What is Intel® Pentium® Processor

Robert_Stark

Intel® Pentium® processors are lower-powered, budget-friendly processors used in laptops and other portable devices. The original Intel Pentium processors were first released in 1995 and are still manufactured today. 

While they're no longer Intel's top-of-the-line processor, today's Pentium processors remain powerful, reliable, and versatile. The Pentium processor offers a balance of performance and value, so it can be a good option for some users. In this article, we'll explain the tech and if they're the right fit for your needs. 

Pentium® processor's key advantages 

Intel Pentium processors are low-power, entry-level processors from Intel. They're designed for laptops and portable devices where power isn't as critical as price or portability. As much of computing has shifted to the cloud, smaller processors can work.

The new processors address the mobile and desktop space and encompass:

• laptops 
• 2-in-1s 
• all-in-one PCs 
• mini-PCs 
• desktops

Intel claims the new processors offer 58% more performance in productivity applications compared to four-year-old PCs.

The Pentium processor has several key advantages over more powerful chips, including: 

1) Great Performance Value 

Pentium processors are cheaper to produce than more powerful chips. That means it can still deliver excellent performance on many devices, from laptops to tablets to Chromebooks. It also has a lower price point, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious consumers. You get a solid baseline performance on devices optimized for cloud computing at an entry-level price.

2) Lower energy consumption 

First and foremost, it's a much lower-powered processor. Intel Pentium processors use about one-seventh the energy of the latest Intel Core processors. So, many Acer models are certified ENERGY STAR, which recognizes their reduced energy consumption. This efficiency also helps extend the battery life to 15 hours on laptops and tablets. 

3) Versatility 

Pentium processors are versatile across multiple platforms. They're available in both Windows and Linux variants, as well as Chrome OS. So if you need a low-cost solution or are looking for a processor that will still be usable in years to come, the Pentium is an excellent choice. 

What Intel® Pentium® Models are now manufactured? 

The Pentium processors now manufactured are:

• Intel® Pentium® Gold Processor Series 
• Intel® Pentium® Silver Processor Series

Both were released in 2017 and are ideal for everyday computing.

Intel® Pentium® Gold Processors 

Intel Pentium Gold processors provide great value and performance for your daily activities, including:

• basic productivity such as office 
• light photo and video editing 
• seamless multitasking 
• browsing visually stunning web pages

Intel® Pentium® Silver Processors 

Intel Pentium Silver processors offer long battery life and lower power consumption, so they suit Chrome OS and tablets. They're ideal for:

• video conferencing  
• fast wireless connectivity with Gigabit Wi-Fi 
• portability 
• primary and secondary students

Intel® Pentium® Gold vs. Intel® Pentium® Silver 

The Gold series is more prevalent and powerful, with more processing power than the silver series. The Pentium Gold Series is slightly more expensive as you're getting more power.

Is the Intel® Pentium® Gold better than Celeron®? 

There is no definite answer as it largely depends on your individual needs. However, it is generally accepted that the Pentium series is a better choice for budget-conscious consumers than Celeron processors. 

Both processors share the same basic dual-core architecture. The Celeron is marketed as entry-level, and the Pentium is slotted above. Pentiums' main advantage over Celerons is hyper-threading, which allows multitasking.

Acer Pentium® laptops 

With an Acer Pentium laptop they’re designed to meet the needs of students and hybrid workers as you can speed through projects online. Let’s look at three standout options.

Acer Swift 1 Laptop

The Acer Swift 1 laptop highlights the versatility of the Intel Pentium Silver Processor with a lightweight Ultra-Thin design. Weighing in at only 1.3kg and boasting a 15-hour battery life, this laptop's ready to go where you go.

The screen is a 14-inch Full HD display with a maximum brightness of 301 nits. So it’s perfect for watching movies. The keyboard features backlighting which makes typing in low lighting easy.

Connectivity is robust, with USB-C and HDMI ports included. Plus, a fingerprint reader and Wi-Fi 6 support.

Specs: 

• Windows 10 S 
• Intel® Pentium® Silver N6000 processor Quad-core 1.10 GHz 
• Intel® UHD Graphics shared memory 
• 14" Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 

Acer Chromebook Spin 314 

When finding a great Chromebook, you're looking for an affordable mix of performance, design, and endurance. The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 is ideal with its vivid 14-inch screen and 10 hours of battery life. Plus, as a 2-in-1 or convertible laptop, it can function as both a laptop and a tablet. Chromebooks have a built-in antivirus that is always up-to-date.

Specs: 

• Chrome OS™ 
• Intel® Pentium® Silver N6000 processor Quad-core 1.10 GHz 
• Intel® UHD Graphics shared memory 
• 14" Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 Touchscreen

Acer Chromebook Spin 512 

The Acer Chromebook Spin 512 is the ideal convertible laptop for elementary and secondary school students. It comes in 4 display modes to help students find their best learning position: clamshell, tablet, display, and tent.

This Chromebook has military-grade durability for daily wear and tear, including:

• take a 60kg weight 
• survive drops from 122cm 
• a unique drainage system allows the keyboard to stay dry from spills of up to 330ml

The low power usage of its Pentium processor ensures 11 hours of battery life to allow students to take on all sorts of classroom challenges.

Specs: 

• Chrome OS™ 
• Intel® Celeron® N5100 processor Quad-core 1.10 GHz 
• Intel® UHD Graphics shared memory 
• 12" HD+ (1366 x 912) 3:2 Touchscreen 
• Acer Antimicrobial Design

Summary 

Intel® Pentium's Silver and Gold processors deliver an impressive balance of performance and endurance at budget-friendly prices. You'll find these processors in Chromebooks and laptops priced under $500, with higher-tier options in the $400 to $600 range. With their energy efficiency, your energy bill and the environment will benefit from these chips. 

About Robert Stark: Robert is a Taiwan-based writer and digital marketer. He has a passion for helping people simplify their lives through tech.