Intel, the hardware maker whose i5 and i7 chips set records in 2013, is still insisting that the desktops are not on the way out.
The chip designer has unveiled its ideas for the next generation of desktops, with a PC codenamed ‘Black Brook’ – a desktop all-in-one computer.
The Black Brook is designed around a central touchscreen with a battery that fits into a docking station, which effectively turns it into a desktop.
Speaking at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, Lisa Graff, vice president and general manager of Intel’s desktop client platforms group, said: "Our desktop unit shipment volume is actually going up and revenue is going up even more. Desktop is still huge."
"The desktop business is a large and important segment for Intel, and we are investing in it – reinventing form factors, experiences and products for our customers," said Graff.
Intel says the machines will go to market during 2014 and 2015, and will feature Chipzilla’s Ready Mode technology, which allows the machines to operate on a light sleep mode which requires next to nothing power but can still get up and running swiftly.
The plans, outlined at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, show Intel’s effort at revitalising the desktop market. Chipzilla’s focus is to speed up the development of the all-in-one market, hopefully finding markets for the new desktop form factor.
Graff was keen to highlight 2013’s fourth quarter success, which showed a year-over-year desktop volume rise of 7%. This statistic, when used in conjunction with Intel’s Black Brook plan, makes Intel’s desktop faith obvious.
