Intel Launches New Core i5, i7 Haswell Processors Possibly Slated for Retina MacBook Pro Refresh

[MacRumors]

Intel yesterday launched new Haswell processors designed for high-end notebooks, which could be slated for use in an upcoming refresh of the 13 and 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro models.

As detailed by CPU World, Intel has released three new Core i5 chips and three new Core i7 chips that are all successors to the chips currently used in the 13 and 15-inch Retina MacBook Pros. The new processors provide a modest 200 MHz speed boost over existing Haswell chips.

The Core i7-4770HQ chip at 2.2 GHz is a direct replacement for the Core i7-4750 used in the lower-end 2.0 GHz 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro, while the Core i7-4870HQ chip at 2.5 GHz is a direct replacement for the high-end 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro's existing Core i7-4850 chip at 2.3 GHz. The Core i7-4980HQ chip at 2.8 GHz replaces the high-end build-to-order Core-i7 4960 processor at 2.6 GHz.

As for the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pros, the Core-i5 4278U, the Core i5-4308U, and the Core i7-4578U all offer the same 200 MHz jump over the existing Core i5-4258, Core i5-4288, and Core i7-4558 used in the three processors available for the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro, bringing the low-end up to 2.6 GHz, the mid tier to 2.8 GHz, and the high-end build-to-order option to 3.0 GHz.

Earlier this year, an Intel roadmap revealed direct Haswell successors for the MacBook Air and the iMac, but at the time, there did not appear to be any chips available for a 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro update. The chips in the roadmap designed for the MacBook Air were used in the April refresh as we expected, and the newly released chips are likely destined for an upcoming Retina MacBook Pro update.

As these chips only offer a small 200MHz boost over existing chips, the fall Retina MacBook Pro refresh that has been previously rumored is likely to be only a minor update. A major Retina MacBook Pro update is unlikely until Intel's Broadwell chips are ready in 2015.

Last week, a rumor suggested redesigned 11 and 13-inch MacBook Air models were slated to enter production in August, but it is unclear what chips those machines might utilize as Intel has not yet released another set of Haswell chips suitable for a MacBook Air refresh.

Article Link: Intel Launches New Core i5, i7 Haswell Processors Possibly Slated for Retina MacBook Pro Refresh

 

[Erphern]

Well, there's your answer.

 

[Kevsta26]

Well I still have a Early 2011 Macbook Pro, so I think it's time for an upgrade I don't even have Retina yet. But then, there could be some amazing new features in the next version so I don't know To wait, or not to wait...

 

[Dilster3k]

Just slight meaningless clock boosts as always.

 

[Apple Corps]

Why did Intel even bother ?

 

[farewelwilliams]

intel is so modest

 

[sblemmy]

Maybe a Haswell Mini?

 

[Lordrootman]

Wait

i will wait

 

[StarkInc]

"A major Retina MacBook Pro update is unlikely until Intel's Broadwell chips are ready in 2015."


*****...

Not so hood for me. Want the major upgrade this time...

 

[Pakaku]

Just slight meaningless clock boosts as always.

They add up over a few years, enough time for your previous computer to live a decent lifespan.

 

[KillerTree]

Are these processors actually superior to the previous CPUs or are they just overclocks? .2ghz increase with no increase in power consumption would be nice.

 

[Exotic-Car Man]

Ah yes, this is perfect. I'm looking to get a 15" MBP this fall, and I'll certainly take an extra 200MHz. Broadwell won't provide much of a performance boost anyways (~6%). Now let's hope they update the GPU and put DDR4 RAM in it.

 

[Naimfan]

Waiting for Broadwell is a waste of time and money.

If you need a machine now, just buy it. If you don't need one now, don't buy one.

But whatever, enough of the "Should I wait for the 'Xxxxx' chip" nonsense. If you're in a position to where the next generation will be meaningfully better enough, you're in a position to buy a current model RIGHT NOW. If not, then you generally don't NEED the next generation.

 

[StarkInc]

Ah yes, this is perfect. I'm looking to get a 15" MBP this fall, and I'll certainly take an extra 200MHz. Broadwell won't provide much of a performance boost (~7%) anyways. Now let's hope they update the GPU and put in DDR4 RAM in it.

DDR4 RAM with 32GB option? Not this time...

 

[yellowtruck]

I just literally clicked on "Buy Now" at the apple store after scouring the news for more Broadwell delays.

Had I waited, I could have gotten a 200 mh bump.

 

[Exotic-Car Man]

DDR4 RAM with 32GB option? Not this time...

I never mentioned 32GB RAM. Is that currently available? I'm just looking for 16GB DDR4.

I just literally clicked on "Buy Now" at the apple store after scouring the news for more Broadwell delays.

Had I waited, I could have gotten a 200 mh bump.

You can return Apple products within a week I believe. So cancel your order now and wait about three months.

 

[philipk]

Waiting for Broadwell is a waste of time and money.

If you need a machine now, just buy it. If you don't need one now, don't buy one.

But whatever, enough of the "Should I wait for the 'Xxxxx' chip" nonsense. If you're in a position to where the next generation will be meaningfully better enough, you're in a position to buy a current model RIGHT NOW. If not, then you generally don't NEED the next generation.

This person gets it. I bought my new 27" iMac earlier this month because I needed it.

Buy it now if you need it.

 

[MikhailT]

Ah yes, this is perfect. I'm looking to get a 15" MBP this fall, and I'll certainly take an extra 200MHz. Broadwell won't provide much of a performance boost (~7%) anyways. Now let's hope they update the GPU and put in DDR4 RAM in it.

Broadwell will have a larger boost on the iGPU side (20% or more) while also increasing power efficiency and it will not have DDR4 on the mobile side.

The last time Intel revealed a bit about Broadwell, they mentioned 30% more efficient per clock versus Haswell.

DDR4 for laptops are more likely to show up via Skylake (Broadwell's successor) in 2016-17 assuming no delays.

 

[cgc]

This is fine...better than no update while waiting for Broadwell (go read the angry Mac Mini threads). I'm more interested in what GPU Apple puts inthe next MBP hoping it's at least a Geforce 760M but really want a Geforce 770M.

 

[MikhailT]

Are these processors actually superior to the previous CPUs or are they just overclocks? .2ghz increase with no increase in power consumption would be nice.

It's not a successor, it's just a bump in speed, nothing more. They had to release a refresh this year because they delayed Broadwell by a year now.

 

[Alphabetize]

I'm interested in more power efficient CPUs and boosted integrated GPUs!

 

[StarkInc]

I never mentioned 32GB RAM. Is that currently available? I'm just looking for 16GB DDR4.

With the MBP was 32GB RAM possible.

But with the new MBPR is 32GB not longer available.

 

[Crosscreek]

Ah yes, this is perfect. I'm looking to get a 15" MBP this fall, and I'll certainly take an extra 200MHz. Broadwell won't provide much of a performance boost anyways (~6%). Now let's hope they update the GPU and put DDR4 RAM in it.

DDR4 will not be available until Skylake.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Maybe a Haswell Mini?

I will eat a tennis ball, in one whole piece, if this happens.

 

[Four oF NINE]

Oh good grief, seriously? Why bother? Where's Broadwell??