VIA announces C7-M ULV Processor for Ultra-Mobile PC

VIA has announced their Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) C7-M 90nm processor, with models varying from 1.0 – 1.5Ghz and ranging from 3.5 – 7.5W of power consumption. VIA are positioning this processor as an alternative to the Intel Pentium-M ULV equivalents.

This processor is specifically designed with the Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) platform in mind. With a physical size of 21x21mm using their nanoBGA2 package you can imagine the varied range of devices this could be applied to.

With a Front Side Bus (FSB) speed of only 400MHz and an idle power use of 0.1W the heat generated by the processor is very low as is the power use which aids in extending battery life.

Current uptake of the processor is by a Japanese UMPC OEM manufacturer, PBJ, Inc. They are using the processor in their SmartCaddie UMPC which is uses Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Touch Pack software to make the device keyboard-less and mouse-less. SmartCaddie is aimed at “the revolutionary entertainment experience in the home”. The SmartCaddie website will be made live on 13 March 2006.

Otto Berkes, general manager of the Mobile Platforms Division at Microsoft Corp said, “The VIA C7-M ULV processor is enabling the production of smaller form factors that meet the needs of mobile consumers, while maintaining the functionality benefits of a full-sized Windows-based PC.”