SAN JOSE, Calif. — Intel Corp. announced Monday (May 24) notebook processors geared to create a new class of ultra-thin, ultralow power portables. The new Intel Core 2010 processors are expected to power as many as 40 systems designs less than an inch thick and weighing just two to five pounds.
Intel has been driving the concept it calls Consumer Ultra-Low Voltage notebooks as a tier of products above netbooks. In a report in early May, iSuppli Corp. said the new CULV designs should grow 93 percent to 14.5 million units in 2010. Overall, sales of notebook PCs should rise a whopping 25.5 percent this year to 209.5 million units driven by growth in netbooks and the CULV systems, the market watcher predicted.

The new Intel chips are based on the company's 32nm process. Intel claims the chips are about 30 percent smaller and provide 30 percent more performance than its previous 45nm notebook chips. Power consumption is down about 15 percent, Intel said.

"Not only are laptops becoming ultraportable, but with the new processors inside, users will see faster response times and less waiting," said Mooly Eden, general manager of Intel's client PC group.

The chips use Intel's Turbo Boost technique to automatically adjusting performance to the workload. They also support dual threading and high definition video. In tandem with the processors, Intel rolled out its Mobile 5 Series chipset designed for the ultra-thin systems.

Acer, Asus, Lenovo and MSI are among notebook makers who said they will design systems that will be available starting in June with the new chips.