Intel’s IDF in Beijing is nearly over. Yes, it started while most of us slept and because it’s only a one day event, there’s not many announcements. Media coverage on Intel’s website is low-key but I’ve found the press release and press kits and summarise below.
Overview.
The Intel press release includes some items worth mentioning (my emphsasis added:)
Mobility Keynote
During his keynote, titled “Mobility’s Next Wave of Growth,” Chandrasekher demonstrated the first live demo of Intel’s next-generation Atom-based MID platform, codenamed “Moorestown.” Chandrasekher provided a sneak peek into the low-power innovation of the platform by showcasing a greater than 10x idle power reduction compared to today’s Atom-based platform in a side-by-side demo. This dramatic reduction is made possible through a combination of new power management techniques, a new partition optimized for the MID segments and Intel’s Hi-k 45nm manufacturing process.Due by 2010, the Moorestown platform is comprised of a System on Chip (codenamed “Lincroft”) that integrates a 45nm Intel® Atomâ„¢ processor core, graphics, video and memory controller, and a companion input/output (I/O) hub (codenamed “Langwell”). The platform will be accompanied by a new Moblin software version that is optimized to enable the rich, interactive, PC-like Internet experience along with cellular voice capabilities.
Intel also announced two new Atom processors for MIDs: the Z550 and Z515. The Z550 extends the performance of the MID product line to 2GHz with Intel Hyperthreading technology support, setting a new standard for the highest performance processor in the under-3-watt power envelope. The Z515 incorporates the new Intel® Burst Performance Technology (Intel BPT), which enables the processor to run at 1.2GHz when performance is needed in existing small and sleek MID form factors.
These new Atom processors further extend customer choices to enable the best Internet experience in pocketable MIDs. Chandrasekher also announced several new MID designs for the China market.
The 2Ghz Atom processor doesnt surprise me. These step improvements will continue to happen. The Z515 is interesting though. There’s already a 1.1Ghz part and an 800Mhz part, this two-speed 800Mhz/1200Mhz part should allow for some nice ‘turbo’ features but i’m not sure how different this is from speed-stepping on the 1.3Ghz version. More information on the Z515 is available from an Intel fact sheet [PDF].
Intel Atom processor Z515 delivers performance on demand by incorporating the new Intel® Burst Performance Technology (Intel BPT) which enables the processor to run at 1.2GHz when higher performance is needed in existing small form factors. Intel Atom Z515, in conjunction with Intel US15W SCH, supports 533MHz DDR2, 2GB max memory addressing, and HT. This processor also supports Intel UL11L SCH. Intel Atom Z515 delivers high performance while consuming 160mW average power and 80mW idle power.
New MIDs.
Obviously i’ll be looking deeper into this part of the fact-sheet. New devices from Aigo, Compal and Fujitsu will be interesting to watch.
Intel Atom Processor-based MIDs Continue Momentum — Chandrasekher announced a number of new designs targeting the China market including Aigo*, BYD*, CZC*, Dragon*, Eking*, ESL*, Gemsta*, NFS*, and Techfaith*. Additionally, Intel indicated that its customers are expressing strong interest in the two new Z Series SKUs. As examples, Aigo*, BYD*, Compal*, CZC* and Fujitsu* have already committed to building products based on these SKUs.
Windows 7 support.
Support for Windows* 7 and Moblin v2.0 on Intel Atom Processor based MIDs and Netbooks — Intel Atom processor-based MIDs and Netbooks will support Windows* 7 Starter and Basic editions in the second half of this year in addition to support for Windows* XP Home and Windows* Vista Basic. For Linux, Chandrasekher mentioned that both MIDs and netbooks will be moving to Moblin v2.0 from Moblin v1 today.
Does this imply that Windows 7 / Atom support will be restricted to Starter (three concurrent programs) and Home Basic (emerging markets) versions initially?
There are some more notes in the ‘factsheet’ here (PDF) and it looks like information is being updated on the ‘Press Kit’ page. I’ll continue to monitor for more information and report back anything interesting.
