After conducting thorough studies on the emerging market trends, new categories of opportunities that internet is opening up (there) and the behaviour of the first-time-buyers Intel has realized that there is definitely a vacuum at sub $500 price region for PCs from the mobility perspective. Thus, the company is all set to bridge the gap, and working on introducing a new family of low-power processors designed specifically for mobile internet devices (MIDs), and a new class of simple and affordable internet-centric computers.
The new family of the low-power processors of the company will be known as the Intel Atom processors, and those are specifically designed for mobile internet devices (MIDs). Also, a new class of computers (Netbooks) from the company will hit the Indian market later this year. Intel is very positive about the growing demand for a new category of low-cost, internet-centric mobile computing devices dubbed netbooks and basic internet-centric desktop PCs dubbed nettops.
Rajesh Gupta, director (Sales & Marketing) of Intel South Asia, informs, In the emerging markets, as we find, new kinds of users will work on internet only for respective very specific purposes. Right internet experience with right screen size is the demand from the customers here. They do not see the whole (complete set of functionalities) use of the products.
The prevailing practice is editing or knocking off some features and fitting the product to the needs of the customers who crave for job-specific devices. However, according to Intel’s study, those customers are not completely happy with that type of products. Wherein, the company finds a new market segment that represents a significant and new opportunity to grow the overall market for Intel silicon using the Intel Atom processors as the foundation. Intel Centrino Atom processor technology (formerly codenamed Menlow) for MID platforms consists of multiple chips that enable the high level of internet experience in a pocketable device.
According to Intel’s findings, low PC penetration in emerging economies like India (5%), low PC density worldwide and strong interest in bringing technology to the field of education creates a very wide avenue for the latest Intel Atom Processor (formerly codenamed Silverthorne) and Intel Centrino Atom Processor (formerly codenamed Diamondville).
Intel’s production economy
There are two elements of microprocessor and hardware technology. One is the architecture, and the other one is the size. As far as architecture is concerned, Intel has moved from netbus Pentium 4 architecture to a core architecture, that way in the same circuit, performance of 2 Pentium 4s can be packed. Thus, Intel fills up much more features in the same size.
As to size, larger the wafer size, more number of chips can be cut in each process, which is highly economic. While the general practice in the industry is to use 200 mm wafer size, Intel moved to 300 mm wafer size around 3-4 years back. Secondly, by reducing the chip size (measured in nm), Intel can now cut more number of chips from each wafer shift from 65nm to 45nm.
Issues taken care of
Through its production process improvement and cost reduction, today Intel is geared up to address the issues like energy efficiency, small size, form factor and so on. Based on the innovation, the company has come out with 2 architectures, namely, Low Cost Intel Architecture (LCIA) and Low Power Intel Architecture (LPIA). Contextually, according to Intel’s perspective, low cost and low power are two different things.
Silverthorne needs less than is 4 watts, and Diamondville around 10 watts. Silverthorne will be used in products going into pockets. Atom processor will empower desktops, laptops etc., all independent kind of products. Whereas Centrino Atom will go into MID kind of platforms.
Types of products expected
Intel will stress on pocketable products. The term pocketable has been defined as having the maximum diagonal size 7.5 inches, thickness less than 1.02 inches, screen size 6 inches or less. If the products dimensions fall within these sizes, they will get Intel Centrino Atom Processor Technology logo.
Channel partners benefit
In the words of Gupta, We see this as the next wave of opportunity for channel partners. The SMB segment wherefrom partners get maximum business holds great potential for the low-cost, internet-centric devices, and we expect to see plenty of deployment for the Intel Atom processor in this segment.
Developers comment
Intels low-cost, small form factor and low power Atom processors will open a new vista to the developers. Nikit Rambhia, CEO of Vardhaman Technology says, Our business will drastically change as we will be offering solutions of low cost combined with high performance and latest technology to drive the Indian market. We welcome this technology for the benefit of masses as this will add to India’s growth story.
Small is beautiful, let us stay hopeful!!!