New MacBook Pro specs leak, plus Apple Thunderbolt Light Peak branding
New rumored specifications for the imminent MacBook Pro refresh have emerged, building on earlier leaks tipping 16GB mSATA boot SSDs across the range. According to French site MacGeneration, the 13-, 15- and 17-inch models will all be updated, complete with a Core i3 switch in the 13-incher, and the option to replace the SuperDrive DVD burner on the two larger versions with an SSD. Meanwhile, fscklog has acquired what's said to be a Apple's logo and branding for Thunderbolt, the company's name for Light Peak.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro will also apparently get a third USB port along with a matte screen option on the higher-end SKU. The display itself will run at 1440 x 900, while the 15-inch will get a 1680 x 1050 panel; each will have 4GB of RAM as standard, and be around 200g less in weight than the models they replace. As for the 17-inch MacBook Pro, that will apparently be around 300g heavier, and have 8GB of RAM as standard.
Battery life is tipped at 12hrs for the 13-inch and 1hrs for the 15-inch. Finally, the white polycarbonate MacBook will apparently be finally retired, with the 11-inch MacBook Air taking on the role of entry-level Apple notebook. Pricing is believed to be €1,199 ($1,645) for the 13-inch entry-level (and €1,499 for the second version), €1,799 ($2,468) for the 15-inch entry-level (and €2,199 for the second version) and €2,499 ($3,429) for the 17-inch entry-level.
Intel is holding a Light Peak event on Thursday, and Apple is expected to reveal its new MacBook Pro range on the same day. The new connector could well replace Mini DisplayPort on the notebooks, being supplied with an adapter to hook up to external displays.