“Just before Christmas, shipping estimates for Apple’s 12-core Mac Pro model increased to 1-3 weeks, and while that specific model does tend to occasionally see some extra lead time, the shipping delays were later noticed to have extended to nearly any customized Mac Pro order,” Eric Slivka reports for MacRumors.

“Even as simple a customization as increasing the RAM on an ‘In Stock’ standard Mac Pro configuration increases its shipping estimate to 1-3 weeks,” Slivka reports. “Increases in shipping estimates in Apple’s online store can sometimes be indicative of an upcoming product refresh as the company draws down supplies ahead of launching the updated models. The Mac Pro is most certainly due for an update, and there are several indications that components may be coming together for a significant upgrade to the line.”

Slivka reports, “Most importantly, Intel’s Sandy Bridge E Xeon processors are due for launch during the first quarter of this year after having been delayed from a late 2011 debut.”

Read more in the full article here.