Benchmark Logs List Core i7 MacBook Pro

A report showing benchmarks for a new-generation MacBook Pro has been spotted online. Labeled somewhat credible (although it could easily be a fake), the report talks of an unreleased Apple MacBook Pro employing Intel's upcoming dual-core 2.66GHz Core i7 mobile processor.

AppleInsider picked up this scent soon after MacRumors forum member Steve Mobs spotted the “MacBook Pro 6,1” listing over at Geekbench. Evidently new, the listing caught the eye of the former, which reveals that the benchmark was published earlier last week, “suggesting a refresh to the professional notebook line may be imminent.”

More particularly, the site informs, the Geekbench report was submitted on February 4th. It lists the supposedly new MacBook Pro model as “MacBook Pro 6,1,” “a previously unused MacBook Pro identifier -- running an unreleased build of Mac OS X 10.6.2 labeled 10C3067,” AppleInsider says.

The site goes to note that these listings may well be the result of a custom hack. If they are not, then, “These findings suggest that the MacBook Pro responsible for the this week's Geekbench score may represent a high-end 15- or 17-inch model that Apple plans to introduce to the market shortly.” It points out to recent rumors suggesting Apple is on track to adopt the Arrandale architecture for upgrades to its professional line of notebooks, “though previous reports have focused around the machines adopting the Core i5 line of processors.”

Another rumor that Geekbench doesn’t seem to corroborate is Intel’s accidental email sent out to subscribers of its Retail Edge program last month. The promo featured not only a picture of Apple’s MacBook Pro, but also a bit of text, containing references to Apple’s line of notebooks. The email said, “January Prize Draw: Win a MacBook Pro. Pass this month's trainings for 2 chances to win one of 2 MacBook Pro laptops with the accelerated response of an Intel Core i5 processor.” At the moment, top-of-the-line MacBook Pros are equipped with Core 2 Duo processors. Intel since reiterated its claims with an updated promo removing the MacBook references, citing an internal error.