Apple's new MacBook Pro, the MacBook Pro 2016, is currently expected to release sometime in early 2016 although there are now reports that the device might actually release by the very tail-end of this year, allowing it to launch just in time for the Christmas season.

According to a report from Yibada, both the MacBook Pro 2016 and MacBook Air 2016 may see early release dates given that the current-generation MacBook laptops are seeing successive discounts and price drops. However, the report only cites that the MacBook Air 2016 may be released by this year with the MacBook Pro 2016 releasing in Spring 2016.

However, the Venture Capital Post reports that the MacBook Pro 2016 may indeed make it to store shelves in time before the Christmas season kicks in. At this point Apple has made no official clarification regarding the MacBook Pro 2016's real release window and both a late 2015 and early 2016 release date are logical options.

Releasing in November or December of this year would allow Apple to take full advantage of the shopping fever associated with the holidays, particularly Black Friday shopping sales and Christmas shopping festivities. However, releasing the MacBook Pro 2016 next year would allow Apple to avoid in-house competition with the iPad Pro.

The MacBook Pro and MacBook Air were noticeably absent during Apple's big September event which led to the unveiling of the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and the iPad Pro and many speculated that this was done in order to highlight these three devices while the laptops and iMac computers would be given more attention later.

As of the time of writing Apple has yet to make an official statement regarding either laptop's release date.

The MacBook Pro 2016, when it does release, is expected to run on the new Intel Skylake-U processors and will be available in both 15-inch and 13-inch variants. There are speculations it will sport a thinner body but no confirmations or leaked images have been released thus far.