While everyone is anticipating new MacBook Pro models this week, no one really knows for sure what new features we might see. On Monday, a couple of possibilities surfaced involving a larger trackpad and dedicated SSD storage for Mac OS X system files to allow faster performance and startup.
MacRumors is reporting that a couple of potential details on Apple’s new MacBook Pro refresh have surfaced. According to BGR, the update goes beyond adding Intel’s latest Sandy Bridge processors, featuring “larger trackpads than those found on current models,” which could pave the way for additional gestures and “greater flexibility.”
Perhaps the most intriguing part of BGR’s report is the claim that the new MacBook Pro models will feature 8GB to 16GB of dedicated solid-state storage (SSD), which is where Mac OS X system files would be stored. As anyone who has used a recent MacBook Air can attest to, SSD storage equates to much faster boot times, not to mention overall performance.
“The next bit of information doesn't quite make sense to us, but we have been told the OS on the laptops will be loaded to a separate (internal) 8-16GB SSD while everything else will remain on the regular hard drive,” BGR reveals. “There will be options for just SSD drives but the base models will feature regular hard disks with the SSD combo for the OS.”
As noted by MacRumors, this isn’t the first time that flash-based storage for system files has surfaced -- as far back as 2006, reports surfaced “Apple might adopt Intel’s ‘Turbo Memory’ feature that offered similar functionality.”
One big question with the combo SSD/hard drive scenario is, how will it work? Currently, Mac OS X requires the operating system to live on the same storage with applications, so it’s unknown if the current Mac OS X 10.6.7 beta which is drawing to a close might hold some hidden answers or if Apple has found another way around this problem.
Last but not least, MacRumors claims “Apple has shaved approximately half a pound off the weight of each of the MacBook Pro models.” Let’s face it, the MacBook Pro will likely never be as slim and light as the MacBook Air, but any weight loss will be welcome by road warriors who have to carry their system with them all the time.
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