[Paul Acciavatti]

A previously-unknown MacBook Pro model with a 2.66 GHz Intel "Arrandale" dual-core processor was discovered in a Geekbench report on Thursday, suggesting that a refresh to Apple's high-end laptop line may be released soon. The benchmark score for this computer significantly higher than currently shipping Mac Book Pro models with 2.66 GHz processors.

Geekbench aggregates benchmarks from thousands of users worldwide, allowing enthusiasts to compare different models in real-world configurations. This test was run by a computer identifying itself as a "MacBook Pro 6,1" which suggests it's an upgrade to currently shipping Pro models which all use "MacBook Pro 5,x" identifiers. The 6,x identifiers had been seen in developer releases of 10.6.2 last August. This computer was running an unreleased build of Mac OS X 10.6.2 called build 10C3067.

The preformance results listed in the report showed a Core i7 M 620 processor, the top of Intel's new mobile Arrandale line that was announced last month. This computer received a "Geekbench Score" of 5260, as compared to high scores in the mid-four thousands for the existing top-of-the-line 17-inch 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro, and low four thousands for the existing 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo model.

A speed bump for the MacBook Pro has been expected for some time. An Intel giveaway last month touting a chance to win a MacBook with a Core i5 processor created a fresh spate of rumors before Intel sent out a new flyer claiming the earlier one was just an error.

[Melech518]

I called this one months ago

[Jgamble317]

Sweet, im almost ready to bump up to the Macbook Pro line. My 2007 white one is a bit old now..

[metaljay]

Damn I just bought my mbp

[aldech]

Originally Posted by metaljay

Damn I just bought my mbp

always get one of those comments every time there is a post about a new macbook pro

[iLaw-One]

Originally Posted by aldech

always get one of those comments every time there is a post about a new macbook pro

Yeah, and I don't believe they're all telling the truth......

[StealthBravo]

I'm ready to replace my 13" mbp

[Poseidon79]

^^^ I thought you bought the new 13" MBP last June when they first came out like I did... ur ready to replace it already?!

[StealthBravo]

haha. Yea you are right but I'm a sucker for a new MBP

[santaf]

hmm shall i buy get it when it comes out or wait until the summer to be able to get something else free with it being a college student, even though soon after i buy it a new mbp will come out... gosh how apple works makes me so mad hahah but i love apple products.

[Poseidon79]

I guess for what I do a faster MBP would just be overkill for me... with snow leopard and then 2.53 core 2 duo with 4gb RAM I don't have any lag whatsoever... and with the 27" iMac purchase I'm just about tapped out... until the iPad comes out of course... and then the iPhone 4G.. wait.. I can dig deeper and look under the couch!

[StealthBravo]

If you just wait a month after release you might get the free ipod deal

[santaf]

really? i've never heard of them doing that only when the school year is about to start

[StealthBravo]

Originally Posted by Poseidon79

I guess for what I do a faster MBP would just be overkill for me... with snow leopard and then 2.53 core 2 duo with 4gb RAM I don't have any lag whatsoever... and with the 27" iMac purchase I'm just about tapped out... until the iPad comes out of course... and then the iPhone 4G.. wait.. I can dig deeper and look under the couch!

Yea this 13" mbp is still running strong. Maybe if there are some nice upgrades I might pull the trigger on a new one. I have always been able to sell my macbooks every year for only a few hundred less than retail. I have upgraded every year for the past 4 years.

But yea my couch is getting empty too...not even a crumb

Originally Posted by santaf

really? i've never heard of them doing that only when the school year is about to start

Last year's promo started on May 27 and ran til the end of August I think

[santaf]

oh good deal good deal that's good haha hopefully that happens again cause if i'm going to get a pro anyway i might as well get something else with it :P hah can't wait