Intel 10nm Cannon Lake delays push potential 32GB MacBook Pro into 2019
Apple customers waiting for a MacBook Pro with 32 gigabytes of memory may have to wait until 2019 before they can buy the notebook, after Intel's warning that its 10nm "Cannon Lake" processors won't be shipping in high volumes in 2018, pushing the wider availability of the chip into 2019.
Revealed during Intel's quarterly earnings report, the chip giant revealed it would continue to focus on shipping chips that use the established 14-nanometer process this year, reports PC Gamer. While next-generation chips using a 10nm production process will ship this year, Intel is instead shifting high volume manufacturing into 2019.
Intel CEO Brian Krzanich advised the change in pace was caused through issues achieving suitably high yields of 10nm chips. Rather than try to achieve high volume production this year, and potentially waste considerable portions of wafers used in manufacturing, the company is instead taking time to fix issues before attempting mass production.
The first generation of Intel chips to use the 10nm process, "Cannon Lake" aims to provide the usual performance improvements and reduced power consumption that accompanies such die shrinks. These updates make the processor a lot more useful for manufacturers of notebooks and tablets, due to their potentially low heat generation and lower battery usage.
From an Apple perspective, "Cannon Lake" has support for LPDDR4 memory, which can be used to help produce MacBooks and MacBook Pros with up to 32 gigabytes of memory without having to resort to DDR4 memory. The two technologies are not the same, despite the similar name.
This generation of MacBook Pro models can only use up to 16 gigabytes of RAM, in part due to the Intel processors currently used in MacBook production not including native support for LPDDR4. While it is possible, Apple is unlikely to add a new RAM controller with DDR4 support to the MacBook Pro in the short term, and would probably wait until the company performs a major shift in the processors it uses to "Cannon Lake" or similar chips.
The confirmed delay in "Cannon Lake" production not the first to happen to the next-generation processor line. In April 2017, it was rumored Intel would hold back introducing the processor line until 2018, while another report in September of that year suggested it would be pushed back from early 2018 to the end of the year.
Aside from waiting for "Cannon Lake" to arrive, the more immediate candidates for use in a MacBook could use "Coffee Lake," a 14nm platform that still doesn't support LPDDR4 RAM. Intel introduced new processors earlier this month that included the Core i9-8950HK, a six-core processor with a base clock speed of 2.9GHz, Turbo Boost to 4.8GHz, and the same 45-watt thermal design power as the quad-core 2.8GHz Core i7 used in the entry-level 15-inch MacBook Pro.
Revealed during Intel's quarterly earnings report, the chip giant revealed it would continue to focus on shipping chips that use the established 14-nanometer process this year, reports PC Gamer. While next-generation chips using a 10nm production process will ship this year, Intel is instead shifting high volume manufacturing into 2019.
Intel CEO Brian Krzanich advised the change in pace was caused through issues achieving suitably high yields of 10nm chips. Rather than try to achieve high volume production this year, and potentially waste considerable portions of wafers used in manufacturing, the company is instead taking time to fix issues before attempting mass production.
The first generation of Intel chips to use the 10nm process, "Cannon Lake" aims to provide the usual performance improvements and reduced power consumption that accompanies such die shrinks. These updates make the processor a lot more useful for manufacturers of notebooks and tablets, due to their potentially low heat generation and lower battery usage.
From an Apple perspective, "Cannon Lake" has support for LPDDR4 memory, which can be used to help produce MacBooks and MacBook Pros with up to 32 gigabytes of memory without having to resort to DDR4 memory. The two technologies are not the same, despite the similar name.
This generation of MacBook Pro models can only use up to 16 gigabytes of RAM, in part due to the Intel processors currently used in MacBook production not including native support for LPDDR4. While it is possible, Apple is unlikely to add a new RAM controller with DDR4 support to the MacBook Pro in the short term, and would probably wait until the company performs a major shift in the processors it uses to "Cannon Lake" or similar chips.
The confirmed delay in "Cannon Lake" production not the first to happen to the next-generation processor line. In April 2017, it was rumored Intel would hold back introducing the processor line until 2018, while another report in September of that year suggested it would be pushed back from early 2018 to the end of the year.
Aside from waiting for "Cannon Lake" to arrive, the more immediate candidates for use in a MacBook could use "Coffee Lake," a 14nm platform that still doesn't support LPDDR4 RAM. Intel introduced new processors earlier this month that included the Core i9-8950HK, a six-core processor with a base clock speed of 2.9GHz, Turbo Boost to 4.8GHz, and the same 45-watt thermal design power as the quad-core 2.8GHz Core i7 used in the entry-level 15-inch MacBook Pro.
Comments
It's a 3 year delay for Intel's 10nm, and right now there is no strong evidence that Intel is making real progress to fixing the yield issues such that they can release 10nm mass market professional (i.e., 4 core, 6 core) products in 2019 either.
i bought my first iMac since 2009 late last year. I’ve been using MacBook Pros in the meantime, but didn’t see the value right now.
I am holding off from buying a new one until the next update because of the lack-lustre improvements of the last update, so that is the critical question for me that you don't answer!
Apple may have to make a 1” thick 5 lb laptop again for people who want >32 GB in a laptop...
Hell throw in an HDMI and USB A. It’s still hilarious that I could buy a brand new iPhone and be unable to plug it into a brand new MacBook without yet another cable that wouldn’t work with the original charger. Say what you want but that is hilarious.
That it’s slipping to 2019 is not surprising, but calls into question whether the Ice Lake U & H series parts, which will support 32GB of LPDDR4 for the MacBook Pro, will still ship in 2019.
Now that I have a thin, light, power-efficient, quiet computer, I wouldn't want to go back. For me, the reduction in fan noise compared to my old MBP is enough to justify the upgrade all by itself. Factor in the reduced weight of the kit I lug around and the comfort of it not ever getting too hot to hold comfortably (which the old one did) and the result is one user who's been won over by Apple's weight and watt conservation.
I'm in the group that will actually buy a 32GB RAM version whenever it becomes available, but I really wouldn't want to give up the improvements offered by the current models to get it. So, I'll wait another year.
Its too bad others just want to piss and moan and not realize stuff like what you explained. Not that you don't, but I really do wonder how many that are bitching about the lack of a 32GB option really need it. Do they really need it for everyday tasks, or is it a nice to have? I have yet to have anyone explain what they're doing on a new(er) MacBook Pro where they constantly run out of RAM and if they are...why aren't they using a more powerful Mac anyways?
If Apple wanted, I think they could do en excellent job making a 15" mobile workstation under 1" thick / 5 lbs.
I need to upgrade, so only concern is on the keyboard (will determine if I get the 2017 version or a 2015 model).