RFI has received several reports, confirmations and non-denial denials that there are production problems and delays with the iMac that are causing the ship date to slip. And that while the iMac might still make the 07 Jul 98 price list at $1199, its early August ship date is slipping. And wouldn't you know it that these reports came in on the day that we published the "sunny" piece on "iMacWorld." C'est la guerre.
What's the gist behind it all? Here it is in summation:
"iMac has definitely slipped a bit. The original date was August 1st; the machines won't be ready then. Apple is pulling people off other products, even other consumer line products, to get the iMac shipping faster."
We have been hearing conflicting reports about production, but the strongest are quotes from people that certain decisions, in particular about modems, haven't been made yet. The hardware ROM has been frozen, although; they seem to think that means the logic board and plastics are set for production, with a "personality card" containing the modem among other things, still up in the air. But that is just a guess on the part of one source.
"Regarding the 56K modem, yes, the standards conflict. So what. Apple ships a 56K modem in certain PowerBooks already. You know it's a minefield, I know it's a minefield, but customers think it's twice as fast as 28.8 and why fight that?"
Well, those are the main issues as far as the iMac production problems and delays are concerned. And given the fact that Apple is allegedly pulling people off other consumer products, as well as other projects, then this could mean that the iMac might delay other items, such as: the new desktops, speed bumped G3 PowerBooks, etc. And, that could also cause supply problems throughout the line. In other words, the iMac problems are everyone's problems. And this only reinforces a lot of people's notions that the iMac is a "bet the company" gambit. Something that a lot of people have been saying for a while. And that is bothersome; especially since it appears that there are problems with Mr. Jobs' "Put it all on 21 Black" iMac bet; according to those who ascribe to this notion.
And, if that were all, then we'd be happy to leave it all at that. But, there are other concerns as well, most of which RFI has already discussed but is also mentioned in an editorial that appears on MacOpionion. The editorial, called "iMac Precipitates Vigorous Debate," is at:
http://www.macopinion.com/editorials/precip.html
And, that's just one of the issues that might cause AAPL.O to stumble in the interim. And, if this "leaks" to the general markets, media and masses, we can almost hear the sounds of "Sell Buttons" getting hit as the iMac is what started this most recent runup in AAPL.O. Despite the fact that Apple's Q3 earnings are likely to beat consensus estimates. It was "Columbus" that made you those killings on the options, and trading positions, and it could be disappointment with "Columbus" that sends AAPL.O down until "Good News" hits.
The above item was written on 19 Jun 98 and the problems have since reportedly been resolved. So, the iMac and it's final features, etc. will be set and announced sometime before the old 01 Aug 98 launch date.
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