Gizmodo Explains Mobile Chipsets

[Hooch Tan]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://gizmodo.com/5277326/mobile-chipsets-wtf-are-atom-tegra-and-snapdragon?skyline=true&s=x' target='_blank'>http://gizmodo.com/5277326/mobile-c...kyline=true&s=x</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Low-power processors aren't just for netbooks: These computers-on-a-chip are going to be powering our smartphones and other diminutive gadgets in the forseeable future. So what's the difference between the Atoms, Snapdragons and Tegras of the world?"</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1244137140.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>With the exploding popularity of netbooks, nettops and smartphones, you've probably seen the words Atom, Snapdragon and Tegra tossed around.&nbsp; Gizmodo is kind enough to give us the quick rundown on what each mobile chipset is and what it is capable of.&nbsp; While I am still partial to the Atom myself, mostly because it is the closest to providing a full Internet browsing experience, the Snapdragon and Tegra put ARM based chipsets much closer to that bar.&nbsp; Fortunately, ARM does have some room to get there, since the likelihood of an Atom being put into a smartphone would probably draw so much power the battery life would be just enough to boot up the device.&nbsp; This is definately the battlefield where ARM and x86 will duke it out and if ARM wins, it might even have a chance to taking over the netbook market if not more.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

[gdoerr56]

The only way ARM/Snapdragon/Tegra has chance in the Netbook market is if Microsoft makes a version of Windows 7 that runs on that processor which I don't see happening. There have been a slew of articles in the past few weeks about the number of netbook vendors dumping Linux due to missed customer expectations.

As far a mobile phones go, Windows Mobile/Android/Linus should run just fine and as the expectation set there is different, I don't see a roadblock to adoption.

The MID target devices seem to be a solution looking for a problem...I don't expect any volume there anytime soon.

My preference is a for a good solid desktop machine with a large display, and a 10" to 12" netbook with Windows 7 for portable use tethered to my 3G mobile device for mobile use. I currently use an iPhone (first gen) and am hoping the next iPhone version supports the tethering option, otherwise it's going to be back to Windows Mobile land for me.

[Stinger]

*sigh* Another Gizmodo article that completely ignores the obvious.

Why's there no mention of TI's OMAP 4 dual-core platform? It's guaranteed to outsell all of the mobile chips they mention and provide at least as good performance vs. battery life.

[Hooch Tan]

The only way ARM/Snapdragon/Tegra has chance in the Netbook market is if Microsoft makes a version of Windows 7 that runs on that processor which I don't see happening. There have been a slew of articles in the past few weeks about the number of netbook vendors dumping Linux due to missed customer expectations.

Normally, I'd agree, and its probably true for the netbook market, but I do see an opportunity for ARM in in the smartphone market, which can spill over if a manufacturer does it right.

The reasoning behind this is the success behind the iPhone. The iPhone isn't getting large returns because customers have a different set of expectations. If the netbook or some cousin can be released with that same sort of expectation, or the iPhone platform (or even WinMo, WebOS, Android, etc) is expanded into a new hardware category, customers might accept it. Of course, this has to be complimented with an excellent online store or way to get apps which is probably why the iPhone would be the best choice. Unfortunately, I think a large part of expectations is based on the physical format, and people see netbooks as mini-notebooks, so they want it to run exactly like their regular computers.

My preference is a for a good solid desktop machine with a large display, and a 10" to 12" netbook with Windows 7 for portable use tethered to my 3G mobile device for mobile use. I currently use an iPhone (first gen) and am hoping the next iPhone version supports the tethering option, otherwise it's going to be back to Windows Mobile land for me.

I've seen some talk about tethering with the iPhone, but IF it does come out, I suspect it'll come with a "friendly" monthly premium. :( I'm quite content in WinMo land for that, but sadly, it seems the developers have largely left it in favour of more lucrative options.