MacBook Pro 2011 refresh imminent as shipping times are delayed 3-5 days
Rumors of a MacBook Pro 2011 refresh are absolutely on fire at this point, and now Apple’s very own online store is showing a shipping delay of 3-5 days for any MacBook Pro order online. This is the strongest indicator yet of an imminent product update, since Apple rarely has a shipping delay on existing products.
Release Dates of MacBook Pro 2011 Refresh: Thursday February 24 or Tuesday March 1?
There are two likely dates of the MacBook Pro refresh, one is this Thursday, February 24, which also happens to be Steve Jobs birthday, and the other is Tuesday, March 1. Apple traditionally releases new products on Tuesdays, but a 3-5 day shipping delay more closely matches with a release this Thursday. Of course, being rumors, it’s possible both days will pass without any product update.
Timeline of the MacBook Pro 2011 Refresh Rumors
It all started with reports from several EU resellers that their existing MacBook Pro inventory had dried up, and then an Intel ad appeared that sparked a slew of speculation and mockups suggesting the next MacBook Pro would have a significant chasis redesign. This was followed up with BestBuy’s internal inventory showing new model numbers and prices. Finally, this weekend, BestBuy.com slipped up and posted SKU’s and prices for five new MacBook Pro models before removing them from their public website.
Adding all of this together and the evidence certainly looks overwhelmingly in favor of an impending MacBook Pro refresh. The question now is whether or not the updated models will feature the same aluminum unibody enclosure that existing models have, or if a significant chasis redesign is in order, taking cues from the MacBook Air, and perhaps even resembling the Mac-like laptop appearing in the recent Intel ad.
So…. does this mean if my MacBook Pro I ordered on February 7th might be a newer model??????? I ordered a 17″ anti-glare, custom built machine 2 weeks ago & my local store still has not received it and they have no idea why Apple has not shipped.
[…] Rumor, iPad – February 22nd, 2011 – No Comments Not only is a MacBook Pro refresh due out in the very near future, but the iPad 2 is scheduled to be released next week as well, […]
[…] Update: Even more evidence of a refresh, the existing MacBook Pro models have a 3-5 day shipping delay. […]
I would place a sizable bet on there NOT being a major chasis redesign. Not on this revision, it’s too early and there’s too much to change in too short a time.
Plus the MBP AI unibody is still gorgeous, the only problem is the weight compared to the MBA.
If there is a nice chassis redesign that shaves off weight and disk drive, I’d probably buy one though. The MBA is certainly beautiful but it’s just too underpowered for my needs.
100% agree, this is a processor and maybe a screen upgrade, we will not see redesigned exterior this time around.