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Many reports believe that the Sandy Bridge E server chips, better known as the Xeon E5 series, from Intel are set to debut this week. There are lots of rumors that the chips have been in the distribution channel for a couple weeks now which means that manufacturers using the chips will be able to launch seamlessly with the actual release of the chips. One such company is Apple.

Nobody who “has the chips” has been permitted to release benchmark tests yet as that honor is being restricted to next week. However, the Xeon E5 series will definitely be a much improved version over the ones currently found in Apple’s highly popular MacBook Pro, a device that hasn’t seen an update since the middle of 2010.

Aside from Apple, other companies, like Dell, have already started announcing new products that are based on the new Xeon E5 series which means that Apple could very well be ready with an all new MacBook Pro update in the very near future.

In addition to that, Apple is likely to take advantage of the E5-2600 series 6-core and 8-core chips. These chips would most likely be used in the company’s dual-processor MacBook Pro devices with the E5-1600 series quad-core and 6-core chips focused on Apple’s low-end, single-processor models.

The new processors aren’t the only things coming out that are vital for a brand new MacBook Pro upgrade. However, there have definitely been far fewer specific MacBook Pro rumors over the past couple of months. A recent report did claim that the company is planning to switch to Nvidia graphics in the next update, moving away from Apple’s current AMD partner.

The main thing that will determine if we see a new MacBook Pro update is, of course, whether or not Apple thinks the line is worth keeping in production. Apple was reportedly questioning last year whether to discontinue the model or not, examining if the MacBook Pro should continue offering the professional-level workstation since sales have been down thanks to a shift towards notebooks.

What do you think? Would you want a new MacBook Pro with the Xeon E5 series chip or do you think it’s time for Apple to retire the trusted device in lieu of something a little more fresh?

Source: MacRumors – Mac Pro Update Now Possible with New Xeon E5 Chips Next Week

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Hey, all you Apple junkies, guess what?! Apple has just unveiled their new Apple MacBook Pro family! Aren’t you excited!? Well, I’m sure you are excited but I am also sure that you knew this day was coming. Apple has a tendency to revamp their stuff periodically and this time they are turning their attention to the MacBook Pro. Now compared to Apple’s latest attempt at revamping the MacBook Pro, there are a ton of updates, and serious ones at that.

The rumor about all three of the new models getting the new Sandy Bridge Core i5 and i7 Processors from Intel is most definitely true. These laptops will also be getting AMD Radeon HD 6000M graphics, so say goodby to NVIDIA. FaceTime HD Cameras as well as some extremely fast Thunderbolt I/O transfer speeds are also included in Apple’s new MacBook Pro family.

The new family includes two new 13-inch models, two 15.4-inch models and one 17-inch model. These new models are pretty much identical to the previous ones, aesthetically speaking. They still have the same aluminum body that everybody seems so attached to. The only visible difference is the addition of the Thunderbolt connector which promises up to 10Gbps data transfer speeds and is based on Intel’s highly anticipated Light Peak technology. One other major addition is the new FaceTime HD camera which offers triple the resolution of the previous iSight MacBook Pro cameras and supports full HD video calling.

Here are some more details on the three different models:

13-inch MacBook Pro – Both models are available with either Core i5 or Core i7 processors with the lower end models starting at $1,199 and featuring a 2.4GHz dual-core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. If that doesn’t quite do it for you, then you can upgrade to the next level that comes with a 2.7GHz dual-core Core i7 processor and a 500GB hard drive, but this one will cost you a little more with a $1,499 price tag. No AMD graphics are available on these models but you may get Intel’s ne HD 3000 integrated graphics, which is now more powerful than ever.

15-inch MacBook Pro – The Core i7 processor is your only option on the 15-inch models but you also get AMD Radeon HD 6000M graphics. If you go with the $1,799 model, you can expect to pay for a 2.0GHz quad-core Core i7 processor, AMD Radeon HD6490M graphics with 1GB of VRAM and a 500GB hard drive. The higher-end $2,199 model gets you a faster 2.2GHz Core i7 chip, AMD Radeon 6750M graphics and a 750GB hard drive. You can also get 128GB, 256GB or 512GB options and it appears that the graphics switching will remain the same as in the previous models, automatically switching between GPU and IGP based on what you’re doing.

17-inch MacBook Pro – The patriarch of the family is the powerful 17-inch model. The 17-inch model has the same specs as the 15-inch one for the most part, but for $2,499 you get the same 2.2GHz Core i7 processor, AMD Radeon 6750M graphics and a 750GB hard drive. You can also deck this laptop out with some of those other hard drive options listed with the 15-inch model.

You can order any of these models on Apple’s store right now so I know you all are excited about that!

Source: Engadget – Apple refreshes MacBook Pros with Sandy Bridge processors, AMD graphics, Thunderbolt I/O tech, and HD cameras