Wow... that's unprecedented. ...wow. Well, at least Apple has the balls to admit it! Doesn't bother me a bit, because I know it'll be worth the wait. Apple, don't worry, you still rock. 
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New iMac In September
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While this is probably a massive cock-up by Apple, just imagine the pent-up demand this will create! The new iMac could be Apple's fastest selling Mac ever!
miradu said:
Exactly, Miradu. We have no way of knowing what the problem was, but they certainly would have kept selling iMacs in the meantime if they could.
On another point, everyone's math is wrong. The announcement should not be read at saying it will be 60 days with no iMac. It's *90* days with no iMac. You don't announce a particular month and then deliver at the beginning of that month.
I think it's hard to read this as anything other than an unmitigated disaster for Apple. Most people buy computers in the very price range that Apple has now vacated. This will help notebook sales, but could negatively impact Apple's market share--that's a lot of missed sales.
One other thing: I don't know why anyone is surprised or upset by the idea that the G5 may make it into an iMac before a PowerBook. It simply isn't ready to be a notebook chip right now and the G4 remains an excellent chip for notebooks. It's much better for Apple to use the best technology it can in each individual model.
elo
31 August
The delay is likely because of 970FX cooling complications
with the smaller unit of the iMac. I suspect an announcement
sooner than September, however......
You are right, it will be announced on August 31st. Apple Expo Paris Keynote. Just think about: "Paris" "iMac" "birthday", if that's not a clear hint from Steve, what elese? (these were the search queries of the spotlight demo at WWDC)
The delay is likely because of 970FX cooling complications
with the smaller unit of the iMac. I suspect an announcement
sooner than September, however......
You are right, it will be announced on August 31st. Apple Expo Paris Keynote. Just think about: "Paris" "iMac" "birthday", if that's not a clear hint from Steve, what elese? (these were the search queries of the spotlight demo at WWDC)
blasto333 said:
Maybe it was like this:
Apple planned to have the 3GHz PowerMacs out by now, but they've been delayed. So perhaps there isn't enough of a performance gap between the new iMac and current PowerMac lines, so they had to hold off announcing it until faster G5s come along?
building credibility with the non-apple crowd.
This snafu calls to mind an article I read recently taking Apple to task for it's secretive nature - IT directors were loath to use Apple products (specifically the XServe) because they felt they could never guage or plan around definite product releases. Likewise the education market, where, along with the eMac, the iMac is a huge seller.
So, by admitting their problem, Apple is building some credibility outside of it's followers. The secretive hype machine is awesome for us mac fanatics but is of no interest to a Dell user. But I guess being able to plan purchases gives a reassurance.
Also, we're seeing some changes in the OS, where Apple is "coming down" a tad bit from the high horse stance. Specifically, Dashboard, and the CoreImage eyecandy features - meant to provide nice store appeal.
(I'm not mad about the Dashboard widgets anymore anyway. Someone will just make some with a Apple pro type interface for those of us who want it, and maybe the Power machines could ship with them and the consumer machines the colorful ones.. why not)
This snafu calls to mind an article I read recently taking Apple to task for it's secretive nature - IT directors were loath to use Apple products (specifically the XServe) because they felt they could never guage or plan around definite product releases. Likewise the education market, where, along with the eMac, the iMac is a huge seller.
So, by admitting their problem, Apple is building some credibility outside of it's followers. The secretive hype machine is awesome for us mac fanatics but is of no interest to a Dell user. But I guess being able to plan purchases gives a reassurance.
Also, we're seeing some changes in the OS, where Apple is "coming down" a tad bit from the high horse stance. Specifically, Dashboard, and the CoreImage eyecandy features - meant to provide nice store appeal.
(I'm not mad about the Dashboard widgets anymore anyway. Someone will just make some with a Apple pro type interface for those of us who want it, and maybe the Power machines could ship with them and the consumer machines the colorful ones.. why not)
This is a way to stop Apple's market slide...
I think Apple is announcing the new iMac early so they can stop their slide on Nasdaq. It went down like 30 cents after WWDC cuz I guess the people thought there were going to be new iMacs. But we'll see when Apple streams their quarterly profits report in a couple of days.
