iMac Availability Question

[Caliber26]

Sorry if this is a dumb question but it's not everyday that I buy a new Mac, so I'm not sure how this works. I'm ready to buy an iMac but the Apple Store is telling me it's not available for in-store pick-up until August 15th. I'm getting the base 21" 4K version but upgrading the RAM (16GB) and to an SSD (512GB).

Does customizing a new iMac always cause a delay or is stock for the new iMacs is very limited at this moment? Will this specific configuration eventually be available at stores or ready for immediate shipping?

 

[SaSaSushi]

The 512GB SSD appears to be in short supply. Some impatient users ordering 27" iMacs have switched to the 1TB SSD just to get quicker shipping. Once the stock meets the demand the shipping times for the 512GB SSD will, of course, improve.

 

[colodane]

The model you want is a custom BTO (built to order) model and will not normally be stocked at Apple stores. Typically the delay in ordering a BTO model is reasonable (a few days) and predictable. This year is different. The culprit seems to be the 512 GB SSD option which seems to be more popular than Apple was expecting. The availability of this memory is apparently constrained, resulting in delays and possibly changing delivery date predictions.

I also ordered a model with the 512 GB SSD on 6 July and was given an expected availability at the Apple Store of 9 August. So far no change in that prediction. Fortunately, I don't need the new computer right away, so no problem.

 

[Caliber26]

The 512GB SSD appears to be in short supply. Some impatient users ordering 27" iMacs have switched to the 1TB SSD just to get quicker shipping. Once the stock meets the demand the shipping times for the 512GB SSD will, of course, improve.

Once the stock has met demand, is this type of configuration typically available at the stores too, for immediate purchase, or will I have to customize it online and request in-store pick-up for a later day?
[doublepost=1499864554][/doublepost]

The model you want is a custom BTO (built to order) model and will not normally be stocked at Apple stores.

Gotcha, that's what I was wondering. Thanks!

Hopefully your ship date moves up. Fingers crossed.

 

[SaSaSushi]

Once the stock has met demand, is this type of configuration typically available at the stores too, for immediate purchase, or will I have to customize it online and request in-store pick-up for a later day?

Customized (CTO) machines are only available online from Apple as well as from some third party retailers. In-store pickup or home delivery are both options.

 

[hfg]

If you can deal with mail-order rather than in-store Apple pickup, you might see if B&H Photo has what you want in stock. They try to stock most of the popular BTO models for immediate shipment.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=2017 imac&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

 

[Caliber26]

If you can deal with mail-order rather than in-store Apple pickup, you might see if B&H Photo has what you want in stock. They try to stock most of the popular BTO models for immediate shipment.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=2017 imac&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

I didn't even think of B&H! I'd definitely buy from them (I get most of my camera gear from them) and the lack of sales tax is quite the incentive to buy through them. Unfortunately they only have the 16GB RAM/256GB SSD model available right now. Tempting... but I know I'll regret my impatience almost immediately if I don't go for the the 512GB, so I'll keep checking. Thanks!

 

[hfg]

I didn't even think of B&H! I'd definitely buy from them (I get most of my camera gear from them) and the lack of sales tax is quite the incentive to buy through them. Unfortunately they only have the 16GB RAM/256GB SSD model available right now. Tempting... but I know I'll regret my impatience almost immediately if I don't go for the the 512GB, so I'll keep checking. Thanks!

You can pick the one you are waiting for, and there is an option for you to be notified when it is in stock ... but sometimes you have to be pretty quick to get one after the notification.

I just received a 27", i7, 8GB, 2TB SSD from them yesterday after being notified last Thursday night that they were in-stock (finally !!) along with an additional 32GB RAM for it.

 

[Caliber26]

You can pick the one you are waiting for, and there is an option for you to be notified when it is in stock ... but sometimes you have to be pretty quick to get one after the notification.

I just received a 27", i7, 8GB, 2TB SSD from them yesterday after being notified last Thursday night that they were in-stock (finally !!) along with an additional 32GB RAM for it.

Yep! I saw that and already signed up for the stock notification. I almost exclusively use my Apple Watch so that I can immediately see notifications I don't want to miss out on because my phone is either in my pocket, in another room, or I don't hear it. Hopefully I'll be fast enough to place my order before they sell out.