Intel gears up for mobile chip launch

Intel will next week launch a range of processors aimed at the mobile computing sector.

The chips are expected to include Pentium III's running at up to 750Mhz and new versions of Intel's low-end mobile Celeron running at up to 650Mhz.

The Pentium III chips are also expected to incorporate Intel's Speedstep technology, which allows laptops to run at speeds on a par with desktop chips, without reducing battery life.

Intel demonstrated Speedstep in January this year and launched the first mobile chips based on the technology in April. With Speedstep, a laptop can operate in two modes: maximum performance and battery-optimised.

The technology automatically chooses which mode to use depending on whether the computer is running on batteries or is plugged into AC power. For example, a laptop running at 700Mhz powers down to 500Mhz when running on battery power, saving battery life.

The Pentium III chips due out next week are widely reported to use an even lower power version of Speedstep.

Industry analysts said the launch could be just what Intel needs to boost its flagging image in the wake of its recent delivery problems and several new launches from rivals such as AMD and Transmeta.

Andy Brown, a senior analyst at research firm IDC, said: "Speedstep is an innovative technology and an important breakthrough as battery life is a crucial issue for performance notebook users. Unfortunately, the launch of Speedstep was badly timed as it clashed with the launch of AMD's Athlon chip and it didn't get much publicity.

"Intel has been struggling recently, and it will be interesting to see if they can leverage this technology and make a comeback."