iMac Supplies Dwindling at Retail Stores?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

In the weeks heading into Macworld, both Apple Stores and Apple Retailers are reportedly running low on stock of Apple's iMac. In contrast, Apple's online store still shows shipping "within 24-hours".

The significance of the low iMac stock is unclear, but could simply be due to recovering inventories after the holiday rush. Of all the Mac models, the iMac seems least likely to undergo a revision at the upcoming Macworld Expo in San Francisco.

The iMac was last updated in August of 2007 (http://www.macrumors.com/2007/08/07/new-imacs-released/) with a new aluminum design.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/01/04/imac-supplies-dwindling-at-retail-stores/)

[Eric Lewis]

our best buy in london ontario as off this afternoon


has 28 iMacs 20'' 2.0ghz (14 on order)
12 iMacs 20'' 2.4ghz (6 on order)
7 iMacs 24'' 2.4ghz (11 on order)


source: i work there

[Chundles]

We've got stacks of them at ours.

[B3CK24]

Yeah at best buy we just got a large shipment of iMacs

[imacdaddy]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/3B48b Safari/419.3)

I bought my iMac with iSight when it was announced months before 2006 Macworld. Then "boom" out comes the imac with Intel chips! :(

I have a feeling this coming Macworld will not focus on updating the iMacs. But who knows maybe a speed bump?

[nsbio]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/3B48b Safari/419.3)

I bought my iMac with iSight when it was announced months before 2006 Macworld. Then "boom" out comes the imac with Intel chips! :(



Cheer up - the latest G5 iMacs are great machines and not any worse than the next generation's. What are the advantages of having an Intel Mac if you are not running Windows on it - maybe freeing up a minute a day in a real world use? In normal tasks, like internet browsing, typing and such, G5 Macs are as fast as the Intel ones. In benchmarks, yes, G5s are slower, but the difference is not noticeable in real life in most cases, unless you are running benchmark tests 24/7 :)

[OldSkoolNJ]

Never ran low on imacs at our shop and had about 30ish imacs in stock and over the past 3 days received close to 100 more imacs with 20 or so more on order. This is at our shop in Oxford Valley Best Buy. Also to note all of them have the new boxing with Leopard shown on the outside of the box and all pre loaded Leopard.

Kevin :apple:

[DMann]

Never ran low on imacs at our shop and had about 30ish imacs in stock and over the past 3 days received close to 100 more imacs with 20 or so more on order. This is at our shop in Oxford Valley Best Buy. Also to note all of them have the new boxing with Leopard shown on the outside of the box and all pre loaded Leopard.

Kevin :apple:

A pretty reliable sign that an iMac revision will not be surfacing next week. Perhaps, by MacWorld, we'll see the new 'Multi-touch Screen' iMac emerge sporting a new multi-touch trackpad, mouse, or combination trackpad mouse.

[daneoni]

Probably just after-effect of christmas shopping

[bobcb]

Cheer up - the latest G5 iMacs are great machines and not any worse than the next generation's. What are the advantages of having an Intel Mac if you are not running Windows on it - maybe freeing up a minute a day in a real world use? In normal tasks, like internet browsing, typing and such, G5 Macs are as fast as the Intel ones. In benchmarks, yes, G5s are slower, but the difference is not noticeable in real life in most cases, unless you are running benchmark tests 24/7 :)

Keep telling yourself that... ;)

[DMann]

Probably just after-effect of christmas shopping

This has been confirmed.....

[imacdaddy]

Cheer up - the latest G5 iMacs are great machines and not any worse than the next generation's. What are the advantages of having an Intel Mac if you are not running Windows on it - maybe freeing up a minute a day in a real world use? In normal tasks, like internet browsing, typing and such, G5 Macs are as fast as the Intel ones. In benchmarks, yes, G5s are slower, but the difference is not noticeable in real life in most cases, unless you are running benchmark tests 24/7 :)

Hahaha...I was only upset the moment the intel imacs were announced. I haven't had a single problem with it even far after 2 years. The performance is still good for my use (photoshop, iLife, surfing etc.) but would like the horsepower for video encoding.

