What Makes the Intel “Broadwell” Processor Special?

Intel has just introduced its “Broadwell” processor platform to the world. This may be the most significant technical advancement that Intel has made in a processor since the creation of x86. This is a giant leap in the processor market due to it’s dramatic increase in power and efficiency. Intel is moving into the market previously “owned” by today’s ARM technology, most commonly found in tablets and smartphones.

Moore’s Law keeps ticking along with the release of Intel’s latest batch of processors code named “Broadwell”. Intel will first roll out in System-on-a-Chip (SoC) products dubbed Core M.  This will demonstrate Intel’s successful ramp of its next-generation 14-nanometer process technology.  Intel recently announced that “Broadwell” processors are now being produced in volume at Intel fabs in Oregon and Arizona.

Intel has stated that numerous system-wide innovations had to be made to get the powerful, x86-based Core micro-architecture to function in fanless designs. It has been a “multi-year journey,” said Rani Borkar, a vice president in Intel’s Platform Engineering Group.

The prototype tablet that Intel is showcasing with the launch, will be fully capable of running a full OS, both Windows and OS X.  Tablets will be thinner and lighter than the products on the market today.

Intel said the first products using it’s new generation of processors will arrive on shelves by Christmas ’14.  More PCs and devices will no doubt hit the market in the first half of ’15. If Apple and Microsoft can create a more powerful, thinner, and lighter tablet for their OS X and Windows platforms with a touchscreen, then what will happen to tablets and laptops of today?

Today’s tablets have significant limitations for those that need full PC computing power and functionality. They simply do not support legacy applications needed by most avid PC users.

The change that is coming in the new tablet market will create some product problems for Apple. How will they market both the iPad and the MacBook Air?  More and more avid PC users that need more power that is offered by today’s tables will move to full function and more capable tablets such as the MacBook Air.  No doubt an array of Windows tablets and micro PC’s will hit the market luring the traditional PC user to these devices.  This will also shake up today’s laptop market, and the micro hard drive market, as SSD’s continue to come down in price.

In summary, Once fully capable processors with an ARM thermal envelope hit the market, and the price comes down, the personal computing world will never be the same. This will also include embedded products, such as those used in automobiles and homes.  New devices will flood the market with more power and extended functionality. Product designers get ready… The sky is the limit.

Don’t you just love technology.  This is gonna be fun to watch!