64-bit CPUs seen bolstering possible 13" iPad notebook from Apple

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Comments

  • Reply 21 of 84

    Jajaja,  True statement. 

     

    Apple is cooking something big.  And I have my popcorn and soda ready for that.

     

    From the hiring of the power saver team, to other areas.

     

    these is not a odd coincidence.

  • Reply 22 of 84
    wizard69wizard69 Posts: 13,377member
    slurpy wrote: »
    Please keep us posted of every single analyst speculation, with a new headline, it's really meaty stuff.

    Especially considering that the idea has been speculated about in the various forums for months now. You can see pretty clearly that the thoughts expressed by the analyst aren't original to him. I have to wonder if these guys admit to what they do for a living when out socializing, if they do it has to lead to some serious hazing.
  • Reply 23 of 84
    sog35 wrote: »
    but, but, but 64 bit is a gimmick!

    s/

    I'd be all over a 13 inch iPad.
    iPadmini is too small for me (I'll rather use my phone as a portable device)
    iPad is nice but I'd love more power and a bigger screen.  Basically its taking the place of my laptop.

    So basically Microsoft was right - hybrids are the future!
  • Reply 24 of 84
    To keep things in perspective : " [...] one analyst has speculated." : )
  • Reply 25 of 84

    Yep!!! but that cost MS a looooot of $$$$$ loses to make that point.

  • Reply 26 of 84
    apple ][apple ][ Posts: 9,233member

    A larger 13" iPad would be cool, I have no objections against that, but screw the notebook part. Leave it as an iPad, large and super thin, with an even bigger screen! I think that there is definitely a market of people who would be interested in a larger iPad, and who would be willing to pay for such an iPad. 

     

    If people want lame, failed, frankenstein contraptions, like the Surface tablets, then go buy one of those. I hope that Apple doesn't make any so-called convertibles or hybrid messes. Those already exist, and why should Apple make such a failed and terrible item?

     

    If you want a laptop, go buy a Macbook Pro or Macbook Air.

     

    These clueless analysts should just STFU. Apple is doing just fine without their braindead ideas and dumb predictions. A hybrid piece of junk? Forget it, Apple has better things to do with their time.

  • Reply 27 of 84
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post



    The decision to move the A7 processor and iOS 7 to a 64-bit architecture may signal the beginning of a strategy for Apple to build a 13-inch, notebook-style iPad, one analyst has speculated.

     
    iPad Space Gray

    A purported rear casing for Apple's next-generation iPad 5 | Source: Sonny Dickson





    In a note to investors on Tuesday, Ben A. Reitzes of Barclays Capital argued Apple may be in the early stages of preparing the iOS ecosystem for a transition from handheld mobile devices to more powerful devices capable of replacing lower-end and ultraportable notebook computers, such as the company's successful MacBook Air. He believes a new product of this type could eventually supersede the 10-inch iPad and the iPad Mini as Apple's second-largest revenue driver behind the iPhone.



    Reitzes suspects that the 64-bit A7 was released in this year's iPhone 5s in order to jumpstart development of 64-bit-optimized iOS apps that would one day be able to take advantage of more than 4 gigabytes of RAM ? a requirement, he argued, for a larger-screened convertible iPad. The iPhone 5s features only 1 gigabyte of RAM, though developers are already taking advantage of the A7's increased performance to enable advanced audio and video features not possible with the previous 32-bit A-series processors.Ben A. Reitzes believes Apple's push for a 64-bit iOS, coupled with making iWork free for new iPad purchases, could be signs of a future iOS-powered notebook.



    Choosing to make iWork free with every new iOS device purchase is seen as another sign that Cupertino is preparing to insert the iPad wedge further into the fracturing notebook market. Microsoft's Office suite has been conspicuously absent from Apple's tablet since the iPad's debut ??though outgoing Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer revealed on Tuesday that may soon change ??and Reitzes thinks that iWork, as a free, Office-compatible replacement, will fill that gap.



    Such a product is needed to offset Apple's recent reliance on iPhone revenue, which accounts for more than 50 percent of Cupertino's trailing 12 month income, Reitzes said. Even if a 13-inch iPad were to cannibalize Mac sales ??unit sales of which have declined 7 percent year over year ? he believes that would be worth it for Apple, as the product could take 25 to 30 percent of the larger notebook market.



