217.202.95.77: /* In laptops */

2025-10-16T17:09:54Z

In laptops

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{{Short description|Processor found in mobile devices}}
{{one source|date=September 2021}}
[[File:KL Intel Pentium Mobile.jpg|thumb|An [[Pentium (original)|Intel Pentium]] Mobile, clocked at 300 MHz (1998)]]
A '''mobile processor''' is a [[microprocessor]] designed for [[mobile computer|mobile devices]] such as [[laptop]]s and [[cell phone]]s.

A CPU chip is designed for portable computers to run [[fanless computer|fanless]], under 10 to 15W, which is cool enough without a fan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/fanless-computer-boards-are-pushing-15w-to-the-limit-2015-10/|title=Fanless computer boards are pushing 15W to the limit |date=15 October 2015 }}</ref> It is typically housed in a smaller chip package, but more importantly, in order to run cooler, it uses lower voltages than its [[desktop computer|desktop]] counterpart and has more [[sleep mode]] capability. A mobile processor can be throttled down to different power levels or sections of the chip can be turned off entirely when not in use. Further, the [[clock frequency]] may be stepped down under low processor loads. This stepping down conserves power and prolongs [[rechargeable battery|battery life]].

== In laptops ==
One of the main characteristics differentiating [[laptop]] processors from other CPUs is [[Low-power electronics|low power consumption]], which is not without tradeoffs: they also tend to not perform as well as their desktop counterparts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamingscan.com/intel-processor-letter-meanings/|title = Intel Processor Letter Meanings [2022 Guide]|date = 10 January 2022}}</ref>

The notebook processor has become an important [[market segment]] in the [[semiconductor industry]]. Notebook computers are a popular format of the broader category of [[Mobile computing|mobile computer]]s. The objective of a notebook computer is to provide the performance and functionality of a [[desktop computer]] in a [[portable computer|portable]] size and weight.

Cell phones and PDAs use "[[system on a chip]]" integrated circuits that use less power than most notebook processors.

While it is possible to use desktop processors in laptops, this practice is generally not recommended, as desktop processors heat faster than notebook processors and drain batteries faster.

== Examples ==
=== Current ===
* [[ARM architecture]] (used in [[Chromebook]]s, [[Windows 10]], [[Windows 11]] laptops, Linux [[netbook]]s and recent [[Mac transition to Apple silicon|Macs]])
** [[Apple M series]]
** [[Huawei]]: [[HiSilicon|HiSilicon Kirin]]
** [[MediaTek]]
** [[Nvidia]]: [[Tegra]]
** [[Qualcomm]]: [[Qualcomm Snapdragon|Snapdragon]]
** [[Rockchip]]
** [[Samsung Electronics]]: [[Exynos]]
* [[x86]]
** [[AMD]]: [[Ryzen]], [[Athlon]], and [[AMD Accelerated Processing Unit|A-Series APU]]
** [[Intel]]: [[Xeon]] mobile, [[Intel Core|Core]], [[Pentium]], and [[Celeron]]

=== Former ===
* [[PowerPC]]
** [[Motorola]] and [[Freescale Semiconductor]] made [[PowerPC G4]] processors for the pre-Intel [[Apple Computer]] notebooks.
* [[x86]]
** [[Transmeta]]: [[Transmeta Crusoe|Crusoe]] and [[Transmeta Efficeon|Efficeon]]
** [[Intel]]: [[Pentium M]]
** [[AMD]]: [[Athlon II|Mobile Athlon II]], [[Mobile Athlon 64]], [[Mobile Sempron]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{CPU technologies}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mobile Processor}}
[[Category:Laptops]]
[[Category:Mobile computers]]
[[Category:Mobile phones]]
[[Category:Microprocessors]]

{{Microcompu-stub}}

Mobile processor - Revision history

217.202.95.77: /* In laptops */