Intel Ivy Bridge delay said focused on dual-core mobile
updated 08:15 am EST, Mon February 20, 2012
Intel Ivy Bridge delay to June seen as partial
Intel's claimed delay of Ivy Bridge processors may have been limited and contextualized in a rumor on Sunday. The company still planned to ship desktop and quad-core mobile processors on time, VR-Zone heard, and was mostly keeping the June delays to dual-core mobile processors. Supporting the earlier rumor, the new tips cast it as a move to clear unsold stock of current-generation Sandy Bridge processors, both for raw chips and for unsold (primarily Windows-based) PCs.
Some chips might trickle out in May, both in full-power and low-voltage versions, although this wasn't guaranteed. Companies counting on mobile Core i3 processors for cheap notebooks and ultrabooks might have to wait until as late as August and September. Even desktops would be drawn out, with quad Core i5 parts coming in the summer and Core i3 also possibly arriving later.
Intel and partners haven't directly confirmed any setbacks. However, a recent Samsung gaming notebook leak since confirmed as accurate showed that notebook vendors have been readying quad-core Ivy Bridge processors. No leaks have hinted at dual-core in the near term, though, and official launches from Lenovo and others were aiming more for mid-year.
The staggered release would reflect the impact of tablets like the iPad on lower-cost notebooks. It could still have a ripple effect on Apple and competitors alike by setting back the releases of MacBook Air systems, 13-inch MacBook Pros, Mac minis, and some iMacs.
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Intel, iMac, MacBook Pro, computers, industry, Samsung, Mac mini, Lenovo, MacBook Air, Sandy Bridge, Apple, Core i5, Core i3, iPad, Ivy Bridge
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Inventory clearance
If inventory clearance of Sandy Bridge chips for cheap notebooks is the key issue, Apple may be able to lean on Intel to get an early supply of Ivy Bridge chips for the next generation of MacBook Airs. That'd be good news and would give Apple a one-up on their competition.