VR-Zone has recently leaked roadmaps regarding Intel’s mobile processor plans. The information points to the second quarter in 2009 for a refresh. Digitimes clarifies the information, specifically claiming April as the month we should expect to see updated chipsets from Intel.
Apple’s current Macbook Pro can be setup with two chips: The 2.4Ghz P8600, or the 2.53Ghz T9400. A built to order 2.8GHz T9600 chip can be ordered for a $300 premium. This new information explains that Intel will refresh the Montevina-based chipsets explained here, in April of 2009 (Q2), with the addition of two new chips, a 2.66GHz P8800 and a 3.06 GHz T9900.
By the time this all happens, the 17″ Macbook Pro unibody should be on the market, so it would make sense for that particular model to adopt one of these high end chips. If these roadmaps indeed hold true, Apple could essentially give the entire Macbook Pro line a speedbump. It seems more than plausible.
The new setups would be 2.66Ghz on the low-end, 2.8Ghz on the high end, and a 3.06Ghz built-to-order option. Or, as Apple Insider points out, Apple could minimally bump the notebook line, which would place the setup specs at 2.53Ghz on the low-end and 2.66Ghz on the high-end, thus leaving both the 2.8Ghz and 3.06Ghz chips as more expensive built-to-order options.
Intel is planning to introduce the Montevina Refresh for notebooks in April, according to sources at notebook makers. The company will launch two processors along with the new platform, the Core 2 Duo T9900 and P8800.
