MacBook Pro Getting Core i5 and i7 Processors?

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Intel’s upcoming release of Core i5 and i7 chips which are optimized for mobile use has led to the rumor circulating around the internet that the chips will make an appearance in Apple’s MacBook Pro line. The MacBook Pros have gone several months without a refresh – added more fuel to the rumor fire.

The Core 2 Duos that currently come equipped in a MacBook Pro are getting a bit dated by Intel’s current offerings in the processor space. Intel is planning to release three new chips, of the Arrandale chip design (designed for mobile computers), and MacRumors.com reports that these chips are going straight into new MacBook Pros.

These processors will be added to Intel’s Core i5 and i7 lines, and their speeds will range from 2.4GHz to 2.66GHz, with prices (from manufactuers, expect a hefty markup for homebuilt computers) ranging from $225 to $332. MacRumors is reporting that the first batch of these processors will be power intensive, likely placing them in the high-end MacBook Pros.

MacRumors also suggests that once a lower-voltage version of these things are released by Intel, you may see them added to the super-thin MacBook Air. The MacBook Pro line was last upgraded in June 2009 and featured a processor upgrade, but Apple opted to stay with Intel’s Core 2 Duo line. With Intel’s Arrandale chips rolling off the production dye in January 2010, that would make June 2010 a perfect time for Apple to roll out a MacBook Pro refresh with new Core i5 and Core i7 chips. Just a few days ago, we reported on a rumor that Intel’s super high-end Core i9 processors could be coming to Apple’s desktop Mac Pros.