According to reliable sources, the next generation of Apple's Powerbook line will feature new G4 processors from Freescale, a subsidiary of Motorola that focuses only on the processor market. The recently announced [1] processors will use 0.09um production process and will have higher cache size.

Sources indicated that the new G4 processors that will be used in the next Powerbook line are based on the MPC7448 specifications [2] and will run at clock speeds as high as 1.4Ghz for the entry and mid-level models and 1.6Ghz for high end models.

These new 0.09nm processors will feature 1Mb of cache and the system bus will reach 200MHz. The new Powerbooks should deliver 5 to 10% higher overall performance than the current PowerBook line while their processor will generate use less power and, by the way, should generate less heat.

Sources couldn't give a very precise release timeframe but we believe the new Powerbooks are likely to be be launched during the first quarter of 2005.

By the way, sources also expect a new generation of iBooks in the same timeframe. The new iBooks are expected to use the MPC7447 implementation of the PowerPC G4 processor running and speeds of 1.25 and 1.33Ghz. Some sources said that, it is possible that Apple will release them earlier than the PowerBooks because of current quarter's strong consumer & education sales, while MacGadget [3], a german mac site that is not really known for publishing inside information, is even claiming, today, that the new iBooks will come as soon as on next Tuesday.