Apple is making you wait longer for a MacBook Pro now, and there may be a good reason

Rumor has it that Apple is about to refresh its MacBook Pro lineup with new models. In the meantime, it seems that the current MacBook Pro's availability is starting to tighten on Cupertino's online store. Select configurations are now reportedly facing up to a two-month delay for delivery in the United States. 

Select MacBook Pro configurations facing delay in shipping in the U.S. 

The new M4 Pro-powered MacBook Pro (14 and 16-inch) models are not currently facing a delay. However, estimated delivery dates for configurations of the MacBook Pro sporting an M4 Max chip are... well, somewhat further down. These dates range from February 6 all the way up to February 24, with some estimates for an even later date. 

New MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max coming soon (reportedly)

The 14-inch MacBook Pro got the M5 chip upgrade in October. However, we're still currently waiting for MacBook Pro models sporting the M5 Pro chip and the most powerful M5 Max chip. 


However, it's important to note that RAM supply constraints could be another reason for the models facing a delay, and not the upcoming new models. 

How likely is it for Apple to unveil MacBook Pro models in January? Well, there's a precedent for this. Actually, the Cupertino tech giant unveiled the M2 Pro and M2 Max-powered MacBook Pro models back in January of 2023. So, there's some possibility we may see the M5 Pro and M5 Max powered models very soon. 

In the meantime, Apple's new Creator Studio bundle (a bundle with apps for creatives) launches on Wednesday, January 28. The tech giant's usual quarterly earnings call is scheduled for January 29, which is a Thursday. 

As for Apple's more down-the-line plans, recent rumors indicate that the first OLED-display-equipped MacBook Pro is ahead of schedule. Rumors are claiming this hugely upgraded model's OLED display may be starting mass production early. It's possible we may see this model towards the end of the year or early next year. 

MacBook Pro delays may really be a hint that new models are coming, in my opinion 

Whenever Apple Store shipping times start slipping, it usually gets people talking... and for good reason. A two-month wait on some MacBook Pro configs is a bit unusual, especially when only the top-tier versions are affected. To me, this looks like classic Apple behavior: clear out older stock quietly while getting ready to introduce new models behind the scenes.

That said, I'm not fully convinced this guarantees a January launch. RAM supply issues are a real thing, and maxed-out machines always get hit first. Still, with Apple's history of surprise January Mac announcements and the timing lining up with earnings week, it wouldn't be that shocking. If you’re thinking of buying a high-end MacBook Pro right now, I'd probably wait just a little longer – just in case.

Meanwhile, I'm quite excited for the first MacBook Pro with OLED display. The OLED tech would make the screen more immersive, the colors more vivid, and it's overall a huge upgrade, reportedly in the works. But for this one, you'd have to wait around a year, potentially. 

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