Qualcomm has confirmed that its upcoming lineup of Snapdragon processors are “designed” to power mobile devices running Windows 8.
The dual-core and quad-core Snapdragon chips are expected to enable optimal computing performance and extended battery life, while facilitating the smooth display of graphics and multimedia playback on Windows tablets.
The next-gen Snapdragon processors are also slated to boast dual and quad asynchronous CPU cores that can be independently controlled to deliver high-end performance at maximum efficiency.
The first processor in the Snapdragon family to power devices using the next version of Windows will be the MSM8960, which is sampling this month, followed by the quad-core Snapdragon APQ8064, which is anticipated to sample in early 2012.
According to Qualcomm, the MSM8960 chipset provides the “first” dual-core platform with an integrated multi-mode 3G/LTE modem – as it is designed to meet the multi-tasking requirements of Windows 8.
“Windows 8 will enable customers to have the flexibility, connectivity and power that they expect from Windows today with new, touch-only devices like tablets. This will require high-performing, low-power processors like those from Qualcomm, with features like 3G and 4G wireless wide area network (WWAN) connectivity,” explained Microsoft rep Mike Angiulo.
“We collaborate with Qualcomm because Snapdragon-powered devices will help Windows 8 consumers experience more out of their Windows device and enable hardware manufacturers to try new PC designs.”