Intel IDF Beijing report. Two new Atom CPUs; New MIDs; Strange Windows 7 message: http://cli.gs/1ZUR3R
got to love that 160 mW average, i just wonder what peek will be…
I’m getting sick of this. New MIDs? Where are the old ones??
There’s a huge focus on Asia right now. Viliv, UMID, Aig, Lluon Big players have all launched there. In my opinion, ramping up Euro and dollar sales teams and processes is too much investment and risk right now. Especially while netbooks are doing so well. Its unfortunate but i’m 100% sure we’ll reach tipping point very soon.
It’s strange that there are no announcements of new MIDs. All the devices which are on sale or should start selling soon are already known for very long time. I don’t remember any new interesting MID announced during last few months.
There are some new devices like the Smart Q5 or Samsung Mondi. But it is nothing that can compete with the Viliv S5 or the UMID M1.
Good to see Moorestown coming along with no delays so far. I can keep waiting still…
The OQO Model 2+ with the 1.86GHz Atom will come with either Vista Business or XP Pro according to their web site. I’d assume when W7 is released, OQO would move to W7 Pro.
“There’s already a 1.1Ghz part and an 800Mhz part, this two-speed 800Mhz/1200Mhz part should allow for some nice ‘turbo’ features but i’m not sure how different this is from speed-stepping on the 1.3Ghz version. More information on the Z515 is available from an Intel fact sheet [PDF].”
Think of Turbo Mode from Nehalem. I could see how it works. Speedstep is meant to save power on regular sized systems. BPT/Turbo Mode is extra performance on thermally constrained systems. So imagine MIDs like Aigo MID that normally features 800MHz Z500. But I’m pretty sure there will be some cases where the CPU has thermal headroom to run a bit hotter. With the Z515, it’ll clock up for that duration until it hits the headroom.
Exciting times ahead. Intel presentation I have seen couple of months ago said that Moorestown will deliver 30% additional performance/viewed performance over Menlow. I can see with exceptional integration, at the same clock speed to deliver greater performance per clock and lower power. Graphics will be updated to SGX540 which will improve performance by 50% over the current SGX535(drivers will probably be also better by then).
SSD: X25-M
MID/UMPC: Atom
Desktop/Laptop/Server: Nehalem
Process Technology
Man, Intel is rocking these days!
DavidC1, what drivers?
If they can’t even get drivers for the GMA500 ( SGX535 ) whats the point bringing a SGX540 to the table…
The drivers for the serie exist ( see oa TI’s SGX530 drivers ), but Intel just does not bother providing the hardware acceleration for it. Maybe it’s because they need to pay for the hardware accelerated drivers? And as nobody important complains about it, why wast money paying for a HW driver… They can do it always down the line.
The fact that there customers are not able to use the hardware they buy 100%… I’m amazed that the UMID M1 is capable of playing those games, without any decent drivers… You got to wonder how much power is hidden, but never used …
Thanks for the extra info David.. As always, very useful to ad to the ‘pot’
Steve.
so the Z550 is the spiritual successor to the Silverthorne right? thats means the old Diamondville will probably die out after the N280?
my questions is, will the Z550 be able to use SATA devices?
benjiro, for your info, the SGX 535 and 540 use the same chip, just at different speeds. So a driver for 535 is a driver for 540. That’s probably what david meant by hoping the drivers would be good by then.
Now, if they were using a 543, now that would be exciting! This supports upt to 16 graphics cores. ^^
Anyway, the UMID was framy on Quake3 which is an awfully old game. It only looks ok because it is such a small screen.
Now that Intel has released what is in the future, hopefully any new device that are released using the new Chip, also has correct drivers to take advantage of all its hardware. I have 3 devices with the Poulsbo Chipset and still waiting for that driver to take advantage of the video. I have seen a link where they show off the Poulsbo running HD video, and running a video game with no problem. Steve wasn’t the Poulsbo annoused last year at the CES 2008? Hopefully someday my SC3, Aigo, and the Sony P will be able to take advantage of its chip. :)
hopefully the Z550 will support SATA & high resolution (for external monitors)