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iMac Shipping Delays

Leslie Holland writes "A new article from Mac insider news site Think Secret explains some of the recent iMac shipping delays. According to Think Secret, many of the first-run models were hit by firmware issues, and we shouldn't expect to see the low-end units for some time."

35 comments

  1. Shameless, Shameless Plug by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    I have an OS X Site. It has a nice Bulletin Board for talking about OS X. Please come by.

    As for the iMac delays, didn't I hear something about customs issues? Looks like the man is not only stopping video game accessories under the DMCA, but other strange looking electronics (probably suspecting some kind of terrorist activity...dear lord).

  2. my iMac by BMonger · · Score: 2, Informative

    I ordered mine on Jan. 19th, it shipped on either 2/12 or 2/13 and was at my door (from Taiwan) on 2/15. The route it took was Taiwan to Alaska to Indianapolis to Cedar Rapids, IA to my house. Dunno if that is helpful to anybody at all. It's definitely an excellent box (it's my first Mac. Sold my PC to get it).

    1. Re:my iMac by Mezz · · Score: 1

      Which model did you order?

      I ordered the mid range model, and have yet to hear any shipping info...

    2. Re:my iMac by dankow · · Score: 3, Funny

      But can you really call an iMac a "box"? That just strikes me as a little bit of a misnomer.

      --
      I am the hub of Jack's digital lifestyle.
    3. Re:my iMac by dankow · · Score: 1

      Obviously he ordered the high end model, because those are the only ones that have shipped.

      --
      I am the hub of Jack's digital lifestyle.
    4. Re:my iMac by Orville · · Score: 3, Informative
      Hrm. That's odd: usually there is a stop in Memphis...


      I ordered a new Powerbook in Dec., which took the same route. Seems some of Apple's products are assembled in Taiwan, then routed via FedEx to Anchorage (customs), then the main FedEx hub in Memphis (ala 'Cast Away'), then to destination.


      Basically, you're tracking how a Fed Ex package comes into the US from Taiwan! The Apple rep explained to me in December that that was the way direct orders were routed to speed shipping: no need for the Apple middleman.

    5. Re:my iMac by daeley · · Score: 2

      Well it's a better box than the PC he got rid of, despite the shape. ;-)

      --
      I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
    6. Re:my iMac by tim1724 · · Score: 1

      I ordered a new Powerbook in Dec., which took the same route. Seems some of Apple's products are assembled in Taiwan, then routed via FedEx to Anchorage (customs), then the main FedEx hub in Memphis (ala 'Cast Away'), then to destination.


      FedEx has multiple hubs. My iMac didn't go through Memphis because I live in southern California.. it went straight from Alaska to California.

      --
      -- Tim Buchheim
    7. Re:my iMac by Juanvaldes · · Score: 1
      FedEx has multiple hubs. My iMac didn't go through Memphis because I live in southern California.. it went straight from Alaska to California.

      It goes straight to Sacramento to be exact.

    8. Re:my iMac by prodos · · Score: 1

      This caused me a little concern when I made my Apple purchase since, according to the FedEx tracking page, it still hadn't arrived in the US almost a day after it left Taiwan. Then I noticed that the page sorts the entries strictly by the time the event occured and not by when it is actually entered into the tracking database. So, the package being received in Anchorage was listed as happening before it left Taiwan by about 30 minutes.

      Yay International Date Line!

  3. Other delay problems by PrimeWaveZ · · Score: 1, Informative

    I heard that some of the iMacs were actually stopped at customs entry points for inspection. Maybe the FDA, who has jurisdiction over lasers, is stopping these Macintoshes for inspection. This happened last year with the PowerBook G4 optical drives. (Yes, they were concealed weapons)

    I don't know this is an honest-to-God fact. It is possible, however.

  4. You think that's bad... by nob · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm still waiting for the Newton I ordered back in '98 to be delivered!

    --
    daed si luap
  5. OT: apple.slashdot.org bug by sulli · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    When I click on the link to apple.slashdot.org (and ask.slashdot.org, etc.), it always gives me the .shtml page that requires login, and then when I read the stories the formatting is wrong until I find the article.pl link at the top of the story. Editors - if you're reading - pls fix, thx.

    --

    sulli
    RTFJ.
  6. hearsay by Incadenza · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    g o s s i p spells... gossip. Jeez, the Mac World is too full of rumours, hearsay and gossip already to add another layer with apple/. Please please keep the subjects on the geek side of things. No more speculations.

    1. Re:hearsay by D_Fresh · · Score: 1

      Agreed. This kind of delay is a typical production glitch, with perhaps a bit more impact than most. Still, nothing to see here. Move along. Not to worry. Apple will still sell a kajillion of them.

      --

      Was that out loud?
  7. Defective Logos by krugdm · · Score: 1

    Maybe because it's because of this problem...

