Some New iMacs Are Assembled in the USA

[MacRumors]

There are multiple reports that some of the new 21.5-inch iMacs are shipping with an "Assembled in USA" label.

Fortune is reporting that one of their readers walked into a San Jose, California Apple Store and purchased an off-the-shelf iMac that was assembled in the United States. During their teardown, iFixIt also found that their iMac was assembled in the USA, as shown in the photo below.

Fortune acknowledges that this has been noticed online as far back as 2006, though mostly for build-to-order Macs

As it turns out, this is not the first time the assembled-in-USA question has come up. There are several threads on the topic in the Apple support site dating back to 2006. The consensus seems to be that only units made to order -- say, with an extra-high-capacity hard drive -- get their final assembly in the States.

There's a suggestion that the non build-to-order U.S. assemblies are a new phenomenon, but the distinction is far from clear.

Back in 2010, members in the MacRumors forums had reported that they were also receiving new iMacs being labeled as "Assembled in USA", though their exact configurations weren't discussed.

Article Link: Some New iMacs Are Assembled in the USA

[rnizlek]

Wow, I wonder how widespread this is. This is great news, great to see Apple bringing back some manufacturing domestically. I wonder where their factory is.

[Verbatim Cookie]

Originally Posted by rnizlek

I wonder where their factory is.

IT'S IN MY PANTS!
—Beavis

[dumb terminal]

Originally Posted by rnizlek

I wonder where their factory is.

I know Macs were at one point assembled in Fremont, CA, but I'm not sure if they still operate that facility.

The good ol' days..when Macs were made in this country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk306ZkNOuc

[Solomani]

Originally Posted by dumb terminal

I know Macs were at one point assembled in Fremont, CA, but I'm not sure if they still operate that facility.

The good ol' days..when Macs were made in this country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk306ZkNOuc

My PowerBook G3 from the late 1990s (ancient relic, but it still works) states that is was assembled in California, with some components labeled "Manufactured in China".

[G4DP]

Originally Posted by rnizlek

Wow, I wonder how widespread this is. This is great news, great to see Apple bringing back some manufacturing domestically. I wonder where their factory is.

They don't manufacture anything. Assembly and manufacture are two completely different things.

Widespread? It'll be the highest Spec BTO's and that's it. Nothing more. The factory will some small room on an out of town industrial estate.

[hamkor04]

Originally Posted by rnizlek

Wow, I wonder how widespread this is. This is great news, great to see Apple bringing back some manufacturing domestically. I wonder where their factory is.

Chinatown in LA?

[BRLawyer]

Originally Posted by rnizlek

Wow, I wonder how widespread this is. This is great news, great to see Apple bringing back some manufacturing domestically. I wonder where their factory is.

In other words, the US is quickly becoming the new China. Congratulations..!

[marc11]

I tell you, if Apple gave me the choice of selecting my assembly location, USA or China and even if they charged me more for the USA one, I would pick it and pay more. I would home other Americans would do the same!

[skystuntz]

Professor Farnsworth: "Good news, everyone!"

[ArtOfWarfare]

Originally Posted by marc11

I tell you, if Apple gave me the choice of selecting my assembly location, USA or China and even if they charged me more for the USA one, I would pick it and pay more. I would home other Americans would do the same!

LOL, could you see it as a BTO option?

Manufacture Location
China
USA [add $1,000.00]

[nsayer]

Originally Posted by marc11

I tell you, if Apple gave me the choice of selecting my assembly location, USA or China and even if they charged me more for the USA one, I would pick it and pay more. I would home other Americans would do the same!

I, for one, would not.

The less money I pay for thing X, the more I have for buying thing Y, or perhaps Y and Z.

[marc11]

Originally Posted by nsayer

I, for one, would not.

The less money I pay for thing X, the more I have for buying thing Y, or perhaps Y and Z.

Except if you support your own country with goods produced there, then more people have jobs. Those people and companies pay taxes and buy more local goods and services. Thus more companies are created to support that demand, housing prices increase and taxes decrease allowing more people to buy thier own homes and have more cash to buy other items; more jobs and businesses are created and everyone can enjoy a better life in your own country....or save a few dollars now...your choice, America is great like that.

[Prost264]

Not that Apple needs any publicity, but could you imagine if they announced that they were shifting just some of their production to the United States.

Lead story on the world news.

[x13gamer]

That's nice to hear.

[dbassett]

Would love to see more of this. Better yet, how about some components of the iPhone being made here... One can dream.

[kbt1020]

It's USA (Oosah), China.

[terraphantm]

Originally Posted by kbt1020

It's USA (Oosah), China.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm3TepXcD8A

[clibinarius]

Originally Posted by dbassett

Would love to see more of this. Better yet, how about some components of the iPhone being made here... One can dream.

Gorilla Glass is quite often, as is the Samsung Foundry (Texas)...

[ineedamac]

Originally Posted by dbassett

Would love to see more of this. Better yet, how about some components of the iPhone being made here... One can dream.

I thought the glass was made in Kentucky by Corning at one time?

[britboyj]

When I worked for Apple, made-to-order iMacs and Mac Pros were mostly assembled in the US. This is not news.

[184550]

It'd be interesting to see some quality control figures between the two countries of assembly.

Originally Posted by britboyj

When I worked for Apple, made-to-order iMacs and Mac Pros were mostly assembled in the US. This is not news.

The article made that quite clear. Glad you can confirm it though.

[Psychj0e]

Originally Posted by NathanMuir

It'd be interesting to see some quality control figures between the two countries of assembly.



The article made that quite clear. Glad you can confirm it though.

subtle racist undertones, and a dig at another member. niice.

[Dagless]

Originally Posted by Prost264

Lead story on the world news.

How would it benefit the rest of the world? (Or is World News the name of a news channel/paper?)

[Solomani]

Originally Posted by Prost264

Not that Apple needs any publicity, but could you imagine if they announced that they were shifting just some of their production to the United States.

Lead story on the world news.

The "pro-American Made in the USA" publicity would only be good for Apple IF a significant percentage of their products were actually assembled in the USA. However, it seems that since this is only limited to BTO iMacs, that is a very small percentage of their goods, and thus the Biased Media will absolutely crucify Apple on this by making headline Tech News stating: "Apple only assembles less than 2% of their total products in their home country. The other 98% is built in Communist China! Shame on Apple, how unpatriotic! Apple is heading to failure just like DELL and HP and all the outsourcing Devils!"

In summary: Apple should not even mention this or should not even respond to these rumors (of products assembled in the USA) at all. It can only backfire on them at this point.


P.S. -- did I mention that I just ordered a BTO iMac 2012?