Planning to buy a MacBook Pro? You may have to wait longer than expected

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• High-end MacBook Pro delivery dates now extend to February and March
• Custom-built 14-inch M4 Max models with 128GB RAM may arrive as late as March 17
• Delays suggest MacBook Pro refresh and RAM supply issues

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If you are planning to buy a new MacBook Pro, you may need to brace yourself for a longer wait than usual. According to a report by MacRumors, delivery timelines for several MacBook Pro configurations have stretched well into February and even March, especially for high-end models.

Right now, not all MacBook Pros are affected. Some 14-inch and 16-inch models powered by the M4 Pro chip are still showing relatively normal delivery windows on Apple’s online store. The real delays begin when you look at configurations with the more powerful M4 Max chip. Many of these models now come with estimated delivery dates between February 6 and February 24, depending on the configuration.

At the extreme end are custom-built machines. Built-to-order 14-inch MacBook Pro models featuring the 16-core M4 Max chip paired with 128GB of RAM are currently showing delivery dates as late as March 17. That is a significant wait, especially for professionals who rely on these machines for demanding creative or development work.

Interestingly, this slowdown comes at a time when Apple has already updated part of its MacBook Pro lineup. The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro was refreshed with an M5 chip back in October. However, Apple is yet to roll out MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and that gap is raising eyebrows.

There have already been signs that Apple could be preparing to announce new MacBook Pro models very soon, possibly even within days. Historically, Apple has launched MacBook Pro updates early in the year. In fact, the company unveiled MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips in January 2023, setting a clear precedent for a January refresh.

The extended shipping timelines could be a quiet hint that new models are around the corner, as Apple often lets inventory thin out ahead of an announcement. That said, there may be another factor at play. Ongoing RAM supply constraints are also believed to be contributing to the delays, particularly for machines with very high memory configurations.

Timing-wise, the next couple of weeks look busy for Apple. The company is set to launch its Creator Studio bundle of creative apps on Wednesday, January 28, followed by its quarterly earnings call on Thursday, January 29. While neither event guarantees a hardware announcement, they do place Apple firmly in the spotlight.

For buyers, the message is simple. If you need a MacBook Pro urgently, you may want to check which configurations are shipping sooner or consider waiting a little longer to see if Apple announces refreshed models. With delivery dates slipping and rumours swirling, the next few weeks could bring some clarity.