Let’s get down to business. Moorestown is a mobility platform comprised of three key components:
Lincroft: Now known as the Atom Processor Z6xx, this is a 45 nm SoC part integrating a processor core, memory and display controllers, graphics engine, and a video engine. Why go 45 nm when the Core family is already transitioning to 32 nm and the object of the game is to be smaller? Because Moorestown was already in development when the 32 nm process change came online. In short, Intel’s time to market was faster with 45 nm, and the company could still achieve its goals on the larger node.
Langwell: This is the Intel Platform Controller Hub MP20, manufactured on a 65 nm process. Now that most of the yesteryear’s headlining chipset features have migrated to the CPU, most of what’s left in the PCH is I/O-related, although there are still a few surprises lying in wait.
Briertown: This is a dedicated Mixed Signal IC (MSIC) designed to manage power across the entire motherboard. You’ll also see the part referred to as a Power Management IC, or PMIC. Briertown is critical to Moorestown’s power-saving capabilities, but it’s actually manufactured by third-party vendors, including Freescale, Maxim, and NEC.
The fourth component that should probably be lumped in with the Moorestown platform is wireless connectivity, but this part remains too variable to be easily defined. As with Briertown, Intel has worked with numerous providers on several components that dovetail with Moorestown’s needs. Out of the gate, expect 3G products such as the M340 data/voice chip from ST-Ericsson, along with the Marvell 8688 for 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi and Infineon’s Hammerhead 2 for GPS. More exciting will be Intel’s Wireless Multiconnection 3200, code-named Evans Peak, which will offer the 4-in-1 bundle of WiMAX, 802.11a/g/n, Bluetooth, and GPS on a single adapter.
We’ll dig into each of these pieces in the following pages. As we move through the group, keep in mind that Intel had four objectives for Moorestown, best summarized by this foil:
Among all of the points Intel wants to make with this launch, one stands far above the others: Atom’s power problems are over in the ultramobile segment. With an audio playback runtime of roughly two days and standby time exceeding 10 days, Intel can now play with the other phone chip big boys, especially ARM. Beyond that, Intel devices will be smaller than before, excel in compatibility, and deliver performance (particularly on media) that blows every other option on today’s market out of the water.
If that sounds a bit hyperbolic at first glance, let’s examine the details.
- Intel’s Ultramobile Future Arrives
- Little, Less, And Loving It
- Checking Checkboxes
- The Moorestown Breakdown
- Platform And Process
- Processor Power
- New Power States
- Graphics And Video
- Display And Memory
- Langwell Platform Controller Hub MP20
- Briertown Mixed Signal IC
- The Experience
- Why Moorestown Matters


Man, and I just got the HTC Incredible...
And so the march of technology continues!
Time to market. 45 nm was quicker for development and it accomplished what needed to get done at this time. That's the official answer. Unofficially, sure, we all know 32 nm will help, but this is business for consumers. Right or wrong, you don't play all of your cards right away.
I like the Atom, but not in this role. x86 adds inefficiencies that aren't balanced by a need for compatibility in this market.
I was considering buying a Sony Satio, but now I may rethink it.
1366x768 multi-touch S-AMOLED, magnesium case, 802.11 b/g/n, 3G/4G, miniDP, miniHDMI, miniDVI, microUSB, 64GB high quality flash memory, 12MP main camera with a 5MP front facing camera, a new turbo boost that pumps cocaine into the chip until it gets too hot when the performance is needed but puts the chip to sleep in idle, and a Linux based OS specifically tailored to the chip. Sounds like something I would pay a lot for. Complete desktop PC replacement.
Don't disappoint me Intel. I was hoping for 32nm 8 core LGA 1366 chips by now when I originally bought my i7 system, and you already disappointed me.
Now only if 5GB/month on 3G didn't cost $85/month in my area, never mind the texting/calling plan.
I charge my phone once every week, i would be pretty angry if it didnt hold a charge longer than 48 hours.
I also don't see the use of all these MIDs. I hardly even take my laptop out because I have a desktop and other then movement there is nothing the laptop can do that I wouldn't rather use my desktop for.
MIDs might be ok if they didn't cost an extra $30-50 a month to get access to the internet which I'm already paying $30-50 a month for for my general usage. They might start making sense when someone like Qwest starts included DSL and wireless together for a single reasonable monthly fee so I'm not paying twice for the same thing.
And unless you absolutely have to know the instant you get an email, and can't go more then a few hours without updating your facebook page, I don't see a daily usage for mobile internet. I probably don't think "boy it would be nice if I could check the internet while I'm out" more then once every couple months.
Good luck holding a car in your hands!
Anyhow, the article seems mighty detailed compared to what we're used to here. Usually only don writes anything this detailed.
Nice read, though imo the first page looks very much like a bought article.
Anyway beside the progress in the mobile and ultramobile sector I picture in the not so distant future an ultramobile CPU with memory and graphics and storage system the size of a phone in a modular and stackable design and you will have some very serious and scalable mobile supercomputing power. But will mobile form factor CPUs ever going to surpass the need for a desktop machine? Has the computing revolution started from the bottom up and I just noticed?