Apple extends 27-in. iMac shipment delay to 3 weeks
Just when it looked like Apple was putting its 27-inch iMac troubles behind it with a balance in supply and demand, the company has abruptly pushed new direct orders of its big screen desktop machines out by three weeks.
While the 21.5-inch models of the new iMac currently ship within 24 hours, as of Thursday new 27-inch iMacs have a three-week estimated shipping time. Only days ago, the Mac maker had improved it supply of the larger models to shipping times of less than a week.
Apple's sudden delay of the new models comes just one week after its authorized resellers began receiving volume shipments of the big-screen models, allowing them to reflect availability for the first time since their introduction last Fall.
Following numerous users-reported screen flickering issues with the 27-inch model, Apple in December notified resellers that new orders would be pushed out by about two weeks. At the same time, the Mac maker apologized for the situation, but did not directly address concerns that hardware issues were to blame for the matter.
Released last October, the newly redesigned iMacs include an edge-to-edge glass design in a seamless all-aluminum enclosure. The new iMacs were an immediate hit with consumers, who made them the best-selling desktop machines in the U.S that same quarter.
However, soon after the launch, reports of issues with the 27-inch iMac began to crop up. Apple moved quickly to address the issue, releasing a software patch meant to remedy the problems plaguing owners.
But for many users, the update wasn't successful in fixing the problem, as posts on the Apple discussion forums have continued to grow (1, 2). The same issues have not been reported with the 21.5-inch models.
Despite Apple's direct-order delays, all of the reseller's tracked by AppleInsider's Mac Price Guide (below) are currently showing availability of most 27-inch iMacs, with a few exceptions:
While the 21.5-inch models of the new iMac currently ship within 24 hours, as of Thursday new 27-inch iMacs have a three-week estimated shipping time. Only days ago, the Mac maker had improved it supply of the larger models to shipping times of less than a week.
Apple's sudden delay of the new models comes just one week after its authorized resellers began receiving volume shipments of the big-screen models, allowing them to reflect availability for the first time since their introduction last Fall.
Following numerous users-reported screen flickering issues with the 27-inch model, Apple in December notified resellers that new orders would be pushed out by about two weeks. At the same time, the Mac maker apologized for the situation, but did not directly address concerns that hardware issues were to blame for the matter.
Released last October, the newly redesigned iMacs include an edge-to-edge glass design in a seamless all-aluminum enclosure. The new iMacs were an immediate hit with consumers, who made them the best-selling desktop machines in the U.S that same quarter.
However, soon after the launch, reports of issues with the 27-inch iMac began to crop up. Apple moved quickly to address the issue, releasing a software patch meant to remedy the problems plaguing owners.
But for many users, the update wasn't successful in fixing the problem, as posts on the Apple discussion forums have continued to grow (1, 2). The same issues have not been reported with the 21.5-inch models.
Despite Apple's direct-order delays, all of the reseller's tracked by AppleInsider's Mac Price Guide (below) are currently showing availability of most 27-inch iMacs, with a few exceptions:
Comments
I ordered a base model 21.5" iMac last week and got the extended keyboard instead of the small wireless one, and it was expected to ship in 1-3 days, but I received an email this morning saying it had delayed shipping as well. It may be a larger issue than just the 27"...
I wonder if this is related to the factory strike issues in China?
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/20/wintek_apple/
or maybe they are just having supply side issues
I wonder if this is related to the factory strike issues in China?
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/20/wintek_apple/
The last time Apple had and issue like this with the iMac is was when the first gen ALU iMacs were released. I haven't seen this flickering issue but with my iMac the screen would flicker and then freeze and it turned out to be a firmware issue with the ATI 2600xt cards. Took Apple about four months to get the firmware issue resolved. Not sure if the GPU is the issue in this case.
The other issue is just poor design with the edge to edge glass with such a large screen. Makes it way too easy to chip or crack durning shipping.
I know this story doesn't leave us with much (or any) indication that this is a mid-cycle update issue, but I do want to remind those reading this thread that there are plenty of Apple customers ? mostly design professionals like myself ? who are incredibly upset by the lack of matte option on the new iMacs. I don't wish for any bad fortune at Apple, but I am hopeful that their troubles with the newest generation iMacs cause them to re-evaluate its design and structure, and possibly re-instate a matte / anti-glare option for those who are willing to pay for it.
Ugh. Give it a rest. If you want to whine about it, start a thread about it so at least the rest of the folks who are interested can go be on-topic in that thread instead of polluting this one.
The last time Apple had and issue like this with the iMac is was when the first gen ALU iMacs were released. I haven't seen this flickering issue but with my iMac the screen would flicker and then freeze and it turned out to be a firmware issue with the ATI 2600xt cards. Took Apple about four months to get the firmware issue resolved. Not sure if the GPU is the issue in this case.
The other issue is just poor design with the edge to edge glass with such a large screen. Makes it way too easy to chip or crack durning shipping.
