Will SB throttling problems affect MBA refresh?

[calvol]

Looks like Lenovo's new x220 is having throttling problems with SB i5/i7 chips. The X220 cpu is constantly throttling down to it's lowest state even when a max performance profile is used, even while plugged in. The usual Windows power management tweaks do not fix.

Will this be a problem for the new SB Air's?

http://tinyurl.com/4xjmydj

 

[Scottsdale]

The MBAs have had problems throttling all the way down. It really affected the first two MBAs much more so than the latest one in my experience. The problem is when it needs to run at full power and cannot (the MBA hasn't had this problem much but looks like the Lenovo is), but hopefully Apple has its stuff together in the software to handle it. I still am far more worried about the Intel Sandy Bridge IGP and most likely substantial loss in graphics performance than anything else that could possibly affect real world usage.

 

[calvol]

Supposedly, there's also a problem with the Intel hd-3000 graphics. The screen flashes when you plug/unplug the ac power, and the refresh rate drops to 50hz on battery and goes up to 60hz when on ac power. Google "x220 refresh rate 50hz" and you will find the thread about this issue.

I think I'll skip the updated Air with all these Sandy Bridge problems.

 

[KPOM]

Perhaps. OTOH, the Lenovo rep on the thread makes it sound like that a BIOS update will fix the problem on their notebooks. If so, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple releases the new Airs and sends out an EFI update once Intel figures out the solution to the problem. As another poster has mentioned, the first Air had massive overheating problems caused by issues with the Speedstep technology. The 2nd update (late in 2008) solved a lot of these (as did the die shrink from the Merom chip to the Penryn chip which still powers the Air to this day). Hopefully Intel sorts this out and this winds up being only a software/firmware issue.

 

[halledise]

I think I'll skip the updated Air with all these Sandy Bridge problems.

same.

the current pairing of C2Duo and nVidia graphics works a treat and besides, any Mac notebook should be good for at least 2 years if one has sufficient memory

 

[Kavrocks]

I still am far more worried about the Intel Sandy Bridge IGP and most likely substantial loss in graphics performance than anything else that could possibly affect real world usage.

If I had a penny for every time you have said that I would be a rich man. Its getting old at this stage can't you just wait until the refresh comes out?

Will this be a problem for the new SB Air's?

Nobody knows for sure but some people seem to have the opinion that Apple are capable of doing things better than Windows PC manufacturers so if you are optimistic you may be inclined to say yes. You could always wait a while before purchasing the MBA to see if the problem exists.