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Skylake graphics do not have VGA connector support

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What's a fella like me supposed to do?!?!?! (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-11 00:49 (#2S95)

I'm going to need a new computer within the next 12 to 18 months. Since I'm considering buying a MacBook, and they aren't cheap at all, I'd want this computer to be viable for many years to come. Now I've been hearing that Broadwell-based Mac laptops will likely be available late this year or early next year. Should a fella like me buy one of those, or should I wait until Skylake is available and used in MacBooks so that there's a greater likelihood of me getting a laptop that uses DDR4 RAM? I'm pretty sure I'll be able to wait. DDR4 sounds like absolutely sweetness to me, and if it will prolong the useful life of an expensive laptop purchase, then I would have no problem waiting!

Re: What's a fella like me supposed to do?!?!?! (Score: 2, Informative)

by bryan@pipedot.org on 2014-09-11 01:50 (#2S98)

Both Broadwell and Skylake will use the same 14 nm process node. Because process node shrinks benefit power usage (important for mobile) the most, a Broadwell model is a reasonable choice. Similarly, ultrabooks like the Macbook use ultra low power DDR3 ram already. The voltage drop is the main difference between DDR3 and DDR4 for laptop usage.

The one thing you would want to wait on Skylake for is HDMI 2.0. If you plan on connecting a 4K HDMI external monitor to your laptop, Broadwell will not be able to run it at 60Hz. Broadwell can push 4K at 30Hz over HDMI (the older version), which is fine for movies but will feel sub-optimal for general desktop use. Or you could use Display Port to get 4K@60Hz by using the fancy chaining feature of Display Port (your screen is actually split into 2 lower resolution virtual panels, but the signal is still routed through the same cable.) Also note that Apple screens use a Thunderbolt cable, which means Display Port will be used. HDMI is far more common in the non-apple world.

Here is an example of a new native HDMI 2.0 4K screen.

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2014-09-11 11:03 Informative +1 nightsky30@pipedot.org

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