I guess I should feel somewhat ashamed as I’ve never heard about this rumors before. People are talking about a thin aluminum MacBook that’s about to be released. Now, I can’t really find a place for them in the current computer lineup but let’s first look at some information provided my 9to5mac:

• Black aluminum and silver aluminum (like MacBook Pros) have been seen
• They are considerably slimmer than current MacBook and even a bit more than MacBook Pros
• The screen reaches much closer to the edges than current MacBooks but is the same size as current MacBooks - indicating a somewhat smaller footprint
• The keyboards resemble Apple’s new Bluetooth Keyboard
• There is something strange about the touchpad (more on this to come)
• They are set to be priced extremely aggressively
• While they are dense, overall they are lighter than the current MacBooks

Sure, I can imagine this product. A very thin and sleek laptop with a keyboard that looks like the new wireless aluminum one - the design sounds very Apple-ish. But when I think about it for a while, I can’t really place it anywhere. I mean, the MacBook is designed for the average Joe in terms of color and material. The MacBook Pro, on the other hand, has a sleek aluminum look and feel that appeals most of all to professionals. That’s how it has been for quite some time; would Apple give this up and convert their entire product line to aluminum?

When looking at where Apple are going with their other product lines, it seems like they’re about to ditch the whole white thing and go with a sleeker and more modern look. So I guess it’s not too far-fetched after all. The iPhone has a new look and so does the iPods. The keyboard went from white to aluminum. Maybe the MacBook really is facing the same change in appearance.

However, I seriously doubt we’ll see another product added to Apple’s line of computers. It’s just not their style. The like keeping things simple and having three laptop alternatives would be too much. They would probably also cannibalize on each others sales. Nah, if this rumor is true, then the MacBook will definitely go.

If this particular rumor is true or not remains to be seen but there seems to be something going on with the laptop line. A guy over at Ars has a friend at Apple that reportedly is very excited about the next update. They say the MacBook is about to cycle somewhere around November and it looks like we’ll see a neat update. And by the way, there’s something strange about the touch-pad, they say. Whatever that means.

MacSlice just recently reported that the MacBook Pro’s will also be updated in the upcoming cycle; not at all unexpected. Some of the rumored updates are backlit keyboard, better battery life, lighter weight, black and silver aluminum and of course some overall performance updates. Oh, I almost forgot, they’re also talking about a SuperDrive with the option of BlueRay support. Very nice.

But I’m personally wondering, how will the Mighty Mouse of the future look like?