Intel executive says 14nm Bay Trail chip provides more power and energy efficiency than Apple's A7

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich took some time during Tuesday's conference call with the media, to answer a question posed by an inquiring mind. The analyst wanted to know what the advantages were of Intel going to a 14nm process versus the 28nm process used for the Apple A7 chip. The analyst noted that Apple was able to score good benchmark results with its silicon. As a general rule, the smaller the geometry of the chip, the more advanced the manufacturing process leading to more powerful and energy efficient chips.

Krzanich responded by comparing Intel's Bay Trail silicon to the Apple A7. He noted that the difference between using the 28nm process on the A7 and the 22nm process on its Bay Trail allowed the latter to have a higher transistor density which allows for a more energy efficient, powerful chip. The executive also touched on price stating that a traditionally designed laptop powered by the Intel Bay Trail processor can sell at retail for as low as  "$299, which is a new real price point for a touch-enabled devices, so we see it continuing to grow as we enter next year."


Samsung is expected to start producing 64 bit Exynos 6 chips from a 14nm process. Those chips are should be powering up some of Samsung's mobile devices next year. Speaking of a 64 bit processor, when discussing the Apple A7, Qualcomm CMO Anand Chandrasekher originally called it a gimmick that was useless to Apple iPhone 5s users. Before you could snap your fingers, Qualcomm did a 180 degree change and called Chandrasekher's comments inaccurate. Ouch! Getting thrown under a bus has got to hurt.

source: CNET via BGR