|
Controversies regarding the use of ARM or Intel architectures in mobile computers
|
|
Controversies regarding the use of ARM architecture or Intel computer architectures in mobile computers have been present since the mid-2000s. The two companies The two companies have very different business models. Intel's only competition for the production of its x86 processors (used primarily in desktop PCs and laptops) is AMD. ARM, on the other hand, licenses its architecture (used primarily in mobile devices) to manufacturers for a few pennies' royalty per chip. Intel has a great deal of production capacity but faces a maturing PC market and therefore is seeking new markets. It tried to break into the mobile phone market with its Manitoba computer chip, but failed and sold the business off. ARM presently has more than 90% of the mobile phone market. Intel and ARM are frenemies, as neither is willing to criticize the other too sharply, in case they may end up being business partners down the road. The devices in question A new line of devices - Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) or ultra mobile PCs - could cause competition between the two companies' architectures. These devices, which could take the form of a cut-down laptop or a super smart phone, are commonly envisaged as having screen sizes in the 5-6" range (the Nokia N95's screen is 2.6", and laptops often have a screen size of 14-15" or even 17"). It is not yet clear how successful this concept will be in the marketplace; industry analysts believe it will largely depend on their acceptance by consumers in the 18-25 year-old age bracket who want to access sites such as Facebook, Flickr, and Youtube from anywhere. In 1999, the Psion Series 7, which had a 7.7" screen, and StrongARM processor running the , was rejected by the marketplace in favor of subnotebooks running Windows. "Tablet" style UMPCs also have not been particularly successful. The software that will be used by these devices is also uncertain. Currently, smart phones use a wide range of operating systems such as Symbian, Linux, and Win Mobile. These devices are to be more powerful and nimble than current smart phones, and sleeker and with better battery life than today's mobile minitablets. They will likely use Wi-Fi, 3G, and WiMax to stay continuously connected to the Internet. Such devices are sometimes referred to as connected mobile computing devices, or CMCs. Intel's and ARM's advantages Intel's advantages Intel has the advantage that its x86 architecture is ubiquitous and there are plenty of programmers who are familiar with it. Intel has promised that mobile devices using Intel x86 chips will run any program than can run on an x86 desktop. It cites Macromedia Flash as an example of an application that users will need x86 compatibility in order to run properly, so as to gain the same Internet experience one would get with a laptop. ARM architectures are implemented differently by various licensees, which could make compatibility an issue. According to Intel SVP Anand Chandrasekher, there are no application programming interfaces that let application developers write an application that will run across the different ARM implementations. ARM's advantages ARM has many years of experience designing low-power consumption cores. (Low power consumption is considered a key feature in battery-powered mobile devices.) ARM software is smaller (better code density) than x86 architecture software, which has a relatively large memory footprint; greater amounts of onboard memory typically require more power consumption. If a hard drive is required to run an operating system, that could cause further difficulties (related to size and power consumption) in a mobile device. ARM argues that the x86 architecture may be unnecessary in Mobile Internet Devices, as more applications are delivered online. The x86 architecture is also not a particularly elegant architecture, having evolved over time in a way that was famously described as "adding new features as someone might add clothing to a packed bag." ARM devices can already run some software; for instance, the Nokia N800 Internet tablet can run Firefox and Flash 9. While Intel is a much larger company, ARM has more than 200 semiconductor licensees which together are larger than Intel. Controversial matters Intel claims that ARM produces more errors when using software such as Flash 9, but ARM claims that the two architectures experience the same number of errors. Intel has been unwilling to specify the details of its tests, citing a desire not to embarrass ARM. Intel's and ARM's plans Intel's plans Intel plans to introduce its Silverthorne processor in the first half of 2008, which will use 10 times less power than the Celeron M (which is used in laptops). Menlow, Intel's platform based on the Silverthorne processor and the Poulsbo chipset, is expected to be released at that time. The next generation of ultramobile platforms will be Moorestown, scheduled for introduction in 2010, which Intels claims will use 10 times less power than the Silverthorne-powered Menlow Platform. Intel launched a mobile Linux initiative (called Moblin) in July 2007. ARM's plans ARM proposes using the ARM11 and Cortex A8 as having the performance needed to meet the requirements of these devices. The ARM11 is available in devices now, and Cortex A8 devices are expected by 2008. The Cortex A9 is claimed to have four times the performance of ARM11 within the same power envelope. Multi- and single-core versions of the new product should arrive in some early devices by 2010; it should show up to eight times the performance of the ARM chip in the iPhone. ARM is also working with Movial to port Firefox, GNOME, and associated plug-ins to specific hardware based on ARMv5/6/7 architectures. Most of the work will be released into open source in January 2008. Collaboration In 2007, the two companies announced plans to make Intel Authenticated Flash technology work with ARM's TrustZone technology. 
|
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Main Menu
| Home |
| Articles |
| Search |
| Submit Article |
| Contact Us |
| Donate to Wikibin |
