Mikey Campbell
A set of supposedly leaked specifications for Intel's upcoming Skylake processor lineup made its way to the Web on Tuesday, offering what could be the first peek at what users can expect from Apple's next-generation MacBook Air products.
The roadmaps published by FanlessTech show specifications for Intel's 15-watt Skylake-U series, a low-power product targeting thin-and-light notebooks and ultralights.
As noted by the publication, Intel is apparently streamlining its product offering to one Core i7, one Core i5, one Core i3, one Pentium, and two Celerons, not including two vPro chips. It's not yet clear which SKU Apple will choose for its MacBook Air update, but likely candidates include chips from the Core i5-6200U and Core i7-6500U series.
Both versions feature integrated Intel HD 520 graphics, with the Core i5 chips clocked at 2.3GHz and 2.4GHz, while Core i7 models jump to 2.5GHz and 2.6GHz.
Aside from clock speed bumps, Intel's new 14-nanometer architecture is expected to improve battery life by up to 30 percent while also boosting CPU performance by 10 to 20 percent over the company's current line of Broadwell chips. The enhancement will likely have a pronounced effect on thin-and-light systems like the Air.
While Intel's roadmap lacks specific launch dates, previous rumors suggest Skylake CPUs could start shipping in October.
Andrew Orr
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38 Comments
It's about a 5% boost over HSW/BDW. The benefit of SKL is the ancillary features like DDR4, not any real IPC improvements. These are only 25% better than SNB.
Until Apple ceases with the foolishness and adds a Retina Display, who the heck cares about the MacBook Air?
Does this include a chip for the next MacBook?
[quote name="ttollerton" url="/t/187679/leaked-intel-skylake-u-roadmap-reveals-cpus-likely-bound-for-macbook-air#post_2759692"]Does this include a chip for the next MacBook?[/quote] My point exactly. See, even you don't care about the Air! You are focused on the MacBook! :-) But in answer to your question, no, these aren't the super low power chips that would be used in the fan less MacBook. And although the MacBook too will get Skylake in 2016, unless they hire me to kick some fanny at Cupertino, the MacBook will likely remain handicapped by the single USB-C port.
Until Apple ceases with the foolishness and adds a Retina Display, who the heck cares about the MacBook Air?
The Macbook Air is only hanging around to offer the low price point until the Macbook can drop in price and up in performance. The Air is playing the role that the Macbook did when the Air was first released. By 2017 there will be no Air when the CPU in the Macbook is ramped enough to not matter (for the intent of the device).
SkyLake and the new Macbook's engineering will be used to reinvent the Macbook Pro for 2016 with 4 ports of TB3/USBC and larger 14" and 16" screens in the 13" and 15" bodies. They will be thinner and lighter as a result. Thicker than the Macbook, but more like the Air - just as the Post DVD Pro was thicker than the Air.
The Air has nothing to offer.
If Apple deems SkyLake's wireless charging to be worth integrating then the next version of the Macbook won't even use the single port for charging (I doubt they will though)
Regardless that single port will be a TB3/USBC port meaning you can plug in an external hub or upcoming Apple monitor (fark sake) and have whatever the heck you want plugged into it. SSD Raid, dual monitors, 4 x full speed USB 3 devices
The single port will be just fine