High Sierra arrives 9/25 - when will new iMac have pre-installed?

[wunderhund]

I am hoping someone in the forum has experience of when Apple coordinates the pre-installation of a new OS with iMacs purchased through Apple's Store online. That is, when will iMacs configured through the online store come with High Sierra pre-installed? The day of the OS release? A couple days before? Weeks after?

I realize updating to High Sierra won't be difficult, but I'm looking to purchase an iMac by the 25th (an education promotion with free $300 wireless Beats headphones ends that day) and it would be one less thing to do if it was already installed -- and perhaps it would have the Fusion drive formatted to APFS out of the box.

Cheers.

 

[hfg]

Welcome to the MacRumors Forums!

It will probably depend on the remaining configuration stock at a particular store. They are not going to open, unpack, and set up unsold stock in order to install the software update, then attempt to repack and reseal each unit so that it looks new to the buyer. You may be able to talk the store into opening one you have purchased while you are there and do the upgrade for you ... but it is usually very simple to do yourself.

New stock arriving will have the new software installed at the time of production, but the availability would be pretty much unknown.

 

[wunderhund]

Thanks -- I have edited the OP to reflect that I meant ordering the iMac online via apple.com. Curious to know if anyone had ordered an iMac online, say on the day Yosemite was released, did the computer arrive with the newly released OS?

 

[Buerkletucson]

I would guess...

The stock configuration builds will take a bit to deplete current stock, even when ordering directly from Apple.
Any custom configuration other than stock will probably start shipping out with the new OS shortly after the release date.

 

[btrach144]

Thanks -- I have edited the OP to reflect that I meant ordering the iMac online via apple.com. Curious to know if anyone had ordered an iMac online, say on the day Yosemite was released, did the computer arrive with the newly released OS?

Either way, you might want to wait. Intel is expected to launch the 8700k in early October. That way you get the latest cannonlake and macOS.

Of course, Apple is moving slow with the Mac so who knows how long till we'll see Cannon Lake. Also, you can always wait till the next best thing and never end up buying anything. Only you can determine how long you want to wait

 

[redheeler]

I am hoping someone in the forum has experience of when Apple coordinates the pre-installation of a new OS with iMacs purchased through Apple's Store online. That is, when will iMacs configured through the online store come with High Sierra pre-installed? The day of the OS release? A couple days before? Weeks after?

I realize updating to High Sierra won't be difficult, but I'm looking to purchase an iMac by the 25th (an education promotion with free $300 wireless Beats headphones ends that day) and it would be one less thing to do if it was already installed -- and perhaps it would have the Fusion drive formatted to APFS out of the box.

Cheers.

It depends on the age of the stock, but considering the 25th is the release day for High Sierra, chances are you will just have to update it for free yourself, unless you order a BTO configuration and it gets High Sierra at the factory.

 

[bopajuice]

9/25 would be my guess. Wait until 10/1 just to be safe. Besides, updating software is no big deal.

 

[eb31460]

Thanks -- I have edited the OP to reflect that I meant ordering the iMac online via apple.com. Curious to know if anyone had ordered an iMac online, say on the day Yosemite was released, did the computer arrive with the newly released OS?

I don't know when... but not today. I'm awaiting too. when you place a order you can see the OS version in the recap.

 

[zipur]

You may want to hold off for awhile on SH upgrade, have you reviewed this...
http://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-macos-high-sierra-password-vulnerable-to-password-stealing-hack/

 

[mpConroe]

The installation is really simple and it only takes 40 minutes. If you need computer now, buy it and than download and install High Sierra on it.

 

[In Utopia]

The installation is really simple and it only takes 40 minutes. If you need computer now, buy it and than download and install High Sierra on it.

Why is HS not showing up as being available?

 

[mpConroe]

Why is HS not showing up as being available?

Go to Mac App Store, refresh the page (cmd+r) and you will see the High Sierra poster.

 

[Precursor]

Why is HS not showing up as being available?

It won't show up in Update section of the Appstore, you'll see it at the top in Featured section

 

[btrach144]

You may want to hold off for awhile on SH upgrade, have you reviewed this...
http://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-macos-high-sierra-password-vulnerable-to-password-stealing-hack/

This might be possible on older versions of macOS as well plus High Sierra fixes over 30 other security vulnerabilities.