More Claims of Imminent MacBook Pro Refresh as Supply Crunch Hits Apple's Stores

[aznguyen316]

You're citing two sites that have very ****** track records, they predicted oh so many things in the past you can't even count them. In Italy they have large readership but they're mostly considered garbage blogs (in the sense that they publish EVERYTHING)

The best part of it all? Here it is: "The first report [Google translation] from Italian site iSpazio claims that it has received word from an Apple employee that Apple is preparing to launch five new MacBook Pro models"

From the post about the confession of an Apple Store Employee you published earlier today:

" Apple retail store employees know nothing about future product releases, and find out about them only as they are publicly announced. Speculating about future products is severely frowned upon, particularly in the presence of customers."

not to say you don't have any truth to what you say, but Apple Store Employee, you know those guys in blue t-shirts, may not be the same as an Apple employee, say anyone from their production line people, to engineering to whatever. I wouldn't link those two together so quickly.

I'm excited though as more rumors usually means some validity to things and let's hope new MBP are coming very soon, much rather than later.

 

[KingYaba]

Still using Core 2 Duo? Why not an i3?

 

[Yebubbleman]

MacBook Pro shipping estimates lengthening in Malaysia
A new series of claims are continuing to point to tightening supplies and an upcoming refresh of Apple's MacBook Pro line, possibly as early as late next week.

The first report [Google translation] from Italian site iSpazio claims that it has received word from an Apple employee that Apple is preparing to launch five new MacBook Pro models carrying order numbers MC720, MC721, MC723, MC724, and MC725. The five new models will reportedly span all three current MacBook Pro sizes of 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch. The new models are also said to be making their way to Apple Italy over the next few days in preparation of a launch "towards the end of this month".

Apple currently offers six standard configurations of the MacBook Pro, with two 13-inch models, three 15-inch models, and a single 17-inch model. It is unclear where a reduction to five total models would be made, although the most reasonable bet might for the 15-inch size to see a drop to only two standard configurations.

Remarkably similar information is being offered [Google translation] by another Italian site, Slide to Mac, causing us to wonder whether the same source claiming to be with Apple Italy has provided information to both sites. This second report's details include claims that Apple's schedule calls for a release on Thursday or Friday of next week and that the update will not simply be essentially a spec bump of the existing models.

Finally, we've been watching supplies of existing MacBook Pro models tighten over the past month, particularly through third-party retailers, but according to Apple Bitch, the squeeze has begun to hit some of Apple's own farther-flung retail distribution points in Asia.A current survey of some of Apple's online stores in Asia does show shipping estimates bouncing around over the past few days, with many standard configurations showing estimates of 2-4 or 3-5 business days where availability had just recently been pegged at "within 24 hours". Apple's North American and European stores are still showing immediate turnarounds on new orders.

Article Link: More Claims of Imminent MacBook Pro Refresh as Supply Crunch Hits Apple's Stores

If I had to take a stab, I'd say that the five models will break down into either (a) three 15", one 17", and the higher end current 13" drops down to the price point of the lower-end current 13" which will be discontinued, (b) three 15", two 17", and either no change to the 13" models (i.e. they aren't updated), (c) three 15", two 17", and the 13" Pro gets discontinued, or (d) three 15", one 17", and the 13" Pro gets replaced by a single aluminum "MacBook" at the pricepoint of the current Mid 2010 2.4GHz 13" MacBook Pro. If I had to bank on any of those, I'd say that (a) and (d) are probably most likely of those four, but we shall see...

 

[aznguyen316]

Still using Core 2 Duo? Why not an i3?

this guy just looked at the image and didn't bother to read.

 

[QCassidy352]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

When apple's own ship times start to slip, you know it's soon. The only possible reason that might not be true in this case is maybe they slowed production of the current line before they knew about the problem with intel's chips - but I'd still guess next week.

 

[darknite38]

WOW! MacBook Pro stocks dwindling down in Malaysia? This must mean that a refresh is imminent!

 

[davmcn]

I've wanted one of these for a while now. But since I got a free Macbook from a friend... I'm going to wait till the " Back to school sale " comes back, and get a free iPod Touch at the same time hopefully.

 

[devilcm3]

If I had to take a stab, I'd say that the five models will break down into either (a) three 15", one 17", and the higher end current 13" drops down to the price point of the lower-end current 13" which will be discontinued, (b) three 15", two 17", and either no change to the 13" models (i.e. they aren't updated), (c) three 15", two 17", and the 13" Pro gets discontinued, or (d) three 15", one 17", and the 13" Pro gets replaced by a single aluminum "MacBook" at the pricepoint of the current Mid 2010 2.4GHz 13" MacBook Pro. If I had to bank on any of those, I'd say that (a) and (d) are probably most likely of those four, but we shall see...

they are not going to drop 13" , its one of their best selling . what the heck are you thinking?

 

[kryptonitejesus]

anyone know how the return policy is for BTO? i just got mine like a week ago

 

[beebler]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Mobile/8C148a)

the update will not simply be essentially a spec bump of the existing models.

interesting. hope the thin/black/liquidmetal leak was true.

