Delays for both the 21.5in and 27in iMacs continue, as shipping estimates on Apple's Online Store reveal that customers will have to wait for up to six weeks for their iMac order to arrive.
In January, we reported that shipping times for the 21.5in iMac had slipped to 2-3 weeks, and the 27in iMac delays were 3-4 weeks. Now, shipping estimates in Europe have fallen to 3-4 weeks and 4-6 weeks respectively, indicating that Apple's production problems have not yet been resolved.
When Apple first launched the new iMacs late last year, CEO Tim Cook warned that the supplies of the redesigned all-in-one computer "will be constrained in a significant way."
It's believed that the shortages are due to problems with the full lamination process required to make the improved display for the new iMac.
Reports earlier this year suggested that the constraints would ease in February, as LG Display will begin harnessing better yields for its panels. However, the latest shipping estimates have cast doubt on this forecast.
Mac sales plummeted in the fourth quarter of 2012, falling 22 per cent from the same period the year before, with computer sales accounting for a record low percentage of Apple's total revenue of $54.5 billion.
Cook attributed the drop to the short supplies of the new iMac, as well as cannibalisation of its computers by the iPad. So the continued iMac shortages suggest that Apple's Mac sales are unlikely to improve upon the results from last quarter.
Meanwhile, supplies of the iPad mini seem to be improving in the US, with dispatch estimates at 1-3 business days. The UK Apple Store is still showing estimates of 3-5 business days, however.
[Via 9To5Mac]
See also:
Siri on the Mac: Apple recruiting developer to bring Siri to the Mac
Apple releases OS X Server 2.2.1
Gartner: Apple OS X will be as accepted as Windows by the end of 2014
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Comments received
Dragonfly said on Thu, 07 Feb 2013
Wasn't Tim Cook in charge of the supply chain ? That seems to be suffering more now since he's no longer concentrating his efforts on that.
iPads shouldn't be cannibalising iMac sales, that's crazy. How is an iPad even remotely similar to an iPad ? More likely people (like myself) don't like iMacs without optical drives. I don't want to pay extra for something that came as standard before.
Xavier said on Thu, 14 Feb 2013
3 iMacs ordered here in Denmark before Christmas. Still not arrived--and worse, still no delivery date (2-3 weeks).
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