Intel introduces fast processor for laptops

<br>SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) _ Intel Corp. said it will introduce its fastest processor specifically made for notebook computers, further narrowing the performance gap between laptops and desktops. <br><br>The

Saturday, March 17th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) _ Intel Corp. said it will introduce its fastest processor specifically made for notebook computers, further narrowing the performance gap between laptops and desktops.

The mobile Pentium 3, to be introduced Monday, is the first laptop processor to run at 1 gigahertz _ or 1 billion cycles of computations each second. The chip giant's previous top mobile processor runs at 850 megahertz, or 850 million cycles a second.

Used in full-size and ``thin-and-light'' notebooks, the chip will improve advanced applications such as those involving digital photography, video processing, voice recognition and 3D gaming, the company said.

``Over the last several years, the mobile growth has exceeded that of the overall PC industry, and it's projected to continue to do so,'' said Frank Spindler, vice president of Intel's architecture group and general manager of the mobile platforms group.

``One of the reasons is that we're providing the sort of performance levels on notebooks that rival the fastest desktops,'' he said.

The processor also incorporates technology to reduce battery drain.

Intel said the fast processor soon will be available in more than 20 notebook models.

Intel's fastest desktop processor, a member of the top-of-the-line Pentium 4 family, currently runs at 1.5 GHz. The company is expected to release mobile versions of that Pentium 4 sometime in 2002.