So far mine has behaved perfectly. I couldn't be more pleased. I feel for those that got a bad one though. I know how excited I was to get mine delivered. I can imagine how disappointing it would be to have to send it back.
So far mine has behaved perfectly. I couldn't be more pleased. I feel for those that got a bad one though. I know how excited I was to get mine delivered. I can imagine how disappointing it would be to have to send it back.
Actually I never sent mine back because I knew it had to be something like a firmware issue with the GPU and it would get resolved. It was a bit of a pain for a while but I seemed to be having far less problems them most so I just waited it out. In the end they released a fireware update and I never had an issue after that.
I don't know if this is the same kind of issue but I do feel of the people having problems because it sucks to get something like this and start to have problems. Kind of takes all the fun away.
I know this story doesn't leave us with much (or any) indication that this is a mid-cycle update issue, but I do want to remind those reading this thread that there are plenty of Apple customers ? mostly design professionals like myself ? who are incredibly upset by the lack of matte option on the new iMacs. I don't wish for any bad fortune at Apple, but I am hopeful that their troubles with the newest generation iMacs cause them to re-evaluate its design and structure, and possibly re-instate a matte / anti-glare option for those who are willing to pay for it.
As far as Matte, I think Apple has decided to pick a direction and is simply going to continue in that direction for a while. Apple has moved to all glossy screens even with the MBP which you use to be able to pick between the two. I do agree with you I like a Matte screen but with my MBP I just simply have become use to the glossy so it doesn't really bother me anymore.
I do however find the glass with the iMac annoying which is why I have moved away from buying them which is simply a personal choice. I know alot of people that love them.
I know this story doesn't leave us with much (or any) indication that this is a mid-cycle update issue, but I do want to remind those reading this thread that there are plenty of Apple customers ? mostly design professionals like myself ? who are incredibly upset by the lack of matte option on the new iMacs. I don't wish for any bad fortune at Apple, but I am hopeful that their troubles with the newest generation iMacs cause them to re-evaluate its design and structure, and possibly re-instate a matte / anti-glare option for those who are willing to pay for it.
Screen flickering sounds like a great excuse to bring back the annoying glare and reflection prone screens.
If Apple would announce, display and offer a application of a matte screen film for all their glossy screen models, perhaps it would be a great solution. A better type of glass with less than 1% surface reflection level would be another great idea.
By the way, not to toot my horn, but it was I that got personally in touch with Steve Jobs and he brought back the 15" matte screen MacBook Pro models a few weeks later.
If you wish to sign a petition to bring back more matte options please visit MacMatte.com, also posting a video on YouTube is highly effective as well..
Keep on screaming and don't buy (edit: a glare prone screen), like many are doing. Apple will come around.
I know this story doesn't leave us with much (or any) indication that this is a mid-cycle update issue, but I do want to remind those reading this thread that there are plenty of Apple customers ? mostly design professionals like myself ? who are incredibly upset by the lack of matte option on the new iMacs. I don't wish for any bad fortune at Apple, but I am hopeful that their troubles with the newest generation iMacs cause them to re-evaluate its design and structure, and possibly re-instate a matte / anti-glare option for those who are willing to pay for it.
I think your post is very respectful, probably the first I have seen on this issue. Nice job.
Hmm, how can we force a connection between this and the tablet?
The Tablet will be 27 inch touch screen and be called the "imac". You can carry it in your hicking bag. It will do games, all the OSX apps, book reading, social media and much more! You can even attach it to a stand and get a wireless keyboard and mouse to make it into a pretty nice desktop. This tablet is going to cost around $1200 dollars.
I think the delays may have somthing to do with the availability of parts. I believe these things are to use the i7s, maybe apple could not secure enough to meet the demand.
I just wish that Apple would show a bit more transparency regarding these matters.
At this point, the entire situation looks a bit 'shady'[/CENTER]
Keep on screaming and don't buy, like many are doing. Apple will come around.
Ha ha, we will see on the 25th how many people didn't buy a Mac.
As for the whining; it will get you nowhere, except for a pitiful live.
perhaps there is an upgrade that Apple has made to some feature and will be included with new imacs, but since they are going to announce it at the upcoming event and include it in all imacs sold after a certain day, they are delaying any receipt until after the event.
or maybe they are just having supply side issues
i suspect perhaps one or more of several things
1. high demand for the 27 inch models in general
2. folks that were totally convinced by the blog talk that the display and delivery issues were 100% across the board on every model were waiting and some of them might have figured that the problem is solved now so they decided to jump in (at least solved enough they could be lucky)
3. folks got end of the year bonus checks, taxes done very quickly etc and have the cash to order and are now in the mix
4. and perhaps the biggest of all. the company in China that went on strike over exposure to potentially toxic chemicals while working on computer and phone display glass is an Apple supplier and they can't get the glass they need until that situation is resolved.