New iMacs may ship next week, German site suggests (Update: French too)

Jonny Evans
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October 17, 2009
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A German Mac retailer is offering deals on its existing iMac stocks, suggesting an attempt to clear inventory as Apple’s supply chain sets the stage for new models, potentially this coming week.

As reported by German Mac news website, Mac Essentials, m-Store is offering deals on iMacs, including 0% finance and a free HP printer.

The German site is convinced these deals suggest new models are looming, saying (Google Translate): “At next week, stay tuned: On Monday, the quarterly results on Tuesday ... an Apple Tuesday?”

Speculation also takes on an added dimension when we reflect on the 2-4-week shipping date currently promised on the (discounted) existing models of iMac through Amazon. Apple’s online shops now promise these items will ship within 24-hours.

Supplies of iMacs have been dwindling in recent weeks. Speculation had existed claiming Apple intended some kind of announcement on October 13, but with the company’s results due on October 19 the company usually keeps quiet in the preceding week or two.

A recent Wedge Partners report claimed a new iMac and redesigned MacBook coming in October.

“Wedge sees a redesigned iMac witjh a “thinner, organic design, likely with smoothed or rounded edges. The MacBook redesign “is likely to be limited,” Wedge asserts. Meanwhile, the firm also expects “new, lower price points to drive demand and create a meaningful competitive threat” to coming PCs based on Windows 7 as well as to the booming netbook segment. “We believe these new designs and price points will help Apple achieve a 3 million unit quarter for Macs in [calendar] Q4,” the report said.

French site MacForever says the new iMacs will have SD card slot(s) and Quad core processors. Other reports have speculated upon inclusion of Blu-ray drives in the latest models, only to repel such speculation later, saying Apple had changed its mind in an 11th hour shift. They are also saying that Tuesday is likely the day of release.  Translated:

But according to various sources, Apple Store would indeed close its doors next Tuesday. On the menu: MacBook, IMac and Mac mini. It is not impossible that Apple took the opportunity to review other models. It could also be a big surprise on the side of the iMac.

Stay tuned.

Comments (14)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 17, 2009 - 4:38am

Germany :-)
for win!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 17, 2009 - 5:34am

german retailers, especially mstore has no clue when new hardware arrives and are usually the last one to know.
they are just guessing like everyone else by watching shipping dates in the apple store (mini and imac already has a shipping delay and is NOT ready within 24hrs.).
0% finance is the actual apple marketing deal for germany and mstore is just adding a printer.

geezer76 (not verified) | October 17, 2009 - 6:00am

mStore is replying to iMac offer by "electronic retail giant" Saturn - so maybe even if mStore has no clue it simply shows retailers are clearing out iMacs.

M. (not verified) | October 17, 2009 - 6:03am

I actually see them doing an event next week, just before the release of Win 7, lowering prices on their entire line to convince people to switch to a mac.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 17, 2009 - 6:43am

Is it possible that with the recent snow leopard bug that affected user data when you log on as a guest, that Apple felt the need to patch the OS in all the new computers before they are released and that might be causing a delay in their plans? Because I imagine that would take a while, fixing it on tons of computers.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 17, 2009 - 1:30pm

unlikely as the bug affected those who had a guest account on 10.5 and upgraded. a new mac would be sold with 10.6 and could be managed with software update :)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 17, 2009 - 7:42am

Maybe they will be released on tuesday because apple will want to get all the attention when windows 7 is released..

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 17, 2009 - 8:23am

Apple will not be able to get all the attention from windows 7.
Nothing will grab more attention that the new windows release because they actually made it good. The only thing that will steal attention from the windows release is how bad vista was..

I also think apple doesn't release products according to stealing media attention from another product

Mr. Reeee (not verified) | October 18, 2009 - 1:56pm

It remains to be seen whether the actual retail release of Win7 will live up to the hype spouted by paid Microsoft shills masquerading as journalists.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 17, 2009 - 9:33am

I can't see Apple releasing all of this new hardware without a big press event, look at the big hoopla which was put on just for the iPod refreshes. In order to get the press to the event you have to give them a week or two to make flight arrangements. We all know its coming, but I don't see a hardware release for a few more weeks.

hugh (not verified) | October 17, 2009 - 11:51am

My iMac is 3.5 years old, and is the first intel iMac made. Since Apple changes the iMac every 3.5-4 years, it is logical to expect significant change. I think there will be a fold down iPod charger/link, as well as quad-core.
I do wonder sometimes just why it is I am more excited by the prospect of getting an new Apple computer than I am at nearly anything else. Must be genetic.

hugh (not verified) | October 17, 2009 - 11:52am

My iMac is 3.5 years old, and is the first intel iMac made. Since Apple changes the iMac every 3.5-4 years, it is logical to expect significant change. I think there will be a fold down iPod charger/link, as well as quad-core.
I do wonder sometimes just why it is I am more excited by the prospect of getting an new Apple computer than I am at nearly anything else. Must be genetic.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | October 17, 2009 - 10:00pm

Its funny that "wedge" sees an idea for a "rounded imac" :)

Chris Leither (not verified) | October 18, 2009 - 3:44am

Plus... HP is offering a CashBack thingy in Germany RIGHT now... they are only referring to this. You don't get the printer for free... you first have to buy one of several models... the cheapest one is 79,99€... and after that 80€ back via a mail-in cashback.

The 0% financing options are also nothing new... a LOT of retailers in Germany do them ALL the time...