Six new Apple product placeholders in inventory systems?

AppleInsider · March 2, 2009 8:48AM

Some rumors spread this weekend from non-traditional sources (1, 2) that Apple may be planning a media event on March 24th to introduce new desktop products. While AppleInsider has not received any information to this end, it's heard from one tipster that six new Apple product SKUs (stock keeping units) have turned up in the inventory systems of a major overseas electronics retailer, and that those products could arrive as early as this Wednesday.

Taken at face value, this could suggest 4 new iMac configurations and 2 new Mac mini configurations. At this point, however, that is speculative and the report remains largely unconfirmed.

Both the iMac and Mac mini are long-overdue for a refresh, and recent signs have suggested that inventory of current-generation iMacs and Mac minis may be fading fast. In particular, supply of the 3.06GHz iMac has dried up at all of Apple's largest U.S.-based resellers, including Amazon.com. Meanwhile, Best Buy online has run out of both (1, 2) existing Mac mini configurations.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

outsider · March 2, 2009 9:29AM

It's unlike Apple to do a huge release on one day, the iMac, mini and Pro. If there are placeholders in the system, then they could be for tomorrow and then have a desktop blitz on the 24th when the Nehalem Xeons are supposed to be released. So iMac on the 3rd and Pro and mini/xMac/whatever on the 24th.

dhagan4755 · March 2, 2009 9:31AM

Gosh, that could be anything! I hope that Apple will give the Mac mini some lovin'... I wonder tho...

The supposed desktop event on the 24th could be the Mac Pro and the Xserve. Meanwhile iMacs and Mac minis get bumps in the weeks leading up to the 24th.

utisnum1 · March 2, 2009 9:42AM

I actually wouldn't mind at all if Apple release a 28 or 30 inch model of the iMac. It would be perfect for people who want to have a TV sized TV and with Front Row can watch their content. It would be a neat idea but i don't see one of those happening for at least another 2-3 years when screen size standard becomes higher.

outsider · March 2, 2009 9:49AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UTisNUM1

I actually wouldn't mind at all if Apple release a 28 or 30 inch model of the iMac. It would be perfect for people who want to have a TV sized TV and with Front Row can watch their content. It would be a neat idea but i don't see one of those happening for at least another 2-3 years when screen size standard becomes higher.

I don't think anyone would mind that!

I think what people would mind is the discontinuation of the 20" model. Otherwise, bigger is better.

dhagan4755 · March 2, 2009 9:53AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outsider

I think what people would mind is the discontinuation of the 20" model.

Yeah, bring back the 20-inch model!

outsider · March 2, 2009 10:15AM

I think the placeholders are for 4 new iMac models and 2 Time Capsule models.

20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.5GHz, 320GB HDD, ATI HD3850 Mobile

20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile

24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile

24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 3.0GHz, 750GB HDD, NVIDIA GTX280M

1TB Time Capsule

2TB Time Capsule

hmurchison · March 2, 2009 10:22AM

20" is too small for most people IMO.

After quickly getting used to the screen real estate of a 24" LCD I'd hate to go back to even a 22" let alone 20"

In fact I'd love to see Apple do something like

22" lowend

24" midrange

26/27" High End

For the iMac lineup. Once you get a big screen you simply do not want to go back unless your environs dictate the need for a smaller monitor and then perhaps a laptop and 20" LCD would be a nice solution.

outsider · March 2, 2009 10:24AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmurchison

20" is too small for most people IMO.

After quickly getting used to the screen real estate of a 24" LCD I'd hate to go back to even a 22" let alone 20"

In fact I'd love to see Apple do something like

22" lowend

24" midrange

26/27" High End

For the iMac lineup. Once you get a big screen you simply do not want to go back unless your environs dictate the need for a smaller monitor and then perhaps a laptop and 20" LCD would be a nice solution.

I think keeping the 20 in there will allow Apple to keep a low price point that maybe they can't achieve with the 24".

joelsalt · March 2, 2009 10:35AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outsider

I think keeping the 20 in there will allow Apple to keep a low price point that maybe they can't achieve with the 24".

didn't they just drop the 20" cinema display line?

It makes sense to have the iMac and Display at the same size for economies of scale.

hmurchison · March 2, 2009 10:43AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outsider

I think keeping the 20 in there will allow Apple to keep a low price point that maybe they can't achieve with the 24".

The low price point will come from new LG display panels. Dell is selling a 23" e-IPS monitor for $299. That's a smidgen over TN pricing for a 22" LCD.

If i'm spending $1100 for an iMac I want $300 worth of monitor in my computer for that price. Apple's huge investment in LG leads me to believe that they may have a 20" or larger but the quality will jump.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outsider

I think the placeholders are for 4 new iMac models and 2 Time Capsule models.

20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.5GHz, 320GB HDD, ATI HD3850 Mobile

20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile

24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile

24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 3.0GHz, 750GB HDD, NVIDIA GTX280M

1TB Time Capsule

2TB Time Capsule

The only problem with this is"

Do we really need two 20" models? 20" is the new 17". Low end in size and price.

If this is a Desktop Event then we're not likely to see Time Capsule refreshes but more likely Mac mini models.

hudson1 · March 2, 2009 10:53AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outsider

I think the placeholders are for 4 new iMac models and 2 Time Capsule models.

