The "I'm waiting for an iMac refresh" thread

[iMacdude313]

Well dammit! Just ordered my i7 27in iMac this weekend. Didn't know about any refresh until today. Anyone know the return/exchange policy on a newly purchased iMac?

In the same boat as you bruh. My 27in i5 should be coming to my doorstep literally any minute now. The anticipation is killing me! As for they're return policy, there is a 10% restocking fee if the box is opened, free if its unopened. So long story short, the $2000 plus I shelled out for mine would cost another $200 to return (there's no way I could restrain myself from opening it for a day as I've been saving for months to get it, and been waiting 10 days since I placed the order).

Either way, if you got an i7 coming in, there probably won't be to much of an update (just speed bumps) to justify paying a restocking fee and the time it takes to finally get the Mac to you. It all comes down to when you get it though. Seeing how you just ordered it, you could easily return it for free or even cancel your order now.

I bought AppleCare with mine so I'm actually kinda hoping there will be a yellow tint issue or dead pixels. I'll wait a month or two to speak up about it, then get it exchanged for a brand new iMac.

Ya digg?

 

[DisMyMac]

What ports are you looking for? If you're looking for USB3 don't count on it

Any data ports... I bet they want to save those for the Pro.

 

[iMacmatician]

Are ports part of the specs or the form factor?

Specs.

 

[luffytubby]

If the upgraded GPU was a 280 that would be incredible. according to notebookcheck a 280 will get around 13000 points in 3dmark 06. thats solid.


there are a few games like metro 2033, gta4 and crysis that can use insane amount of Vram... GTA 4 in particularly wants 1-2 GB of Vram easily.

 

[gto55]

at least e-sata ports

 

[Blu-Ray]

I highly doubt the iMac will be refreshed tomorrow (or this month for that matter). My best guess is an iMac refresh (mostly minor bumps) in mid August.

I do think we could see a refresh tomorrow on the MBA though...

 

[2005CTS]

I highly doubt the iMac will be refreshed tomorrow (or this month for that matter). My best guess is an iMac refresh (mostly minor bumps) in mid August.

I do think we could see a refresh tomorrow on the MBA though...

Not that i disagree with you - but I am curious as to your logic?

The low stock notices on the iMac are similar to the low stock notices that we saw prior to the previous three Mac refreshes.

 

[vixducis]

I do think we could see a refresh tomorrow on the MBA though...

No way we'll se a new MBA sooner than the new mac pro.

 

[2005CTS]

Another iMac shows low stock on Amazon.com

More fuel for the fire:

Yesterday just one of the 27" iMac's was showing as low stock on Amazon.com...now both 27" iMac are showing low stock:

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-iMac-MB...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1278959093&sr=8-2
Only 1 left in stock--order soon.

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-iMac-MB...4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1278959093&sr=8-4
Only 3 left in stock--order soon.

 

[2005CTS]

Apple iMac 27 - inch Desktop PC (2.66GHz, 2X2GB RAM, 1TB Hard Drive, 4850-512MB-GBR)
by Apple
3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review) More about this product
RRP: £1,599.00
Price: £1,504.60 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £94.40 (6%)
In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.
Only 5 left in stock--order soon.

Apple iMac 21.5 - inch Desktop PC (3.06GHz, 2X2GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive, 9400M-GBR)
by Apple
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews) More about this product
Price: £1,046.21
In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by extremepcsuk.
Only 1 left in stock--order soon.

Apple iMac 27 - inch Desktop PC (3.06GHz, 2X2GB RAM, 1TB Hard Drive, 4670-256MB-GBR)
by Apple
4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews) More about this product
RRP: £1,349.00
Price: £1,325.00
You Save: £24.00 (2%)
In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by W1 Technology.
Only 3 left in stock--order soon.

Apple iMac 21.5 - inch (3.06GHz, 2X2GB RAM, 1TB Hard Drive, 4670-256MB-GBR)
by Apple
4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews) More about this product
Price: £1,220.00
In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by W1 Technology.
Only 2 left in stock--order soon.


Pretty cool…
Of course, I have been saying July for weeks.

More support for a refresh.

 

[2005CTS]

Amazon.co.uk has discontinued both iMac 21.5 inch models - they're now only available to buy from third party sellers.

I think this is the sign of a refresh. A couple of weeks ago, they just had the message of 'Currently Unavailable', but now thats disappeared.

See detail above to support this post.

 

[2005CTS]

Just to add fuel to the fire, Best Buy online still has not replenished their stock of i5 27" iMacs (went from backorder to OOS about mid June), but finally have new stock of Mac Pros after being OOS for weeks, which some people may interpret to mean that if a refresh were to happen this week the iMac is perhaps a better candidate than the MP.

After the Arrandale saga on the MBP forums I have little faith in stock levels as a firm indication of an imminent refresh, but it is another data point nonetheless.

All signs (based on inventory levels) point to a refresh soon.

 

[2005CTS]

Chances for a refresh this week are very likely. I can confirm that another store close by is saying it's very hard to get iMacs in stock and the problems they're facing are identical in patterns of dates:stock to previous situations where new products have been released.

Another post about low inventory levels.

