A report from MacRumors indicates Apple is preparing a launch of its revamped MacBook Pro lineup for late October. The report, citing unknown sources, says Apple is moving rapidly toward a late October launch of the new Touch ID and OLED function keys-equipped MacBook Pro models.
MacRumors has learned that Apple is indeed moving rapidly toward a launch of the new MacBook Pro models, with the company’s current development work on macOS 10.12.1 focused largely on preparing the operating system to support the updated hardware’s new features, which have been rumored by several sources to include Touch ID support and an OLED “touch bar” replacing the current row of function keys across the top of keyboard. Apple is also said to be shifting to “Polaris” graphics chips from AMD on the higher-end 15-inch models.
The report indicates Apple will be seeding one more beta version of macOS Sierra 10.12.1 for developer and public beta testing early next week. The firm intends to finalize the operating system update by the end of next week, so it can be loaded onto the new MacBook Pro models currently being produced by Apple’s production partners.
As is usual, for any plans such as those being allegedly made by Apple, any last minute bugs or other complications could require an adjustment to the Cupertino firm’s timeline, but so far it looks as if Apple is on target for a second-half of October release.
The report also indicates the macOS 10.12.1 update will concentrate on getting the OS ready for the new MacBook Pro lineup, and all but the most critical bug fixes and security patches will have to wait until the release of macOS 10.12.2, which could be seeded to developers sometime in late October.
Apple is also said to be working on an updated version of the MacBook Air lineup, featuring USB-C ports, as well as new iMacs with AMD graphics chips, also rumored to see the light of day before the end of 2016. The company is also rumored to be putting their heads together with display maker LG, in order to create a new 5K external display, intended to replace the discontinued Thunderbolt Display, although no timeframe for the new monitor has been reported.
