MacBook Pro drumbeat increases as model numbers tip up

If you were thinking about buying a MacBook Pro this week, I'd wait just a little longer.

Once again, rumors of the imminent introduction of a new MacBook Pro are all over the Web Monday. Inventory model numbers that are purportedly those of new MacBook Pro notebooks were discovered over the weekend by AppleInsider, just weeks after similar evidence was discovered inside Best Buy's inventory tracking computers. AppleInsider later noted that the new model numbers it discovered actually look an awful lot like the model numbers used for MacBooks, however, so things are a bit up in the air.

Come on, Apple, just introduce a new MacBook Pro already.

(Credit: Apple)

As a result, this isn't exactly the smokiest gun we've seen of late, but the buzz has been building for new MacBooks for quite some time. The release of Intel's new Penryn notebook chips at the Consumer Electronics Show provided the reason for Apple to upgrade its lineup, which hasn't received a tweak in an awfully long time. There has also been persistent speculation that these new systems will come with the trackpad control technology introduced on the MacBook Air that mimics the touchscreen controls on the iPhone.

Earlier in the month, Best Buy was showing delays in MacBook Pro shipments, possibly indicating that it was running low on inventory ahead of a new system introduction. However, those systems are all showing one-day shipping expectations as of this afternoon.

Tuesday is considered Apple Product Introduction Day, so any Apple notebook purchases might best be delayed another 24 hours. Apple's obviously going to update the MacBook Pro and MacBook in the near future, but this is getting a little ridiculous at this point. Stay tuned.

[oldmanangry]

Why the F do we care?

Do you pay this much attention to a Dell, HP or Gateway notebook PC?

[georgiarat]

Because we are interested in technology

For good or bad Apple tends to integrate the available <br />technologies in ways Dell, HP and others emulate. By watching <br />Apple one can see the future rather than the present.<br /><br />Apple is not always first with the technologies but they do have a <br />way of putting it together that makes others envious.

[ecotopian--2008]

Why do you bother?

Why do you bother to read news you aren't interested in &#38; then <br />post pointless gripes about it? Nobody forced you to look at this <br />article. If you really don't care, don't read it.

[mikestatic1]

Why would we?

Why would we pay attention to the release schedule of substandard crap like Dell, HP or Gateway? Cheap garbage can be found anywhere (I'm guessing on your desk)...

[mayadanteamihan]

I do

Well, honey, I care, and I don't pay any attention to Dell, HP or <br />Gateway news for the simple reason that these carry Windows. I <br />still have an old Windows XP desktop and am still thinking of a <br />way to dispose of it.<br /><p></p><br></br><br />I care because I've been ordering a Macbook a month now, and <br />very few have been delivered to the Philippines for the past two <br />months.<br /><p></p><br></br><br />I care because since I changed to a Mac almost three years ago, <br />I've been more productive on a computer than I've ever been my <br />whole life.<br /><p></p><br></br><br />So I care, honey, and I know I'm not the only one.

[wowza3]

haha

No of course we don't pay that much attention to those...but none <br />of those computers cost 2500 bucks...if you were about to drop <br />2500 bucks on a laptop today you'd like the warning bud

[jelloburn]

We care...

...because Apple doesn't release new machines every month. <br />They update every 3-6 months (approximately) and the updates <br />are usually substantial. c|net reports on the new additions to the <br />Dell, HP, IBM, Gateway, and other PC brands when they are <br />substantial and bring something new to the table.<br /><br />If you look at Apple's website, they have four basic notebook <br />models: Macbook, Macbook Air, Macbook Pro 15" &#38; 17". <br />Compare that to Dell's numerous models and their confusing <br />model numbers and you might understand why they don't report <br />on every little update that Dell throws out.

[cyberDJ-2038765336053745013836]

Agreed

Why bother writing this blog if so much is up in the air.

[artistjoh]

No One Seems To Have Reported

One of the biggest indicators that they are nearly here:<br /><br />This week prices for the current model MBP fell by $300 on the online Apple Store here in Australia. That normally happens just a few days before the release of a new model.<br /><br />BTW: I care because my current old eMac is nearly dead (after too many years and too little disk space left) and I have been waiting 3 months for the new MBP to arrive so I can get a MBP to be my new main computer. <br /><br />Both the Penrhyn processors and the LED screens (17 inch model) reduce power consumption therefore extend battery life and both are likely to be in any new model. They on their own make the wait worthwhile.

[sanjayb]

Are the going be cheaper??

The one thing that keeps me away from Apple is the price. It's hard to stomach the price of an Apple computer comapred to what u can get for a PC at the same price.<br /><br />I would be on the Apple bandwaggon if the price was more competitive.

[Travis Ernst]

forget the price, lack of virus'

Sanjay take the plunge and segment your drive if you insist to <br />downgrade to the Mac so it can run windows on one partition. <br />Worst case you wipe that partition clean and go Mac only so you <br />don't get infected. Trust us, we don't get infected or malware <br />the rate Windows does. You won't regret buying it.<br /><br />My opinion, SO WHAT. Even the Thinkpad from Lenovo thats <br />released (X300) isn't getting the media coverage that the small <br />moves apple makes gets on here. To think Lenovo is claiming <br />it's inline with Apple's Macbook Air.<br /><br />I just upgraded my mac from IBM processor to Intel. It had been <br />a number of years. Now they come WITH the DVD burner (last <br />time it was a cost extra) and the drive size now can be up to a <br />terabyte on the desk models.