New MacBook Pros coming?

9to5Mac started the speculation yesterday evening when it claimed new MacBook Pros could possibly be launching soon.

And Apple Insider will now be chiming in, saying the launch date is usually later than 9to5Mac's wager on in a few google nexus 4 case days.

Apple Insider adds your shutdown of facilities at Catcher Technology--which is the aluminum chassis for MacBook Pros--isn't helping matters.

Whatever the timing turns out to be, updates to allMacBook Pro designs include appeared nexus 4 case in Apple's inventory system for those 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch screen sizes, dependent on 9to5Mac.

If new MacBook Pros do indeed materialize within the next couple weeks, don't expect a redesign, however. May be really an enclosed refresh of existing designs. Nexus 4 Silicone Case Which signifies faster Intel "Sandy Bridge" processors.

Wondering what new Sandy Bridge chips might discover their way into new 15-inch and 17-inch Pros? This Intel model list may offer some guidance. The quad-core Sandy Bridge models at the top are classified as the newest.

For example, the i7-2860QM is with a rating of 2.5GHz with a "max Turbo Frequency" of 3.6GHz. The launch date shows up as "Q4'11"--one of Intel's newest processor SKUs. Another candidate could perhaps be the i7-2960XM with a rating of 2.7GHz.

Pricing to the new MacBook Pros is the same as the models they would certainly be replacing, 9to5Mac says.

If you're waiting a fair bigger MacBook update to Intel's USB 3.0-packing next-generation Ivy Bridge processor, don't hold your breath. That likely won't happen until late spring or early summer 2012.

And notice that Best Buy--though likely not related--is offering discounts on current MacBook Pros. One example is, an important 15.4-inch MacBook Pro (model: MC721LL/A) is already buying $1,709.99. That's $90 off the regular price.