Report: Intel Preparing Cedar Trail Processors For Netbooks, All-In-One PCs

Intel is reportedly preparing to roll out its Cedar Trail processor platform for netbooks and all-in-one PCs in April at Intel Developer Forum in Beijing.

Digitimes on Wednesday reported that Intel’s upcoming Cedar Trail processors will be on display at IDF, which is scheduled to take place April 12-13. The platform reportedly includes Cedar Trail-M processors for netbooks and nettops, as well Cedar Trail-D for entry-level all-in-one systems.

An Intel spokesperson contacted by CRN declined to comment on the report, citing Intel’s policy of not commenting on rumors. As for netbooks in general, however, the spokesperson said Intel is committed to innovating on the netbook form factor with hybrid designs such as convertibles and sliders, but does not see any of those categories replacing the traditional PC space where Intel dominates.

’Intel considers netbooks, tablets and other mobile computing devices as ’additive’ to PCs, meaning any one these devices won’t necessarily ’replace’ the other,’ the spokesperson said. ’Netbooks continue to evolve into new and exciting form factors that offer personal computing experiences. They continue to be an interesting opportunity for Intel and our customers with the rich, immersive and innovative usage models offered by Intel Atom processors.’

Based on Intel’s Atom architecture, Cedar Trail will reportedly include a 32-nm fabrication process, and support for DirectX 10.1, Blu-ray video playback as well as HDMI and dual-display outputs. Taiwanese manufacturer Asus will offer details of its upcoming $200-250 netbook at the event, according to the report.

Intel last May at its investor meeting said the Intel Cedar Trail processors will come to market in the second half of 2011, and will mark the Atom family’s transition to a 32-nm process.

At Mobile World Congress 2011 in February, Intel unveiled its 32-nm Medfield smartphone processors, as part of its efforts to increase its share in the mobile handheld device market, where British chip design firm ARM currently has over 90 percent market share, according to Gartner.

Next: More On Intel's Mobile Roadmap

Intel said at the time that Medfield is part of its efforts to capture new market segments and power smart devices in emerging categories such as tablets, cars and smart TVs. Intel in January said its upcoming Oak Trail processors, although optimized for tablets, will run in devices spanning from fanless netbooks to tablets, as well as innovative form factors like convertibles and sliders.

However, Intel’s plans to offer a variety of processors for the mobile device ecosystem may have been affected by the resignation of its Ultra Mobility Group chief Anand Chandrasekher on Tuesday. Chandrasekher said he is leaving Intel to pursue other interests.