Desktops and laptops

Intel Atom and Centrino Atom

Mobile processors and platform

TBA Q2 April

Designed for a new category of computers that Intel is calling "netbooks" -- small PCs with 7 - to 10-inch screens, such as the Asus Eee PC--Intel's Centrino Atom platform and Atom processors (codenamed Diamondville and Silverthorne) are even smaller than today's notebook components. The focus for Atom will be on energy efficiency for smaller devices; contrary to earlier reports, Atom processors will be dual-core eventually, according to Intel. We can't guarantee that Intel will release Atom this spring; Intel will only say the platform is coming "later this year."

Intel Centrino 2

Mobile platform

NA Q2

Intel's mobile platform update, codenamed Montevina, is due this spring. Centrino 2 will include the same Penryn processors that are just now making their way into laptop models, but add a WiMax module and graphics improvements that include broader support for DirectX 10 and HD video. Centrino 2 should make its way into manufacturers' laptop lineups by the end of spring.

AMD's Puma mobile platform and Griffin chips

Mobile platform

NA Q2

With the release of the new Puma platform, AMD will introduce a new mobile processor design, code-named Griffin. A key advancement with this CPU family will be the introduction of split power planes to distribute and conserve power based on workload. Puma will reportedly incorporate a hybrid-graphics solution, called PowerXpress, which promises to extend battery life by automatically switching from discrete to integrated graphics when the system is unplugged.

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500

desktop CPU

$299
(estimate); now

Where AMD brought its dual-core chips down to 45 watts, Intel brought its Core 2 Duo CPUs down to 45 nanometers. We've seen the speed-inducing results of this new manufacturing process on its high-end quad-core chip already. While Velocity Micro's ProMagix E2055 wasn't the best overall desktop to debut this new CPU, on tests where the number of cores didn't matter, the E8500 dominated it competition. Expect to see this chip and others in the E8000-series bringing more speed to desktops this year. However, if you want to wait for the mainstream version of the 45 nm quad-core chips, we wouldn't blame you.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4850e

desktop; CPU

$89 now

This 2.5GHz low-voltage CPU could bring even faster performance to small-form- factor and all-in-one desktops.

HP Compaq 2133

UMPC

TBA unknown

Photos of HP's answer to the low-cost Asus Eee PC, the Compaq 2133, were recently leaked on the Internet. Reports indicate this 8.9-inch laptop is for real and could get releases as early as this spring. The 2133 is an entry-level model priced at $499, and will have a Via processor, according to sources.

9-inch Asus Eee PC

UMPC

$600
(estimate);
mid-year

The low-cost Linux laptop Asus released last year, the Eee PC, has other PC vendors rightfully nervous. Now, Asus is readying a 9-inch version of its runaway hit of a UMPC. The extra two inches of screen real estate will reportedly cost you a couple hundred dollars more. It appears you'll have your choice between Linux and Windows XP when the 9-inch Eee PC makes its debut later this year.

Gigabyte
GA-MA78GM-S2H

Motherboard

$100; now

This motherboard, and others like it, features AMD's new RS780g chipset, aimed at low-end and mainstream desktop. It includes a new integrated graphics chip, and other features, but of interest to casual PC gamers is its Hybrid Crossfire graphics. Hybrid Crossfire takes a page from the high-end, letting you combine the power of a low-end ATI 3D card with the motherboard's integrated graphics chip for a modest boost in 3D game performance. Playing Crysis may still prove to be a challenge, but less-intense 3D games could become noticeably more playable.