Silicon Motion's Low-Power Graphics Chip Supports Tablet Pc - Silicon Motion LynxEM+ - Product Information

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, April 2, 2001

Silicon Motion Inc.'s LynxEM graphics chip will be supported by Microsoft Corp. and made available to OEMs who plan to design next-generation Tablet PCs.

The LynxEM incorporates Silicon Motion's ReduceOn technology that increases battery life by shutting down internal front blocks not in use. The chip instantaneously renews power when needed, and supplies full power to all applications when using an AC adapter.

"Microsoft is excited to have the LynxEM technology be a part of the Tablet PC effort, because of its low power consumption, screen rotational capabilities, display options, memory and 2-D graphics," said Leland Rockoff, director of marketing for the Tablet PC effort at Microsoft. "Our goal has always been for Tablet PCs to be high-performance portable computers, and we believe that Silicon Motion will play a vital role in delivering that kind of functionality to our OEM partners."

"The LynxEM technology is a solid example of Silicon Motion's ability to meet the high product standards required by Microsoft," said Wallace Kou, president and CEO of Silicon Motion. "This strategic alliance illustrates our vision to help mobile devices optimize power while increasing overall battery life."

"Mobile and wireless devices will play an increasingly important role as more companies look for ways to mobilize their work force," said Tim Scannell, industry analyst at Mobile Insights Inc. "Key to this transition is an emerging class of highly mobile systems based on low-power processors and low-power graphics chips that extend overall battery life and help deliver a pervasive, `always on' wireless experience."

The Tablet PC is a new slate-like computer based on the Windows XP Pro operating system, optimized for mobility and designed to be convenient, light and ergonomic. The Tablet PC technology enables any Windows-based application to take advantage of pen-based input. With software developed and optimized by Microsoft, the Tablet PC can function as a sheet of paper. Handwriting is captured as rich digital ink for immediate or later manipulation, including reformatting and editing. The linkage between the pen input process and a wide range of Windows-based applications will give users new ways to collaborate, communicate and bring their PCs to bear on new tasks (i.e., annotating and updating documents on the fly and then wirelessly transmitting the finished version). Its high-resolution display makes it ideal for immersive reading video and rich multimedia applications.