US chipmaker Intel Corp launched its new low-power mobile platform on Thursday that is to be used in netbook computers by some hardware manufacturers next year, including Acer Inc (宏碁) and Asustek Computer Inc (華碩).
The third-generation Atom processor-based platform, codenamed “Cedar Trail,” could deliver up to 10 hours of battery life, while reducing power consumption by 20 percent compared with the previous generation, Intel said in a statement.
Low-power devices such as netbooks and healthcare IT products running on the new platform are set to be available early next year from Acer, Asustek, Hewlett-Packard Co, Lenovo Group Ltd (聯想), Samsung Electronics Co and Toshiba Corp, according to the statement.
The launch shows Intel’s commitment to the cooling netbook market, which has seen sales slow because of growing sales of tablet computers.
Netbook sales account for 20 percent of the total mobile PC market, but that share is set to drop to 10 percent over the next two to three years as vendors release new lower-priced tablets, according market research firm International Data Corp (IDC).
IDC forecasts that netbook shipments are set to decrease by 9 percent to 32.4 million units this year.
While Samsung is reportedly switching its focus from netbooks to ultrabooks and ultra-portable products, Acer said it would hold on to its netbook business based on growing demand in emerging markets, such as Indonesia and India, where netbooks have become important devices for students.
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