Using a patented code morphing technology, both chips are compatible with Windows-PC applications, as well as the mobile flavor of Linux that Transmeta developed. Transmeta has generated a significant buzz among major players in the last two weeks. IBM Corp. said that for technology-development purposes, it plans to demonstrate a ThinkPad notebook using the Crusoe at a June trade show in New York. The company is considering offering Transmeta-based models this year, an IBM spokesman said. Taiwan's the best place for Transmeta to set an industry standard since almost all of the 10-largest laptop companies worldwide are outsourcing to Taiwan, Chen said.
Companies here are very capable of meeting customers' needs in terms of technology and design.
Transmeta's office in Taiwan is the company's largest outside the United States, Ditzel said, adding that the Taipei branch employs a team of 10 people in sales, marketing, and technical support. Transmeta has 250 employees worldwide. We're expecting to ship 1 million to 2 million units for Transmeta later this year, said Chin Wu, president of Acer Laboratories Inc., a unit of Taiwan's Acer Inc., which builds the ALI 1535 south bridge for Crusoe. If Crusoe's prices are competitive enough, the volume could jump to 4 million to 5 million next year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and United Microelectronics Corp., the two largest pure-play foundries in the world, are testing Crusoe for Transmeta, according to Ditzel.