Intel Corp began selling 12 new laptop-computer chips yesterday, as the biggest semiconductor maker tries to trump rivals such as Advanced Micro Devices Inc with faster, power-saving products.
The chips include a 1.2GHz mobile Pentium III and several low-power models that run slower. Many of the new processors are based on a fresh manufacturing method that builds thinner wires and helps make smaller, speedier chips.
The notebook computer market has split into several segments as manufacturers try to differentiate with machines that are sleek and light, or heavier and more powerful, or a balance of both. That led Intel to create more sub-categories for its processors.
"These categories of systems will become increasingly popular to people," said Frank Spindler, who heads Intel's laptop efforts. "No matter what size system people have, they want as high-performance a system as can be delivered."
The 1.2GHz mobile Pentium III sells for US$722 each in volume shipments. For lower-power systems, there are two new models of an 800MHz chip for US$316, plus 750MHz and 733MHz parts at US$241. A 700MHz chip for ultra-low power machines costs US$209. Intel also added six inexpensive Celeron processors, running at 933MHz, 900MHz, 866MHZ, 800MHz, 733MHz and a low-power 650MHz model. These sell for as little as US$75.
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