Intel speeds up low-power laptop chips

The chipmaker launched four in all: an ultra-low-voltage 1.1GHz Pentium M, an ultra-low-voltage 900MHz Celeron M, a low-voltage 1.3GHz Pentium M, and a standard 1.4GHz Celeron M. PC makers, including Motion Computing, followed with new computer models.

The chips update Intel's line of energy-efficient processors geared toward small, lightweight notebooks, such as IBM's 2.7-pound ThinkPad X40. These notebooks are sometimes called ultraportables, or mininotebooks.

Analysts say that although this market makes up a relatively small portion of overall notebook sales, the machines are sought after by companies with employees who travel a lot. Such companies are willing to pay more for the small size, which benefits Intel even if it sells fewer of the chips.

The ultra-low-voltage chips have relatively low clock speeds, but they use the least power of any of Intel's notebook chips. By operating at a hair over 1 volt, the chips consume about 7 watts of power. Manufactures typically use these chips in their thinnest, lightest models. Because the chips consume less power, they produce less heat, thus allowing companies to put them into thinner chassis and enabling them to use smaller batteries such as IBM 92P1089 Battery, IBM 92P1087 Battery, IBM 08K8196 Battery,
IBM 92P1102 Battery, IBM 92P1077 Battery, IBM 92P1073 Battery, IBM 08K8199 Battery, IBM 08K8198 Battery, IBM 08K8197 Battery and IBM 92P1075 Battery, which reduces weight.

Among the computer makers that plan to use the new chips is Motion Computing, which will put the 1.1GHz ultra-low-voltage Pentium M in its newest tablet, the M1400. The $1,999 tablet touts a number of upgrades over its predecessor, the M1300, including the ability to record audio, security functions such as a fingerprint reader, and a screen with a wider viewing angle.

Power and speed Intel's 1.3GHz low-voltage Pentium M operates at 1.18 volts and consumes about 12 watts.

Standard Pentium M and Celeron M chips, such as the 1.4GHz Celeron M that debuted Wednesday, operate at about 1.36 volts and typically consume around 25 watts, Intel said. In contrast, some of the chipmaker's desktop Pentium 4 processors can consume 100 watts or more.

Intel separates its chips by price and performance. The Pentium M offers the most performance and the greatest number of features, while the Celeron M is designed to cost less, helping PC makers to deliver lower-priced notebooks and tablets.

The new 900MHz ultra-low-voltage Celeron lists for $161, Intel said, and the 1.1GHz ultra-low-voltage Pentium M is $262. Due to their basic similarities, the two chips are likely to be offered as options in some of the same notebook models.