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You can add USB3 to MacBooks with PCI-E expansion -- the older 15" MBPs, all 17" MBPs, all Mac Pros. Since Intel has decided not to support USB3 until 2012 it'
by jsz0 16y ago
You can add USB3 to MacBooks with PCI-E expansion -- the older 15" MBPs, all 17" MBPs, all Mac Pros.
Since Intel has decided not to support USB3 until 2012 it's obvious they are going to push a USB3 alternative soon which will win because Intel dominates the PC chipset market. Apple is probably fully aware of this and doesn't see any reason to support USB3.
- zdw 16y agoExactly. USB3 currently requires an extra chip to implement, and Intel isn't going to release an on-chipset USB3 controller in the immediate future, if roadmaps are to be believed. Apple packs things tight in their laptops (where high speed expansion is most needed) - adding an extra chip would cause design challenges. See also why Apple is staying with the Core2Duo in their 13" and smaller laptops.
- bbatsell 16y agoThe reason Apple has stayed with C2D on the 13"ers is because Intel has disallowed manufacturers from using any integrated graphics chipset other than Intel HD Graphics, which is very poor compared to Nvidia and ATI's chipsets. Since the 13" is too small to support a discrete graphics card, they have to stick with a C2D and an Nvidia 320M.
- leoc 16y agoThe alternative rumour/speculation is that Intel's holding back so it can use USB3 support as a selling point for Sandy Bridge systems.