Transmeta to target low-priced notebooks with Efficeon processors

By Alun Williams

Posted on 2 Sep 2003 at 11:07

US-based Transmeta is targeting the notebook market featuring low costs and mainstream panel sizes of over 12 inches with its new Efficeon processors, said company CEO Matthew R Perry.

Samples of the Efficeon processors have been distributed to notebook makers worldwide. The company expects volume shipments of the 1.1GHz version to begin in the late third quarter and at least one client to launch a notebook featuring an Efficeon processor in the fourth quarter, Perry said.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will produce the Efficeon processor using 0.13-micron processing, and Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) will handle the flip-chip packaging.

The Efficeon can process eight instructions per clock cycle, allowing it to perform faster but also consume less power. Compared to the earlier Crusoe processors from Transmeta, the Efficeon performs 50 per cent faster on standard applications and 80 per cent faster on multimedia applications, according to Perry.

Transmeta will announce detailed specifications of the Efficeon processor at In-Stat/MDR's Microprocessor Forum (MPF) in San Jose, California from October 13-16.