Skip to main content

AMD launches TurboDock technology for better Windows 8 hybrid performance

amd-turbo-dock_dt
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There’s a war brewing within Windows 8 hybrid computers: performance vs. battery life. Everyone expects a brand new computer to run through tasks quickly and perform as fast as an Olympic sprinter. But at the same time, we want that same computer to have the endurance of an Ironman triathlete. Is it possible to have both performance and endurance in one portable system? According to SlashGear, chip maker AMD thinks so and has the technology to do it. AMD recently announced its new TurboDock technology which prioritizes performance over battery life when a hybrid slate is docked, but does the opposite when the slate is removed from the dock. The technology is set to make its debut along with AMD’s new low-power system-on-a-chip at Mobile World Congress. 

The TurboDock technology will make its debut this year on AMD’s ultra-low power Temash system-on-a-chip (SoC), which combines the CPU and AMD’s Radeon HD graphics processor. Meant for Windows 8 hybrids, TurboDock promises 40 percent better processing and graphics performance when docked. Plus, the technology is constantly adjusting processing power depending on what the user is doing on the hybrid. So if you’re watching a YouTube video on the slate, there will be less of a power drain than if you were trying to edit a photo. 

AMD says the Temash SoC will be available in dual-core and quad-core versions and will offer five times the processing prowess of Intel’s Atom processor for tablets, though we’ll want to test that claim. 

Get your weekly teardown of the tech behind PC gaming
Check your inbox!

AMD hasn’t specified if the TurboDock technology will be included on their low-power Temash systems at launch, but the company has confirmed that it will make its debut this year. Likewise, no manufacturers have been announced as partners, but we can expect that announcement to come closer to the actual launch of the technology. Battery life is an ever present concern with portables and its exciting to see AMD tackle it in a unique way that doesn’t sacrifice performance. Stay tuned.

Images via Monitor.si

Meghan McDonough
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Meghan J. McDonough is a Chicago-based purveyor of consumer technology and music. She previously wrote for LAPTOP Magazine…
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5, Surface Pro 9 heavily discounted today
The Surface Pro 9 in laptop mode on a table.

Microsoft's Surface devices are well known for their versatility and performance, but they command premium prices. That's why there's always high demand for Surface Laptop and Surface Pro deals, as who doesn't want to enjoy a discount when making a huge investment? If you're interested, Best Buy is offering the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 at $300 off, which brings its price down to $1,000 from $1,300, and the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 at $540 off, which lowers its price also to $1,000 from $1,540, ahead of the arrival of the consumer versions of the Surface Laptop 6 and Surface Pro 10. You need to push through with your transaction as soon as possible if either of these bargains caught your attention, as we're not sure how much time is remaining before they disappear.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 -- $1,000, was $1,300

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is a traditional Windows 11 laptop that's powered by the 12th-generation Intel Core i5 Evo processor, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, and 8GB of RAM. It won't match up to the performance of the best laptops, but it's going to be more than enough to handle daily tasks for work or school. The laptop features a 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen with vibrant colors and sharp details, a battery that can last up to 18 hours on a single charge, and a 512GB SSD that provides ample storage space for your files. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 also comes with a 720p webcam and dual far-field Studio Mics for clear video calls.

Read more
The best MacBook to buy in 2024
Apple MacBook Pro 16 downward view showing keyboard and speaker.

Now that Apple has started outfitting its laptops with its M3 generation of chips, it's time to take another look at which is the best MacBook to buy in 2024. That’s not always easy, though, as buying the newest MacBook isn’t always the right decision. Apple has several tiers of performance, as well as various sizes, which can further complicate the matter.

What’s more, you can also still get M1 and M2 MacBooks, some from Apple’s own website and some from third-party retailers. But are they still worth your money? Our guide should help you decide.

Read more
9 best laptops of 2024: tested and reviewed
The MacBook Air on a white table.

To earn the crown as the best laptop in 2024, a device needs to have it all: gorgeous design, killer performance, a productive keyboard, long-lasting battery life, and much more.

Each of the laptops below has been vetted thoroughly by Digital Trends. Whether it's an affordable Chromebook or a top-of-the-line gaming laptop, they've all been subjected to real-world testing, as well as benchmark and battery tests, to collect enough data to objectively pit them against each other.

Read more