So this rumor cites anonymous source(s) that leaked info to Digitimes. That said, it aligns with things that I've suspected in a few other situations. We'll discuss this throughout the article.
Xiaomi, a popular manufacturer of mobile devices, are breaking into the laptop space. One model was spotted on pre-order in China with an Intel Core i7 processor. According to the aforementioned leak, Intel has agreed to bundle an additional Intel Atom processor with every Core i7 that they order. Use Intel in a laptop, and they can use Intel in an x86-based tablet for no additional cost.
A single grain of salt… …
Image Source: Wikipedia
While it's not an explicit practice, we've been seeing hints of similar initiatives for years now. A little over a year ago, Intel's mobile group reported revenues that are ~$1 million, which are offset by ~$1 billion in losses. We would also see phones like the ASUS ZenFone 2, which has amazing performance at a seemingly impossible $199 / $299 price point. I'm not going to speculate on what the actual relationships are, but it sounds more complicated than a listed price per tray.
And that's fine, of course. I know comments will claim the opposite, either that x86 is unsuitable for mobile devices or alleging that Intel is doing shady things. In my view, it seems like Intel has products that they believe can change established mindsets if given a chance. Personally, I would be hesitant to get an x86-based developer phone, but that's because I would only want to purchase one and I'd prefer to target the platform that the majority has. It's that type of inertia that probably frustrates Intel, but they can afford to compete against it.
It does make you wonder how long Intel plans to make deals like this — again, if they exist.
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Sounds like another form of
Sounds like another form of contra revenue, buy an i7 and we will throw in a free Atom based SOC! It’s simple market tactics from a big PC/Laptop SOC market interest to get its under-performing Atom Based SOCs into the mobile market! It costs Intel Billions and still they have no great presence in the mainstream Tablet/Phone market. The ARM based mobile market will not be easy for Intel to buy its way into. Those Custom ARM based SOCs and their much better graphics for the price will continue to keep Intel out of the mainstream tablet/phone market. Intel will still have its PC/Laptop market dominance to fall back on for maybe another few years before Intel is forced to compete through innovation like the ARM based manufacturers have to!
Once AMD’s Zen comes online it will be that and the newer graphics APIs that accelerate more Compute/Graphics on the GPU. So even gaming will become less reliant on the CPU core for gaming. Intel will have to focus more on offering better graphics for less money and those high margins it once could charge!
Xiaomi would be smart to keep its line of ARM based Tablets/phones in addition to any short term Atom based SOC tablet/phone SKUs, so it can take advantage of the Intel’s short term free Atom offer and offer both ARM and Atom based SKUs, and after Xiaomi takes advantage of Intel’s temporary Atom Deal, it could simply continue producing its ARM based tablet/phone devices and not be under Intel’s thumb. That “Special Deal” includes and Intel ring through the nose, and just look at the ARM based industry they are dependent on no single supplier for their SOC parts.
That’s retarded.
It’s not any
That’s retarded.
It’s not any different than offering BOGO, loss leaders, or other promotions at a retail store.
Everyone hates #1.
Everyone hates Monopolies,
Everyone hates Monopolies, especially ones that have such crappy graphics in their lower cost SOCs, Just look at the AMD Carrizo’s benchmarks compared to any of your “#1”’s SKUs at the same price point/same wattage on the SOCs and see why people hate your “#1”! It’s no wonder with laptop OEMs under pressure from your “#1″‘s unfair monopolistic trade practices are only offering Carrizo with low end specifications! The laptop market needs some good, unhindered by your “#1” maker’s unfair market tactics, fair trade!
The mobile market ARM based players will never allow your “#1” to get them between the devil and the deep blue sea, and the custom ARM based SOCs beat your “#1” at graphics and power usage metrics at 28nm, and even more so at 14nm/16nm process node. Xiaomi should keep its ARM based device portfolio, and look at AMD’s Zen offerings with their better graphics, before getting themselves all locked up under your “#1”’s thumb. Your “#1” has a history in the PC/laptop market that the mobile device makers do not want to experience in the mobile market, with the mobile market always in total control over their supply of SOC parts and not beholden to a single supplier of SOC parts.
I kinda thought that was
I kinda thought that was anti-competitive, I never got anything moble with intel in it from the power hungry stuff they shoehorned into mobile before, I already have problems with arm based stuff atm . It sounds good, as some of the price points on the intel side of mobile do seem to be really really low. Love the product shot.
Typical Intel tactics for the
Typical Intel tactics for the last 15 years if not more. The only difference is that now they do it in a way that maybe it is easier to defend in a court room.
In case you where wondering why AMD’s low end SOCs go only in a handful of systems, systems that are build probably to create the illusion of a market that is not a total monopoly because of these tactics, no reason to keep wondering.
The “take it with a grain of
The “take it with a grain of salt” delivery was very well executed. As was your prediction of the comments. Well done.
I’ve got a couple X86 Windows
I’ve got a couple X86 Windows Atom tablets and they’re better than anything I’ve seen with Android and ios. So they last 7 hours instead of 10… who cares? I can do more in that 7.