dmr727
macrumors G4
Most PC desktops don't have the unified memory model that's ideal for running local AI models - that's why those machines are still available.
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Apple: A computer company that only sells laptops
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PC desktops use DIMMs for RAM. They can stick whatever they can find in there and if need be adjust the voltage and timing to make it work.
Apple needs the One True Memory Chip. They are not as flexible. Same issue for the SSD. Commodity NVME or perfectly specced chips.
Apple goes for peak performance per watt, The PC desktop is for flexibility and low cost and damn the power consumption. A top of the line NVME pulls about the same power as the base M4 SOC. Since the GPU is pulling down 500-600 watts the NVME doesn't really matter as long as you remembered put the heat sink on it.
At the high end of gaming PCs the supply is also suffering. Jay-two-cents on YouTube was complaining about that.
eltoslightfoot
macrumors 68040
Plus also, in the world of the PC, there is a lot more variable pricing at work. So, yes, there is availability but prices have skyrocketed. Apple instead is locking in the prices, but pushing out availability.
Jumpthesnark
macrumors 68000
You're talking about certain stores not having stock of the device you say you want, not Apple itself. We're just days away from WWDC, where Apple may announce new products. And if that's the case, they would be winding down the supply chain of their existing products.
But based on your experience of saying you don't see desktops in your local stores means Apple should...
Does that even sound like it makes sense? That Apple has simply stopped making desktops and you're the first person in the world to figure it out, based on your visits to a few stores?
Welcome to the forums, and thanks for your insight.
JPack
macrumors P6
Before people go too off tangent about the memory, this is what Tim Cook said about the Mac shortage during the April 30 earnings call.
"The primary constraint in the March and June quarter is the availability of the advanced nodes our SOCs are produced on, not memory."
Very few PC desktops use a 3nm process. Those that do, are vastly outperformed by the M4 for LLM and AI tasks.
"The primary constraint in the March and June quarter is the availability of the advanced nodes our SOCs are produced on, not memory."
Very few PC desktops use a 3nm process. Those that do, are vastly outperformed by the M4 for LLM and AI tasks.
Herr Podspro
macrumors member
You can complain all you want, but when making a claim you either back it up or live with being dismissed. Now, when you say Apple will walk on stage, tout their own horns while having no desktops available, I lose interest. But when you claim the global memory shortage hasn’t affected the PC desktops at all, I dismiss you. I don't even know if the last comment was made about Macs, other PC's or all desktops.
iHorseHead
macrumors 68020
But you can in Poland. You walk into iSpot and there's always iMac and Mac minis and you can buy those instantly.
Same thing with Estonia and Finland and I assume with the rest of the EU.
Seems to be like a Japanese issue, not Apple's issue.
Omega Mac
macrumors 6502a
A potentially hot sign of new inventory imminent and the Japanese market would alwasy be hot for new gear.
I have seen their electronic stores. They really are packed full of all the gear. You can try everything out. Incredible.
So there must be a really seriously good reason for this and it also creates intrigue and mystery too. People will come back a few times to see what is going on, any changes.
That next time they might see the new stock and get that rush go "must have / take all my credit cards now!"
Also maybe Japanese cultural diligence at play too, they may not want to sell their customers a computer that will be replaced next day with a huge spec/new model and cause them all that anxiety and upset, they simply do not want to upset the customer, I honestly would not be surprised if this was part or the whole reason, and I would imagine the japans market is incredibly important, active and dynamic for Apple.
I have seen their electronic stores. They really are packed full of all the gear. You can try everything out. Incredible.
So there must be a really seriously good reason for this and it also creates intrigue and mystery too. People will come back a few times to see what is going on, any changes.
That next time they might see the new stock and get that rush go "must have / take all my credit cards now!"
Also maybe Japanese cultural diligence at play too, they may not want to sell their customers a computer that will be replaced next day with a huge spec/new model and cause them all that anxiety and upset, they simply do not want to upset the customer, I honestly would not be surprised if this was part or the whole reason, and I would imagine the japans market is incredibly important, active and dynamic for Apple.
Omega Mac
macrumors 6502a
I looked at delivery times on the mac Mini base model and some custom configurations. The lead times can jump to 10-12 weeks here, and even the base model is 4-6 weeks, is it typically this long?
Or, do lead times jump close to an update, so if you do order a base M4 16GB/512, it give Apple delivery wiggle room and if you order today, in 4-6 weeks you get the new base model spec?
Or, is this more indicative of supply chain issues?
Or, do lead times jump close to an update, so if you do order a base M4 16GB/512, it give Apple delivery wiggle room and if you order today, in 4-6 weeks you get the new base model spec?
Or, is this more indicative of supply chain issues?
curnalpanic
macrumors 6502a
They can't make the M-chips fast enough, as Mac minis are very popular to use as AI agents or something. I think that was the most important reason. Also there is a shortage of RAM which is why the higher configurations are unavailable right now.
chrono1081
macrumors G3
Your frustrations are completely unfounded. Just order from Apple. If you're mad about wait times thank the AI companies, they're the reason for the global computer hardware shortage. Manufacturers can't get enough chips.
Omega Mac
macrumors 6502a
Yes does seem to be that way, but also as per earnings call demand from customers for mac's is also attributable to growth in Ai, and long lead times, so it's a widespread squeeze form market to industry and yet Apple are still making good money