Why has delivery of the new Apple iMac s been delayed in the UK

Asks katiecuth

A. There has been no official word from Apple over the reported delays on the new all-in-one iMac computer, but there have been several press reports that have speculated on the cause of the delay.

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The dominant reason seems to be a shortage of the 15" LCD flat panels that are attached to the computer, with production problems in Taiwan being the main cause and many people are linking this to radiation problems with the screen i.e. Apple are having difficulties ensuring only a safe amount is emitted. But as Apple has made no official announcement on the delays, it is all speculation.

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Q. How late are the iMac deliveries

A. Many iMac distributors e.g. Tech Data and Ingram Micro have complained of order backlogs of up to 18 weeks, while smaller outlets are said to be on a five month waiting list.

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Q. What effect have the delays had on the market

A. It is believed that some distributors have been selling those they have in stock for higher than the retail recommended price of approximately �1,300 for the mid-range model. But more damaging, to Apple at least, is the affect the delays will do to its profit margins.

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A recent report published by market analyst Merrill Lynch states that production and delivery problems will affect Apple's first quarter 2002 results, and as press reports of the delays were printed Apple's share price dropped $1.71 to $21.96 on Nasdaq (1 March 2002).

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The report also stated that Apple had expected to ship at least 200,000 machines in January and February, but it was believed that only 15,000 had left their factories so far this year - and most of these were the more expensive 800MHz SuperDrive models - with the mid-range and entry level models, the latter scheduled for a March 2002 launch, (i.e. the models most in demand) remaining behind.

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Q. Could any other factors have affected the demand for the new iMac

A. An article in Time magazine - the cover story in the 6 January 2002 edition - is believed to have increased the popularity of the iMac, as have review articles in all computer magazines and national newspapers - but it is unlikely that these would have created a demand that Apple couldn't cope with.

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Additional speculation that Apple just underestimated the popularity of its new machine are also unfounded, as it undertook comprehensive and exhaustive research prior to marketing and launching its new set of iMac's.

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Q. What is new and exciting about the new set of iMac computers

A. It is believed that Apple will have silenced all of its critics with its new range of iMac computers - and that it will not only attract Macintosh fans to its new models but it is believed that PC diehards will also be drawn to the swanky new designs.

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The Answerbank review of the new Apple iMac goes into more detail on the benefits of the new machines, but in a nut shell it is a complete home entertainment centre - it can burn CDs and DVDs (depending on the model you buy), comes complete with a video editor, iTunes music library (works in conjunction with the iPod MP3 player) and its digital photo package Iphoto. It includes a PowerPC G4 processor with NVIDIA 3D graphics, and comes complete with the new Macintosh operating system, Mac OS X.

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By Karen Anderson