MacBook Pro 2016 Launching in December? [Release Date, Specs, Features & Rumors]

A telling clue recently hinted that the new MacBook Pro might be out December this year, instead of 2016.

Pike's Universum noticed a new Mac code in the Apple PC OS El Capitan recently. The code, AAPLJ951, referred to a new Mac Pro which may be released very soon.

"The current Mac Pro is codenamed AAPLJ90 so there is some logic to this new reference being a new version of the professional-level workstation," Macworld noted.

The code was discovered while Pike was working on XHCI compatibility issues.

"The data is identical to that of the late 2015 (iMac17,1 in the same file) so it may as well be a remnant of the new iMac, but the strange thing is that the XHCI data for the late 2015 iMac is also there, which is why I believe that this is not/was not added for the/a new iMac but another Mac," he explained.

Macworld pointed out another sign that the code indeed is referring to a new Mac Pro as it indicated the presence of 10 USB 3.0 ports.

"Currently there are 4 USB ports and 6 Thunderbolt 2 ports on the Mac Pro," the tech news portal said. "We think that adopting Thunderbolt 3 on the Mac Pro may make more sense as it brings Thunderbolt to USB-C at 40Gbps."

Then, there's also the fact that Intel had already released its new line of processor chips - the kind installed in Mac Pros. The chips in the current Mac Pro are those of previous generation, which may lead to a release of a newer line of such Apple laptops.

Finally, new MacBooks have been sold at a discount - a sign that the iPhone maker wants to make space for a new product.

However, considering that the iPad Pro is set to arrive this month, it appears releasing yet another Apple product in the next month would not be feasible for the company as it would cannibalize tablet sales. Some pundits opined that the Cupertino-based company may likely release the MacBook Pro in 2016.

As expected, Apple has not confirmed any of these rumors or have spoken about the Mac Pro 2016's release.

According to rumors, the upcoming Mac Pro will come with Skylake chips and El Capitan OS. It may also have a Type-C USB port and a more powerful RAM, Australia Network News relayed.

What are your own MacBook Pro predictions? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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