Thinner MacBooks could be available by Q2 2012

New rumors of the 2012 lineup of refreshed MacBooks have hit the web, courtesy of a DigiTimes report familiar with “upstream suppliers.”

Apparently, these suppliers have already begun shipping components to Apple designed for a new 15-inch ultrathin notebook model. The source expects component production to ramp up in March when the retail MacBook models are finalized for mass production, possibly for a Q2 2012 launch. Screen sizes of 13.3-inch, 15.6-inch and 17-inch panels have reportedly been ordered by Apple, suggesting that the 2012 lineup will be available in at least these three sizes.

DigiTimes, however, is unable to identify exactly what model the suppliers are providing for Apple. The components could be for the new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or something else entirely. But, the rumor does fall in line with a previous rumor back in July when MacRumors reported that a 15-inch MacBook Air could be in the works.

The MacBook pro lineup has not received major exterior updates or redesigns ever since the 2008 MacBook Pro series. The 2012 MacBook Pro iteration will reportedly refresh the chassis to more closely resemble the arguably sleeker MacBook Air.

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