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

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.

16 inch macbook pro m2 render
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.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro 14 & 16"
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Top Rated Comments

Kierkegaarden Avatar
33 months ago
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.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arcite Avatar
33 months ago
Just three more days of rumor mongering left.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alphaswift Avatar
33 months ago
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.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0-0 Avatar
33 months ago
jon prosser still remains confident for a wwdc announcement
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
33 months ago
Just what MR needs; another potential product rumor crisis. Lol :P
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
James Godfrey Avatar
33 months ago
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.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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