Intel needs laptops to develop into as modular as desktop PCs

A senior Intel government stated Tuesday that Intel has begun constructing extra modularity into its laptop computer designs, permitting PC builders further flexibility and customers the power to doubtlessly substitute or improve sure components of the laptop computer.

Intel government Gokul Subramaniam, vice chairman of Intel’s Shopper Computing Group and president of Intel India, stated that the final two or three generations of Intel’s designs have featured elevated modularity contained in the laptop computer, to help corporations reminiscent of Asus or Acer with designing a number of variations of a laptop computer with out in depth re-engineering.

The idea in query is what’s referred to as modular design. Desktop PCs had been mainly based upon this precept, permitting PC makers and customers alike to slip out onerous drives and optical drives, or unscrew and substitute SSDs in M.2 slots in as we speak’s PCs. Laptops, although, have historically been thought of sealed bins, and simply with the ability to entry the internals is a prized function that not each laptop computer provides.

The message? Modularity’s time is now. PC makers can simply manufacture a number of variations of a product, and swap out a failing half rapidly and comparatively cheaply. Shoppers, hopefully, may have some say by which peripherals and capabilities will seem on their PCs as nicely.

One firm, Framework, has considered this as a enterprise alternative. Framework Laptops, and now its Framework Desktop, function modular elements that may be simply changed, reminiscent of swapping out a USB-C port for a legacy USB-A connector. Subramaniam used an analogous instance in discussing modularity in a quick discuss with reporters.

Intel is working to make PCs extra modular on the system, board, and element stage, Subramaniam stated. (Two of the three will profit laptop computer makers immediately.) On the system stage, Intel is co-designing total boards with its companions, in order to allow a single design for a 16-inch, dual-fan laptop computer, in addition to a second design for a 14-inch, single-fan design. Transport the bigger laptop computer or the smaller laptop computer would allow merely inserting the board into the laptop computer chassis.

Intel

Intel can also be making an attempt to separate up the laptop computer motherboards, sub-dviding them into two or three and even a number of PCBs, all related by cables or connectors. Once more, the concept is that clients like ordering from a menu of components, with particular capabilities; in response, PC makers may merely join particular person playing cards or small daughterboards with wi-fi modules. Subramaniam recognized M.2 modules as one key piece of the modular method, because it was a simple approach for a PC maker or client to swap out playing cards and capabilities alike.

Lastly, there’s modularity on the person stage, reminiscent of a user-replaceable SSD. Some distributors enable this, and entry to the insides of a laptop computer has been one of many sticking factors of the right-to-repair motion. However one of many neatest options of Framework has simply been the power to swap out an inexpensive peripheral port.

“One of many key issues is the necessities of the top person is continually altering,” Subramaniam stated. “The pursuits are various. You’ve got quite a lot of person wants.”

Some folks could also be proud of the laptop computer’s default digital camera, Subramaniam stated. However others would wish to swap out the digital camera for one thing higher, without having to purchase a superior webcam.

If there was any downside to Intel’s new method, it’s that it appears targeted on the PC vendor, not the buyer. Intel’s Subramaniam didn’t suggest a forthcoming reference design with swappable I/O modules, for instance. And there’s nothing just like the Open Compute Challenge — an open-source design for making a reference server that’s a decade previous.

Mainly, Intel’s stance proper now could be that modular computing is an effective factor, and that it’s feeling its approach via with clients as a way to simplify the method of growing extra standardized, upgradable laptops. However Subramaniam didn’t point out that Intel or the PC trade is working towards a world the place you’ll be capable of open up a laptop computer and swap out a motherboard…you recognize, like Framework does. There’s no signal {that a} Microsoft Floor or an Acer Swift will do the identical.

Intel

Modular PC designs, after all, supply all kinds of intriguing potentialities: simply swapping out or upgrading I/O, and even changing a whole motherboard or CPU. Would a modular laptop computer must be thicker to accomodate the pliability? Would PC makers want the advantages of modularity whereas accepting the truth that they’re merely assembling PCs, slightly than engineering them? All good questions, and ones we’ll have to depart for the longer term.

So whereas Intel says it loves modularity, we’ll must see if it — and the remainder of the PC trade — follows via.