The sixth generation “Skylake” version of Intel’s (News - Alert) Core processors has officially launched, with speeds that range from 2.2GHz to 3.6GHz. The chips promise to power more efficient user experiences, with some additional hardcoded perks that can help differentiate higher-end machines.
Lifehacker did a real-world test drive of the Core chips, and found several positive results: For one, they enable a near-instant wake-up time at around half a second. They also enable a longer battery life, along with a power-saving feature called Speed Shift Technology, which makes it more efficient to select power states. As a result, PCs can switch between states in just one millisecond (for instance, when going from full performance to idle mode after completing a task), meaning less electricity drain.
Skylake also incorporates an additional layer of hardware-based security protection in the form of Software Guard Extensions (SGX). “Combined with Intel’s Memory Protection Extensions (MPX), it can help prevent buffer overflows that can be maliciously exploited,” Lifehacker explained.
Also on the security front, the processors support RealSense technology that supports facial recognition as a way to log onto a Windows 10 computer through the Windows Hello feature.
“The downside is that you’ll need to fork out some dough to upgrade to a device with an Intel RealSense camera since the standalone camera isn’t available … just yet,” the testers noted. “It’s still a noteworthy feature, and for those who are wondering whether the technology can tell the difference between identical twins, it can.”
These types of on-the-ground improvements will be important for Intel to gain traction with PC makers with Skylake. Intel said that Skylake delivers more than double the speed and triple the battery life compared to machines from 2010. It also powers computers that wake up four times faster can support voice- and touch-based interactions. But compared to the last Core processor, Broadwell, which launched last year, Skylake offers just a 10 percent speed boost—so convincing manufacturers to opt for the higher-end and more expensive Skylake will mean having a few key differentiation points.
Edited by Rory J. Thompson