According to DigiTimes via The Tech Report, because of course DigiTimes, we should receive 15.4-inch Chromebooks in the near future. Their sources claim that both Acer and Dell have products planned with that operating system, in that size, and will cost less then $300. The Acer system is expected in March 2015 with Dell scheduled for some time in the first half of 2015.
One part that stands out for me is the maximum price of $300. The claim is that this is a Google mandated ceiling for Chromebooks with up-to Core i3 performance. This is troubling for two reasons. First, depending on the details, it might dance around inside the minefield of price-fixing laws, although I am sure that Google is doing this in a legally. I mean, Apple has been getting away with enforcing maximum retail prices of iPods and iOS devices for around a decade and I believe console manufacturers do about the same.
Second, and more importantly, it limits the ability for manufacturers to be creative and innovative, which is the major advantage of an open ecosystem. Being a web browser-based platform, there is already constraints on what manufacturers can implement. Sure, Google is probably open to communication with their partnered hardware vendors, but it is uncomfortable none-the-less. I could use the Nexus Q as an example of an experiment but unfortunately it was neither a hit nor did it cost over $300. Sure, they could add a more powerful processor to escape that clause but it is still
These Chromebooks are expected to launch in the early half of 2015.
Broadwell-U is the 15-30W
Broadwell-U is the 15-30W line and is not called Core M. The battery life won’t be as good as the Core M units, but general performance should be better – as should the GPU performance (GT3 vs GT2) and RAM capacity. I sense a mildly capable $300 Bingdows mobile gaming machine on the horizon…
The Core M designation is reserved for Broadwell-Y (3-4W parts). Broadwell-Y is also $291 per 1,000 units, so I doubt they can build the rest of the notebook for under $300.
Err… right. I knew that but
Err… right. I knew that but I goofed. Fixed.
I’m still having a hard time
I’m still having a hard time wraping my head around it, why did they have to call them all “Broadwell” So this is with the “U” variation right? So that’s the standard laptop variant or is this the one for the all in ones? I already know “Y” is the low power high price variant (still a hard sell) so how does “U” stack up in price, is this the netbook version? WHY DID THEY HAVE TO MAKE THIS SO CONFUSING?!?!?!?!?!
Broadwell-Y (Core M) is
Broadwell-Y (Core M) is Intel’s super low-power/high price line.
Broadwell-U (no official marketing name yet, but likely Core i3-5XXXU, etc.) is Intel’s ultrabook/notebook CPU. I think these will be Intel’s mainstream notebook CPUs.
Broadwell-H (no official marketing name yet, but like Core i3-5XXX) is Intel’s higher power, SFF CPU.
Broadwell-K (no official marketing name yet, but like Core i3-5XXX) is Intel’s full power desktop CPU.
Broadwell-EP/EX are self-explanatory.
AHHHHHHHH, I see, that does
AHHHHHHHH, I see, that does make it more clear. So the low power low price parts (from intel anyways) are still a diffrent “Atom” core for atleast this generation. Thanks for being clear.
Ivy Bridge-based Atom –>
Ivy Bridge-based Atom –> Broadwell-based Atom
22nm –> 14nm
Silvermont cores –> Airmont cores
Bay Trail –> Cherry Trail
Ivy Bridge IGP –> Broadwell IGP
*There are other kinds of Atoms in the wild, but most common are currently IVB-based. Theses will all be replaced by Broadwell Atoms… which should be pretty damn great.
And the Intel Graphics in
And the Intel Graphics in these SKUs will still suck, why should anyone be impressed by Broadwell, when the graphics in the Intel parts, over priced parts, will not even have the best graphics. The custom ARMv8 ISA based parts, from Nvidia, and AMD(when they get to market) will always have better graphics, and the custom ARMv8 designs from Nvidia and AMD will be able to compete with the i3, in execution resources. Nvidia will be producing its Maxwell Graphics versions of the K1, and who Knows what tweaking Nvidia will do to the next generation after the Denver ARMv8 ISA based custom core. A quad core Denver/next generation variant for chromebooks with Maxwell graphics cores, and more of them, will clean up in the chromebook space. Intel needs to put its best graphics in the lower cost SKUs, but even Intel’s best, can not beat Nvidia, or AMD, for graphics, and drivers. Sure that microarchitecture may be Broadwell, but that does not mean the part will have all of the Broadwell features, as always with Intel, it will cost too much, and the graphics will not compete. AMD will be in the custom ARMv8 arena with ARMv8 ISA running custom APUs and its graphics, and the competition between AMD and Nvidia will drive most of the market for custom ARMv8 ISA based systems sold by third party OEMs for chromebooks and tablets in the affordable range.
Apple will have their newer custom ARMv8 based cores, and PowerVR graphics. The process shrinks are coming for the custom ARMv8 ISA CPU/SOC builders, and expect there to be more cores offered, and much better graphics, and with RISC based ISAs there will be even more room for more cores, or maybe even custom ARMv8 cores with SMT. There are 64 bit MIPS designs from Imagination Technologies that have options for SMT, if the customer wants that ability.
Every generation the custom ARMv8 based cores are acquiring more of the same core execution resources seen on PC/Laptop type systems, and they are appearing on devices in the $200-$500 affordable range, the chromebooks are on sale in the $150 to $250 price range, so expect anything with Intel Inside to be based on Intel’s bottom tier graphics.
could you be any more
could you be any more annoying and obnoxious?
What a joke, ARM can’t hold a
What a joke, ARM can’t hold a candle to X86 in power, efficiency, economy, or any combination thereof. It’s an X86 world and will be for many more years to come. Next I suppose you’ll try to preach to us about Power architecture? LOL
oh he preaches in pretty much
oh he preaches in pretty much every new post that shows up.
ramblings of a madman.
All you anonymous characters
All you anonymous characters look the same to me;)
well you aren’t verified so
well you aren’t verified so you look the same…..but wait..i could…… yea sure I will.