We have received some new information regarding Apple’s Macbook and Macbook Pro models, which have been long overdue for a design overhaul. Although the current case design is nearly flawless on both, rumors have continued to circulate about complete case refreshes for both machines.
We have spoken with a connected source close to us, and they tell us that the Macbook Pro will,
“100% have a Macbook Air-like keyboard. Feeling more like the Macbook’s current keyboard, yet offering backlight.” We asked about the track-pad but they shrugged it off as if it was no big deal. Almost indicating that the current track-pad might be sufficient in Apple’s opinion. We also asked if they could confirm a launch date, to no avail. We think it would only make sense for the Macbook Pro to inherit the Air’s track-pad. And based on Apple’s past history, the end-of-the-summer (right before school starts) launch date seems pretty accurate.
“With all Apple notebook systems due to ship with multi-touch enabled trackpads following this summer’s MacBook and MacBook Pro design overhauls, Apple is putting the finishing touches on a complete multi-touch framework that will ship as part of Snow Leopard.”
“Apple Inc.’s existing MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks will be the last of their breed, as both product families are destined for major design changes upon their next refresh.” Additionally, Apple Insider continues to explain that the Macbook Pro will “borrow several design cues from the aluminum iMacs and Macbook Air.”
Hopefully Apple is finally getting rid of the hatch closure on the Macbook Pro to fit it with the same magnetic closures that Macbook sports.
An infusion of some of the Macbook Air’s amazing features and design elements into the Macbook or Macbook Pro (hopefully both) will be very welcomed by the industry. We’re very confident in this rumor being true, yet there’s definitely a chance it remains what it is… a rumor.
Update: The above image is an interpretation/mockup. It’s not a true depiction of what the next gen Macbook Pro will look like. Though it may be similar.
13 Comments to “Macbook and Macbook Pro Design Overhaul rumors re-surface. New Keyboard 100%.”
One implication between the lines is that if Apple is releasing systems that will be fully compatible with Snow Leopard when it’s released, then Snow Leopard upgrades are being designed to be emphasized as a revenue stream.
After some initial caterwauling on Mac Forums, it’s clear that Snow Leopard WILL be loaded with new (and very keen) technologies AND have a ton of spaghetti code accumulated between 10.0 and 10.5 rearchitected at the core level from the ground up (speed, lack of bloat, native integration of functions are all huge features folks).
Cutting back a few million lines of code will also dramatically lessen the number of entry points for the black hats, thus increasing the security of OS X still leagues ahead of Windows. Exchange integration will be a must have for Mac users who don’t want to run a virtualized session of Windows just for that function.
And clearly there will closer integration between desktops and iDevices and cloud connections (as in MobileMe). I expect lots of cross-fertilization between OS X (no longer called Mac OS X by Apple recently) and OS X Mobile (I know it’s “OS X iPhone,” but the former name seems closer to the direction it’s going).
Anyway, long story short, maybe not much new OS-itself eye-candy, but maybe the most significant OS upgrade by any OS in years, and so I’m thinkin’ it’ll probably be marketed at or close to previous Mac OS upgrades prices after all. At least $79 or $99.
Meanwhile a MacBook with LED screen, multi-touch gestures, faster graphics and maybe a new material skin (and maybe 8-12 oz’s lighter and thinner). Unless a refreshed pro was just too compelling.
PS: I’m sure Snow Leopard will also be able to be sold to at least nearly all Intel Mac owners (both for their functionality and Apple’s bottom line), but it may do a few extra tricks on the latest hardware releases preceding its unveiling.
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I just want some kind of refresh for these guys. It’s been so long.
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I always find “sources close to the subject” never spill more than what the general macophile could presume. The keyboard is the new design, backlit like the air, obviously, why wouldn’t it be?
Apple engineers have been trying to find innovative applications for implementing the touch framework on the notebook and desktop macs since before the iPhone blew up internationally; so touch enabled “flip screen” macbooks and touchy iMacs are definately in the pipeline. “Lets Touch!” lmao. I just wish they had the machitos to make them available in ipod nano colours “mac-chromatic”? Just imagine Steve Jobs coming on stage with a red macbook pro, thinner, better battery life, oh and it does this cool thing where you can turn the screen over and use it as a tablet with the touch just like the iphone and ipod touch…
Really Cool
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@iBe: Our “sources” are actually pretty close to the subject, and although we are a new site, we launched because we felt our “sources” were good enough to have information that others don’t, and would want to know.
