Intel has unveiled its Atom processors designed for tablets PCs which includes Intel AtomTM Z670 Processor and Intel SM35 Express Chipset platform, formerly codenamed “Oak Trail,”.
A range of tablets and form factors were also unveiled at a function in China.
In total about 35 tablets are expected to become available with Oak Trail chips starting in May from companies like Lenovo, Fujitsu, Samsung and Motion Computing. Oak Trail tablets are expected to be shown at the Intel Developer Forum show in Beijing this week.
The devices will ship with Android, Windows 7 and MeeGo operating systems.
Intel claims that the new Atom family is also suited for a range of portable embedded designs such as mobile clinical assistants, ruggedised industrial tablets and portable point-of-sale systems.
Intel, which is the biggest in the laptop and PC processor space, has been a laggard in rapidly growing tablet and smartphone space, which is currently lead by ARM, Nvidia and Qualcomm.
The main reason cited for this was the higher power consumption of Atom processors. With this launch Intel claims to have addressed the issue. In the recent past Intel has also bought some start ups to bolster development of its tablet and smartphone chips.
Intel is also said to be developing another next-generation chip for tablets, Cloverview, as part of its on going strategy to make its Atom processors more power-efficient.
The chip will be built using a 32-nanometer manufacturing process, which will lower power consumption.
There are two more 32 nm Atom-based chips that Intel is developing. The company’s “Cedar Trail chip” is being built for netbooks, while Medfield is meant for low-end smartphones and tablets.