Shipping delays for high-end MacBook Pro configurations suggest Apple may be preparing to release updated models sooner than expected. MacRumors reported that delivery times for certain M4 Max versions of both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros have slipped into mid-to-late February.

These delays, affecting M4 Max configurations, contrast with the immediate availability of many M4 Pro versions, according to MacRumors. Ordering an M4 Max MacBook Pro today results in an estimated delivery window between February 3 and February 24, depending on the specific configuration. Adding a nano-texture display or upgrading RAM to an M4 Pro model can also extend shipping times by approximately a week.

Such delays often signal that Apple is reducing or halting production of existing models in anticipation of a hardware refresh, though this is not always the case. Apple released an M5 upgrade for the low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro last fall, but did not update the M4 Pro or M4 Max versions at that time. The current shipping delays suggest that an update to the higher-end models may be imminent.

The potential release of M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros would likely incorporate advancements in Apple's silicon technology, potentially leading to improved performance and efficiency. While Apple has not officially announced any plans for new MacBook Pro models, the observed shipping delays provide a strong indication that updated versions are on the horizon. Consumers interested in purchasing a high-end MacBook Pro may want to monitor Apple's website for updates and announcements in the coming weeks.