    A new 13-inch convertible iPad could mean significant revenue increases for Apple as well, according to the analysis. Reitzes pegs the product's average sale price at "about $650" with 35 percent margins, calculating that every 10 million units sold would add approximately $2 to Apple's earnings per share. Apple sold 14.6 million iPads and 3.8 million Macs during the third quarter of 2013.



    Supply chain rumblings support the possibility of a larger, convertible iPad or an iOS-based notebook, as reports out of China recently indicated that Apple may be working with longtime manufacturing partner Quanta Computer on a 12-inch version of the iPad.

     

    Yup.  13 inch iPad 'laptop.'  With 'Keyboard.'

     

    Will sell more than Macs total each quarter.

     

    The iPad just needs a bigger screen.  A keyboard.  Done.  It can share the retina screen with the Air.  And Low end Mac Book Pro.

     

    How much?  £699?  £499?  £599?  It would just hammer and scoop up low end PC laptop sales.  Could be an insane profit generator.

     

    The Mac market reforged as iOS.  Selling millions more than the Mac ever could.  It's still a Mac though... :P

     

    Perception and all that...

     

    Lemon Bon Bon.

  • Reply 28 of 84

    Be insane for edu' sales too.

     

    Put the squeeze on those cheap ass Samsung laptops too.

     

    Lemon Bon Bon.

  • Reply 29 of 84
    Analyst Speculation! LOL!

    I speculate that the new Mac Pro 2013 is going to come with 6 "A7" processors instead of the 12 Core Ivy Bridge E Xeon processor and that the 6 "A7" processors actually outperform the Ivy Bridge processor by a factor of 2!
  • Reply 30 of 84
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Apple ][ View Post

     

    A larger 13" iPad would be cool, I have no objections against that, but screw the notebook part. Leave it as an iPad, large and super thin, with an even bigger screen! I think that there is definitely a market of people who would be interested in a larger iPad, and who would be willing to pay for such an iPad. 

     

    If people want lame, failed, frankenstein contraptions, like the Surface tablets, then go buy one of those. I hope that Apple doesn't make any so-called convertibles or hybrid messes. Those already exist, and why should Apple make such a failed and terrible item?

     

    If you want a laptop, go buy a Macbook Pro or Macbook Air.

     

    These clueless analysts should just STFU. Apple is doing just fine without their braindead ideas and dumb predictions. A hybrid piece of junk? Forget it, Apple has better things to do with their time.


     

    Agree!!!

     

    But beside some application that normal people do, and taking in consideration the Air as a work force item and these model can do heavy programs that Macbook Pro can handle.

     

    The Ipad can do all those things if the apps are available. From office " MSO 360" and now, iWork's is there. So..... iPad A7 can do that and more!!!!!!  

  • Reply 31 of 84
    It's needs to be light! I don't know, but I smell the nauseating age of beige. You know when there were too many Apple computers with too many model numbers that had no association with it's capability. Ha! I'm getting old.
  • Reply 32 of 84
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Ireland View Post



    ANALyst

     

    only if you mean 'pull it out your @ss' 'anal'yst.  Anyone speculating on Apple's 'next size iPad' based on chip architecture is seriously high on something.  Moreso if you're listening.

     

    the next iPad will exist then screen energy costs/battery capacity/weight  falls into an optimal envelope ('holding it between thumb and 2 fingers' optimal).  That's the usage metaphor of the iPad.  CPU performance means little… CPU power efficiency X Battery Amps/Lb is the key factor.

     

    In other words, the battery has to improve by almost 2X more power/lb, as a 13" will nearly 2X more Screen to light up, and effective lever force will increase by 20% if the weight (and distribution) stays the same.    Even the current 10" seems heavy in the 'pinch grip.'

     

    Without battery Amp/lb improvement, my rough estimate (assuming that the 1/2 the weight is battery and you can get 30% more glass for 'free' [no add'l weight) is that it would take 72% more effort.. to hold it horizontal (parallel to the floor) if you held one edge.  

     

    People won't tolerate a iPad that is 'almost' twice 'as hard' to hold.  At any size.

     

    If you are setting it down on the table  (or in a stand) and 'typing' the laptop is still the correct device for you.  

