Apple iPad confirms that uses the PowerVR SGX graphics processor

Apple has confirmed through the documentation included with the latest beta 3 development kit iPad tablet that uses the same graphics processor than the iPhone and iPod Touch, or As least one of the same family, the PowerVR SGX. According to the company, use OpenGL ES in the iPad is identical to it in other devices that operate on the iPhone OS.

A iPad is a device (using the processor) and PowerVR SGX supports the same basic capabilities that other devices SGX. However, because the processor, memory architecture and screen sizes are different for the iPad, you should always test your code in a iPad before launch to ensure that their performance meets your requirements. Initially there was some confusion about the hardware that Apple had actually been used in the iPad due to an erroneous report published by Bright Side of the News claiming that the company had used an ARM graph procesadro much less potent but definitely this was false. Apple is one of the biggest investors and licensees Imation Technologies, creators of the PowerVR SGX chip used in iPhone and iPod Touch 3GS third generation (the older models and the iPod nano Fourth-and fifth-generation use a version oldest, the MBX) and the new A4 processor that gives life to iPad is a design that incorporates a single chip main ARM processor and PowerVR SGX GPU to reduce consumption and improve performance. ( #) The PowerVR SGX family has different versions, each with more than ample capacity to meet the requirements of OpenGL ES 2.0 (as well as DirectX 10.1 Shader Model 4.1), and while Apple enjoys preferential treatment in respect its competitors, is also used in countless mobile phones and devices from brands like Sony, Samsung, Nokia and Intel among others. Precisely the latter uses the same version that mounts the iPhone 3GS known for manufacturing the Intel GMA 500 graphics processor used in an endless number of Netbooks among which include the Asus Eee, the MSI Wind or the Acer Aspire. The question now is whether Apple iPad A4 uses the same chip or on the contrary makes the leap to some of its newer versions such as SGX540 that doubles the performance or, even better, that SGX545 specifications leads further. Another candidate less likely but not impossible that he has also become associated with future iPhone 4G is the series 5XT (SGXMP), available in multi-core versions (from a single core to a maximum of 16) that would close certainly the door on any excuse imaginable for the long-awaited multi-tasking. In the end, and there is little to have an iPad in our hands and, more importantly, developers. After all, it is they who have the final word when it comes to pushing the limits of a platform and prove (or not) their true potential. Vía | MacRumors