But look beyond the immediate gain and Intel's cheaper CPU could be cannibalizing hundreds of millions -- or even 1 billion -- dollars from sales of its more profitable Core 2 mobile processors.

While Intel and a leading analyst deny Atom is a loser, others have said it is clearly cannibalizing sales, and one analyst now says Atom is hurting Intel on the supply-side as well.

Intel didn't report in Q2 2008. But in the subsequent three quarters ending in March this year, it has reported $200 million, $300 million and $219 million in revenue, respectively.

Atom sales, however small in the context of Intel's overall revenue , would appear to be one of Intel's few bright spots. Sales were down 26% year-over-year, due to slowing demand for PCs.