MacBook Pros in tight supply, new models could broaden gap with MacBooks
Constrained supplies of MacBook Pros suggest an anticipated notebook refresh is growing closer -- one that could further differentiate the premium lineup from the low-end MacBook. Also, Apple has improved its shipping times for 27-inch iMacs to three to five business days.
MacBook Pro constraints suggest coming refresh
In checking with sources in distribution channels, analyst Shaw Wu with Kaufman Bros. has found that supplies of MacBook Pro machines are "fairly limited at two to three weeks vs. a more normal four to six weeks." Given strong Mac sales in January, Wu said it's possible that demand has played a part, though the timing would also suggest new MacBook Pros are on the horizon.
Apple has not refreshed its MacBook Pro line since last June, and with Intel's new Arrandale mobile processors now shipping in volume, Apple is expected to make an upgrade. Wu said Apple could use the opportunity to further differentiate the low-end, $999 MacBook from the premium MacBook Pro line.
"Benefits of the new mobile architecture, helped in part by its new 32 nanometer process (vs. previous 45 nanometer), include much better performance through hyper-threading and turbo mode, battery life, and weight characteristics, which we believe give AAPL engineers more room to further differentiate the MacBook Pro," Wu wrote in a note to investors Wednesday.
"We believe new Mac models could ship in the March quarter, or at the latest the June quarter. It is not clear to us whether AAPL will introduce these new Macs through special event or 'quietly' through a press release."
Wu said he feels the entry-level $1,199 MacBook Pro has some overlap with the $999 MacBook, which was updated last October. He said a new processor could add more than the aluminum casing, SD slot and FireWire that currently give the higher-end systems their 'pro' distinction.
In addition to the new Arrandale chips from Intel, Apple is expected to employ a new automatic switching of dual graphics modes on future MacBook Pro models. The system would allow switching between integrated and discrete graphics processors automatically, allowing use of Nvidia's latest graphics technology and also improving battery life.
27-inch iMac ships in 3-5 days
The Core 2 Duo and Core i5 versions of Apple's newly redesigned 27-inch iMac desktop now have estimated shipping times of three to five days direct from Apple. It's a significant change from previous months, when new buyers had to wait weeks for the new hardware.
It's also the second time in less than a week that shipping times on the 27-inch iMac have improved. Last Thursday, new purchases improved to a wait of just five to seven days.
Early adopters of the big-screen iMac have seen a number of hardware issues pertaining to the display, with reports of flickering and yellow discoloration. Apple released two software updates to fix the issues, and also reportedly offered some customers a 15 percent refund for their troubles.
Earlier this month, Apple denied a rumor that it had halted production of new models. At the same time, ship times that had lingered at three weeks for months improved to two weeks.
Supplies of the 27-inch iMac have been constrained for months, with Apple in December even apologizing for delays, citing considerable demand from consumers. When it first launched in October, the new iMac was the best-selling desktop machine for the month. The 21.5-inch iMac came in first place, while the 27-inch iMac took third in overall sales.
For the best prices on the latest iMacs, MacBooks and MacBook Pros, check out AppleInsider's up-to-date Mac Pricing Guide:
MacBook Pro constraints suggest coming refresh
In checking with sources in distribution channels, analyst Shaw Wu with Kaufman Bros. has found that supplies of MacBook Pro machines are "fairly limited at two to three weeks vs. a more normal four to six weeks." Given strong Mac sales in January, Wu said it's possible that demand has played a part, though the timing would also suggest new MacBook Pros are on the horizon.
Apple has not refreshed its MacBook Pro line since last June, and with Intel's new Arrandale mobile processors now shipping in volume, Apple is expected to make an upgrade. Wu said Apple could use the opportunity to further differentiate the low-end, $999 MacBook from the premium MacBook Pro line.
"Benefits of the new mobile architecture, helped in part by its new 32 nanometer process (vs. previous 45 nanometer), include much better performance through hyper-threading and turbo mode, battery life, and weight characteristics, which we believe give AAPL engineers more room to further differentiate the MacBook Pro," Wu wrote in a note to investors Wednesday.
"We believe new Mac models could ship in the March quarter, or at the latest the June quarter. It is not clear to us whether AAPL will introduce these new Macs through special event or 'quietly' through a press release."
Wu said he feels the entry-level $1,199 MacBook Pro has some overlap with the $999 MacBook, which was updated last October. He said a new processor could add more than the aluminum casing, SD slot and FireWire that currently give the higher-end systems their 'pro' distinction.
In addition to the new Arrandale chips from Intel, Apple is expected to employ a new automatic switching of dual graphics modes on future MacBook Pro models. The system would allow switching between integrated and discrete graphics processors automatically, allowing use of Nvidia's latest graphics technology and also improving battery life.
