Tim Cook admits he wishes Apple had held launch of new iMac until 2013
In a rare public admission of hindsight, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said on Tuesday that he wishes his company had waited until 2013 to launch its redesigned iMac, which remained in short supply through the end of 2012.
Speaking with investors and analysts during his company's quarterly earnings conference call, Cook said he doesn't spend a lot of time looking back "except to learn." But in response to a question from Mark Moskowitz of J.P. Morgan, Cook admitted that Apple may have pushed to launch its new iMac too soon at the end of 2012.
"We felt our customers had to wait too long," he admitted.
While the iPad mini was in short supply throughout the December quarter, Apple was still able to ship the 7.9-inch tablet to millions of customers. The same could not be said for the all-in-one iMac, which was given a major redesign with a thinner profile.
"In retrospect, yes, I sort of wish we had done it after the turn of the year," Cook said. "Customers wouldn't have had to have waited as long as they did."
The new iMac was plagued with production issues when the desktop went on sale in December. It was reported that those issues came from a unique screen lamination process Apple has employed in its new design, allowing the desktop to sport a much thinner profile than its predecessor.
In the December quarter, Mac sales were off 17 percent year over year to 4.1 million ? a loss that Apple attributed mostly to a lack of availability of the new iMac. This quarter, with iMac availability vastly improved, and sales were about flat year over year at just under 4 million.
Speaking with investors and analysts during his company's quarterly earnings conference call, Cook said he doesn't spend a lot of time looking back "except to learn." But in response to a question from Mark Moskowitz of J.P. Morgan, Cook admitted that Apple may have pushed to launch its new iMac too soon at the end of 2012.
"We felt our customers had to wait too long," he admitted.
While the iPad mini was in short supply throughout the December quarter, Apple was still able to ship the 7.9-inch tablet to millions of customers. The same could not be said for the all-in-one iMac, which was given a major redesign with a thinner profile.
"In retrospect, yes, I sort of wish we had done it after the turn of the year," Cook said. "Customers wouldn't have had to have waited as long as they did."
The new iMac was plagued with production issues when the desktop went on sale in December. It was reported that those issues came from a unique screen lamination process Apple has employed in its new design, allowing the desktop to sport a much thinner profile than its predecessor.
In the December quarter, Mac sales were off 17 percent year over year to 4.1 million ? a loss that Apple attributed mostly to a lack of availability of the new iMac. This quarter, with iMac availability vastly improved, and sales were about flat year over year at just under 4 million.
Comments
Aside from no preorders (the frick was up with that, Tim?) you did the right thing. Rather have people whine about something they've already ordered, know exist, and know they're getting than to whine about "been a year since the last update and the chips are out; where's the machine I know exists that you're hiding from me?"
2) From the standpoint of a customer who loves his new 27" iMac, I'm glad I didn't have to wait longer for it.
3) This makes me wonder if this might push Cook to hold off other new products to make sure the same thing doesn't happen again. This might explain why there has been an extra long delay between events. Perhaps Cook's "doubling down on secrecy" means he wants even less of a lead time between an event and the release of a product.
I'm neutral on the whole iMac fiasco. However, kudos for Cook to look at it as an opportunity to do better.
It would not have made much difference in the big picture methink. Whiners and trolls complaining that Apple wasn't updating the iMacs fast enough would simply turn right around and complain that Apple had the NERVE to update the iMacs right after the Christmas season.
No way he could win.
I'm waiting for the next iMac iteration before I decide to retire my 2009 iMac, which I still happily love using to this day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ifij775
What happened to their staggered release schedule? I think getting rid of it is an incredibly stupid strategy.
The release dates are likely set to sell the most devices (i.e., holiday shopping season). What's the problem with having a long release date? Apple products (e.g., iPod, iPhone, and iPad) have been updated on a yearly basis for over a decade now. Where's the rationale for needing updates more often?
