MacBook Pro Release Date: Steve Jobs' Vision in 2012 and Beyond [Features, Specs]

Steve Jobs may have passed away last year, but his vision for the MacBook Pro lives on and stretches far beyond 2012, a leaked report would suggest.

In 2012, we can expect a major redesign and revamp for the MacBook Pro, but according to the EE Times, Apple has purchased Anobit--an Israeli company that makes solid state hard drives--which suggests the company is moving towards in-house manufacturing and moving away from its dependency on other companies in the supply chain.

Apple bought Anobit Technologies Ltd. for about $390 million, the Eee Times reports. The company currently purchases its solid-state drives from Samsung and Toshiba, according to allvoices.com. But the new solid-state technology adopted by Apple will likely be used in the 2012 MacBook Pro upgrade. The drives run faster and cooler and are ideal for ultra-thin MacBook air -type models.

Although Apple has not officially revealed any information about the next MacBook pro upgrade, it is expected to be redesigned significantly to exhibit a lighter and thinner exterior with Intel's Core i5 and Core i7 Ivy Bridge chipset. Simplicity has always been the principal behind Steve Jobs' vision for Apple.

Ultra-thin laptops were the pinnacle of Steve Jobs' vision in 2008, when he revealed the MacBook Air. It was a feature he envisioned for future MacBook laptops and one that is expected to show in the up-coming release of the revamped Macbook pro and future MacBook computers.

Here are five things MacBook Pro fans want to see in the new version of the laptop:

Thinner Design: Since the release of the ultra-thin and light MacBook Air, MacBook Pro users have complained the case of the laptop is comparatively clunky. The current version of the computer weighs 4.5 pounds, which is almost double the weight of the Air. A potential re-designed MacBook pro is expected to come with a lighter case that is slightly thicker than the MacBook Air, but considerably lighter than the current MacBook Pro.

Retina Display: Since the launch of the new iPad, which came with a revolutionary 2048 x 1536, 3.1 million-pixel Retina Display, Apple fans are eager for MacBook laptops and iMac desktops to include the feature. The MacBook Pro and the iMac are the most likely candidates for the Retina Display as some of its features could compromise the ultra-thin and light qualities of the MacBook Air. A laptop with a Retina Display would also require a bigger battery to cope with the display, which would result in a thicker case, larger than that of the MacBook Air.

Intel Ivy Bridge Processor: Intel's Ivy Bridge is one of the most anticipated and likely features of the new MacBook Pro. The next generation Intel chips will launch on April 23, according to reports obtained by 9to5Mac. Intel's Vice President has revealed that its upcoming Ivy Bridge Processor will be built for Retina Display computers, 9to5Mac reported, which has spurred rumors that the MacBook Pro will be equipped with both the lightning-fast processor and the revolutionary display.

IPad/MacBook Hybrid: While it's highly unlikely, Apple fans have expressed interest in an IPad/ MacBook hybrid, similar to the ASUS Transformer Prime series. Apple gives us a MacBook with a detachable screen that runs like an iPad, Twitter user Apple Likes tweeted. While it's an interesting concept, the hybrid would merge two product sales into one, which is unlikely to happen anytime soon. Especially from Apple, who has always developed all its products separately.

Anti- Glare Screen: In the past, MacBook users have complained about glare on their screens. An anti-glare display will mean that the MacBook can be used under more lighting condition with the distractive highly reflective-glare of the screen.

Release Date

Current release rate rumors are set for June. Several authorized resellers, including Best Buy's online store, are reporting that the 15-inch MacBook Pro is out of stock, which has spurred rumors that the release is fast approaching.

Apple TV went through a similar stock shortage at second party retailers in March, and it was not long after the reports of inventory constraints that Apple launched the new revamped version of Apple TV, alongside the new iPad.

MacBook Pro Perfume

When Apple enthusiasts go to un-box their MacBook Pro, its smell is probably the last thing they will worry about. But a group of Australian artists have developed a scent in collaboration with Air Aroma for an exhibition. The small has been designed specifically for the un-boxing of the new MacBook Pro, according to NVO News. A few months ago these young artists approached Air Aroma seeking assistance with creation of a unique fragrance for their upcoming art exhibition. The aroma requested for the project was the scent of an Apple product being opened for the first time, says Alex Cosic of Air Aroma on its official website. It's unlikely the perfume will make it into the boxes of the next generation MacBook Pro, but you never know; it might feature in future products.