ARMed at Robert Pogson

“Cortex A9 dual core processors that are capable of running at up to 2GHz.

The processors, which feature hard macro implimentation, are built using the TSMC 40nm-G process and draw less than 250mw per CPU under full load, making them ideal for embedded applications and portable devices where heat, size and battery drain are crucial issues.”

Read that, Wintel. The end of the monopoly is at hand. How many days can a CPU run from a battery at 250mW? A lot longer than it can with x86… GNU/Linux runs on it, too. This is a very good year. Not only for netbooks. These things will soon take over desktops and servers. TSMC can crank these things out by the millions per month on 600mm wafers. When 22nm comes out, they can produce four times as many for the same cost. Commodity computing anyone? These CPUs cost less than the memory, less than M$’s licence, and less than Intel’s margin. AMD could be missing the boat on the netbook, thin client and desktop because they still cling to the belef that the netbook is a fad. What does it take to convince folks?

UPDATE – PC Pro has more information like this nugget:

“ARM also claims its processors will be better for manufacturers and consumers, because it won’t place restrictions on netbook specifications in the same way that Intel does with Atom. “It [Intel] has restrictions on screen size and USB ports and other artificial limits – we won’t do that,” he said. “We’re allowing our diverse partnerships to go and innovate.””

see ARM launches attack on Intel’s netbook stranglehold

UPDATE – There’s more. Samsung has just released a Cortex A8 processor for Christmas netbooks. Merry Christmas, Wintel.

My Mission

My observations and opinions about IT are based on 40 years of use in science and technology and lately, in education. I like IT that is fast, cost-effective and reliable. I do not care whether my solution is the same as yours. I like to think for myself.

My first use of GNU/Linux in 2001 was so remarkably better than what I had been using, I feel it is important work to share GNU/Linux with the world. I have been blessed by working in schools where students and school systems have benefited by good, modular software easily installed in most systems.

I have shown GNU/Linux to thousands of students and hundreds of teachers over the years and will continue in some way doing that until I die in spite of the opposition.