Legit Reviews

At the Core of 2006:

Intel Technology and Industry Leadership Highlights

In 2006, Intel Corporation introduced the most products in its history with industry-leading performance advantages that will change personal and business computing. The summer was highlighted by the introduction of the Intel® Core™ 2 Duo and Intel Xeon™ processor families across Intel’s product lines. In November, Intel introduced the world’s first quad-core processor for mainstream servers, workstations and high-end desktop PCs. Intel also plans to extend its manufacturing and product leadership over the long term with accelerated microarchitecture development cycles and constant manufacturing advances – already praised as the world’s most advanced. Below are some of Intel’s highlights in 2006.

- 2006 marks the true dawning of the multi core era. Intel in summer unveiled the Intel Core 2 Duo processor that offers undisputed performance leadership for laptops and PCs, and a version for servers. By mid-October, Intel had already shipped 6 million units. Intel Core 2 Duo processors for desktop computers use up to 40 percent less power and improve computer performance by 40 percent versus Intel’s previous best microprocessor. Just four months later in November, Intel began selling Intel Core 2 Quad Core processors – products that have four “chips” in them that further extended Intel’s performance leadership.

- Record number of processor introductions. Intel introduced a record 40-plus processors in less than 200 days that covered every major Intel product line and one to two quarters ahead of schedule. The summer introduction of the dual core, multi-threaded Itanium 2 processor helped the architecture become the fastest growing among all other non x86 offerings.

- First-ever dual core notebooks that continue to deliver incredible battery life. Intel delivered the industry’s first ever dual core laptops powered by Core Duo in January, increasing performance by 30 percent and reducing power consumption by more than 20 percent continuing the incredible battery life, wireless access and sleek models the Centrino® brand has become known for. In June, Intel announced the Core 2 Duo processor and improved the performance by another 20 percent over Core Duo. Notebook PCs are by far the fastest growing computer segment (vs. desktops and servers).

- Unparalleled manufacturing, nanotechnology advantages, including three 65nm factories in full production, before most others produce even a single 65nm part. Intel is using its 65nm manufacturing capability to meet worldwide demand for Intel Core 2 Duo processors and other new products. In addition, Intel has successfully demonstrated its next-generation 45nm manufacturing process and expects to start two 45nm fabs in production in 2007. Intel’s first 45nm products will tape out this quarter.

- Apple goes all Intel. Intel worked closely with Apple to complete its entire transition to Intel architecture in just 7 months -- 219 days exactly, faster than anticipated representing one of the most impressive transitions in the industry -- from desktops to laptops, workstations and servers.

- Intel added market-focused brands. Following the success of Centrino for laptops with wireless networking, the company launched Intel Viiv™ technology for in-home entertainment computers and then Intel vPro™, a technology platform for more manageable and secure business PCs.

- “Digital Entertainment” arrives. Intel brought its new Viiv technology to market and is working with a number of companies worldwide such as Anytime, AOL, DirecTV, NBC Universal, Shanghai Media Group, Yahoo and others to accelerate the availability of compelling digital entertainment content into the home from the Internet to the PC and TV.

- Intel continues to tailor PC technologies and invest in communities around the world. Beyond the market-focused brands, Intel is working around the world and with emerging countries and local economies to bring the benefits of computers to emerging nations. Platforms including Eduwise, the Rural PC and Discover the PC bring such features as PCs for a child’s education in China to those that include special netting and a car battery to keep bugs out and PCs running in remote areas with sporadic electricity. Through the company’s World Ahead initiative and a $1 billion multi-year investment, Intel is working to bridge the digital divide and bring technology access to remote communities where such issues as economy, costs and education are barriers.

- Leading companies rally around WiMAX. Momentum grew this year with more than 250 WiMAX trials and deployments worldwide. Significant deals and business investments by Intel, Sprint, Motorola, Clearwire and others also spurred growth. A faster, more ubiquitous and cost-effective wireless network is critical to delivering the “Internet, everywhere” and more easily unwiring many nations around the world.

- Intel R&D Reveals Multiple Advances. Intel's work on silicon photonics, including its recent announcement of a silicon laser, is leading the way to new generations of fast chip interconnections circumventing a future barrier to faster computer designs. Also, Intel’s tiny robot prototype in development is an example of ways in which Intel’s creative camp contributes new concepts across the technology landscape. Intel researchers continue to push the boundaries for technology and learn more about how and why people use technology. For example, one of Europe’s most powerful supercomputer, Finis Terrae, uses more than 2,500 Intel Itanium 2 processor cores and will be dedicated to international collaborative research projects.

- Intel Enters NAND flash business with new partnership, customer. In late 2005, Intel partnered with Micron Technology to create a new company to manufacture NAND flash memory. In 2006, Apple became the first major customer.