Intel on Tuesday took the opportunity at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to formally announce their new lineup of 7th-generation Intel Core processors. The new line, known as Kaby Lake, includes both desktop and notebook chips that could be used in future models of Apple’s Mac lineup of computers.
The new processors are built on a 14nm+ process, and offers improvements and optimizations over the previous 14nm Broadwell and Skylake chips. Intel says Kaby Lake will offer “double digit productivity performance increases” of up to 20 percent for gaming notebooks and 25 percent for desktops. Notebook-using customers can expect up to 65% faster performance when viewing 4K and 360 degree content. The new chips will offer enhanced security, a new media engine, and improvements in VR and gaming performance.
Among the chips announced today are the 28-watt U-Series chips, which could be destined for future models of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and possibly in a Mac mini update.
Intel’s new 45-watt H-Series chips would work well for future models of Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Pro lineup. The 7700HQ would work well for entry-level machines, while a mid-level MBPros could use the 7820HQ. Top-of-the-line MacBook Pro would ideally make use of the 7920HQ.
The iMac lineup of desktop Macs could make use of several options in the Kaby Lake lineup. However, the S-Series desktop chips (7500/7600/7700K) would make a fine upgrade option from the current Skylake chips used in the 27-inch iMacs. While the 21.5-inch models could benefit from an upgrade to the Kaby Lake CPUs, there isn’t as clear an upgrade path for those models.
Intel’s Kaby Lake chips will be available to manufacturers in the near future, possibly in time for the rumored 2017 Mac upgrades Apple is reportedly planning.
(Via MacRumors)
