Intel Montevino & Apple

It was reported by Digitimes earlier today that Intel next Centrino mobile chipset platform, code-name Montevina, will be released in June, featuring processors clocked at 2.26 GHz to 3.0 GHz dual core, a 1066 MHz front side bus (up from 800MHz), DDR3 memory, 2 and 4 core CPUs, WiMAX, and the all new Intel X4500 graphics processor. Montevina is the successor to Intel’s Santa Rosa platform launched in May 2007 as well as its Penryn 45 nanometer processor upgrade. Additionally, it is interesting to not that the “packaging” miniaturization of the CPU found in the MacBook Air is part of the Montevina platform, while the chipset and processor are from last years Santa Rosa platform (not Penryn). Needless to say, with Apple not having already released it long-rumored and apparently immanent Penryn MacBook Pro (and MacBook) upgrades, it calls into question Apple’s release schedule for Montevina as well as the existing Penryn.

With the switch to Intel-based processors, Apple began competing in the spec-race with PC manufactures, specifically Sony, Dell, and Lenovo. Needless to say, these companies will no doubt be releasing Montevina upgrades immediately around the release by Intel in June (as they have done in the past). However, if Apple releases Penryn upgrades now, just a few months before Montevina, Apple will probably not be releasing upgrades again in the June/July timeframe causing Apple to fall far behind in the spec-race. Let’s take a look at this in a little more detail:

Apple usually releases two mobile product upgrades per year, with an average product life-cycle of about six to eight months. Both the MacBook and MacBook Pros were last updated in early October (Full Santa Rosa upgrade for MacBooks; minor processor bump for MacBook Pro only). Both portables are due for an update before the summer, and Apple seemingly (and understandably, albeit frustrating) never releases a MacBook update prior to a PowerBook update. Forgetting about Montevina, and solely looking at Apple’s upgrade cycle, than a MacBook Pro update is likely immanent with the MacBook being updated in the April/May timeframe. However, both of these obviously would miss the Montevina launch, leaving Mac portables stuck with Penryn (except the MBA). Apple could very easily delay the MacBook refresh by a month or two and introduce it with Montevina. However, the result would be a better/faster/newer MacBook, leaving the higher-performance MacBook Pro stuck with Santa Rosa/Penryn. Would Apple do this? I would hope so, if they want to remain competitive with Sony, Dell, and IBM. The other option would be for Apple to moderately bump both products now, and then update to Montevina in Sept/Oct, yet this option leaves Apple way behind and consumers in a precarious situation of potentially purchasing a PC notebook as opposed to a Mac.

None of the above situations are considering a full product refresh either, which is something both the MacBook and MacBook Pro could use to position it better in the market. The MacBook Pro’s design (case) has essentially been the same since the last few PowerBook revisions way back in 2005. Likewise, the MacBook design hasn’t been touched in nearly two years, and could use an upgrade. The MacBook Air set a new design premium for Apple, one that reflects curves, aluminum, and lightness/thinness that needs to be reflected in its other products. Neither the MacBook or MacBook Pro will ever be as light or thin as the MacBook Air, but they could be made lighter and thinner than they currently are, and the Montevina chipset, with its smaller size and better power savings would present are remarkable opportunity to do so. I would target around 4 pounds for the MacBook and 5.1 for the MacBook Pro. If both Dell and Sony can produce a sub-4.5 pound 13.3 notebook, than there isn’t any reason why Apple couldn’t either. In fact, Apple will need to if it wishes to remain competitive.

Finally, what about the MacBook Air? Off of a six to eight month lifecycle, it would seem to be ready for a refresh around the time of the Monition launch or soon after (July through Sept). The Montevina was practically made for the MBA (as is shown by its use of the packaging material), and would provide an excellent opportunity for higher clock speeds in excess of 2.0Ghz (hopefully higher) and better battery life. Furthermore, Apple could use the Montevina upgrade opportunity to improve the Air’s design, adding a 2nd USB port, gigabit Ethernet, faster SATA HD, RAM expandability, and a stereo speaker to allow competition with the onslaught of ultra-portable notebooks inaugurated by the MBA and the Lenovo X300. And Apple, don’t tell me the above isn’t possible: Lenovo could do all of the above on the X300, as well as add a internal DVD and still come in between 2.9-3.1 pounds!