Leaked M4 MacBook Pro Appears for Sale on Russian Classifieds Site

[MacRumors]

In a continuation of the latest unprecedented leak, Apple's yet-to-be-announced M4 MacBook Pro has reportedly surfaced on Avito, a popular Russian classified ads website. The development follows recent videos from Russian YouTube channels showcasing what appears to be the unreleased laptop model.

According to reports on social media, the listing on Avito advertised a 14-inch MacBook Pro featuring the next-generation M4 chip. The device was supposedly configured with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and offered in a new Space Black finish – a color currently exclusive to the M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro models. The asking price was said to be around 720,000 rubles (approximately $7,500), which is significantly higher than current MacBook Pro models.

Notably, it appears that multiple units of the unreleased MacBook Pro were offered for sale, suggesting a batch was stolen from a Chinese warehouse and somehow made it into Russia. The listing reportedly included a note stating that the price changes daily and buyers should confirm before purchase. However, as of now, these listings have been removed from the platform, which prohibits the sale of "nonexistent" products.

The latest leak comes on the heels of unboxing videos shared by Russian YouTube channels over the weekend. These videos purportedly show the upcoming MacBook Pro, revealing potential upgrades such as three Thunderbolt 4 ports for the base model (up from two previous-generation TB3 ports) and 16GB of RAM as the new minimum memory configuration.

While the authenticity of these leaks remains unconfirmed, they do line up with recent rumors about Apple's plans for its Mac lineup. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested that Apple may introduce M4-powered Macs as soon as the end of October, with a potential release date of November 1.

If genuine, this leak represents a significant breach in Apple's typically stringent security measures. The last time Apple faced a leak of this magnitude was in 2010 when an iPhone 4 prototype was accidentally left at a bar in California.

Apple has not commented on these leaks, and it remains unclear how the company will respond to this apparent breach. As always, potential buyers should approach unofficial listings with caution, especially for unannounced products.

Article Link: Leaked M4 MacBook Pro Appears for Sale on Russian Classifieds Site

 

[Dan08]

I’m sure that Apple is conducting their own investigations on the DL

 

[Macusercom]

I really wonder where this MacBook Pro is coming from. It is the biggest leak since the iPhone 4. Unfortunately, the M4 MacBook Pro is just a minor bump so nothing earth shattering compared to the iPhone 4. This is the biggest most underwhelming leak in history I guess

 

[iMatt.]

Just ordered mine!

 

[AllenHenry]

I think the amount of attention given to this alleged leak is irresponsible, even for a rumor site. The packaging is last year’s box, an obvious red flag. How do we know this isn’t the same Russian, seeking to profit - likely fraudulently, definitely illegally - from the rumor cycle he just generated? What’s to stop others from attempting to do the same in the future?

 

[F23]

Maybe no event just a press release now

 

[Smartuser]

What kind of idiot would buy this at ~5x what it'll cost in a month and with a serial number that's sure to be blacklisted by Apple for any use but as a paperweight? (Looks like the serial is shown on the back of the package with the bar code visible.)

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Marginal 20% spec bump. People acting like something important is happening.

Meanwhile, where's our 30" iMac Pro with pro-speaker/hub design (pipe dream; I know)

 

[anakin44011]

What kind of idiot would buy this at ~5x what it'll cost in a month and with a serial number that's sure to be blacklisted by Apple for any use but as a paperweight? (Looks like the serial is shown on the back of the package with the bar code visible.)

Good point...I just cancelled my order (although the "idiot" accusation hurt a little bit...I'll now require some therapy).

Nevertheless, I just heard from a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who mis-read a rumors website that the M4 base model is 5x faster than my M2 Max...so I just thought the asking price was quite reasonable.

 

[Seoras]

There's now 3 CPU (Single & Multi core) results on Geekbench.
In addition to 2 GPU scores which are just as impressive for the entry level M4 putting it close to the M3 Pro.

 

[pksv]

What kind of idiot would buy this at ~5x what it'll cost in a month and with a serial number that's sure to be blacklisted by Apple for any use but as a paperweight? (Looks like the serial is shown on the back of the package with the bar code visible.)

