This article provides an overview on the Atom series of laptop processors. You may also be interested in reading the latest laptop processor comparison.
Intel’s atom processor has transformed laptops from being bulky machines to small but effective computing machines, namely mini laptops, which can be easily used on the move for less demanding applications. Mini laptops are compact, inexpensive devices designed for less demanding applications like email, web-surfing, word processing applications etc. However, these mini laptops which are mostly based on Atom laptop processors cannot be used for more computationally extensive applications like HDTV video, photo processing etc. The atom processors were designed for low-processing jobs while keeping power consumption in check, making them more suitable for working on the move.
To overcome the problem of low computational power, Intel has introduced dual core laptop processors in the Consumer ultra low voltage (CULV) category. These processors are based on Intel’s already established Core 2 architecture, but derive only a fraction of power than the traditional Core 2 processors. A CULV processor aims to provide the best of both worlds and therefore can be called the best laptop processor available today. A CULV can provide the mobility of atom processors, as the amount of power used is still less. But unlike the Atom processor, CULV does provide enough processing power to even run high definition videos. The idea is to provide another category of laptops, namely the ultra-thin laptops, which can handle more complex computational requirements but can be easily carried around. Moreover, a mini laptop can easily be carried on the move, using it as the second computer but not as the replacement of the main computer. An ultra thin laptop on the other hand is predicted to be used as the main computer in the house.
This trend will definitely increase the competition and will lower the margins for various mini notebooks developers. Ultra thin laptops with CULV processors are currently available at price tag of $500+. However, they would soon become cheaper and would bite in the sales of mini notebooks which are typically priced below $500. A big beneficiary of this trend would be Microsoft since it supplies Windows OS for traditional laptops and desktop computers. But mini laptops are powered by a variety of OS like Linux, Google Android etc. If the ultra-thin laptop series catch-up with Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system on it, it could generate a lot of new licensing revenue.
One thing worth mentioning in this article is that another low voltage processor that can give competition to Intel’s CULV processor is the Athlon Neo from AMD. This AMD laptop processor has already made its debut with HO dv2 ultra thin notebook. The AMD Athlon Neo is a 64-bit laptop processor and runs on 1.6GHZ, same as Atom but has much more processing power packed inside it.
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