Intel unveils Oak Trail Atom processor chipset for tablet market

Intel is introducing a next generation Atom processors, previously codenamed "Oak Trail", aimed at the tablet market.

The Oak Trail silicon platform supports tablet operating systems (OS), including Microsoft's Windows 7, MeeGo, Android Honeycomb and Google Android. Intel says its architecture combines Intel's Atom Z670 with the Intel SM35 express chipset to reduce power consumption and improve performance.

"The silicon chip size is about 60% smaller than previous version, so it takes up less space. It also runs on three watts rather than eight, which improves battery life," said Kevin O'Donovan, Intel's strategic marketing manager.

Kevin O'Donovan admits Intel faces tough competitive from the likes of ARM. He said: "If we have the most performance, energy efficient and wireless security to allow the fastest time to market, that's a compelling proposition regardless of ecosystem."

Intel has confirmed it will extend its system-on-a-chip (SoC) features by 2013 to include greater energy efficiency, wireless functionality and end-to-end security features following from the acquisition of McAfee.

The SoC should enable PC makers to cut the price of hardware and portable devices, such as tablets, that are capable of running PC software.

Intel's next chipset, Cedar Trail - to be announced in the coming weeks - is aimed at ultra-thin netbooks.

Tablets using the Oak Trail platform, such as those from Lenovo and Fujitsu, are due to ship by the end of June 2011.