After the 13" MBP gets updated to beyond C2D CPUs and Nvidia GPU/chipsets, all of the other Macs that follow the same architecture will get updated (13" MBP, MB, Mm, and MBAs). Whatever Apple follows the C2D with will dictate the same basic system of CPU design, GPU, and chipset in all of these Macs. In the past, Apple updated 13" MBP, MB, Mm, and then MBA in that order. I don't see why it would be that different.
Apple used this new MBA to introduce software features, a new system of storage, and a new design to the MBAs. I believe the MBA will keep the same design and features but get a new CPU, GPU, chipset after the MBP, MB, and Mm get their updates respectively.
I strongly suspect AMD across the board - meaning an AMD CPU, GPU, and chipset in all four of these Macs. Apple has been so resistant of accepting the worthless IGP that comes with Core i-series CPUs, and introduced and is heavily advertising another C2D CPU, because it's obviously going a different direction.
It makes sense to me for Apple to do one of two things. Apple will either use leverage of negotiations with AMD to force Intel to permit it to use Nvidia GPUs and Chipsets with Intel Core i-series CPUs, or Apple will simply move to AMD for the CPU, GPU, and chipset for these four Macs (13" MBP, MB, Mm, and MBA).
It seems obvious that Apple refuses to stick its users with Intel's IGP as their sole graphics solution until Intel's IGP can compete with Nvidia and AMD. Given this Apple needs to use a discrete GPU to get the Core i-series CPU in these four Macs. SJ said that Apple wanted to give users a better all around experience available from C2D and Nvidia rather than an Intel Core i-series CPU and Intel's IGP as the sole graphics solution.
While I believe Apple could get a discrete GPU in the 13" MBP, it probably cannot get it in the MBA. Given Apple's strategy of using one model across all four low-end Macs, it seems obvious that Apple will find a way to go with a CPU, integrated NON-Intel GPU, and chipset. Apple needs a solution that will work in all four of these Macs, and the current system works great. There is the volume pricing discounts, as well as production advantages, software advantages, and etc to keep one strategy in use across all four of these low-end Macs.
We don't need discrete GPUs to get great graphics performance, but Intel's IGP is not a real solution and it's a joke compared to what is available from either Nvidia or AMD.
I think the 13" MBP might get an update as early as January, and the other three low-end Macs will follow through Summer of 2011 with updates using the same type of CPU, GPU, and chipset.
I bet the next MBA looks identical but includes LightPeak in lieu of one of the USB ports, a backlit keyboard in 13" model, and AMD CPU, GPU, and chipset. I know it's out there, but I don't believe Intel is going to let Apple use Nvidia chipsets and GPUs with Core i-series CPUs unless the justice department steps in between now and then. That really only leaves Apple with a non-option, the discrete GPU model, another non-option the Intel IGP, and the most viable option the AMD CPU, GPU, chipset.
