Intel Mobile CPU & Chipset Roadmap - November 2000

It's all about power

In addition to the full size notebook plans that Intel has, 2001 should bring some interesting solutions to the mini notebook and sub notebook arenas.

Intel is targeting their low voltage processors in the mini notebook market. Intel plans to have a low voltage Pentium III 700 in quarter one 2001, followed by a low voltage Celeron 600 in quarter two and finally a low voltage Pentium III 750 in fourth quarter. Intel is pushing the 440MX chipset for use in these sub notebooks, suggesting that the chipset can easily packed in a small space. It makes sense that Intel is pushing the 440MX into the sub notebook market, as it appears that 440MX based full size notebooks will be quick to disappear, replaced with 440ZX, 815EM, and Almador-M chipsets. This way, Intel can continue to sell existing 440MX chipsets without taking the time to design a new one.

Intel also plans to make some waves in the sub notebook market. Intel has made their Pentium III 500 and 300 run at 1.1 volts and less than 1.1 volts respectively. Once again using the 440MX platform in these systems, Intel is targeting this processors in fanless systems that require less than 7 watts total power consumption. A 600 MHz 1.1 volt processor is expected to come in the third quarter. of 2001 in a Pentium III package. The Celeron is not left out of the sub notebook field, with a 500 MHz 1.1 volt Celeron coming in the first quarter. of 2001. This will be followed by a 600 MHz 1.1 volt Celeron processor in third quarter.

It seems that Transmeta will not be the only company making chips for sub notebooks and mini notebooks. We suspect that the "low voltage" line is more targeted at the Crusoe chip, and here Intel does not seem able to compete to the Crusoe's minimal power consumption when at idle. Intel may be able to steal some of the Crusoe's market in the sub notebook arena, however, where Intel's chips use only 1.1 volts.