What is a processor?

You may have often come across the word ‘processor’ in any and every conversation around a smartphone, laptop, TV, or just about any other gadget you can think of. Ever wondered just what a processor refers to, what it does, and why it’s so important? Well, we’re here to tell you just that. Read on.

What a processor is and what it does

A processor is an integrated electronic circuit that performs calculations to process any function on a given device. Simply put, it is the brain of the device, and the most important internal component of most electronics and gadgets.

In the case of desktops and laptops, processors are typically referred to as the CPU or Central Processing Unit. The CPU is the primary component of a computer, responsible for performing most of the processing tasks that you need your system to. A processor responds to and processes basic instructions by performing several calculations, and runs the computer.  

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In the case of a smartphone, processors are slightly different. For starters, they are extremely small in size, made specifically for a portable device such that they fit easily and also consume less power.

These are often referred to as SoCs (System-On-Chip) or chipsets. This is because, in an SoC, the processor/CPU is integrated with other components like the GPU on a single chip, and it can be treated as a fully functioning computer in a tiny box.

This is unlike conventional CPUs on laptops and desktops, where they are typically not integrated with memory, GPU, and other hardware.