Sales of Intel’s Latest Notebook Platform Slowing

by Anton Shilov
06/18/2007 | 11:54 PM

Even though Intel’s latest platform for mobile computers code-named Santa Rosa brings a massive amount of innovations, end-users are adopting the new platform slower than expected, according to an analyst report. The reasons for that are not explained, but it is highly likely that the problem lies in the lack of obvious benefits of new notebooks for customers.

According to American Technology Research analyst Doug Freedman sales of the Santa Rosa platform may have slowed recently, reports Associated Press news agency.

“While this is likely just a near-term bump in the road given the lack of competitive parts from Advanced Micro Devices at the moment, we believe the stock could be impacted if this story gains legs in the news,” Mr. Freedman wrote in a client note.

The Santa Rosa mobile platform, which was launched back in May, features a number of innovative technologies, including higher-performance central processing units, more powerful graphics engine, faster wireless network technology, Intel Turbo Memory technology as well as some other improvements.

But the general public may not necessarily need really speedy microprocessors or fast wireless network controller which advantages can only be realized in specific environments. According to the analyst, both Sony Corp. and Hewlett Packard have decided against using Intel Turbo Memory technology, as the companies found the product was not a cost-effective means of improving computer performance.

Lackluster welcome of the new mobile computer platform by end-users is an indicator that that the demand for notebooks is decreasing overall and that end-users may not need the new technologies in their everyday life, something, which may catalyze a crisis for the whole industry.