New iMacs May Not Ship In Time For Holiday Season Due To Manufacturing Issues [Rumor]

By

Being this thin comes at a cost.
Being this thin comes at a cost.

Apple’s Phil Schiller unveiled the ultra-slim, all-new iMac at a press event last month. The 21.5-inch model was said to ship sometime in November, with the 27-inch model arriving later in December. Due to manufacturing complexities and supply issues overseas, Tim Cook later said that the new iMac will be “constrained in a significant way” this holiday season.

Now a new rumor is saying that supply chain problems mean no new iMacs at all until 2013.

French site MacBidouille has learned “from a commercial source” that Apple is having ” more problems than expected because of the new manufacturing process” required for the new iMac. According to the site’s sources, the 21.5-inch model was originally supposed to go on sale November 27th, but complications with manufacturers mean we may not see either model ship in time for the holidays.

One of the main points of interest during the new iMac’s unveiling was the “friction-stir welding” technique Apple uses to make the screen incredibly thin and sturdy. The same process is used to assemble cars and airplanes.

Manufacturing issues are most likely related to the new lamination process. Apple has managed to fully laminate the glass cover to the actual LCD, which significantly decreases glare and increases image quality. The process of assembling such a thin display is, as one would imagine, a complicated one.

Apple’s online store will hopefully be updated with new information regarding the iMac soon, but be prepared to not have one under your tree this holiday season.

Source: MacBidouille

Via: CNET

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.