Apple's MacBook Pro ship times slip to 3-5 days ahead of refresh
On Sunday, reports emerged that Apple had issued strict warnings to dealers not to open sealed pallet shipments that could arrive as early as Monday.
Further evidence that the secretive shipments could contain a significant update to Apple's MacBook Pros came late Sunday when the Mac maker began delaying shipping times for online U.S. orders of the notebooks from the usual 24 hour window to an estimate of three to five business days. Apple usually reserves this kind of across-the-board shipping delay for imminent new product releases.
Placeholder SKUs for new Apple-branded computers discovered Sunday in the Best Buy inventory system appeared to further corroborate the pending upgrade. Five models were listed on the electronics reseller's Laptop Configuration tool ranging in price from $1,199 to $2,499.
Last week, AppleInsider exclusively reported that sources indicated a major product launch from Apple could come as early as next week, even as inventory of existing MacBook Pros has dwindled in recent weeks.
AppleInsider has also been told that overhauled MacBook Pros are already in production and are expected to begin shipping in early March. Separate reports have independently suggested a March 1 launch date for the new notebooks.
Apple's upgraded professional notebooks are expected to make the jump to Intel's Sandy Bridge architecture and could also include subtle changes to the chassis design. According to one recent report, Apple may even roll out Intel's new high-speed optical connector technology, dubbed Light Peak, with the new MacBook Pros.
For more on the expected launch of a new MacBook Pro lineup, see AppleInsider's MacBook Pro information archive.
28 Comments
Hmmm, no press event announcement, so likely no major changes? I wonder if the ipad update won't have a press event also? Perhaps the next press event won't be until the WWDC in June? I miss 'Steve Jobs theatre'.
Hmmm, no press event announcement, so likely no major changes? I wonder if the ipad update won't have a press event also? Perhaps the next press event won't be until the WWDC in June? I miss 'Steve Jobs theatre'.
Well, they did several MBP updates without having a special announcements. They only had events for switching to aluminum unibody, then the 17" update with built-in battery, then the SD card slot + 13". We don't see special announcements on processor upgrades and what not (eg. switching from Core 2 Duo to Core i). Since this update is probably just getting an upgrade to Sandy bridge, I don't expect a special event.
where are all the rumours? apple are loading warehouses with new product and there aren't 1001 articles on what it all means? is everyone on holiday or something!
I believe a press conference would be required for any ground-breaking technology integration. This would include Lightpeak or Liquidmetal.
I don't believe a conference would be necessary for a cosmetic redesign, even in the vain of the Macbook Air, because the new body design was already released in a press conference last year.
Therefore, IMO, we'll be getting:
Redesigned chassis
Dropped ODD,
Sandy Bridge (obviously)
Better graphics
Longer battery life
I think blade flash storage in the professional line is a long shot at this point, but SSD options will be expanded. And unless Apple does some sort of last minute online-only press conference, I'm don't THINK we'll see Lightpeak or Liquidmetal.
I'm betting the new Dedicated GPU will be....AMD Radeon HD 6750M. Hoping that the power savings offered by Sandy Bridge will allow a few more watts for the GPU.