Crazy Consumer Electronics World: Intel unveils a fanless Core M processor aimed for thin, silent devices

Intel just unveiled a stunningly slim 2-in-1 tablet and laptop to showcase its latest Core M processor.

Announced at Computex 2014, the 12.5-inch tablet prototype is Intel new reference PC design that measures a mere 7.2-milimeters thin and it does not need any whirring fan to keep it cool. With the extra weight of the fan taken off the tablet weighs a stark 670-grams.

The device also comes with a clip in keyboard and it could be the first in a long line of extremely thin tablets and laptops.

Intel, Core M, Broadwell, computer processors, Computex 2014, Newstrack

Intel's describes its new 14nm chipset as the most energy efficient Core processor in the company's history. According to Engadget the new system on a chip boasts a 20 to 40 percent performance improvement while lowering power needs by up to 45 percent and producing 60 percent less heat.

Intel promises customers will see the first Core M processor powered devices on sale starting next year.

Cut the fan

We've already seen some amazingly slim devices such as the Microsoft Surface Pro 3, but in our review the obtrusive fan still help the device back making it unnecessarily noisy.

With Intel's Core M processor we could finally seem more tablets become as light as the iPad Air whilst still having all the power to run a full version of Windows 8.1.

Beyond tablets, laptops such as the rumored 12-inch MacBook Air could become even slimmer as they also move to a fanless, passively cooled design.