Apple may be a bit closer to releasing an updated version of the MacBook Pro, as new part numbers and pricing for new MacBook Pro models appeared to be cropping up in assorted inventory systems worldwide this past weekend.

According to AppleInsider, three new Apple-formatted part numbers (MB402LL/A (Good), MB403LL/A (Better), and MB404LL/A (Best)) have appeared in Apple's inventory management systems for both Apple and channel resellers such as Best Buy.

The part numbers, listed for future MacBook Pros models, were included alongside pricing that matches Apple's current offerings at US$1999.00, US$2499.00 and US$2799.00, respectively, for those part numbers.

Apple's upcoming version of the MacBook Pro is expected to raise clock speeds to 2.6 GHz as well as include a multi-touch trackpad similar to the one found on the MacBook Air notebook. The new units are also expected to include a Broadcom touch controller chip, which can offer the same expanded multi-touch capabilities as found on the iPhone and iPod touch handheld devices.

According to sources close to the story, at least one of the MacBook Pro part numbers that found its way into circulation indicate that the new models should be on hand by Friday, February 29th with a formal announcement as early as Tuesday.

Apple is also expected to begin shipping the first of its Time Capsule backup devices this week. The units will be priced at US$299 for the 500 gigabyte model and US$499 for the one terabyte model and will feature AirPort Extreme networking functions as well as allow users to automatically conduct wireless backups from Macs running the Mac OS X 10.5 operating system.

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