Evidence of MacBook Pro Refresh Continues to Mount - 15-inch Models Now 'Unavailable'

Various sources indicate that certain MacBook Pro models are unavailable for reservation at many of the Cupertino giant’s retail stores across the United States, with the 2.53 GHz 15-inch model being particularly hard to find.

The 17 inch 2.53 GHz MacBook Pro also shows the ‘unavailable’ sign at many of the company’s stores, while 9to5mac.com has discovered that Apple’s 2.66 GHz 13-inch MacBook Pro is “unavailable” at some stores as well, but less frequently compared to the aforementioned systems.

The site appropriately indicates that Mac Pros showing up as ‘unavailable’ last July translated into refreshed systems four days later, in what can be considered a good indicator of Apple’s M.O.

In a February 8th report titled “March 2011 Apple Event Imminent”, Softpedia discussed the possibility of seeing Apple ceremoniously launch upgraded MacBook computers, while leaving the iPad 2 as a one-more-thing announcement.

The biggest indication that Apple plans to upgrade its Pro line of notebooks comes from Best Buy, a top Apple reseller whose inventory listings already show “dummy” SKUs for new MacBook Pros, with a March release date listed.

Multiple Apple-centric sites and blogs have recently cited their own sources as saying that Apple is planning one such event, with many agreeing that this is due to happen sooner rather than later.

Evidence keeps mounting to indicate that this reportedly ‘small’ event will undoubtedly see the introduction of a next-generation iPad as well.

The tablet is allegedly equipped with dual cameras, more RAM, a more powerful processor, all in a brand new design akin to that of the iPod touch.

However, a MacBook announcement should also play a big role at this alleged event, should Apple proceed (as rumored) to phase out optical drives from its Pro laptops, while equipping them with various new components to support the newest technologies, such as Light Peak.

Such changes would undoubtedly affect the systems’ designs as well, perhaps turning them all into various types of MacBook Airs, therefore would require a proper introduction.