In tandem with the release of new iMacs, a new Mouse and other upgrade announcements, Apple also introduced yet another beefed-up version of its most popular Mac, the white, polycarbonate MacBook. Coming close to a Pro configuration but retaining the same $999 price tag, Apple’s new, 13-inch notebook now features a durable, polycarbonate, unibody design, an LED-backlit display, a glass Multi-Touch trackpad and a built-in battery for up to seven hours of battery life, according to Apple.

“The new MacBook includes many of the great features found on the innovative MacBook Pro, such as an LED-backlit display, glass Multi-Touch trackpad and built-in long-life battery,” Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said. “With the only lineup of notebooks all featuring unibody enclosures, LED-backlit displays and long-life battery technology, there’s never been a better time to switch to a Mac.”

According to the company headquartered at One Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California, the new, white MacBook features a more durable shell, in what may be an attempt to eliminate (once and for all) the issue of cracking cases. “The new MacBook features a unibody, polycarbonate enclosure that makes it lighter and more durable,” Apple added. The list of external changes, however, doesn’t stop here. The new shell also features a “non-skid bottom surface,” reducing the possibility of having your MacBook slip and fall off a flat surface.

As for the specs, the MacBook now comes standard with a 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive, and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics. Apple stresses that the innovative, built-in battery offers three times the lifespan of conventional notebook batteries. The company brags of an excellent replacement program that includes the entire replacement process, as well as the environmentally responsible disposal of the old unit.

The new notebook is immediately available from Apple and authorized resellers for $999. Those interested in having a closer look at the new MacBook, or perhaps even order their own right now, should visit Apple here.