Mobile Device Processors (I of II)

In this post, we are going to explain the different types of processors for mobile devices, especially which ones are better than others, so that when we go to buy one, we don’t get “a pig in a poke”. This time, it must be said that the subject is complicated. Manufacturers do not usually specify the details of their products clearly, especially if they are not good, and resort to technicalities to confuse. Other times it is simply due to the sellers’ lack of knowledge.

To make the post as interesting as possible, we are going to look at an example with three different tablets, which we present here and will solve in a second part. Before the example ends, we will learn which of these tablets is a real bargain, which is a mediocre purchase, and which is a complete scam. This is a real example, with real products and prices, for tablets with similar characteristics. The products have been chosen to have a similar price, but you can find even worse and more expensive junk.

First of all, what is an ARM processor? There are infinite ways to design a processor. The way a processor is designed internally is what we call its architecture.

The computers we commonly use have processors with x86 architecture. Examples of these processors are the Pentium, Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, and i7, manufactured by Intel, and the Athlon and Phenom processors, manufactured by AMD. x86 processors are of the CISC type, which means they have very complex parts that allow them to perform complicated tasks quickly.

ARM processors have a different architecture from these typical computer processors. ARM processors are of the RISC type, meaning they have a large number of parts, each of which performs a simple task.

x86 processors are very efficient at very complex calculations, but for relatively simple tasks (like those performed on mobiles and tablets) using an x86 processor is “using a sledgehammer to crack a nut”. In these cases, an ARM processor can be more efficient and have lower consumption.

ARM processors are designed by ARM Holding. Every so often they publish a new version of the architecture. Below is a table with the different architectures and the processor families that implement them. The newer the version, the faster, more efficient, and lower power consumption the processor will have.

For now, this is enough. In a second part we will finish explaining the types of ARM processors and conclude the example of the three tablets.