SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan 25, 1999 -- Intel Corporation today introduced a family of new processors specifically designed for performance and low-cost mobile PCs. Intel's new mobile Pentium® II processors at 333 and 366 MHz are the first Pentium II processors built on a single processor silicon die, providing mobile users with the benefits of higher performance, lower power consumption, and smaller packaging for the thinnest and lightest mobile PCs. Today's announcement also includes the introduction of the first mobile Intel® Celeron™ processors at 266 and 300 MHz, providing a dramatic performance boost for the new burgeoning category of low-cost mobile PCs.
The new mobile Pentium II processor 366 MHz provides up to two times higher performance than the fastest mobile processor available one year ago. Intel's new mobile Pentium II processors include 256 KB of on-die Level 2 cache. Integrating the processor and cache into a single die enables three times faster data access time between the processor and cache, resulting in higher performance than previous generation off-die cache versions. Additionally, Intel continues to innovate mobile processor packaging technology with a new smaller, thinner and lighter Ball Grid Array (BGA) package. The BGA package, which is less than a 10th of an inch high and weighs less than a nickel, brings Intel's P6 microarchitecture into the thinnest and lightest mobile PCs and mini-notebooks.
"For years, Intel has been at the forefront of developing innovative technologies and high-performance, low-power microprocessors for mobile PCs," said Robert Jecmen, vice president, Intel Architecture Business Group, and general manager, Mobile and Handheld Products Group. "The new mobile Pentium II and Celeron processors are excellent examples of Intel's focus on developing specific products to meet the needs of key market segments. Through integration of the processor onto a single piece of silicon with new packaging, mobile PC users will benefit from smaller, lighter systems providing unprecedented performance and better battery efficiency."
The single die integration enables the new mobile Pentium II processors to consume 15 percent less power at the same frequency as existing versions. The Pentium II processor 366 MHz consumes about the same power as the current 300-MHz version - delivering higher performance without sacrificing battery life. The mobile Pentium II processors 366 MHz have a thermal design power of 9.5 watts, consume just 6.6 watts when running typical applications, and support Intel's Quick Start technology. Quick Start reduces power to 0.4 watts in a low power state in power managed systems, for example between keystrokes in a word processing application. This low-power state helps extend the battery life of mobile PCs.
The mobile Pentium II processor 366 MHz operates at an internal core voltage of 1.6 volts and delivers up to 27* percent higher performance than the existing Pentium II processor 300 MHz with off-die cache. Additionally, the Pentium II processor 333 MHz delivers up to 20* percent higher performance and consumes even less power than the 300 MHz off-die cache version.
The Pentium II processors with on-die cache are available today in BGA packaging, or the existing mini-cartridge or Intel Mobile Module. In 1,000 unit quantities in BGA packaging, the 266PE, 300PE, 333- and 366-MHz mobile Pentium II processors are available to OEMs for $187, $321, $465, and $696, respectively.
"The emergence of low-cost mobile PCs and alternative form factor mini-notebooks provides an optimal opportunity for Intel to help expand the reach of mobile computing to new users with processors that deliver great performance at great prices," Jecmen said. "Value mobile PCs based on the mobile Celeron processor will offer levels of responsiveness and media quality previously available only in higher priced systems."
The mobile Intel Celeron processors at 266 and 300 MHz are based on the P6 microarchitecture and contain on-die 128 KB level 2 cache. The Intel Celeron processor at 300 MHz delivers up to a 58* percent performance improvement over today's mobile Pentium processor with MMX™ technology at 300 MHz, while the mobile Celeron processor 266 MHz delivers up to 56* percent faster performance than the equivalent clockspeed mobile Pentium processor with MMX technology.
The mobile Intel Celeron processors benefit from the same low power technology as the Pentium II processors. Offered in BGA packaging or the Intel Mobile Module, the Intel mobile Celeron processors at 266 and 300 MHz are available in 1,000 unit quantities for $106 and $187, respectively. Today, Intel is also introducing the low-cost 440DX chipset developed to accompany mobile Celeron processor-based systems. The Intel Celeron processor Mobile Module contains the northbridge portion of the 440DX chipset and is available in 1,000 unit quantities for $172 for the 266-MHz version and $253 for the 300 MHz. For more information about Intel's mobile processors and technologies, access www.intel.com/mobile.
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
* For complete benchmark information on Intel mobile Pentium II and Celeron processors, visit the Intel Web site at developer.intel.com/design/mobile/mobile_pentiumii.htm or developer.intel.com/design/mobile/celeron/index.htm.
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