VIA to adopt 45nm process and launch dual-core CPU by the end of 2009

[Guest]

[oqo2ar]

Interesting bit of news on the VIA CPU front.  This would be a welcome performance boost for the v3 OQO:


http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20080515PD214.html

[stuartguthrie]

Yeah, that would be great! I quite like the VIA chips.

Stu

[mariosoqo03]

THAT SOUNDS AMAZING ,I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS 2 COME OUT FOR OQO 03 BUT FOR NOW IM WAITING 4 THE ISIAH VIA CIPSET PLATFORM 2 BE AVAILABLE FOR THE 02 MODEL. FROM WHAT I HEARD THE ISIAH CHIPSET WILL OFFER BETTER VIDEO QUALITY AND MUCH MORE FASTER PERFORMANCE

[JCC]

There's always something better coming down the pipe. I don't know if it'd be wise for OQO to wait so long before launching a (so far, hypothetical) model 03 though. It depends on how the competitive landscape transforms. I've seen a grand total of two benchmark results for the Intel Atom and they contradict each other. Until we have more hard numbers or first hand accounts of actual production devices, any talk of Atom performance is essentially speculation. However, how well (or poorly) Atom performance may affect OQO's business. Likewise, companies may actually introduce more devices in approximately OQO's form factor, but how many of them will run Windows out of the box (as opposed to compete against the Nokia N810)?

As for an upgrade to the model 02, Isaiah is supposed to be pin compatible with the C7M. No one has said whether the next generation chipset, VX800, is pin compatible with the chipset OQO currently uses, VX700. It may be that they can drop in the next generation with minimal redesign, then do lots of qualification. It may be much more complicated than that.

[stuartguthrie]

As for an upgrade to the model 02, Isaiah is supposed to be pin compatible with the C7M. No one has said whether the next generation chipset, VX800, is pin compatible with the chipset OQO currently uses, VX700. It may be that they can drop in the next generation with minimal redesign, then do lots of qualification. It may be much more complicated than that.

If this is the case then maybe OQO will even do an upgrade program to allow current users to upgrade to the Isaiah chipset.

Stu

[kyone]

Drop in means for design not for upgrade.  The processor, like the memory would not be able to be changed.

[J]

What fun it is to be a futurist.

At 2GHz the Isaiah produces more than 7 watts TDP, yes?  I am unsure of how cool it is at 1.7GHz (the magic marketing # for OQO). I have not heard of when a modified version of Isaiah will be ready for UMPCs, and I am unconvinced the current version is appropriate. It's positioned for desk/laptops.

Now that DMoore has the team rock'n at warp speed, I could end up eating crow (note to self: never say oqo can't do something, for the next day... it will be done).

The timing of the 45nm chip is nice. I am guessing windows 7 will be released to businesses during the fall of 2K9 and be shipping retail Q1 2010. I can envision a Model 03 or 04 being announced at CES 2010. The question for me is which since I planned on purchasing an 03 when 01 was announced. I guess I must stay true to my crystal ball insights.  Does a 03+ still count towards prediction accuracy?

The only computer I will ever need indeed!

[DavidT.]

So instead of one slow processor, we'll have two!!   

All joking aside, I'm sure it will be a nice CPU.

[kyone]

Rather then looking at the hardware for increased speed I'm looking at the software.  I'm hoping Windows 7 is more efficient then Vista.

I think an OQO with 1.6G processor, SSD drive and 2G RAM with XP is fast enough for 95% of users.

It would even be very acceptable for Vista but if Windows 7 can be more efficient then Vista, current OQO specs with current processor is 'good enough'

Add in a few dedicated hardware video decoders and that would also give its video the boost it needs.

[stuartguthrie]

The timing of the 45nm chip is nice. I am guessing windows 7 will be released to businesses during the fall of 2K9 and be shipping retail Q1 2010.

Really? Is that when it's planned for? Vista has only just really come out. Gee, it sounds as though Microsoft are trying to do an Apple and shorten the gaps between major OS updates.

Stu