As a result, it provides better battery life and produces less heat, according to the company. Sony and Gateway, among other companies, have adopted the chip in a limited number of products. The company was founded in 1995 but didn't show its technology to the public until January of last year. Transmeta had its initial public offering in November, just a month after the first Transmeta-based notebooks debuted in Japan. The stock more than doubled the first day of trading but has sunk below its IPO price amid market malaise.
Analysts generally hold polarized opinions about the company's future.
Some believe the company will carve out a profitable niche in the notebook market. Others say it will be marginalized by Intel, which is making Pentium chips that are more energy efficient than before.