Tag: Sandy Bridge

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MacBook Pro Late 2011

Apple quietly updates its MacBook Pro line-up with the newly released Sandy Bridge based Intel CPU.

13-inch MacBook Pro

Comparisons for the two processors.

15-inch MacBook Pro and 17-inch MacBook Pro

Comparisons for the three processors.

Graphics adapter:

  • AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5 – 15-inch MacBook Pro only
  • AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 1GB GDDR5

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The next Intel platform Ivy Bridge is slated to hit the street in early 2012.

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Apple Introduces New iMac with Sandy Bridge CPU and Thunderbolt port.

As expected, Apple introduces two new models of iMac with Sandy Bridge CPU and Thunderbolt port. Both ready to ship 21.5-inch and 27-inch models come with Quad-Core Intel Core i5. Option for Quad-Core Intel Core i7 is available for custom order.

Notably, the 27-inch model comes with two Thunderbolt ports which enable the iMac to support simultaneous two external monitors.

Other notable features:

  • AMD Radeon 6750M and 6770M Graphics with 512MB of GDDR5 memory for the 21.5-inch and 27-inch model.
  • AMD Radeon 6770M Graphics with 512MB of GDDR5 Memory, 6970M Graphics with 1GBof GDDR5 Memory and 6970M Graphics with 2GB of GDDR5 Memory for the 27-inch model.
  • FaceTime HD camera.
  • SDXC card slot.

The new iMac is now available at Apple Online Store and Apple Retail Store.

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Intel Is Fixing Design Error in Chipset.

From Intel Press Release:

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 31, 2011 – As part of ongoing quality assurance, Intel Corporation has discovered a design issue in a recently released support chip, the Intel® 6 Series, code-named Cougar Point, and has implemented a silicon fix. In some cases, the Serial-ATA (SATA) ports within the chipsets may degrade over time, potentially impacting the performance or functionality of SATA-linked devices such as hard disk drives and DVD-drives. The chipset is utilized in PCs with Intel’s latest Second Generation Intel Core processors, code-named Sandy Bridge. Intel has stopped shipment of the affected support chip from its factories. Intel has corrected the design issue, and has begun manufacturing a new version of the support chip which will resolve the issue. The Sandy Bridge microprocessor is unaffected and no other products are affected by this issue.

The company expects to begin delivering the updated version of the chipset to customers in late February and expects full volume recovery in April.

Glad to know that Intel is being pro-active with their quality assurance policy. The next step they need to do is to re-consider the position they just filled; they don’t really need it.

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Intel and NVIDIA settle licensing issues.

January 10, 2011.

Intel and NVIDIA today announced that they have signed a “comprehensive long-term patent cross licensing” agreement. Intel will pay NVIDIA 1.5 billion dollars over a six year period in licensing fees. The agreement also stipulates that NVIDIA is prohibited from making chipsets for Intel’s Sandy Bridge processors.

Is this a case of Intelectual Property limiting innovations?