Soon after people familiar with Apple's hardware plans allegedly spotted and took shots of the next-gen MacBook lineup, this picture surfaced, depicting what looks like a next-gen MacBook Pro in action. The notebook appears to pack many of the characteristics dished out in earlier rumors.

"The alleged MacBook Pro (pictured above) appears to have the characteristics described in early speculation with aluminum casing, glass track pad and rounded edges,” iPhone Savior reports. “The addition of the black trim around the screen looks amazing.” Some confirmation that this is an actual picture of the next-gen MacBook Pro would sure make everyone feel the same. It does look like the real thing, especially when considering all the rumored specs reported lately.

Speaking of which, AppleInsider informed yesterday, citing reliable sources, that the new 13-inch MacBooks, as well as the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros, would sport aluminum outfits and almost identical shape and size. The same people described the new designs “as a cross between the 13-inch MacBook Air introduced this January and the aluminum iMacs that made their debut during the summer of 2007.” In April, it was suggested Apple would include a tapering around the edges and instances of black material, to obtain a powerful contrast, much like with the new iMac line. Some of the I/O ports on the new MacBooks have also (allegedly) been modified, while others have been completely abandoned, according to AppleInsider.

Earlier this month, international financial conglomerate Citibank suggested that Apple's new MacBook line had already started shipping to retailer warehouses. Also then, an analyst for Citigroup added that "the most distinctive features of the new MacBook appear to be a very thin aluminum casing, an LED-backlit display and an aggressive entry-level price point."

Despite all these strikingly similar stories coming from numerous sources, the new MacBooks are still a subject of debate. iPhone Savior, which provided this last tidbit, insisted on noting that they were “unable to confirm the authenticity of this image captured in the wild,” adding that “sources claim in an email communication that the photo came via an Apple staffer.”