Media reports say Intel-based iBooks to hit markets in January

Media reports say Intel-based iBooks to hit markets in January

	Published : Mon, 21 Nov 2005 01:35 By : Paula Demarzio Print this Story

Online magazine ThinkSecret, which keeps a close watch on the happenings at Apple Inc has revealed that Intel processor powered Apple iBooks could hit the markets as early as January next year.

Apple has a Macworld Expo conference scheduled for that month and ThinkSecret claims that the Cupertino, California-based Company is all set to unveil the first Intel-powered entry-level iBook at this high-profile event.

Additionally, the Apple watcher has claimed that the company is considering instituting price cuts to its iBook range so that more and more Windows users switch over to Macintosh machines. The magazine said that Apple PowerBook based on Intel Microprocessors would take some more time and could be unveiled late next year.

Apple has declined to comment on these rumors. The company maintains that it is due to bring out the first Intel based products sometime in June 2006 and not before that, but considering Apple's ability to spring surprises, there might be some credence to these iBook rumors. Apple is also due to release some upgrades for its iBook range. The last update was in July this year when anti-drop protection and increased memory were offered to Mac users. There are also reports that there is not enough software to run Intel-Macs, so Apple has turned to its Rosetta software so that programs can be converted in a jiffy.

ThinkSecret, which has so far been proved correct in all its Apple predictions, is very confident that this would happen in January. Senior editor Ryan Katz writes, "Those sources have told Think Secret to not rule out the possible release of other Intel-based Macs at Macworld Expo, but that it is more likely the initial release of products with the new processor will be consumer-based products only and not professional, high-end lines, such as PowerBooks and towers, as some Web sites have reported."

Apple parted ways with IBM this year and has plumped for Intel instead of Big Blue's processors. Of course, there will be Intel based products at some point in the next year, but Apple is currently keeping the timing a closely guarded secret.