Intel Previews Low-Power 'Haswell' Processors for 2013

haswell slide
Slide from Intel's Haswell preview (Source: Gizmodo)

Intel today previewed its future "Haswell" family of low-power processors at its Intel Developer Forum, showing how the line of chips planned for a 2013 debut will be able to dramatically increase power efficiency to increase battery life on its so-called "Ultrabook" systems.

[Intel CEO Paul] Otellini also described the new class of platform power management in development for the 2013 "Haswell" products for Ultrabooks. The advances in silicon technology and platform engineering are expected to reduce idle platform power by more than 20 times over current designs without compromising computing performance. Otellini said he expects that this design change, combined with industry collaboration, will lead to more than 10 days of connected standby battery life by 2013. The advancements will aid in delivery of always-on-always-connected computing where Ultrabooks stay connected when in standby mode, keeping the e-mail, social media and digital content up-to-date.

Intel demonstrated the low-power nature of the Haswell platform by rigging up a prototype Haswell system running off a solar cell powered by light bulbs and other ambient light. Full systems based on Haswell will obviously contain many other components that will increase the power draw, but it is clear that Intel is taking power consumption seriously as it seeks to facilitate thinner and longer-running notebook systems running on a platform that can compete head-to-head with the efficiency of the ARM chips used in many smartphones and tablets today.

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Intel demonstration of Haswell system running on solar power (Source: This is my next)

Top Rated Comments

JRSAHLBERG Avatar
153 months ago
Is it just me or does that lab coat just look ridiculous? Is that what he wears in the office?

Better than what they used to use...

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Oletros Avatar
153 months ago
More like "Hasbeen."

ARM is the future, and Intel knows this. In fact they're quite desperate to dispel this notion.

Call me when ARM processor have the power of a 2008 MBA
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
patsfan83 Avatar
153 months ago
Is it just me or does that lab coat just look ridiculous? Is that what he wears in the office?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OrangeSVTguy Avatar
153 months ago
Perfect for the new Air :)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
grapes911 Avatar
153 months ago
It's good to see power consumption is a priory. For most people current processors are fast enough for the foreseeable future. I'm sure that will change at some point (maybe even sooner rather than later), but a faster CPU won't make a difference for me right now. Longer battery, on the other hand, will absolutely be an improvement I'd notice.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SpinThis! Avatar
153 months ago
thats it, im not buying a computer until 2013!! But of course when I do, im sure it will be old then too...

hmm, I got the perfect solution for your problem:



Best of all it cuts power consumption by 100%! But will it blend?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)