The Atom CPU is a bit stronger today thanks to Intel's roll out the a new dual-core version that has found homes in a dozen of new netbooks available in stores.
Intel says that the new dual-core model is better equipped to handle multimedia, especially web technology using Adobe Flash, including online hotel booking systems and multimedia sites such as YouTube and Hulu.
According to Intel, the dual-core Atom N550 will achieve "similar" battery life as the single-core Atom N450.
"In their short history, the netbook category has experienced impressive growth," said Erik Reid, director of marketing for mobile platforms at Intel. "Having shipped about 70 million Intel Atom chips for netbooks since our launch of the category in 2008, there is obviously a great market for these devices around the world."
Acer, ASUS, Fujitsu, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, MSI, and Toshiba are among the OEMs with new systems based on the new CPU.