Intel readies hyperthreading notebook push

The mobile Pentium 4Ps are essentially desktop processors but which run far cooler than the fully-fledged Pentium 4s, and which are aimed at the now dominate "desknote" marketplace.

Intel first launched these processors in early June, with 3.06GHz, 2.80GHz, 2.66GHz and 2.40GHz and at prices of $417, $278, $218 and $186 respectively.

But the next batch of the "portability" Pentium 4s, which have effectively displaced Pentium 4Ms, will include hyperthreading, with the top of the range processor being a 3.20GHz CPU at $650, a 3.06GHz at $430, a 2.80GHz at $295, and a 2.66GHz at $235. Intel will continue to sell the non-hyperthreaded versions of these chips for notebooks for a little while.

It's going to be interesting to see how or even if Intel actively marks "hyperthreading" on the CPUs going into the chunky "desktnotes" that people seem to be buying in droves. Will it make any difference to their buying decision? Notebooks are now more segmented than they've ever been, the product mix is complicated and the differences between the markets they go into has never been greater. A "desknote" machine with, say a 17-inch screen, might well be an attractive proposition for people rather than a big clunky beige box at home, with the added advantage that you can lug it about and it will work off batteries for a while, if necessary.

A very different proposition from the slim, light, sub notebook class, which will appeal to people who just have to get the maximum battery life out of their machines and who don't want to break their shoulder blades by lugging monsters through crowded and stressed out airports, knocking toddlers over, struggling to get their bags through security, and generally making your average middle ranking exec tired, hot and frustrated.

Not long after the launch of these chips, Intel will slash prices on these Pentium 4 "portability" chips. Currently, that's expected to coincide with the price cuts on desktop CPUs, which comes at the end of October.

Then, the 3.20GHz will fall to $430, the 3.06GHz to $295, the 3.06GHz (non hyperthreaded) to $278, the 2.80GHz to $235, the 2.80GHz (non hyperthreaded) to $220, the 2.66GHz to $200, and the 2.66GHz (non hyperthreaded) to $185.

This means that if you're buying a batch of "desknote" style notebooks, you're going to have to be careful what you're getting. There's a slight premium of maybe $10/$15 on hyperthreaded Pentium 4 "mobiles".

On the 24th of this month, Intel will cut prices on its "value" or Celeron notebooks, with the 2.60GHz costing $90, the 2.50GHz $85, the 2.40GHz $79, and the 2.20GHz $69. Later in the year, Intel will introduce a $100 2.70GHz "value" Celeron.

Buying a notebook is harder than it's ever been. In the coming week we'll do one of our trips down London's Tottenham Court Road and listen in to what questions people are asking and what machines are now being currently discounted.

The Centrino family is a somewhat different kettle of fish. We'll write about what's happening with these in a separate article. µ

See Also
Intel to add hyperthreading to mobile Pentium 4 chips
Intel roadmaps
Intel brings forward date for Dothan Pentium Ms