Malcolm Owen
Apple's updates to the MacBook Pro range are on schedule, mini LED suppliers told a report, countering claims of component shortages causing production issues and delays.
Apple is expected to unveil an updated 16-inch MacBook Pro alongside a 14-inch MacBook Pro as part of the fall product launches. While some rumors have spread claiming that shortages are impacting production, a Tuesday report's sources claim production is running to time.
Industry sources of Digitimes say that shipments for LEDs and associated components to Apple assembly partners relating to the MacBook Pro models are on schedule as expected. A launch of a mini LED-equipped MacBook Pro series is tipped to occur in October or November.
When the new models ship, the sources claim the total shipments in 2021 will be estimated at nearly four million units. This is roughly equivalent to the 15-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro shipment volumes after line refreshes.
On September 2, another Digitimes report claimed the new models were affected by the global component shortage, an issue that previously allegedly postponed production in April 2021.
Production for the new models allegedly commenced in August, with shipments of between 600,000 and 800,000 units per month targeted by assembly partners.
Given the considerable amount of rumors saying there will be a launch in the fall, it seems plausible that everything is going as scheduled for Apple. However, there is yet to be any real confirmation for when Apple will unveil the models and ship them.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
5 Comments
Dunno why they don't just release them already.
Then again, I'm kinda biased ... I just want a BTO 16" in my hot little hands 😏.
Hopefully they'll announce them soon, it's approaching 1 year after the 13 inch with the M1 was introduced.
After reading how iPads are running low on stock ahead of the release of new models, I wonder if Apple is timing launch of the new mini-LED models to try and unload its channel inventory of Intel models prior to the launch of the new Apple Silicon stuff.
Gotta say - I sure would be disappointed to learn I accepted shipment of the last of the Intel MacBook Pros ...
Then again, there are always those who want or need boot camp, right?
I can believe that they will be mini-LED. In fact, I suspect part of the reason for the long wait since the 13" was introduced has a lot to do with the display availability. One also has to wonder about M1(x) chip availability with the current global shortage. Finally, I think it's possible that the 13" was an attempt to focus on a smooth rollout for M1, allowing them to test the market and learn from the actual rollout of major change.