Where will Crusoe likely be seen
first?
Laptops: Crusoe will likely appear first in Laptops. The
Crusoe is a smaller processor that can run more efficiently at higher megahertz
than the current mobile processors (including the PIII's) can. Crusoe runs much
cooler than these current mobile processors, and because Crusoe generates less
heat, your laptop will use less power to do the same things it does now. So a
Crusoe Laptop will be lighter and more compact, enabling builders to pack more
goodies into your machine: there is more room for memory, disk space and
expansion.
Mobile Internet Devices: prior to Crusoe, there was
no way to get the combination of low power, low operating temperature and high
clock speed. This has greatly restricted the abilities of hand-held devices. The
Crusoe processor provides hand-held and palm-sized devices the ability to run
powerful software, like Linux. It will enable these types of devices to deliver
the full multimedia experience, including web content and DVD, as well as access
and store more information.
And the Crusoe Customers Include...
Transmeta continues to keep tight-lipped about who is currently building TM3120 and TM5400 systems and
devices, but they do say that we can look for Crusoe-based products to hit the
market in the summer. With a clock speed
of 600MHz Crusoe can out perform most mobile processors, and still has the
flexibility of being multi-platform and software capable.
Mobile
Linux
Tansmeta has developed a Linux distribution called "Mobile
Linux". Mobile Linux has been designed for systems and devices that do not use
hard disks. An example of a device that will be an ideal candidate for Mobile
Linux will be Web Pads and other hand-held Mobile Internet Devices. Though
Transmeta will never distribute Mobile Linux the way Red Hat distributes Linux,
they do have plans to release it to the open source community.
The Hype -
What we expected, and what we now
have
Transmeta has been quite secretive about exactly what it has been
doing, and what information has been leaked has spawned much speculation. Here
is a run down on the Buzz created by the major industry sources:
- VLIW Processor that is simpler, faster and cheaper than current
processors
- Will make use of the Linux OS
- Will be smaller, faster and cheaper than current processors
The Web Cast from today tells us that in fact:
- VLIW Processors called Crusoe TM3120 and TM5400 do run significantly
cooler, and more efficiently than current processors, both mobile and
otherwise.
- Linux plays a large part in the Transmeta plan
- They are fast, and cheaper than top of the line x86
processors: the TM3120 running at 400MHZ will range from $65-$89, and the
TM5400, running at 700MHZ will range from $119-329 (all funds in US
dollars)
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