MIPS32 core optimized for Linux, Android

MIPS32 is mainly of interest to mobile devices although the Skytone Alpha 400 and its assorted cloned do run on a MIPS32 SoC at

Why, do you have one to give away? ;-)

(only half-joking)

After all the recent ARM SoC's, I have lost part of my interest in MIPS. I think ARM is the way to go currently, but competition is welcome - as always.

On the other hand, a MIPS 64 quadro-core proc of 1gHz ot 10 Watt isn't all that bad either (Godson 3), but I'm not sure it's available if you want to build your own PC.

I'm not at all sure the ARM SoCs or even the current crop of Intel Atom chips will outperform a Loongson 2F clocked at 900MHz. I'm not sure of that at all.

Right now netbooks running ARM processors are still vaporware in the U.S. MIPS ones are available.

Quoting:Right now netbooks running ARM processors are still vaporware in the U.S.

Don't tell Qualcomm and TI! Maybe 'slowware' would be a better definition. Nonetheless, I guess a Loongson 2F consumes more power and has less integrated 'technologies' than ARM's.

Hans: If the technology isn't available in the marketplace it's still vaporware as far as the consumer is concerned. When TI and Qualcomm get OEMs to deliver their product to the public it can be seriously considered; not before.

A Loongson 2F is a traditional processor, not an SoC, if that is what you're getting at. My understanding is that a Qualcomm Snapdragon is not an SoC either.

Regarding power consumption, a Loongson 2F is still preferable to an Intel Atom (any version) or a Via C7.

I'm OK with the consumer side, though my definition vapourware is if it's 'cancelled' after several years of hyping and announcements. The best 'vapourware' ever is Duke Nukem Forever - developed / announced for over 10 years but cancelled.

I have no reasons to believe multicore Cortex A9 / OMAP4 are canceled, though it takes a long time indeed - announced for mass production in Q2 2010, probably in "your local shop" in 2011.

Quoting:My understanding is that a Qualcomm Snapdragon is not an SoC either.

Ah, you're right, I was falsely assuming it was. 'QSD' is what they use for Snapdragon Chipset, QSC is what they're using for "single chips'. I have no idea if a SoC is part of their chipset though.

Quoting:Regarding power consumption, a Loongson 2F is still preferable to an Intel Atom (any version) or a Via C7.

Seems VIA introduced the Nano 3000 series four days ago, x86 SSE4, +1gHz and about 5W (same as Loongson 2F), though x86 is not comparable with MIPS I guess. Problem for VIA - like with the current Nano series - will be convincing OEM's to use it. And they're quite expensive AFAIK.

About the ATOM series: I once read Intel made them deliberately slower than they could have made them (to make sure not to eat their own 'high-performance'/'high margin' lunch), but I haven't been able to find that source after I read it.

So, I'll have to wait till 2011, or just find something with MIPS64 I guess. Are MIPS64 netbooks available anywhere?

Hans: The Gdium Liberty 1000 is MIPS64, preloaded with Mandriva, and widely available. In the U.S you can get them from Amazon.com. Not sure who has them in NL but Gdium is a French company so getting them in the E.U. should not be a problem.

The Lemote Yeelong is also MIPS64 and is available from Tekmote in the Netherlands. It's more expensive than the Gdium but if you're a fan of RMS it's what he uses.

Thanks Caitlyn. Now I remember you told me before (at least about Tekmote), but like usual I haven't been bookmarking. And after all the hype surrounding ARM MP-Cortex-A9 I believed it would be here soon. Only yesterday I found out it was 2011. So if I'm still employed the coming year, I may be considering buying such a Gdium.