We were quite shocked when we saw that Intel's next generation Atom, scheduled to launch in the second half of 2011, won't get a new chipset. The new Cedar-Trail M platform should rely on the recently launched NM10, Tigerpoint chipset.

Let me refresh your memory, the NM10 is a 17x17mm chip that brings Intel HD audio, up to eight USB 2.0 ports, four lanes PCIe as well as Intel integrated 10/100 MAC support for Intel 82552V fast Ethernet PHY. Of course let’s not forget about two SATA 3Gb/s ports.

For Intel, the future is quite simple, CedarView-M CPU will get some performance boost and graphics part of the chip will get some media support, including native HD decode and that should be it.

Unless Intel allows partners to use third party USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gb/s controllers, which looks highly unlikely in such a small, cheap and power conscious platform such as a netbook, you can simply forget about these next generation USB and SATA speeds on your late-2011 Atom system.