New iMacs tipped for next week, source claims
updated 01:20 pm EDT, Mon April 25, 2011
Current iMacs expected to stop shipping soon
New iMacs should be introduced next week, says a source for 9to5Mac. In particular the person claims that in preparation for a launch, current iMac models will stop shipping out to resellers within the next few days. Apple is also reportedly postponing online iMac orders until next week, in at least one case citing an "unexpected delay."
An iMac refresh was already believed to be imminent thanks to earlier reports of supply constraints. The specific date could fall anywhere between the 2nd and the 5th, although Apple tends to favor Tuesdays and Wednesdays for Mac launches. It usually avoids Friday product rollouts except when dealing with iOS devices.
The new iMacs should mainly upgrade to faster processors based on Intel's Sandy Bridge platform. The systems should also get Thunderbolt ports though, making them only the second line of computers in the world to support the standard. The technology was introduced alongside February's MacBook Pros, and will remain Apple-only until 2012.
