Apple to rely on Intel's Sandy Bridge graphics in future MacBooks, AMD GPUs in MacBook Pros?

engadget ^ | 12/9/10 | Vlad Slavov

[dangerdoc]

Apple will use Intel's Sandy Bridge CPUs in its future laptops, no surprises there, but what's interesting about these forthcoming machines is that some of them might rely solely on Intel's chip for both general and graphical processing tasks. That's the word from the usual "sources familiar with Apple's plans," who expect "MacBook models with screen sizes of 13 inches and below" to eschew the inclusion of a discrete GPU and ride their luck on the improved graphical performance of Intel's upcoming do-it-all chip. There are currently no sub-13.3-inch MacBooks, so the suggestion of one is surely intriguing, but the major point here seems to be that NVIDIA's being left out of the Apple party, because MacBook Pros are also predicted to switch up to AMD-provided graphics hardware. All these changes should be taking place with Apple's next refresh, which is naturally expected at some point in the new year. Although, as CNET points out, this could all be just a massive negotiating ploy to get NVIDIA to play nicer with its pricing, we're inclined to believe Intel has finally gotten its integrated graphics up to a level where it pleases the discerning tastemakers at Apple.

[dangerdoc]

If this is true, it is not good news. Integrated Intel graphics only for Mac Books, Yuck. Lets hope it is just a ploy.

[dangerdoc]

pingarooo.

[benjibrowder]

Apple has always used intel integrated graphics with the Macbooks... it’s only ever been the MacBook Pros with discrete graphics.

[rahbert]

Wonder what the shader support with these GPU looks like.

[SunkenCiv]

what's interesting about these forthcoming machines is that some of them might rely solely on Intel's chip for both general and graphical processing tasks

Thanks dangerdoc. This could cut costs (hardware, software, and support), but would also cut performance.

[SunkenCiv]

AMD ping.

[SunkenCiv]

Intel’s Sandy Bridge Architecture Exposed
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3922/intels-sandy-bridge-architecture-exposed

Lenovo’s IdeaPad Y460p, Y560p first Sandy Bridge notebooks
http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/12/09/lenovo.outs.ideapad.y460p.y560p.with.sandy.bridge/

Alienware’s M17x to get Sandy Bridge
http://www.fudzilla.com/home/item/21154-alienwares-m17x-to-get-sandy-bridge

Intel confirms special accelerators in Sandy Bridge (11-20-2010)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20024079-64.html

[SunkenCiv]

Ooh... improve battery performance maybe.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Just posted this...I think the Tegra2 will outperform Sandy Bridge.:

Home Tablet First Look: Viewsonic G Tablet and Tegra 2 Performance Preview

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

But for now, we can say that Tegra 2 is the most powerful SoC on the market at present and makes for a very capable tablet platform.

***************************

Closing sentence in the Anandtech review just above.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

This chip has an integrated GPU:

The Brazos Performance Preview: AMD E-350 Benchmarked

******************************EXCERPT**************************************

Last week I mentioned that I had recently spent some time with AMD down in Austin, TX, benchmarking its upcoming Brazos platform. The Brazos platform is composed of an AMD Zacate or Ontario APU and the Fusion Controller Hub (a South Bridge based on the SB800 series). Brazos systems will run the gamut of mainstream notebook, netbook and nettop segments ranging from $299 to around $500. While AMD let us reveal the fact that we tested Brazos, we weren't allowed to publish numbers last week. Today, we can.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See #11 ...for the AMD Chip with IGP.

[Swordmaker]

More of the rumors about the Sandy Bridge Intel chips for MacBooks... PING!

Please, No Flame Wars!
Discuss technical issues, software, and hardware.
Don't attack people!

Don't respond to the Anti-Apple Thread Trolls!
PLEASE IGNORE THEM!!!

Apple Rumors from people "in the know" Ping!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

[Swordmaker]

Thanks Doc... how did the DVD drive install go?

[dangerdoc]

It’s still sitting the kitchen table. Rough day at work today, it may be a weekend project.

[rahbert]

Halfway down the page see a condensed version of what Tom’s, Anand, etc have to say.

http://www.elitebastards.com/index.php?limitstart=28

Given its Radeon heritage it should have support for OGL 4.0, GLSL, DX11, and OpenCL.

[dangerdoc]

I replaced that DVD drive yesterday. It’s a good thing I waited for the weekend, it took about an hour just remember were I put my precision screw drivers.

There were a couple of oddities, screw holes did not match like they should requiring a modification of the drive. I also found three loose screws on the woofer magnet, it took me a while to figure out were they came from.

After that was sorted out, the replacement was a piece of cake. The Mac Book is well laid out and I appreciated being able to get to the components from the back as opposed to removing the keyboard.

I even got the DVD out of the old drive without destroying the disc or the drive.

Thanks for the help.

[Swordmaker]

You are very welcome doc