Intel Reportedly Battles Atom Clover Trail Drivers
Intel is apparently being blamed for a delay of Clover Trail Windows 8 tablets.
According to a report published by Bloomberg, Intel has not finalized the power management software for Clover Trail yet, causing Microsoft to hold off from approving any of the tablets.
Both Intel and Microsoft declined to comment on the report, but one source familiar with the matter told Tom's Hardware that the issue is not due to a delay of the power management software, but an isolated vendor issue. The source told us that the power management software for Clover Trail is "all good" and there are no anticipated delays in the availability of Clover Trail tablets from Intel's and Microsoft's side.
Of course reports about a problem affecting the availability of Intel hardware for the launch of Windows 8 does not help Intel, and certainly not the vendor base, which is already being tested with the introduction of Windows RT for hardware devices. Earlier, Intel's Paul Otellini was reported raising doubt about the readiness of Windows, which, if it happened, was certainly blown out of proportion that required damage control from Intel.
Neither Intel nor Microsoft can afford Windows 8 / RT to flop and the current lack of enthusiasm for Windows 8 among vendors and consumers is certainly a reason for concern and showing nerves.
"Windows 8 held back due to Intel being slow, not because it's not finished!"
Hello, Hondo.
A potential issue is who will write any *updates* -- Intel, PowerVR, or the OEM ??
Intel is clearly positioning itself -- against MS.
http://semiaccurate.com/2012/10/08/bloomberg-wrong-about-intels-woes/
Like Wisecracker said, Hondo. A low power enough version could work in a phone/tablet just fine.
http://semiaccurate.com/2012/10/08/bloomberg-wrong-about-intels-woes/
What he said that I said. AMD with Hondo will happily support Windows8 and Linux with mature video and chipset drivers, which -- for now, at least -- is more than can be said of Clover Trail.
Video, chipset and even docking support via Lightening-Bolt by AMD is a slam-dunk touchdown dance --- simply an extension of a mature Bobcat/Zacate ....
backed by TSMC 40nm (and with Kabini LP, 28nm in 2013) production capacity -- not to mention OEMs have already previously marketed Win7 Tabs and hybrids.
Oh, snap! Go AMD
Yes, that is sarcasm.
What I don't get:
Pine Trail was late and under-whelming, and a complete fail before ION graphics.
Cedar Trail completely dropped off the road map and generally failed with **Intel GMA 3650 graphics** (their first dance with PowerVR).
Intel skips into Clover Trail with updated PowerVR graphics for x86 Tabs and hybrids on Windows8, and excuses (and deflections) continue to fly. No word on support, on battery life, on gaming or on HD video, but the CT Atom CPU only pulls 1.7w!
I wonder what the total Tab draws
Hondo may ultimately **bomb** but I got an AMD E-350 15-inch laptop on the cheap and swapped-in an OCZ SSD. It's killer, and I find it hard to believe that Hondo would be any different on Tabs/Hybrids with Windows8.
Unless OEMs screw-up AMD Hondo Tabs with gimped-down connectivity and crappy components.
Intel will likely work through their issues, but they should not drag down the market to their level. Give us Hondo (and Kabini!), and let's roll!