Intel may withdraw costly Atom N280 chip early

In the netbook CPU market, Intel's Atom line of processors reigns supreme. So dominant are the Intel parts that virtually every netbook on the market today uses an Atom processor. DigiTimes reports that Intel has outlined its netbook and notebook roadmap for the second half of 2009.

Intel reportedly has outlined plans for a traditional notebook using the CULV-based product line to build ultra-thin notebook and netbook products. The next-gen notebook platform from Intel called Calpella is on schedule to launch on Q3 2009 with notebooks using the platform offering 14, 15.6, 17.1, and massive 18.4-inch screens all at prices north of $US1,200 to start with. Intel is really betting big on its claim that the market has hit the bottom.

As the Calpella platform machines hit the market Intel will begin to close out the Montevina platform by offering discounts that should see machines based on the platform offering nice prices just in time for holiday and back to school shopping.

DigiTimes reports that most of the major notebook manufacturers including Quanta Computer, Compal electronics, Wistron, Pegatron, MSI, and ECS are all set to start building Calpella notebooks in Q3 2009. Intel is reportedly considering the elimination of the Atom N280 and GN40 chipset combo due to low demand. How Intel thought it could build demand for its new CPU and chipset with very little real world gain over its cheaper predecessor is anyone's guess.

The roadmap reports that the Atom N270 and 945GSE chipset combo powering virtually every netbook on the market -- including the popular MSI Wind U100 -- will be phased out in September and replaced by the Pineview flavor Atom processor and Tiger Point chipset targeting the 10-inch netbook market at prices from $US399 to $US599.