Rumor: New MacBook Pro case design coming

A new rumor pegs Apple as preparing a new MacBook Pro case design to replace the current unibody aluminum case. The new case design should be present on the next revision of the MacBook Pro, which just saw an update back in February. According to the sources of the rumor, the early 2011 MacBook Pro update is the last with the current case design.

MacRumors claims that its source is reliably confirming the updated design, first leaked on iLounge just before February's MacBook Pro update.

As noted by MacRumors, the unibody design currently used for MacBook Pro models was first introduced in late 2008, changing the classic MacBook Pro look that had been a holdover from early PowerBook models. No details of what the case design might look like have surfaced, but if the rumor holds, expect to see leaked photos and information shortly.

It is likely that the new design would take cues from iPhones, iPads, and iPods, possibly adding touch-screen capabilities, showing off the soon-to-be-released Mac OS X 7 Lion's touch-friendly desktop operating system features borrowed from iOS.

What's on your short list for new MacBook Pro features? Let me know in the comments!