By Alma Anonas-Carpio
Correspondent

Computer chipmaker Intel Technologies has finally brought to the Philippines the much-awaited 45-nanometer (nm) Atom processors for compact, easy-to-use netbook laptop computers and a new class of Internet-centric desktop computers known as nettops.

Intel vice president for sales and marketing and general manager for Asia-Pacific Navin Shenoy said in a press conference yesterday that Intel Atom-based netbooks and nettops manufactured by computer manufacturers are now commercially available. These devices feature enhanced capabilities and features, such as increased hard disk capacities.

Netbooks featuring the Atom N70 processor for mobile devices manufactured by Acer, Asus, Dell, Gigabyte, Lenovo, MSI and Neo were on display during the press conference, with netbooks by Lenovo and Dell and a small form-factor tablet personal computer (PC) by Gigabyte making their debut at the event held at the Manila Ocean Park. The nettops, including the small EeeBox PC by Asus, were also on display.

“Netbooks and nettops have received a strong, positive reaction in the Philippines over the past couple of months,” Shenoy said. “With more manufacturers and channel partners introducing Intel Atom-based netbook and nettop solutions in the Philippines, more Filipinos will benefit from access to the Internet. Intel is committed to bringing the benefits of the Internet to people in emerging markets worldwide.”

With the netbooks’ price range between $249 and $349 and the nettops prices ranging between $199 and $299, Intel Philippines country manager Ricky Banaag said the company hopes to “bring the benefits of the Internet to more Filipinos who want to use netbooks and nettops for educational purposes and so they can reap the benefits of mobile computing.” These new types of computers, pared down and simplified as they are “will meet the needs of beginning users, like students and housewives, as well as provide companion devices for more sophisticated computer users who are looking for lighter and smaller mobile devices.”

Netbooks are compact, mobile devices that children, first-time Internet and computer users and people who desire an extra PC for basic computing applications like listening to music, accessing their e-mail and web browsing. These compact laptops can also be used to play basic online games, social networking and making voice over Internet protocol phone calls.

Banaag said the Atom was “specifically designed for Internet-centric applications. We believe that Intel Atom-based devices will help make a greater number of Filipinos PC- and Internet-savvy.”

Last year, Intel partnered with Neo to create a compact, pared down laptop specifically for schoolchildren called the Classmate PC. A few months after deploying these Classmate PCs to public elementary school students in Muntinlupa, Intel and Neo developed the Explore X1 netbook, which is the next generation Classmate PC. The latest line of Neo netbooks now carries the Atom processor.

Computer manufacturer ASUS was the first firm to make netbooks commercially available with its Eee PC 900. The EeePC 1000H, the latest in ASUS’ netbook series, also runs on the Atom.

Intel also launched the Nettop ng Bayan desktop PC in June in cooperation with the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), a fresh take on the PC ng Bayan program of previous years. Where the earlier PC ng Bayan program offered desktop computers for as low as P12,000, the Nettop ng Bayan program makes available pared-down desktop PCs that run on the Atom for as low as P10,000.

“Intel is delivering a variety of high-performance, low-power processors and other advanced computer technologies to help the IT industry provide devices at all price points for various markets,” Banaag said, adding that the latest Intel chip, the Centrino 2 for full-fledged laptop computers “makes use of the same 45nm footprint and low power consumption as is used in the Atom.”

* This story came out in the Friday-Saturday edition of the Business Mirror. The launch was held at the Manila Ocean Park, where the tiny new processor chips were launched amid a backdrop of skates, manta rays, grouper and other deep sea fish found in Philippine waters. For those who want to bring their kids to the Ocean Park, the entrance fee is a hefty P450 or so, but it is definitely worth a visit, even if they are still in the process of building a shopping mall and hotel along one wing of the structure. I'm definitely bringing my kids there as soon as there is time for it.