20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.5GHz, 320GB HDD, ATI HD3850 Mobile

20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile

24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile

24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 3.0GHz, 750GB HDD, NVIDIA GTX280M

1TB Time Capsule

2TB Time Capsule

Are you just guessing or do you have other info that you are relaying here?

dhagan4755 · March 2, 2009 11:10AM

Interesting line-up. I only agree with dropping the 20-inch monitor if the 24-inch size can take the 20-inch's price point. I think having a 20-inch iMac in the line-up is important...especially if it means a lower cost iMac. If Apple can squeak the 20-inch below the $1,000 mark that would be huge in my opinion. If they had it with just nvidia's integrated graphics, that would be probably be possible. It would also be crucial for the education market which is still being sold the white 17-inch iMac.

macxpress · March 2, 2009 11:18AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelsalt

didn't they just drop the 20" cinema display line?

It makes sense to have the iMac and Display at the same size for economies of scale.

They did, but they also dropped the 23" Cinema before it was replaced by the 24" LED Cinema. I wouldn't be surprised if they brought back a 20 or 22" LED Cinema to replace the aluminum 20" Cinema. Apple really needs a lower end display. Not everyone has the room, nor do they want to fork out $800+ for a large display.

outsider · March 2, 2009 11:26AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hudson1

Are you just guessing or do you have other info that you are relaying here?

These are pure guesses.

outsider · March 2, 2009 11:34AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmurchison

The low price point will come from new LG display panels. Dell is selling a 23" e-IPS monitor for $299. That's a smidgen over TN pricing for a 22" LCD.

If i'm spending $1100 for an iMac I want $300 worth of monitor in my computer for that price. Apple's huge investment in LG leads me to believe that they may have a 20" or larger but the quality will jump.

The only problem with this is"

Do we really need two 20" models? 20" is the new 17". Low end in size and price.

If this is a Desktop Event then we're not likely to see Time Capsule refreshes but more likely Mac mini models.

20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.5GHz, 320GB HDD, ATI HD3850 Mobile, $1,199

24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile, $1,599

24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 3.0GHz, 750GB HDD, NVIDIA GTX280M, $2,199

Mac mini 2GB (4GB), C2 Duo 2.4GHz, 160GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $599

Mac mini 2GB (4GB), C2 Duo 2.66GHz, 250GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $799

Mac mini 4GB (4GB), C2 Duo 3.0GHz, 320GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $999

hmurchison · March 2, 2009 11:48AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outsider

20" imac 4gb (8gb), c2 quad 2.5ghz, 320gb hdd, ati hd3850 mobile, $1,199

24" imac 4gb (8gb), c2 quad 2.8ghz, 500gb hdd, ati hd3870 mobile, $1,599

24" imac 4gb (8gb), c2 quad 3.0ghz, 750gb hdd, nvidia gtx280m, $2,199

mac mini 2gb (4gb), c2 duo 2.4ghz, 160gb hdd, nvidia 9400 graphics, $599

mac mini 2gb (4gb), c2 duo 2.66ghz, 250gb hdd, nvidia 9400 graphics, $799

mac mini 4gb (4gb), c2 duo 3.0ghz, 320gb hdd, nvidia 9400 graphics, $999

sold!

joe_the_dragon · March 2, 2009 12:50PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outsider

20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.5GHz, 320GB HDD, ATI HD3850 Mobile, $1,199

24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile, $1,599

24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 3.0GHz, 750GB HDD, NVIDIA GTX280M, $2,199

Mac mini 2GB (4GB), C2 Duo 2.4GHz, 160GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $599

Mac mini 2GB (4GB), C2 Duo 2.66GHz, 250GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $799

Mac mini 4GB (4GB), C2 Duo 3.0GHz, 320GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $999

at $800 and $1000 add 9500 / 9600 M video. Maybe even have 9700 / 9800 in the $1000 one.

SpamSandwich · March 2, 2009 12:56PM

I'm guessing the "pleasant surprise" mentioned in this article are reduced prices across the board... either that, or a nunchuck-wielding Steve Jobs will land on the stage from a helicopter drop.

http://www.tgdaily.com/html_tmp/cont...41588-135.html

outsider · March 2, 2009 1:04PM

Hmm, looks interesting. Tomorrow may be a good day.

http://www.onemorething.nl/?p=showarticle&art_id=4016

Marvin · March 2, 2009 1:06PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outsider

20" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.5GHz, 320GB HDD, ATI HD3850 Mobile, $1,199

24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 2.8GHz, 500GB HDD, ATI HD3870 Mobile, $1,599

24" iMac 4GB (8GB), C2 Quad 3.0GHz, 750GB HDD, NVIDIA GTX280M, $2,199

Mac mini 2GB (4GB), C2 Duo 2.4GHz, 160GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $599

Mac mini 2GB (4GB), C2 Duo 2.66GHz, 250GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $799

Mac mini 4GB (4GB), C2 Duo 3.0GHz, 320GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400 graphics, $999

I think the Mini will start at 2GHz and just have a 2.4GHz option.

If the iMac has quads in it, they will be 2.33Ghz, 2.66GHz and 2.83GHz. E-IPS on at least the lower end as I think they could manage 24" all round.

The 6th item could possibly be the single Mac Pro that you just configure.

I agree with the comment that the Mini and iMac may come out sooner. The Mini packaging is ready so they can just start shipping.

An event on the 24th would be to launch the big change, which is the Mac Pro and they will use that to demo the power of the new Xeons as well as Snow Leopard. Quad core iMacs would be noteworthy of course but there is still the possibility of them sticking to dual core.

Six new Apple product placeholders in inventory systems?

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