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Intel details new Skylake chips hinting at Apple's future 15" MacBook Pro specs

Intel has posted a new processor price list, including some Skylake-based units that could potentially make their way into a revamped 15-inch MacBook Pro from Apple.

These include three quad-core mobile CPUs: the 2.6 GHz Core i7-6770HQ, the 2.7 GHz Core i7-6870HQ, and the 2.8 GHz Core i7-6970HQ, according to the list, spotted by AnandTech. Current Pro configurations use 2.2- and 2.5-gigahertz chips by default, with 2.8 as a custom upgrade option.

Along with Intel chips suitable to the 13-inch Pro announced last year, Apple may soon be in a position to update the Pro lineup.

One opportunity to make a splash could be in March, when Apple is expected to host a special press event. Macs would presumably be a secondary focus however next to an anticipated 4-inch iPhone refresh, sometimes referred to as the "iPhone 6c" or the "iPhone 5se."

The company could easily decide to wait until later. For example, last year, current 13-inch models debuted in March, 15-inch versions had to wait until May.



62 Comments

toddzrx 9 Years · 254 comments

I sure hope we see updates to more than just the MBP line; all of Apple's computers are ripe for upgrading to Skylake and Thunderbolt 3/USB-C.

boeyc15 14 Years · 986 comments

I have a 2013 15 inch rMBP. Im still 'wow'd' at how great it is. Cant see myself upgrading(unless on a whim) for a long time. [as I pound away on my 'newer' work computer(windows7/Dell tech computer)... that is utter and complete - ewww and yuck]

Mr_Grey 8 Years · 118 comments

"iPhone 6c" makes absolutely no sense at all as a name for this purported product.  Whatever it's called it's almost a certainty that it won't be called that.  

dreyfus2 17 Years · 1069 comments

I bought the first 15" rMBP in mid 2012 (upgraded to max. RAM and the then fastest CPU). While it does not have the latest WiFi speeds and the fastest PCIe SSD, it still is doing more than fine. Neither the speed nor the battery life are any issue. What I do miss (and what would make me upgrade) is a higher RAM limit (32 GB would be great for running more virtual machines – I occasionally give MCSE classes, and some demos require 5-6 VMs running), and I really want support for at least one external 5k display. For all things requiring less power, I use the iPad Pro anyhow.

jkichline 14 Years · 1369 comments

Mr_Grey said:
"iPhone 6c" makes absolutely no sense at all as a name for this purported product.  Whatever it's called it's almost a certainty that it won't be called that.  

Probably something like the iPhone 6s Minus or Mini.  I really think that Apple ought to bring nearly the flagship product to the 4" form factor.  Don't hamper the product unless necessary to get it to fit in that size.