ARM processors to overtake Intel in mobile devices by 2013?

The use of ARM-based processors will exceed Intel’s x86 equivalents by the year 2013, or so says they data crunchers over at ABI Research. They say that current shipments of UMDs (ultra-mobile devices including netbooks, smartbooks, MIDs and UMPCs) using x86 processors stands at around 90 percent.

This is expected to reverse as ARM-based devices offer more choice for vendors. The perception that ARM devices, such as smartbooks, are always-connected and have much longer battery lives than their x86 equivalents will no doubt help the ARM push. I’ve seen many similar reports that talk of Linux overtaking Windows for UMDs in a broadly similar timeframe. One thing’s for sure smartbooks and the like are here to stay.