Intel has unveiled a set of roadmap enhancements, platform features and software partnerships to help drive the re-invention of desktop computing.
New form factors such as mini PCs and desktop all-in-ones (AIOs) are driving excitement within the category, and Intel is helping to deliver new capabilities that consumers and businesses want. Enthusiast users are among the most important proponents of desktop computing, and Intel is announcing roadmap enhancements especially for them.
Intel’s desktop business was particularly strong in Q4 2013; on a year-over-year basis, desktop platform volume was up 7%.
“The desktop business is a large and important segment for Intel, and we are investing in it – reinventing form factors, experiences and products for our customers,” says Lisa Graff, vice-president and GM of Intel’s Desktop Client Platform Group. “Enthusiasts are the heart and soul of the desktop and they asked us to give them more. We are delivering – more cores, better overclocking, faster speeds.”
Intel used yesterday’s Game Developers Conference to preview an unlocked 4th generation Intel Core processor code-named “Devil’s Canyon”. Due in mid-2014, it includes improved thermal interface and CPU packaging materials that are expected to enable significant enhancements to performance and overclocking capabilities.
For those who demand the highest processor core count and memory bandwidth on the desktop, Intel will deliver an 8-core, 16-thread Intel Core processor Extreme Edition in the second half of this year. This product will support the new DDR4 memory standard and provide blazing performance for gaming, video editing, 3D content and other high-end uses.
Intel also announced plans for an Intel Pentium processor Anniversary Edition commemorating more than 20 years of the Pentium brand, featuring unlocked multipliers that allow the ability to increase the core and memory frequencies independently from the rest of the system. Additionally, plans for unlocked desktop versions of the upcoming 5th generation Intel Core processor with Iris Pro graphics, code-named “Broadwell”, were confirmed.
The breadth of new desktop form factors has driven growth in the market and shows people desire creative designs that use the full range of processor performance and features available from Intel.
Intel also demonstrated a portable AIO PC reference design called “Black Brook”, a thin and light system incorporating exciting new capabilities that enable new user experiences anywhere in the home. Built for the purpose of enabling new technologies in the industry, Black Brook includes an integrated Intel RealSense 3-D camera, a quad microphone array, premium audio and a full HD display.
