AppleInsider is reporting that  “13-inch portable are presently undergoing an industrial design overhaul that will see them reemerge in the coming months with a slimmer, lighter enclosure and restructured internal architecture to boot.” The refresh is meant to solidify white MacBook as the base of Apple’s notebook offerings.

AppleInsider believes that Apple will offer the redesigned MacBooks at considerable discount to the $999 entry-level model that exists today.  Apple will achieve this price point by using lower-end components and previous-generation Core 2 Duo chips. Battery life will receive a boost by using the same technology found on MacBook Pro lineup.

If the new MacBook are offered for around $800, they will become a very compelling alternative to underpowered CULV notebooks that will be sold by other PC manufacturers.  Apple definitely needs to add a sub-$800 laptop model to its lineup to better compete in sub-$1000 category.