Although it may be easy to say that they (the sources) only share information that we could intelligently guess was coming, any information is more than they should be sharing. And the fact that they would put their jobs on the line is pretty important to remember.
One source doesn’t know what another source knows, therefore they don’t always reveal everything they know. This person/people telling us that this keyboard design was coming, may have been told that they could share the information, and it may be the tip of the iceberg (and they know tons of other people already know the information).
Imagine this: Apple has a completely touch-screen 30″ iMac coming 100% (hypothetical) — Imagine that 3 people know about this iMac, and 40 people know that the upcoming Macbook Pro is getting a Blu-Ray drive 100%. Now, if the iMac information leaked, Apple could trace it back to 3 people, if the Macbook Pro Blu-Ray information leaked, Apple would have to sift through 40 people to try and plug the leak.
We get a lot of tips and information regarding Apple news and products, but a select few people, and the information that they provide, definitely deserves to be shared. For this reason, posting what you may seem was an easy “guesstimate” at what was coming, had to be posted.
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I’m hoping the redesign does NOT look like that interpretation. Mainly, it too closely resembles the MacBook Air, especially the trackpad. I think it may confuse the not-so-technological consumers out there, and the differences between the MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro won’t be as distinct, which I think is a confusing move for Apple if they decided this look. More than likely there will be a case redesign soon, but maybe not a black keyboard, maybe white, or even keep the consistent “full aluminum” feel for Apple’s professional line of products.
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I noticed that the Apple Store’s refurbished MAC section now only has one 15″ MBP listed. This follows the last month when there were many options listed.
I do not know if this is an indication that the new versions are imminent or not.
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Actually Dave, I got a weird email from Apple stating the new deals in the refurbished section of the Apple Store online. I don’t know if the amount of refurbished notebooks is any good indication to Apple’s future refreshing or overhauling plans of these products.
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1. I can see the magnetic latch going as it’s been nothing but a headache for years, in fact, I’m surprised it’s taken tis long.
2. Keyboard will be silver but still glow. The black just looks distracting compared to the silver. The current keyboard isn’t metal, but it’s still silver.
3. Trackpad I can see becoming a MBA pad, I just hope a hack is posted online for current users much like a hack was posted to make non-scrolling tarackpads scroll.
-Brian
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“Apple has a completely touch-screen 30″ iMac coming 100% (hypothetical)”
“Touch enabled “flip screen” macbooks and touchy iMacs are definately in the pipeline”
Couldn’t disagree more. How is a giant and cumbersome touchscreen a logical evolution of multitouch? The beauty of multitouch is that it is intuitive and an extension of what we already use a touchpad for. We don’t have to look down at the touch pad to utilize it, which improves the user experience and productivity.
How un-Apple would it be to make a 30″ touchscreen iMac? Simply in terms of ergonomics, we sit farther back from a 30″ screen. Now imagine working for hours, leaning forward with your arm(s)extended perpendicular to your desk, unsupported, waving around pinching and dragging on a giant screen. You think carpal tunnel is bad? How about pinched nerves, repetitive motion injuries, and a wrecked lower back?
Another problem, mobile OS X is great with touch; we can wipe our iPhones and iPod touches on our sleeve when it gets greasy. How many of us are looking forward to dragging our hands all over the screens of our expensive 30″ iMacs and cleaning them every hour?
Think MacBoi, think!!
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The comment was completely hypothetical in order to prove a point. Obviously there’s no 30″ iMac coming. I said “Imagine this: Apple has a completely touch-screen 30″ iMac coming 100% (hypothetical)” — I was just explaining what somebody would do with certain information given a certain situation to iBe above.
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GOD NO!!!!
I _HATE_ Apple’s new keyboards. The one on the wife’s MacBook is utter GARBAGE as is the junk they ship with the iMacs. Just too hard and inflexible to be a great keyboard.
One of the things I LOVE about my Powerbook is the keyboard. It’s a great mix of laptop-ness and the feeling of a real keyboard.
It’s a shame as I’m really looking forward to the refresh but NOT WITH THE GARBAGE KEYBOARD IN THIS MOCKUP…..
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I bought a new MacBook Pro in July and the keyboard is so hard that at one time I thought I’d broken the tip of my finger. It is just makes one nauseous to even tough it after awhile if you time a lot on it.
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Well, it’s past Oct. 14th and it isn’t a mockup but reality.
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