Intel's tiny Atom budget processor has almost single-handedly led the manufacturer to the newly-won market share in the third quarter. That the low-power processor, which is found in most of the PC market, netbooks and nettop, lies to the heart of Intel is quite understandable and is now said to lie in order to speed up the introduction of next-generation Atom CPU. A planned launch in January can now be done as early as 21 December, which means that Intel has full commitment to a speedy transition to its new Pine Trail platform.

We have already heard that several of Intel's partners are planning to showcase Pine Trail-based netbooks and nettop during CES January 3 next year. Which then also believed to be the launch date? But according to confidential documents seen by X-bit Labs says, therefore the launch to be set on 21 December.

The main difference from the current Atom platform is the Pine Trail makes use of only two circuits, Atom processor with integrated memory controller and GPU, and a south bridge. Today's platform also has a third circuit, where the Northbridge memory controller and GPU are intermingled.

The first systems based on Intel's new processors are expected to not show up until the beginning of January so no hard Pine Trail package teaches us not have time to sneak in under the tree this year.