Rev C has GPU x6 then why not a firmware update to x6 for rev B?

[nph]

If rev C runs the GPU at a higher speed and hw otherwise is the same as rev B then why couldn't Apple release a firmware update to let rev BGPU rum faster as well?

 

[11800506]

Well the hardware likely isn't exactly the same so the new Air could be cool enough to be able to support a faster GPU and also, it allows Apple to use it as an incentive or extra feature to upgrade to the Rev C.

 

[sparkie7]

b/c  wants your $$$ ie to upgrade

 

[mhnajjar]

Well the hardware likely isn't exactly the same so the new Air could be cool enough to be able to support a faster GPU and also, it allows Apple to use it as an incentive or extra feature to upgrade to the Rev C.

This is NOT a revC since it just has a speed increase for a cheaper price. Otherwise, it has the same hardware.

If it is really 6x, then there would be a firmware sometime.

 

[h1d]

Just like no 4 finger swipe on rev A (though this could be hacked)

 

[aristobrat]

This is NOT a revC since it just has a speed increase for a cheaper price. Otherwise, it has the same hardware

Every other Mac product counts speed bumps as revs, no?

 

[Halon X]

Every other Mac product counts speed bumps as revs, no?

My personal opinion, speed bumps are minor changes, not revisions. I look at it the same as an auto manufacture making minor tweaks and changes to a car in between major revisions.

The changes are not really drastic enough to warrant a new revision where as changes to the 15" MBP for example are with the addition of an SD card slot and internal battery.

 

[lekun]

If rev C runs the GPU at a higher speed and hw otherwise is the same as rev B then why couldn't Apple release a firmware update to let rev BGPU rum faster as well?

The 6X increase is compared to the Rev A. I don't know if the Rev B was 6X faster than the Rev A, but it had to be close to that. The GPU speed between the Rev B and the Rev C isn't 6X–its much smaller if anything at all.

 

[dudeitsjay]

The 6X increase is compared to the Rev A. I don't know if the Rev B was 6X faster than the Rev A, but it had to be close to that. The GPU speed between the Rev B and the Rev C isn't 6X–its much smaller if anything at all.

Rev B was compared to the Rev A as 4x.
Rev C was compared to the Rev A as 6.1x
The Rev B 1.8 was compared to the Rev A, and the Rev C 2.13 was compared to the Rev A.

The difference in terms of obvious hardware changes is the added heatsink/shield attached to the underbody (man i've been referencing this so many times already lol)...

 

[nph]

Could that extra heatsink make the difference so the extra heat wouldn't be an issue?

 

[NC MacGuy]

Just like no 4 finger swipe on rev A (though this could be hacked)

If you read the Snow Leopard thread from WWDC one of the features is supposedly allowing expanded multi-touch to crippled but capable laptops.

Are there any pictures of the new Rev. MBA's guts? I love studying those heat sink designs.

 

[aleksandra.]

Just like no 4 finger swipe on rev A (though this could be hacked)

This was a driver issue IIRC, much easier to fix.

Is a "firmware update" a new magic formula for any problem?

 

[Chundles]

Aren't the new processors Super Mega Ultra Low Voltage or whatever?

Maybe they're cool enough that Apple could ramp up the graphics within the same thermal envelope?

 

[nph]

Isn't a 'firmware' fix the salvation for everything???

seriously, this makes me think that maybe re-applying the thermal paste might not be a bad idea if they do allow the GPU to run at full speed.
To my understanding it is only slightly reduced in speed and that was primarily for Rev A so I hope rev B is even less so that any update would have minimal heat impact.

Don't know, maybe I am too much of an optimist and dreaming here...?

 

[Tallest Skil]

My personal opinion, speed bumps are minor changes, not revisions. I look at it the same as an auto manufacture making minor tweaks and changes to a car in between major revisions.

The changes are not really drastic enough to warrant a new revision where as changes to the 15" MBP for example are with the addition of an SD card slot and internal battery.

But a name change... noooo... THAT'S not a revision...

"Revision" is different for laptops than desktops.

Actually, no, you know what? It's the same.

New cases restart the revision cycle, with processor updates being the revisions themselves.

For example, the G5 iMac had three revisions: the first, the ambient light sensor, and the iSight; each time getting a processor update.

 

[mrossi]

We were discussing the same topic in an previous thread:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/716355/

It seems as though the internals haven't seen any real change (and infact probably produce more heat that their counterparts due to highger clocks) but the "extra" heat sink / shield seems to be the major addition which allows for these higher speeds.

Are there any pictures of the new Rev. MBA's guts? I love studying those heat sink designs.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/717595/

me 2

 

[aaquib]

Just like no 4 finger swipe on rev A (though this could be hacked)

Snow Leopard has 4 finger gesture support for all prior MacBook and MacBook Air's that don't support it.

 

[aleksandra.]

Isn't a 'firmware' fix the salvation for everything???

seriously, this makes me think that maybe re-applying the thermal paste might not be a bad idea if they do allow the GPU to run at full speed.
To my understanding it is only slightly reduced in speed and that was primarily for Rev A so I hope rev B is even less so that any update would have minimal heat impact.

Don't know, maybe I am too much of an optimist and dreaming here...?

Revision A used Intel's graphics. There was no need to underclock that. If you have a way of reading GPU temperature in Air under OS X you should probably start from there and see if it can take more.

 

[fteoath64]

It is Apple by design principle!. For Rev C, they can afford to program the EFI for 6X GPU now that they have figured that the casing can take the heat without adversely affecting the reliability of the machine. This gives a slight speed bump, and some incentive for users to upgrade or buy the new model straight out.

Will they do that for Rev B ?. Unlikely. Since when did Apple give you a new feature for free ?.