Intel Atom E3827
Intel Atom E3827: Minimum Energy — Maximum Autonomy. Who is it relevant for in 2025?
_Let's explore whether the ultra-budget processor is worth considering in the era of AI laptops._
Architecture and Process Technology: Bay Trail-I — Legacy of the Past
The Intel Atom E3827 processor, released back in 2014, belongs to the Bay Trail-I platform designed for mobile and embedded systems. Despite its age, in 2025 it can still be found in budget laptops and hybrid devices priced at up to $250.
Cores and Threads:
- 2 cores, 2 threads — a basic configuration for minimal multitasking.
- Clock speeds: Fixed frequency of 1.46 GHz (no turbo mode).
- 22 nm process technology — outdated even for 2025, where 5-7 nm chips dominate.
Architecture Features:
- Silvermont cores are optimized for low power consumption but not for performance.
- Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge core) — integrated graphics with basic support for video formats (1080p) and DirectX 11.
Power Consumption and TDP: 8W — Silence and Cool
With a TDP of 8W, passive cooling can be utilized, making devices featuring the Atom E3827 completely silent. This is ideal for:
- Portable media players (e.g., mini-PCs for TV connection).
- Educational laptops for school students.
- Devices with low-capacity batteries (20-30 Wh).
Power-Saving Technologies:
- Intel SpeedStep — dynamic frequency scaling.
- C1/C4 states — reduced power consumption during idle.
Performance: Real Tasks vs. Synthetic Benchmarks
Geekbench 6 scores (132/233) are modest even for 2025. For comparison:
- The modern budget Intel N100 (2023) scores 1100/2500.
- Apple M1 (2020) — 2300/8000.
Office Work:
- Google Docs, LibreOffice — run smoothly, but with limitations:
- Opening 5+ tabs in Chrome simultaneously will cause stuttering.
- Editing spreadsheets with formulas is 30-50% slower compared to Celeron N4500.
Multimedia:
- Video: Streaming at 1080p (YouTube), local playback at 1080p (H.264).
- 4K or H.265 — not supported natively.
Gaming:
- Minecraft (Low settings) — 15-20 FPS.
- Browser games (Roblox) — 25-30 FPS with drops.
Usage Scenarios: Who Will Benefit from the Atom E3827?
- Students and schoolchildren — for studying, text work, and Zoom (without background applications).
- Older users — simple interface, low-demand tasks (email, news).
- Digital signage/kiosks — thanks to passive cooling and stability.
Example of a 2025 Device:
Laptop HP Stream 11 Pro G10 — 11.6" HD, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB eMMC, price $199.
Battery Life: 12+ Hours — Myth or Reality?
Average processor consumption is 2-4 W under load. Paired with a 40 Wh battery, the operating time reaches 8-10 hours (web surfing, office tasks). However:
- The eMMC drive and weak Wi-Fi module increase energy costs.
- Screen brightness below 50% is essential for battery life.
Comparing Competitors: Outdated but Cheap
1. AMD A4-9120 (2019):
- 2 cores, 2 threads, TDP 10W.
- Geekbench 6: 180/350.
- Plus: Better graphics (Radeon R3).
2. Intel Celeron N4020 (2020):
- 2 cores, 2 threads, TDP 6W.
- Geekbench 6: 450/800.
- Plus: Supports 4K H.265.
3. Apple A12 Bionic (in iPad 8, 2020):
- Geekbench 6: 800/2000.
- Minus: Only in tablets.
Conclusion: E3827 lags behind even 5-year-old models, but it has an advantage in device pricing ($150-250 compared to $300+ for competitors).
Pros and Cons: When Price Matters
Strengths:
- Device pricing starting from $150.
- Passive cooling — no dust and noise.
- Compatibility with Windows 10/11 LTSC (light versions).
Weaknesses:
- 4 GB RAM in 99% of devices — multitasking is not feasible.
- eMMC storage — slow OS booting.
- No support for modern codecs and AI accelerators.
Laptop Selection Recommendations
Type of Device:
- Ultra-budget laptop (11-14") — for example, Lenovo IdeaPad 1i.
- Hybrid tablet — Dell Latitude 3189.
What to Look For:
1. RAM: 8 GB — minimum for Windows 11, but rare in this category.
2. Storage: 128 GB SSD instead of eMMC — adds to the price making it around $300.
3. Screen: IPS panel (TN displays in budget models distort colors).
Final Verdict: For Whom?
The Intel Atom E3827 in 2025 is a choice for those who:
- Are looking for a cheap device for basic tasks.
- Value autonomy and silence.
- Do not plan to use modern applications.
Alternative: For an additional $50-100, choose a laptop with Celeron N4500 — you'll gain +200% performance and 4K support.
Key Benefit of the E3827: Assurance that the device won't run out of battery at school or during trips, even if the charger is forgotten. However, convenience comes at the cost of speed.