No Intel Core i5 and i7 for Mac?

Short Version:

Apple's demand for a mobile processor without integrated graphics could cause a delay in the release of an update to the MacBook Pro line of notebooks.

In the great rumor mill that is all things Apple this item, compliments of the team at TheAppleBlog, caught my attention:

Right now, Apple is using Intel’s Core i5 and i7 processors in their iMac line of desktops. There have been a few oddities, a few crashed and an occasional DOA, but nothing that would suggest Apple would stop using these processors for iMac. According to the rumor surfaced by Bright Side of News, this may not be the case for much longer.

There is a mobile version of this processor called Arrandale that is currently available. Intel thought Apple would jump at the chance to use this. But, they aren’t. They are having issue with the default configuration of the chip and want some customizations to be made before they would consider using the Arrandale line. The biggest customization: removal of integrated graphics. If this happens, video chip manufacturers like nVidia and ATI would have a chance of adding their touch to the Apple desktop line.

What will this mean down the road? Well, Apple, due to the volume of chips they order from Intel, may get their way and get their customized i5 and i7 chipset. Or, if they don’t, there is always AMD.

Tags: Apple Notebooks, Intel, intel core i7

Comments

HTPCJunkie

If you check the Apple Store you will see that ALL iMacs and Mac Pros already have Nvidia or ATI graphics in them. So I would say that they already have added their touch to the desktop line. As for the mobile line, all apple notebooks currently list the NV 9400M GPU as standard and since Intel would be beyond stupid to NOT support NV GPUs with thei notebook chipset, I would think that it would probably stay the same. Apple just doesn't want the meager Intel IGP and in all honesty, who would?