27-inch iMac ships in 3-5 days
The Core 2 Duo and Core i5 versions of Apple's newly redesigned 27-inch iMac desktop now have estimated shipping times of three to five days direct from Apple. It's a significant change from previous months, when new buyers had to wait weeks for the new hardware.
It's also the second time in less than a week that shipping times on the 27-inch iMac have improved. Last Thursday, new purchases improved to a wait of just five to seven days.
Early adopters of the big-screen iMac have seen a number of hardware issues pertaining to the display, with reports of flickering and yellow discoloration. Apple released two software updates to fix the issues, and also reportedly offered some customers a 15 percent refund for their troubles.
Earlier this month, Apple denied a rumor that it had halted production of new models. At the same time, ship times that had lingered at three weeks for months improved to two weeks.
Supplies of the 27-inch iMac have been constrained for months, with Apple in December even apologizing for delays, citing considerable demand from consumers. When it first launched in October, the new iMac was the best-selling desktop machine for the month. The 21.5-inch iMac came in first place, while the 27-inch iMac took third in overall sales.
For the best prices on the latest iMacs, MacBooks and MacBook Pros, check out AppleInsider's up-to-date Mac Pricing Guide:
Comments
I've waited long enough - 13" will have to do. No interest in an iTunes MaxiTouch.
For the best prices on the latest iMacs, MacBooks and MacBook Pros, check out AppleInsider's up-to-date Mac Pricing Guide:
Like anyone is gonna order a MBP today when refresh is imminent..
Like anyone is gonna order a MBP today when refresh is imminent..
Quadra- are you there?
Besides the iPad not currently USB 3.0 publicly.
Quadra- are you there?
uh. no. I'm just saying. It's the waiting game right now...
uh. no. I'm just saying. It's the waiting game right now...
March not June, god willing.
BRING IT.
I've waited long enough - 13" will have to do. No interest in an iTunes MaxiPAd.
That's enough of that "joke".
Is there any reason to expect that Apple won't start 2010 with USB 3?
Besides the iPad not currently USB 3.0 publicly.
Well Intel not providing USB 3.0 chipsets for another year is a hurdle. Given the delay in releasing new MBP, I would think (hope?) that something new is coming though.
Well Intel not providing USB 3.0 chipsets for another year is a hurdle. Given the delay in releasing new MBP, I would think (hope?) that something new is coming though.
Can we pray for a Blu-ray R/CDRW drive or a 13" matte/nonglare screen?
Can we pray for a Blu-ray R/CDRW drive or a 13" matte/nonglare screen?
Probably not a matte option for the 13". It seems this is an option apple only wants to offer the pro users (started with 17 and finally migrated to 15).
I'm starting to think we'll never see blu-ray drives in mac computers...
not June, not March...I'm hoping today
Gotta be soon. End of March is for beginning of iPad sales. Next Tuesday, perhaps.
Is there any reason to expect that Apple won't start 2010 with USB 3?
Besides the iPad not currently USB 3.0 publicly.
See subject line.
Now that Wu said they are coming soon they aren't going to be updated for a decade.
I wonder what sources this guy checked. People at macrumors have checked international stores and the wait is still 24 hours to a few days for various MBP models.
I really, really hope for next Tuesday. In fact I am really feeling it. I didn't really feel this past Tues even though I wanted it, because this week was the end of Chinese New Year. So that would have mucked up order times I am guessing.
Like anyone is gonna order a MBP today when refresh is imminent..
Actually, I was in one of my local Apple Stores last week. A fellow "silver hair" was looking at the MPB 17. I pulled out my C2D 2.33 and we compared notes. I told him repeatedly that a refresh was long overdue, but he bought one anyway - even after stating he could wait.
Sometimes the call of the shiny bright things is just too great.
That, and the RDF that surrounds all things Apple.
As for me, I will wait. My late '06 model works just fine, although I would love to have more than 2MB of my 4MB RAM split between the cores when using VMware Fusion.
LOL. Oh shit guys Shaw Wu has spoken.
Now that Wu said they are coming soon they aren't going to be updated for a decade.
I wonder what sources this guy checked. People at macrumors have checked international stores and the wait is still 24 hours to a few days for various MBP models.
I really, really hope for next Tuesday. In fact I am really feeling it. I didn't really feel this past Tues even though I wanted it, because this week was the end of Chinese New Year. So that would have mucked up order times I am guessing.
I have always viewed Wu in the same category as John Dvorak.
Babbling pundits who offer nothing, but live for the recognition as if they did.
Benefits of MacBook Pro vs. MacBook
+Slightly faster processor speeds
+Aluminum Unibody
+Firewire 800
+SD Card Slot
+Backlit Keyboard
+Upgradable to 4 or 8 GB RAM
+Upgradable to 7200 RPM HDD
(Am I missing anything?)
I am waiting to update my 2006 first-gen MacBook with the new (presumed) 15" Core i5s. I just wonder when?! I can barely take my MB off the outlet anymore - it's more like a portable desktop!