Just yesterday, 9to5Mac claimed that a debut of updated MacBook Pro models was "likely" to occur next week, offering a minor speed bump refresh to carry the line through until the launch of Intel's Ivy Bridge platform next year. AppleInsider now reports, however, that the MacBook Pro launch will likely not occur until "early next month".
[One source] said that the notebooks' planned introduction in late September was put on the back burner once the release dates for iOS 5.0 and iPhone 4S were solidified, as Apple pooled all available resources to support the launch -- the largest and most rapid yet in the Cupertino-based company's history.
Since then, the launch date for the Late 2011 MacBook Pros has reportedly been a moving target. However, a second person with proven accuracy in predicting Apple's product launch dates says the Mac maker is now advising its partners not to expect availability of the new models until the first week of November.
The reason for the continued fluidity in launch timing is unknown, although Apple's primary MacBook Pro and MacBook Air aluminum case supplier, Catcher Technology, has been forced to temporarily shut down its factory over over pollution concerns. Digitimes reported today that Catcher is investing $2-3 million to address concerns at the plant, aiming to resume production next month.
Apple has reportedly already ramped down production of its current MacBook Pro models, a situation that will likely lead to increasingly tight supplies heading into the refresh. Third-party resellers are already experiencing shortages and stock-outs of the MacBook Pro, although it is unclear if the shortages will also spread back to Apple's own channels, which understandably maintain highest priority for distribution.
Top Rated Comments
Early 2011
-17" 1920x1200 Display. 2.2Ghz Quad i7. 4GB RAM. 750GB HD. AMD 6750M 1GB. $2499
-15" 1440x900 (1680 option) Display. 2.2GHz Quad i7. 750GB HD. AMD 6750M 1GB. $2199.
-15" 1440x900 (1680 option) Display. 2.0GHz Quad i7. 4GB RAM. 500GB HD. AMD 6490M 256MB. $1799
-13" 1280x800 Display. 2.7GHz Dual i7. 4GB RAM. 500GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. $1499
-13" 1280x800 Display. 2.3GHz Dual i5. 4GB RAM. 320GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. $1199
Late 2011
-17" 1920x1200 Display. 2.4Ghz Quad i7. 4GB RAM. 750GB HD. AMD 6770M 1GB. $2499
-15" 1440x900 (1680 option) Display. 2.4GHz Quad i7. 750GB HD. AMD 6770M 1GB. $2199.
-15" 1440x900 (1680 option) Display. 2.2GHz Quad i7. 4GB RAM. 500GB HD. AMD 6750M 512MB. $1799
-13" 1280x800 Display. 2.8GHz Dual i7. 4GB RAM. 750GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. $1499
-13" 1280x800 Display. 2.4GHz Dual i5. 4GB RAM. 500GB HD. Intel HD Graphics. $1199
Wait until Ivy Bridge... it will be worth the wait.
I would hate to be in a position waiting to buy a new MacBook Pro; it would feel like torture!
Well until it actually appears on the market, mine from earlier this year is still the new one!