Apple Said to Receive 16-Inch MacBook Pro Shipments This Quarter, Launch Timing Remains Unclear

Thursday October 31, 2019 7:34 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
While it is unclear if the widely rumored 16-inch MacBook Pro will launch in 2019 or 2020, the latest report from DigiTimes claims that Apple will begin receiving volume shipments of the notebook in the fourth quarter of this year. Taiwan-based manufacturer Quanta Computer is said to be the key supplier.

The report reiterates that the 16-inch MacBook Pro will have an ultra-thin-bezel design, suggesting the overall size of the notebook might be similar to the existing 15-inch MacBook Pro despite having a larger display.

16-inch MacBook Pro concept by MacRumors

Apple receiving volume shipments of the 16-inch MacBook Pro in the fourth quarter does not necessarily mean the notebook will launch in the fourth quarter. Apple may simply be planning to stockpile the 16-inch MacBook Pro ahead of the U.S. government's proposed 15 percent import tariff on an additional round of Chinese goods, including notebooks, slated to take effect December 15.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo originally said the 16-inch MacBook Pro would launch in the fourth quarter of 2019 with an all-new design, including a scissor switch keyboard. As of late, however, Kuo has more vaguely stated that a "new MacBook model" with a scissor keyboard will launch in mid 2020. It's unclear if the "new MacBook model" that Kuo has referred to more recently is the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Multiple images corresponding to a 16-inch MacBook Pro have been found in macOS Catalina in recent weeks, including one that reveals that Touch ID will likely be separated from the Touch Bar on the notebook.


The leaked Touch Bar design lends credence to the Esc key also being a separate, physical key again, as can be seen when zooming in to the previously leaked 16-inch MacBook Pro icon.


MacRumors has confirmed the location of the Touch Bar image in macOS Catalina. The filename includes "Device16."


DigiTimes previously said the 16-inch MacBook Pro would launch by the end of October, and today is the final day of the month. The site does not have the best track record when it comes to the timing of new Apple products, but its connections within Apple's supply chain are occasionally accurate.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Tag: digitimes.com
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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hawkeye_a
3 weeks ago
2019.... and i'm excited about getting the Esc key and a reliable keyboard.

Rating: 16 Votes
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Howard2k
3 weeks ago


I don’t think Tim needs your supply chain coaching.

First, you don’t know what you’re talking about and second, we don’t even know the facts here.

Tim Cook has demonstrated he’s the best supply chain mind in the world, period.



I'll have you know that every poster on MR is a CEO of a multinational billion dollar conglomerate and we all have significant experience in supply chain management, as well as general company operations, detailed systems analysis, hardware architecture design, and sales strategy thank you very much.

I was personally overseeing Apple's development in my mentor role to Steve Jobs before Tim Cook was even born.
Rating: 15 Votes
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NJRonbo
3 weeks ago
This is an interesting twist.

I'm still staying tuned daily around noon EST for a possible release

Remember, we still have a Mac Pro and Air Tracker launch. We are not done with end-of-year announcements yet.
Rating: 11 Votes
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Aldaris
3 weeks ago
We will likely have information next week.

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Interesting that it is being held in conjunction with Apple (at Apple campus and visitor center on Friday with a meeting with product team). Would be the perfect time to pitch the new wares to pros.
Rating: 9 Votes
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Aldaris
3 weeks ago
Why stockpile? Get them out and not have to pay to store them... c’mon supply line genius...

yeah I really don’t think that they are stockpiling. Here’s hoping for a ‘pro’ press release.
Rating: 8 Votes
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Baymowe335
3 weeks ago


Why stockpile? Get them out and not have to pay to store them... c’mon supply line genius...

yeah I really don’t think that they are stockpiling. Here’s hoping for a ‘pro’ press release.

I don’t think Tim needs your supply chain coaching.

First, you don’t know what you’re talking about and second, we don’t even know the facts here.

