AppleInsider’s repot on the rumored iPad 2 chip specs have me drooling for Apple’s next “magical” tablet computer. While a CPU and GPU bump are expected from generation to generation, the iPad 2 appears to be getting a pretty massive kick in both departments. Here are some details:
Apple’s next custom System on a Chip is expected to jump from the SGX535 (which has been used since the iPhone 3GS) to the new SGX543 graphics and video core, which is said to offer around twice the processing power at the same clock speed. The new graphics core also supports OpenCL, used to offload general purpose computing tasks on the GPU for fast execution.
A source familiar with Apple’s graphics strategy says the company will not only be upgrading its video core, but also going to multiple cores, a feature that is designed into the SGX543 design. The most likely configuration of Apple’s next custom chip is reportedly the SGX543MP2, which pairs two SGX543 cores to work as one, offering around four times the capability of the previous A4 in graphics and video tasks.
Outside of graphics, Apple will reportedly be using the multiple core ARM Cortex-A9 for general purpose processing.
There have been all kinds of rumors floating around that the iPad 2 will boast a 2048 x 1536 resolution. Those that doubt the reports cite the fact that the iPad 2 would require a serious GPU update in order to support a resolution that high. Well, if the reports pan out, here it is.
The tablet computing market will explode in 2011. While Apple has a nice head start over the upcoming Google Android, HP Palm WebOS, Windows 7, and RIM BlackBerry Playbook tablets, it still needs to work in order to maintain its dominance. The (rumored) increased power of the iPad 2 and the superior offerings of the iOS ecosystem should help it do so.
What do you think of these rumored iPad specs? Do they have you drooling too?
I'm gonna buy it!
I've had thoughts have buying an iPad and rooting it recently.