What it is: Intel announced 8th generation Core processors.
At one time, professors evolved so rapidly that people eagerly upgraded their computers to take advantage of the latest software. The jump from 80286 to 80386 to 80486 to the Pentium was dramatic enough to make the upgrade cost worth it. That’s why Intel keeps announcing newer processors to keep up with AMD’s latest processors.
Intel’s new 8th generation processors are supposedly up to 40% faster than current processors. While speed is always welcome, raw speed alone won’t necessarily make your software more responsive unless your software knows how to take advantage of the dramatic changes in the processor hardware.
That means even though Intel’s latest processor may be 40% faster, you might not see a 40% increase in using a computer. For many people, today’s processors are fast enough so the increased cost of Intel’s latest processors may not be worth it.
For professional computer users who need raw power for video editing or graphics editing, a faster processor will be worth the cost. For the average computer user, today’s computers are adequate so there’s little need to upgrade.
In the past, people upgraded their computers every two years or even sooner. Today, people upgrade their computers every five years or more. Probably the only major growth market for computers is the gaming market where raw processing power is always welcome to make games more responsive.
So although Intel’s 8th generation processors are appealing, the cost may not be so welcoming. The best part about the announcement of the 8th generation of Intel Core processors is that it will push down prices for existing processors and give you more money to spend on other components besides the processor.
For Windows users, your next PC will likely contain the latest Intel or AMD processor. For Macintosh users, your next Macintosh will contain the latest Intel processor since AMD processors aren’t officially supported.
Rather than worry about the technical specifications, just ask yourself what you need. Chances are good you don’t need Intel’s 8th generation processors.
To read more about Intel’s latest 8th generation processors, click here.