Intel Atom N280, Intel GN40, Intel PineTrail Roadmap

So there’s been some confusion since it’s come out that the Asus Eee PC 1000HE netbook uses the Intel Atom N280, but doesn’t use the new graphics solution, the Intel GN40. Instead, this brand new netbook which isn’t even out yet is still using the crappy old graphics solution. Ok, we already know that, but here’s why Intel has decided to go this way with their netbook solutions.It’s speculation, of course, but damn good speculation that the reason Intel is still offering this as an option to manufacturers is because the Intel GN40 is little more than a hacked together piece of hardware that already exists. It’s been suggested that it’s, effectively, a relabeled Intel GL40 chipset, which is in turn a modified and relabeled Intel GM45. In short, the Intel GL40 draws more power than the existing garbage, the 945GSE, that’s in damn near every netbook to date.

Because of the power draw, effectively 16.5w with an Intel N280 and Intel GN40, you can see where some manufacturers might opt for a different video solution if Intel allows, and since they’re still offering the GMA950, it’s the only way to get damn near ten hours of battery life in your Asus Eee PC 1000HE netbook.

However, we’ve spoken about the Intel PineTrail platform before, and that remains the focus for the latter part of the year, but not until Q4. For now, it’s going to be your regular netbooks with the standard Intel Atom N280 (well, new standard) and the 945GSE, and your enhanced media netbooks with the Intel Atom N280 and Intel GN40.

So long as you’re not needing to do a ton of HD decoding in the near future, waiting may not be necessary. I’m hoping to get a review up for the Asus Eee PC 1000HE netbook once they ship, so that’ll give me a better idea of how it all shapes up.

Thanks to HKEPC for the roadmap and to Fudzilla for the scoop and groovy technical info.