It’s when the available inventory fluctuates that something new could be around the corner.
Over the past month, the Online Apple Store has seen 15-inch MacBook Pro inventory slowly drop from “in stock” to a current shipping estimate of one to two weeks, suggesting that a refresh is in the offing.
As of Wednesday, Apple’s online storefront shows the largest MacBook Pro model with integrated Intel graphics as shipping in one business day, while availability of the step-up model with discrete Nvidia GPU is currently at one to two weeks.
The 15-inch notebook has remained relatively unchanged despite modest changes to nearly every other Apple notebook in March. Both MacBook Air versions were updated with Intel’s latest Broadwell processors and Thunderbolt 2 connectivity, while the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display also got a CPU boost, alongside Force Touch trackpads and other under-the-hood improvements last month.
At the time, production of performance-class Broadwell chips expected for inclusion in a refreshed 15-inch MacBook Pro was delayed.
Authorized Apple resellers have also seen erratic shifts in available supply, according to a source close to the store. Apple slowly drew down channel shipments during the March to April period, but just recently sent out a fresh batch, the source said.
With fluctuations in both direct sales and reseller channels, however, Apple could be clearing the way for a new model set to debut at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. The notebook is expected to come with modest CPU speed enhancements, buffed SSD performance and Apple’s new Force Touch trackpad.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider