MacBook Pros to receive new Quad-core processors in coming weeks?

Seth Weintraub
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October 25, 2009
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An Applesana forum poster (via Applesfera) is reporting that the new Mac OS 10.6.2 OS build 10C531 contains the following references to new MacBook Pros:

Current MacBook Pros are Version 5_5. 

Separately, we've heard that Apple Store Geniuses are being trained on new Quad-Core (possibly Core i5 and i7) processor MacBook Pros and they expect to take delivery of the new machines at the same time that the new high-end Core i5 and Core i7 iMacs hit stores in November. That would probably be timed right with a 10.6.2 release.

Apple has traditionally used the same processors in iMacs and high end MacBook/Powerbooks with the exception of the G5 iMac.  iMacs and MacBook Pros were also the first Macs with Intel chips, introduced simultaneously in 2006.

The difference between Core i5 and Core i7 processors is that Core i7 do hyper-threading while Core i5 do not.  That means Core i7s could actually show up as Octo-Core MacBook Pros!  On the other hand, Intel states that these processors take 95 Watts of power, while current MacBook Pro Processors only need 35-50 Watts. 

There is a new 32nm Dual Core i7 called Arrandale that is supposed to arrive this quarter or next (Apple often gets Intel chips early).  Even though it only has two real cores, the Hyper-Threading would register like there are four.  This chip also has Turbo Boost, the capability to power down one core while simultaneously overclocking the other core in situations where it is beneficial.

We haven't heard anything about outer design changes which would be unlikely - the current MacBook Pros were updated earlier this year with SD cards and enclosed batteries.  We also expect these things to top out at 8GB of RAM.  The iMacs can go to 16GB but that is with four RAM slots.


Comments (24)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 25, 2009 - 7:49pm

no way we are getting a 3.6 quad. that would be an oven!!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 25, 2009 - 7:59pm

I think that's a 2.93 that can clock up to 3.6 if using only one core.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 25, 2009 - 7:54pm

As long as they don't increase the price and make 8gb cheaper, then I will forget about the new iMac and get a MacBook Pro.

Geniuses (not verified) | October 25, 2009 - 8:01pm

I'm a "Genius" and I can confirm we've been trained on new MAcBook Pros. We haven't been told that they are Quad-core but that's likely the next step - there is another meeting this week scheduled with trainers.

I know they use the same RAM as the new iMacs so this makes sense.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 25, 2009 - 8:07pm

do you know price range, aspect ratio and if they will offer a 1tb hard drive?

andrew. (not verified) | October 25, 2009 - 8:29pm

aren't you guys sworn to a vow of secrecy?

9to5Mac PRO (not verified) | October 26, 2009 - 12:03am

YEah right mate. You are in violation of your contract. So don't listen to this guy.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 25, 2009 - 8:56pm

Damn, 1333 GHZ ram...

I'm no genius (not verified) | October 25, 2009 - 9:15pm

I'm no Genius, but damn if this is true I guess it's time to send my macbook pro to the classifieds...

I know nothing (not verified) | October 25, 2009 - 9:48pm

I believe the new iMac uses the desktop processor and only 1066 RAM so I doubt any of this is true.

-AG- (not verified) | October 25, 2009 - 9:57pm

Heres hoping that they make these in the 15's and not just the 17's. Then i can finally upgrade my 13" Gen1 Unibody for something with a little more grunt....and a firewire slot :p

jackson (not verified) | October 26, 2009 - 4:16am

I hope this info is correct. This is the product that I would like to purchase. If HP/Voodoo can squeeze this new i7 CPU into that Evny thing, then I do not see why we should have to wait for Arrandale. They should make it an high end option, just like the new iMac.
The i7-920XM does not max out at 2Ghz. It runs at 2Ghz if all cores are being used and can ramp up to 3.2Ghz using fewer cores (turbo boost), but it does have a max TDP of 55W. This is an expensive CPU. I would bet on the i7-820QM. It runs at 1.7Ghz on all cores and ramps up to 3.06Ghz using fewer cores and has a max TDP of 45W. However, you don't want to get wrapped up in the CPU hertz. Your focus should be data/task throughput. This CPU has 4 cores, 8 threads and 8MB cache at 45nm. This CPU was designed to crunch data quickly when needed and then idle down to save power. These CPUs should work extremely well with Snow Leopard's Grand Central tech.

