Intel Corp launched its expected Mobile Deschutes Pentium II variant for mobile PCs yesterday (CI No 3,351), called simply the moble Pentium II and clocking in at 233 and 266MHz. It’s a P6 architecture part that takes the power consumption and size requirements of the mobile market into account, by using new mini cartridge packaging. The cartridge contains both processor core and closely coupled 512K Level 2 cache, and is about one fourth of the weight and one sixth of the size of the Pentium II’s Single Edge Connector SEC cartridge. It also draws around one third of the power. Intel says the part can be used for most mobile PC form factors, including the thin, lightweight and ultra portable end of the market. The parts are manufactured using Intel’s 0.25 micron process technology, and include all the standard Pentium II features, with additional power management features to both help minimize power consumption and keep the heat of the chip down to mobile requirements. The mobile Pentium II bus operates at 66MHz, and the chips operate at an internal core voltage of 1.7 volts – Intel’s lowest voltage mobile processors introduced to date. In quantities of 1,000, the mini- cartridge costs $466 for the 233MHz version, $696 for the 266MHz version. Modules supporting the north bridge portion of Intel’s Mobile 440BX chipset cost extra, and Intel is still working on a version to support its AGP Accelerated Graphics Port, which should be available later this quarter. AGP has not yet been used in notebook-class computers. A batch of Intel OEMs announced new mobile computers around the new processor, including Compaq Computer Corp, Digital Equipment Corp, Fujitsu Ltd, Hewlett Packard Co, Hitachi Ltd and NEC Corp, all of which are due out over the next few months. Hitachi Ltd’s VisionBook, though not due until June, appeared to be the cheapest of the bunch at just under $3,000. Both DEC and Compaq – not quite the same company yet – said they would have their first systems available from this month. รก
