Intel reveals pricing for its Atom processors

Atom N450 processor will be more expensive than the Atom N270 processor

According to a report by Fudzilla, Intel has revealed the pricing of its Atom series of processors. The price of various Intel Atom processors is as follows:

·         Intel Atom dual-core N330 for nettops - $43

·         1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 for netbooks - $44

·         1.6 GHz Intel Atom N450 (next generation) - $63

·         Intel Atom Z530 for netbooks - $65

·         Intel CULV (consumer ultra low voltage) processor (cheapest) - $106

It is quite clear from this pricing structure that the next generation Intel Pine Trail platform which consists of the Intel Atom N450 processor will cost about $20 more than the price of the much popular Intel Atom N270 processor. The rumors regarding the launch of the next-gen Atom N450 processor are that it will either be launched later this year or maximum by Q1 2010. The price of this processor does not include the discounts given to the manufacturers in case the Intel chipset is used. It is quite clear from this pricing structure that, netbooks of the future will be more expensive than the netbooks available today because of the price of the increased price of Atom N450 processor and Windows 7 operating system (since Windows 7 is expensive than Vista or XP and will be launched on 22^nd October 09). 

The pricing also reveals that the CULV processors are far expensive than the Atom N270 processor, this explains the higher prices of CULV based netbooks. Also, a point to be noted is that the Atom Z530 processor is also about $20 expensive than the Atom N270 processor but, is in line with the new Atom N450 processor. This explains why the Atom Z530 processor has not been that popular amongst netbook manufacturers whereas, Atom N270 processor is found in almost every netbook.