by , 11:00 AM EST, November 30th, 2005

A PowerBook based on an Intel chip may be announced as early as January, according to a Reuters article. Citigroup analyst, Richard Gardner, thinks that Apple may be planning to release new PowerBooks during the Macworld Expo in January.

Mr. Gardner noted "We are becoming more convinced that Apple will introduce its first Intel-based PowerBook at Macworld San Francisco."

Macworld Expo runs from January 9 through January 13, 2006, at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco.

Citigroup is speculating that Apple will release Intel-based PowerBooks ahead of schedule to help minimize the risk of building up a surplus of the current models as users hold off purchases in anticipation of the new models.

Mr. Gardner raised his revenue estimate for this quarter from US$4.8 billion to $5.5 billion, and bumped up his earnings estimate from $0.47 to $0.60. His revenue forecast for 2006 has also been raised from $17.6 billion to $20.4 billion, with an earnings estimate of $2.16 a share, up from $1.72.

Apple stock is currently trading at $67.71, down 0.39 (0.57%).