What sucks about this is that Intel is using their great new CPU to push their inferior graphics chips. Having a complete platform for system builders is fine, but including the graphics chip on the CPU die was fail from the start.
I'm really hoping we don't have to wait any longer than January 26th for the new MBP's. I really want to get a macbook pro but I don't want to dive in right at the end of a cycle.
Apple doesn't have to use the integrated graphics - the chips are cheap so that it's not a serious drawback.
Intel isn't forcing anyone to use the GPU.
Looks good. I think I'll wait for the lower power update of these chips though. Lower power and less heat with these speeds would be very desirable.
article said:If you can wait even longer we expect to see a second rev of Arrandale silicon towards the middle of the year with better power characteristics.
Apple doesn't have to use the integrated graphics - the chips are cheap so that it's not a serious drawback.
Intel isn't forcing anyone to use the GPU.
We have Westmere parts in our hands (a bit earlier than we expected last year) with Clarkdale and while I am impressed to see the technology working, the processor really fills a specific market segment. The most specific thing I can say to a potential buyer of a Clarkdale processor is this: it only makes sense to buy one if you are going to utilize the integrated graphics. If you plan on adding a discrete graphics card anyway, then it makes more sense to use that processor budget for a Lynnfield part.
You don't have to use it, but now it's part of the IGP so you're getting it whether you want it or not. What chipsets are out there that allow you to use the new Intel procs, but a 3rd party graphics chip?
Apple doesn't have to use the integrated graphics - the chips are cheap so that it's not a serious drawback.
Intel isn't forcing anyone to use the GPU.
You don't have to use it, but now it's part of the IGP so you're getting it whether you want it or not. What chipsets are out there that allow you to use the new Intel procs, but a 3rd party graphics chip?
My 15" MBP won't be a year old till the beginning of April. I think I'll hold out till Apple can work it's customary magic on a quad core mobile MBP with decent battery life and design characteristics.
You don't have to use it, but now it's part of the IGP so you're getting it whether you want it or not. What chipsets are out there that allow you to use the new Intel procs, but a 3rd party graphics chip?
My 15" MBP won't be a year old till the beginning of April. I think I'll hold out till Apple can work it's customary magic on a quad core mobile MBP with decent battery life and design characteristics.
Arrandale itself supports discrete graphics - the PCIe x16 lanes can be sent outside the chip - note the iGFX inside the CPU package, and PCIe discrete outside:
click to enlarge, full story at http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=787![]()
The whining about the integrated graphics is not reasonable - just turn it off if you don't want it. Intel is saving money with the two-chip package, and so will you.
Next time you buy a car, I will shove an inferior break system, and tell you just turn it off and use one from another manufacturer.
Why aren't people complaining that the radio chip in the Iphone supports an FM tuner (which Apple is not using)? Is every Iphone user being penalized because a few transistors on a large scale integrated circuit aren't being utilized?
The Iphone would cost more, not less, if Apple insisted on a custom chip without the RM radio tuner. Same with Arrandale.
Igfx is obviously improved over past intel offerings because these were the bottom of the barrel. We didn't need anandtech to tell us that, if intel hadn't improved upon their worst in class offerings it would be a feat.
Why aren't anandtech saying that an improved intel igfx, is still worst in class, worst than pretty much all their competitors?
Maybe if intel wasn't bankrolling anandtech we 'd actually see an objective review.
And after all that hype a 15% or so increase in performance and no increase in performance in battery life, with a new architecture, is far from being notable. And what with the current bottlenecks being ram and ssd speed, it's actually negligible.
Of course I am not on intels big marketing payroll and I can call it like it is.
No you're not on Intels Bankroll you're on Apples ball sack ...
... and since Apple apparently wont be using Arrandale you hate it.
They support discrete graphics? Oh what a technological advantage, it's not as if every cpu on the globe does that....more tortuous logic...
The whole tablet thing is probably going to be a bit of a yawn. I just want the damn Macbook Pro line to be updated so that I can get one. I don't need a new laptop, but my old G4 Powerbook is starting to die.
All of them. The concern isn't about the chipset since the PCIe 2.0 controller is onboard the processor package. Though you are going to have to use H5x to support FDI to have outputs for the IGP.You don't have to use it, but now it's part of the IGP so you're getting it whether you want it or not. What chipsets are out there that allow you to use the new Intel procs, but a 3rd party graphics chip?