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General discussion

Zune Processor...why?

Jan 21, 2009 4:43AM PST

the Zune uses an ARM 400 Mhz DPS processor. Microsoft's bundling far more power than what's needed for audio and video feedback. why would they do this? they haven't done much with it yet, all it seems to be doing is reducing their battery life. does anyone know what processor the Ipod Touch 2nd gen uses? i remember reading that its the most powerful of any ipod (even the iphone).

Discussion is locked

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Woah there.
Jan 21, 2009 10:55AM PST

If you think back to your PC lineage you see we didn't get to play DVDs with software only till about the P3 500 MHz age. So 400MHz on an ARM is not that speedy and probably just right.
Bob

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old zune
Jan 23, 2009 7:43AM PST
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And a little digging finds...
Jan 23, 2009 11:31AM PST

The firmware can throttle back the CPU clock rate to save battery power and go full tilt when its needed.

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Perspective
Jan 23, 2009 11:38PM PST

to put the power of the zune into perspective, the fifth generation ipod video used dual 80 MHz ARM 7TDMI processors.

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And ...
Jan 23, 2009 11:44PM PST

Apple's programmers talk about excellence, details and more.
Microsoft's programmers talk about managed code, code factories and ...

Besides the actual GHz isn't much a concern since it could be throttled or set as need be.
Bob

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Poowwwaaaa!
Feb 17, 2009 2:38AM PST