Apple set to unveil MacBook Pro overhaul, back-to-school promo

Apple Inc. is believed to be on the verge of introducing a new line of MacBook Pro notebooks and an educational promo that will furnish students with a free iPod nano when they purchase of a qualifying Mac system.

People familiar with plans for the offerings have said that both announcements could arrive as early as Tuesday.

In particular, a number of those close to Apple's retail channels reported they had been briefed on new MacBook Pro models that were due to turn up during week. A couple sets of potential technical specifications can be seen below, in line with expectations (1, 2).

Meanwhile, the company is also expected to announce an educational promotion offering students a $199 rebate on the purchase of an iPod nano or iPod video (or free 4GB iPod nano) when they purchase a qualified Mac system (iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro or Mac Pro).

Should Apple announced the education promo tomorrow, it would arrive on the anniversary of last year's promo, which offered a $179 rebate or 2GB nano.

Purported MacBook Pro Specifications

• 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor; 4MB shared level 2 cache

• 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)

• 120GB 5400-rpm hard drive

• 15.4-inch (diagonal) TFT widescreen display; 1440 by 900 pixels

• NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 128MB of GDDR3 SDRAM

• Built-in iSight video camera

• Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

• ExpressCard/34 slot, FireWire 400 port, FireWire 800 port, two USB 2.0 ports

• DVI portl DVI to VGA adapter included

• Optical digital audio input/line in, optical digital audio output/headphone out

• Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet

• Built in AirPort Extreme

• Built-in Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR(Enhanced Data Rate)

• Backlit illuminated keyboard and ambient light sensor

• Apple Remote

• Preinstalled Max OS X and other bundled software

• Size and weight: 14.1 by 9.6 by 1.0 inches (35.7 by 24.3 by 2.59 cm); 5.4 pounds (2.45 kg)

• Meets ENERGY STAR requirements

• Model No. A1226

• Manufacturers Part No. MA895LL/A

• $1999

• 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor; 4MB shared level 2 cache

• 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)

• 160GB 5400-rpm hard drive

• 15.4-inch (diagonal) TFT widescreen display; 1440 by 900 pixels

• NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM

• Built-in iSight video camera

• Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

• ExpressCard/34 slot, FireWire 400 port, FireWire 800 port, two USB 2.0 ports

• DVI portl DVI to VGA adapter included

• Optical digital audio input/line in, optical digital audio output/headphone out

• Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet

• Built in AirPort Extreme

• Built-in Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR(Enhanced Data Rate)

• Backlit illuminated keyboard and ambient light sensor

• Apple Remote

• Preinstalled Max OS X and other bundled software

• Size and weight: 14.1 by 9.6 by 1.0 inches (35.7 by 24.3 by 2.59 cm); 5.4 pounds (2.45 kg)

• Meets ENERGY STAR requirements

• Model No. A1226

• Manufacturers Part No. MA896LL/A

• $2499

MacRumors has been reporting a similar pair of specifications.