Intel will work with Chrome but ARM in catbird seat

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Intel will work with Chrome but ARM in catbird seat

By CAROLINE GABRIEL

Published: 13 July, 2009

READ MORE: Intel | ARM

The launch of Google's Chrome OS last week put the cat among the pigeons in the netbook and emerging smartbook segments, and placed Intel in a dilemma. While the proponents of an ARM/Linux combination, for devices that sit in the PC/smartphone no-man's land, leapt on Chrome - witness eager support from Qualcomm and Texas Instruments - Intel has hopes of keeping full control of the netbook market, building it around Atom with either Windows or the chip giant's own Linux-based Moblin.

This objective, of course, recently received a major shot in the arm from an alliance with Nokia, but that in itself makes it politically difficult for Intel to support Chrome too enthusiastically. However, the chip leader cannot let Chrome become an all-ARM solution, in case it ends up dominating the hybrid device market. So we are seeing a muted response from Intel, which some analysts believe will deliver the early market initiative to the ARM brigade, in particular Intel's would-be nemesis in the mobile industry, Qualcomm.

After a quiet response to the Chrome launch, Intel has conceded it is working with Google on Chrome (as it is, also rather quietly, on Android). Intel spokespeople told The Register: "We've been privy to the project for some time and work with Google on a variety of projects, including elements of this one. We welcome Google's move here."

In the short term, recessionary pressures may play against Atom and favor emerging ultra-low cost models based on ARM, says a new report from analysts at The Information Network. While Atom holds more than 80% share of the 23.5m netbooks sold in 2009, the ARM-based processors will gain a 55% share of 96m units by 2012, says the forecast.

"We see two technology factors converging with the poor macroeconomic situation that will create a market for ARM - the release of the Cortex-9 microarchitecture and the emergence of cloud computing," said Robert Castellano, the firm's president. And this will be stimulated by Chrome - "Chrome OS is the first operating system built with cloud computing in mind." Netbook makers will need to get costs right down if they are to extend the addressable market for people who will purchase these as a secondary device, not a main PC. Linux is free, while Windows can cost up to $35 per netbook in licensing fees, and Chrome OS could address the shortage of productivity apps for Linux by optimizing cloud usage. The elimination of the hard drive saves another $55 and brings the netbook close to its original target retail price of $100.