MacBook Pro stock low at retail, Amazon

Apple may be edging closer to a new MacBook update based on retail supply tips. Both Apple retail stores and third-party shops are in the first stages of running out of MacBook Pro stock, mostly among 15- and 17-inch models. Third parties may have been hardest hit as MacRumors noted that Amazon was quoting a very unusual one- to two-month shipping delay on the base 17-inch portable.

One unnamed chain store has sent notice that it couldn't meet restock orders. Apple still shows same-day shipping but has often followed a consistent pattern during product updates of halting shipments to third-party retailers first to clear the channel before emptying its own supply.

The MacBook Pro hasn't been updated for nine months and, along with the eight-month old white MacBook, is very likely to get an update within weeks. Either is expected to get Intel's Sandy Bridge processor lineup and could represent the first instance of Apple's 13-inch notebooks moving beyond the Core 2 Duo. Apple has deliberately held off on smaller systems with Core i3, i5 or i7 due to an Intel ban on NVIDIA chipsets and Intel's previously poor integrated video. Sandy Bridge is a major leap in performance and, for the first time, can compete with the Radeon HD 5470 and other low-end dedicated video.

Other expected updates include a switch from NVIDIA to AMD's Radeon HD 6000M lineup in the 15-inch and larger MacBook Pros as well as increased capacity and a greater emphasis on SSD storage options. The MacBook Air could also get Sandy Bridge but was updated much sooner and might arrive later.

By Electronista Staff