Intel officially launched its new Ivy Bridge processor lineup on Sunday, opening up the possibility for iMac and MacBook Pro refreshes. The processor line inclues several quad-core Core i5 and Core i7 chips that offer a significant performance improvement and lower power consumption.
The new processors use what Intel called 3D Tri-Gate technology to stack transistors on top of each other instead of spreading them out in flat plane like other chips. According to Intel, the chips offer about 20 percent more processor performance while requiring 20 percent less power.
Computers that use the chip’s integrated graphics processing unit will see a performance boost compared to previous processors, too. The new integrated GPU can handle 4K resolution video from professional cameras, and real-time HD video conferencing, too.
The new Core i5 and i7 processors include built-in USB 3.0 support, which will make it easier and cheaper for computer makers to include the faster USB standard on their systems. With Apple moving to Thunderbolt, however, new Macs could stick with USB 2.0.
Intel’s new Ivy Bridge chips are on their way to computer makers, so expect to see desktop and laptop computers in the coming weeks. As usual, Apple hasn’t revealed its plans for the new chips.
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Great. Now we can hope to see updates to the MacBook Pro’s soon, though I guess the rumors of announcements by the end of April won’t come to be.
Yeah, because the TB offerings are so broad and growing so much faster than the USB3 peripherals.
USB 2.0 connects hard drives at about 34 MB / second on my Mac (less when handling lots of small files). USB 3.0 would run at anywhere between 60 MB and 120 MB with a decent hard drive, depending how empty or full it is (less when handling lots of small files). The premium that you pay for USB 3.0 is close to zero.
So while I understand that Thunderbolt is really really nice for connecting an array of SSDs, USB 3.0 would give everyone fast external hard drives at almost no cost. OTOH if Apple produces a Thunderbolt hub with FW 400, FW 800, eSata and USB 3.0 ports for $50 I wouldn’t complain either.
Apple or Beldon or SOMEBODY.
It would be a great interim solution until(if) TB gains mainstream traction.
1. Ivy desktop chips are available in quantity sooner than mobile, so we’ll see an iMac refresh before the others, and possibly MBP because it’s their most popular line and whatever quantity of mobile CPUs they get will go to that.
2. Ivy’s controlling chipset has USB3 native. Apple isn’t going to have Intel manufacture a crippled variant at great cost and no benefit. USB3 is coming across the line.
3. Yeah, end of April probably isn’t happening. But it still could, technically. Five more business days until we can say for sure.
BELKIN, I think you mean.
The BBC web site has a pretty good little article on the Ivy Bridge chips. They look amazing.
http://bbc.in/I5T0v7
Yes, Belkin of course.
Beldon makes cables. Belkin makes what you plug the cables into.
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