The Intel transition at the time wouldn't have been any faster. But with today's specs, I think it's an ok upgrade. I'm thinking more of a Mac Pro.

[jnc]

I pray Apple does NOTHING to the iMac. Mac pro, MacBook Pro and Cinema Displays all need some attention at the minute. Talk about them, plus 10.5.2, iPhone 1.1.3, SDK and iTunes 8 please Steve.

[Stella]

I was surprised to read this - that it may to do with a refresh - since its way too early for the iMac. Apple could do better refreshing the Mac Mini, Mac Pro, MacBook Pro and XServes.

( Oh, and getting Java 6 out the door which is now months late )

[mattvolp]

"Update: We've heard that this was simple due to the holiday rush and that stores are restocking."

I believe you meant simply.

:D

[KingScooty]

Surely if they update the macbook pros, Apple will also want to bump the speed of the imacs up? Or at least add extra options for upgrade? Otherwise the macbook pros are going to be more powerful than the imacs, sounds a bit absurd :/

[netdog]

Plenty of Mac Pros in stock at Micro Anvika (a major independent Apple dealer in London). :eek:

[Gunga Din]

Surely if they update the macbook pros, Apple will also want to bump the speed of the imacs up? Or at least add extra options for upgrade? Otherwise the macbook pros are going to be more powerful than the imacs, sounds a bit absurd :/

Thats the one reason i'm waiting for the macbook pro news from macworld. Considering the vid card they have now and the speed of the chipset. If they upgrade the vid card to the 8800m and bump mhz on the cpu, the notebook will be more powerful than the IMAC. I put off buying an IMAC based on the assumption that the macbook pro will be more powerful as a notebook lol.

I think its a bit insane, however, it could be possible that IMAC components may get tweaked sooner than a makeover. Their current design is sweet, all they would have to do is upgrade components every few months like PC's do when new and better components come out. One area Apple always seems to lag far behind.

I really want to get my first mac but they are just short in giving me what i want under the hood. Soooo Close they are :)

[Darkroom]

I was surprised to read this - that it may to do with a refresh - since its way too early for the iMac. Apple could do better refreshing the Mac Mini, Mac Pro, MacBook Pro and XServes.

( Oh, and getting Java 6 out the door which is now months late )

it's not way too early for iMac updates... it's been almost six months since it's been updated... also, the Mac Mini was last updated the same day as the last iMac mac update.

even though it's not the popular opinion, i'm full expecting new iMacs at MacWorld (or at least a speed bump).

[DMann]

it's not way too early for iMac updates... it's been almost six months since it's been updated... also, the Mac Mini was last updated the same day as the last iMac mac update.

even though it's not the popular opinion, i'm full expecting new iMacs at MacWorld (or at least a speed bump).

A touch screen would be nice, as well as a quad-core option.

[angrynrdrckr]

it's not way too early for iMac updates... it's been almost six months since it's been updated... also, the Mac Mini was last updated the same day as the last iMac mac update.

even though it's not the popular opinion, i'm full expecting new iMacs at MacWorld (or at least a speed bump).



well, seeing as my powerbook g4 just gave up the ghost ($1200 to replace the logic board? no thanks), i am keeping my fingers crossed for a new iMac because i have fresh copies of pro tools m-powered 7.0 and ableton live 5.0 waiting to be installed on a super-fast, kickass new computer. :cool:

[eRondeau]

A touch screen would be nice, as well as a quad-core option.

I have a touch-screen PC monitor at work to control a very complicated radio console and believe me, it's not all it's cracked up to be! It's got a definite "cool" factor, at least at first, but it quickly becomes a PiTA. The iPhone/iTouch works so well because it is small and there's relatively little "travel distance"; you can cover the entire screen with your finger without really moving your hand. But on a full-size screen, supporting your arms get tired very quickly, and in my workplace nobody uses the touchscreens anymore, ever. Spend the next ten minutes pretending to drag-and-drop things on your current monitor and you'll see what I mean. Plus, the iPhone/iTouch is very easy to swipe clean on your sleeve when it gets dirty -- a larger screen isn't.

