Intel Corp. has unveiled specifications of Atom Z2460 "Clover Trail" platform and disclosed the first details about tablets and convertibles based on the new chips and Microsoft Windows 8. In addition, Intel said that select tablets aimed at business users will utilize Core i5 ULV [ultra low-voltage] microprocessors to provide ultimate security and capabilities.

Intel Atom Z2760 "Clover Trail" system-on-chip features two x86 cores based on Saltwell micro-architecture with up to 1.80GHz clock-speed and with Hyper-Threading technology, enhanced Intel Deeper Sleep, C6E state, S0i1/S0i3 power states for Microsoft connected standby feature and 512KB of cache per core. The SoC also includes Intel GMA  graphics core (ImgTec PowerVR architecture, OpenGL ES 2.0, OpenGL 2.1, OpenVG 1.1, 533MHz) with hardware accelerated high-definition 1080p video playback, dual-channel 32-bit LPDDR2 memory controller, Intel's new image signal processor (up to 8MP back-facing and up to 2.1MP front-facing cameras are supported) and various improvements to speed up various multimedia or security demands. The Clover Trail platform fully supports various I/O interfaces as well as different sensors, such as GPS, accelerometer/compass combination, ALS, SARS, proximity and thermal.

The Atom Z2760 SoC can dynamically scale its clock-speeds and also supports the new Smart Idle technology (SIT) which enables it to switch off while the operating systems remains in the "on" state (S0); the technique takes full advantage of clock and distributed power gating across power islands and can instantly resume from idle states thanks to L2 cache peculiarities. Intel Atom Z2760 offers Secure Boot and firmware-based Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT). Devices based on the Clover Trail platform can easily integrate Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G/LTE, NFC and other communication capabilities.

The Intel Atom Z2760 allows to build tablets that are as thin as 8.5mm and as light as 680 grams (1.5 pounds). Intel further promises that the dual-core, four-thread SoC provides exceptionally long battery life with more than 3 weeks of connected standby and more than 10 hours of local HD video playback.

"This is just the beginning of Intel's effort in the tablet market, and our goal is to deliver products that fit the spectrum of evolving needs of both consumers and business users without compromising on compatibility, experience or battery life. When people or corporations buy a device with Intel Inside, they are getting the best of Windows 8 features with a computing experience that just works," said Erik Reid, general manager of application processor platforms at Intel's mobile and communications group.

Intel Atom Z2760-based tablets with Windows 8 support the millions of existing applications, devices and full-featured components used within corporations and include the security and manageability features corporate IT managers demand. Additionally, these devices easily integrate into existing corporate infrastructures, providing the ability to join a domain, access shared network resources and run both new Windows Store apps and familiar Windows desktop applications side by side.

Among the eight first devices with Atom Z2760 inside only, three will be pure tablets, whereas five will feature detachable keyboards, a useful feature for business users. Various products with the new Atom Z2760 "Cloverview" system-on-chip will be available from Acer, Asustek Computer, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Samsung and ZTE.

Tags: Intel, Atom, Clover Trail, Cloverview, 32nm, Windows 8, Microsoft, Acer, ASUS, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Samsung, ZTE