Ignoring the highly subjective "goodness" of such an indicator and its dependence on other parts of the system (like video), neither iPod uses Atom CPU. Both these devices use ARM-based CPUs, with iPod Touch actually using a dual-core part, if I remember things correctly.

It is active state. Device is fully booted, applications are started they are just mostly doing nothing. If skype runs and someone calls in it will ring, if I touch screen or key it will react and turn screen on.

2420 is still a 90nm part. In other words, it still can be improved by moving it to 65nm and TI is working in that direction (although you get current leakage problems at 65nm).

It is not the front end that matters, but the overall value of the product to consumers (in this case, gadget manufacturers). With OMAPs, you have got cheap, simple, low power, reasonably fast system-on-chip.

With Atom, you are basically getting a Pentium I CPU built with 45nm technology, at $45 apiece, and then you have to add the external chipset to it. This will work for small laptops, like Asus EEE, but there is no way it will work in a cell phone, unless Intel takes further steps to slim down, cheapen, and integrate its solution.

Don't let the rotating door stop you.

CPU religion! Who woulda thought.

Texrat, I am absolutely in awe of your technique for turning the "Thanks" button into a way to make a covert snarky reply.

Thanks John! I was wondering if anyone caught that.

EDIT: but I was serious when I replied to fms.

I did, and found it neat too :-)

Heh. I thanked 'im myself before I even realized anyone else had...

What a wonderful thread.

"Look, I'm obviously wrong and quite adamant about remaining that way. <cartman>So screw you guys, I'm goin' home!</cartman>"

So... did we find out whose @!#! was bigger?