A lot of analysts told us that Via processors are better than the Intel for the UMPC segment and now Computer Active says that it is proven. Now with Intels Dual Core in UMPC they might be able achieve more batter life and performance. Wait a minute – did i read that Via is already working on a Dual Core processor? Well this Article tells us how Via could undercut the Samsung Q1 in particular
Via’s low-drain C7-M processor allows Origami ultra-mobile PCs to be sold at a much lower price than Intel-based models like Samsung’s Q1, according to a member of the chip’s design team.
Charles Holthaus, who worked for chip designer Centaur when it was taken over by Via, also disputed Intel’s figures for the performance per watt of its mobile processors.
A Via Origami shown at Winhec is on sale in the US for $850 (£490), including a satellite-navigation module, a price that could put it in competition with high-end PDAs as well as traditional notebooks.
The cheapest Samsung Q1 will sell in the UK for a shade under £800 when it comes out on 1 June.
PCW expects to get a Via UMPC in later today for review, at which point we will have a clearer idea of the UK price, and how the C7-M compares on performance.
But even if it lacks the legs for running a lot of applications back to back it could still prove to be a good buy as a mobile workhorse.
Holthaus said Via’s Origami design was rushed out because the high cost of low-voltage Intel processors created an opportunity for the company.
And he said Intel’s way of measuring performance per watt was more suitable for high-end servers and did not reflect truly how much power a processor will drain from a battery doing typical mobile tasks.
In PCW’s tests of the Samsung Q1, which uses a 900MHz Intel ultra low voltage CPU, we found battery life to be closer to 2.5 hours than the claimed 3.5 hours.
But could Via compete when Origamis start to use Intel multi-core processors, which offer both performance and power efficiency?
Holthaus said Via had considered going dual core. ‘We haven’t disclosed it on any of our public roadmaps yet but it is certainly technically feasible for us. We already have [two] discrete processors on motherboards today.
‘The next evolution will be to put those on the same die. We haven’t committed to that product yet.’
The C7-M chips were also small enough to put two on an Origami motherboard, Holthaus said.
Source [Computer Active]
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