 

[Blu-Ray]

Not that i disagree with you - but I am curious as to your logic?

The low stock notices on the iMac are similar to the low stock notices that we saw prior to the previous three Mac refreshes.

My logic is a combination of past releases and timing for start of school.

Low stock at one retailer could be related to to other things but who knows. EDIT: looks like many retailers are reporting low stock. Hey, tomorrow will tell...

 

[diegobgr]

It's gonna be the day tomorrow?

 

[2005CTS]

It's gonna be the day tomorrow?

We shall see. I have been waiting to buy an iMac since the beginning of the year when the 27" iMac had all the high rate of screen failures. I opted to wait and while waiting opted to get a MacBook Pro for my wife. That will keep us going until the new iMac's are released. I have an aging over 6 year old Gateway Pentium PC...with a tiny 15" flatscreen monitor. I am ready to upgrade and complete my move to Mac.

Having multiple retailers reporting low stock on iMac's the couple days leading up to a Tuesday is very suspicious. I would be surprised if it was just a flook. I strongly suspect that a refreshed iMac is coming tomorrow...and if so an order won't be far off for me!!!

 

[OatmealRocks]

I bought AppleCare with mine so I'm actually kinda hoping there will be a yellow tint issue or dead pixels. I'll wait a month or two to speak up about it, then get it exchanged for a brand new iMac.

Ya digg?

I see what you are doing thurrr.

Could anyone tell me if it is safe to buy apple care via eBay?

 

[2005CTS]

My logic is a combination of past releases and timing for start of school.

Low stock at one retailer could be related to to other things but who knows. EDIT: looks like many retailers are reporting low stock. Hey, tomorrow will tell...

Apple could update the iMac tomorrow and still be able to get the MacBook Air on for an August refresh and be ready for the back to school crowd. Either way - I suspect we see one of the two up for tomorrow and the other one in August.

 

[diegobgr]

We shall see. I have been waiting to buy an iMac since the beginning of the year when the 27" iMac had all the high rate of screen failures. I opted to wait and while waiting opted to get a MacBook Pro for my wife. That will keep us going until the new iMac's are released. I have an aging over 6 year old Gateway Pentium PC...with a tiny 15" flatscreen monitor. I am ready to upgrade and complete my move to Mac.

Having multiple retailers reporting low stock on iMac's the couple days leading up to a Tuesday is very suspicious. I would be surprised if it was just a flook. I strongly suspect that a refreshed iMac is coming tomorrow...and if so an order won't be far off for me!!!

Haha my creepy PC is also 6 years old. And I am with a 17" screen (but LCD). I wanna move to Mac now.

 

[eddvedd]

Maybe this has already been mentioned, but if you look at the mac mini release dates, the imac is usually released in the same month or within one one month of the mini. That would suggest tomorrow, and when combined with the shortages people are seeing...

 

[Bodhi395]

I noticed Apple.com has no shortages, but do they usually have any shortages before a refresh or just 3rd party retailers?

 

[2005CTS]

Maybe this has already been mentioned, but if you look at the mac mini release dates, the imac is usually released in the same month or within one one month of the mini. That would suggest tomorrow, and when combined with the shortages people are seeing...

Yes...that is another supporting fact to an update tomorrow. The one thing that surprises me is how quiet all the apple sites are about an update of any kind set for tomorrow. I think the logic and supporting low inventory sitings gives strong support to this speculation...but no one else has picked up on it. Of course, sadly the iPhone4 review by Consumer Reports is taking much of the Apple coverage.

 

[diegobgr]

Refurbieshed Macs experiencies. Yellow tint? Scratches?

Sorry. mistake.

 

[2005CTS]

I noticed Apple.com has no shortages, but do they usually have any shortages before a refresh or just 3rd party retailers?

In the past they have not reported shortages leading up to the release or announcement of any new product. I suspect that they have the ability to manage their inventory and report more to their advantage than 3rd part retailers.

 

[ee4life]

In the same boat as you bruh. My 27in i5 should be coming to my doorstep literally any minute now. The anticipation is killing me! As for they're return policy, there is a 10% restocking fee if the box is opened, free if its unopened. So long story short, the $2000 plus I shelled out for mine would cost another $200 to return (there's no way I could restrain myself from opening it for a day as I've been saving for months to get it, and been waiting 10 days since I placed the order).

Either way, if you got an i7 coming in, there probably won't be to much of an update (just speed bumps) to justify paying a restocking fee and the time it takes to finally get the Mac to you. It all comes down to when you get it though. Seeing how you just ordered it, you could easily return it for free or even cancel your order now.

I bought AppleCare with mine so I'm actually kinda hoping there will be a yellow tint issue or dead pixels. I'll wait a month or two to speak up about it, then get it exchanged for a brand new iMac.

Ya digg?

If the refresh does come tomorrow and there are issues with your new Mac, I would advise returning within the 14 days. Otherwise I believe Apple will try to repair your Mac's issues as opposed to offering an exchange (from what I read they resort to this if you continue to have problems after a number or repairs when you are outside the return period). I don't know why you wouldn't just give it 24 hours (even less at this point), but hey, different strokes...