Rumor: New Macbook Pros delayed because of Intel chipset problems

According to a host of sources scattered around the Internet, we should have seen new MacBook Pros by now, while others are saying mid-spring. Stephen even noted last week that the Intel chips were delayed until the end of the month. One thing is for certain: Apple’s long overdue in providing an update, and some customers are getting ornery. I know a couple of people ready to pull the trigger on a new MacBook Pro, but they all seem to be waiting for Apple to announce an update. The wait may have just gotten a little bit longer.

The latest news from AppleInsider has the MacBook Pros being delayed because of an Intel snafu with the Sandy Bridge processors. Apparently there’s a design error with the Intel 6 series chipsets. According to AppleInsider, Intel has halted production of all Cougar Point chipsets until late February. As a result, any system that was expected to be announced will likely also be delayed until the chips start shipping again.

From AppleInsider:

It would seem unlikely that Apple — or any other PC vendor — could launch a line of Sandy Bridge-based notebooks in earnest any time before late February at the earliest, as the parts simply won’t be available. As such, high profile launches of Sandy Bridge-based notebook systems would seem more likely in March or April.

There’s no “official” evidence that Apple was planning on releasing new MacBook Pros in February, but a lot of people “in the know” believe that a drastic update is planned. This Intel news could be putting a damper on a release.

If you can live with your current MacBook Pro a little longer, you should see an update soon. If not, you might want to start weighing your options.

Article Via AppleInsider
Header Photo Credit: andy.lin

Joshua is the Content Marketing Manager at BuySellAds. He’s also the founder of Macgasm.net. And since all that doesn’t quite give him enough content to wrangle, he’s also a technology journalist in his spare time, with bylines at PCWorld, Macworld and TechHive.