Intel has informed its notebook partners about plans to gradually reduce the production of Celeron processors and will replace the product line with its Pentium and the dual-core Atom N-series. The schedule for a complete phase-out of the Celeron line has been set for 2011, according to sources from notebook players.
Intel has denied the rumors saying it has no plans to phase out the Celeron brand in 2011.
With Intel to launch dual-core Atom N processors in the third quarter, at a similar price level with existing Celeron processors, Intel's Celeron-phase-out plans will help the company avoiding the product lines competing for demand, the sources noted.
Intel currently has several processors under its Celeron family: dual-core Celeron P4500 (US$86), T3300 (US$86), T3100 (US$80) and 900 (US$70) for traditional notebooks; and dual-core Celeron SU2300 (US$134) and single-core 743 (US$107) for ultra-thin notebooks.
Intel will also the launch Celeron P4600 (US$86), T3500 (US$80) and U3400 (US$134) by the end of September. Meanwhile, Intel's upcoming dual-core Atom N550 will be priced at US$86, noted the sources. All prices are in thousand-unit tray quantities.





