The CULV Class

Everyone likes tiny laptops. They, after all, represent what mobile computing is all about. And given that they are indeed small, they also use specific processors that should enable them to be cramped in a small chassis.

First there were netbooks that had celeron or via processors. They were respectable in speed and processing power, but unforgiving in battery life.

Then there was the Atom, Intel's foray into the netbook market. Normally at 1.6gig proc power, well you'd hardly refer to it as power, but it was very efficient. Never gets hot and the battery takes you into hours of mobile computing fun.

Now there is the CULV, Intel's Ultra Low-Voltage Core cpu, which gives you more power than an Atom, but still manages to extend the batt life of your machine. I can attest to it's power. I've been using an Acer Timeline 3810 for some time now, and it is way more powerful than any Atom machine, and lasts longer on a single charge than any of the netbooks I've owned.

Here's the skinny on CULV processors and the ultra-thin laptops that carry them:

CULV processors deliver a solid performance and long battery life in a sleek and thin form factor that mainstream lappies fail to provide.

Ultra-thins are the next netbooks. Apparently, more and more people are gravitating to ultra-thins more, simply because they offer bigger screens, bigger keyboards, better processing punch, while still maintaining mileage in battery life.

Ultra-thins are lappies with the perfect balance of performance and form, the new criteria for mobile computing. They typically measure in the 1-inch range and weigh-in at a remarkable 1 to 2 lbs. This make them a joy to carry around.

What makes the CULV processor unique is it consumes less power than that of any mainstream laptop out in the market. And those normally utilize either a dual core or core2duo cpu. And its tiny footprint is what allows it to be fitted in sleek designs which is the trademark of ultra-thins. Traditional laptop cpu's pull in a 25 to 35 thermal design point (or TDP). This is the amount of heat generated by the cpu. Your laptop compensates for this heat with corollary fans and other cooling components in order for it to run efficiently and obviously not burn you along the way :) CULVs on the other hand have a lover TDP of ...grab onto your seat.... just 10 watts! And these cpu's normally don't need the fans and cooling components mentioned previously. Removing these components now allows for the sleek and thin form factor that is the staple of ultra-thins.

Here's a benchmark sample from Intel of how typical CULV performs: