Intel Atom N570 takes netbook market by storm

The dual core Intel Atom N570 processor is out in force for a couple of months already and many manufacturers are currently offering updates for their netbooks, using Intel’s new dual core chip. The processor has better power management than the previous dual core version, N550, and the update will not affect the prices or the configuration of the machines.MSI, for example, offers updates for two of their Wind entries, namely U135DX and the U160MX, both of them to be available soon in Germany and after that across Europe.

The U135DX have 1 GB of DDR3 RAM, a 250 GB hard disk drive, VGA slot and USB slots, as well as the new N570 processor. The entire setup costs around 270 euros in Europe, which is basically the price of the old models, before the CPU upgrade. The U160MX is virtually identical to the U135MX in almost all respects, excepting the flatter design and better battery, while all the other features remain the same.

The Toshiba NB520 also got the N570 upgrade and is currently announced only in the UK, but the actual release date is not yet known. It has 1 GB of DDR3 RAM, a 250 GB hard disk drive, WiFi N, that is much faster than normal WiFi, card reader, a bunch of USB 2.0 ports (one having a sleep and charge function), a 0.3 MP web cam and so on. The netbook has a six cell battery that should provide good autonomy in conjunction with the energy smart N570.

Toshiba netbooks get a N570 upgrade in Europe

But the most attractive feature of the netbook is the pair of Harman Kardon speakers, which deliver fantastic audio quality for a netbook. The audio setup can also be used when the computer is shut down, by connecting an MP3 player to the audio jack of the netbook. The NB520 will be available for around 320 euros, but as we said, there’s no word about an actual release date, neither in the UK or other territories.

For now, these are netbooks that got a N570 update, alongside the newly released Asus Eee PC rO51 PX, which is basically the R105D on steroids. We’ll probably get many more updates during the summer, as the new dual core chip will be purchased by other top players on the netbook market, such as Samsung or Acer. We’ll keep you posted as we find out more about the subject.

Tags: dual core ATOM, Intel Atom

Last updated: March 31, 2012 | Published: May 6th, 2011 | Add the first comment!