The x86 is a complex architecture, which requires lots of gates to implement. Compared to a RISC architecture, this means two things: higher power consumption and larger die size. These both affect cost. When your margins are narrow, as is the case with most high-volume consumer products, a RISC architecture is pretty much unavoidable. The good thing is that the Linux and BSD software ecosystems run as well on RISC chips as on CISC chips and avoid software lock-in.

" Grow up folks and welcome some good challenge." ... posted by : Marty, 23 October 2008 

Marty,

ARM already challenges them, Marty, at the Interface of their Vulnerability To Proxy Code Injection and Remote Control of Systems Administration ....... Tier 0 Core Control/Kernel Privilege.

A Conundrum Presently Crashing through the BGC3 Portal for Assimilation Capture.

It is also a Quantum BetaTest of Melinda and Bill's Virtual Savvy for SurReal Joint AdDVenTuring in Soviet Socialist Republican Satellite AIR&dD Spaces ..... for Cosmonauts lead with Astronauts as sure as Cosmology hosts Astrology. 


He knows nothing about eco-system... He knows only one thing, that is his hot hot Atom in his pants that is cooling down in the market.

C'mon cry babies. Just because Apple ditched x86 for ARM, you can't go around the world bashing them. Grow up folks and welcome some good challenge.

Intel needs to be kicked hard where it hurts. The other chipcos should gang up on them. Personally, I'm quite impressed by ARM chips in mobile internet devices. What I haven't been impressed by is Intel's ATOM chip in my netbook. Talk about a disappointing piece of silicon. Maybe the quadcore part will come of age though.

Really, why Intel feels the need to hire a gob-on-a-stick to slam ARM is beyond me.
Make a descent low power high speed RISC based processor and there you have it! ARM produce a wonderful chip that doesn't need to prove itself because of it's uptake. The x86 architecture is shite (and everybody who's ever programmed a Motorola 68xxx processor will tell you) , it's a legacy ridden pile of crap that we all have to put up with. The most significant innovations on that platform have come from AMD with the 64bit extensions that work - kudos AMD!
Anyway, lay off ARM you knobs and concentrate on lowering your prices to give us consumers a better deal and go ram that piffley little thing called the atom where the sun don't shine. Nuff said.

xxx

i'm all for x86 in portable devices. i think it'll help lessen the gap between PDA's, etc. and computers.