VIA Launches New Nano Processors For UMPCs
The five power-efficient x86 processors in the Nano family use between 5 and 25 watts, and chips have clock speeds ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 GHz. These kinds of ultra-thin, low-voltage processors are aimed at ultraportable notebooks and ultramobile PCs.
The Nano processors "represent the next generation of x86 technology," said Wenchi Chen, President and CEO, VIA Technologies in a statement. The VIA Nano processors are the first 64-bit, superscalar, speculative out-of-order x86 processors produced by VIA.
The Nano processors build on the technology in VIA's existing C7 chips, which are currently in use in notable ultramobile PCs such as the OQO 02. The Nano is pin-compatible with the C7 chips, so users can upgrade processors easily.
Systems built with the VIA Nano processor are expected to reach the market in Q3 2008, but OEM and motherboard vendors can purchase the VIA Nano processors themselves right now.
The announcement of the VIA Nano is the latest in a series of moves by VIA in the UMPC processor market, where VIA is in competition with Intel. Earlier this week, VIA announced that it was launching OpenBook mini-note reference design for ultra-portable, low-power notebooks.