Intel wants to improve the line of its Atom processor. Moreover, it is going to unveil a dual-core version of processors. It is expected to happen this quarter. As a result, the company will be able to sustain demand for such mobile products as netbooks.

According to Paul Otellini, Intel CEO, a significant growth in the market of netbooks is expected this year. The price tag of netbooks is between US$200 to $500. They are used for Web browsing as well as basic productivity applications.

In order to sustain demand, the company made a decision to innovate netbook chips. New chips are expected to be released later this year. As a result, they will help improve the performance of chips that are low-powered and also inexpensive.

Also Otellini said, that the company was going to roll out a dual-core Atom. But, actually, details of the upcoming processor were vague. For that reason it is hard to say whether the new dual-core Atom is developed for small desktops or netbooks. One should not forget that the company has already offered dual-core Atoms for entry-level desktops. In fact, with the help of a dual-core chip, netbooks could get a necessary speed boost which is so desirable.

At present the opportunities of Atom are growing, in fact, they are tremendous. Probably, Intel is going to introduce something new throughout May.

As for the price points, one can say that they are established. Probably they will not change as Intel is trying to divide the mainstream as well as low-cost laptop markets. An important technology shift was made by the company this year, i.e. it unveiled more power-efficient and faster chips for desktops and laptops.