  8. Saw a few at a reseller yesterday by Bravo_Two_Zero · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Hmmm... that might explain why, with it being a hot new model, there were quite a few on the shelf at the distribution center of a large reseller I happened to be touring yesterday. They had what looked like 4 of them on one of the burn-in tables (4 would be a lot, given that this was the only station where Macs did any serious burn-in time). I didn't even think about it being related to intentionally-delayed shipping.

    Also, they looked a lot cooler before I saw one in person. They really do resemble a mid-70s industrial desk lamp. Hey, I'd take one in a heartbeat, but the cube was waaaaay sexier!

    --


    Amateurs discuss tactics. Professionals discuss logistics.

  9. Re:Shameless, Shameless Silliness by Absentminded-Artist · · Score: 1
    > As for the iMac delays, didn't I hear something about customs issues? Looks like the man is not only stopping video game accessories under the DMCA, but other strange looking electronics (probably suspecting some kind of terrorist activity...dear lord).

    Maybe the inspectors are trying to see if any of those new iMacs can dance like in those Pixar animations.

    "Hey Sal! Any of those things dancin' yet?"

    "Nope. I've gone thru my whole tape collection. I think Celine Dion's just putting them to sleep..."

    D

    --
    The Splintered Mind - Overcoming
  10. Re:You think that retard moderators are bad... by TomSawyer · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Next time you should say "Apple Newton" so even though they still won't know what you're talking about, at least they'll know it's not totally off topic.

    --
    If you disagree then it must be overrated, redundant or trolling.
  11. still waiting by Gastropod_ca · · Score: 1

    I ordered one on Jan 8th and am still waiting.

    I would not pay much attention to that rumour though. They talk about FedEx reporting going from Alaska back to Taiwan. All that is, is the time zones. FedEx reports local time when things are scanned in. The thing did not actually go back to taiwan.

    1. Re:still waiting by FreeMyBSD · · Score: 1


      I ordered mine on 1/24 and it ships this week.

      Better to have any bugs fixed at the factory.

      I ordered the 800/SuperDrive model.

      --
      Daemon Inside +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ www.freebsd.org +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
  12. This report is speculation, Check iMacLinux.net by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    I would treat this report about firmware problems as heresay. Check with iMacLinux.net, who reported the reason for the hardware problems. A faulty power cable can cause random failures to powerup and some units to not power up at all on the first time. Customs delays along with difficulty in manufacturing the unit, are all real confirmed reasons for why the iMac shipments are delayed.

  13. Think Secret? iWalk? Scam? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Isn't Think Secret the organization that did the iWalk? Do these people have ANY credibility?

  14. No, this is news. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Little to see here? Tell that to the thousands of iMac buyers who are waiting to get it.

  15. Re:Think Secret? iWalk? Scam? by Pathwalker · · Score: 2

    No, that was SpyMac who did the iWalk...

  16. Re:Think Secret? iWalk? Scam? by Nick+dePlume · · Score: 2, Informative

    Anonymous Coward,

    No, Think Secret did not post news on the "iWalk" -- except to debunk it. The fact is, this report isn't speculation, rumor, hearsay...it's insider news, and it's affecting quite a large number of people right now.

    I think our record speaks for itself -- thanks for reading!

    -Nick dePlume
    Publisher and Editor in Chief, Think Secret

  17. perhaps.... by Snafoo · · Score: 2

    You know, they forgot to ship a motherboard along with the monitor and pedestal.

    --
    - undoware.ca
  18. Shipping to Anchorage by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I love it when these morons state that their units were shipped back to Tiawan. Have people NOT heard about the International Date Line?

    When the items are shipped from Tiawan to Anchorage, they will arrive at customs the day BEFORE they were shipped. When Fedex sorts the item's shipping process by data, it will appear in Alaska BEFORE it was shipped form Tiawan because of that pesky ol International Date Line.

    This leads the unobservant individual to think their order was in Tiawan after it was in Alaska.

    Silly rabbits.

  19. Why Apple is so expansive in Brazil? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Here a US$ 1200 iMac is sold to US$ 3500... Why?

  20. Clock is ticking.. by gbshuler · · Score: 1

    I ordered the mid-grade "new iMac" on Feb 2.

    Haven't heard a peep from my local Mac dealer.

    The clock is ticking on my $150 Microsoft Office v.X rebate. I have to receive my box by April 29'th or Microsoft won't give me the rebate (for bundling Office v.X with a new Mac).

    My local Mac dealer in St. Louis says all sales are final (so in the end it will be my own fault). I wouldn't normally do this (give up my right to return something), but the evil Microsoft rebate requires:

    • (1) Original store reciept (no copies)
    • (2) Both "new Mac" and Office v.X *must* be bought the same day.
    • (3) Cutout (with underlaying cardboard) UPC from iMac box.
    • (4) Cutout Office v.X box UPC.
    • (5) Buy between Jan 1, 2002 and Mar 31, 2002.
    • (6) Mail before April 30th, received at evil empire by May 15.

    I think Items (1), (2), and (3) are ridiculous, and that's why I call them "evil"..

    I bought it from the local dealer because I could be certain to get a receipt for both the Mac and Office v.X posted the same day.