Most of Intel's Ivy Bridge CPUs Not Actually Delayed Until June

[MacRumors]

Last week, a Digitimes report claimed that Intel was going to delay mass availability of its new Ivy Bridge processors until after June. Ivy Bridge represents the next generation processors from Intel and are expected to power any new Macs in the coming few months. The original target date for Ivy Bridge shipments was in April.

VR-Zone now reports that the report wasn't entirely correct and that Intel will only be delaying the release specifically of mobile Dual-Core Ivy Bridge processors.

Remember that article from the other day that made some people panic as Intel might've delayed Ivy Bridge to June? Well, there's no need to be worried if you're planning on getting a new desktop system, as none of the desktop parts that were originally meant to launch have been delayed and on the mobile side, only the dual core models have been pushed back.

According to the site, the reason for the delay of those specific processors is due to an overstock of the previous generation chips.

What that means is that it may not have an effect on Apple's release plans for updated MacBook Pros and iMacs. Apple currently offers Quad-Core processors in their iMac, so that product line should see no added delays. The iMac was last updated in May, 2011 and is getting due for a refresh. Meanwhile, in the MacBook Pro line, the 13" model is the only MacBook Pro that currently uses a Dual-Core processor.

As it turns out, we previously reported that Intel's new Quad-Core Ivy Bridge processor will be heat efficient enough to fit in Apple's 13" MacBook chassis for the first time. The limiting factor for a Quad-Core 13" MacBook Pro had previously been the heat output of the processor. If Apple chooses to go this route, they could eliminate Dual-Core processors entirely from their MacBook Pro line, side stepping any delays.

However, this line of reasoning assumes that Apple will not be making any dramatic changes to the MacBook Pro enclosure. Persistent rumors have suggested that Apple may be considering more MacBook Air-like designs for at least some of the new MacBook Pro models. Such a drastic change would change Apple's choice of processors considerably.

It's also worth noting that Apple isn't a typical Intel customer and has, in the past, been able to secure chips earlier than the rest of the industry.

Article Link: Most of Intel's Ivy Bridge CPUs Not Actually Delayed Until June

[Liquinn]

Phewwwwww. So they're being released on April 8th as planned? :P

[Mr. Gates]

This

A backlight keyboard

And that ASUS UX31 is Mine !

[Zwhaler]

Pretty cool, now all we need is Sandy Bridge Xeon E -.-

[Qwaf]

The iMac was last updated in May, 2010

Huh?

[arn]

Originally Posted by Qwaf

Huh?

fixed.

arn

[mjuarez]

Originally Posted by MacRumors

It's also worth noting that Apple isn't a typical Intel customer and has, in the past, been able to secure chips earlier than the rest of the industry.

That last one is probably the most important line in the whole article. Who cares what everybody else is getting? I'm pretty sure that, at this point, whatever Apple requires/decides, that's what Intel is doing. They're the only customer that is growing, and the only one that potentially could leave Intel any day now, if they decided to run OS X on their own ARM chips. Intel backwards compatibility might have been an issue 5 years ago, but today, that is becoming less and less important.

[Mr. Gates]

Originally Posted by mjuarez

That last one is probably the most important line in the whole article. Who cares what everybody else is getting? I'm pretty sure that, at this point, whatever Apple requires/decides, that's what Intel is doing. They're the only customer that is growing, and the only one that potentially could leave Intel any day now, if they decided to run OS X on their own ARM chips. Intel backwards compatibility might have been an issue 5 years ago, but today, that is becoming less and less important.

OSX on ARM

Maybe in about 5 more years.

[Star Brood]

Professional processors out just in time for OS X Twitter.

[GBPac12]

Originally Posted by Mr. Gates

OSX on ARM

Maybe in about 5 more years.

That would be interesting to say the least.

[justperry]

That's good news, another reason not to trust Digitimes.

[macduke]

Wanted to go 13” last time around, but the quad-core option kept me at 15”. I’d love to get a 13” quad-core with retina display and 256GB SSD. I’ll order it with the lowest amount of ram possible and then upgrade to 16GB from NewEgg. I hope Apple doesn’t make the new line super-thin and then kill the speed. Most pros want speed over a little more portability. If anything, remove the SuperDrive and Ethernet ports. Maybe even the SD card reader. Most pros would be using CF cards anyway. I know I do, and my USB adapter cost about $10. Or they could go USB 3.0 and nix FW800. But that would be a last resort. Then release a Thunderbolt to FW adapter for those who still need it. Shave those off before speed! But don't forget adapters for legacy users.

[abhimat.gautam]

Originally Posted by MacRumors

As it turns out, we previously reported that Intel's new Quad-Core Ivy Bridge processor will be heat efficient enough to fit in Apple's 13" MacBook chassis for the first time. The limiting factor for a Quad-Core 13" MacBook Pro had previously been the heat output of the processor. If Apple chooses to go this route, they could eliminate Dual-Core processors entirely from their MacBook Pro line, side stepping any delays.

I’d guess that 13" MacBook Pro might itself be eliminated. With the new 13" Air, the presence of a 13" MacBook Pro seems kind of odd.

[Icaras]

Originally Posted by abhimat.gautam

I’d guess that 13" MacBook Pro might itself be eliminated. With the new 13" Air, the presence of a 13" MacBook Pro seems kind of odd.

I agree. I think the 13" MBP is out, just like the white Macbook. The new Pro line will consist only of the 15" and 17" models and hopefully in their new MBA-like designs, they will still have large enough of a chassis to house quad core Ivy Bridge chips to meet schedule.

Also, if this is the case, having dual cores only on the Air models (11" and 13"), and Quad cores only on the Macbook Pros (15" and 17"), this should make for a nice and noticeable class distinction between the two product lines without any power overlap.