The mouse/keyboard combination is absolutely the most efficient and manipulable way to control a desktop computer. The trackpad for a normal-sized laptop. Of course touchscreens will become more popular in home computers, but only for secondary input tasks. You can't beat a mouse!

[DMann]

well, seeing as my powerbook g4 just gave up the ghost ($1200 to replace the logic board? no thanks), i am keeping my fingers crossed for a new iMac because i have fresh copies of pro tools m-powered 7.0 and ableton live 5.0 waiting to be installed on a super-fast, kickass new computer. :cool:

I'd get one in a heartbeat....... Pro-Tools 7 would scream on one of these sleek critters..... let alone Logic Pro 8....

[DMann]

I have a touch-screen PC monitor at work to control a very complicated radio console and believe me, it's not all it's cracked up to be! It's got a definite "cool" factor, at least at first, but it quickly becomes a PiTA. The iPhone/iTouch works so well because it is small and there's relatively little "travel distance"; you can cover the entire screen with your finger without really moving your hand. But on a full-size screen, supporting your arms get tired very quickly, and in my workplace nobody uses the touchscreens anymore, ever. Spend the next ten minutes pretending to drag-and-drop things on your current monitor and you'll see what I mean. Plus, the iPhone/iTouch is very easy to swipe clean on your sleeve when it gets dirty -- a larger screen isn't.

The mouse/keyboard combination is absolutely the most efficient and manipulable way to control a desktop computer. The trackpad for a normal-sized laptop. Of course touchscreens will become more popular in home computers, but only for secondary input tasks. You can't beat a mouse!

I totally agree...... the mouse and keyboard are the most efficient and least resistant to gravity. Makes sense for the iPhone or small hand held device,
but not for reaching over to a 30" screen each time you want to close or resize a window. Great points!

[John Purple]

Cheer up - the latest G5 iMacs are great machines and not any worse than the next generation's. What are the advantages of having an Intel Mac if you are not running Windows on it - maybe freeing up a minute a day in a real world use? In normal tasks, like internet browsing, typing and such, G5 Macs are as fast as the Intel ones. In benchmarks, yes, G5s are slower, but the difference is not noticeable in real life in most cases, unless you are running benchmark tests 24/7 :)

... or Aperture :mad:

[73CortinaV8]

So I was walking by the downtown SF mac store tonight at around 10pm on my way to union square.

They had all the window posters taken down.

Also - On the Ellis St. side of the store they have a little set of windows that have poster displays in them. See here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=San+Francisco,+CA+94104,+United+States+of+America&ie=UTF8&ll=37.786074,-122.406455&spn=0.001475,0.002468&z=19&om=1&layer=c&cbll=37.785665,-122.406481&cbp=1,379.2139078745777,,1,5.891764293684257

The current display that was up tonight had iMacs.

Workers were removing those posters. They weren't replacing them with anything...


Workers were bringing in a crap load of crates through the side door too. It looked like the sort of container that big marketing materials would be stored in (props, posters etc.)

[twoodcc]

yeah i don't see an imac update, but you never know...:apple:

[neiltc13]

I recall being pretty frustrated with Apple two years ago at MacWorld when they released the iMac Core Duo. Just a few months previously (October 12, 2005) they released the updated iMac G5 with the iSight which I purchased so my machine was obsolete very quickly.

[CalMin]

I recall being pretty frustrated with Apple two years ago at MacWorld when they released the iMac Core Duo. Just a few months previously (October 12, 2005) they released the updated iMac G5 with the iSight which I purchased so my machine was obsolete very quickly.

That happened to me too. I figured an October release would preclude a major update before Macworld.

I haven't learned my lesson though. I bought a Al iMac in December. This virtually guarantees that an updated iMac will be released on Tuesday...:o

[zedsdead]

That happened to me too. I figured an October release would preclude a major update before Macworld.

I haven't learned my lesson though. I bought a Al iMac in December. This virtually guarantees that an updated iMac will be released on Tuesday...:o

Apple does not announce minor speed bumps at major events. The issue about the G5 had to do with the switch to Intel which was a major announcement. Do no expect an iMac this week. You should be fine.

