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MacBook Air rumored to receive June update to Sandy Bridge

by Steven Sande Feb 11th 2011 at 10:30AM

The new MacBook Air models introduced in October of 2010 have been an amazing success for Apple. Not only were they cited as being responsible for a dramatic increase in Mac sales during Apple's first fiscal quarter for 2011, but the little MacBooks seem to be everywhere. At Macworld Expo last month, it was apparent that the 11.6" MacBook Air had become the de facto "Blogger's Mac," as all of the cool kids had them.

Now CNET is reporting that the best are going to get even better. According to the tech news source, Apple is planning a June update to the MacBook Air that will move the line to Intel's Sandy Bridge processors. As we've discussed here at TUAW in other posts, the Sandy Bridge processors are the third generation of the Intel Core Processors (Core, Nehalem, Sandy Bridge) that currently power the majority of the Mac line.

The main feature of the Sandy Bridge architecture is that the graphics processing silicon is built right onto the chip; there's no need for a secondary chip or chipset to provide that capability. This would allow the new MacBook Air models to boast much speedier gaming and multimedia graphics with no increase in cost or power usage.

Apple is also rumored to have some new MacBook Pro models in the works for a March release. Those devices would be the first to benefit from the newest Intel technology.



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The new MacBook Air models introduced in October of 2010 have been an amazing success for Apple. Not only were they cited as being...
 

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4 Comments

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ruiwy1

As an owner of the brand new MacBook Air 2010, I’ll be upset to see an update so soon =(

February 12 2011 at 7:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
chromey

Hope the update includes a back-lit keyboard. However unlikely, I'm waiting on that to pick up the 11.

February 11 2011 at 5:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ilad

This is classic apple!!!! Everyone has reviewed the built in graphics to be garbage. I want this system to have its own graphics card. I guess scalpers will be picking the current model and charging more then double on eBay. I was holding out but i guess i will take the plunge. Why does Apple always have to ruin their products with each subsequent model? Taking stuff out is not cutting edge engineering. Basically the next macbook air will be neutered. I bought my wife an 11 incher and i love it beyond words but i wanted sandy bridge before i bought mine (was also hoping for edge to edge glass or a black bezel around the screen as the silver is distracting and would like a backlight for the keyboard). I love the fact that that your getting a full size laptop in such a small and light package, not to mention that i have dreamt of something like this for 20 years. If they use built in graphics they will be ruining this fantastic computer. I'm soooooo upset.

February 11 2011 at 4:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bluemonq

...thing is, is SB graphics better than the Nvidia 320M currently in the Air? I'm not too sure about that.

February 11 2011 at 4:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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