Tim Cook has demonstrated he’s the best supply chain mind in the world, period.
Rating: 8 Votes
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cyberdocwi
3 weeks ago


Would you settle for 16.5”? One bonus, it’ll be a couple pounds lighter :)


I am not sure that I would. The 17" had RAM, Hard Disks, and Battery that could be easily removed and replaced. I use my older 17" from time to time (2007), and am considering a used newer one that can handle more RAM. Battery? Two clips and it pops out. RAM? Three screws. Hard Drive? About 15 phillips head screws, standard SATA sizing, and away we go. 2007 unit has a SSD in it.

My work laptop is a 2013 MacBook Pro 15" with the removable hard drive. The battery has lost most of the original capacity, and I am looking at a day where I can pull it all apart and replace the battery. My 17" will be laughing electrons at the 2013, with the insane procedure to unglue a battery from the case.

No way in hell will I get a 2016 - 2019 device. Soldered RAM, soldered hard drive, no Mag Plus?

My next new Mac will likely be a Hackintosh, or a used 2015. Or it may be Linux. And it pisses me off that the eggheads in Cupertino do not consider what folks here desire for hardware. Dongle reduction. Self repair. Magsafe.
Rating: 8 Votes
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Mayo86
3 weeks ago
Wow. Thanks for crediting me on the escape key finding that I sent to you by email the day you guys had the picture posted.
Rating: 7 Votes
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cyberdocwi
3 weeks ago


If you were expecting Mag Safe and removable RAM, hard drives and batteries along with the larger display, you might as well punch out now. That’s a good part of how they’re going to get from 6.6 lbs. to 4.4 lbs. for this 16.5” MBP.

When you’re cutting a third of the weight, something gotta give. Users told Cupertino they wanted (much) lighter laptops, and Apple responded. But it might not be what you want.

If you’re ok with an older machine, a newer-model 17” could be an option. If your ok with Widows, Linux or stealing MacOS, a non-Apple laptop might be the answer.

But if you don’t want a slightly larger version of the current 15.4” MBP (with a non-butterfly keyboard), there’s no point in waiting around for the new 16”. It was never going to be anything other than that, imo.


Hello,

I think you may be right concerning punching out. We have learned to live without the DVD drive (I am in computer support / network administration, so I carry a USB BluRay around for the occasional media), but some of the items such as ethernet dongles or the removal of MagSafe just baffles me (and others).

I don't mind the weight; I thought the light laptops was for the MacBook AIR series of products. No, I am not looking for a luggable, but functionality (ports) are required. External video, ethernet, and USB A are items I use daily. And yes, my nano / emacs utilities make great use of the ESC key. I am surprised that someone hasn't come out with a USB-C escape key. Maybe something the size of the old Apple Hockey Puck mouse with a large ESC key on it. Yes, I am being absurd, but my USB A Apple Keyboard won't work with this machine either, unless I go battery and bluetooth.

Yes I am touching 50 years, and seeking elegant tools like we had yesterday. The current Apple wants the thinnest lightest dongle-me-up elmer-glued disposable design they can produce. Go look at Amazon or Ebay -- older Macs command a price that you don't see in Windows Land. Why? They were solid machines, with the ability to easily repair. Durable. They have value.

Please don't see me as an old fuddy-duddy that gripes about everything. I do like some innovations, like the Apple Watch, and the Sidecar expansion. Those are useful to me. I also like the ability to use a common power supply -- MagSafe 1 or MagSafe 2. Common sense and useful. After 2015, I lost excitement on the Apple Mac product line, and I am not the only one.
Rating: 7 Votes
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CyberBob859
3 weeks ago


They still have AppleTV launching tomorrow, so I can see a possible launch some time in November - December.


Just FYI:

The release date for Mac Pro (trashcan) - December 19, 2013
The release date for iMac Pro - December 13, 2017

Both of these were announced previously, though, and only a press release made the world know it was available for purchase. So, for these machines marketed to actual Pros (with little to no expectation of a holiday sales boost because of their price tag), a December release date with no fanfare is quite possible.

I can see them spend all their energy introducing Apple TV+ with an all-out media blitz and then quietly release Pro related hardware (Mac Pro, 16" MacBook Pro) in December.

As for Airtags - I think Apple will want to explain what they are and how you can use them, and I can see them being introduced sometime in Spring 2020 alongside an iPhone SE and new iPad line refresh.
Rating: 6 Votes

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