Redesigned MacBook Pro Models May Not Ship to Customers Until Late 2021

[MacRumors]

The long-rumored and highly anticipated redesigned 16-inch MacBook Pro with Apple silicon will enter its phase of mass production in the first quarter of next year, according to industry sources cited in a paywalled DigiTimes report.

According to the report, the smaller 14-inch MacBook Pro will enter "volume production" in the fourth quarter of this year, while the larger 16-inch model is aimed at the first quarter of next year. However, despite mass production for the laptops starting later in the year and next year, DigiTimes still reports that Apple will announce them in the second half of 2021.

Apple plans to release two miniLED-backlit MacBook Pro products - a 14-inch and a 16-inch - in the second half of 2021, noted the sources.

Judging from the supply of miniLED backlighting applications, volume production of the 14-inch MacBook Pro is likely to begin in the fourth quarter of 2021, and the 16-inch model will start in the first quarter of 2022, said the sources.

The scenario described by DigiTimes is reminiscent of the launch of the new M1 iPad Pro. The new iPad was announced in April but didn't begin shipping until the second half of May. Even then supply continues to remains tight, with some customers having to wait until July.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has previously noted that Apple could be planning to announce the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro as soon as early this summer. Apple will be holding its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 7, and ahead of the conference, some tenuous reports have suggested the MacBook Pros could be announced; however, those claims have yet to be backed up by reliable sources.

Article Link: Redesigned MacBook Pro Models May Not Ship to Customers Until Late 2021

 

[thisisnotmyname]

Wasn't there already a report that the M2/M1X wouldn't start delivery until July? Don't know how people thought they'd get one right after WWDC with that. I could still see an announcement at WWDC but availability will probably be stated as "fall" and be December.

edit to add: this is DigiTimes but maybe they got one right this time

 

[The Clark]

I have to wonder if these will sell out quickly like the PS5 did. If so, will I not be able to score one until 2022? I really hope not.

 

[0-0]

jon prosser still remains confident for a wwdc announcement

 

[arcite]

Just three more days of rumor mongering left.

 

[HeavenDynamic]

In Gurman we trust.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

The report is referring to MiniLED-based laptops, so while the timeline for those might be accurate, Apple could still release non-MiniLED laptops this summer. It would be good to get these out before school starts in the fall.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Just what MR needs; another potential product rumor crisis. Lol

 

[m4mario]

The chances of the new MacBook pro’s being announced at WWDC, are as slim as the new MacBook pros themselves.

 

[obamtl]

I don't believe this report. Whilst Apple won't directly say something, they do a significant amount of expectation management. If no hardware was coming at WWDC, "Mark Gurman" would have said something along those lines to temper expectations.

 

[arvinsim]

No, not this. Anything but this!

 

[NMBob]

Maybe only developers will be able to buy them and then have to send them back and lose their money when Apple starts selling the real thing. Naaa. Apple would never do that.

 

[Armada2]

I’m returned my 12.9 M1 iPad Pro. The reason is that it offers nothing new whatsoever in the user experience. To be clear, the screen is sublime, but besides that, thunderbolt and WiFi 6/5G isn’t valid. At least not yet and marginal.

Admit it you only returned it because you wanted the wireless charging iPad Pro which comes out next year ?

 

[opeter]

You will see... At the WWDC 2021, they will annonuce some new intel Macs.

 

[m4mario]

I don't believe this report. Whilst Apple won't directly say something, they do a significant amount of expectation management. If no hardware was coming at WWDC, "Mark Gurman" would have said something along those lines to temper expectations.

This is that report that is supposed to temper expectations.

 

[OliOliOliOli]

Just three more days of rumor mongering left.

You still belive in that?
The day after iPhone 12 presentation, they already start with the 13, if they dont write they dont feed us!

 

[ascender]

Wasn't there already a report that the M2/M1X wouldn't start delivery until July? Don't know how people thought they'd get one right after WWDC with that. I could still see an announcement at WWDC but availability will probably be stated as "fall" and be December.

edit to add: this is DigiTimes but maybe they got one right this time

It reads exactly like a similar report from a couple of weeks back, even down to the specific language used.

I guess we will still get an announcement next week, but its where you can order straight after the event or if it will be almost like a "teaser" for something that's coming soon.

 

[alphaswift]

Seems odd that Apple would announce new systems then not start selling them for almost 6 months. That will impact sales and Apple has always been smarter than this. If Apple does not announce new computers next week, I will not be surprised.

 

[Your Royal Highness]

Admit it you only returned it because you wanted the wireless charging iPad Pro which comes out next year ?

You got me. ?

 

[James Godfrey]

I call BS… why announce these machines at WWDC, then not ship til November, they would be better off announcing them in November with immediate shipping…

So to that end I think either:

A: The MBP announced Monday will launch without miniLED with a minor refresh late this year to include miniLED with a $100 price bump

or

B: They will launch without miniLED for faster delivery, but they will have the optional upgrade of miniLED for an extra $100 but those who opt to include miniLED won’t ship until late 2021.

 

[dooyou]

Is this a joke, I'm now supposed to wait until next year for a new 16“ to come out?

 

[indiekiduk]

Apple don’t need “mass production” to start shipping

 

[Freeangel1]

WOW! gotta wait until Jan of next year to order a 16" MacBook Pro M1 Fixed.

Gives Intel Plenty of time to come out with a smoking fast chip!

 

[ian87w]

Meh. I’ll just wait for more AMD laptops coming out later this year. I’m sure there will be some issues with these first gen Apple MacBook Pros.

 

[ian87w]

I call BS… why announce these machines at WWDC, then not ship til November, they would be better off announcing them in November with immediate shipping…

So to that end I think either:

A: The MBP announced Monday will launch without miniLED with a minor refresh late this year to include miniLED with a $100 price bump

or

B: They will launch without miniLED for faster delivery, but they will have the optional upgrade of miniLED for an extra $100 but those who opt to include miniLED won’t ship until late 2021.

Yeah, it doesn’t sound like Apple to have such a large gap in announcement and shipping date. However, it could be that the chip shortage is affecting production more than they thought. Still, it’s not good marketing to have such delay. You’ll be losing the momentum of hype. Better save the announcement at October or November like usual.