[Jobsian]

This is fantastic news. Despite non-inclusion of "mobile" CPUs, I hope the non-delayed CPUs include the 2 potentials for any updated MacBook Air, namely:

1) Core i5 3427U - 1.8GHz, turbo to 2.6GHz - 2.8GHz at 17W TDP
2) Core i7 3667U - 2.0GHz, turbo to 3.0GHZ - 3.2GHz at 17W TDP

...or that Apple have first bite at them a la the 1st Gen MacBook Air, fingers crossed!

[illian]

Originally Posted by macduke

Wanted to go 13” last time around, but the quad-core option kept me at 15”. I’d love to get a 13” quad-core with retina display and 256GB SSD. I’ll order it with the lowest amount of ram possible and then upgrade to 16GB from NewEgg. I hope Apple doesn’t make the new line super-thin and then kill the speed. Most pros want speed over a little more portability. If anything, remove the SuperDrive and Ethernet ports. Maybe even the SD card reader. Most pros would be using CF cards anyway. I know I do, and my USB adapter cost about $10. Or they could go USB 3.0 and nix FW800. But that would be a last resort. Then release a Thunderbolt to FW adapter for those who still need it. Shave those off before speed! But don't forget adapters for legacy users.

quad-core in a mba 13"?
please not yet another adapter to buy and carry around...

i think retina will be first introduced in the new mba 15", less power no external gpu but retina, ssd and a higher price as the macbook 15 pro.
apple is getting 100€ extra for the "high res" display in the mbp 15...they will lose that money, when they keep the price of the mbps (with retina display being the only option).

[David G.]

Digitimes was, is, and will continue to be a farce.

[Supa_Fly]

Originally Posted by abhimat.gautam

I’d guess that 13" MacBook Pro might itself be eliminated. With the new 13" Air, the presence of a 13" MacBook Pro seems kind of odd.

Indeed. I really think the 13" MBP has almost outlived its purpose:
same USB ports, same thunderbolt (with ability to use 1 more external screen than the MBA), a SuperDrive ... and more heat than the MBA Ultimate.
Farewell - I may just end up getting one just for the more powerful Core i7!!

15" MBA:
$2100 starting up to $2600 for the BTO version
256GB SSD to 480GB SSD Blade
4-8MB L3 Cache
Intel HD 4000 (OpenCL support finally) & NVidia/ATi hybrid graphics when needed.
2x 3.0 USB ports
Thunderbolt
10-14hr Battery life ... I think this overall would be useful to EVERY pro user!
XC SD Card slot but I'm hoping that ExpressCard slot makes a comeback: CompactFlash, external video card, and FW800 all is easy via a VERY light & small expansion card that fits in your back pocket - very negligible vs that heavy sizeable miniature SSD Thunderbolt portable drive.
Combo Optical/non-optical Sound In/Out port (like MBA & 13" MBP)
Kensington LOCK hole.
1680x1200 Hi-Res matte display across the 15" board.

the 17" will remain untouched or a specific slim build that will still enjoy the SuperDrive, for those that just need that iMac like power, no desk in their crawlspace and still have power on the go.

[314631]

I'm looking forward to this product refresh. I really hope we get an ultra-high-resolution display in the laptops this time.

[Stridder44]

Wait a minute, would this mean that digitimes, a notoriously inaccurate news source, was wrong?

[Supa_Fly]

Originally Posted by macduke

Wanted to go 13” last time around, but the quad-core option kept me at 15”. I’d love to get a 13” quad-core with retina display and 256GB SSD. I’ll order it with the lowest amount of ram possible and then upgrade to 16GB from NewEgg. I hope Apple doesn’t make the new line super-thin and then kill the speed. Most pros want speed over a little more portability. If anything, remove the SuperDrive and Ethernet ports. Maybe even the SD card reader. Most pros would be using CF cards anyway. I know I do, and my USB adapter cost about $10. Or they could go USB 3.0 and nix FW800. But that would be a last resort. Then release a Thunderbolt to FW adapter for those who still need it. Shave those off before speed! But don't forget adapters for legacy users.

Which is faster for data transfer In/Out (both) of a hi-end digital camera vs Laptop: Compact Flash or SecureDigital Card?

Although we could use the data in this link as a guide (below), note that its based on an SDXC interface running on a USB 2.0 bus that does not support the bandwidth of newer SDXC cards that are much more than capable in size (by Pretec) or in speeds.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=36290256

I'm still very curious though.

[StuLax18]

Huge sigh of relief here!

[Dreamer2go]

I'm hoping that there is no merger of MBA and MBP, for the sake of the name.... since "Pro" probably attracts "Pro" consumers such as: video editor/photo editor, while the Air is more consumer friendly....... (think the hardware inside between those two)

That said, if it does merge, I will still buy it haha!

None the less, I am waiting for the new upgrade........ my MBP Santa Rosa 2007 is dying......
It can't even use the full features of Lion/Mountain Lion...

This upgrade seems very interesting and tempting.......

[kiantech]

Originally Posted by Dreamer2go

I'm hoping that there is no merger of MBA and MBP, for the sake of the name.... since "Pro" probably attracts "Pro" consumers such as: video editor/photo editor, while the Air is more consumer friendly....... (think the hardware inside between those two)

That said, if it does merge, I will still buy it haha!

None the less, I am waiting for the new upgrade........ my MBP Santa Rosa 2007 is dying......
It can't even use the full features of Lion/Mountain Lion...

This upgrade seems very interesting and tempting.......

We are running the same 2007 MBP, same specs too. I'm waiting to throw done once these babies get updated.

[mrxak]

Digitimes wrong? Perish the thought! Glad to such rumors refuted swiftly.