Apple Store Down - 19/10/2011 [Updated]

Apple has taken down its online store for maintenance Internationally amid persistent rumors of a MacBook Pro refresh.

Although it is entirely possible Cupertino is only doing some backend work, like tweaking the store’s interface to better accommodate ordering your iPods, we can’t help speculate there could be more.

A rumor has been circulating recently that Apple is planning to refresh its Pro line of notebook computers. The updated systems would boast higher-clocked processors, Bluetooth 4.0 capabilities, and other enhancements as well.

The clues for this refresh were reportedly spotted in leaked part numbers. Apple themselves may have confirmed the impending update via their online store (and I did promise to keep an eye out for the yellow sticky sign).

It was also revealed this week that Apple’s key unibody chassis manufacturer had been ordered to shut down operations because of environmental concerns.

The tech media immediately translated the news into imminent MacBook stock constraints, even speculating that the rumored upgraded systems would be delayed. However, could it just be that Apple had already ordered their assembly?

The updated computers are considered to be gap fillers between the Sandy Bridge + Thunderbolt refresh announced earlier this year and next year’s Ivy Bridge CPU upgrade.

Intel applied its 22 nanometer process to create the chips which go far beyond the 32 nanometer Sandy Bridge CPUs.

Thanks to the 22 nanometer manufacturing process, the Ivy Bridge processors will require far less power to carry out intensive tasks, including graphics. Performance is also much over the top of the current Sandy Bridges.

It is believed that after this rumored ‘gap’ refresh rolls out, next-year’s computers will not only employ the new processors, more solid state storage and perhaps even more RAM, but also an all new design.

It would only make sense for the Cupertino giant to try and bring the MacBook Pro family closer to the MacBook Air in terms of design.

After all, the MacBook Air is by far the most attractive Apple laptop (if not of all laptops out there), and portability is always a marketing plus.

UPDATE: store back online with no visible alterations. Use the comments to highlight any changes we may have missed.