MacBook Pro enthusiasts who have been eagerly anticipating the release of new high-end models were left wanting last fall when Apple introduced an M5 upgrade solely for the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, while leaving the M4 Pro and Max versions untouched. Now, it seems the wait for the M5 Pro and M5 Max models could be nearing its end.
The team at MacRumors observed that the shipping timelines for several high-end MacBook Pro configurations have slipped to mid-to-late February, contrasting with the immediate availability of most Mac models. This often indicates, albeit not invariably, that Apple has either reduced or halted the production of an existing product in preparation for an update.
At present, these shipping delays are affecting the M4 Max models of both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. If ordered now, these laptops are projected to arrive between February 3rd and February 24th, contingent on the chosen configuration. Conversely, many M4 Pro models still offer same-day shipping, though options like adding a nano-texture display or upgrading RAM can extend delivery time by approximately a week.
Apple might choose January 28 as the launch date for new Pro hardware, coinciding with the release of their new Creator Studio subscription announced last week. Targeted mainly at independent content creators who produce their own video, audio, and images, the subscription bundles Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, and enhancements for the Pages, Numbers, and Keynote apps, among other features, for $13 monthly or $130 yearly. While none of these apps specifically require a MacBook Pro, many could benefit from the enhanced CPU and GPU power, RAM, and storage offered by Apple’s premium laptops.
Admittedly, an imminent product update isn't the only possible cause for delays in Mac shipping estimations. Persistent, AI-driven RAM shortages might be contributing to these issues, with Apple likely prioritizing production of the more common base-model M4 and M5 chips over the larger, more expensive, and complex Max models.
Nevertheless, the only other device in Apple’s lineup featuring the M4 Max and similar RAM options is the high-end Mac Studio, which is currently not experiencing similar shipping delays. This suggests that the delays are particular to the MacBook Pro, supporting the hypothesis that the laptop is on the verge of being replaced.