I long ago stopped caring about desktop silicon – after all, how many CPU cycles do I really need to check my email and criticise bad cellphones? – but mobile devices are an area where the chipset races are really kicking off.  A few weeks back we saw NVIDIA’s APX 2500 platform and marvelled at the potential for smartphones and other portable devices; now, German firm Lippert Embedded Computers are claiming to have produced the first Menlow-based module.  Not only does the CoreExpress Menlow fit Intel’s Silverthorne CPU into a 65 x 58mm board, but 1GB soldered RAM, WiFi, GPS and HD audio too.

The CoreExpress board will be available in clock speeds of up to 1.5GHz and supports PCI Express lanes plus several USB 2.0 ports, IDE and SDIO/MMC interfaces.  A separate chip handles biometrics and data logging, and according to the manufacturer the Silverthorne’s heatsink also acts as an electromagnetic shield.

Lippert are suggesting that the CoreExpress is suitable for handhelds and Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), as well as point-of-sale, automotive and medical applications.

[via Engadget]