Crusoe processor - technical definition

An x86-based CPU chip from Transmeta that is designed for Internet appliances and other handheld devices that require batteries. It consumes significantly less power than mobile x86 chips from Intel, AMD and others because it places more of the processing burden on the software. Designed to run Windows and Linux applications, Crusoe uses a software translation layer known as "Code Morphing" that turns x86 instructions into Crusoe instructions. This translation layer allows the chip to be used for other instruction sets as well. See Transmeta.