iMac died... Order times on Apple site accurate?

[retta283]

My home iMac died on me finally last night, a 21.5" 2010. I really didn't want to order a new computer right now, but I need it for work as my workplace is closed, and they won't allow us to take the work computers. I went back and forth between the sizes, but decided to go with 27" again since I don't see the economy getting much better for a while, so I can't just buy another in 2-3 years.

Same config as my work 27", RAM upgrade and 512 SSD. However, the expected deliveries say May 26-June 6, which is a very long time to be waiting for this machine. Are these the accurate dates? I understand that BTO is slower, and with the current crisis there's a lot of backup, but a month and a half seems awfully long for a product released over a year ago.

 

[zhenya]

Hard to say. Many other BTO products don't look to have nearly so much delay, so it could be something specific in the supply chain for the iMac or it could be that there is an updated model coming soon so they are clearing out the remaining inventory.

Are there any other resellers you might be able to order from?

BTW, if you are footing this bill yourself, really consider buying the RAM separately - replacing it on a current iMac is as easy as on any computer ever built, and it's like 1/3 the cost.

 

[retta283]

Hard to say. Many other BTO products don't look to have nearly so much delay, so it could be something specific in the supply chain for the iMac or it could be that there is an updated model coming soon so they are clearing out the remaining inventory.

Are there any other resellers you might be able to order from?

BTW, if you are footing this bill yourself, really consider buying the RAM separately - replacing it on a current iMac is as easy as on any computer ever built, and it's like 1/3 the cost.

I looked at a few of the resale sites, but I couldn't really find the exact config I wanted, mid tier option with 512GB SSD. I haven't really used those resellers before, so not sure what kind of quality they have. (I believe it is new stock). I'd like to get the config I want now instead of a base model, even if it is more money.

Thanks for the reminder on RAM, I was just so flustered by having to do this right now that I didn't think about that. Unfortunately, even just with the SSD BTO, the shipping time still jumps to late May/early June. What's odd to me however is that the 21.5 BTO configs only get pushed to late April.

 

[profcutter]

Looks like expercom has some that ship by the first week in may with upgraded ssd.

 

[ignatius345]

I need it for work as my workplace is closed, and they won't allow us to take the work computers.

Wow, that is incredibly lame. At the very least I suppose you can write it off as a work expense.

 

[MadCar]

There is a strong suspicion that the iMac is about to get a refresh / upgrade. Your delivery dates might be a sign its about to happen. Who knows, but not helping if you really need on right now.

 

[herrdude]

My home iMac died on me finally last night, a 21.5" 2010. I really didn't want to order a new computer right now, but I need it for work as my workplace is closed, and they won't allow us to take the work computers. I went back and forth between the sizes, but decided to go with 27" again since I don't see the economy getting much better for a while, so I can't just buy another in 2-3 years.

Same config as my work 27", RAM upgrade and 512 SSD. However, the expected deliveries say May 26-June 6, which is a very long time to be waiting for this machine. Are these the accurate dates? I understand that BTO is slower, and with the current crisis there's a lot of backup, but a month and a half seems awfully long for a product released over a year ago.

You could be like MacGyver. 🛠

 

[MaskedCarrot]

Earlier this week I received the Mac Mini i5/16/512 that I ordered. Being that I got it with 16gig RAM, that was considered a custom order since I bumped up the ram.

I ordered it on 4/9, it shipped on Monday the 13th, Apple's website said it would be delivered on the 21st, the tracking info on FedEx's website said Thursday the 16th, and it ends up getting delivered on the 15th.

I am thinking with sales being down from the COV-19 issues, orders are being processed quicker.

 

[ThugFreak]

My home iMac died on me finally last night, a 21.5" 2010. I really didn't want to order a new computer right now, but I need it for work as my workplace is closed, and they won't allow us to take the work computers. I went back and forth between the sizes, but decided to go with 27" again since I don't see the economy getting much better for a while, so I can't just buy another in 2-3 years.

Same config as my work 27", RAM upgrade and 512 SSD. However, the expected deliveries say May 26-June 6, which is a very long time to be waiting for this machine. Are these the accurate dates? I understand that BTO is slower, and with the current crisis there's a lot of backup, but a month and a half seems awfully long for a product released over a year ago.

Deleted

 

[zedsdead]

The refurb site also has shorter lead times but they have low stock right now.

 

[EmlynDewar]

Any chance of searching the used market? If it's just to get you by until the workplace is opened, could be the quickest/cheapest option.

 

[retta283]

Did you look at B & H Photo? They have BTO iMacs in stock.
They have 2 day shipping.
Buy the RAM & install it yourself. It's a lot cheaper.

imac | B&H Photo Video

Shop B&H's in stock, large inventory for fast shipping, great service and everyday low prices on imac. For more info, please call 800-947-4415

www.bhphotovideo.com

When I had last looked at B&H I didn't find my config, but this time I did. Says it'll ship on the 22nd, which is far better. I think I will go for this one to be safe. Any updates that are released in the next 2 months probably won't be worth waiting for, especially considering what I upgraded from.

 

[colodane]

I normally advise people to buy from Apple BTO rather than B&H because of Apple's better customer experience and return policy. But in your circumstance with the business need B&H may indeed be your best alternative.

Did you also check some other configurations at Apple that are slightly different from your ideal system? It's possible that the ship dates may be configuration dependent.

 

[retta283]

I normally advise people to buy from Apple BTO rather than B&H because of Apple's better customer experience and return policy. But in your circumstance with the business need B&H may indeed be your best alternative.

Did you also check some other configurations at Apple that are slightly different from your ideal system? It's possible that the ship dates may be configuration dependent.

It seems like every configuration possible increases the ship date. Even just buying a bone stock model with the Trackpad included in the box pushes it back to late May. I usually wouldn't buy from resellers, but if it'll get me the machine soon than a month and a half, it might be worth it.

What remains odd to me is that this only affects the 27" iMac. I configured a 21.5" maxed out, $3,278 computer, and the ship date says May 1 - May 5. Which is far more reasonable. I also noticed that some of the lesser configs were not pushed as far, versus all configs being pushed back to the same date on the 27".

 

[Fishrrman]

My opinion only:
Re
"I configured a 21.5" maxed out, $3,278 computer..."

I don't think it's a good idea to buy "maxed out" Macs (at least in most cases). A midrange machine, moderately-equipped, will do nearly as well for less money. And historically, Macs that are "maxed" are the ones that seem to have the most problems over time.

Having said that...
Buying from B&H could be a good choice. But MAKE SURE the configuration is "the one you want", because B&H won't accept a computer in return once you open the box.

Also...
Did you check the Apple refurbished store for the configuration you want...?

 

[retta283]

My opinion only:
Re
"I configured a 21.5" maxed out, $3,278 computer..."

I don't think it's a good idea to buy "maxed out" Macs (at least in most cases). A midrange machine, moderately-equipped, will do nearly as well for less money. And historically, Macs that are "maxed" are the ones that seem to have the most problems over time.

Having said that...
Buying from B&H could be a good choice. But MAKE SURE the configuration is "the one you want", because B&H won't accept a computer in return once you open the box.

Also...
Did you check the Apple refurbished store for the configuration you want...?

I never planned on buying that computer, I just configured it on the site to see what the shipping times are.

Refurb store only has 1 27" iMac, and it's way higher specced than I need. B&H seems the most likely option right now, just comes down to whether I can trust it. The config is correct.