Apple’s A4 Chip for iPad

There are mixed reviews about the release of the Apple iPad at this point, most referencing the horrible name that Apple opted to go with. Instead of focusing on this tablet that is definitely tailored to those with disposable money versus those looking for something with functionality, I will focus on one of the details that Apple hasn’t emphasized too much; the A4 chip within the iPad.

In the article Inside the iPad: Apple’s new ‘A4′ chip, written by CNET’s Brooke Crothers gives an excellent definition of what the A4 Chip is:

“…the A4 is a system-on-a-chip, or SOC, that integrates the main processor, graphics silicon, and other functions like the memory controller on one piece of silicon–not unlike what Intel is trying to achieve with its future “Moorestown” Atom processor. And a similar SOC chip architecture is already used in the iPhone and other smartphones, such as Google’s Nexus One and Motorola’s Droid.”

This chip is meant to make processing the much quicker/seamless, which in turn makes the use of the Apple Tablet more user-friendly. Indeed user-friendly devices are nothing new to Apple, but it adds onto the sheer excellence that Apple is known for delivering.

In the video introducing the iPad, Bob Mansfield, Senior Vice President of Hardware for Apple says that it gives you “… a level of performance that you cannot achieve any other way.”

With performance improving a lot, this may actually make using an iPad more functional than using a laptop. It’s obvious that you don’t have all the functions of a laptop, but apparently you would have enough functionality on a smaller more portable device, and with a chip’s processing power comparable to that of Intel it is definitely worth taking a deeper look.

The chip was “breathtaking” in terms of speed and execution as it launched programs on the iPad instantly said Nathan Brookwood, principal analyst at Insight 64 in an interview with PC World. “Apple is trying to gain larger control over chip development for an advantage over its rivals.”

This is a big deal for the technology industry, so why are they not making a bigger deal about it? I mean sure they don’t want to overshadow the overall functionality of their new product, but why not use the A4 Chip as a major selling point?

In essence this is the key in making the iPad so functional; its speed, its processing of graphics and even the speed of reaction to the touch-screen, which is all rooted back to the A4 Chip.

My speculation on downplaying the A4 Chip, they’re about to do something bigger with it. What could it be? Well, your guess is as good as mine, although, there are some rumors spreading about the next iPhone coming equipped with the A4 Chip.

February 2, 2010