Katie MarsalFirst reported by Fudzilla, the allegations of the ultra-thin 18W TDP processor arriving "a bit later" do not come with a source. But French Mac Web site Hardmac used the claims to speculate that an update to Apple's ultralight MacBook Air may come later than the hardware maker would like.
"Such processors are not fully ready/available and Apple will have to delay the update of the MacBook Air by couple of weeks," the report said, also not citing a source. "It is still possible that Intel ships first samples to Apple, in small quantities, at a premium price."
Contacted by AppleInsider, an Intel spokesman said the all of the company's chips introduced in January are now shipping. The company does not comment on rumors or speculation.
Even if the Core i5 UM delays are true, they may not impact Apple, because in the past, Intel has provided special early access to the Mac maker for its newest chips. The "UM" distinction represents the ultra-low-voltage version of the mobile processor, which is not used in the current model.
The Core i5-520UM has a maximum processor speed of 1.86GHz, and an integrated GPU with 500MHz of processing power. The 32nm dual-core chip also includes 3MB of L3 cache.
Apple has scheduled an event next Wednesday at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco to introduce new products. While the company's long anticipated tablet device is expected to be the centerpiece, the Cupertino, Calif., company could also use the opportunity to upgrade other hardware.
Apple last updated the MacBook Air in June 2009, dropping its entry price to $1,499 for a 1.86GHz Intel Core 2 Duo-based system. Apple's full line of MacBook Pros are also based on the Core 2 Duo processor.
Intel's new "Arrandale" architecture based dual-core processors were formally introduced earlier this month. The processors are set to improve upon the previous line of Core 2 Duo chips. Benchmarks of the Core i5 chip found it to have better performance without a negative impact on battery life.
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28 Comments
As it has been said elsewhere, the current MacBook Air does not use 'UM' processors. Does not stop it from using them in the future as they become more powerful.
Does anyone know how well the MacBook Air's have sold? I've not seen many around, though I see MacBooks all over the place.
Personally, if Apple decides to update the MBAir, id rather them go to more of a scaled down system. Perhaps a smaller form factor, just to satisfy the couch-potato users like me that probably won't by the tablet due to the fact that i have an iPhone and i want something more portable than a lap-top but still with a phyical keyboard. Sure i could get a net book but i'd rather have a Mac. Which i know will be a very long wait from what i've read....one can hope.
The current MBA processors are…
Yet AI thinks the next upgrade for the MBA is a single processor that is has the same clock speed as current low end?
Not the more logical upgrade in clock speed and performance to the ULV Core-i7s?
As it has been said elsewhere, the current MacBook Air does not use 'UM' processors. Does not stop it from using them in the future as they become more powerful.
Just to reiterate, Core 2 was 17W for low voltage and 10W for ultra-low voltage. The new Cores are 18W for ultra-low voltage and 25W for low-voltage. The MBA will have to be CULV.
My Powerbook is wheezing on vapours and doing the CPU equivalent of a death rattle; I doubt I can squeeze another month of the poor thing; i don't want to buy old tech?release it already!