Intel is expected to launch its new notebook platform, Santa Rosa, in March of next year and the new platform could help boost global notebook shipments past 100 million units in 2007, according to sources at Taiwan notebook makers.
Santa Rosa will be based on Intel’s forthcoming dual-core notebook processor Merom which boasts 64-bit computing capability, said the sources, noting that the new platform will also feature enhanced wireless connectivity.
Intel and Taiwan notebook makers had originally targeted to roll out Santa Rosa-based notebook by the end of 2006, but have recently re-scheduled the launch date to March 2007, the sources noted, adding that the new schedule allows Taiwan makers more time to develop notebooks based on the new platform, while extending sales cycle for the recently launched Napa-based notebooks.
Taiwan makers estimate that global notebook shipments will reach 82-85 million units in 2006, up from an estimate of 65 million units for 2005, the sources said. With the planned launch of Microsoft’s Vista OS in the fourth quarter of 2006 combined with Santa Rosa in the first quarter of 2007, Taiwan notebook makers believe that global notebook shipments will exceed 100 million units in 2007.
|
Intel notebook CPU and chipset codenames from 2003-2007 | ||||
|
Item |
2003 |
2005 |
2006 |
1Q 2007 (projected) |
|
Platform |
Carmel |
Sonoma |
Napa |
Santa Rosa |
|
Processor |
Banias |
Dothan |
Yonah (dual-core 65mm) |
Merom (64-bit enabled, dual-core 65mm) |
|
Chipsets |
Odem/MGM+ |
Alviso |
Calistoga (ICH7-M) |
Crestline |
|
Wireless chip |
Calexico |
Calexico 2 |
Golan |
Golan 2 (not decided yet) |
Source: Taiwan notebook makers, compiled by DigiTimes
