New Samsung Tabs have Intel inside

  Samsung has unwrapped new 10- and 8-inch Galaxy Tabs, but is breaking the mold with Intel chips replacing ARM-based hardware. Intel joined Samsung in announcing the new Tabs, each with dual-core Intel Atom chipsets, and including Intel integrated graphics processing in the 10.1-inch model. Intel makes bold claims with these Atom processors, including enhanced battery performance thanks to a burst speed mode that dynamically shifts power to and from the processor depending on how demanding the current workload is.

Middle rung

Despite Intel’s enthusiasm, Samsung is definitely not pitching these products as competitors to the iPad at the top-end of the market. Both 8- and 10-inch models use a 1280×800 pixel resolution screens; a cheaper alternative to the Retina display in the iPad and even compared with the high-resolution screen in Samsung’s Nexus 10 tablet. There is also only 1GB RAM in the Tab 10.1, compared with the 2GB we are seeing in most new  Samsung phones.This could reflect improved performance available through Intel’s processors, but it certainly seems like another cost-cutting measure. These new tablets join the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 in Samsung’s slate ambitions this year, with the smaller tablet announced a month ago. Unlike its larger siblings, the 7-inch model will not use Intel processors. Samsung says the tablets will launch later this month, with pricing to be announced closer to the in-store date.