Leaked M4 MacBook Pro Sale Russian Classifieds Site 2024

In a significant and intriguing development, Apple's yet-to-be-announced M4 MacBook Pro has surfaced on a Russian classified ads website, sparking widespread interest and raising several questions about the security of Apple's product launches.

The leak, which has garnered considerable attention, involves multiple units of the unreleased 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro being listed for sale on Avito, Russia's equivalent of Craigslist. These listings, which have since been removed due to a violation of the site's policy against selling "non-existent" goods, advertised the laptops at a hefty price of 720,000 rubles, approximately $7,000 to $7,500 USD.

The listings followed a series of events where two Russian YouTubers recently showcased the M4 MacBook Pro in unboxing videos, providing detailed looks at the device. The laptop is configured with 16GB of unified memory, a 512GB SSD, and notably features three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an upgrade from the two Thunderbolt 3 ports found in previous models. The device is also available in a new Space Black finish, a color currently exclusive to the M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pro models.

The specifications of the leaked M4 MacBook Pro align with recent rumors and predictions from industry analysts, including Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has suggested that Apple may introduce M4-powered Macs by the end of October, with a potential release date of November 1.

What is particularly puzzling is how these devices ended up in Russia. Given the U.S. enforcement of stringent sanctions against Russia, which restrict companies like Apple from operating in the country, it is unlikely that the machines were obtained through official channels. Speculations suggest that a shipment of these laptops, produced in China, might have been intercepted and illicitly transported into Russia. The fact that multiple units were listed for sale implies that this leak is not a one-off incident but rather a more significant breach, possibly involving theft from a Chinese warehouse.

The authenticity of the leaked M4 MacBook Pro models, while unverified by Apple, appears increasingly likely due to the consistency of the information and the presence of multiple units. Geekbench results for a machine identified as “Mac 16,1” have also been reported, showing performance metrics that align with the specifications of the leaked devices.

Apple has yet to comment on these leaks, and it remains unclear how the company will respond to this apparent breach in their typically stringent security measures. This incident is reminiscent of the 2010 leak of an iPhone 4 prototype, which was accidentally left at a bar in California, and highlights the challenges companies face in maintaining the secrecy of their upcoming products.

As the situation unfolds, potential buyers are advised to approach unofficial listings with caution, especially for unannounced products. The official launch of the M4 MacBook Pro is expected by the end of October, with shipping anticipated to begin on November 1.