Best Buy has shaved up to $200 (£127) off last year’s model of the MacBook Pro, exacerbating rumours that the release of a 2012 version is on the horizon.

The US retailer is offering the 13.3inch MacBook Pro (4GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive) for $100 less at $1,099.99, and $120 off its 15.4inch counterpart ($1,679.99), leading to speculation that it’s clearing its inventory to make way for the refreshed Apple laptop, tech blog Gizmodo reports.

The company is also offering $200 off the higher end Pros.

Expected to be announced at the Californian company’s World Wide Developers Conference in June, the MacBook Pro 2012 is rumoured to be in possession of a pin-sharp retina display, a top of the line Nvidia graphics card and USB 3.0 port.  

However, it will reportedly lack a super drive, as part of the company’s plan to completely overhaul the design of its Pro range of laptops.

It’s believed the space usually reserved for an optical drive will be used to house a bigger battery. The 2012 MacBook Pro is also expected to be thinner and lighter than its older siblings.

Speculation is also rife that Apple will be pushing gaming and app sales on the 2012 model, which is expected to come equipped with Intel’s powerful Ivy Bridge processor.

This isn’t the first time Best Buy has sparked rumours of an upcoming Apple device.

Earlier this year, the consumer electronics retailer slashed $50 off the price of its iPad 2 stock, just weeks prior to the launch of the new iPad.

WWDC 2012: Rumours

Along with the MacBook Pro 2012, Apple is also expected to unveil its OS X Mountain Lion computer operating system and iOS 6 mobile operating system at WWDC, which will take place in California in June.

In addition to an iOS-like interface, Mountain Lion will also boast new and improved reminders and notes functions.

Game Center is also expected to debut in the new OS, however, whether it will successfully make the transition from the Macbook line remains to be seen.

According to reports, the Cupertino-based company has already begun training its staff on how to use the Mountain Lion software.

A source told AppleInsider: "The EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) division of AppleCare is allegedly hiring and training new staff on certain aspects of Apple's upcoming OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, possibly hinting that a release date is soon to arrive."

Along with Mountain Lion, Apple is expected to launch iOS 6, it’s operating system for its mobile devices. For more information, check out our iOS 6 release date, news and rumours post.