Core i5 MacBooks Coming, Advert Says

A Spanish site has stumbled across a piece of promotion material, which seems to indicate that Apple is on the verge of releasing new Core i5 MacBook computers. Two lucky winners will recieive MacBook Pros with the new Core i5 processors, according to the advert.

Faq-Mac.com reveals that the promotion was included in an e-mail sent out to members of the Intel Retail Edge Program, which allows retail employees who sell Intel products to access technical knowledge and sales tips. This, in turn, allows them to earn "chips" that can be exchanged for products.

According to AppleInsider (which could also confirm the findings), the email reads, "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." Top of the line MacBook Pros currently employ Intel Core 2 Duo processors.

Intel took advantage of CES last week to introduce its new line of processors. Between Core i3 and Core i7, the Core i5 was highlighted as well. A likely candidate for new MacBook Pro refreshes, the i5 is said to be faster and less power hungry, while also capable of providing better graphics.

Apple is expected to host a major event later this month at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, where almost the entire tech industry expects the Mac maker to finally introduce its elusive tablet computer. It is reasonable to assume that, if Apple plans to up the ante on its MacBook Pro line, it will use the respective event to introduce the Core i5-equipped systems.

AppleInsider also speculates that Apple may be hard pressed to give up on Nvidia’s graphics offerings in new MacBook computers. Currently, Apple uses Nvidia chipsets with its Mac lineup. However, if Apple decides to choose the architecturally different Arrandale chip, it may be difficult for the company to keep Nvidia aboard, especially with an ongoing lawsuit that has forced Nvidia to pause the development of future chipsets.