Report: Apple Developing 15-inch Super-Slim MacBook Pro
Is the Pro about to get an Air makeover?
Just last week, Apple launched its new line of Sandy Bridge equipped MacBook Airs. However, it seems the MacBook Air is not the only superslim laptop Apple has been working on. Rumor has it that Cupertino's got an uber-skinny 15-inch MacBook Pro in development. Not only that, but the laptop is supposedly near completion.
MacRumors was first to report the news and readily admits that it's not sure if this is an addition to the MacBook Air line, or a new design for the MacBook Pro. However, the blog claims that what it does know is that the laptop has entered "late testing stages at Apple." The Unofficial Apple Weblog has since chimed in with its own version of events, reporting that yes, this will be a MacBook Pro. TUAW also reports that there will be a second model, this one a 17-inch notebook, to go along with the first slim machine and that both will appear as part of a MacBook Pro refresh.
There isn't much in the way of details at the moment. TUAW reckons that the laptops might be available in time for Christmas but, other than that, there's nothing regarding specs available right now. One of the more interesting points is that the Air's skinny form-factor has seen Apple ditch the optical drive. It's not clear if these diet-Pros will also lose their drives. While we're waiting for more information, let us know if a MacBook Pro dressed in MacBook Air clothing sounds like something you'd be interested in!
Further Reading
MacRumors: Apple Finishing Up Work on an Ultra-Thin 15" Mac Notebook
TUAW:Rumor: Apple's next 15" laptop refresh will be Air-like
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Right...
The MacBookPro is supposed to be a high end notebook that packs enough punch to get serious work done and do some gaming on. The graphics card doesn't amount to much unfortunately, but the CPU's great. And even with such average hardware (especially given its price tag), the chassis is already too slim to cool it without lots of noise and a seared lap.
So... If we slim it down further, the optical drive has to go (not an issue in an every day notebook, but a big issue for a 'professional' product), the discrete GPU will have to get even weaker to deal with size and cooling constraints and maybe even the high end CPU will be out of the window. And storage? That'll suffer too I'm afraid.
A MacBookAir 15" is perfectly plausible (although useless, as it would sit in the no man's land between an ultraportable and a full fat notebook), but they won't get rid of their Pro line. If they do, the MacBook Pro ceases to be a viable desktop replacement or even family computer.