DistortedLoop | October 26, 2009 - 6:40am

 Of course they're coming out with faster, better, more battery life MacBook Pros.  They always release the new models 45 days after I got my last one.  <sigh>

 

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 26, 2009 - 6:45am

MacBook Pro are presently using 35W processors, and there are 45W Core i7 mobile processors that Intel announced earlier this month, which Apple can use in 15-inch and 17-inch models. The 95W Core i5 and i7 used in new iMacs are desktop class processors and Apple can't use them in MacBook unless they start making 2-inch thick MacBook Pro.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 26, 2009 - 9:19am

Oh please, the guy who said he's a Genius is full of it.

Apple Retail is kept as much in the dark as the general public (reduces information leaks). Geniuses do not receive training on a model by model basis. They generally review the service manuals (which are also accessible to any Apple Authorized Service Provider, so they're not terribly top secret), and any further questions can be discussed in their team, or sent upwards for further clarification.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 26, 2009 - 11:37am

Where can I find these hardware plist files on 10.6.1 ?

Scottsdale (not verified) | October 27, 2009 - 5:08am

Let's remember the quarterly conference call when Apple execs said holiday shipping costs would be much higher for air shipping of a product and not an iTablet. This definitely means new MBPs could come in early December. Arrandale would be the way they will go though. I cannot see MBPs with the chips mentioned in this article. Arrandale CPUs are supposed to be released on January 5, 2010. Apple definitely could get them a month early... It has happened before where Apple gets Intel CPUs early. I think the most important issue will be what graphics and chipsets they have NOT the CPUs though. The graphics will make a far bigger difference in performance than these Arrandale CPUs.

macDuckworth (not verified) | November 03, 2009 - 1:10am

Firmly believe Apple will soon release a Core i7 MBP; they must, to compete with the likes from Dell/others. The author should have pointed out that Intel has a Core i7 mobile processor family (see http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyID=43402)
that operates @ 45W (read: laptop-friendly)......and it can handle 1333 memory!
Dell ships Core i7 laptops later this month, so Apple will NOT be far behind! Forget Arrandale, it won't allow the MBP to stack-up to the PC offerings.....we can't have that!
I'm expecting Santa to bring a (quad) Core i7 MBP down my chimney, how 'bout you?

Ahmed Hussein (not verified) | November 05, 2009 - 10:59pm

as long as there is something new to release, I'll keep waiting for the coming macbook pro touch.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 09, 2009 - 11:58am

Do you guys think that the new MBP will still have a 13inch model when its released? I need a new one for work so i don't know whether to buy one now or wait for the upgrade, its terribly important its a small one! thanks

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 09, 2009 - 11:59am

Do you guys think that the new MBP will still have a 13inch model when its released? I need a new one for work so i don't know whether to buy one now or wait for the upgrade, its terribly important its a small one! thanks

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 10, 2009 - 11:19pm

See, it isn't just Apple that can get the intel chips early, any developer can get dev kits from intel with even down to the 28-nm chipsets.  The issue is price and nondisclosures.  You act like Apple is unique in getting any processor early.  They have had Arrandale for a minimum 9-12 months.  The idea is so that developers can release concurrently with intel for products.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 20, 2009 - 12:08am

According to what I had seen in the intel's website, Core i5 is only for desktops. 

Only Core i7 is for laptops and if you see from apple website, Core i5 and i7 are only for the 27 inch imac. The rest of the imacs are Core 2 duo processor. I also heard that the lineup for holiday season is final. There should not be any more new macbook by 2009. We will have to wait until February for the new macbook pro. I hope that they will update the 13 inch macbook pro by then, but with a core i5 or core i7 looks impossible. 

http://www.intel.com/Consumer/Learn/Desktop/corei5-detail.htm

http://www.intel.com/Consumer/Learn/Notebook/corei7-detail.htm

http://www.apple.com/imac/specs.html

Anyway, I hope that there will be a new macbook pro 13 by this december. 


9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | November 25, 2009 - 4:16am

um , guys, the most current intel mobile processor  intel i7 extreme only uses 20 watts more than the current intel core 2 duo or 55 watts the macbook pro (core i7) might make the machine use 70 watts , and apple's current position is about the battery life , and as far as i know battery life has not improved much since i got my macbook maybe the people at apple finally have the ability to power a mobile i7 for 5 hours ,who knows , also the other thing that they really should work on the cooling issues , although they might make the computer anyway sine it is supposed to be a desktop replacement not just a laptop.