Freescale's solution is based on its new i.MX515 processor featuring ARM Cortex-A8 technology. The solution includes software, components and resources that aim to help OEMs rapidly develop and deploy netbooks.

"We see a huge opportunity in the netbook market as consumers demand more cost-effective and higher-performing solutions," said Lisa Su, senior vice president and general manager of Freescale's networking and multimedia group. "Our solution for netbooks will enable OEMs to develop compelling products that feature cell-phone-like battery life at extremely aggressive price points."

Explosive Market

Freescale is offering a netbook reference design based on the i.MX515 processor created in collaboration with Pegatron. The reference design incorporates the processor, Canonical's Ubuntu operating system, a new power management integrated circuit from Freescale, the SGTL5000 ultra low-power audio codec, and Adobe Flash Lite for mobile devices.

According to ABI Research, consumers are expected to purchase 140 million netbooks in 2013, compared with only 15 million in 2008. Often priced between $300 and $400, netbooks provide more than enough performance for a host of Internet activities such as social networking, Web surfing and using e-mail.

"As was evident in the 2008 holiday season, the netbook market has exploded due to consumer demand for affordable and compact devices that allow users to conduct routine tasks like social networking or shopping on the Web," said Philip Solis, principal analyst at ABI. "The netbook market is still in its infancy, and it represents a huge market opportunity for companies like Freescale. As advanced platforms for netbooks become increasingly available, price points will drop and the market will expand."

Keeping Costs Low

The Freescale solution is engineered to keep costs low by incorporating highly integrated devices and low-cost printed circuit boards. What's more, the i.MX515 supports cost efficiency by featuring a memory interface supporting both DDR2 and mobile DDR1. While mobile DDR1 is ideal for power-sensitive mobile Internet devices, DDR2 is better suited for netbooks, as it provides low power at significantly less cost.

A key component of Freescale's netbook solution is the new MC13982 power-management integrated circuit. Integrating a variety of discrete functions into a single device, the MC13982 contributes to reduced size and weight while extending battery life.

"Freescale is betting on the netbook, and it's a good bet. They have a solution that will enable an OEM to build a notebook for sub-$200. That's pretty cheap," said Roger Kay, principal analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates. "There's been a lot of speculation around Apple manufacturing a netbook. That is a possibility and certainly would be an exciting announcement for Macworld."

Freescale is currently sampling the i.MX515 processor and MC13982 device to tier-one netbook customers. Volume production for the i.MX515 is planned in the second quarter to power netbooks designed for the 2009 holiday shopping season.