New 27" iMac imminent

[JPack]

Traditionally, we see a draw down of Apple Store inventory on products that are about to be discontinued. The lead time for a new Mac typically increases significantly. You can force Apple to ship from China by customizing the order with a non-local keyboard.

Change the keyboard and suddenly the delivery date jumps by one month? ? This is longer than if you ordered a custom MacBook Air with a weird memory, storage, and keyboard combination.

Customize your 27‑inch iMac with Retina 5K display.
Magic Keyboard - Trad. Chinese (Cangjie & Zhuyin)

What this delivery date suggests is Apple has completely stopped production of Intel-based iMac 27". A replacement should be on the way shortly - maybe not tomorrow, but very shortly.

 

[russell_314]

What this delivery date suggests is Apple has completely stopped production of Intel-based iMac 27". A replacement should be on the way shortly - maybe not tomorrow, but very shortly.

You might be overthinking this one. You’re ordering a keyboard that isn’t in stock so they have to ship it directly from China. One month sounds about right for that. Did you check before this to see the lead times?

 

[JPack]

You might be overthinking this one. You’re ordering a keyboard that isn’t in stock so they have to ship it directly from China. One month sounds about right for that. Did you check before this to see the lead times?

I didn't check the 27" iMac. But it shouldn't take that long. Below are some date comparisons for non-local keyboards.

Unless Apple is hand assembling the keyboard by each individual key cap, the April 7 date is really out there.

iMac 24" (BTO from China)
Mar 21 - Mar 23 — $8.00

Mac Pro (assembled in USA)
Mar 16 - Mar 23 — Free

14‑inch MacBook Pro - Space Grey (BTO from China)
24 Mar - 31 Mar — Free

 

[russell_314]

I didn't check the 27" iMac. But it shouldn't take that long. Below are some date comparisons for non-local keyboards.

Unless Apple is hand assembling the keyboard by each individual key cap, the April 7 date is really out there.

iMac 24" (BTO from China)
Mar 21 - Mar 23 — $8.00

Mac Pro (assembled in USA)
Mar 16 - Mar 23 — Free

14‑inch MacBook Pro - Space Grey (BTO from China)
24 Mar - 31 Mar — Free

But don’t they normally delay all models at least till after the event? For a standard configuration 27” iMac it’s showing pick it up today for me. Customers would be a little bit irritated if they bought an iMac today and Apple came out with a new one in less than 24 hours.

I think you’re right about the new 27” iMac coming out because it’s long overdue but it just seems weird that the current model is still available one day before

 

[JPack]

But don’t they normally delay all models at least till after the event? For a standard configuration 27” iMac it’s showing pick it up today for me. Customers would be a little bit irritated if they bought an iMac today and Apple came out with a new one in less than 24 hours.

I think you’re right about the new 27” iMac coming out because it’s long overdue but it just seems weird that the current model is still available one day before

"Delay all models" - can you clarify?

I think Apple keeps the current model on the Apple Store shelf, but they don't restock it nor recall the inventory (until after the new one launches). If you really want to buy it, you can buy it. If the model is in stock at the retail store, they can also ship it. But if you ask for any BTO, it'll show a month or longer lead time.

 

[EvilCo_E]

The iMac 27" on the Canadian website also has some early-mid April arrival times if you build to order (although its different for each, like if you add the 10 Core CPU its middle of April, if you only change the gpu to a 5700xt its late march to early April).

The iMac 24" build to order times on the other hand are all mostly estimated to arrive around march 22, at least at a quick glance I didn't look long and hard.

To me it seems like its either we will have a new iMac announced tomorrow or soon, but I feel it could also be because of supply shortages/logistic issues (for example the MacBook Pro 16" M1 Max right now order today says delivery April 14-21)

 

[JPack]

Agree it could be logistic issues as well, but it seems less likely. The inventory of 27" iMacs should be sitting around like brown bananas. Most or all Apple Stores have them in stock ready for pickup. The MacBook Pro 16" is a hot item unavailable at most stores.

Given this, the 27" iMac shouldn't have this kind of delay, espeically if we're just altering the type of keyboard being packed.

 

[russell_314]

"Delay all models" - can you clarify?

Exactly what you’re saying Apple is doing for a custom configurations but for all models. I was under the impression that a week out or so they would delay shipping or pick up for the old models to prevent customers from buying them and being upset about it. Perhaps it’s just custom configurations though

 

[JPack]

Well, I didn't see this coming.

It was obvious something was happening the 27" iMac. A keyboard doesn't take a month ship.

Hopefully a replacement is coming soon, but seems to be 2023 based on Kuo.

 

[fathergll]

Well, I didn't see this coming.

It was obvious something was happening the 27" iMac. A keyboard doesn't take a month ship.

Hopefully a replacement is coming soon, but seems to be 2023 based on Kuo.

At this point I'm almost 100% certain we don't see any iMac Pro until next year at the earliest given todays products. That could be Q4 2023 for the iMac Pro.

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

At this point I'm almost 100% certain we don't see any iMac Pro until next year at the earliest given todays products. That could be Q4 2023 for the iMac Pro.

At the end of today's event, they said they only have 1 more Mac to transition to Apple Silicon... and that was Mac Pro. That's it. 27" iMac is dead. Apple now wants those customers to buy a Mac Studio and Studio Display.

 

[sjjones]

At the end of today's event, they said they only have 1 more Mac to transition to Apple Silicon... and that was Mac Pro. That's it. 27" iMac is dead. Apple now wants those customers to buy a Mac Studio and Studio Display.

I have been patiently waiting to replace my 27" iMac for years, first waiting for a rumored new form factor then later the upgrade to Apple silicon. I just placed an order for the Mac Studio and Studio Display.

 

[fathergll]

At the end of today's event, they said they only have 1 more Mac to transition to Apple Silicon... and that was Mac Pro. That's it. 27" iMac is dead. Apple now wants those customers to buy a Mac Studio and Studio Display.

iMac Pro was discontinued 1 year ago. Possibility they are literal in meaning of the Apple products still available on Intel only the Mac Pro remains to be transitioned to silicon.

So the 27" iMac will indeed not be transitioned. Possibility that down the road they will introduce a brand new iMac Pro(probably bigger screen than 27"). The only reason I would even say this is because Kuo has this as a rumor. With that said don't expect any news on a iMac Pro for a long time.....

 

[canyonblue737]

If by "new 27" iMac imminent" you mean "all 27" iMacs discontinued" then you got it right. what a turn around in 24 hours. i guess folks like me who were looking to buy a mid-range 27" iMac have to make some new choices...

 

[guitarman1996]

If by "new 27" iMac imminent" you mean "all 27" iMacs discontinued" then you got it right. what a turn around in 24 hours. i guess folks like me who were looking to buy a mid-range 27" iMac have to make some new choices...

Yep!!! Highly disappointed, been waiting on the new 27in to replace mine.