Sorry but this is just primarily a refresh.

The redesign is the next one. It'll be Air-like but powerful and with a really good screen. I have a good source.

 

[devilcm3]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Mobile/8C148a)



Sorry but this is just primarily a refresh.

The redesign is the next one. It'll be Air-like but powerful and with a really good screen. I have a good source.

i have a good source too , next refresh would be a redesign , colourful macs , quad core in 13" , allyouwantinside a macbook

 

[Yebubbleman]

they are not going to drop 13" , its one of their best selling . what the heck are you thinking?

(To everyone who has already heard my reasoning on this a thousand times and responded to it with either agreement or an educated argument to the contrary, I'm sorry that I'll be repeating it again here.)

Fact: The 13" MacBook Pro (at the low end) and the white MacBook share the same logic board design save for the SD card and the FireWire port. The two have more similarities than they have any business having.

Fact: There are no current numbers to support that the 13" Pro has maintained "best selling computer status" universally (i.e. every retailer and every region).

Fact: The 13" Pro isn't a "Pro" machine, at least not when compared to even the lowest-of-the-line 15" MacBook Pro.

Given that, I'd say that at the very least, a merging of the "MacBook" and "13" MacBook Pro" into one machine isn't far fetched, provided the education market is still allowed the option of a polycarbonate enclosure. It was a stupid marketing decision to brand the machine "MacBook Pro", one that has been criticized in most Mac publications. And I wouldn't put it past Apple to silently undo it. They've made similar moves in the recent past.

 

[jamesryanbell]

Agreed on all points.

 

[Funkymonk]

Hope they discontinue the white ones. I don't know why but I want them gone

 

[QCassidy352]

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I agree that it makes sense to combine the MacBook and pro lines (i.e. Cut the white one and drop the low end price on the 13" mbp to $1k). That or make them meaningfully different in some way.

 

[Fraaaa]

(To everyone who has already heard my reasoning on this a thousand times and responded to it with either agreement or an educated argument to the contrary, I'm sorry that I'll be repeating it again here.)

Fact: The 13" MacBook Pro (at the low end) and the white MacBook share the same logic board design save for the SD card and the FireWire port. The two have more similarities than they have any business having.

Fact: There are no current numbers to support that the 13" Pro has maintained "best selling computer status" universally (i.e. every retailer and every region).

Fact: The 13" Pro isn't a "Pro" machine, at least not when compared to even the lowest-of-the-line 15" MacBook Pro.

Given that, I'd say that at the very least, a merging of the "MacBook" and "13" MacBook Pro" into one machine isn't far fetched, provided the education market is still allowed the option of a polycarbonate enclosure. It was a stupid marketing decision to brand the machine "MacBook Pro", one that has been criticized in most Mac publications. And I wouldn't put it past Apple to silently undo it. They've made similar moves in the recent past.

Sorry but these statements are rubbish.

There is no merging between the MacBook to the MacBook Pro, for the reason that there wont be any merging with the MacBook to the MacBook Air, which has as likelt to happen as well according to your logic.

If there is no MacBook, than "Pro" in MacBook Pro has no reason of existing; there would be only MacBook. You guys are obsessed that Pro HAS to be some kind of level of Professional standard which in fact is not, is just a name to differentiate a product line.

The Pro line has different feature, starting with the aluminium unibody, the RAM capability up to 8GB, different connectivity(firewire), more than one CPU to choose from and different size and types of storage. JUST. DIFFERENT. FEATURES.

There is the MacBook as plain as possible, there is the ultraportable Air and there are the Pro.

Stop moaning about that already.

 

[omenatarhuri]

(To everyone who has already heard my reasoning on this a thousand times and responded to it with either agreement or an educated argument to the contrary, I'm sorry that I'll be repeating it again here.)

Fact: The 13" MacBook Pro (at the low end) and the white MacBook share the same logic board design save for the SD card and the FireWire port. The two have more similarities than they have any business having.

Fact: There are no current numbers to support that the 13" Pro has maintained "best selling computer status" universally (i.e. every retailer and every region).

Fact: The 13" Pro isn't a "Pro" machine, at least not when compared to even the lowest-of-the-line 15" MacBook Pro.

Given that, I'd say that at the very least, a merging of the "MacBook" and "13" MacBook Pro" into one machine isn't far fetched, provided the education market is still allowed the option of a polycarbonate enclosure. It was a stupid marketing decision to brand the machine "MacBook Pro", one that has been criticized in most Mac publications. And I wouldn't put it past Apple to silently undo it. They've made similar moves in the recent past.

No, Apple already had the machine branded Macbook and after a while they changed to Macbook Pro to make it more clear. Why on earth would they redo their undoing?

On another note, I hope they release these machines on next tuesday! I am ready to go for it. I think I'll even throw in some BTO just for the fun of it.

 

[MacbookSwitcher]

Stocks also down in Japan. 2-4 working days for the 13" Macbook Pro.

15" are still in stock for the time being.

