New updated MacBook Pros could be ready for launch

Apple typically refreshes its lineup of MacBook Pros every year, either cosmetically or internally in order to keep up with advancing hardware and competition. Current rumors abound on the actual release date of the new refresh, which Digitimes points to an end of February to early March launch. The Best Buy online laptop tool appears to support this claim, as Engadget has discovered five new MacBook Pro SKUs in the system starting from $1,199 up to $2,499. Interestingly, the online Apple Store shows 3-5 business days for shipment of current MacBook Pro orders, something DailyTech claims to be unusual unless Apple is preparing for new MacBook Pro models. These can be considered strong indications that Apple is gearing up for MacBook Pro announcements sometime soon.

In terms of specifications, it may be safe to assume that the new MacBook Pros will carry the corrected Sandy Bridge architecture from Intel. The new models could even include Intel’s Light Peak technology according to CNET, which is Intel’s answer to reducing monitor, USB, SATA and FireWire ports all into one single universal cable. The report states that Light Peak should begin appearing in consumer devices sometime during the first half of 2011 with a high likelihood of Apple incorporating the technology.

Apple is expected to make an announcement about its new lineup sometime soon, as the company normally does so around the start of every year. Until then, further information about the specifications and design will remain uncertain.

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