Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/03/05/intel_ivy_bridge_april/
Intel runs three Ivy Bridge fabs ragged for April blast off
Ultrabook makers scramble for supplies
Posted in Hardware, 5th March 2012 10:18 GMT
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Intel is stepping up production of its much-anticipated Ivy Bridge processors for an official launch as early as next month - but is adjusting its numbers to meet increased demand from Ultrabook vendors.
Sources in the notebook industry told Digitimes [1] that, despite reported delays of up to two months [2], production is still by and large on schedule, and that Intel is increasing production of the low-power chips for Ultrabook and smartphone platforms. Traditional desktop and notebook segments, meanwhile, will be festooned with high-end processors.
The Ivy Bridge family squeezes an Intel multi-core CPU and graphics processor onto the same 22nm-process die [3] with added power-saving features allowing the chips to comfortably slip inside small battery-powered devices.
Although a Chipzilla spokesperson told The Reg the firm wouldn’t comment on unannounced products, we were handed a prepared note to confirm that the launch is still on track to take place in “the spring”:
We’re ramping three factories simultaneously, and making some production adjustments to meet increasing customer demand for processors for Ultrabook devices. To ensure customers have adequate supply to support a broad market launch for third-generation Intel Core, we are adjusting the launch schedules accordingly. Intel expects to supply the market with 50 per cent more 3rd Generation Intel Core than second-generation Intel Core in the first two quarters of the two products’ respective ramps.
Such has been the demand for Ivy bridge-based Ultrabook processors that some vendors could be ready to unveil their next round of ultra-thin notebooks based on these chips as early as May with prices dropping to the sub-$900 mark, said Digitimes.
A recent report by Juniper Research [4] predicted that Ultrabooks will grow at three times the rate of tablets over the next five years as prices continue to fall. ®