Smartphones are morphing into handheld computers in a shift that could force the mobile phone and PC markets to collide. As portable devices become more like personal computers, demand for cellphone microchips with the horsepower to give consumers the functionality they want appears primed to explode. Let's take a look at the two leading chip makers in these industries to uncover which company is better positioned to control the future of mobile devices.
While Qualcomm
The companies will face off next week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas, where Qualcomm plans to showcase notebook computers running on its chips. To counter, Intel will take a page out of Qualcomm's book and introduce its new Medfield chip for cellular devices.
Deja vu?
It isn't the first time Intel's tried to break into the mobile market. The company has lost countless deals to Qualcomm and other chip developers licensing technology from ARM Holdings
At this point, Intel's chips consume significantly more battery power than ARM chips. However, Intel hopes to change that with its new Medfield processor. According to Intel, Medfield promises enhanced graphics and faster Web browsing. It also claims to use less battery than the top three smartphones currently on the market. However, we'll have to wait until CES next week to see if Medfield can live up to these impressive marks.
PC does it
Despite making ground on the mobile phone front, Microsoft's
In 2010, PC sales accounted for 72% of Intel's net revenue. That's a large percentage of the chip maker's business that could be vulnerable to stronger competition in the sector.
Don't mess with the best
From where I'm sitting, it seems Qualcomm has a decent position in the mobile device market. And the company's push into Intel's turf is the right move if it wants its ARM-based processors to conquer the market for mobile computers. Intel, on the other hand, has the most to lose if its latest mobile plans fall flat.
For now, Qualcomm has a clear lead over Intel, but we'll have to wait until CES next week before crowning a winner in mobile computing. Until then, click here to track the latest developments on these stocks and more, with the Motley Fool's free Watchlist service.
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