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Transmeta OK'd for Mira Displays

Posted by timothy on from the definitely-not-dead dept.

viewstyle writes "eweek is reporting that Transmeta's Crusoe chip has been approved by Microsoft for use in the Mira smart displays -- a move that further edges out AMD and Intel from the mobile processor marketplace."

6 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting by Zebra_X · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Microsoft has been showing less and less interest in being an exclusive "partner" with our good friends at Intel... Maybe MS is taking the Tel out of WinTel.

  2. Intel's Not Out Yet by rsmith-mac · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Don't count out Intel quite yet. The Pentium-M is still one of, if not the best mobile pure x86 processors out there. The rumor that Intel is additionally working on an ultra-ultra low-power version of the chip(600mhz, smaller L2 cache) would further prop themselves up in the Mira market, with their brand name tagging along for the ride. Transmeta has had a lot of problems so far breaking in to the US market, and I don't see them winning that easily so soon, especially with Chipzilla on the lookout.

  3. Re:Funny how... by Sheetrock · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Essentially, they're displays that you can tote around the house/office that maintain a wireless communication with your PC. I imagine it's kind of like VNC on a tablet PC.

    What they're talking about here is giving the display some processing power of its own, so that it's more like a laptop that runs a terminal off of your main computer. If you're doing something on it, it won't cause your main computer to slow down (much), whereas the smart display uses a lot more of your computer's resources. Doesn't sound like a huge deal to me, except that it should be cheaper and more portable than a laptop.

    --

    Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.
    -- Dr. Spock, stardate 2822-3.




  4. Transmeta earnings show stability, success by mao+che+minh · · Score: 4, Interesting
    The net revenue for Transmeta in 2002 was $14.1 Million (1.5 Q1, 6.4 Q2, 6.3 Q3).

    So far in 2003, Transmeta has reported a net revenue of $6 million. (these numbers taken from Transmeta press releases)

    These numbers are paltry compared to the industry giants Intel and AMD (especialy Intel), but they do reflect stability and massive growth since Q1 2002. No, Transmeta is no direct threat to Intel or AMD, but they deserve to be taken seriously nevertheless. The underdog is always forced to innovate, and market hype can swing an extra $2 to $3 million in revenue towards a company like Transmeta. Remember, we all laughed at AMD, too.

    As for all of the negative comments, cmon, what do you expect? This is Slashdot afterall, and the creator of Linux works in a rather prominent role at Transmeta. This is exciting and encouraging to us Linux geeks.

  5. Overpowered? by mrklin · · Score: 3, Interesting
    While Transmeta Crusoe is lower powered (both in terms of electrical and processing), isn't it an overkill to use it to run Windows CE when a myriad of lowerer-powered chip (MIPS, StrongARM, etc) will do?

    By the way, the C3 chip produced by VIA Technology will do the same job just as well.

  6. Re:Not exactly. by cookd · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Actually, this is still true.

    Transmeta is now "edging out" (or perhaps more accurately "edging in on") Intel's StrongARM processor, not Intel's x86. Transmeta is putting the x86-compatible Crusoe in places where previously only embedded chips like ARM and MIPs were thriving. (Though the NS Geode has already made some inroads...)

    To boldly go where no x86 has gone before... :P

    --
    Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.