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I don't think we'll see an Arm/x86 hybrid, that wouldn't make sense as they're completely different ISAs and they either need to cross translate between them, o
by hvidgaard 10y ago
I don't think we'll see an Arm/x86 hybrid, that wouldn't make sense as they're completely different ISAs and they either need to cross translate between them, or dobble compile everything.
But a heterogenous CPU certainly does make sense. A super efficient, but not particular fast core for specific tasks that are more or less always running, and the beefy full core for regular work. If it eeks out another 2 hours of battery life, I can see Apple doing it when they're redoing a CPU from the ground up.
- nardi 10y agoToo late, Apple already invented that: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_A10 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_A10 The A10 is the new chip in the iPhone 7. It has two fast cores and two energy-efficient cores. EDIT: Sorry, "invented" was the wrong word. Apple is already doing that. My point was that the parent's idea isn't new.
- hvidgaard 10y agoThat is just an argument for them doing it for their laptop chips as well. It makes perfect sense from a battery life point of view.
- gcp 10y agoApple already invented that ARM already offered this (A7+A15|A17, A53+A57|A72|A73), and Android phones have been using the design for years.