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Overhauled Apple Notebooks Due Next Month. Quad Core Possible.

Apple is expected to release a completely overhauled line of notebooks within the next month or two that should take advantage of major advancements in mobile computing technology. With Intel having announced Mobile Quad Core chips, and machines like the Lenovo W700 already utilizing the technology, it may only be a matter of time before we see these advancements find their way into Apple’s Notebook line.

At Intel’s Developer’s Forum, Dadi Perlmutter, the general manager of Intel’s Mobility Group, spent some time discussing the current and future state of Intel’s mobile processor technology.

“First of all, Perlmutter revealed that high end notebooks with their latest chipsets can now support Quad Core configurations. Quad Core notebooks are currently in production and will be available in a month. Of course, this means that Apple could also support Quad Core configurations in their MacBook Pros. Although Apple’s MacBook Pro has been rumored to be undergoing a revision in September, no rumors have pegged Quad Core computing as a feature,” MacRumors reports.

“One major focus of the talk was Intel’s upcoming processor shift to Nehalem. The next generation mobile platform is known as “Calpella” and is said to make the current systems “pale in comparison”. Intel detailed a new technology in the Nehalem processors called “Turbo Mode”. Turbo Mode allows processors to turn off unused cores for improved power management.”

Also at Intel’s Developer’s Forum, the fist wafer holding individual eight-core processors was shown by Pat Gelsinger, the general manager of Intel’s Digital Enterprise Group. Gelsinger also went into specifics about power-saving features the Nehalem processors take advantage of, and officially confirmed upcoming mobile Nehalem processors. “Also due in September is the six-core Dunnington server processor, the final member of Intel’s 45-nanometer “Penryn” family, which will ship to customers next month, Gelsinger said.”

Additionally, Gelsinger spoke about Intel’s plans to put graphics directly onto the same piece of silicone as the processor. Something Intel has never done before. “There’s a big sucking sound near the CPU. It keeps pulling things closer to it. This is uniquely enabled by Moore’s Law…and as things get closer together I’m able to drive down thermal envelopes (i.e., heat) and decrease physical form factors (i.e., enable smaller computer designs),” Gelsinger said.

What this means for Apple’s Notebook Line

Rumors regarding an imminent upgrade for the Macbook Air are circulating, with the belief that the Air will be upgraded to use a Penryn chip, with speeds of at least 2GHz. The MacBook Air is definitely due for a refresh, however what (if any) new technology will be used, as apposed to what currently exists, we’ll have to wait and see.

An overhauled notebook line, which is much more likely to utilize new chip technology, is expected to be released either next month (at a special event) or by the end of October.

Photos of the upcoming Macbook/Macbook Pro case have been leaked, and confirmed. MacBlogz has been able to confirm detailed information regarding the upcoming Macbook Pro’s physical keyboard.

The Macbook and Macbook Pro lines would essentially benefit most from new technology being utilized by Intel. Better battery life, power management and overall mobile processing power, are all core elements that weigh into the performance of any given notebook. With the long-lasting delay in overhauling/refreshing the Macbook/Macbook Pro line, Apple may be waiting for some new technology to be fine-tuned and perfected by Intel before incorporating it into a completely refreshed line of notebooks.

As for rumors regarding a Macbook Touch. Multi-touch technology is simply too immature to be used in a complete tablet-like device from Apple. Once the technology matures, the possibility of a touch tablet will become more apparent. However, by then Quad Core mobile computing will be fairly accessible.

Read - CNET
Read - MacRumors
Image Credit - Intel