The Verge reports that Intel has formally announced its next batch of Ivy Bridge processors, adding 14 new chips including four 17-watt ultra-low voltage processors that could appear in revamped MacBook Air models and several dual-core mobile chips that could be included in updated Mac mini and 13-inch MacBook Pro machines. Engadget has the full details on the new chips, which also include six new desktop processors.
/article-new/2012/05/ivy_bridge_ulv_chips.jpg?lossy)
Intel's four new 17-watt Ivy Bridge mobile chips likely to appear in MacBook Air update
Intel's announcement comes in line with the previously leaked timeline that saw the first batch of quad-core desktop and mobile processors launch in late April, with the second round focused on dual-core and low-voltage chips coming in early June.
With over 25 new Ivy Bridge chips now available, Apple now appears to have a number of options to upgrade its entire Mac product line. Apple is expected to use Ivy Bridge throughout its Mac lineup with the exception of the Mac Pro, which would take advantage of Sandy Bridge E server chips released in early March should Apple choose to issue an update to that line.
Apple is expected to introduce a redesigned MacBook Pro at next month's Worldwide Developers Conference, and it seems likely that updates to other lines will come either at the same or soon after, as the new Ivy Bridge chips put Apple in a prime position to update its aging Mac lineup.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)It's entirely unrelated.
As for me, I'm putting faith in this. (http://www.marco.org/2012/05/30/amplified-9)
Wow.
Dual Core in 2012 in Apple laptops when other manufactures are going quad or higher on their laptops. Image (http://ezsmiley.com/gallery/misc/icon_lol.gif)
Wow, Apple giving certain consumers what they actually need instead of chasing specs that are irrelevant to them and sacrificing size, weight and battery life to do it (the specs that ARE important to them...)
The argument that "pros need powerful PCs" is becoming less of an issue these days as the technology gets more and more powerful. I remember setting up a video-editing PC 12 years ago and spec'ing powerful hardware with equipment that nobody else needed: huge hard drives, FireWire, etc. Today even your $199 Best Buy special has more than enough power to do the same tasks.
Huh. I spend hours/days waiting for my Cinema 4D, Twixtor, and Final Cut X projects to export/render out. That's on an i7 iMac from last year. My 2009 tower at home is actually faster on a lot of these tasks (no surprise) but darn it all, I'd really like something FASTER.
Besides, if consumers can clamor for a more powerful machine year after year, why can't the pro?
Mac biz is 22 billion annually according to Tim Cook. Shareholder revolt would ensue if Apple tried to walk away from that much money. Besides the Mac is growing and anyone telling you that you can be as productive on an iPad as a Mac is lying. Perhaps in certain edge cases like writing but for the most part a computer with a filesystem, automation and collaboration tools is still superior to a tablet.
I agree, I simply cannot use an iPad for writing up long documents. The whole keyboard idea does not work either. It is not an elegant solution. The mac isn't going anywhere.
I don't think Apple will get rid of the mac lineup anytime soon. After all at the moment we need a mac to make apps for our iOS devices! I can't see apps being made on an iPad! Even typing this message is annoying with the onscreen keyboard!
I could potentially see them licensing OSX on non apple computers if the mac business was not profitable anymore. Doubtful though!
Also, if I think of all the people I know/ work with/ meet everyday they all still love the mac. If there is a consumer want for the mac then there will always be a professional need for a mac pro.
Mac biz is 22 billion annually according to Tim Cook. Shareholder revolt would ensue if Apple tried to walk away from that much money. Besides the Mac is growing and anyone telling you that you can be as productive on an iPad as a Mac is lying. Perhaps in certain edge cases like writing but for the most part a computer with a filesystem, automation and collaboration tools is still superior to a tablet.