Intel Celeron N2840
Intel Celeron N2840: Budget Processor for Undemanding Tasks in 2025
Analysis of the Capabilities and Relevance of the Bay Trail-M Chip in Modern Conditions
1. Architecture and Process Technology: Modest Specifications for Basic Tasks
The Intel Celeron N2840, released in 2014, belongs to the Bay Trail-M platform, designed for budget laptops and mini PCs. Despite its age, in 2025, such chips are still found in ultra-budget devices.
Technical Features
- Cores and Threads: 2 cores, 2 threads (without Hyper-Threading support).
- Clock Speeds: Base — 2.16 GHz, turbo mode — up to 2.58 GHz (single-core).
- Process Technology: 22 nm — outdated even by 2025 standards.
- Integrated Graphics: Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail) with a base frequency of 313 MHz and a maximum of 792 MHz. Supports resolution up to 1920x1080.
The Silvermont architecture (based on Atom) is focused on minimal power consumption, but significantly lags behind modern Cortex-A78 or Intel Gracemont cores (in hybrid processors). The built-in GPU can only handle 1080p video decoding and basic 2D applications.
2. Power Consumption and TDP: The Processor’s Main Advantage
TDP of 7 W is a key advantage of the Celeron N2840. This allows for the creation of compact devices without active cooling, which reduces costs and noise.
Practical Implications:
- Laptops with this processor often feature passive heat sinks.
- Low heat generation prolongs the lifespan of components.
- However, under load (e.g., running a browser with 10+ tabs), throttling and frequency drops may occur.
3. Performance: Realistic Expectations
According to Geekbench 6 tests (2025):
- Single-core score: 197 points.
- Multi-core score: 340 points.
For comparison, the modern budget Intel N100 (2023) scores around ~1200/3500 points.
Usage Scenarios:
- Office Tasks: Working with Google Docs, LibreOffice, PDFs — acceptable, but delays occur when running messengers simultaneously.
- Multimedia: Watching YouTube 1080p (with hardware decoding), Netflix. 4K video is not supported.
- Gaming: Only older or 2D games (e.g., Stardew Valley on low settings).
Turbo Boost is formally available, but the increase to 2.58 GHz is rarely activated due to thermal limitations.
4. Usage Scenarios: Who Is Celeron N2840 Suitable For in 2025?
This processor is a choice for:
- Users with minimal needs: Checking email, online banking, reading news.
- Educational Institutions: School laptops for text work.
- Backup Devices: "Just in case" for trips.
Not suitable for:
- Working with photos/videos, even in Lightroom or DaVinci Resolve.
- Running modern OSes with heavy shells (e.g., Windows 11 — lag may occur).
5. Battery Life: How Long Will the Battery Last?
With a battery capacity of 35–40 Wh, the runtime reaches 6–8 hours in reading/video viewing mode. However, in reality:
- Active use of Wi-Fi and a bright screen will reduce the time to around 4 hours.
- Power-saving technologies: Intel SpeedStep (dynamic frequency management), C-states (disabling unused units).
Tip: Choose models with at least a 45 Wh battery and a matte screen (reduces backlight power consumption).
6. Comparison with Competitors: What Does the Market Offer?
AMD:
- Athlon Silver 3050e (2 cores/2 threads, Zen, 6 W TDP) — about 30% faster in multi-threaded tasks, with laptop prices starting from $250.
- A4-9120e (Excavator, 2019) — similar performance but worse energy efficiency.
Intel:
- Pentium Silver N6000 (2021, 10 nm) — 2-3 times higher performance with 6 W TDP.
Apple:
- Apple M1 (in basic iPads) — an entirely different class, but devices are more expensive ($500+).
Conclusion: The Celeron N2840 falls short even when compared to budget models from 2021–2023.
7. Pros and Cons: Is It Worth Buying?
Pros:
- Very low prices for laptops ($150–250).
- Compactness and silence.
- Support for basic functions (Wi-Fi 4, USB 3.0).
Cons:
- Fails to handle modern web applications (e.g., Google Meet with background effects).
- Maximum of 8 GB RAM (often only 4 GB installed).
- No NVMe support, only eMMC or SATA SSDs.
8. Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop
If you still decide to buy a device with the Celeron N2840:
- Device Type: Ultrabook or mini PC (e.g., Chuwi LarkBook).
- Mandatory Parameters:
- 128 GB SSD (eMMC is too slow).
- 8 GB RAM (4 GB is insufficient even for Chrome).
- Screen resolution of 1366x768 (Full HD will cause slowdowns).
- Avoid: Models with HDDs and Windows 11 — better to choose Linux Lite or ChromeOS Flex.
Examples of 2025 Laptops:
- HP Stream 11 ($199): 4 GB RAM, 64 GB eMMC, 11.6" HD.
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 1 ($229): 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD, 14" HD.
9. Final Conclusion: Who Is Celeron N2840 Suitable For?
This processor is a choice for:
- People on a tight budget who are willing to tolerate slow performance.
- Secondary devices (e.g., for connecting to a TV).
- Specific tasks: Data entry terminals, informational kiosks.
Key Benefits:
- Ultra-low cost.
- Sufficient performance for basic operations.
- Portability.
Alternative: With a budget of $300 or more, it's better to choose laptops with Intel N100 or AMD Ryzen 3 7320U — they will last longer and not disappoint in everyday tasks.
In 2025, the Celeron N2840 is a compromise justified only in exceptional cases. Technological progress has left it far behind, but it can still be useful for narrow scenarios.