Skip to main content

Apple may not wait for WWDC to update 15-inch MacBook Pro and 27-inch iMac

A man using the 2015 MacBook Pro 13-inch.
Bill Roberson/Digital Trends
If you’re planning on buying some new Apple hardware this week, it might be worth waiting a few days longer. Rumors are circulating that the company is planning to update their 15-inch MacBook Pro and 27-inch iMac lines sooner rather than later.

The news is being traced back to an anonymous source with a good track record, according to a report by MacRumors. Earlier this year, the 13-inch MacBook Pro was updated with a number of upgrades under the hood and the new Force Touch trackpad, all of which the site speculates will also reach the 15-inch model. It’s less clear what sort of updates might be in the works for the iMac.

The site’s source is backed up by the fact that shipping estimates on Apple’s online store have been slipping for both products. This typically indicates a lack of stock, which can be attributed to the company selling through their remaining units ahead of the new product being released to the public. Similar stock issues have occurred previous to the release of other refreshed models, such as the latest MacBook Air and Pro 13 with Retina.

It might seem strange for Apple to debut new products so close to WWDC 2015 in June, but it’s likely that the event will focus on software rather than hardware — with the possible exception being a new version of the Apple TV. A relatively low-key release of these updated devices would ensure that iOS and OS X can be the focus at WWDC.

May 20 is apparently the date on which the new 15-inch MacBook Pro and 27-inch iMac will become available. However, with no official word from Apple as of the time of writing, this should still be considered a rumor. Still, we should know by Wednesday whether it was legitimate or not — and if the latter turns out to be the case, WWDC might well be the location for some new Apple hardware.

Editors' Recommendations

Brad Jones
Brad is an English-born writer currently splitting his time between Edinburgh and Pennsylvania. You can find him on Twitter…
The easy way to decide between the MacBook Air 15 and MacBook Pro 14

Picking out a new MacBook isn't as easy as it used to be. While Apple finally dropped the 13-inch MacBook Pro that didn't match the line's modern design, it introduced a new 14-inch MacBook Pro with an entry-level M3 processor. If you prefer a larger screen or more performance, you might be left considering two compelling options: the 15-inch MacBook Air and the 14-inch MacBook Pro.

Having reviewed and used both laptops extensively, I'm here to lay it all out for you. Here's the difference between the two machines and how to easily determine which is right for you.
The easy way to know which to buy

Read more
Here’s why people are raising concerns about the M3 Pro MacBook Pro
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Max chip seen from behind.

I published my review of the M3 Max MacBook Pro earlier this week, and suffice it to say, I was pretty impressed. I'm fond of the Space Black color, and the GPU performance in particular blew me away.

But one configuration of the new MacBook Pro went a bit more under the radar -- the M3 Pro model. Apple wasn't keen on sending this exact unit out to reviewers, instead leading with its much stronger foot, the M3 Max. And while the M3 Max and Pro were a bit closer in performance in the M2 generation, this time around, it seems as if there's more of a disparity.

Read more
A new iMac Pro could still launch. Here’s what I want from it
An Apple iMac Pro in a dark room flanked by two monitors, one on either side of it.

A week ago, a shocking report emerged: Apple apparently had no plans for a larger iMac, potentially meaning the iMac Pro was dead and buried. However, opposition voices soon emerged, and the consensus now seems to be that Apple has only ruled out the 27-inch iMac, not the idea of a larger all-in-one entirely.

In fact, just yesterday, Bloomberg Mark Gurman reiterated his previous claims that a larger iMac is still in the works. That’s an exciting rumor because I’ve felt for years that the iMac isn’t quite living up to its potential. If a larger, more powerful version really is still in development, it could be a seriously impressive device. Here’s everything I want to see from it.
More raw power

Read more