New tablet chip from Intel to arrive in late 2012

Even as news of its mobile-focused chip codenamed Medfield is still heating up, Intel® is reportedly already making plans for a follow-up for tablet computers slated to be released in the second half of 2012.

According to technology news provider CNET, Intel is working on a new chip dubbed Clover Trail. Similar to Medfield, Clover Trail will be an Atom® processor, but the line will include dual-core chips rather than exclusively single-core versions.

CNET reports that Clover Trail is expected to launch some time in the third quarter of 2012 -- around the same time Microsoft's tablet-friendly Windows® 8 will make its debut. Intel may also demonstrate or at least officially announce the new chip at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

The dual-core technology of Clover Field should make it more attractive to tablet manufacturers. The majority of tablet chips so far have featured single-core designs, but as the mobile devices are used for an increasing number of activities, more powerful technology is needed to run them. In fact, in late 2011, chipmaker NVIDIA® introduced a quad-core processor intended for tablet computers.