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iPad Mini-Style Specs, On the Cheap, In Android-Based ASUS ZenPad S 8.0
MojoKid writes: The ASUS ZenPad S 8.0 is a well-designed Android tablet based on an Intel X86 platform that boasts better specs than the iPad mini 3 in many areas and is also less expensive. As configured, the ZenPad S 8.0 Z580CA has an MSRP of $299, which is $99 less than the 16GB iPad mini 3, and $199 less than 64GB model. However, it's based on a quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, and modern amenities like 802.11ac Wi-Fi, a USB Type-C port and a 2048X1536 IPS display. A 2GB RAM and 32GB variant can be found for $199 as well. In the benchmarks, the ZenPad S 8.0 handles pretty well, offering middle-of-the-pack performance in both standard CPU tests as well as gaming, in addition to running the latest version of Android Lollipop.
Cost? Intel optimizes a chipset for a tablet and includes wifi, bluetooth, etc, and suddenly its price/performance is lower than a similar ARM. There is no other reason.
I assume its so that Asus can swap the OS and make a Windows version cheaply in small quantities. Doing so they qualify for the return of their patent fees for Microsofts 'inventions'.
(We learned that Samsungs settlement for Microsoft 'Patent' lawsuit was a fake payment, which was waived as long as Samsung got made Windows phones too, and when they stopped making Windows phones, Microsoft sued them for patent license fees).
I also suspect Intel gives them a price cut on PC x86 chips if they use x86 in tablets and phones because only PC makers use these x86 chips, as if there's an incentive to use them thats only available to PC makers who use Intels other x86 chips. But that would be monopoly abuse, and Intel would never do that... again... no sir.... certainly not a serial offender....
This is a slashvertisment, please move along.
"The x86 architecture is very old..."
In addition to all the stupid stuff that others have already responded to, I'll point out that ARM is also very old. It clearly upsets you that x86 competes successfully on a level playing field...but the news gets worse, your fresh architectural savior in ARM is a dinosaur as well.
1, The iPad Mini 3 is about to be replaced by the iPad Mini 4.
2. It runs Android or Windows, which both need better hardware specs than IOS.
3. It runs Android or Windows. In the former case, it's a security nightmare that the manufacturer will probably stop supporting in a year or so, and, in the latter, it's a privacy nightmare.
So? The instruction decoder makes up such a tiny part of a modern CPU that the instruction set is largely irrelevant in terms of efficiency.