Leaked MacBook Pro Refresh Specs - 12h Battery Life, Better Screens

With an announcement just around the corner, multiple sources have begun hearing what Apple’s new MacBook Pros will pack in terms of hardware, with the latest leak coming from a French web site claiming the new systems will have better everything, while the 13-inch white MacBook will be discontinued.

As Cupertino now has MacBook Airs starting at $999, while the Pro family of notebooks has a 13-inch model starting at $1,199, the white, polycrbonate 13-inch MacBook doesn’t make sense to produce anymore.

As such, Apple will discontinue it as it introduces the new family of MacBook Pro computers, MacGeneration claims.

In accordance with the latest rumors, the new Pros will have 16 GB SSD mSATA drives on all models to store the operating system (as well as built-in HDDs), Intel Core i3 processors, a third USB port, and a matte screen option on the 13-inch model.

An option to replace the SuperDrive with an SSD on the 15″ and 17″ models will be available, while all models gain HD screens - 1440×900 on the 13″, 1680×1050 on the 15″, the source claims.

The systems will allegedly be 200 to 300 grams lighter - 1.8 kg for the 13″, 2.3 kg for the 15″, 2.65 kg for the 17″, while the reported battery life on these babies  should blow competition out of the water - 12 hours on the 13″, 10 hours on the 15″.

The 17″ SKU will come with 8 GB of RAM standard, the source adds.

For those who were planning to acquire a MacBook soon, Softpedia recommends that they stay put as Apple is poised to introduce these new systems soon, likely at similar, if not lower entry prices.

What the aforementioned list of specs doesn’t include (but should) is the Sandy Bridge architecture and Light Peak technology, both Intel developments that should make their way into Apple’s next-generation of laptops as well.

Apple is said to have scheduled a media event in San Francisco for March 2, next week.