IBM Makes 100 GHz Graphene Transistor
IBM might have fallen from the spotlight of the computer world, but it remains an integral figure in its innovation. And to prove this, behold: IBM has announced it successfully developed a graphene transistor that is clocked at an insanely fast 100 GHz. Needless to say, this is the fastest transistor ever made and silicon might just have lost its spot as the number one semiconductor.
The best silicon transistors have only managed to make to 40 GHz, and it is becoming exceedingly difficult to continue down the current path without some sort of breakthrough. It looks like graphene will be IBM’s answer to this dilemma and with good cause. Not only is it much faster, but IBM used the same silicon fabrication techniques in order to make it. This removes a major hurdle to transitioning to graphene.
Still, this is only the early stages of the process. As with all technological breakthroughs, it will be some time before it trickles its way down to personal computing. Nevertheless, it has been a good week for technological breakthroughs.
Via Gizmodo
Semiconductor Stock Boom Credited To Netbook Growth
Credit: Trident Security
As prices drop in the PC market due to competition by netbooks, the demand for netbooks has been a tremendous boon for the rest of the tech sector. Chip stocks seem to have felt the greatest effect so far.
Gartner recently reported that the worst of the recession may have passed for PC makers. With netbook projections initially set at 21 million, Gartner raised the number to 25 million for 2009.
Intel, ARM, and Nvidia stocks have already begun to rise along with the concurrent rise of netbooks’ popularity. Semiconductor sales, for example, rose 5% in August 2009, according to the SIA.
iSupply analyst Len Jelinek has corroborated Gartner’s findings in an email to TheStreet:
“Intel with its Atom processor is definitely increasing sales and is poised to continue growth as they drive technology and performance with their next generation technology.”
Netbook Makers Say Farewell to Intel Atom Z-Series
The Intel Atom Z series has been all but replaced by burlier chips like the Intel Atom N270 and N280. It was efficient but sliggish, and as a result only a few netbooks still run it.
DigiTimes is saying that Intel will soon stop taking orders for the chip from netbook makers, so it’s time to say our goodbyes.
Or is it? According to some rumors, the chip could live on in MIDs and smartphones, rather than netbooks.
Via DigiTimes, image via TechTickerBlog.
