MacMod.com - Your Mac Modification HQ - Intel's Atom Processor is released

Intel's Atom Processor is released

Written by Chris Tangora

Friday, 04 April 2008

Intel has officially released their Atom processor. The Atom processor is Intel's latest chip for mobile and ultra-portable devices. 5 models were released ranging from 1.1 to 1.86 GHz. The consume about 2 to 2.4 watts of power. Compare that to the Core 2 chips that use 35 watts of power and you start to see why this is big news.

Perhaps the even bigger news is the fifth model of the Atom. It is a lightweight version of the Atom, running at only 800MHz. But don't let that number scare you, here's why it's the big news. It uses 0.65 watts of power. This is the chip that I see Apple using to make the devices Steve wants to make.

The question is, what will it be used in, and when will it be out? MacMini and iMac supplies are dwindling faster and faster each day. The chip is out and available. Apple likes to be the first to use a new chip in their products, and they got beat to the punch last time. All the stars are alligning for a new model release in the near future.

From AppleInsider

Comments (4)

	07-04-2008 17:33
	Yeah, it's difficult to find where it would fit into the current lineup. Registered

~Antonio

	06-04-2008 01:33
	I never claimed to be very good at math nor the inner workings of microprocessors, so please correct me if I'm wrong about any of the following. Engadget has an article (http://tinyurl.com/ypw5nk) that leads me to believe that the iPhone may consume somewhere between 0.279 and 0.3 watts. So it sounds like this new processor consumes about twice as much power, which would mean a much shorter battery life if it went into the iPhone. However, the Atom sounds like it might be a good processor for a sub-notebook or a tablet computer. The MacBook Air doesn't seem like the best candidate because it already has a fairly low-end processor, which some have complained about. Apple doesn't necessarily have to use this chip at all, but if it chose to, I'm guessing that the Atom would likely be used in a new line of devices rather than the current offerings. Registered

the JoshMeister

	05-04-2008 11:27
	Anyone know what sort of power consumption the iPhone/iPod touch chips run? Registered

Waragainstsleep

	05-04-2008 10:59
	This processor is how i want in the modern life of communication. The Intel Centrino's Atom is really like an atom in the information technology. It is also a milestone for Intel Corporation. Guest

Vishal Vassan

Write Comment

Name:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments

< Prev		Next >