Viva La Via!

Aiming to provide a more energy-efficient, low-power alternative, HP opted to use chips from Taiwanese chipmaker Via Technologies in the HP Compaq dx2020. Via's 1.5-GHz C7-9 desktop processor is a carbon-free chip that uses 20 watts of power or less, allowing for lower electricity consumption than do traditional PCs.

The deal is significant for two reasons: It's the largest of its kind to date for the chipmaker, and the dx2020 is HP's first traditional desktop to use Via's chips. HP had previously used them in its thin clients. Granted, the tiny chipmaker doesn't pose a big threat to AMD or Intel, but could Via carve out a larger market for itself?

"When you look at client devices, Via is well-positioned for the future," says Jim McGregor, analyst at market-research firm In-Stat, Scottsdale, Ariz. "Although we see the trend toward higher performance, it's getting to the point where that's less important than efficiency and lower power consumption."

"It all depends on the balance between what people want [in terms of] power and efficiency, as well as what you believe the market holds for the future," McGregor adds. "We've already seen how the Internet and Google changed the model for software. It could also change requirements in terms of hardware perspective."

Intel also wants to lower the power levels of its x86 processors, McGregor says.

As for ultramobile PCs--where Via was chosen over Intel to power Samsung's Ultra Q1b last year--Intel is aggressively ramping up its efforts. The chipmaker recently released its McCaslin platform and revealed plans to release a new low-power processor, code-named Silverthorne, in 2008. And the latest Ultra Mobile PC from Samsung, the Q1 Ultra, uses the new Intel Ultra Mobile Processor.

So does Via stand a chance against its larger competitor?

"You never know," says John Gouker, CEO of Workhorse PC, a systems builder in McKinney, Texas. "I never would have believed that AMD would have a chance to get to where they are now."

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