Youtuber

 

[pksv]

I think the amount of attention given to this alleged leak is irresponsible, even for a rumor site. The packaging is last year’s box, an obvious red flag. How do we know this isn’t the same Russian, seeking to profit - likely fraudulently, definitely illegally - from the rumor cycle he just generated? What’s to stop others from attempting to do the same in the future?

Leak is real, Geekbench scores are there.

 

[pksv]

Wondering why Apple is not locking those devices. Afraid of Streisand effect?

 

[krell100]

There's now 3 CPU (Single & Multi core) results on Geekbench.
In addition to 2 GPU scores which are just as impressive for the entry level M4 putting it close to the M3 Pro.

Interesting the big difference between the first and third test, 3864 - 3582. Seems off.

 

[Newgoblin49]

I think the amount of attention given to this alleged leak is irresponsible, even for a rumor site. The packaging is last year’s box, an obvious red flag. How do we know this isn’t the same Russian, seeking to profit - likely fraudulently, definitely illegally - from the rumor cycle he just generated? What’s to stop others from attempting to do the same in the future?

The geek bench scores would say otherwise lol

 

[t0rqx]

I have a friend who works for a warehouse that partners with Apple and they will receive these units next week. So i believe this is true, but comparing this to the iPhone 4 breach?

Better report about the microscratches on all the screens of all M-series units pointing out the poor QC would give you more buzz.

 

[Kissmo1980]

I am pretty sure Apple is happy to be associated with Russia right now in this context.

 

[adrianlondon]

The packaging is last year’s box, an obvious red flag.

If I were to sneak a few hundred newly-built Macbooks out of a factory in China with inside help, putting them in old boxes would be a good way to do it.

 

[Kylo83]

I don’t think it matters. It’s not a design change so it’s just the same Mac with a new chip.

 

[stocklen]

Don't care much about the leak as its not some groundbreaking surprise release...

.. I mean we are all expecting M4 MacBook Pros to be released soon. No big spoiler or revelation here.

However.... the question remains how they got hold of sealed retail units this early... I can only guess they have been stolen?

I know they are untouchable over there but flaunting stolen goods?

Surely the only other way to get hold of this is to be a bona fide reviewer who has received their review unit ahead of time and decided to break the embargo.

 

[Steve121178]

I think the amount of attention given to this alleged leak is irresponsible, even for a rumor site. The packaging is last year’s box, an obvious red flag. How do we know this isn’t the same Russian, seeking to profit - likely fraudulently, definitely illegally - from the rumor cycle he just generated? What’s to stop others from attempting to do the same in the future?

Have you watched the video? It’s legit. It even had the additional thunderbolt port on the right hand side and the live benchmarks show it’s an M4.

Apparently 200 were stolen so I presume a pallet fell off the back of a truck in China.

 

[Evagoras2001]

Leak is real, Geekbench scores are there.

Geekbench benchmarks are surfaced every year. No one can really tell whether that’s the one in the video.

 

[pksv]

I am pretty sure Apple is happy to be associated with Russia right now in this context.

This is a huge stretch. If someone robs you, does that mean you are associated with him?

 

[NewUsername]

So much hype for this year’s spec bump!

 

[laptech]

If this is genuine then it is clearly a stolen item because for one thing, the massive list of sanctions against Russia due to Ukraine would prevent Apple from selling it's products in Russia.

As for where it could have come from, Apple would have produced a few hundred at least for PR and marketing purposes. Advertising companies around the world would have been given one so they can make TV and magazine adverts. Tech magazines around the world would have been given one so they can review it and have the written review ready to go when the product is released. These marketing macbooks would then be required to be returned to Apple to be repurposed. This website has proven that stuff Apple said was to be destroyed tends not to get destroyed because we see threads of prototypes or 'not for resale' appear in this site. Is it the case here maybe? the company tasked with destroying/repurposing these M4 pro macbooks did not do as they were told OR an employee sneaked one or a couple out so they could sell them? OR has one of the many companies/businesses given one of these M4 Pro's to review/take photo's for advertising not return it with and employee stealing it and now trying to sell it.