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Amiga computer related discussion => General chat about Amiga topics => Topic started by: ElPolloDiabl on June 16, 2009, 09:36:28 AM
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Hi everyone,
What do you think about intel planning to implement x86 in the smartphone/mobile device market. Will they launch blitzkrieg like they did on the PPC?
:madashell::hammer:
Or is ARM more power efficient and simply better in small devices?
Are x86 Apps/games relevant to the smartphone/mobile device market?
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Don't give a damn really. Software development wise, it won't be anything different from anything else. All that matters is that the chip meets the requirement for its intended application. It's kind of boring really.
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Arm have a massive advantage over intel at the moment, but with the push to the x86-64 architecture... It might be possible for intel to produce a good mobile chip (i.e. One without all the legacy x86 stuff)... But right now the arm is best!
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I have an ARM phone and two Atom 270 cpu netbooks. I also have a small form factor dual core atom cpu (the Atom 330) mini box computer I put together myself.
The Atom 330 has x64 instructions, runs no where near as hot Core 2s (including celerons) and is the same speed as the 230/270 CPUs found in most 32-bit netbooks today..
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The ARM is building up from a low-power base, and next year will bring dual-core ARM Cortex A9 chips (with integrated graphics, audio, video acceleration, DSPs, and all the I/O a small device needs. The A9 is an out-of-order CPU as well, whereas Atom isn't.
Intel will be coming out with a new, lower power Atom that integrates the graphics and memory controller, but they have the problem that they need to build down from a (from a smartphone perspective) high-power base. Each process shrink helps them of course, as long as they stand still in terms of clock rate.
I think it will be around 2013 when Intel actually has a chip that can compete with ARM in terms of size, power consumption, capability, suitability. But there will still be a cost issue - umpteen ARM vendors, some of whom make the chips for themselves at cost, versus Intel who is well used to large profit margins... Nevermind an established ARM infrastructure (Android, Symbian, iPhone OS, Blackberry OS, Palm webOS) with 5 years of application back catalogue or more.
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I agree with koaftder. As an end user, all I care about is the applications the device supports. Well, battery life, too, where ARM leads. As a programmer, I prefer Intel. It's what I know.