[DMann]

I recall being pretty frustrated with Apple two years ago at MacWorld when they released the iMac Core Duo. Just a few months previously (October 12, 2005) they released the updated iMac G5 with the iSight which I purchased so my machine was obsolete very quickly.

Same here................ I put my new iMac G5 up on e-bay and got what I paid for it. I cannot find fault with a company that provides updates too rapidly.

[Darkroom]

I recall being pretty frustrated with Apple two years ago at MacWorld when they released the iMac Core Duo. Just a few months previously (October 12, 2005) they released the updated iMac G5 with the iSight which I purchased so my machine was obsolete very quickly.

i wouldn't say that exactly... to many, the G5 chip was far superior to the Core Duo... and G5 is a 64 bit processor while the Core Duo is only 32 bit... the iMacs didn't become 64 bit compatible again until the Core 2 Duo chipset were included 10 months later.

[gazfocus]

I don't think the iMacs will be replaced, but I do think they're due a speed bump and maybe graphics card bump.

If these happen, I'll be buying one as well as a Macbook Pro (Just sold my 2.2GHz for £960) so got that money plus the money I'd originally saved for a new MBP burning a huge hole.

[DMann]

I don't think the iMacs will be replaced, but I do think they're due a speed bump and maybe graphics card bump.

If these happen, I'll be buying one as well as a Macbook Pro (Just sold my 2.2GHz for £960) so got that money plus the money I'd originally saved for a new MBP burning a huge hole.

This likely would have taken place along side the Mac Pro speed bump. A graphics card update would be highly welcome in the iMac, but it would have to run at a cooler temp - the existing card levels out at about 140º F - a bit too close to the threshold of 180º.

[craig1410]

I too doubt that there will be any significant change to the iMac tomorrow but even if there is, it hardly makes the iMac release in August "obsolete"!!

Even a base model 24" iMac like mine has a 2.4GHz C2D CPU, 4GB RAM and a whopping great 24" display which is far from obsolete by any current standard. This is one of the things which made me go for a Mac this time around (long time DIY PC user) because I don't need to constantly worry about the evolution of technology on a daily basis anymore. My machine will run everything I need to run for 5+ years and even if I do feel the need to upgrade before then, it will actually be worthwhile selling rather than just putting it in the attic like you would with an old PC...

So! Chill out and enjoy the show tomorrow!
:)

[hayesk]

Even a base model 24" iMac like mine has a 2.4GHz C2D CPU, 4GB RAM and a whopping great 24" display which is far from obsolete by any current standard.

That is not the base model. The 24" gets you the 2.4GHz CPU, and 4GB of RAM is not base. The base model is still 2.0GHz - even the MacBooks look better at first glance.

The iMac does not need an overhaul, but it is overdue for a speed bump. I'm in the market now, but am waiting for this.

[Dalriada]

Whether the next upgrade will be a simple speed bump to Penryn or the full monty to Montevina, I do hope Apple addresses the 20" screen quality. Not everyone has the budget or desk space to go 24" although she is a beauty.

:apple:Dal

[zedsdead]

That is not the base model. The 24" gets you the 2.4GHz CPU, and 4GB of RAM is not base. The base model is still 2.0GHz - even the MacBooks look better at first glance.

The iMac does not need an overhaul, but it is overdue for a speed bump. I'm in the market now, but am waiting for this.

The iMac is still behind the Macbook Pro for an update. It should be getting close, but probably March/April.

[lamerlizer]

its coming for sure :)

[craig1410]

That is not the base model. The 24" gets you the 2.4GHz CPU, and 4GB of RAM is not base. The base model is still 2.0GHz - even the MacBooks look better at first glance.

The iMac does not need an overhaul, but it is overdue for a speed bump. I'm in the market now, but am waiting for this.

It is a base model 24", only I added the RAM myself for a fraction of the price that Apple would have charged. I should have mentioned the DIY memory upgrade but it is the base model 24" machine like I said.

