Report: New MacBooks, Justifications for Buying Them, in Production

It’s looking more and more like Apple’s next-generation Macbooks will arrive at market in October. In a research note to clients today, Citigroup’s Richard Gardner said channel checks have confirmed that the notebooks are in production.

“Field checks confirm that shipments of new MacBooks have begun, with a sharp production ramp planned for September and an introduction planned for early October,” Gardner wrote. “The most distinctive features of the new MacBook appear to be a very thin aluminum casing, an LED-backlit display and an aggressive entry-level price point.”

Gardner expects Apple (AAPL) to introduce its fall notebook line “within weeks.” October 14, perhaps?