Dual-core Atom netbooks arrive in force

String of vendors release N550-powered devices

The dual-core N550 runs at a 1.5GHz clock speed

Intel is boasting an extensive new line of netbooks based on its latest dual-core Atom processor.

The company said that Acer, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Lenovo, Samsung and LG were among the vendors that had begun shipping netbook systems with its Atom N550 processor.

The dual-core N550 model runs at a 1.5GHz clock speed and adds support for DDR3 RAM modules. Intel hopes that the chips will add computing power without cutting into battery life for netbook systems.

"In their short history, the netbook category has experienced impressive growth," said Intel mobile platforms marketing director Erik Reid.

"Having shipped about 70 million Intel Atom chips for netbooks since our launch of the category in 2008, there is obviously a great market for these devices around the world."

The chips add to a dual-core Atom lineup that Intel has been bringing to the market in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, dual-core Atom 525 chips began to arrive for home and small-business storage and backup appliances.