How much will graphics change with SB vs Nvidia?

[DarwinOSX]

It is likely that CD2 will not be supported in some future OS.

By the time that is an issue the machine will be so obsolete nobody will be using them.

 

[lasuther]

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I buy new macs every 2 years, but some people keep them longer. The fact that Apple is releasing a OS that is not supported by a 5 year old chip is something to consider when buying a Intel chip at the end of life. I always sell my old Macs, and a Core2Duo will affect resale. That is why I'm waiting for a i5 chip.

 

[applewins]

Not quite. GPUs are used for video playback a lot - these are very intensive tasks for CPUs, particularly HD resolutions, which used to cause older machines to drop frames or refuse to play. These days, the task is offloaded to the GPU which is far more suited for the work, meaning that an MBA can play a 1080p video even though the CPU alone would struggle to do so.

However, you are correct that a non-gamer shouldn't worry about this kind of thing. They wouldn't see the difference between a 320M and a HD 3000 from Intel in day to day usage - except that the Intel may give longer battery life (due to a lower TDP of the SandyBridge with IGP versus the C2D + 320M).

interesting, so is there any chance for a better battery (without improving the battery itself or making it larger) in the new MBA? or that the backlit keyboard comes back (they removed it beacause it needs battery life, didn't they?).

would be cool

 

[peskaa]

interesting, so is there any chance for a better battery (without improving the battery itself or making it larger) in the new MBA? or that the backlit keyboard comes back (they removed it beacause it needs battery life, didn't they?).

would be cool

Possibly, but it may be that Apple use that extra TDP for better CPUs. Backlit keyboard is unlikely...

 

[krimp]

After reading so many of these threads i have come to the conclusion that most of the advice offered here is based on assumptions. Even those who claim to be able to quote technical facts refer to tests posted to the net. But for the most part none of you know what will be in the update and when it will be and therefore you make assumptions, useless information at best....

 

[Davidkoh]

After reading so many of these threads i have come to the conclusion that most of the advice offered here is based on assumptions. Even those who claim to be able to quote technical facts refer to tests posted to the net. But for the most part none of you know what will be in the update and when it will be and therefore you make assumptions, useless information at best....

Unless a person is really stupid they can base their assumptions on logic. We know which components are on the market, therefor we know what can be put into the MBA. WE might not know exactly which processor it gets ,but we know which ones they will have chosen from.

 

[nexsta]

Unless a person is really stupid they can base their assumptions on logic. We know which components are on the market, therefor we know what can be put into the MBA. WE might not know exactly which processor it gets ,but we know which ones they will have chosen from.

You can say that about a company like Samsung or Sony but don't forget we are talking about Apple here, they were the first that started with this type of product in 2008 and used an unknown Intel processor in the first Macbook Air that was a mystery to the market, they worked with Intel to create the processor that fits their needs best. Now after nearly every company have their own Air opponent and everyone use the new Intel ULV processors, it's possible that Apple will surprise us with something different.

 

[Davidkoh]

You can say that about a company like Samsung or Sony but don't forget we are talking about Apple here, they were the first that started with this type of product in 2008 and used an unknown Intel processor in the first Macbook Air that was a mystery to the market, they worked with Intel to create the processor that fits their needs best. Now after nearly every company have their own Air opponent and everyone use the new Intel ULV processors, it's possible that Apple will surprise us with something different.

Of course, but you will have to think about probability, it is highly probable that the processor will be in the range of the new ULV/LV chips in performance, even if they have some kind if special deal. I doubt for instance they have been able to confince Intel to let them use a Nvidia GPU and so on.