Las Vegas – NVIDIA today introduced a new Tegra
processor for what company CEO Jen-Hsun Huang called the latest computer
category, tablet computers.
Despite the similarity in name between tablet computers and
Tablet PCs, the NVIDIA powered devices are smaller, do not use a Windows
platform, and can deliver better performance then a netbook. They intended for
consumers who want a better computing experience then can now be delivered by a
handheld device like an iPhone or Blackberry, he said.
The new Tegra is based on a dual-core ARM Cortex A9 CPU running
up to 1GHz with eight on board processors that Huang said delivers 10 times the
performance of a normal smartphone while drawing only 500-milliwatts of power
or about the same as a cellphone. The most important feature, however, he said
is the processor does not require any special ventilation.
Devices running on the Tegra will have screen sizes ranging from
five to 15 inches and be able to run applications ranging from Facebook to
ebooks to high-end first shooter PC games.
Huang said over 50 companies were developing tablet computers
including Asus, MSI Computing and Compal. In addition, Motorola and Verizon are
working in conjunction with Innovative converged Devices to create a model for
that will function on Verizon’s 4G network. This will roll out in 25-30 U.S.
markets in 2010. Pricing was not available.
The Tegra chip will also find its way into upcoming computer
systems to be installed by Audi. These computers will deliver a range of
content including GPS, media and web search.
At CES NVIDIA also demonstrated its 3D Vision ready technology
that is being included in its graphic processor units that will work in
conjunction with upcoming 3D ready notebooks and desktop displays, Huang said.
