Speculation has emerged that Samsung is looking to switch to Intel as a processor supplier for its forthcoming flagship Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 10-inch tablets.
Currently, Samsung uses an ARM-based (Cortex A9) Texas Instruments processor to power its current generation Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets.
However, according to Android Authority, a new device with the serial number “GT-P5210” with “Samsung” listed as the brand has been spotted in the records of graphics chip benchmarking site GFXBench.
The Android 4.2.2 device is listed as using an Intel Atom Clover Trail processor and having an “x86” processor type.
While the discovery has prompted speculation Samsung could be looking at switching its processor architecture, the news also comes less than a week after KGI Securities analyst Mingchi Kuo predicted an Android laptop using an Intel Atom processor could hit the market within three to four months.
Earlier this month, SmartCompany reported Intel’s executive vice president and chief product officer Dadi Perlmutter revealed the microprocessor giant was working with a number of hardware manufacturers on Android laptops, which would have a low-end price point of $US200.
“We have a good technology that enables a very cost-effective price point,” Perlmutter said.
“[The price of Windows 8 laptops] depends on how Microsoft prices Windows 8. It may be a slightly higher price point.”
The news comes at a tough time for Intel, which has seen its traditional PC chip market erode since the release of Windows 8, with worldwide PC sales taking a 13.9% hit during the first quarter of 2013 according to recent IDC figures.
The release of Windows 8 has led to a dramatic 13.9% year-on-year slump in first quarter PC sales, according to recent figures.
Andrew Sadauskas is a former journalist at SmartCompany and a former editor of TechCompany.
