New Intel Atom generation (Pinetrail) launched

Intel just launched the new Atom N450 + N11 chipset (aka Pinetrail platform). Compared to the older N280 + GMA950, the new N450 delivers nearly the same performance but with a better power consumption.

Intel just launched the new Atom N450 CPU with an integrated memory controller (DDR2 667 MHz) and an integrated graphics card (GMA 3150). The advantage of the new package is the better power consumption (about 20% compared to the N280 + GMA950 combination) and smaller packaging size (60% smaller). Therefore, we will see smaller netbooks with a slightly improved battery runtime with the same (limited) performance.

Compared to the Atom Z-series with Poulsbo (GMA500) chipset, the power consumption is identical (even a bit higher).

For more information and benchmarks on the new Atom N450, visit our

• Intel Atom N450 Netbook CPU page, and the
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150 page (for the graphics card)

So all in all, we will see no revolutionary features in Atom N450 netbooks. If you want fluent HD playback, the N450 needs an additional broadcom chip (like Dell is rumored to put in their Mini 10). The CPU and GPU performance is not much better than the N280 / GMA 950 combination. So only the better power consumption (near an Atom Z platform) and smaller size are the real advantages.