Back in August, NPD DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim claimed that suppliers had begun production on 2,560 by 1,600 high resolution displays for a rumored 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display. Then in September, Digitimes reported that full production on the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro is on its way with shipments from Apple’s supply chain beginning to ramp up ahead of a speculated September or October launch. Now CNET reports on comments from DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim, who says that Apple’s plans for a 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro remain on track for production during this quarter. This would suggest that a launch may come in the near future.

DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim has been telling CNET for a while now that a 13.3-inch Retina version of the MacBook Pro (MBP) is slated for production in the fourth quarter. And today Shim reiterated that he sees no change in those production plans.

What’s not clear is when Apple would release the new MacBook. Shim speculates that it would happen after the iPad Mini announcement — which is expected to be released in the coming weeks — though he said he has no first-hand knowledge of this.