More Mac upgrade rumors hit the web

Feb 2, 2010 14:57 GMT  ·  By

People close to both Apple and tech-site HardMac have leaked information regarding the possible upgrade of Apple’s Mac Pro workstation in the coming weeks. The new 32-nanometer Gulftown chips would have 12MB of L3 cache, and six cores with 12 threads for each CPU. Historically, Apple has been the first to receive state-of-the art chips from its partners, ahead of product upgrades. This time may be no different, HardMac speculates.

AppleInsider picked up on the rumor citing Intel’s plans of debuting the new Core i7-980X and Core i7-970 six-core desktop processors in March. It notes that the last two Mac Pro revisions “had the first crack at their respective chips.” It then provides a relevant excerpt from HardMac (reproduced below).

"So, if Apple and Intel are still engaged in a tight partnership, Apple might have the exclusivity of such CPU (as for the Nehalem Xeon) for a couple of days or weeks. So, if you are waiting for [a] new Mac Pro to change your current model or purchase your first Mac Pro, then get ready after the second-half of February, it should come within the next three weeks."

Speculation regarding Mac upgrades has been intense lately, although smothered at times, because of the Apple-tablet hype. Still, people claiming to be familiar with Apple’s plans claim there are multiple projects in the works at Apple, including a touch-screen iMac, a bigger tablet device, and others. The company’s MacBook Pro line of laptops is also in need of a revision, many suggest.

HardMac is also the source of a recent rumor saying Apple is gearing up to upgrade the MacBook Air. Citing recent rumors, it suggested two weeks ago that the Mac maker was on track to receive new Intel chips in the form of first samples, at a premium price, but in small quantities. This rumor also remains to be corroborated by future developments.