Modern computers have reached a level of functionality that far surpasses what many people thought was possible. This is mainly due to the fact that computer chip design is constantly improving.
As time goes on, developers are beginning to take chip manufacturing more seriously. Let’s explore some of the key advances in chip technology they should keep an eye on. This will help you take advantage of opportunities that arise.
1. Smaller Size
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that companies are beginning to make chips smaller and smaller. Not only does this allow them to use fewer materials, but it also guarantees that there is more space within the device for other hardware. Additionally, the smaller size also allows devices to be smaller and lighter.
Today, it’s not uncommon for people to purchase a laptop with convenience in mind as opposed to power. The average user doesn’t necessarily need the raw power that a professional software developer or graphic designer would. So, they are more likely to gravitate toward something like a MacBook Air instead of a heavier machine.
As time goes on, we can expect to see computer chips become smaller and smaller without sacrificing power. Of course, there is a limit to how small a chip could be. Once this limit is reached, a chip of this size will then be improved to become faster and more efficient.
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2. Extra Power
Not every chip will be made as small as possible. There is still plenty of emphasis on maximum power and output.
In many circumstances, size is an irrelevant factor when it comes to the utility a computer is able to provide. To clarify, let’s assume that the business needs its workstations to be as fast and reliable as possible.
In this circumstance, having access to the world’s smallest computer chips wouldn’t necessarily be a benefit. Instead, the focus would be on acquiring as much power as the company can for its devices. Computer chip developers know this, which is why they choose to prioritize the upper end of their chip performance spectrum.
As time goes on, this will translate into technological innovation in other areas. For instance, computers with more powerful chips will be able to run more intensive software. This could pave the way toward increased application development, something that could reshape industries as we know them.
3. Adherence to Moore’s Law
For those who are unfamiliar with this term, Moore’s law declares that transistors within an integrated circuit will double approximately every two years. Although this was originally a theory, it has been proven to be a legitimate scientific observation.
As chips become more powerful, research and production become more efficient and streamlined. This allows manufacturers to more or less double the number of chips within the aforementioned timeframe.
This also allows users to experience an exponential increase in performance. As you might guess, this has virtually endless applications in a business setting.
Organizations will be able to operate far more effectively than they were in the past. Due to Moore’s law, they can expect this level of performance to increase at a rapid pace over time as long as chip development continues. Fortunately, current chip trends seem to be adhering to Moore’s law perfectly.
We can expect this to stay true in the future.
4. Cheaper Chip Manufacturing
Manufacturers are always looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality. So, it should not come as a surprise that one of the most significant ongoing trends is cheaper chip manufacturing.
This comes with another benefit, as well. When manufacturers are able to produce chips for less money, these savings are often passed on to the consumer in some form. In some cases, users may be little purchase top-tier computers for less money than they would have even a few years ago.
This also means that creating high-powered chips is now a viable option for many different manufacturers. To elaborate, let’s assume that a manufacturer had the opportunity to create an astronomically powerful computer chip for consumers.
However, the resources and time required to do so meant that creating a computer chip like this would not be profitable enough. If production costs are minimized, then this now becomes a viable option. Of course, cheaper chip manufacturing also increases the profitability of the organization as a whole.
This makes it more attractive to investors and allows them to significantly increase their overall revenue. By extension, this will then provide a more solid foundation for future research and production endeavors. Put simply, trends related to minimizing manufacturing costs cannot be overlooked.
5. Adapting to the Computer Chip Shortage
Due to the complications associated with the pandemic, the world is still suffering from a computer chip shortage. This means that fewer devices are available than most organizations would like to offer.
The good news is that the shortage has forced chip manufacturers to adapt. This level of research has spurred growth in the computer chip production industry that would have normally not been seen at this rate. These advancements are also projected to continue even after the chip shortage is resolved.
To clarify, there will come a day where computer chip factors are not scrambling to introduce enough volume to the market. However, this doesn’t mean that research and development are going to slow down.
In the near future, we can expect production to bounce back to previous levels and even exceed pre-pandemic benchmarks.
6. Increased Chip Height
Many people are not aware that chips are increasing in height.
This is an important factor to knowledge, as manufacturers often emphasize reducing the total surface area. IBM, in particular, is leveraging chip height to achieve increased power. In fact, it claims that it can fit 66% more transistors on a semiconductor by increasing its height.
This directly translates to better performance. As previously mentioned, the chips shortage helps propel this innovation. This is welcome news to many investors, as growing technologies are quickly requiring more power.
This includes artificial intelligence, biotech, and 5G. There is also astounding data regarding performance metrics. Under ideal conditions, a smartphone or laptop would be able to operate approximately twice as fast while using a fraction of the energy.
The possibilities from here on out are virtually endless. Businesses will be able to run more efficiently than ever before. The average user won’t experience hardly any slowdown at all.
In both settings, computer batteries will last much longer than they ever have in the past. Another factor to acknowledge is the level of competition that IBM is establishing.
If they are truly able to pull off this feat, competitors will have no choice but to surpass their capabilities. This, of course, can easily result in even more powerful innovations within the coming years.
The primary roadblock here is the engineering required to achieve it. To make something so small this powerful, every detail needs to be perfect.
Top-tier talent needs to be acquired in order to give manufacturers even the slightest chance of being successful. Out of all chip innovations, this aspect of chip design is the primary one that you should remember.
7. Increased Rate of Production
We’ve already established that cheaper production leads to an increase in overall quality.
Similarly, the same can be said about an increased rate of computer chip production. When manufacturers are able to produce faster, they can satisfy consumers faster. This means generating more revenue in a shorter period of time.
Reinvesting this money into the business can improve other metrics. For instance, a manufacturer may see a 300% increase in quarterly revenue. They might take this extra money and put it toward research and development.
Or, they might optimize their production process to be even faster. Regardless, faster production means getting products onto shelves at an increased pace. Combined with cheaper production processes, this will help end the chip shortage as time goes on.
Computer Chip Technology Is Increasing
Under the right circumstances, it’s not unlikely that chip technology will reach unprecedented heights in the coming years. So, keep the above information about computer chip innovation in mind. This will help you recognize and leverage opportunities that come your way.
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