During Apple’s financial results call last month, CEO Tim Cook noted that the company expected to see significant shortages on their new ultra-thin iMacs, which were set to launch sometime this month. According to a new report from French Apple site MacBidouille, however (via 9to5Mac), the new iMac models may now be delayed until early 2013.
According to the site’s sources, the 21.5-inch iMac was due to launch on November 27 – in time for the holiday shopping season. The delays are reportedly due to issues with the new welding process Apple described during the iPad mini media event. Our own native French-speaking Henry Taylor-Gill has provided a translation with all the important details from the report:
We’ve just learnt from a commerical source that Apple has apparently delayed the release of the new iMacs announced three weeks ago. While the release of the 21 inch model was planned for November and the 27 inch for December, it’s now possible that both models will miss out on the New Year celebrations.
While no reason has been specified, Apple seems to be having even more problems than anticipated because of the new fabrication process, friction stir welding.
It’s unclear at this point whether or not the report is accurate, but 9to5Mac points out that they’ve been hearing about a newly redesigned Thunderbolt Display in the works, which could be part of the reason for Apple delaying at least the 27-inch model of the new iMac.
Considering Tim Cook’s own admission of delays on the new iMacs, the information about the new Thunderbolt Display (which we had been hearing reports about as well), and supply limitations for 27-inch display panels, this report really doesn’t sound very unlikely at all.
Only time will tell, of course – but don’t hold your breath waiting for those new iMacs to come out this year!
