A couple of major mobile processor revisions are expected from Intel in 2010, including Clarkdale CPUs that feature four cores and Hyper-Threading.
However, Intel also has plans to introduce its 32nm Arrandale mobile CPUs with integrated graphics, which will feature two cores and Hyper-Threading for low-power laptops.
By integrating the graphics core into the CPU, Clarkdale and Arrandale will enable the production of smaller and cheaper laptop motherboards.
At the lower end of the scale, Intel has similar plans for netbooks.
We'll see the introduction of the Pineview-M CPU, an Atom processor with an integrated memory controller and graphics. As such, the only chipset needed for Atom is a single I/O chip codenamed Tiger Point.
 |
Intel's CPU roadmap from the Intel Developer Forum 2009: note the 32nm Clarkdale desktop and Arrandale laptop chips
|
This could pave the way for smaller netbooks, although Intel's elimination of the chipset isn't good news for companies currently making Atom chipsets. Nvidia's Ion platform, for example, will be locked out, as Atom no longer needs a chipset and GPU.
This might encourage more companies to look at VIA's Nano CPU range in the netbook business, and combine them with an Nvidia chipset in order to achieve better HD video playback performance and basic 3D gaming.
Not many big changes are expected in terms of laptop memory, because you usually only get two SODIMM sockets in a laptop, meaning that 4GB and 8GB SODIMMs are needed to boost capacity.
As such, 8GB laptops will be available, but 4GB machines are still likely to be the norm in 2010. In terms of storage, we expect 2.5in mobile hard drives to top-out at around 640GB.
One left-field new arrival could be the growth of sensors inside laptops. Windows 7 includes support for various sensors including light, temperature and accelerometers. PCs that change their display like the day/night settings on satnavs are just one possibility.
Also see: The Prophecy of the Desktop: Here's what's coming to the PC in 2010