Apple is apparently working on a radical redesign for its 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro that will make the laptops much more MacBook Air-like. Word of the ultra-thin MacBook Pro redesign comes courtesy of anonymous sources that also say the new models could be released in time for the end of year holiday buying season.
Mac Rumors reports its sources said the new 15-inch design is nearing the end of its internal test phase. TUAW’s sources added that both 15-inch and 17-inch models are in the works, and that they should be available before Christmas.
Additional details, like whether or not the laptops will lose their SuperDrive optical drives, or offer SSD drives instead traditional hard drives, weren’t revealed. It isn’t, however, difficult to guess where Apple is headed with its pro-level laptops based on its current offerings.
The current MacBook Air offers some hints as to what we’ll likely see in future MacBook Pro models thanks to its solid state storage and tapered body design. Both the MacBook Air and the Mac mini ship without an internal optical drive option, so it seems plausible that Apple will eventually drop the SuperDrive from the MacBook Pro, too.
Apple isn’t talking about its future MacBook Pro plans, so for now reports that a MacBook Air-style redesign is on the way should be treated as rumors.