Samsung goes for VIA processor

Remmy Nweke

Samsung office in Taiwan has chosen VIA Technologies’ processor for its Microsoft-based Ultra Mobile Personal Computers (UMPCs).

This was disclosed at the recently ended CeBIT expo in Barcelona, Spain, at the launch of Microsoft’s UMPC product, according to Digitimes reports.

The choice of VIA processors by Samsung is expected to increase market share of Microsoft’s UMPC, through provision of the software and general reference designs for the products.

ITRealms Online gathered that this deal would facilitate about half the size of typical laptops, and offering different manufacturers the options of producing the hardware.

Samsung’s choice of UMPC will be one of the first to hit the market in the second half of 2006.

The device, which is expected to retail for about $700, will be embedded with VIA’s C7-M microprocessor and VX700 chipset.

Samsung took the decision to go with VIA for its cost effective processors, the report said.

Meanwhile, VIA has launched its PT890 chipset to broaden the range of Microsoft Windows Vista-ready core logic solutions available in the global Information Technology (IT) market.

Apart from providing support to the full range of Intel processors up to 1066 Mega Hertz (MHz) Front Side Bus (FSB), VIA PT890 provides an outstanding balance of system performance with high bandwidth Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) express connectivity, with advanced Double Data Rate of second generation (DDR2) memory supporting comprehensive feature set and solid reliability.