Intel's New Laptop Upgrade Board

Russell Kay

Because laptops/notebooks are so small physically, anytime you change one thing, it tends to ripple throughout the system and you generally have to redesign everything. For example, a new processor that puts out a bit more heat may require changes to the power supply, the heat-control systems, and physical placement on the motherboard with respect to other heat-producing components. Also, each new CPU generation has called for a comp lete redesign. Each time, the laptop maker has to reengineer many systems and circuit timings and expend significant resources on things that, in the end, don't add any more value to the product but just make it work.

Intel has a new answer to this problem. Its plug-in daughterboard i ncorporates all processor-specific circuitry and support functions: CPU, L2 cache, memory manager, system clock, and PCI chip set. The first modules will be 150-MHz Pentiums, with 166-MHz versions to follow soon. Besides the CPU, the board (official name: Intel Pentium Processor with MMX Technology Mobile Module) contains the new 430TX PCI support chip set. The idea is that the laptop maker/designer can upgrade by simply replacing the Mobile Module with the next version and will not have to make any other changes.

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Up the Laptop

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Intel's new plug-in module contains all processor-specific circuitry.