New MBP imminent (possible new MB)? Part Numbers have been released

[aphex]

Link to AppleInsider

The seemingly endless wait for a new line of professional notebooks from Mac maker Apple Inc. appears to be nearing an end, with part numbers and pricing for new MacBook Pro models cropping up in inventory systems worldwide over the weekend.

Related AppleInsider articles:
* MacBook Pros running dry in the channel ahead...
* Next-gen Apple MacBook Pros to gain...
* Apple may offer external optical drive with...
* Intel to launch Penryn mobile chips ahead of...
* Apple preps MacBook Pro updates, launches...

AppleInsider has been able to confirm that three new Apple-formatted part numbers -- MB402LL/A (Good), MB403LL/A (Better), and MB404LL/A (Best) -- have turned up in inventory management systems of both Apple and its channel resellers such as Best Buy.

The part numbers, listed for future MacBook Pros models, were included alongside pricing that matches Apple's current offerings at $1999.00, $2499.00 and $2799.00, respectively, for those part numbers.

Though originally targeted for an introduction during last month's Macworld Expo, the new MacBook Pros saw their release pushed out by approximately 4 weeks as the conference approached.

In addition to Intel's latest Core 2 Duo Penryn mobile processors scaling up to 2.6GHz, the new Apple professional notebooks are also expected to gain an advanced multi-touch trackpad akin to the one which recently made its debut on the MacBook Air.

As such, the new notebooks will also likely include the same Broadcom touch controller chip found in both the MacBook Air and the company's iPhone and iPod touch handhelds, offering the potential for expanded multi-touch capabilities and gestures some time down the line as part of a future software update.

At least one of the inventory systems reflecting the new MacBook Pro part numbers indicates that stock of those models should be on hand by Friday, February 29th, suggesting a formal announcement could come as early as Tuesday. Sources, however, warned that product availability sometimes takes as long as two weeks from when part numbers first turn up in their systems.

In addition to MacBook Pros, Apple this week is also expected to begin shipping the first of its Time Capsule backup appliances (AppleInsider's first look). Available in a 500GB model for $299 and 1TB model for $499, the AirPort Extreme-like device will automatically conduct wireless backups of Macs running the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system.

Update: For the sake of completeness, one source claims the aforementioned part numbers may actually coincide with some form of unexpected update to Apple's 13-inch MacBook line rather than its 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros. Updates will follow if and when any additional information becomes available.

Looks like the wait might be over very, very soon.


Also, MacRumors Article hints

A final Page 2 rumor in the hours before Tuesday. GeekSugar claims both MacBooks and MacBook Pros will be seen tomorrow.

Both will look the exact same (unfortunately no pretty new colors), although they will feature upgraded processors, additional memory, and the lovely multitouch trackpad that is featured on the Air.
GeekSugar has no known prior rumor accuracy by our records, so we are unable to gauge the credibility of their sources... however, I'll leave you with a couple of notes on this possible scenario:

- There have been conflicting reports about MacBook vs. MacBook Pro updates, leading to the ambiguity of our reports.
- An update of both product lines would neatly explain away these conflicting reports.

 

[MrTransistorm]

The store is down. We shall see.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

New macbooks and macbook pros, seem to be relatively small updates (LED backlit 17", multitouch trackpad in MBP only, upgrade to Penryn).

 

[intogamer]

It looks like both series are a few ounces lighter.

 

[Dean]

My MBP is like 3 weeks old now, and already it becomes Old Tech!LOL

 

[bigrash]

New Macbooks and Macbook Pros are up at the Apple store. Time for me to get a MB!

 

[randomlinh]

I want a black macbook with an 8600GT. I'd settle for a 128MB variant. SOMETHING other than onboard. It's the only gripe I have because I want to be able to use Aperture as best I can. A Macbook pro is just too much (and I don't want a 15" laptop to lug around either, which is actually a bigger reason).

Oh well, guess it's better than nothing.

 

[Tegeril]

Snagged the new base MBP with student dev for $1599 + tax.

Mmmmmmmm...

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Originally posted by: Tegeril
Snagged the new base MBP with student dev for $1599 + tax.

Mmmmmmmm...

I just signed up for student dev last night in anticipation of this... is the middle model worth it? Will the 512 megs of vram on the 8600 make a difference in gaming? I did not anticipate the videocard to get upgraded like this... Also is the processor bump with 6 mb cache a noticeable improvement over the 3 mb cache? Choices choices.

 

[TheStu]

The added VRAM will not make a difference in gaming, and the added cache, although nice, you probably won't notice the difference.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: TheStu
The added VRAM will not make a difference in gaming, and the added cache, although nice, you probably won't notice the difference.

There is NEVER a difference. It's always incremental...the big deal comes when either (1) you don't have a machine in that class or (2) your machine is older (2.0ghz Core Duo to 2.6ghz Penryn) - that's when you'll notice the difference.

 

[Tegeril]

Well, there's particularly no difference with the VRAM from 256 to 512 because the 8600GT just isn't fast enough for it to matter. That said, I'm going from an old Hypersonic PC 2ghz Pentium M with 1GB of ram and a 9700 mobility (128mb) so this will be nice nice nice. Have a 7200rpm drive waiting for it as well as 4gb of ram.