Intel begins netbook and tablet group

Intel today confirmed that it has started up a dedicated network and tablet group in what's likely an attempt to counter the iPad and a slew of other ARM tablets. The group will be lead by the leader of the company's embedded chip and communications team, Doug Davis. It should help "sharpen our focus [at Intel]" on the newer categories, company spokesman Bill Kircos told the New York Times.

He explained that the total shipments of netbooks since their 2007 inception was about to top 100 million and it was about time to gauge the demand for Intel-based tablets and hybrids like the Inspiron Duo.

The semiconductor giant has already swung its attention to tablets with the upcoming launch of the Oak Trail platform for Atoms, but until now it had been grouped under regular mobile processor efforts. It was designed to use a smaller footprint and consume less power than existing Atom chips, especially when idle. Earlier efforts have usually struggled Companies have already tried pure-touch Atom tablets like the Slate 500, but the processors have consumed too much battery life and have left them often having five hours or less of useful runtime where an iPad can last for 10 and even a Galaxy Tab lasts for seven.

Creating a group signals an insecurity in the category, reflected earlier in a CEO mission statement leaked out earlier this year. Intel reaped rewards from the netbook rush but now risks a netbook backlash as PC builders are reportedly lowering their netbook estimates to accommodate sales lost to tablets as well as a lack of major performance updates. The first true wave of mainstream tablets using Intel also won't show until early 2011 at the earliest and will often use Windows, creating little difference compared to a netbook.

MeeGo, a tablet-friendly OS developed with Nokia's help, won't be ready in earnest until later on.

Early successes from Apple and Samsung in tablets have been credited to using ARM-based processors and mobile operating systems from the start. Apart from longer battery life, they allow for much lighter and thinner designs. Most ARM cores also have graphics cores that can outperform Intel's usually very slow video and play HD video without needing a companion chip.

By Electronista Staff