First announced in June 2013, Intel’s 4th Generation Core Processor, Haswell, is now available in all the latest 2-in-1’s, laptops, desktops and servers. Like its predecessors, Haswell upgrades the core architecture of Intel’s processors, boosting device performance and speed. More importantly, it provides direct relief in terms of the pressing challenges users face as mobile and remote always-on usage of devices increases across all lifestyle facets – from work to socialising and entertainment – along with the volume content consumed.
The quad-core versions of 4th generation Intel Core processors were released first with availability for 2-in-1s, notebooks, portable all-in-ones and traditional laptops and desktops. Mobile business products with 4th generation Intel Core vPro are now also available.
Users want a faster, more responsive and more secure experience, and they have always demanded greater battery life. Thanks to advances in micro architecture and performance that lower energy consumption, and new security features designed to mitigate the privacy and security challenges posed by digital platforms, Haswell more than lives up to these expectations.
Key features include:
* Up to 50% improvement in battery life;
* A computing experience that is two times faster;
* An approximately eight times faster wake up;
* 20 times faster editing and sharing of High Definition (HD) video;
* Built-in security in the form of Intel Anti-Theft and Identity Protection technology; and
* Always-on data.
This is Intel’s largest generation-over-generation gain in battery life. It provides 50 percent improvement in uptime with active workloads (e.g., watching movies or surfing the Internet) and two to three times improvement in standby battery life. In real terms that can translate to over nine hours of active use battery life, or 10 to 13 days of standby, depending on the device model.
The power gain – read faster computing – is thanks to power optimisation across the system (on-chip and platform level). Intelligent power management with Intel Turbo Boost dynamically controls performance and power for cores and graphics, boosting performance exactly where and when it is needed, and saving energy when it counts. These processors support two to eight or more cores and up to 16 or more threads with Intel Hyper-Threading Technology. This means social platforms update and email come in while the device ‘sleeps’ with no power drain each time to wake it up.
In addition, the new 22nm micro-architecture of the chip reduces the processor’s power usage to as little as 6 Watts. This will enable thinner, lighter, cooler, quieter and fan-less designs, and will increase the portability of device categories such as 2-in-1’s (notebooks that fold over keyboards to become tablets).
Portable is the way of the future. Notebook sales overtook desktop sales some time ago and now, sales of tablet PCs are starting to overtake notebook sales. Increases in computing power, their greater portability and convenience make them a no-brainer. Add a docking station and a portable keyboard and the device can do almost anything business users need. The improved battery life, always-on data, better graphics and enhanced embedded security Haswell presents, will add impetus to adoption of these devices.
A key concern, for consumers and especially businesses has been security? This has escalated with the use of personal devices for business – Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), with storage of business data on these devices and access granted to company networks making company data vulnerable to theft. Intel Anti-Theft Technology helps protect devices by automatically disabling them if lost or stolen, while Intel Identity Protection Technology adds an extra layer of built-in security by linking users’ identity to hardware authentication. Thus, if a username and password is compromised, the account can’t be accessed without the device.
For graphics enhancements, Intel Iris graphics is integrated into select Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) of the 4th generation Intel Core processor family, offering up to double the 3D performance of the fastest mobile Intel HD Graphics solutions.
Given the advances Haswell brings, consumers and business users are eagerly exploring new device models. If you haven’t thought about a technology refresh, now is the time. These devices not only improve productivity and convenience, but are a pleasure to operate.