PC World reports at least three reviewers have found the VIA Nano low-cost processor consistently outperformed the Intel Atom processor. Both processors were designed specifically for low cost PCs which are currently selling out around the world. PC World writes:
Performance comparisons of Via Technologies' Nano processor and Intel's Atom chip conducted by several hardware-enthusiast sites Tuesday confirmed what many industry observers have long suspected: the Taiwanese processor company has produced a chip that outperforms Intel's offering for low-cost computers.
The three reviews are listed below:
- PC Perspective: VIA Nano and Intel Atom Review - Battle of the Tiny CPUs
- Hard OCP: Intel Atom vs.VIA Nano
- Hot Hardware: VIA Nano L2100 vs. Intel Atom 230: Head to Head
This news is interesting. As far as I can tell VIA have been in the low cost CPU game for a long time. I remember when I first started in the technology industry here, VIA were already launching low power processors and people were laughing them off. They were, if I recall correctly, focusing on green technologies at a time when Intel were trying to ramp up their processor speeds. It therefore doesn't surprise too much that the VIA processor currently outperforms the Atom processor. VIA have been in the game for a long time.
However, I do think first, the Atom processor will outsell the VIA processor. The Intel marketing machine is a phenomenal one and they have far more experience than VIA. Secondly, I also think in time the Intel low power processors will get better and outperform the VIA processors. Although VIA will still have a place in the market with their niche processors, I doubt they will gain a dominant position in the low power processor market.
PC World: VIA's Nano Processor Tops Intel's Atom in First Reviews
2 comments:
Not only that, but it looks like VIA's Nano is probably under-rated due to mistakes (intentional or negligent) in the popular PCMArk benchmark.
Hi There,
In some ways I feel sorry for VIA. They have been advocating and developing low cost, low power processors for years. Then along comes Intel with the Atom and everyone is agog with praise. VIA had the vision years before when they realized they needed to vertically integrate and evolve from being only a chipset developer to a CPU developer.
However, even though their product is better, I would caution them against direct competition with Intel (or at least competing aggressively). We have all seen the demise of AMD over the past while and VIA would do well to not aggressively hunt-down Intel's market share. I fear they too would get smashed.
As ever, thanks for your comments and insights. I appreciate them.
Paul
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