Therein lies the problem. You see, NVIDIA does not currently hold a license to produce a Nehalem compatible chipset.
So nothing is in the way between NVIDIA and Apple (other than bumpgate).
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Apple to Skip Intel Arrandale? Demands Alternative Chip?
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Therein lies the problem. You see, NVIDIA does not currently hold a license to produce a Nehalem compatible chipset.
So nothing is in the way between NVIDIA and Apple (other than bumpgate).
This is EXACTLY what they will do if this report is true. No way will Intel spend millions developing a custom chip just for one small customer, and I have also read somewhere that the IGP can be disabled anyway for this reason I suspect as the way the new chips are made they have all the memory controllers etc integrated into them, it's not a simple process as many seem to think to just remove the IGP.
Ah but did this 'deal' or contract actually state Nvidia would be pulling out of the chipset market due to legal license proceedings with Intel? I doubt it hence I doubt Apple will be worried about any contracts they have as it's in no way their fault.
What would be the point of disabling the IGP? I mean, I thought that the point of graphics switching was to use the IGP for normal tasks, and then employ the discrete part for more graphics intensive activities to save battery and lower heat? What possible advantage could there be to anyone to disable the IGP? It wouldn't be cheaper, it wouldn't be more efficient, it wouldn't improve graphics (you'd use the NVIDIA card for heavy lifting in either scenario). Am I missing something?
According to sources close to the heart of the matter, Apple allegedly refused to adopt Intel's Arrandale and the Calpella platform in its default form. In order for Apple to implement Calpella design with their next refresh of Mac mini / MacBook / MacBook Pro lines, Intel will have to provide Apple with the 32nm version without the integrated graphics part. Again, we cannot confirm the information about the replacement CPU, we only know that Apple rejected Arrandale.
Apple was always going to refuse to adopt Intel's Calpella platform in its default form, as it's not adopted default forms of previous platforms. Apple refusing Arrandale wholesale is another ball game. The Arrandale could have the graphics turned off anyhow, so if they're demanding something else - wonder what that might be. I'd imagine Apple's been working with Intel on chipsets anyhow (esp. in the light of Light Peak work).
Seeing as though we wouldn't likely hear of a new Intel chip if they had one being lined up for Apple anyhow, it's more of a case of waiting 1-2 months.
Just being able to have both Nvidia run concurrently, and sorting heat issues from that would be a boost to the MBP. There are updated chips Apple could use, if they didn't go Arrandale in February.
Would Apple be that behind if they didn't go Arrandale come February for the MBP?
Apple was always going to refuse to adopt Intel's Calpella platform in its default form, as it's not adopted default forms of previous platforms. Apple refusing Arrandale wholesale is another ball game. The Arrandale could have the graphics turned off anyhow, so if they're demanding something else - wonder what that might be. I'd imagine Apple's been working with Intel on chipsets anyhow (esp. in the light of Light Peak work).
Seeing as though we wouldn't likely hear of a new Intel chip if they had one being lined up for Apple anyhow, it's more of a case of waiting 1-2 months.
Just being able to have both Nvidia run concurrently, and sorting heat issues from that would be a boost to the MBP. There are updated chips Apple could use, if they didn't go Arrandale in February.
Would Apple be that behind if they didn't go Arrandale come February for the MBP?
Makes sense...it was always going to be iffy having to go back to an Intel integrated GPU. Intel has yet to supersede the 9400m to date with their current offerings and we all know the 9400m has proven to be a massive IGPU for Apple across the board.
Question now is...what's the solution
Question now is...what's the solution
Doesn't Intel have a huge chunk of processor market share? In which case, their move to sell only chips with their own integrated graphics could be construed as anti-competitive. The fact that one can still add a discrete graphics chip muddles the issue a bit, but if I were Competition Bureau I'd be taking a look at this...
You'd think that they already would have considering Intel's marketshare has been large but not large enough to warrant huge attention like Microsoft. The deals they have with AMD to keep a competitor in the market protects them.
Something like that is going to happen in the MBP anyway. The big question is, what will they do with the MB, Mac Mini etc
Edit: I should add that they are probably simply looking for a good way to disable the IGP in the CPU, not an actual IGP-less CPU.
Hearing this will make me wait. I would like a new MacBook Pro but I can hold-off while this MacBook keeps on kicking. It'll be interesting to see what comes out.
They've been selling CPUs + chipsets w/ GPU for ages. If they move the GPU to the CPU, it won't make much of a difference, bundling-wise. The only thing that might be suspicious is the fact that they are not giving Nvidia a license for Nehalem.
There's always AMD as an alternative and also these are not the only laptop chips that Intel offer so I doubt if it can be classed as anti-competitive.
I'm sure we will hear from the European Commission if there is a hint of a problem, with their legal action against Intel still under appeal.
Aren't many mobos included an onboard GPU (usually the GMA and some ATI HD x200 chip)? The GPU can be disabled by a BIOS setting (on Windows that is). In this case, I don't think it is too hard to disable the integrated GPU on the Arrandale chip.
I want to see ATI Mobility and/or NVIDIA Mobile GPUs but the integrated GPU could be used on a low end polycarbonate MacBook.
I want to see ATI Mobility and/or NVIDIA Mobile GPUs but the integrated GPU could be used on a low end polycarbonate MacBook.
So Apple can use better graphics solutions and on a Windows computer, your own and better graphics card.
Some games would not even start without a discrete graphics card.
@Warbrain
You beat me.
(j/k lol)
So Apple can use better graphics solutions and on a Windows computer, your own and better graphics card.
Some games would not even start without a discrete graphics card.
@Warbrain
You beat me.
(j/k lol)
Haha.
And to be honest I don't mind my x3100 on my MacBook. Allows me to play some games in Windows. But would a real graphics card tickle my fancy? Yes indeed.
