One of the most interesting things I’ve read today about the Apple iPad (http://www.apple.com/ipad/) was that it featured it’s own processor- the Apple A4. This is a custom processor that runs at 1Ghz and is supposed to be very power efficient – which would be essential in a tablet. From what I can tell a consumer company creating it’s own chip is a break from trends – as even Apple switched to Intel for it’s computers.
Overall I was a little underwhelmed by the iPad – except for the price. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t as expensive as I thought it might be – going from $499 to $899 – based on memory and 3G capability. This price point may actually be reasonable – considering the device essentially compares to the netbook niche. That’s what I see this as – as Apple’s positioning between a smartphone and a laptop. For that price you may actually get some sales – more than just Apple addicts – but for people who just want to surf the web, check their e-mail, read a book, listen to music, watch a movie – not a full computer but something easy to use.
I don’t know how much of an advantage their own chip has – it might depend on how much it cost – versus how much better it is than Atom or ARM based chips. It is an interesting trend toward power efficient processors – after the era of chips being a fire hazard. I think that’s where windows mobile as always had a problem – as it’s not very power efficient – vs. the old Palm phone I have. This tells you something about Apple – they made it themselves instead of using someone’s technology -because they could. It’s something Google would do (oh wait – they made their own phone hardware and OS). It definitely has a better cool factor than a Chrome based PC – even though those might be more functional in some core ways – but the “thinner” device seems to be in now…
Here are a few links related to the A4:
http://www.theiphoneblog.com/2010/01/27/ipad-debuts-apples-custombuilt-a4-systemonachip/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10442684-64.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_A4
