Transmeta launches new chips

As expected, Transmeta on Monday launched new Crusoe processors based on 0.13-micron manufacturing process and an updated version of the company's code-morphing software. According to Transmeta, the chips offer up to 50 percent higher performance and 20 percent lower power consumption than its previous chips.

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. will manufacture the new Crusoe TM 5800 and TM 5500 processors, which are available now. The TM 5800 comes in 700MHz, 733MHz, 766MHz and 800MHz versions. The latter sells for $198 each in large volume. The TM 5500 is available at 600MHz, 667MHz and 733MHz. The 667MHz version sells for $85 each in volume. A 1GHz TM 5800 is expected during the first half of 2002. Advanced Semiconductor Engineering will package and test the new chips.