What we have learned from this week’s Intel Developer Forum, has confirmed what some already knew about the semi-tock, high-performance Kaby Lake Intel Core CPU. There’s a lot to be excited about, in regard to the new chip, as its capabilities and performance allow it to natively handle tasks for which generation CPUs would require additional dedicated hardware, including USB Type-C, Thunderbolt 3, and DisplayPort support, as well as 4K video.
With that said, the low-voltage version of the advanced microchip, the Y-Series chip, required by Apple, won’t be available until the very end of 2016, or at the latest, the beginning of 2017.
This means that Apple may have a tough choice to make: either push back the release of the (still rumored) MacBook Pro, as well as any other Mac redesign currently in the works, or unveil new Macs in staggered releases, with a first batch powered by Skylake CPUs.
The former option is most definitely the safest one, although it does pose a question on whether Microsoft will unveil a Kaby Lake-powered Surface Book 2 and/or Surface Pro 5. With Microsoft set on discontinuing the Surface Pro 3 this Fall, the chances of a new Surface device are very realistic, and Apple could miss the boat and deliver an early Christmas to Microsoft on a silver (or anodized aluminum) platter.
The latter option could be ideal in the short term, but it could also backfire, as consumers may be more likely to wait for a Kaby Lake Mac, no matter the features.
In regard to the extravagant rumors of an OLED touchscreen, and a fingerprint reader, it’s difficult to say whether any of that will happen, nor if consumers will see those features as an added value. Performance is an important factor, especially with the increased focus on 4K video processing, and VR, which is something that Apple has yet to address, following comments from Oculus Rift CEO Palmer Luckey, who was asked on whether his VR headset will support Mac computers like the MacBook Pro or the iMac, aside from the high-end Mac Pro. While his response wasn’t flattering, Apple’s focus on VR and high-performance graphics is expected to begin with the adoption of Intel Kaby Lake CPU’s and AMD Polaris GPU architectures, as of 2017.
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