Next MacBook to Include Glass Trackpad, Due in September?

Seth Weintraub, the author of 9to5Mac, publishes more information at ComputerWorld about what he has heard about the upcoming MacBook updates.

According to Weintraub's sources, the new MacBooks will be thinner than the current MacBook and MacBook Pro designs while slightly more rounded. The case is said to be made of one piece of aluminum and bears some similarities to the MacBook Air. The trackpad on the new notebook is to be made of glass and support multi-touch and the use of gestures, but the notebook will not incorporate a multi-touch screen.

Finally, Weintraub expects the new MacBook to be released at the end of September.

Based on the description, it appears these new MacBooks will be an evolution on existing laptop designs and not a radical departure into tablet designs. Of course, no one expected Apple to abandon the traditional notebook design, but the use of the term "MacBook Touch" may have confused some. Of course, these rumors don't preclude the possibility of some sort of tablet based device as well.

Related Forums: MacBook, MacBook Pro

Top Rated Comments

probably Avatar
194 months ago
I am imagining an iPhone-size-pad in place of the traditional trackpad that changes depending on the application in use.

Sounds interesting.
Or...iPhone *screen* where the trackpad is.

An extra small display with contextual displays and menus/purpose?

A loupe for taking a manipulable look at things?

That does vaguely fit (and so do a thousand other ideas/directions) under the conference call notion that they are going to take a margin hit for 'technology no one else can compete with.'
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
The New Avatar
194 months ago
Wow, a glass trackpad would be very slick. I hope this is true.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arn Avatar
194 months ago
How reliable is Seth Weintraub. Has he submitted any rumors in the past? If so, how correct have they turned out to be?
weintraub runs 9to5mac who has been reliable in the past. The fact that he published this on computerworld means he's pretty confident about it.

So I say it's pretty reliable.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fastbite Avatar
194 months ago
Sounds absolutely brilliant!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
auxplage Avatar
194 months ago
I am imagining an iPhone-size-pad in place of the traditional trackpad that changes depending on the application in use.

Sounds interesting.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Aranince Avatar
194 months ago
Glass trackpad? Interesting...
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)