Replies to post #136498 on Intel Corp (INTC)

[wthdik2]

But it doesn't look like that's the case. It's cheaper, but its "Ultrabook" level pricing not "2-in-1"(which cost even more) pricing.

I was reading the most recent write up on Core M over at Anandtech...and as you might expect..there was a very "spirited" debate (pros & cons) in the comments section regarding the merits of Core M chips. One thing they all seemed to agree on (or at least didn't seem to be challenged by the pro-Intel folks) was that Core M chips are very expensive...close to $300 per pop iirc.

If that is true, hard to imagine Core M devices coming in much under the $1K price level (at least in the foreseeable future), and that will severely limit their market imo.

[wbmw]

Actually, I do not believe Core M will move the "needle" mearningfully either. Perhaps they can surprise a bit if the Llama Mountain like premium devices really come in the $799 range, and pretty good ones in the $599 range.

But it doesn't look like that's the case. It's cheaper, but its "Ultrabook" level pricing not "2-in-1"(which cost even more) pricing.

I wouldn't base your analysis on Gen1 models, unless you're trying to gauge Core M penetration this year. My guess is that OEM's will want to capitalize on the "uniqueness" of Gen1 designs, and charge a premium. The premium should be gone with next year's designs.

So in one sense, I agree that Core M isn't going to change the world immediately - but I do expect to see $399-499 systems with Core M eventually. If they can build a decent system at $299 (and there are plenty of examples), the for $100-200 more they can fit in a Core M processor. By the time you hit $599, it should have plenty of memory and storage capacity, as well.