Through a presentation to a group of business clients, Intel has revealed a new computer design, called the NetTop. The system is designed to minimize the cost of a desktop as much as possible, jettisoning all unnecessary expenses; this carries down to normally standard hardware aspects, such as the inclusion of system fans, or even a CPU socket. Linux may be an option on some NetTops, instead of the more conventional choice of Windows; similarly, costs are cut by switching from hard drives to SSD storage.

At the heart of the system though is one of Intel's new Atom processors, based on the Diamondville specification clocked at a minimum of 1.6GHz. Users are also expected to use a NetTop mainly for Internet access, thereby lessening a dependence on local processing. Models should be priced between $100 and $299, and Intel expects some 60 million to be sold by 2011. [via Crave]