You've been sucked into the Wall Street propaganda trying to explain the decline in Apple stock. The real problem is that Wall Street is stupidly bullish and stupidly pessimistic. Last fall Apple was overpriced, now its underpriced. I don't think Apple should set its product release schedule to moderate the irrational behavior of Wall Street.
I'd bet on it.. Lets face it most of us are impulse buyers especially knuckleheads like me. On the other hand - having leeway between announce date and on sale date builds anticipation and millions of dollars in free media exposure... Personally I found on high ticket items that will change - but, but I'd bet the new Mac Pro will get a immediate release.. Why? It's off the market right now in Europe ...
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoffdino
Could have launch the old design with Ivy Bridge in June, when they launch the MBP Retina. Putting a new chip into the old case would have been ridiculously easy at that point. Then wait till Haswell and launch the redesign. Intel's tick and Apple leap. Give them 6 months to perfect production. All would have been happy. Yeah, Cook blew this call.
This.
The new design was clearly rushed to market before it was ready, but that's because they refused to do the easy thing and put Ivy Bridge into the old case in May 2012 when the chips became readily available. Instead Intel delivered new technology and Apple ignored it and their customers for 6 months.
I think Apple has started believing the pundits who expect every product release to offer something revolutionary. Expecting something amazing every year is completely irrational.
During most of Steve's reign Apple demonstrated a commitment to regular incremental product updates. It meant the truly innovative new products could be worked on until they met Steve's high standards. New designs were often launched at times when there was nothing new on the inside allowing Apple to hide the lack of technical progress and capture media attention twice as often. Customers knew they were safe buying when needed because in all likelihood the next release was going to be a lot like the current product. Products simply matured over time. Using a baseball analogy Steve Jobs' team hit for percentage and advanced the runners. They didn't swing for the fences. Their big hitters didn't join the existing game, they invented a whole new one. And they only did that about twice per decade.
I think it'll happen shortly, but I'm more surprised it hasn't happened already since they knew the Mac Pro was coming off the market in Europe for whatever health reason thingy
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
- Mario Andretti
To keep Apple inthe spot light. When you shove 6 products down people's throat in 1 month or two, they are overloaded wi information. There's no reason to come to the Apple during the rest of the year cause you don't hear what else is cool. At lastly, to make supply chain management easier when you ramp your product outside of the holiday rush
The apple site says:
Higher-fidelity sound and a larger soundstage.
Even though the iMac enclosure is thinner than ever, the new built-in speakers deliver higher-fidelity sound than before. So when you’re listening to that new album, watching the latest flick, or playing your favorite action game, you’ll get immersive sound and a surprisingly wide soundstage.
So that's bullocks?
Odd that Tim Cook lacks prescience. I thought he was perfect. Now I'll have to sell off all my Apple stock until they hire a CEO whose foresight is as perfect as his hindsight. /s
Indeed it is.
Rather than pasting in here what Apple marketing is telling you, why not consider the fact that I own the product and use it every day, owned the 3 previous models, and love the company. They don't just sound worse, they sound noticeably worse. You can put them it side by side with the previous model and it's laughable. I did just that, but you don't need to go that far, because it's totally obvious. I'm big into my music. Like I said, the best way to describe it is it's as if the music sounds like its being funnelled through a street construction cone thanks to the thin chin.
What I don't get is, if your so so dissatisfied and your a "long time customer" ( cuz I am for 20 years ) it's really really hard to comprehend you not taking it back - and don't play dumb - while not perfect -- they can easily see your product history and determine a solution to make u happier - if that's possible.. Um but since I work in entertainment here is L.A. Who in their right mind would even depend on internal speakers ??? That's like crying the MacMini speakers suck -- but that's expected -- duh -- that's why I easily AirPlay my audio to any receiver with Apple TV. Whaaaaaa.
Yeah, I was surprised when he said that.
My inner response was "yes, me too Tim, me too." It was just one too many backlog problems. It really didn't look good for them.
Oh well; Onward...
I debated even being honest with my speaker comment because you get replies like yours. Goodbye.