Apple says no to mobile Core i7 and i5 CPUs with integrated graphics

Shane McGlaun
09 December 2009, 8:00 AM

Apple wants custom version of new CPUs with no graphics.

Apple has some popular machines despite the fact that they tend to cost much more than comparably outfitted Windows-based PCs. Apple's line of MacBook notebooks are popular with consumers and professional users alike and the machines gain performance with each successive generation.

Some of the more recent Apple notebooks have had serious graphics issues that cause poor performance and other problems for many users. Some earlier Apple machines that suffered from graphics woes had faulty NVIDIA 9400 series GPUs to blame. You might think with discrete graphics cards causing issues in Apple products that the firm might be eyeing integrated graphics with more performance.

A rumor is going around that claims Apple has passed on the coming Intel mobile Core i5 and i7 CPUs with integrated graphics. Apple is reportedly asking Intel for a custom version of the processors that have no integrated graphics. These chips would be friendlier to the discrete graphics cards that provide more performance than integrated GPUs are capable of. There has been no official response from Intel or Apple at this time. Intel has created custom CPUs for Apple in the past; the MacBook Air used a custom Core 2 Duo CPU.

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Michael Quinn (New user):

I'm not sure what's worst at APC Magazine lately - the shoddy "journalism" or the slack "editors" that let crap like this go to print.

Apple hasn't had a problem with integrated graphics in over 18 months - it was a software problem that was fixed in the 10.5.3 update.

The problem had nothing to do with the 9400M chipsets - it was the "Intel GMA3100 graphics chipset -- and MacBook Pros, with the NVIDIA 8600M GT chipset." - Quoted from the article this hack of a journo linked to.

Just hopeless.

09 December 2009, 10:13 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Raindog (User):

Quoting Michael Quinn:
I'm not sure what's worst at APC Magazine lately

I am! Its rude prats that cannot pen a civil dispute without abusive outbursts of "shoddy" or other personal attacks.

Anonymous bloggers who cannot produce their argument without resorting to abuse are what's worst today. They remain unheard and they have no clue why. Those type of responses are what's worst today. Pathetic really.

10 December 2009, 11:21 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

K (User):

I think there are a few problems with this article.

1. Apple notebooks aren't much different in price when compared to similar specification brand-name Windows machines. If you have a look at Lenovo or HP's website and spec a machine close to the Apple, you'll notice little variation. In fact, last time I looked, a Lenovo X and T series specced on their webpage to match a MacBook Pro cost several hundred dollars more.

2. Macbook Pros have had the option of discrete / integrated graphics switching for a while, so I'm not sure where the "friendlier to thediscrete graphics cards" line comes from.

09 December 2009, 4:17 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

gankul (User):

Thats if you spec a machine specifically.

Look at dell or most asus or MSI laptops and they usually will beat macs.

The big things is warrenty. almost 600 dollars for 3 years warrenty????

The X and T lines are special lines. Its like comparing a netbook to a macbook in most regards.

The big things about other notebook manufactoreres is still choice. I can get a better discrete graphics card easy.

09 December 2009, 4:36 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend

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