Intel Corp. on Wednesday formally introduced its new family of microprocessors aimed at low-cost netbooks and similar affordable personal computers. Although media tablets are slowly, but surely ousting netbooks from the market, the world’s largest maker of chips believes that the new Atom processors will be able to successfully address more advanced PCs thanks to improved multimedia capabilities.

Intel Atom 2000-series “Cedarview” system-on-chip with two new Atom cores features integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 3600/3650 DirectX 10.1-capable graphics engine that also supports integrated high-definition video decoder (in order to enable Blu-ray disc playback on all Atom-based systems), improved DDR3 memory controller, digital interfaces for displays along with other improvements. The SoC is made using 32nm fabrication process. The new Intel Atom processors provide a lower thermal design power (TDP) and power management features such as Intel Deeper Sleep and Intel SpeedStep Technology that enable lower power designs.

The dual-core Intel Atom processor N2600 and Intel Atom processor N2800 are paired with the Intel NM10 chipset and feature a small form factor package size that saves system board real estate and enables thinner netbook designs. In addition to the mobile processors, Intel offers the Intel Atom processor D2500 and D2700 for entry-level desktop and all-in-one designs, as well as intelligent system solutions.

Intel incorporated several new features into the platform, such as Intel Wireless Display and Intel Wireless Music, which allow sharing videos or photos wirelessly from netbooks to specially-designed televisions, or stream music through their home stereo speakers.

Intel claims that the new Atom chips provide improved system responsiveness and an improvement in graphics performance up to two times compared to the previous generation platform.

Systems based on the new Intel Atom processors may have up to 10 hours of battery life and weeks of standby, allowing for all-day use between charges. Additionally, Intel increased processor and overall system performance while reducing power consumption up to 20% compared to the previous platform.

Netbooks and ultra-portable netbooks powered by Intel Atom 2000-series microprocessors will be available in early 2012 from major OEMs including: Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, and Toshiba.

The platform supports a range of operating systems including: Windows, MeeGo, Tizen and a range of embedded OSs.

Tags: Intel, Atom, Cedarview, Cedar Trail, 32nm