iMac Supplies Becoming Constrained Ahead of Potential Refresh

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9 to 5 Mac reports that multiple sources, presumably resellers, have noted that supplies of the current-generation iMacs are showing as "constrained", limiting restocking orders. The development is a common one as Apple draws down supplies ahead of the introduction of new models.

We have been told by three people familiar with the matter - all in different countries including the U.S. and an Asian country - that iMac supplies are tightening.

As noted in our Buyer's Guide, the iMac is due for an update given that it has been nearly nine months since the last refresh of the line took place in late July.

Last month, CNET's Brian Tong claimed to have received information from a source indicating that updated iMacs should debut by the end of April or the first week in May, a window of time that is just now set to open.

Related Roundup: iMac
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Don't Buy)
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Top Rated Comments

gnomeisland Avatar
193 months ago
You're forgetting that if the iMac user was shunting video to a big-screen TV via HDMI, the user might want to keep that port for that. Would leave the Thunderbolt port for other devices that they might want to keep plugged in without having to swap.

Not all of us want to plug and unplug...plug and unplug

Thunderbolt is daisy chain-able. Now I give HDMI *in* a 1% chance on the 27" model since Apple sold a few on the virtue of the Mini-DP in on that model. However, HDMI costs Apple money and it is more likely you'll see Thunderbolt capable of turning the internal display into an external display for another device, or perhaps, TWO thunderbolt ports with said functionality.

I give the two thunderbolt ports a 2-3% chance but for me that's worth dreaming about.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zombierunner Avatar
193 months ago
Performance and specifications determine whether or not it's a "Pro", not the people who use them. I'm not a professional race car driver, but my car has over 400hp. Does that mean that my car is not the high-performance sports car that the automotive world widely claims it to be?

And besides, how do you know those people aren't using heavy-duty applications? Is a thirty-second observation at Starbucks enough to justify such a statement?

dang .. afrwq just got burned lol
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Trauma1 Avatar
193 months ago
When I don't see hipsters, students, and soccer moms using Macbook "Pros" at Starbucks, then I'll believe that it's a "Pro" model

Performance and specifications determine whether or not it's a "Pro", not the people who use them. I'm not a professional race car driver, but my car has over 400hp. Does that mean that my car is not the high-performance sports car that the automotive world widely claims it to be?

And besides, how do you know those people aren't using heavy-duty applications? Is a thirty-second observation at Starbucks enough to justify such a statement?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)