Intel promotion points to the MacBook Pro Core i5

It's a good safe bet Apple will eventually incorporate Intel's latest processors into its MacBook lineup in 2010, though when that will happen is still unknown.

AppleInsider got its hands on an e-mail promotion sent to participants in the IREP (Intel Retail Edge Program) --a training program for Intel sales representatives--that hints something might be coming soon. The e-mail to participants includes this language: "January Prize Draw: Win a MacBook Pro. Pass this month's trainings for 2 chances to win one of 2 MacBook Pro laptops with the accelerated response of an Intel Core i5 processor."

Reached for comments, an Intel spokesman was said, "There was an error on

AppleInsider got its hands on an e-mail promotion sent to participants in the Intel Retail Edge Program and we are investigating."

It could have been a mistake in the language in the e-mail, or--and this seems more likely--the mistake could have been that it was sent out too early. MacBook Pros with Arrandale architecture, which includes the Core i5 processor, have been anticipated for some time, as my colleague Brooke Crothers wrote on Monday. Check out his post for more about what to expect if Apple does indeed add Intel's latest silicon to its notebook lineup.

After the jump is the full text of the Intel Retail Edge Program promotion e-mail.