Intel Corp introduces the next speed bump in its roadmap for the low-end Celeron processor family today, promising systems in the channel immediately. Hewlett-Packard Co was expected to be one of the earliest PC makers to have machines available.
Saying it is two-to three months ahead of its original schedule, Intel says it now plans further announcements in June, including the Whitney chipset for integrated graphics and a further speed boost to 466MHz.
Prices in quantities of 1,000 are $169 for the Socket 370 versions and $177 for the older SEPP Slot 1 versions. Last week, Intel cut the prices on its existing Celeron chips, putting further pressure on its main competitor in this market sector, Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
Intel has now stopped selling 300MHz versions of the Celeron, and is marketing 333, 366, 400 and 433MHz versions. The 366 and 400MHz versions were introduced at the beginning of the year.
