More on Intel's Ivy Bridge Notebook Chip Delays [Updated]

intel ivy bridge chip promoSeveral weeks ago, a report from Digitimes claimed that Intel would be delaying mass availability of its forthcoming Ivy Bridge processors until "after June", generating concerns about extended waits for new Mac models. Those fears were tempered a bit just a few days later when a new report claimed that the delay affected only dual-core mobile chips, which Apple would be using either only in its 13" MacBook Pro or not at all in its next round of updates.

Financial Times now reports that an Intel executive has confirmed delays in Ivy Bridge notebook chips, although it is still unclear exactly which processors the delay applies to. But with the executive claiming that the new manufacturing process is to blame, it is possible that it could affect all mobile Ivy Bridge processors.

In his first interview to discuss Intel’s business in China, [Intel executive vice president Sean] Maloney told the Financial Times that the start of sales of machines equipped with Ivy Bridge – the 22nm processor set to succeed Sandy Bridge in notebooks this year – had been pushed back from April. “I think maybe it’s June now,” he said.

Mr Maloney said the adjustment was not caused by a lack of demand but came because of the new manufacturing process needed to make the smaller chips.

While Intel is officially still sticking to its "Q2" launch schedule for Ivy Bridge, the question is whether Mac users can expect chips for updates to their favorite machines to become available closer to the beginning or end of the quarter. Digitimes' original report had claimed that Intel may still be planning an April launch of the chips but with mass availability not coming until the end of the quarter, although this dynamic is actually fairly typical for Intel's chip launches, as shortages are common in the early weeks after a debut.

Update: VR-Zone reports on a new Ivy Bridge launch timeline posted by SweClockers.com. According to the timeline, quad-core desktop processors such as those used in the iMac are scheduled to launch on April 29. The report does not mention quad-core mobile processors such as those used in Apple's larger MacBook Pro models, but given that they are based on the same die as the desktop chips, the mobile chips could appear at the same time. Dual-core mobile processors such as those found in the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro are not estimated to ship until late June.

Update 2: CNET offers some clarification from an Intel spokesman, who reports that the delays are in reality only a few weeks for each chip type.

"Reports of an eight-week delay to the Ivy Bridge launch are inaccurate and our schedule has only been impacted by a few weeks," spokesman Jon Carvill told CNET today.

So, for instance, if a desktop Ivy Bridge product was slated for an April launch, that would be pushed to May. And a mobile product scheduled for May, would launch in June. Intel always staggers production schedules. For example, Intel's most power-efficient ULV (ultra-low-voltage) parts typically ship later than other (e.g., desktop quad-core) parts.

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...

Top Rated Comments

Fried Chicken Avatar
166 months ago
Wish AMD had serious competence.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LondonCentral Avatar
166 months ago
“I think maybe it’s June now,”


....this chap isn't exactly confidence inspiring.

:rolleyes:
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xVeinx Avatar
166 months ago
This has nothing to do with manufacturing process issues. Intel could go straight to 11 nm and beyond (nanotechnology) if they wanted right now. It is just milking the process as much as possible.

Let's not kid ourselves here. Intel's 22nm process is ambitious, and will require a greater degree of fine-tuning than previous processes, particularly for establishing the appropriate yield.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lesser Evets Avatar
166 months ago
The quotes and info are a tad threadbare. I'd like to know how these chips compare to which models of Macs, which Macs might be affected, are they just notebook processors or higher-powered processors as well? Someone needs to be thorough with interviews.

Seems as if the person interviewed was playing Solitare or viewing net-porn by the indefinite framing of answers. Ah well. So it life.

This has nothing to do with manufacturing process issues. Intel could go straight to 11 nm and beyond (nanotechnology) if they wanted right now. It is just milking the process as much as possible.
This is about as divorced from reality as someone can be. It's like the nuts claiming there are free-energy devices being held by the government and Exxon, but they are there. There is also amazing alien technology discovered at the Roswell crash hidden in Area 51... but we still use bullets and jet engines.

Get real. These leaps in miniaturizing mean more and more time to manufacture without a high percentage of trashed product, more and more time to get the process worked out. They can make them, but MASS PRODUCING is not the same as doing 7 or 8 in R&D.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bear Avatar
166 months ago
This has nothing to do with manufacturing process issues. Intel could go straight to 11 nm and beyond (nanotechnology) if they wanted right now. It is just milking the process as much as possible.
And your source for this is? And what would the yeild be at 11nm? If the yield is too low, the chips would be very expensive.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
techsmith Avatar
166 months ago
This has nothing to do with manufacturing process issues. Intel could go straight to 11 nm and beyond (nanotechnology) if they wanted right now. It is just milking the process as much as possible.

It's mind blowing that 22nm is even possible using today's technology let alone 11nm. Every die shrink that is done is EXTREMELY difficult to achieve. Look at 1mm on a ruler, and imagine after splitting it into over 45000 slices (over 72000 slices per 1/16" for you imperial folk) how thick each slice would be. That's how thin 22nm is. It takes an incredible amount of research and development to make this possible.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)