Qualcomm Preps Snapdragon S4 For Windows RT

By Douglas Perry
published

Qualcomm has scored another close partnership with Microsoft to build Snapdragon processors for Windows RT computer systems.

The chip maker has been the only supplier of SoCs for Windows Phone 7 and 7.5 smartphones. "We were able to work with Microsoft to actually power the first Windows Phone 7 launches, which is something we are very proud of," said Qualcomm SVP Rob Chandhok at the Computex Taipei Innovation Forum. "We are using that partnership now to actually bring the Snapdragon processor family into the Windows RT launch that Microsoft will be doing in the future."

Chandhok noted that the company shipped Snapdragon processors to 70 manufacturers, which used the chips in more than 370 different device models, with another 400 being in development. About 150 will be using the upcoming Snapdragon S4 chip.

There was no information how many are Windows RT products and when such systems may be commercially available. However, the company is offering demonstration of S4-based tablets using a dual-core 1.5 GHz MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 at Computex.

This particular chip will be Qualcomm's initial product for Windows RT, but a quad-core variant that will not include 3G and 4G LTE support will be released later this year as well. Chandhok did not announce any products that integrate the S4. However, he said that Snapdragon-based Windows RT devices should appear at the same time as rival technologies such as Nvidia's Tegra 3.

Douglas Perry
8 Comments Comment from the forums
  • tomfreak
    First tablet, then netbook, then laptop, then desktop. = end of x86 monopoly.
    Reply
  • murzar
    ^ Doubt it. Because it won't play Crisis.
    Reply
  • vaughn2k
    murzar^ Doubt it. Because it won't play Crisis.Who knows?
    Reply
  • hardcore_gamer
    9372879 said:
    First tablet, then netbook, then laptop, then desktop. = end of x86 monopoly.

    It might happen when the CMOS scaling hits a wall. Then there will be a fair fight between architectures, and the most efficient one will win.
    Reply
  • pedro_mann
    Windows RT - The hottest technology to avoid for 2012-2103.

    First of all the name is ugly (I'm thinking the guy who named Zune and Windows RT must be related)

    Secondly, we all know that mobility is the future, cross platform integration is completely awesome, and Microsoft has the potential to tap all markets. But, It doesn't need to be done by sabotaging the existing Windows ecosystem. This puts Windows 8 and Windows RT as the top products to avoid.

    Also, did I mention that Windows RT doesn't play nice in the Enterprise environment? First of all, either they rushed this to market and didn't have time to implement AD, OR they purposely left it out so they can milk a monthly fee for management tools.

    Bottom line, sabotaging what you already do with excellence, is not a good way to try to drive your stock price up. Better way is to force a change of leadership, someone who is a bit more creative, and can come up with solutions that are good for all markets.

    Edit: While I am up on my soapbox, I might as well mention Windows Media Center for a second. This is not a good product to kill. The reason why I like it so much is it is something M$ pioneered in. Are they really going to give this market away to Apple and Google? They should be a front runner, and trying again until they succeed. As it ties into Windows RT and mobility, A nice digitally connected lifestyle with WMC pulling in media from all sort of different hubs, Cable, OTA, online etc, and distributing this out to all connected mobile devices + extenders, would leave no room for an Apple TV in my house. Unfortunately, they've already missed it, even though they've been in the market for 10 years. Sad, really sad.
    Reply
  • beardguy
    Got one of these in my Android and it's fast! I never notice any lag. It may not be a core i7, but it's damn fast for a mobile device.
    Reply
  • mcd023
    I'd like to see benches btwn Windows 8 RT and one with an intel cpu (or even AMD) in similarly configured systems, mainly tablets/notebooks.
    Reply
  • kendrose
    9372899 said:
    Edit: While I am up on my soapbox, I might as well mention Windows Media Center for a second. This is not a good product to kill. The reason why I like it so much is it is something M$ pioneered in. Are they really going to give this market away to Apple and Google? They should be a front runner, and trying again until they succeed. As it ties into Windows RT and mobility, A nice digitally connected lifestyle with WMC pulling in media from all sort of different hubs, Cable, OTA, online etc, and distributing this out to all connected mobile devices + extenders, would leave no room for an Apple TV in my house. Unfortunately, they've already missed it, even though they've been in the market for 10 years. Sad, really sad.

    I agree completly. I have been using WMC for years, and even recently built a HTPC/Media server based around WMC. The ability to replace every single device in my entertaiment cabinet with a single small computer, and have it all wrapped up in software that is easy and efficent to use with just a IR remote? WHY the CRAP would they give up on that? It just needs better marketing!!! Nevermind that i am now saving $30 a month on my cable bill because I dont have to rent any equipment AND I have a DVR now. Why oh why wouldnt they market that? The savings alone will pay for my HTPC in 3-4 years!
    Reply