“Intel at its Developer Forum has formally introduced the Core 2 Duo ‘S,’ its first factory-stock processor based on the same small package technology that was rushed into use for the MacBook Air and similar systems. The chipmaker confirms numerous leaks and reveals that the switch to a 45 nanometer process lets it improve performance while reducing the size and power use,” MacNN reports.
“Although running on the same 1,066MHz system bus and with the same 6MB of Level 2 cache as newer Core 2 Duos, the ‘S’ and its accompanying chipset are 60 percent smaller overall while the processor itself uses 17 watts at its thermal design peak versus 20 watts for its Apple-focused ancestor,” MacNN reports.
“Two speed grades, the 1.6GHz SL9300 as well as the 1.86GHz SL9400, start the line; Intel hasn’t said when these processors will reach shipping products, though most forecasts have pointed to September. Lenovo is already known to be using one or both for the ThinkPad X301 and is commonly thought to be in competition with a future MacBook Air update, although whether Apple will use default clock speeds is unknown. A recent but unverified rumor would push the Air up to 2GHz,” MacNN reports.
More info, including images of the chips, here.
Well it’s time for a MBA speed bump. I’ve got a 1.8ghz currently, but a push into 2.0+ would be nice i’m sure for future customers.
When they ship 2.o GHz, I’m in. Hopefully a SSHD boost as well.
nice power drop too. i likes.
intel is also pushing a new set of SSD for blades and notebooks. could be the next MBA will have some nice bumps in the spec area.
The MBA needs to be affordable with the SSD
and nothing less than 120 gig. The external drive option needs to be $49. Currently the SSD puts the price thru the roof.
And in other news, Intel plans to introduce a new processor sometime, and shortly after that most vendors will use it in something. Intel says they plan to do this every three months or so, forever.
This is good news for the Air line. The current processor in it doesn’t perform up to the same standards as similar 1.6 GHz/1.8 GHz processors in other Macs.
http://www.primatelabs.ca/blog/2008/04/mac-performance-april-2008/
Intel has a prototype microprocessor chip with 80 cores on one superbly built wafer. A desktop supercomputer.
it’s all good
the link to 80 core power!!!!
@Orange Juice
A 250 Gig 2.5″SSD goes for $9500 just for the drive from an independent vendor. SSD’s are niche products the volume and demand is not there to bring the price down far enough. Plus the manufacturing capacity is not there yet to produce these things in volume. The niches are ruggedized and ultra light computers for mil spec applications and road warriors. Figure 2-4 years before SSDs reach twice the price levels of current magnetic hard drives, if at all.