BEIJING, Jan. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Apple, the

Apple, the US electronics giant, is to launch a new and faster Intel-based laptop.

US electronics giant, is expected to launch a new and faster Intel-based laptop this week.  

    Company founder and chief executive Steve Jobs is hoped to be able to unveil the device on Tuesday in San Francisco along with a new low-cost iPod and some other surprises.

    For more than 10 years Apple has used chips made by IBM and by Freescale Semiconductor, formerly part of Motorola. However, Steve Jobs has been frustrated by the inability of his suppliers to match the performance of some of the chips available from Intel.

    "Apple's laptop line desperately needs to be refreshed," said Tim Bajarin, an analyst at Creative Strategies. "In that context, I wouldn't be surprised to see a strong updated line of laptops."

    As revealed by The Business last year, Apple has been working to develop a low-cost laptop to encourage consumers using Apple iPod music players to buy its computers.

    Despite recent legal attempts by Apple to silence US-based website ThinkSecret, which has been predicting the imminent launch of a cheap laptop, US analysts believe Apple plans to unveil a new laptop this week. Apple has taken ThinkSecret to court with allegations that recent postings on its site outlining planned Apple products revealed trade secrets.

    Apple shocked the computer industry last year by announcing it was ditching its long-term loyalty to IBM PowerPC microchips in favour of Intel processors, which have traditionally powered rival PCs running Windows software produced by Apple's rival, Microsoft.

    Some US analysts believe a low-cost Apple laptop running on Intel processors would enable Apple to capitalise on the success of its range of iPod music players by tempting iPod owners to switch from Microsoft-based computers to Apple machines.

    Apple is also believed to have been working on a new version of its lowest-priced music player, the iPod Shuffle. The Shuffle is unique in the iPod range in not having a screen. Industry sources believe Apple has been hoping to have a new version of the Shuffle complete with a screen ready in time for Macworld, Apple's biannual new product showcase being held in San Francisco Tuesday. Enditem

    (Agencies)