Intel's developer forum - what to expect

Convertibles and 4th generation cores
For those who like a bit of a blend, melding ultrabook laptops with tablets, Intel believes its new convertible designs have the potential to bring the best of both worlds together in one platforms. We’re told there will be a number of new designs coming out -- some recently released last week at IFA in Berlin and many to be found onsite at IDF.

The new convertibles are showing up in all shapes, sizes and SKUs, differentiating themselves with a plethora of sliders, swivels, flip screens, dual screens and more. Indeed, the focus for this holiday season appears to be strongly based around personalization, with a lot of choices depending on personal preference.

Intel has a number of ultrabook systems in convertible designs on the way from OEMs including Asus, Dell, Lenovo, Panasonic, Sony and Toshiba, which will all be on display at IDF.

On the tablet front, Intel has over 20 design wins from leading OEMs based on its next generation Atom SoC (Clover Trail), with a number of them in convertible designs.

Sources say this is just the first step for convertibles, as Intel pushes towards its next generation Intel Core processor family, and arguably the most exciting news of the show.

4th generation Intel Core processor family

Last year Intel set out to reinvigorate the industry around ultrabooks and said it would cut the mainstream mobile processor design power in half to enable this new category of laptops.
 
The firm intercepted a product cycle half way through in 3rd generation Intel Core to bring power down from 35 watts to 17 watts, resulting in thinner, more innovative computing devices, represented by the touch and convertible designs available already today. Intel is purportedly pleased with these initial systems, and is getting ready to ramp things up another notch.

Initially the firm had said its 4th generation Intel Core processor SoC (due out in 2013) would be the first chip built from the ground up with the ultrabook in mind.

Now, the firm is saying that it’s going even better than originally expected.

Indeed, things are going so well on the technical side that the firm is even said to be making more changes in its flagship core roadmap, starting with the 4th gen core in 2013, to help OEMs make even thinner and lighter designs.

Specifically, we’re told, Intel will be introducing a new line of low power chips targeted to operate at around 10 watts initially, while offering other 4th Gen Core processor benefits like high performance, low idle power, single-chip packaging, and new graphics and security capabilities.

Intel is said to be “really excited” about the possibilities this will open up for more innovation in the PC. And let’s face it, in an increasingly mobile world, the PC sorely needs a facelift. If IDF delivers, and I believe it will, it should be a great show this year.