By the way, UCLA is selling the iMacs for really great prices. The 20" 1.25 G4 for 1699, 17" for 1399, 15" for 899! Or something like that. If you are affiliated with UCLA and want an iMac, go get one of these!!
I think Apple is announcing the new iMac early so they can stop their slide on Nasdaq. It went down like 30 cents after WWDC cuz I guess the people thought there were going to be new iMacs. But we'll see when Apple streams their quarterly profits report in a couple of days.
By the way, UCLA is selling the iMacs for really great prices. The 20" 1.25 G4 for 1699, 17" for 1399, 15" for 899! Or something like that. If you are affiliated with UCLA and want an iMac, go get one of these!!
maita said:
That wouldn´t come as a surprise. Maybe the e600 is the chip and Freescale has failed to deliver? Or, I´m sorry to bring this up, maybe Apple don´t want the iMac to be too superiour to the PBs, awaiting an e600 PB upgrade?
Keep that thought
Holy MOTO, Batman, not IBM too!
This has got to be a low point for Apple.
A computer company that has to post a notice at it's online store saying they don't have actually have any computers to sell.
Sorry pal, no iMac's today, come back in the fall.
What was that Monte Python skit about the Cheese Shop, where they advertise 102 brands of cheese, but don't actually have any in the store?
Customer: I'd like a nice new iMac please.
Apple: Sorry, the last one's just gone out the door.
Customer: Ok, I'll just jump up to the Dual 2.5 G5
Apple: Well, you'll have to wait abit on that.
Customer: iPod mini?
Apple: Er, nope.
Customer: Apple Airport Express?
Apple: We're popping some more - not quite done yet.
Customer: Ok. I'll take one of those great looking new LCD displays.
Apple: Ummm, you see . .
Customer: New Nvidia Ultra graphics card?
Apple: Nada
Customer: Do you in fact have ANY new computer products in your store?
Apple: Let me get back to you on that . . . .
This has got to be a low point for Apple.
A computer company that has to post a notice at it's online store saying they don't have actually have any computers to sell.
Sorry pal, no iMac's today, come back in the fall.
What was that Monte Python skit about the Cheese Shop, where they advertise 102 brands of cheese, but don't actually have any in the store?
Customer: I'd like a nice new iMac please.
Apple: Sorry, the last one's just gone out the door.
Customer: Ok, I'll just jump up to the Dual 2.5 G5
Apple: Well, you'll have to wait abit on that.
Customer: iPod mini?
Apple: Er, nope.
Customer: Apple Airport Express?
Apple: We're popping some more - not quite done yet.
Customer: Ok. I'll take one of those great looking new LCD displays.
Apple: Ummm, you see . .
Customer: New Nvidia Ultra graphics card?
Apple: Nada
Customer: Do you in fact have ANY new computer products in your store?
Apple: Let me get back to you on that . . . .
I smell a pre-release recall
If there was some glitch in the production of new iMacs, why not just keep producing the old ones a tiny bit longer to avoid a gap? No one would have been the wiser. It must have been way too late - production must have stopped. With this announcement, it seems likely production didn't just stop, but they already retooled for the new ones. Perhaps they were already producing the new ones, all seemed on schedule, but some last minute problem cropped up with the device that was so bad it would have caused a recall, or free hardware repair, or some such. So they hit the big red button, everything came to a halt very suddenly indeed, and they are testing/fixing hundreds from the first run, and were forced into this hasty and odd announcement. <--All speculation
If there was some glitch in the production of new iMacs, why not just keep producing the old ones a tiny bit longer to avoid a gap? No one would have been the wiser. It must have been way too late - production must have stopped. With this announcement, it seems likely production didn't just stop, but they already retooled for the new ones. Perhaps they were already producing the new ones, all seemed on schedule, but some last minute problem cropped up with the device that was so bad it would have caused a recall, or free hardware repair, or some such. So they hit the big red button, everything came to a halt very suddenly indeed, and they are testing/fixing hundreds from the first run, and were forced into this hasty and odd announcement. <--All speculation
bertagert said:
You make it sound like Apple only sells iMacs. Yes, they'll hurt from this, but not by much. Between iPods, iTMS, the new PowerMacs, the new displays, the PowerBooks, iBooks, eMacs, xServes, and software, I don't think they're in too bad a shape, do you?
