Intel pursues Flash startup for PCs

Intel is working on a Flash-mobile processor combination that will greatly accelerate a computer’s startup time.

The name of the mobile processor is Merom. The name of the new mobile platform is yet to be announced; industry sources say, however, that its codename is Santa Rosa. The company’s “Robson” cache technology will meld with NAND Flash, resulting in a lightning-fast startup and also a reduction in battery power use. One estimate calculates that Flash could add up to 30 minutes of battery time to an average notebook’s capacity.

Both Samsung and Microsoft have been working on Flash memory capabilities, but Intel’s intentions are the first to apply Flash to startup. The Merom processor will be available in September, at the same time Windows Vista is revealed to the masses.