HTC ultramobile PC to have Intel inside

High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC) plans to use Intel Corp. microprocessors in its forthcoming Shift ultramobile PC, it said on Wednesday.

Dan Nystedt

High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC) plans to use Intel Corp. microprocessors in its forthcoming Shift ultramobile PC, it said on Wednesday.

The news puts to rest speculation that the gadget would use a microprocessor from Via Technologies Inc., and could be a sign of renewed vigor for Intel in ultramobiles. Via had been gaining traction in the area, with design wins in several devices, including one from top-tier vendor Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. in its Q1b.

The Intel win is also meaningful because some top Via executives are also top executives at HTC, suggesting HTC might have been more open to using chips from Via. Cher Wang is chairwoman of both Via and HTC, for example, and Via President Chen Wen-chi is a board member at HTC.

The Shift runs on Windows Vista and has a slide and flip 7-inch touch-screen that reveals a QWERTY-keyboard for easy typing. It is also a 3G (third generation telecommunications) mobile phone, and it can access the Internet wirelessly using HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) as well as WiFi.

The Shift, which is due before the end of the year, will also come with a host of other features, including a 30G byte hard drive for holding songs, movies and other data.

It will use the Intel Ultra Mobile platform 2007, HTC said on Wednesday. That includes an Intel A110 microprocessor, 945GU Express chipset and ICH7U I/O controller hub. The platform is aimed at extending battery life in small devices.