M
må¥å
Guest
må¥å said:SJ comment on this is going to be an amazing mac year could also mean a new game plan for the company they are going to do untraditional releases and announcements that were not done previously.
REMEMBER the TIGER OS is 64-bit so they have to move most of they hardware line to 64-bit along with software for 2005 so it burn the competition out of the arena. The eMac and iBook still might have G4 however TIGER has support for those lines no biggy.
With the iMac G5 innards spaced out flat that meant that the G5 chip can be cooled easier and with AL that is the magic recipe, no need for hugh fans like the Tower since its not expandable.
This is Great news even though its not like Apple, this is the new Apple we are seeing with Support for MAC + PC
Something tells me at MWSF 2005 we will see PB G5 2GHz min model along with a 3.5GHz PM and the iMac G5 top end at 2GHz.
Pass the crack pipe. Apple is going to release a 64 bit OS that less than 10% of their installed base can buy and use.
Some of Tiger will be 64 bit, it will run on older G4s and, most likely, G3s since Apple sold them until several months ago.
PB G5s are a ways off, and Apple has said so. Early 2005 is probably very, very optimistic.
As for this iMac fiasco, were I an Apple board member, Steve would be flying coach on his private jet until this is worked out.
må¥å said:Its actually 25% since WWDC 2003.
Where is the optimism mate
"The PM got a 12% speedbump in 12 months"
2.0 - 2.5 = .5
.5/2 = .25
Beat ya to it.
I reckon IBM did some major rug pulling on Apple.
"yes, we will have volume lower heat G5s for your iMac, yes we will have volume lower heat G5s for your iMac, yes we will have volume lower heat G5s for your iMac...Oh, seems we can't" *face palm*
Who knows, but Steve Jobs voice did seem raw at WWDC... maybe it was all that screaming he's been doing to IBMs processor dept.
"yes, we will have volume lower heat G5s for your iMac, yes we will have volume lower heat G5s for your iMac, yes we will have volume lower heat G5s for your iMac...Oh, seems we can't" *face palm*
Who knows, but Steve Jobs voice did seem raw at WWDC... maybe it was all that screaming he's been doing to IBMs processor dept.
I think Apple should abandon the all-in-one.
Apple needs to abandon the all-in-one. Put a G5 in the new iMac and let people buy whatever kind of monitor they want. If they're rich, they can get a $3500 30" LCD monitor, if not they can use their old PC's 17" CRT.
If Apple made an attractive, headless machine with the speed of a G5 and the 64bit-capable Tiger - I think they could sell a lot more people on the idea of switching to a Mac. Imagine if the next iMac line said "starting at $650" - now that would be something truly different from Apple. Suddenly people would want a Mac to go with their iPod - because, why not? They're easier to use, Tiger is awesome looking and they aren't expensive anymore.
This would go over especially well if Apple extended their claws further into the living room by incorporating an iTunes-like version of TV recording, wireless bluetooth remote and all. Make the iMac more than an iMac and suddenly switching to the Mac platform isn't so much a computer choice, as it is a overall home entertainment choice.
Joe
p.s. - I guess not having anything to sell until the end of September pretty much means that Apple can kiss their school sales goooooodbye. Looks like the poor kiddies will have to be Windows zombies.
Apple needs to abandon the all-in-one. Put a G5 in the new iMac and let people buy whatever kind of monitor they want. If they're rich, they can get a $3500 30" LCD monitor, if not they can use their old PC's 17" CRT.
If Apple made an attractive, headless machine with the speed of a G5 and the 64bit-capable Tiger - I think they could sell a lot more people on the idea of switching to a Mac. Imagine if the next iMac line said "starting at $650" - now that would be something truly different from Apple. Suddenly people would want a Mac to go with their iPod - because, why not? They're easier to use, Tiger is awesome looking and they aren't expensive anymore.
This would go over especially well if Apple extended their claws further into the living room by incorporating an iTunes-like version of TV recording, wireless bluetooth remote and all. Make the iMac more than an iMac and suddenly switching to the Mac platform isn't so much a computer choice, as it is a overall home entertainment choice.
Joe
p.s. - I guess not having anything to sell until the end of September pretty much means that Apple can kiss their school sales goooooodbye. Looks like the poor kiddies will have to be Windows zombies.