Apple's 27" iMacs continue to face production issues
Apple is still facing manufacturing issues with its new big-screen 27-inch iMac, though a report claims the issue could start to improve in February.
Citing industry sources, hit-or-miss DigiTimes reported on Thursday that mass production issues can be pinned on iMac panel supplier LG Display. The problem apparently stems from full lamination issues in producing the panels.
Apple and LG are only able to produce about 100,000 units a month, according to the report. The issues do not apparently apply to the 21.5-inch iMac, which has reached monthly shipments of between 300,000 and 400,000.
AppleInsider previously noted on Monday that Apple's iMacs remain in short supply more than a month after the new all-in-one desktop launched. In fact, Apple's reseller channel remains completely out of stock of the 21.5-inch model.
Apple's online store advertises that the 27-inch iMac will ship to new orders in three to four weeks. The wait isn't quite as long with the 21.5-inch model, which ships in 7 to 10 business days.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said publicly in October that there would be "significant shortage" of iMacs in the December quarter. And analyst Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities was first to reveal in August that the new screen lamination process used in building the new iMacs is particularly difficult with the larger 27-inch model.
Citing industry sources, hit-or-miss DigiTimes reported on Thursday that mass production issues can be pinned on iMac panel supplier LG Display. The problem apparently stems from full lamination issues in producing the panels.
Apple and LG are only able to produce about 100,000 units a month, according to the report. The issues do not apparently apply to the 21.5-inch iMac, which has reached monthly shipments of between 300,000 and 400,000.
AppleInsider previously noted on Monday that Apple's iMacs remain in short supply more than a month after the new all-in-one desktop launched. In fact, Apple's reseller channel remains completely out of stock of the 21.5-inch model.
Apple's online store advertises that the 27-inch iMac will ship to new orders in three to four weeks. The wait isn't quite as long with the 21.5-inch model, which ships in 7 to 10 business days.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said publicly in October that there would be "significant shortage" of iMacs in the December quarter. And analyst Ming-chi Kuo of KGI Securities was first to reveal in August that the new screen lamination process used in building the new iMacs is particularly difficult with the larger 27-inch model.
Comments
Apple is Laminated.™
Should have given the job to Samsung.
Keep in mind that Apple's total sales for Macbook Pro, MacBook Air, Mini, Mac Pro, and iMac are around 16 M per year.
However, those figures are very dependent on quarter. First (calendar) quarter sales will likely be around 3 to 3.5 M units. At the above production rates, Apple can ship between 1.2 M and 1.5 M iMacs this quarter. Given that Apple's laptop sales have been much stronger than desktop sales for years, I don't think that these numbers are all that much of a constraint.
Receive mine on December 21. Died December 28th. HD failure. Still waiting for my replacement to ship.
dt;dr
They have not updated their Thunderbolt or Cinema displays yet, I doubt they will until they catch up with the iMacs. With the pivot, I expect there to be some bulge. I don't think they will depart too far from the iMac style.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cagctg
I got mine and it rocks! 3.4 GHz and Fusion drive
Apples appears to be shipping the higher margin one first which would make sense if they are limited on what they can ship
Originally Posted by JeffDM
They have not updated their Thunderbolt or Cinema displays yet, I doubt they will until they catch up with the iMacs. With the pivot, I expect there to be some bulge. I don't think they will depart too far from the iMac style.
And it still needs depth for the ports on the back.
Also, speakers, display circuitry and the power supply.
Really wanted one of these but a configuration that would be powerful enough to replace my desktop was priced at $2,499, and that's not including upgraded memory, which I would do myself since Apple charges a $100 premium for god knows why.