Intel Skylake processors to give graphic performance boost to future MacBooks
According to a number of presentation slides sourced by FanlessTech, Intel Skylake processors promise to take mobile computing to an unprecedented level. Owners of the latest MacBook laptops, already are familiar with the substantial improvements brought by Intel Broadwell, but if the presentation slides are accurate, Intel is set to give as much as a 50% boost in graphic performance and battery power to all compatible devices, such as future releases of the 12 inch MacBook, the MacBook Air, and the MacBook Pro, as well as desktop products like the MacMini and the iMac. The 5K display of the latest iMac Retina can benefit greatly from the upcoming architecture.
How fast will you go?
Intel is going full steam ahead with its upcoming 14nm processor, and the difference from previous CPUs won’t be subtle.
According to the infographics, Intel Skylake will boast a 50% improvement in 3D gaming.
Desktop-bound Mac users won’t be left out in the cold either, as the specs shown in the slides promise tablet-focused I/O without compromising PC high speed I/O.
How long with you go?
The new chip also promises a 30% increase in battery life, which is great news for MacBook users, who can look forward to unprecedented levels of performance.
The slides provide a typical example illustrating how a laptop whose typical daily battery life is 8.5 hours, with the latest Broadwell processors, is extended to an unprecedented 11.3 hours, when powered by Skylake.
No more charging cables?
The specs of the new processor also support wireless PC charging. This opens the door to a new technology that, so far, has been seen in smartphones and small wearable devices only. The result could be future MacBooks capable of charging wirelessly. The 12 inch MacBook is a perfect example, as wireless charging would free its single port setup, so that the USB Type-C connector may be available for other uses without the need for a hub.
FaceTime is only the beginning
Among some of the impressive improvements brought by the new processor, Intel is looking to push video conferencing to the next level, by enabling users to handle as many as four HD cameras, premium imaging and high-resolution video capture.
Let’s not forget support for 3D cameras as well. While Intel RealSense is so far only seen in Windows PCs, the new CPU will feature not only user-facing, but also world-facing F200 3D camera support for immersive collaboration and entertainment, 3D photography, 3D scan and measurement, and of course, AR games, which could mean possible integration of similar tech in a number of Mac products.
Deployment
According to the specs provided for different classes of the Skylake lineup, it’s likely that the MacBook Air and 12 inch MacBook will be powered by the U-Series, while more powerful laptops and desktops, like the MacBook Pro, the iMac and the MacMini, will be powered by the H-Series.
Deployment of Skylake across Mac products, however, won’t happen fast. With Apple having refreshed most of its Mac product lines this year, only few devices remain that could get a Skylake upgrade next year, such as the 15 inch MacBook Pro, which still runs on Haswell architecture, the iMac and the MacMini, whose last refresh was in late 2014.