Apple Inc. could be set to spring a January surprise for fans, with reports that the company could announce a new M2 MacBook Pro as soon as Tuesday, Jan. 17.

The report of a Jan. 17 release comes from Apple leaker Jon Prosser, who posted on Twitter Inc. earlier today that people should “keep an eye on Apple’s newsroom tomorrow.” Others have suggested that the release could be a new MacBook Pro. Apple has in the past announced products by press release when it hasn’t been scheduled to hold a launch event, so it’s certainly possible that it could announce something.

Exactly when the announcement is made is another matter. Sites such as 9to5Mac claim to have independently heard that Apple is holding press briefings this week related to the Mac. That report claims that Apple will brief the press under embargo on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 18-19, ahead of a scheduled review date of Jan. 23, but the initial announcement could still come on Tuesday.

Macrumors is also claiming to have corroborated that an announcement is expected to take place this week, speculating that updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models could be in the release, along with new Mac mini models. Presuming the reports are true, the new MacBook Pro models are expected to feature a similar form factor to the previous October 2021 model but powered by Apple’s M2 Pro chip.

Others are skeptical, however, with Notebook Check writing that though a launch is plausible, previous reports have suggested that the new MacBook Pros would not be ready for a first-quarter launch. Added to the mix is that Apple would more likely hold a dedicated event to show off its new chip versus launching it slyly via press release.

What Apple will not likely release this week is its long-fabled mixed-reality headset. January was previously mentioned as a launch date for Apple’s possibly named “Reality Pro” headset, but a report last week suggested the headset has been delayed again because of technical issues.

The speculated date has been regularly changing for years, but respected industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that a spring product event or Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference is when the headset will make its debut.

Image: Apple