Sources at Taiwan's notebook makers have confirmed that Intel will debut three models of its next-generation Pentium M processor, codenamed Dothan, on February 4.

To accelerate the transition to the new processors, Intel has decided to launch a 1.6GHz model. Originally, Intel had planned to start the Dothan processors, manufactured on a 90nm process, at 1.8GHz and later add a 1.7GHz model, the sources said.