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Rumor: MacBook updates to include glass trackpad, other goodies

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Rated +143
1983 Votes

As I hinted in my "fun" blog, I have been hearing some interesting things about Apple's upcoming line of portable computers. The talk amongst insiders on the new MacBooks is kind of scattered but here's a summation of what I've heard:

  • The new models are thinner than current MacBook and MacBook Pros and slightly more rounded, taking design cues from the MacBook Air.
  • The trackpad is glass, multi-touch and uses gestures. The screen isn’t multi-touch.
  • The body is manufactured out of one piece of aluminum. Eco-friendly, yet sturdy. Manufacturing process is completely different.
  • Release Date: Last week(s) of September.

Update: Where'd the button go?

There are some other things that I can infer but have heard nothing about in the next versions of the MacBook/Pros:

  • They will most likely have Intel Centrino 2 chips.
  • 16:9 screens which come in slightly bigger sizes: 14 inch and 15. 6 inch with different resolutions, obviously.
  • The Macbook Air line should get a 45nm processor (Atom?) to help with that battery life.
  • I have no idea if this will be called MacBook Touch or if they will keep their current monikers.
  • It will be the best thing since sliced bread...

So, if the rumormill is correct, will these updates be enough to keep you from buying a Mac laptop for the next two months?

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What People Are Saying

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Rated +1
33 Votes

So you are saying they are

So you are saying they are most likely going to make the new Macbooks with 15.6 inch screens, yeah right, that space is reserved for Macbook Pros

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Rated +6
104 Votes

Interesting

One thing that does frustrate me about Apple is how releases are kept so secret until the release pretty much. On the other hand, I just bought my Macbook for college, got a sweet discount, a Touch, and a printer, and I'm very satisfied. If in fact this rumor is true, I will be intrigued, but I think if you buy now or later, there's always going to be something more fantastic that comes along. Will I continue playing with the new things at the Apple store...absolutely, but I still think that buying what's out there now is probably a better way to save your money

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Rated +2
182 Votes

nice idea

... but i personally like the current macbook pro line. I guess wouldn't mind a glass trackpad, but the slimmer edges I'm not so sure of... I have a white macbook, and would love to see an aluminum model come out. again, i like the dimensions, they are both nice and rounded, but the slim look of the AIR is just to much... you have to have flip down doors for ports and id rather just have them flat on the side so that you can have ports. Another sore spot for me is that there are flash-drives out there that wont properly fit the macbook air's USB port cause the computer is so slim it wouldn't fit underneath... however, with Apple's wanting to promote wireless working, I can see why they want to do something like that. they're portables are plenty portable, why go smaller? Why not keep the shape and throw in some more stuff rather than using smaller parts and shaving off the dimensions.... guess i better grab one now if i like the current models. But who knows, I might like this new model.

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Rated +6
276 Votes

MacBook Pro 17"

"will these updates be enough to keep you from buying a Mac laptop for the next two months?"

Good question, that I (like many others)need help in answering. I was going to buy a 17" MacBook Pro with hi-res display... Now I am not sure; though not a lot has been talked about regarding the 17" MacBook Pro specifically. I do hope that they will continue to have it and not stop at 15.x" !!

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Rated +1
319 Votes

Centrino 2?

I like the idea of multi touch track pads and aluminum shells but i think that the Intel centrino chip should not be in there, the regular chips have been great but maybe it will drop the price a little eh?

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Rated -69
435 Votes

I am pretty sure my 500

I am pretty sure my 500 dollar presario has more impressive specs than this, but if it's mac os you crave.... why not just install it on a cheaper higher powered notebook?

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Rated +18
428 Votes

I hope they do come out this

I hope they do come out this september cuz I almost bought one today. It's not easy to resist buying it when you have the online shopping cart all filled out already. F!

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Rated -20
626 Votes

New MacBook

I was just at the point of buying a new black MacBook but now I will wait another two month for the new alluminium Macbook.

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Rated -15
583 Votes

diddo.. the thing is i

diddo.. the thing is i already have a black macbook.. and today is the last day for me to return it.. do i do it and wait? what are the factors for yes.. and no. my theory is that they are specifically releasing it after school season as an experiment becuase it might not be as good as the current one.. the expect to be feeding all of america's new college goers with the current macbooks. what do i do?! i'm very crazy when it comes to these things... i repeat my last day to return!

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Rated -27
623 Votes

riiiigghhtt. because its

riiiigghhtt. because its just going to *come out* because Computerworld thinks so. If rumormills spawned the truth, we'd all be driving iCars to work while using iPhones to create coffee (possible iMocha)