  • Reply 33 of 84
    wizard69wizard69 Posts: 13,377member
    jamesmac wrote: »
    This makes a lot of sense and something like this could possibly explain the real reason why Apple pursued going to a 64 bit architecture rather than simply increasing the core count and/or clock frequency.
    Not really. Apple went the route they did because it gives them good enough performance in the iPhone. More cores would almost certainly be needed in a larger tablet or convertible.
    Although, I wouldn't preclude either in an upcoming 'A8' if used in a laptop-like device.
    It will be interesting see A8 and to see if they can get it out the door in 2014.
    We're already seeing the A7 roughly at parity with BayTrail, so this seems a smart move on Apples' part. Who would have believed a few years ago that Apple would be rivaling Intel in SOC design?
    Actually I would. If you have an understanding of what the people at PA Semi and Intrinsity accomplished before Apple bought them and also considered some of the patents Apples own engineers have filed then it was almost a given. They literally have a low power dream team.
    If the whole phone/tablet thing doesn't work out for Apple in the future, I think they've got a shot at being the next Intel ;)
    An interesting thought that is for sure. The tablet / phone thing though is working out OS we don't have to worry about that.
    To the two above who mentioned the Gimmick quote from Qualcomm, I just shake my head. You do understand that this article is talking about putting a 64 bit processor in a device with > 4GB of RAM?
    That whole thing is BS anyways. Apple has gained significantly just because of the 64 bit support in the chip. The competition doesn't want to admit this though.
  • Reply 34 of 84
    wizard69wizard69 Posts: 13,377member
    apple ][ wrote: »
    A larger 13" iPad would be cool, I have no objections against that, but screw the notebook part. Leave it as an iPad, large and super thin, with an even bigger screen! I think that there is definitely a market of people who would be interested in a larger iPad, and who would be willing to pay for such an iPad. 
    Very true.
    If people want lame, failed, frankenstein contraptions, like the Surface tablets, then go buy one of those. I hope that Apple doesn't make any so-called convertibles or hybrid messes. Those already exist, and why should Apple make such a failed and terrible item?
    Maybe they can do better? For example look at what MBA is compared to a netbook.
    If you want a laptop, go buy a Macbook Pro or Macbook Air.
    Sure if you need such. However I would not dismiss an ARM based laptop if (this is a big if) it ran a Mac OS as open as the current Mac OS. In other words I want shell access, file system access and everything else that goes with UNIX. Really this could be an extremely nice on the go laptop. Note I said laptop here not tablet or convertible.
    These clueless analysts should just STFU. Apple is doing just fine without their braindead ideas and dumb predictions. A hybrid piece of junk? Forget it, Apple has better things to do with their time.

    I don't think there are enough snakes in the world to stuff their mouths with. Even so stuffing a snake in an analyst mouth would be like having him eat a brother or other family member.
  • Reply 35 of 84
    jamesmacjamesmac Posts: 115member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by wizard69 View Post





    Not really. Apple went the route they did because it gives them good enough performance in the iPhone. More cores would almost certainly be needed in a larger tablet or convertible.

    It will be interesting see A8 and to see if they can get it out the door in 2014.

    Actually I would. If you have an understanding of what the people at PA Semi and Intrinsity accomplished before Apple bought them and also considered some of the patents Apples own engineers have filed then it was almost a given. They literally have a low power dream team.

    An interesting thought that is for sure. The tablet / phone thing though is working out OS we don't have to worry about that.

    That whole thing is BS anyways. Apple has gained significantly just because of the 64 bit support in the chip. The competition doesn't want to admit this though.

     

    Not sure you followed me.  I'm suggesting that it would have been easier for Apple to increase clock speed and/or the number of cores on the A6X without the major upgrade to 64 bit.    However, if this SOC is intended for uses on other devices with greater processing AND RAM requirements, then this would explain why Apple chose the more complex path.  

     

    I don't know much about PA Semi and Intrinsity, just remember reading some high level announcement when they were bought by Apple.  Didn't realise they were that good!

  • Reply 36 of 84
    Yep!!! but that cost MS a looooot of $$$$$ loses to make that point.

    Only shareholders care about profit or loss.
  • Reply 37 of 84
    pazuzupazuzu Posts: 1,728member
    Ridiculous to speculate that Apple wants to produce what's basically a Surface.
  • Reply 38 of 84
    pazuzu wrote: »
    Ridiculous to speculate that Apple want to produce what's basically a Surface.

    Why?
  • Reply 39 of 84
    pazuzupazuzu Posts: 1,728member
    wp7mango wrote: »
    Why?

    Because it likes sucks and no one wants it???
  • Reply 40 of 84
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by pazuzu View Post



    Ridiculous to speculate that Apple wants to produce what's basically a Surface.

     

    why not? 

     

    The technology is there, and beside is already there.

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