Wow! $199 Netbook from Freescale with Enhanced Processors

The race for producing low cost processors for netbooks has just set off. Today Freescale announced the launch of its new processor that could  prove too hot for chip maker Intel at its attenuated prices. The netbook equipped with i.MX515 processor and a Wi-Fi wireless networking made by Pegatron would be showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas between Jan 8 to 11.

Currently Intel’s processor Atom exercises monopoly over the netbook space.  Netbooks have become popular after Intel introduced Atom. It is available with notebooks priced at US$299. Freescale’s new entry to be placed in $199 netbooks would surely marginalize the costs and set up a competitive market for notebook processors.
The i.MX515 processor developed by Freescale would run on netbooks, low cost laptops. It is designed to carry out the basic computing functions such as running productivity applications and accessing the Internet easier.

Certain features of the new processor score highly over its competitors.

1. To begin with let’s take the battery life. Freescale’s processor would have a improved battery life running for eight hours at a stretch without disturbance. This is same as the top- life of Intel’s Atom processors.
2. The processor requires less power to run. Designed from a core used in communication devices like cell phones, the processor does not need a heat sink or fan to cool.  The i.MX515 processor is based on the COrtex A8 core from Arm. The Arm core’s performance may scale upto 1 GHz.
3. Screen size of the notebook would lie between 8.9 to 10
4. Its enhanced features include supporting 3D graphics and playing high-definition video.
5. The Intel based-chips are more supportive of programs by Microsoft Office or Internet Explorer. In contrast to other notebooks in the market, this would support Linux. This is an added benefit, as Linux is better for netbook-specific works such as running productivity applications and accessing social networks. Freescale is working to develop a version of OS for the ARM core.

It is expected to be with the users by the end of this year. However, with so much on the turf, the netbook still lacks a name.