Skylake graphics do not have VGA connector support

in hardware on 2014-09-11 00:39 (#2S93)

Intel has released more information regarding the availability of Skylake, their successor to Broadwell. The first surprise is that Skylake is still on track for an end of year release in 2015. After the delays with Broadwell, many thought that the Skylake roll-out would be similarly pushed back. Because of the lack of delay, the first Skylake chips will ship to manufacturers only a few months after the general availability of desktop Broadwell models.

Another surprise is that the Intel Gen 9 graphics completely do away with VGA connector support. That's right, the 15 pin analog "D" shaped connector is finally getting nixed - at least from the built-in Intel graphics.

Unlike Broadwell, which only supports DDR4 memory on the server and the extreme versions, Skylake will finally support DDR4 on consumer rated models.

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: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-11 01:13 (#2S97)

"Since I'm considering buying a MacBook"

I think I see your problem. ;)

That, and the whole weird "fella" thing.

Seriously, spend $500 on a good hackintosh laptop now, and another $500 on a better hackintosh in 2 years. Problem solved, and you've saved several thousand dollars.

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

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-11 12:18 (#2S9Y)

What about my time? When I buy a MacBook, I know I'll get a laptop that will mostly work with little effort on my part, and it will be relatively durable, even if it is expensive. I don't want to spent $500 on a non-Apple laptop and then waste $5000 of my time trying to get OS X to run on it, to only get it kind of working in the end, just so I can avoid buying a $2000 laptop. A fella like me just doesn't have time to waste on crap like that!

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.

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

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-11 12:21 (#2S9Z)

Thank you, my fine man. This is something I had not even considered! Like my high school guidance counselor, I think you have convinced me to abstain for the time being.

Re: What's a fella like me supposed to do?!?!?! (Score: 1, Insightful)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-12 18:46 (#2SBQ)

I respectfully suggest that Pipedot reconsider its current moderation settings. Many of the comments above have gone in and out of existence (back and forth) over the last few days as people modded them up and down. None of them are bad enough to warrant being "disappeared". This is basically ALWAYS the case on Pipedot articles. There are few worthless posts here.

I suggest the disappearance threshold be lowered to -2 or -3, to avoid giving disappearance power to a single registered user.

Re: What's a fella like me supposed to do?!?!?! (Score: 1, Insightful)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-13 01:52 (#2SC4)

I agree. There's one comment above that's currently at -1, Troll, and it's not clear why. The commenter made a perfectly valid point about getting Hackintoshes working possibly being a colossal waste of time and money. Maybe it rubbed some weak-minded Hackintosh lover in some way, but that's no reason for the commenter to be punished and a good comment unnecessarily censored.

Re: What's a fella like me supposed to do?!?!?! (Score: 1, Insightful)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-13 23:30 (#2SCJ)

Yup, and mine was the "I think I see your problem" which was of course sarcastic but could conceivably be considered trolling by someone without a sense of humor. There are one or two registered Pipedot users who have very itchy downmodding fingers. It wouldn't be as big a problem if a single negative didn't make comments disappear. It's not fair to the CONVERSATION.

I'll not buy a laptop with these (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-11 13:24 (#2SA1)

I'm using my laptop for talks, and the absolute only graphics interface which is reliable available for the various beamers is VGA. Even if the beamer in principle offers another interface, there's absolutely no guarantee that a connector for that is installed where you'd put your laptop.

Re: I'll not buy a laptop with these (Score: 2, Insightful)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-11 15:05 (#2SA5)

Why don't you just bring your own whatever-your-laptop-supports-to-VGA adaptor? They're usually only £15 ($20 to $30) these days. Any serious public speaker has one.

Re: I'll not buy a laptop with these (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-12 17:20 (#2SBF)

Why should I carry with me another part that can get lost or fail to work, and is just an additional hassle even if working correctly, if I can just use a laptop with the needed connector built in?

Re: I'll not buy a laptop with these (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-13 01:53 (#2SC5)

Because anybody who is serious about giving a good talk will be prepared, and in this case being prepared means having the necessary video output adapter.

Re: I'll not buy a laptop with these (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-09-11 17:36 (#2SA6)

This is why I think this is a great thing. It will finally get them to update to a better interface.