Intel lifting netbook screen size restrictions for next-gen Atom netbooks?
By Tim Stevens 
posted May 19th 2010 10:29AM
posted May 19th 2010 10:29AM
Put on your conductor hat and overalls, because it's time to take the rumor train to Atomsville. DigiTimes is reporting that Intel is cooking up another new dual-core Atom processor, this one called the N550, and that netbooks using it will have to feature at least 1GB of DDR3 memory and 32GB of SSD or 250GB of platters. That's hardly revolutionary, but slightly more interesting is an allowance for netbook makers using the chip to bump up their maximum screen size to 12.1-inches. That's a sizeable increase over the current 10.2-inch maximum and could further blur the line between net and note... assuming this train reaches the station.
Wait.
I think 12" screens are the smallest worth having, so I've been following 12" netbooks for a while.
They're have been a few out for a while, no ????
HP Mini 311
ASUS Eee PC 1201N
Inspiron 11z
@Nunya Bizness Some are 11.6 inch.
Is no one going to mention the resolution?
The 1024x600 has always been what's stopped me buying one. Might we get a higher max res with these changes?
@Karnak There are some 1366x766" models out there. I know for sure that there are 10" models from Dell, HP, and Asus. I have the HP one and like it, you could even get it for under $350 without all the extras of course.
Excuse me, but why the hell is it any of Intel's business where device manufacturers put their chips?
12.1" Kinda defeates the purpose of netbooks? For .9inches you might as well get a macbook /pro/air/ or any similar windows laptop
@I like things Defeats**
@I like things The main difference is price.
@I like things Except for those start at a minimum of $1000. Netbooks are CHEEP! You can get 'em for $300. I wouldn't pay $700 for 0.9 inches and the added performance in this case (I have a desktop for performance stuff).
but if they keep getting bigger wont they just be laptops?
The screen size restrictions are due to MS licensing guidelines for Win7 Starter and XP Home. Intel doesn't care if you put a 17" screen on an Atom.
The reason you will see larger screens on the dual-core parts is dual-core parts immediately violate MS's guidelines for using Win7 starter or XP home....since you can't use those OS's then the screen size doesn't matter.
Where do you guys get your facts exactly?
@beaups XP Home doesn't have any screen resolution restriction. You're confusing it with XP Starter.
@ToniCipriani
Incorrect. XP Home (unless used in "emerging markets") is only being licensed for netbooks. In that agreement there are screen restrictions, processor restrictions, ram restrictions, and HDD restrictions.
@beaups XP Home is (or was) a retail product. Like I said you're talking about XP Starter Edition. That one has a restriction of 1024x768 and 512MB system RAM.
And the Home Edition you talked about for netbooks I presume is the ULCPC edition. There are no restrictions.
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2008/apr08/04-03xpeos.mspx
@ToniCipriani
Wrong still. There is no XP Starter edition. Did you read the link you posted? It clearly states that the ULPC xp license (which is xp home) was the ONLY XP LICENSE BEING EXTENDED past the XP cutoff date...which we have now well passed. The specs (screen resolution, ram) have since been updated since the press release you linked to was in 2008.
Win 7 Starter allowed a little more..ie 250GB HDD. The max allowed for an XP license was 160GB.
We can argue this all you want, but being in the business, and having copies of the licensing agreement I can assure you that you are mistaken on this issue.
Which makes the line between net and note an underpowered processor.
Um, this story is factually incorrect. My wife has a netbook with a 11 inch screen and has had it for a while now and oh, yeah, you gys blogged about it:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/22/11-6-inch-acer-aspire-one-inches-closer-to-our-hearts-reality/
@gorkon
You're wrong. Look at the processor. That's the last gen Atom.
@BigJayDogg3
How is that "wrong?" The article suggests that you can't buy an Atom netbook with a screen over 10.1 inches. In truth you can. So, the article is incorrect.
As far as i'm concerned netbooks stopped becoming netbooks when the screens got larger than 8.9". I have eeepc901 and chose it for its size and portability. Any bigger and the trade off between size/processor speed seems daft - why not just get a proper laptop?
I for one will be looking to replace the Asus with another 8.9" model when it eventually goes to the electronic graveyard in the sky (Assuming that there are any on the market - in fact i'm a bit annoyed that netbooks have got larger rather than smaller/thinner & lighter).
As to the "unreadable" 1024 x 600 screen well thats just stupid.
Also the way I use my netbook the most is in bed with it sat on my lap/chest (surfing the web and watching DivX movies/you tube etc). Can't do that with an iPad!
@pdw709 Why not get a "proper laptop"? $$$$$$ :)
@Brianbrain
Why wouldI want a "proper laptop". I have a powerful desktop for my main computing needs (video edediting etc). My Netbook is used for surfing/video watching and business trips (Powerpoiint presentations). Anything more powerful would be overkill. I like the size/portability of the 8.9" platform plus the power supply isn't a brick. My "carryon" bagage during trips is now significantly lighter & slimmer.
@beaups, Intel DOES care what screen sizes go with what CPU. Vendors get pricing rebates if they stick to Intel guidelines. No rebate = not competitive. Right now Intel make it worthwhile for vendors to ship Atom N with 10" or less. With Atom Z it makes no difference. That's why the current 11" and 12" netbooks use Atom Z CPUs.
@popslap
That is not a restriction. Point is you can build Atom in whatever size machine you want. The folks with the actual RESTRICTIONS are Microsoft.
At least this has a keyboard built in.
Am I the only one that doesn't like this? I like 10 inches and under being netbooks, 11 to 12 being ultra portables, and 13 and up being regular laptops. Remember when nebooks were 7 inches? I think I still have my Eee PC 701 around here somewhere.
Errr, I thought we already have 12" and up atom based netbooks. So now we cam see 17" netbooks then! Really, "netbooks" are losing their identity, and making them larger defeats the whole point entirely. I mean there's nothing less than 10" netbooks now.
What's new with this? I've been using my eee 901 with a 24 inch external display at 1920x1080 for a while now...
The article says the Intel's new N550 DC will allow 12" screen sizes. Was Intel restricting the screen size on the Dual Cores only or was it all of them? I say this because the Dell Mini 12 was on an single core Atom Z530 and had a 12" screen size. Not sure what the author means by bumping the screen size to 12.1". What he didnt say is if we are still stuck with the 2gb max memory limit still. Who cares about a 12 inch screen .... give me more ram !!!!!
but all the 11.6 inch are either tablet or using Z520~
Been waiting for a 12 inch main stream atom netbook for ages~ especially dual core atom~