A Closer Look at Intel's Medfield Reference Design: Performance, Software, and Potential

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview of the Intel Reference Design
3. Performance Evaluation
   • 3.1 Speed testing
   • 3.2 Gaming Experience
   • 3.3 Battery Life and Heating
4. Software Experience
   • 4.1 Stock Gingerbread
   • 4.2 User Interface and Navigation
5. Benchmark Results
   • 5.1 Quadrant Benchmark
   • 5.2 Comparison with Other ARM Devices
6. Camera and Hardware
7. Potential of the Intel Chip
8. Conclusion
9. FAQs
   • 9.1 Is the Intel Reference Design phone available for purchase?
   • 9.2 What is the expected release date for the Lenovo devices?
   • 9.3 How does the Intel chip compare to ARM chips in terms of performance?

📱 Intel Reference Design for Medfield Atom SOC Chip: A Hands-On Review

The Intel Reference Design for the new Medfield Atom SOC chip was showcased at CES 2012. In this article, we will take a closer look at the performance, software experience, benchmark results, and overall potential of this chip.

1. Introduction

The Intel Reference Design is a pre-beta alpha device primarily intended for developers. It offers a glimpse into the capabilities of the Medfield Atom SOC chip. While the design may not be visually appealing, its performance in terms of speed, gaming, and software experience is of significant interest. Let's dive in and explore the features of this reference design.

2. Overview of the Intel Reference Design

The Intel Reference Design runs on the Gingerbread operating system. Although it performs well, it does not exhibit any extraordinary features that set it apart from ARM-based devices. Intel touted the great battery life and heat control of their x86 chips, but whether these claims hold true is yet to be determined.

3. Performance Evaluation

3.1 Speed Testing

During hands-on testing, the device proved to be Snappy and responsive. Opening applications and performing general tasks felt fast and fluid. However, pinch-to-zoom gestures did not work as seamlessly. Overall, the speed performance of the Intel Reference Design was commendable.

3.2 Gaming Experience

The gaming experience on the Intel Reference Design was impressive. It demonstrated smooth gameplay and excellent performance, especially in resource-intensive games. With high frame rates and responsive controls, it showed potential for delivering an enjoyable gaming experience.

3.3 Battery Life and Heating

Intel emphasized the exceptional battery life and heat control of their x86 chips. While these claims sound promising, the real-world performance of the Intel Reference Design remains to be tested extensively. Further evaluation is necessary to verify the effectiveness of these features.

4. Software Experience

4.1 Stock Gingerbread

The Intel Reference Design runs on stock Gingerbread, offering a familiar user interface. Although it lacks the latest software versions, it provided a smooth software experience during testing. Opening applications and navigating through the interface felt seamless and responsive.

4.2 User Interface and Navigation

The software experience on the Intel Reference Design was pleasant, with no noticeable lags or delays. Swiping through menus and opening apps felt seamless and snappy, showcasing the efficiency of the Intel chip. The overall user interface was intuitive and easy to navigate.

5. Benchmark Results

5.1 Quadrant Benchmark

Running the Quadrant benchmark showcased the device's potential. With a score around 3360, it performed significantly well. However, it's worth noting that this benchmark may not be optimized for Intel chips, leading to potential inaccuracies in the results.

5.2 Comparison with Other ARM Devices

While the Intel Reference Design achieved a decent benchmark score, other ARM devices have achieved similar or higher scores. This raises questions about the Intel chip's competitive edge compared to existing ARM architectures. Further comparison and evaluation are necessary to determine its true performance potential.

6. Camera and Hardware

The Intel Reference Design featured an 8-megapixel camera, offering decent image quality. However, it's important to remember that this device is primarily a reference design, limiting the ability to assess its hardware features accurately.

7. Potential of the Intel Chip

The Intel Reference Design showcases the potential of the Medfield Atom SOC chip. With its strong performance, smooth software experience, and gaming capabilities, it promises to be a competitive player in the mobile device market. Further optimizations and refinements may unlock even more potential in future iterations.

8. Conclusion

In conclusion, the Intel Reference Design for the Medfield Atom SOC chip demonstrates a solid performance, particularly in gaming and day-to-day tasks. While it does not bring groundbreaking features to the table, it shows promise for the future of Intel chips in the mobile market. Optimizations and improvements can further enhance its competitiveness.

9. FAQs

9.1 Is the Intel Reference Design phone available for purchase?

No, the Intel Reference Design phone is a pre-beta alpha device primarily meant for developers and not available for commercial purchase.

9.2 What is the expected release date for the Lenovo devices?

The article mentions a hands-on experience with a Lenovo device based on the Intel Reference Design. However, no specific release date is provided. Please refer to Lenovo's official announcements for updates on their device releases.

9.3 How does the Intel chip compare to ARM chips in terms of performance?

While the Intel Reference Design showcases commendable performance, other ARM-based devices have achieved similar or higher benchmark scores. Further comparative analysis is needed to determine the performance gap between Intel chips and ARM chips in different scenarios and use cases.

Resources:

• CES 2012: https://www.ces.tech/
• Intel: https://www.intel.com/
• Lenovo: https://www.lenovo.com/