A batch of 3,000 computers based on China-made Godson 2 chips will be launched for commercial use this July in Changshu and its surrounding areas, the reporter with Guangzhou Daily learned from Jiangsu Menglan Dragon Chip Industrialization Base in Jiangsu Province.

The batch of computers is only for trial purpose within a small scope. Their market orientation will not be clear until feedbacks from users are collected, said Dr. Wu Shaogang with the Industrialization Base.

The Godson chip based computers use Linux operating system and sells for 1, 200 to 1,600 yuan (excluding monitor). The computer weighing only 500 grams is portable and features low energy consumption. They will be produced in a factory in Shenzhen.

Prior to this, the sample of computers based on Godson chip had been shown to the world. In the CeBIT Expo in Hanover this march, a Macao company displayed a Godson chip based computer without Microsoft system priced at $149. Users of the computer can view web pages, receive and send emails, communicate with instant messengers, process documents and play audio and visual files.

Refreshing news from China Academy of Science said the latest "Godson 2E" chip has been returned to the Institute of Computing Technology under CAS for final tests, which is expected to be completed in May the soonest. The performance of 1GHz Godson 2E chip is equivalent to 2GHz Intel Pentium IV. The PC based on Godson 2E is now running well.

By People's Daily Online