Our news yesterday related to the rumor on a MacBook Air-like MacBook Pro forthcoming model has been generating quite some reactions, and most of them driven by the fear of seeing Apple moving to an entirely closed system.
As we mention it yesterday there might be the option of having the space left for a 2.5" HD in addition to the default SSD default modules. In addition Thunderbolt would also open up the access to other peripherals. So if the MacBook Pro with a "Air style" would be light and powerful, it could benefit from a docking station via Thunderbolt to get access numerous peripherals, without requiring the need for multiple additional ports on the enclosure. So, the notebook would only need, power port, Ethernet, 2x USB3 and 1x Thunderbolt.
One aspect that the rumor did not mention is the CPU. Indeed, current MacBook Air uses the "Ultra Low Voltage" (ULV) version of Intel mobile CPUs, so it is quite clear that Apple will have hard time to reach the same performance level as the MBP are usually loaded with high-end powerful units, meaning higher TDP and power consumption. With some engineering, Apple might not be using the ULV CPU in such MBP and have found a way to dramatically improve cooling. In addition, MBP have a discrete GPU, and not the Intel graphical chipset, so again we would need dedicated cooling system too. It will be had to cool down so many CPU/GPU at once, especially if the Thunderbolt is used as the "universal" connection point.
So, if Apple wants to move to a SuperDive-free MBP, for sure the enclosure will be thinner, but most likely not as thin as the MacBook Air to be able to accommodate a cooling system. The other option is that this 15" MBP "Air style" will indeed be a MacBook Air wit ha 15" display, hosting the fastest CPU and the Intel graphical chipset. A design specifically dedicated for corporate usage, where 2D graphics, text, long battery lifetime and large display are indeed, beyond high 3D and CPU performance.
