Apple’s Stock System Hints MacBook Pro Refresh Is Looming

In a move that could suggest a MacBook Pro refresh is impending, Apple over the weekend updated its online store to reflect that new orders for the company’s 15-inch MacBook Pro with OLED Touch Bar won’t ship until at least June 6, 2017. What’s most interesting about this date is that it coincides nicely with Apple’s upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2017, which kicks off with a keynote address on the morning of Monday June 5th.

While not entirely foretelling, however, the timing of the stock updates on Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Pro would seemingly confirm rumors of an impending refresh.

WWDC has traditionally been reserved as an exposition for Apple software and app development, however in a recent report, Bloomberg Technology analyst, Mark Gurman, predicted that Apple will deliver a MacBook refresh at WWDC this year. While the update could include refreshes to as many as three different MacBook and MacBook Pro models, however, the 15-inch MacBook Pro, in particular, is the only model that reflects a shipping delay on Apple’s website.

Should Apple step up and deliver a refreshed trio of MacBook models next week, they will more than likely feature a design and component layout similar to their previous generation MacBook and MacBook Pro models, respectively, while internally boasting a bevy of next-generation components such as Intel’s Kaby Lake CPU.

Since Apple has in recent years exhibited a somewhat scattered release schedule for new MacBooks models, we’d nevertheless recommend taking this all in with a heaping grain of salt until the show kicks off next week, as Apple could ultimately have much different plans in mind. Back in 2015, for instance, the company released both a 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro variant in March and May, respectively. And back in 2012, similarly, Apple unveiled its first-ever 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display at WWDC in June, prior to following up with a 13-inch variant later that October. So while we could get lucky and have a trifecta of new MacBooks tossed our way at WWDC 2017, it’s also possible that we’ll only get one, or two — or none at all — at least for right now.

Meanwhile, refreshed MacBooks aren’t the only surprise Apple could have in store for us at WWDC this year. According to a spat of recent rumors, Apple could also use its keynote to show off other new products including a premium Siri-powered speaker system — a la Amazon’s newly launched Echo Show — and even a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro model, which according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has a 70% chance of being unveiled at WWDC next week.

As always, we’ll be covering WWDC live as the event unfolds, starting at 10:00 am Pacific Standard Time next Monday; so be sure to check back with us for updates and information on all the exciting new products and upcoming software that Apple has in store for 2017.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]