For readers who intend to purchase a new netbook, you might want to wait a while as Intel will be launching it's 2nd generation netbook architecture - the Pine Trail in the 2nd half of 2009.

The Pine Trail platform features an integrated graphics and memory core. Instead of the Diamondville's 3 chip solution (CPU, graphics, south bridge), it will become a 2 chip solution. The CPU will be paired up with a south bridge similar to ICH7. The processor is named "Pineview" while the southbridge is known as Tigerpoint. As the new processor is base don 45nm, the 2 chipset solution's TDP or total power consumption will be lower and more efficient than the current design which comprises of the Intel 945GC+ICH7+Atom processor. It's power consumption is low enough for manufacturers to have fan less design of it's mainboards. This new design uses a 4 layer PCB routing.

Currently, the design will be aimed at Netbooks and NetPCs. The Netbooks will primarily use the single core Pine View processors while the NetPCs will come in two flavours - single core and dual core Pine View processor. The graphics controller within the Pineview processor will have performance close to current desktop chipsets. We expect it to be able to decode H.264 with low CPU utilisation.

Intel has began sampling the processors to OEM and ODMs and it is expected. Actual products will be launched by 2nd half of this year.

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