Intel May Launch Its Low-Cost PC Platforms Soon

Intel has decided to speed up the launch of its Basic Platform for low-cost PCs from the originally planned third quarter this year to May, according to sources at PC makers.

Shelton’08 for desktops will offer two 45nm Diamondville processor options; the 230, a single-core CPU running at 1.6GHz, 533MHz FSB and 512KB cache, and a dual-core CPU whose specification is not yet available, said the sources.

Shelton’08 for notebooks will include a single-core Diamondville-based CPU, the N270, that is able to execute two threads per cycle, the sources revealed. Other key components of Shelton’08 are the 945GSE northbridge and ICH7-M southbridge.

Intel is planning to invest US$1 billion over the next three years in Asia to support PC makers to push low-cost PCs in order to help promote and standardize such products in the emerging markets.

source:digitimes