User: vlatko

Intel vs. Transmeta

On: Intel's Competitor to the Crusoe Processor

Intel is big, and they can pull this marketing thing for a while. What
they did is produced the chip that works fast when the notebook is used as
desktop computer, with power adapter on. As soon as the power adapter is
unplugged, the chip goes to being slow.

Besides, really nice technology about Crusoe is that it can detect when
user is having high demand on its laptop, and speed things up, then switch
to low consumption when the computer is idle (like while you're watching
something on the screen, not doing much). Intel has not developed such
technology, it might, but not this year. What Intel is dumping the market
with slow processors that consume less power, something expected for a
while now, and make it sound like they're onto something big.

Quite an expected low punch. Good marketing and excuse for US PC makers
to offer slower laptops for higher price. It will take a deployment of
Crusoe based products, such as new Sony laptop, to debunk the myth. Will
the Transmeta survive? If they have enough money and one or two faster
chips for this year, I would think in deed.

Plus, Intel plans to produce those chips in a year. A long time, specially after delays.