Apple A4 CPU Dissection: iPad is Just a Big Touch
It uses the same sort of brains and brawn as the latest iPhone and iPod Touch models.
When Steve Jobs took to the stage earlier this year to unveil the iPad, he also announced a custom processor he called the A4. While the company has been rather mum on what's inside the package, early reports figured the A4 to be ARM-based, just like the iPhone and iPod Touch models. And they were right.
Teardown specialist firm iFixit sent the A4 chip to Canadian-based Chipworks, a semiconductor reverse engineering firm, for an x-ray and dissection to find out what Apple's chip is made up of.
These are the conclusions that iFixit it came to:
· There's not much revolutionary here. In fact, the A4 is quite similar to the Samsung processor Apple uses in the iPhone [3GS].
· It's clear from both hardware and software that this is a single core processor, so it must be the ARM Cortex A8, and NOT the rumored multicore A9.
· It's quite challenging to identify block-level logic inside a processor, so to identify the GPU we're falling back to software: early benchmarks are showing similar 3D performance to the iPhone [3GS], so we're guessing that the iPad uses the same PowerVR SGX 535 GPU.
· The iPad has 256 MB RAM, same as the iPhone [3GS].
· The A4 sips power. In fact, power consumption is probably the reason Apple hasn't stepped up performance much from the iPhone [3GS]. In order to get 10 hours of battery life, the entire iPad (including display) has to pull less than 2.5 Watts on average.
It should be noted that, while both the CPU and GPU appear to be upclocked versions of the same things powering the iPhone 3GS, it's still impossible to tell at this stage. Furthermore, there is a single core version of the ARM Cortex A9, so Apple could be using a newer CPU than the A8 in the latest iPhone and iPod Touch.
Nevertheless, we agree with iFixit that, on a hardware level, "there's not much revolutionary here." Apple has essentially built a triple-layer, package-on-package custom chip using off-the-shelf components. Like the company does for the rest of its computing product, it takes something that's readily available in the technology marketplace and layers it with custom software to provide a markedly different experience.
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Ahhhh Apple... why is it within 2 days of launch I always take a step back and LMAO at fan boys who run out to get the newest Apple toy to see the reviews a few day later?? Has happened twice in the past 3 years =)
Seems like Apple can sell it's new gadgets to the devoted few, but not the masses, which I love!!
^^^That's because the majority of people are smarter than to fall for Apple's gimmicky, overpriced junk.
This is what I've been saying all along. it's sheer arrogance on the part of Apple to assume people will simply buy this because it's bigger and marketed as a whole new experience.
I don't know, why people keep buying overpriced junk from apple.
Apple suceeded in throwing trash to customer such as overpriced macbooks an overpriced iphone...now ipad...but people buy it...
I guess the people need to be reeducated.
BTW: I didn't know it would be a problem if I am going with an airplane with a laptop with me....
The security is geeting crazy...naked scanner..no liquids...no laptops.. next....no clothes at all and no luggage...
With possible silicon breast as bombs, means...perhaps no women allowed...
What next?...no human allowed...
Those paranoids need help! so that they can think a better solution.
oh well at least it will keep apple fan boys happy with "Warm Hands".... nice feature Apple.
Or maybe, just maybe people are annoyed as hell of crappy touch screens that you have to press ten times to get what you want done, done... And laptops that crash and make you loose hours of work... And desktops that make more noise than a Ferrari and move slower than a skateboard with 3 wheels... I had it all - HTC phone that would gladly trade for the Iphone, Desktop that would gladly trade for an iMac, Laptop that I traded for a Macbook, and about the iPad - well, if all other Tablets get a shitty touchscreen and software like most of what I've seen, yeah, give me an iPad, even if with no Multitask, no USB, no Webcam and so on. I would rather have something that works when I tell it too, than something that makes me want to bite my fingers off...
guanyu210379, overpriced in your point of view but well worth the price from other peoples point of view including mine.
It really depends on how you look at a product when you buy it, do you judge it from just the basic hardware that is offered. Or do you look at the complete package (Hardware, Software, Appearance, User Interface/Interactions, Uses "Apps").
Looking at the iPhone, iTouch and iPad these products do offer the complete package, there just isn't another product out there that can compete when each of the described Apple products are judged on a complete package level.
Sorry guys its not just about the hardware anymore, its the combination of the elements (described above) that offers the user the most unique experience and useful experience. I use to think of Apple products as expense, but once I tried the iPhone and Macbook I was sold!! The iPhone in particular has helped me made a lot of money, just through the increased access to the internet and applications that I have on it.
Shining_Lizard, although not ever Apple product are run away successes the iPod, iTouch very much are. Furthermore I think 43 Million iPhones sold to date is not to be sniffed at. The figures seems to discount your statement that Apple cannot sell to the masses..
Apple FAIL!
It's a big ipod??? Well there's a bloody big surprise -.-
Lol so its an Iphone 3G that has been blown up and doesn't phone.
Or maybe, just maybe people are annoyed as hell of crappy touch screens that you have to press ten times to get what you want done, done... And laptops that crash and make you loose hours of work... And desktops that make more noise than a Ferrari and move slower than a skateboard with 3 wheels... I had it all - HTC phone that would gladly trade for the Iphone, Desktop that would gladly trade for an iMac, Laptop that I traded for a Macbook, and about the iPad - well, if all other Tablets get a shitty touchscreen and software like most of what I've seen, yeah, give me an iPad, even if with no Multitask, no USB, no Webcam and so on. I would rather have something that works when I tell it too, than something that makes me want to bite my fingers off...
Some people are easily pleased then.... my netbook doesnt over heat.... my desktop is whisper quiet due to sensible build and thought into cooling.
While they dont have the bling factor (depending on your own personal taste) they work very well. Neither over heat, neither have a battery that cant be user replaced, both multi task, both within reason and good value for money.
My sony MP3 player does all i need it to..... so what benefit is there for buying an apple product is they are flawed due to design limitations ? its all very well looking good but if there are limits to the performance due to asthetics then whats the point ?
oh well at least it will keep apple fan boys happy with "Warm Hands".... nice feature Apple.
"Warm hands? Should it be more like "HOT STUFF"?
I think it is more than just "Warm".
Bad quality overpriced junk! but ...people buy it...
What marketing strategy they used is just simply magnificent! Or the people are simply stupid!
Personally I have an 8GB iPod touch.
My opinion on apple products :
1. I like the iPods very much nano, touch are simply great.
2. iPhone is an Ok but not a great product.
3. Macbooks were great at the launching time, but it is not great anymore since no significant proc, gpu, or even any upgrade to the new ones since then.
4. iPad is really an expensive piece of junk.
Oh what a shock, they took apart an apple product and saw that there is not much new ... shocking eh? Doh!