Hope this clarifies,
Craig.

[iW00t]

Cheer up - the latest G5 iMacs are great machines and not any worse than the next generation's. What are the advantages of having an Intel Mac if you are not running Windows on it - maybe freeing up a minute a day in a real world use? In normal tasks, like internet browsing, typing and such, G5 Macs are as fast as the Intel ones. In benchmarks, yes, G5s are slower, but the difference is not noticeable in real life in most cases, unless you are running benchmark tests 24/7 :)

A minute a day is 6 hours in a year!

[t56]

Hi guys, i need you advice on an imac. In the buyer's guide it said that imac is going to get upgrate soon. But my question is, is it really going to get an upgrate soon. I need to buy it within 2 weeks. or should i really wait for the new one, and if there's new one coming out, what is going to get upgrate

Thanks

[paduck]

Hi guys, i need you advice on an imac. In the buyer's guide it said that imac is going to get upgrate soon. But my question is, is it really going to get an upgrate soon. I need to buy it within 2 weeks. or should i really wait for the new one, and if there's new one coming out, what is going to get upgrade?

If you need it within the next two weeks go and buy one now. The next big thing from Apple is the SDK for iPhone and maybe an updated MacBook. I don't think anyone is envisioning a new iMac before May.

You should be pleased with the current offerings. They are very nice. Plusbyou get the full current Apple software suite - Leopard, iLife, etc.

[heatherr]

Just gimmie an updated iMac already. :( Please, I'm sick of waiting. It's over-do based on Apple's updates in the past. And this designer needs an upgrade from her 2004 small-freakin-inch screen Dell laptop. :eek:

Is anyone else out there tired of waiting?

:apple: Heather

[notnek]

You're looking for the wrong machine to be begging for an update. The iMac isn't due for an upgrade for more than a few months, and it will probably just be a speed bump and maybe more drive space. If you're tired of your laptop, then upgrade now. I doubt there will be much of a noticeable difference when an update happens.

Now if you're wanting another laptop, then wait for the MBP update. But don't be looking for any iMac update soon.

[t56]

Does any one know if there's a new imac coming out soon??
If yes, what is the upgrate going to be?

Thanks

[JaySoul]

I think that they may well give it a speed bump in the next month.

If so, I will go out and buy it immediately, as I want to get one now - but am waiting to see what happens next week with the MBP update (if it ever happens!)

I actually want to go and buy the top of the range one, but the prospect of it being updated to MAYBE a Quad-core is too enticing so I will wait and see a couple of weeks.

If no update then, I will just go and get it!

[t56]

I think that they may well give it a speed bump in the next month.

If so, I will go out and buy it immediately, as I want to get one now - but am waiting to see what happens next week with the MBP update (if it ever happens!)

I actually want to go and buy the top of the range one, but the prospect of it being updated to MAYBE a Quad-core is too enticing so I will wait and see a couple of weeks.

If no update then, I will just go and get it!

I'm waiting for the MBP too, but at the moment i need something that i can use at home. if the imac is only going to get a speed bump then i think i'm going to get it now. but do you think they'll improve anything other than speed?

Thanks

[dball213]

How about a Blue-Ray drive in a new iMac? That'd be fun. And maybe a soft-serve machine?:apple:

[happydude]

How about a Blue-Ray drive in a new iMac? That'd be fun. And maybe a soft-serve machine?:apple:

i'd only get one if it also had a little oreo cookie dispenser next to it for soft-serve toppings . . .

[mediafrenzie]

In all my years of watching the Apple site, I have noticed when the refurb section ramps up then be on the look out for new products. Last week, refurbs jumped and doubled the offerings - and the iMacs are being offered at a limited time price - AWESOME deals!!! I always buy a refurbs from Apple. They're always perfect condition. You don't get the fancy package but you get the same great item and the same great warranty offerings. More importantly you get to spend the extra saved on a new iPod!

Would love to see a 30" iMac.

[heatherr]

Would love to see a 30" iMac.

That would be orgasmic. :D Hahah. I guess a girl can only dream. ;)

:apple: Heather