MacBook Air 2020 will offer the new Intel Core i3-1000NG4, i5-1030NG7, and i7-1060NG7 as processor options; i3 and i5 spotted on Geekbench 5

[Redaktion]

Apple has just unveiled the new MacBook Air model, but the specifications list on the official website did not disclose the full processor options. It appears buyers of the MacBook Air 2020 will be able to select from a choice of new Ice Lake SoCs: Intel Core i3-1000NG4, Intel Core i5-1030NG7, and Intel Core i7-1060NG7. These processors do not offer configurable TDPs unlike their similarly named counterparts.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/MacBook-Air-2020-will-offer-the-new-Intel-Core-i3-1000NG4-i5-1030NG7-and-i7-1060NG7-as-processor-options-i3-and-i5-spotted-on-Geekbench-5.458775.0.html

[_MT_]

You say not all CPU options were disclosed. AFAIK, there were three options. So, I'm now confused. How many options are there going to be? It still looks like three and with the same parameters.

It looks to me like these might be custom units for Apple. I guess Apple wanted a smaller package. And they removed (some of) what Apple doesn't use. There are plenty of laptops that are SSD-only but I still have hard time imagining Intel ditching Optane support in a processor for wider audience. And AFAIK, Apple doesn't use TXT either.

[jeremy]

The Y series chips (what these would historically be used as) have always had smaller packages. Admittedly, it was originally developed several generations ago for Apple (during the Core Duo days, for the original MBA, iirc).

There is a downside, usually. Fewer PCIe lanes, no dGPU compatibility (Intel explicitly lists that, I don't really know what the actual implications are - eGPUs seem to work, so maybe it's a restriction on OEMs only), and I would venture a slower DMI link (though that spread to the larger packages, too, as an OEM configurable option). Though the latter doesn't matter as much anymore, since the TB3 controllers for Ice Lake are on the CPU die, and don't suffer the DMI bottleneck. Now, only the SSD, WiFi, and RJ45 (Ha! As if) share the DMI link.

You say not all CPU options were disclosed. AFAIK, there were three options. So, I'm now confused. How many options are there going to be? It still looks like three and with the same parameters.

It looks to me like these might be custom units for Apple. I guess Apple wanted a smaller package. And they removed (some of) what Apple doesn't use. There are plenty of laptops that are SSD-only but I still have hard time imagining Intel ditching Optane support in a processor for wider audience. And AFAIK, Apple doesn't use TXT either.

[Duh]

Oh Apple being Apple as always:

- Does not come with AX200 Wifi6 card unlike almost all other Ice Lake laptops
- That meager 1-minifan (almost passive) cooling setup is gonna be fun

We'll find out when reviews come out but don't hold your breath. I happen to own / have owned both 2018 MBA and Ice Lake ultrabook. The former can't properly cool the Amber Lake-y chip under medium load - fan spins like crazy. As for the latter the cooling is def. beefier but fan still loud and died on me thrice becoz of overheating due to incomplete sleep. Was very disappointed with Ice Lake so far and I doubt MBA's package can handle that.