Intel has unveiled a budget-friendly PC platform named Apollo Lake, which shows promise as the next generation system-on-a-chip. The low-cost devices will include slimmer all-in-one PCs, tablets, notebooks, hybrids and mini PCs that can use smaller batteries with an efficient battery life. All of these gadgets are expected to be released in the second half of 2016.The company remarks how thin the low-cost Apollo Lake devices will be. A market research has shown that most consumers want slimmer mini PCs, hybrid PCs, and 2-in-2 hybrids.

Intel has unveiled a budget-friendly PC platform named Apollo Lake, which shows promise as the next generation system-on-a-chip. Photo credit: Windows Central
Intel has unveiled a budget-friendly PC platform named Apollo Lake, which shows promise as the next generation system-on-a-chip. Photo credit: Windows Central

Apollo Lake is designed around the 14nm Goldmont cores technology and promises to deliver an enhanced performance by featuring a new x86 microarchitecture and also a new generation graphics core, which borrows the technology from Intel’s Skylake architecture. This one includes hardware-based 4K video playback and an improved visual performance.

Intel’s new PC platform will also include more support for USB-C and technologies alike to help bring budget-friendly computers to everyone.

Thinner devices

Intel’s Apollo Lake aims at designing thinner devices by using PMIC for an improved and still cheaper option of power delivery; flexible memory alternatives such as LPDDR3 & LPDDR4 options, and MIPI cameras that can be introduced on thinner devices. The platform also includes solder down Wi-Fi through the company’s 802.11ac Wi-Fi support and solder down eMMC storage.

Smaller, long-lasting batteries

Intel is relying on smaller batteries while maintaining a high-quality battery life with Apolo Lake’s enhanced power. This year the company will mark its first time supporting this kind of batteries as an attempt to reduce costs and the overall power consumption of the new platform.

Still, smaller batteries are not likely to gain much traction immediately because it will not result simply to reduce their size while keeping the high-resolution displays, which consume lots of power.

Source: Engadget