Apple Prepping 15-Inch Air Pro (Rumor)

The same source divulging Apple's plans before launching the unibody line of notebooks is now speculating that the Cupertino-based Mac maker is hard at work on a 15-inch variant of the word's thinnest notebook, the MacBook Air.

“It is understood that Apple is producing more than the current MBA size MacBook Air (15-inch?),” a very rough translation of the rumor says. “Core architecture will use Intel processors, the latest. The new Intel processors from the current ultra-low voltage processor 'Core 2' modifications made to make a stunning ultra-portable...” the report goes to mention.

It isn't yet known when exactly it will be released. However, the folks at Apple.pro claim that Apple will be announcing the device officially sometime during the second half of 2009. The site doesn't mention who exactly tipped them off.

As noted above, the source behind this rumor can be considered reliable, thanks to previous reports showing the unibody architecture of the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros before their official unveiling. Apple recently decided to do away with screws and standalone parts, replacing the clunky cases with one-piece, unibody shells, crafted out of a single piece of aluminum. The technology was first leveraged by the MacBook Air, which currently exists under one form – with a 13-inch display.

There is reason to believe that a 15-inch MacBook Air Pro would be highly unpractical and that the new device would have to keep the same slim appearance (if not slimmer), to continue the Air legacy.

Whatever Apple plans to do, until the company officially introduces the new device, the subject is open for debate. As such, we can't wait to hear what you think of the possibility of seeing the 15-inch MacBook Air joining the unibody family of notebooks. Do you think it's doable / practical? Does it make sense for Apple to release such a device? Let your fingers run loose!