The landscape of affordable computing is set for a significant shift. MediaTek, a global leader in semiconductor innovation, has officially unveiled the Kompanio 540, its latest system-on-chip (SoC) designed specifically for the next generation of entry-level Chromebooks. This announcement solidifies MediaTek's growing focus on the laptop segment, even as the tech world awaits its rumored foray into Windows-on-Arm.
The new chip succeeds the Kompanio 528 and Kompanio 520, promising not just incremental updates but a substantial leap in performance, efficiency, and modern connectivity. For students, families, and anyone seeking a capable and affordable laptop, the Kompanio 540 could be the engine that powers a new class of compelling, budget-friendly devices.
A Familiar Core Layout, But a Powerful Upgrade
At first glance, the Kompanio 540 maintains the same 2+6 core configuration as its predecessor, the Kompanio 520. However, the devil is in the details—and these details are impressive. MediaTek has equipped the new chip with two high-performance Arm Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at a speedy 2.6 GHz, paired with six power-efficient Cortex-A55 cores running at 2.0 GHz.
This combination is a proven recipe for success, allowing the chip to handle demanding tasks smoothly on the performance cores while efficiently managing background processes on the efficiency cores to save battery. This architectural choice directly targets the core Chromebook use case: a snappy, responsive experience for web browsing, video conferencing, and educational apps, without sacrificing battery life.
Beyond the CPU: A Modern Feature Set for a Modern User
The upgrades continue beyond the central processor. MediaTek is giving OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) the flexibility to pair the Kompanio 540 with modern LPDDR5-6400 RAM for top-tier performance or more cost-effective LPDDR4x-4266 memory. Similarly, storage options include the faster UFS 3.1 standard or the more common eMMC 5.1, allowing for a range of device price points.
For graphics, the Arm Mali-G57 MC2 GPU takes charge, capable of driving a stunning 4K video output at 60 frames per second to a single display or handling dual video feeds at 2.5K resolution. This makes Chromebooks powered by the Kompanio 540 well-suited for external monitor use and capable of handling casual gaming and multimedia consumption with ease.
A Connectivity Leap: Bringing Wi-Fi 7 to the Masses
Perhaps the most groundbreaking aspect of the Kompanio 540 is its connectivity. MediaTek is integrating support for both Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 (including Low Energy) directly into the platform. This positions the Kompanio 540 as one of the very first chips to bring these cutting-edge wireless standards to the entry-level laptop segment.
As the company elaborates in a recent deep dive, this commitment to next-gen connectivity is a core part of the chip's value proposition. You can read more about their vision in this detailed breakdown on the [MediaTek Tek-Talk blog, "MediaTek Kompanio 540 Brings Superior Performance and All-Day Battery Life to Student Chromebooks"]
This means future budget Chromebooks will be able to leverage the faster speeds, lower latency, and improved network efficiency of Wi-Fi 7, a significant advantage in crowded classroom or home environments.
The Bottom Line: All-Day Battery Life is the Key Promise
All these technical improvements culminate in one key benefit that matters most to Chromebook users: battery life. MediaTek is making a bold claim, stating that devices powered by the Kompanio 540 will offer up to a staggering 35% more battery life compared to those using the Kompanio 520. If this holds true in real-world usage, it could genuinely enable true all-day computing on a single charge, a game-changing feature for students and mobile professionals.
Availability and Expectations
The first Chromebooks powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 540 are expected to hit the market and arrive on store shelves sometime in January 2026. Their arrival will likely set a new benchmark for what consumers can expect from the affordable end of the Chromebook spectrum, blending modern performance with future-proof connectivity and exceptional battery endurance.
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