Report: HP hopes to offer Atom in more mini-notebooks
updated 01:00 am EST, Wed December 31, 2008
Atom in more HP notebooks
Users may find Intel's mobile CPU in more notebooks if market leader Hewlett-Packard has its way: a new report says that HP is in negotiations with Intel to expand the use of Intel's latest mobile processor. Current restrictions limit the use of Atom series processors only in netbook PCs with up to 10.2-inch panels and HP hopes convince chip giant Intel to allow it to use Atom in new mini-note PC models with larger screen sizes. Taiwan-based notebook makers told Digitimes that HP's high-profile brand may help it succeed in convincing Intel to allow the use of the new mobile CPU in more HP mini-notebooks.
With ASUS and ACER continuing to push the envelope on lower-end notebooks, the world's largest PC manufacturer hopes that it can extend its netbook lineup by offering an 11.6-inch model in the second quarter of 2009 and a larger 13.3-inch model in June 2009, the report claims. This week the upcoming ASUS's S121 netbook, expected to be designed around the 10.2-inch S101 frame, was spotted in an advance leak.
While the negotiations between HP and Intel are expected to continue through January 2009, the sources noted HP will use its high-profile brand and its sales volumes to help it obtain the necessary approvals from Intel to include Atom chips in newer mini-notebooks with larger screens.
