New Macs based on Intel's Nehalem platform -- consisting of Core i7 and updated Xeon processors -- should indeed become available within the next few months, says UBS analyst Maynard Um. The research firm cites checks, which not only say that Mac OS X 10.5.7 will pave the way for Nehalem, but that the update could be released to the public as soon as this month. Rumors of a March 24th computer launch are said to aid this view, although Um observes that UBS cannot yet confirm any event.

Updated iMacs, Mac minis and Mac Pros could provide a short-term boost to Apple stock, which has sagged along with the rest of the economy. Also expected to help should it manifest is the possibility of a cheaper 4GB iPhone, and a new top-end model with 32GB of memory and a three-megapixel camera. Um is holding to a "neutral" rating on Apple stock however, with a $105 price target below that of most other analysts.