to mention a bit shady...
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Intel has pulled the wraps off its second generation Atom platform. Codenamed Moorestown, it's a speedy, yet ultra-low power system-on-a-chip design, aimed at smartphones and tablets. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers get dizzy at the pace of change. Not to mention why Greece is in trouble...
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In today's podcast: DOJ alleges EMC paid kickbacks; Intel signs Atom deal with TSMC; and AMD closes deal to spin off manufacturing arm.

In today's podcast: More rumors of Microsoft smartphone; RIM executives settle backdating charges; and Intel ships more powerful Atom for netbooks.

It's IT Blogwatch: in which Intel launches seven sorts of new stuff at Intel Developer Forum in China. Not to mention a new spin on Smash Bros...

Sharon Gaudin reports:

Intel Corp. officially unveiled its low-power, newly architected Atom processor line at the Intel Developer Forum in Shanghai today. The chips, aimed at the embedded and mobile Internet device markets, are designed for low power consumption and long battery life ...

Intel announced its second quarter results last night, which exceeded all expectations. Revenue and profit are up across all of the chip maker's main product lines, despite some gloomy predictions to the contrary. In IT Blogwatch, some bloggers see this as the light at the end of the tunnel. Not to mention Mario leftovers...
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In today's podcast: G1 handset goes on sale in San Francisco; Intel plans to combine Atom and graphics processor; and Apple posts US$1.14B quarterly profit.