The new Apple notebook rumors continue as a Micro Center employee recently posted new Apple model numbers that seem to indicate at MacBook Pro updates. Per Electronista, while just listed as “Mac systems” with Good, Better and Best trim levels, they have completely new model numbers and roughly correlate to the three 15″ and single 17″ MacBook Pros that currently exist. They also hint at price changes with the base MacBook Pro price rising US$100 to US$1,799, the top-end 15-inch model would drop to US$2,199 and the 17″ would fall US$200 to US$2,299.
A mid-range MacBook Pro would stay in place at US$1,999.
The MacBook Pro line is expected to receive Intel’s Core i5 and i7 processors that may sport similar stock clock speeds but should be substantially faster than the outgoing Core 2 Duo models. Also likely on top of these is the use of NVIDIA Optimus graphics switching to save energy; the higher-priced entry model may reflect this as Apple would have to use a discrete graphics chip instead of the integrated GeForce 9400M used today.
A MacBook Pro update could come as soon as Tuesday and may also include a refresh of the white plastic MacBook and MacBook Air.
Stay tuned for additional details and if you’ve heard anything on your end, please let us know.