It looks like Chromebooks are a very popular format and I think an ARM based 'AirBook' could compete in that space.
Napkin Math
MacBook Air current generation (mid-2013) retail price: $999 ($1099 for 13″ model with same CPU).
Intel Core i5-4250U, Tray: $315, http://ark.intel.com/products/75028/
(sure Apple will be getting large discounts on this, but it can't be that large, since $INTC has ~60% gross margin overall)
Apple A7, Tray: $20 (estimated)
Intel Atom E3827, Tray: $41
Tray = 1000 pcs;
The Core i5 has a 15W TDP; 1.3 Ghz clock (turbo to 2.6Ghz); 2 cores, 4 threads. Sunspider 250ms.
The Apple A7 has a 2W TDP; 1.3Ghz clock; 2 cores, 2 threads. Sunspider 397 ms.
It’s not looking all that different! Esp. when you take into account that the A8 will be twice as fast (think Tegra K1) – i.e – a Sunspider score of 200ms maybe?
It looks like Chromebooks are a very popular format and I think an ARM based 'AirBook' could compete in that space.
Napkin Math
MacBook Air current generation (mid-2013) retail price: $999 ($1099 for 13″ model with same CPU).
Intel Core i5-4250U, Tray: $315, http://ark.intel.com/products/75028/ (sure Apple will be getting large discounts on this, but it can't be that large, since $INTC has ~60% gross margin overall)
Apple A7, Tray: $20 (estimated)
Intel Atom E3827, Tray: $41
Tray = 1000 pcs;
The Core i5 has a 15W TDP; 1.3 Ghz clock (turbo to 2.6Ghz); 2 cores, 4 threads. Sunspider 250ms.
The Apple A7 has a 2W TDP; 1.3Ghz clock; 2 cores, 2 threads. Sunspider 397 ms.
http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i5-4250U-vs-Apple-A7
It’s not looking all that different! Esp. when you take into account that the A8 will be twice as fast (think Tegra K1) – i.e – a Sunspider score of 200ms maybe?