Ten days of standby power. Close to 10 hours of high-definition video viewing. And a speed that’s 35% faster than a three-year old predecessor. These are the promises of Intel’s 4th generation Core processors launched Thursday night in the Philippines.
4th generation Intel core processors usher in new wave of 2-in-1 devices. (Photo by Melba Bernad)
Touted as “the most scalable architecture in Intel history,” the new 4th generation Intel Core processor has been designed from the ground up for the Ultrabook, an Intel-invented category of laptops that are lighter, thinner and faster than traditional notebook PCs. But the chip is also made for portable all-in-ones, and traditional laptops and desktops.
“The 4th generation Intel Core processors will destroy the premise of the desktop being bound to the desk,” said Leighton Phillips, Intel Asia Pacific’s Director for Product Marketing Pricing. Phillips explains that the new processor’s System-on-a-Chip architecture enables new form factors and 2-in-1 designs. “[The 4th Generation Core processors] will enable a [computing] device to change to the user’s [needs] rather than the user changing to the device.”
Leighton Phillips: It’s the most scalable architecture in the history of our company
According to Phillips, the new processors enable designs of computers that are capable of handling multiple users and offer multiple interfaces. A statement from Intel says that all new Ultrabooks will be touch-enabled and have Intel Wireless Display capability built-in to bring natural touch and motion interactivity and speed mode for low-latency gaming on the big screen. Ultrabooks will also be hardware-ready for voice command and control.
Phillips also highlighted the low power usage of the new processors, which consumes just 6 watts—a deep plunge from the 35 watts consumed by a three-year old processor.
The company also expanded its range of Intel graphics in the highly integrated SoC to deliver even more stunning visuals in thinner and lighter devices. Intel Iris graphics, available on select SKUs of the 4th Gen Intel Core processor family, delivers up to double the 3D performance over today’s fastest mobile Intel HD graphics solutions—with no extra graphics card required.
With the 4th generation Core processors, “people will be able to experience every day computing approximately two times faster; systems can wake up approximately eight times faster and users will have to ability to edit and share HD video about 20 times faster than a similar 4-year-old computer.”
Consumer and business systems based on quad-core versions of 4th gen Intel core processors are now available. Versions for 2-in-1 Ultrabooks, portable all-in-ones and traditional laptops and desktops will soon be available, Intel said.
Ultra Low Power Series
The 4th generation processor family will also feature a one-chip U-series processor with 15-watt thermal design power (TDP) packing higher performance processing into a smaller chip package. This enables original equipment manufacturers to design thinner, lighter and sleeker medical devices such as portable ultrasound equipment and patient monitors or wearable PCs for fire and police department employees. The U-series will be available later this year.
