Apple is expected to launch Mac Pro and MacBook Air models along with OS X Lion on Thursday, July 14.

9to5Mac reported that they’ve got confirmation from several Apple retail employees that Apple Retail stores are planning ‘overnights’ on July 13th. Generally, overnights are held before new products are released to train members of each store to reorganize product displays and window signage at night, or perform any necessary tasks to facilitate a particular product launch.

Apple will release 4 new MacBook Air models, including two 11-inch and two 13-inch sizes, the report said.

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Though no cosmetic changes are expected in this update, Apple is rumored to equip and ship the upgraded devices with the powerful Intel Sand Bridge CPU processor, OS X Lion, and Thunderbolt. The Intel's Sandy Bridge have already been at work offering their Core i5 with 3.3 GHz up to its Core i7 Extreme with 3.7 GHz in PC computers.

The new MacBook Air models are:

Other systems are rumored to be arriving soon afterwards or even at the same time, such as white MacBooks as well as Mac minis and Mac Pros, according to electronista.

Apple formally invited developers to start submitting applications for Mac OS X Lion on Monday, indicating the arrival of Lion. The fact that Lion has constantly been marketed alongside the MacBook Air makes the double release likely.

Meanwhile, Apple reportedly called a halt to the MacBook Air launch until Lion was in full motion. According to Philip Schiller, Apple senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, OSX Lion will push the limits of Apple's OS development.

The best version of OS X yet, Lion is packed with innovative features such as new Multi-Touch gestures, system-wide support for full screen apps, and Mission Control for instantly accessing everything running on your Mac, said Schiller.

In addition, Apple hopes to integrate high speed data transfer and high resolution display through I/O Thunderbolt ports into the upcoming devices. The addition of Thunderbolt can enhance the high speed technologies enabling compatibility with USB 3.0, firewire, and eSATA.

Thunderbolt has already been integrated into Apple's current MacBook Pro and iMac, showcasing its strengths using Final Cut Pro. It may be an option for Apple to use Final Cut Pro to demonstrate Thunderbolt's enhanced capabilities on the new Mac Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac Mini.

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