Apple’s shipping estimates for Retina MacBook Pro to online customers who preordered the laptop has improved, according to the company’s online stores in the U.S., Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan and several other countries.
The initial demand for the Cupertino-based tech giant’s MacBook Pro with Retina display looks diminished, as shipping lags have started to ameliorate for the first time in almost a month.
However, this is not an indication that you will receive the “world’s greatest computer ever created” – as Apple markets the notebook – within a couple of days. The latest shipping estimates still have a waiting time of around two to three weeks before the 15.4-inch laptop arrives on your doorstep. The online Apple Store in the U.S. now lists shipping times for the high-resolution Retina MacBook Pro in that particular range. Still, this is a better condition compared to a possible three to four weeks of delay. Customers had no other option but to hold back after Apple launched the laptop last month.
MacRumors was first to report the development, and noted that shipping times have improved in the U.S., Canada, some Asia-Pacific markets, and several major markets in Europe.
In just a few days after introducing the US$2,200 laptop last month, Apple immediately went out of stock. The improved shipping delays first appeared in European online Apple stores before eventually crossing the pond to the U.S. store. During that time, Apple’s online store showed two models with a Retina display and an estimated waiting time of three to four weeks before reaching customers. At the same time, all other MacBook Pro laptops were listed as ‘in stock’.
The Retina MacBook Pro starts at $2,199 for the 2.3 GHz Core i7 quad-core unit with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of flash storage. The higher model, which comes with a 2.6 GHz Core i7 quad-core processor, 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of flash storage, costs $2,799.
By now, it should go without saying that Apple’s Retina MacBook Pro is a bestseller. Apart from high demands since its launching event, reviews from experts have been mostly positive.
The new laptop actually comes with an ultra-sharp Retina that measures 15.4 inches on its diagonals. It has a screen resolution that surpasses HDTV by around 3 million pixels. The Retina MacBook Pro body is substantially thinner than previous laptops in the lineup, all of which received a revamp at Apple’s June 11 WorldWide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) alongside the Retina model, and uses solid-state drive (SSD) flash memory for a considerable increase in speed.
According to rumors, a 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro is also set to arrive by fall this year, just in time for new iMac all-in-one desktop.
During the company’s earnings call with Wall Street analysts later this month, Apple will reveal the Q2 2012 sales figures for Mac. In previous disclosures of quarterly earnings, Apple never announces the sales figure of individual laptop models except when that specific unit reached staggering figures. That may change for the Retina MacBook Pro.












