New MacBook Pro part numbers surface in inventory systems

Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited January 2014
The seemingly endless wait for a new line of professional notebooks from Mac maker Apple Inc. appears to be nearing an end, with part numbers and pricing for new MacBook Pro models cropping up in inventory systems worldwide over the weekend.



AppleInsider has been able to confirm that three new Apple-formatted part numbers -- MB402LL/A (Good), MB403LL/A (Better), and MB404LL/A (Best) -- have turned up in inventory management systems of both Apple and its channel resellers such as Best Buy.



The part numbers, listed for future MacBook Pros models, were included alongside pricing that matches Apple's current offerings at $1999.00, $2499.00 and $2799.00, respectively, for those part numbers.



Though originally targeted for an introduction during last month's Macworld Expo, the new MacBook Pros saw their release pushed out by approximately 4 weeks as the conference approached.



In addition to Intel's latest Core 2 Duo Penryn mobile processors scaling up to 2.6GHz, the new Apple professional notebooks are also expected to gain an advanced multi-touch trackpad akin to the one which recently made its debut on the MacBook Air.



As such, the new notebooks will also likely include the same Broadcom touch controller chip found in both the MacBook Air and the company's iPhone and iPod touch handhelds, offering the potential for expanded multi-touch capabilities and gestures some time down the line as part of a future software update.



At least one of the inventory systems reflecting the new MacBook Pro part numbers indicates that stock of those models should be on hand by Friday, February 29th, suggesting a formal announcement could come as early as Tuesday. Sources, however, warned that product availability sometimes takes as long as two weeks from when part numbers first turn up in their systems.



In addition to MacBook Pros, Apple this week is also expected to begin shipping the first of its Time Capsule backup appliances (AppleInsider's first look). Available in a 500GB model for $299 and 1TB model for $499, the AirPort Extreme-like device will automatically conduct wireless backups of Macs running the Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system.



Update: For the sake of completeness, one source claims the aforementioned part numbers may actually coincide with some form of unexpected update to Apple's 13-inch MacBook line rather than its 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros. Updates will follow if and when any additional information becomes available.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 82
    successsuccess Posts: 1,040member
  • Reply 2 of 82
    Extra! Extra! Imminent MacBook Pro Refresh CONFIRMED!!!!
  • Reply 3 of 82
    Macbook Pro... Air!



    I would love to see the confusion and People still screaming that they need a "real" MBP
  • Reply 4 of 82
    Will they have BluRay as a BTO?
  • Reply 5 of 82
    buckbuck Posts: 293member
    Anyone knows how to decipher those model numbers? For example, what does "MA" or "LL" stand for and what do the numbers mean?
  • Reply 6 of 82
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by petermac View Post


    Will they have BluRay as a BTO?



    No.
    1. No thin enough slot loading drives available yet.

    2. Will be added to Mac Pro first.

  • Reply 7 of 82
    that pretty much means no redesign.
  • Reply 8 of 82
    tony1tony1 Posts: 259member
    Golf clap, yaaay.
  • Reply 9 of 82
    finally
  • Reply 10 of 82
    I think the A suffix means that it's the first cycle of a new product, usually goes to B on the revision or update. EG macbook is currently MB061B/B used to have an A suffix, although current macbook pros are MA896B/A so make of it what you want....
  • Reply 11 of 82
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by syklee26 View Post


    that pretty much means no redesign.



    WIth the new CPU's multitouch trackpad, LED displays' and perhaps a bump on the graphics, what more do you want. I think the current design is fantastic. What would you like to see redesigned?
  • Reply 12 of 82
    jeffdmjeffdm Posts: 12,951member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by shadow View Post


    No.
    1. No thin enough slot loading drives available yet.

    2. Will be added to Mac Pro first.




    Are you sure that there aren't slim enough slot loading drives? Have you been watching that market?
  • Reply 13 of 82
    mactelmactel Posts: 1,275member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by riversky View Post


    WIth the new CPU's multitouch trackpad, LED displays' and perhaps a bump on the graphics, what more do you want. I think the current design is fantastic. What would you like to see redesigned?



    I would imagine that with the multitouch trackpad there would be a slight redesign. If the trackpad will be as large as the MBA's then it would be a noticeable change.
  • Reply 14 of 82
    akacakac Posts: 512member
    Honestly would like to see the case redesigned. I'd prefer something other than easily dented/bendable aluminum. I'd also like to see better case ventilation. Maybe the new MB type keys. I'd even take a thicker case - right now my "case" is double thick because I have to have a fanbase below it to make it usable.
  • Reply 15 of 82
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by riversky View Post


    WIth the new CPU's multitouch trackpad, LED displays' and perhaps a bump on the graphics, what more do you want. I think the current design is fantastic. What would you like to see redesigned?



    I would like to see the MBP resemble the MB in terms of where the hard drive is located. I love how easy it is to get at the HD in the macbook.
  • Reply 16 of 82
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by corvette View Post


    I would like to see the MBP resemble the MB in terms of where the hard drive is located. I love how easy it is to get at the HD in the macbook.



    Easier hard drive replacement would be nice. Good one.
  • Reply 17 of 82
    It may be wild speculation once again, but has anyone considered that Apple might be packing the brand new Nvidia 9600m GT in this thing?



    I mean, Nvidia just released their 9600 GT today...so if Apple shows off tomorrow....it'd be a plausible reason for the delay other than the Peyrn production mess.
  • Reply 18 of 82
    jeffdmjeffdm Posts: 12,951member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Akac View Post


    Honestly would like to see the case redesigned. I'd prefer something other than easily dented/bendable aluminum. I'd also like to see better case ventilation. Maybe the new MB type keys. I'd even take a thicker case - right now my "case" is double thick because I have to have a fanbase below it to make it usable.



    I'd suggest downloading SMCFanControl or a similar utility to bump up the fan speeds a bit. I had your kind of complaint but that went away once that utility was installed and set the minimum fan speed by a few hundred RPM. To me, it didn't make any change in the sound but the system ran much cooler. But I sold that to my sister. If they do change the keys, I'll have to think hard about picking up one of the older systems, I don't like the newer key shape or the feel of the key press.
  • Reply 19 of 82
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by petermac View Post


    Will they have BluRay as a BTO?



    I recon, forget multitouch - what about BLURAY????
  • Reply 20 of 82
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Akac View Post


    Honestly would like to see the case redesigned. I'd prefer something other than easily dented/bendable aluminum. I'd also like to see better case ventilation. Maybe the new MB type keys. I'd even take a thicker case - right now my "case" is double thick because I have to have a fanbase below it to make it usable.



    sounds like you need to get yourself a Macbook. Personally I like the aluminium and if you look after it you should not get any dents in it. I've had mine 2 years and not a single scratch.
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