No USB 3.0 chipsets from Intel until 2012

Posted on Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 12:27 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck

The Register heard Intel has no plans to integrate USB 3.0 into its chipsets until 2012.

The USB 3.0 spec was introduced in November 2008 and it looks like it's going to be another two years before the mightiest computing chip-maker on the planet gets the trivial-to-design-and-build chipsets needed out of its fabs. Anyone think Intel had a hidden agenda here? Is the company trying to make the market more receptive to Light Peak, its new optical connect?

If it's not then why not outsource the USB 3.0 job to another company?

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Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.

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Re: No USB 3.0 chipsets from Intel until 2012
by Anonymous on Saturday, June 05 2010 @ 17:47 CEST

They are "saving" this feature for the chipset AFTER Sandy Bridge, primarily because the power jump after 32nm won't be as impressive and they need to have some future features to entice folks to upgrade in 2012.

Moreover, if they simply jump to light peak, having USB 3 in the wild would make light peak not look like much of an upgrade, so best not to put a feature now that will cripple your sales later.

This delay is all about "managing customer purchasing habits and timelines" rather than technical feasibity. Put Intel back in command of the market, and you see them once again resort to their old tactics of small but regulated bump up's in power, to keep the sales machine churning along.

Customer needs and technical ability are irrelevant to Intel's desires.

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