Engadget claims that according to "a reliable source" that Apple has had trouble catching up in terms of intel-based designs for their upcoming PowerBook.
As a result, they are reportedly recruiting ex-Sony VAIO engineers to pull together a team:
...apparently they've hired a headhunting firm in Japan which has been trying to recruit as many current Sony VAIO and ex-Sony VAIO engineers as they can in order to have a team in place as soon as possible.
Engadget's reliability for original rumors is unknown.