Last week we gave you a full-blown look at Intel's Consumer Desktop plans for 1999 and as promised we're following with up with a close look at the Mobile CPU sector also gleaned from their latest road map and various meetings with key sources close to Intel. Just to re-iterate- 'key sources close to Intel'.

Quite simply put, whether you're looking for a powerful desktop replacement or a gaming machine within the next 12months, you might be able to find what you're looking for (at least mobiles will be more affordable). As the price of mobile systems drops and as the CPU speed increases, a Laptop in 1999 is starting to look very like a solid not only for Windows 98 but 'possibly' as a gaming platform too (bear with us)- even Celerons will have SIMD extensions eventually. With the drops in price, it's easy to see just why we saw so many motherboard manufacturers entered the mobile market with their own notebooks at this year's Computex.

It's apparent that there are a few new goings on (since our last update) that are worthy of mention in this piece. Perhaps the most intriguing thought (and probably your most expensive one of the year too) is the probability of using a .18micron 600MHz Pentium III mobile PC (albeit with Intel's Geyserville technology) by the end of Q3 of this year. There's currently no evidence (at least not yet) that the .18micron process will be delayed on mobile PCs as it has been on the desktop sector. In fact, Intel still states that their next Pentium II 400MHz mobile processor will be offered as both .18 and .25micron parts. Did we mention that this kind of power is going to set you back at least $3, 000 (at the VERY least)? In addition to the 600MHz Pentium III, Intel has now added the 650MHz and 700MHz mobile processors, which are due out in Q1 2000 and Q2 2000 respectively. Obviously these two little numbers will be a bit on the 'pricey side' (once again above the $3, 000 bracket) and if you're wondering about a more affordable option, a Pentium III 550MHz (with Geyserville) will be released early next year in the $2, 000 - $2, 500 Mainstream Performance (sector 2) segment.