The i.MX51 Chip From Freescale

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Freescale Semiconductor is set to debut the i.MX51 processor at the 2009 CES expo in Las Vegas. With an ARM-chip architecture-based reference design the company hopes to target netbooks that retail below $200.

Typically these netbooks would be using a Linux OS, a Firefox browser, a battery-life of about 8 hours and an 8.9-inch screen. The reference design that Freescale Semiconductor have come up with features the 1GHz ARM Cortex A8-based i.MX51 processor, Canonical’s Ubuntu operating system, Adobe’s Flash Player software, the MC13982 power management device, and the SGTL5000 ultra low-power audio codec.

Freescale will pit the i.MX51against similar products from Qualcomm and Texas Instruments. The company considers its offering akin to a web browsing experience on the iPhone and is eschewing any competition with the x86-based Atom platform-based netbooks. Internet access is what these netbooks will be bests-suited for and won’t be much use for running productivity applications. The i.MX51-powered notebooks are expected to enter volume production some time in Q2 2009 so that they are ready for the 2009 holiday season.