The next-gen MacBook Pro is nearing completion, according to a new report that claims an Apple supplier has already shipped hinges that will be used in the upcoming 13-inch model.
In order to make the MacBook ultra-thin, Apple will reportedly use metal injection molding hinges from Taiwanese supplier Jarllytec, which shipped them to Apple in May.
Cult of Mac received an exclusive look at the body of the upcoming MacBook Pro, which will likely feature an OLED touchpad, slimmer body and only four USB-C ports with a headphone jack. The new MacBook Pro is expected to be announced as soon as Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference next week.
The hinge-maker’s sales in May were higher than expected, thanks to the shipment of hinges for the 13-inch MacBooks, reports China’s Commercial Times. The company is expected to ship hinges for the 15-inch MacBook Pro in the third quarter of 2016.
If Jarllytec isn’t scheduled to deliver the batch of hinges for the 15-inch MacBook Pro until Q3, that could indicate Apple may hold off on announcing the products until after WWDC, which seems very likely. Or it could release the two sizes a few months apart, similar to the launch of the new iPad Pros.
Apple’s next big keynote will be held June 13 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco as part of WWDC 2016. iOS 10, OS X 10.12, tvOS 10, watchOS 3 and other big software updates are expected to be revealed during the event, which will be streamed live on Apple’s website.
