Intel is scheduled to launch its new Atom N450 – for netbooks in October at the earliest, according to industry sources. That means the new CPU is expected to be available in time for the launch of Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system.

According to publications, the N450 is designed to replace Intel's N270 -- the "chip that launched a thousand netbooks." Codenamed Pine Trail, Intel's 45nm Atom N450 will be a single-core CPU with built-in northbridge functions, and will be paired with the new NM10 (Tiger Point) chipset. It will bring about some innovative features, like the integrated GPU and memory controller.The new CPU will deliver faster graphics and nearly double netbook battery life, among other advantages cited by Taiwanese sources.

Intel will issue last order notice for the Atom N270 in the first quarter of 2010 and the CPU will phase out before the end of the first half next year. This will be the end of a processor that has been one of Intel's most successful products in 2008.