Apple limits MacBook shipments to Best Buy, others

Rumors are swirling about new MacBooks and MacBook Pros, with recent reports of increased notebook circuit board orders and limited shipments to Best Buy over the next two weeks. Intel's introduction Monday of its new Centrino 2 platform has been considered the last hurdle in the race to new MacBooks, which were rumored for a possible WWDC introduction in June before Intel delayed the Centrino 2 launch.

News today from China's Commercial Times has Apple ordering a 20-percent increase of notebook circuit boards. Now MacRumors is reporting that Apple has warned Best Buy to expect limited MacBook shipments over the next two weeks, suggesting Apple may be clearing out inventory ahead of new MacBooks and MacBook Pros.

The current design of the MacBook Pro has only minor variations of the Aluminum Powerbook G4 design that stretches back to 2003. The MacBook design has continued its plastic-based lineage from its iBook G4 and G3 counterparts, with its current design arriving in 2006 alongside Intel processors.

Most rumors and leaked photos are pointing towards new MacBooks and MacBook Pros with metal bodies utilizing design elements from the iMac and MacBook Air lines. The cases are expected to be made of Aluminum and stainless steel, furthering Apple's Eco-friendly commitments, with contouring edges and larger trackpads, similar to the MacBook Air design.

The new laptops are expected to utilize the new Intel Centrino 2 chipsets. They feature a 45-nanometer CPU, a 1066MHz front-side bus, clock speeds in the 2.2GHz to 2.8GHz range and power-efficiency gains, with many chips requiring on 25 to 35 Watts of power.