Not a moment too soon, since my keyboard and trackpad no longer work on my Macbook Pro

 

[blue22]

30 day exchange policy & 14 day return policy

My Cousin is gonna be so mad !! He just bought a 13" MBP on impulse last week... had been contemplating the purchase for a while, and decided to pull the trigger.... Think long, and you think wrong I guess !! Bummer

I just bought a new MBP on 2/11. I have two weeks to return it. They better at least announce a new one by then or else I won't know what to do...

Just FYI: it's an unwritten policy (i.e. you won't find it listed on Apple's website) but if you buy a new Mac (online or in-store, doesn't matter) and within 30 days days of your purchase Apple releases an updated/refreshed system of a similar model you can bring back your recent (now "previous" generation) Mac to the the Apple store (provided you have all the original packaging) and exchange it for the newer model and just pay the difference for the new model (or in rare cases get money back if the newer model is less expensive) in the Apple store. The policy details varies from store to store, but if you're within this thirty day period, it's 98.7% likely they'll help you out on this end. But call your local store(s) ahead of time just to be sure.

There is a 14 day cool off period . take it back!!

Yes, you can return your purchase for whatever reason within 14 days of the original sale, with no re-stocking fee and practically zero questions asked. After this time-frame you're stuck with the item. The only way to circumvent this if the above 30 day exchange window period applies to your recent purchase.

 

[Adidas Addict]

Sorry but these statements are rubbish.

There is no merging between the MacBook to the MacBook Pro, for the reason that there wont be any merging with the MacBook to the MacBook Air, which has as likelt to happen as well according to your logic.

If there is no MacBook, than "Pro" in MacBook Pro has no reason of existing; there would be only MacBook. You guys are obsessed that Pro HAS to be some kind of level of Professional standard which in fact is not, is just a name to differentiate a product line.

The Pro line has different feature, starting with the aluminium unibody, the RAM capability up to 8GB, different connectivity(firewire), more than one CPU to choose from and different size and types of storage. JUST. DIFFERENT. FEATURES.

There is the MacBook as plain as possible, there is the ultraportable Air and there are the Pro.

Stop moaning about that already.

Yeah, what he said.

 

[slice4life]

anyone know how the return policy is for BTO? i just got mine like a week ago

I think its 14 days

 

[Tconroy135]

(To everyone who has already heard my reasoning on this a thousand times and responded to it with either agreement or an educated argument to the contrary, I'm sorry that I'll be repeating it again here.)

Fact: The 13" MacBook Pro (at the low end) and the white MacBook share the same logic board design save for the SD card and the FireWire port. The two have more similarities than they have any business having.

Fact: There are no current numbers to support that the 13" Pro has maintained "best selling computer status" universally (i.e. every retailer and every region).

Fact: The 13" Pro isn't a "Pro" machine, at least not when compared to even the lowest-of-the-line 15" MacBook Pro.

Given that, I'd say that at the very least, a merging of the "MacBook" and "13" MacBook Pro" into one machine isn't far fetched, provided the education market is still allowed the option of a polycarbonate enclosure. It was a stupid marketing decision to brand the machine "MacBook Pro", one that has been criticized in most Mac publications. And I wouldn't put it past Apple to silently undo it. They've made similar moves in the recent past.

This is one of the stupidest comments I have every read(one of because of course the internet is full of idiots).

Labeling the High-End Macbook a 13" Macbook Pro has undoubtedly increased sales of Apples overall mobile computing division.

Just because you want to feel special and not have people who only spend ~$1k having a model designated Pro is related to your personal issues alone.

People seem to forget Apple is in the money making business, why do you think the are still selling their current stock and not just releasing the refresh.

 

[blue22]

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When apple's own ship times start to slip, you know it's soon. The only possible reason that might not be true in this case is maybe they slowed production of the current line before they knew about the problem with intel's chips - but I'd still guess next week.

Hmmm, that's very plausible... still, I think they will announce the new MBP's within the next couple of weeks based recent leaks/reports/rumors.

And at this point my only real question/concern with this refresh revolves around whether the first wave of the available Sandy Bridge based MBP systems will suffer from stability & performance issues due to the Cougar Point chipset error that was announce a few weeks back, and subsequently this makes me hesitant to bite on the first wave of these upcoming MBP's, even though I desperately need a new "pro" laptop.

 

[murdercitydevil]

So many rumours/reports as of recent, can see it happening sooner than later.

If only you knew how many times such phrases were uttered during the wait for Arrandale. still, I think this time we may be right about the release date.

 

[IT-Pro]

Even more proof the refresh is imminent:

Apple gearing up for major product launch as early as next week - sources

With inventory of its existing MacBook Pro notebooks becoming increasingly constrained with each passing day, Apple may be evaluating the possibility of launching revised models before month's end, AppleInsider has learned.

People familiar with the matter say the Cupertino-based company late this week began briefing several of its operating segments to be on stand-by for a significant product launch that could come as early as next week. Those same people were not yet made privy to the specifics of the launch, however, which had earlier been anticipated for the following week.

source: AppleInsider