When we last heard about the MacBook from something other than a patent application, the rumors involved the mysterious "MacBook thin," which was said to be arriving sometime in November as part of the traditional product cycle. And now that we're getting closer to November, we're hearing more about upcoming MacBooks, although the news is from a somewhat unlikely source: Leopard. Numerous reports, including one from MacRumors, have pointed out that drivers for Intel's GMA X3100 integrated graphics processor have been found in Leopard, leading to speculation about an imminent MacBook release.
Only the MacBook currently uses an integrated graphics processor, so the MacBook is the most likely candidate for the X3100. This would also mean an upgrade to the Santa Rosa platform. It's unclear what else may be changing on the upcoming MacBooks, but a "thin" profile, aluminum cases, LED backlit-displays, and a multi-touch trackpad have all been rumored, so take your pick. Personally, I don't know exactly where the next upgrade will fall; Apple may want to save brand new MacBooks for January, but a sexy new laptop would also be a big holiday seller.
New rumors are apparently placing an announcement as early as tomorrow, although announcing a new MacBook so close to the Leopard release might draw some ire from anyone who just bought a copy over the weekend. Then again, Steve Jobs is never one to shy away from a backlash.
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