New MacBook Pro Part Numbers Suggest Updated Models Coming Soon

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All current MacBook Pro models are constrained according to 9to5Mac, with the site claiming new part numbers have appeared in Apple's inventory system for all three MacBook Pro sizes: 13", 15" and 17". It was reported last month that Apple could be planning to bump processor speeds across the MacBook Pro line.

Earlier this year, MacRumors reported that a full redesign of the MacBook Pro line was forthcoming, although that was not expected until the debut of Intel's Ivy Bridge next year. Conversely, Ticonderoga's Brian White wrote in a research note last week that he believes "a new MacBook Pro will be launched over the next few weeks that will be lighter and thinner than its predecessor with the benefit of dropping the [optical disk drive]."

However, it's seems unlikely that this is the major update that we and Ticonderoga heard about. 9to5Mac claims the "new internal code names for the updated MacBook Pro line are K90IA (13 inch), K91A (15 inch), and K92A (17 inch)." The A designation suggests a minor update rather than a full-scale redesign.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro

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Top Rated Comments

chrmjenkins Avatar
181 months ago
Ivy Bridge promises dramatic increases in battery life, making it a good time for a redesign.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SuprUsrStan Avatar
181 months ago
Well, update or not, the one we're really waiting for is H1 2012. Ivy Bridge and redesign.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WestonHarvey1 Avatar
181 months ago
I personally think that an ultra thin 15 and 17 inch laptop wouldn't feel right. I have a 2011 13 inch macbook pro and my friend has a 2011 13 inch macbook air and I much prefer mine because it feels like a more solid piece of hardware. I think if they make 15 and 17 inch macbook pros too big they won't feel like the amazing power horses that they are.

So they should be bulky and heavy for no reason other than to make them "feel" powerful?

No thanks.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oiuh151 Avatar
181 months ago
Only differences we'll see:
Bluetooth 4.0
Small clock speed bump on CPU
Maybe larger or faster hard-drives as default, doubt it though.


Well, update or not, the one we're really waiting for is H1 2012. Ivy Bridge and redesign.
If this refresh rumor comes true I doubt we'll see the Ivy Bridge MBP's until Q2 2012 at the earliest.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arkmannj Avatar
181 months ago
Optical vs. non optical fight... go

My thought is that they should start including the external drive for any machine sold without an optical drive.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hcho3 Avatar
181 months ago
Just spec updates and they will call it a day.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)