New iMacs could pack in an aluminum remote and touch-enabled mouse

Third-party resellers are seeing iMac and Mac mini supplies dwindling as Apple quietly informs them it won’t be able to meet new orders. Put simply, new iMacs and Mac minis are imminent.

As rumors about refreshed new iMacs intensify, the latest leads are pointing to an imminent launch. Apple Insider reports that the Mac maker is warning resellers and partners throughout its retail channel of scarce supply of several desktop Mac models. More precisely, Apple’s retail department has made it clear to third-party resellers that it cannot fulfill any new orders for all four iMac models, in addition to the low-end Mac mini model. This is without an exception a tell-tale sign of an impending product refresh. In addition, it appears that the low-end Mac mini has been discontinued.

A quick check on Amazon revealed most iMac and Mac mini models out of stock at press time. Although Apple’s own retail stores still list the usual 24-hour window of availability for iMacs and Mac minis, Apple’s stock reserved for own retail stores traditionally begins dwindling a week or two ahead of an updated hardware arrival, meaning we’re still at least a week or two from a rumored October media event that will serve as a launchpad for updated desktop Macs. Of course, it’s entirely possible that Apple unveils new models without fanfare, via a simple press release.

Apple last refreshed its consumer desktop Mac lineup on March 3, 2009, bringing Nvidia graphics, twice the memory, and twice the storage across most models. The company also shaved $300 off the entry-level 24-inch iMac model, bringing the 24-inch system down to $1,499, the same as the previous 20-inch iMac.

The rumor-mill is predicting redesigned, cheaper iMacs with Blu-ray, echoing Wedge Partners’ report calling for a “thinner, organic design, likely with smoothed or rounded edges.” The research firm expects cheaper iMacs to play a big role in an estimated 3 million Mac units in the fourth calendar quarter. Apple Insider’s sources indicate that Apple has finalized a redesigned iMac lineup two weeks ago, confirming price cuts, Blu-ray, and “classier” industrial design.

The latest tidbits hint at an SD card slot – the first time ever in a Mac desktop – and Intel’s quad-core Core i7 mobile processor replacing dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs found in current iMac systems. Common sense logic also suggests a newer GPU replacing Nvidia’s 9400M/9600 integrated/discrete chips used across iMacs, Mac minis, and Mac notebooks. A redesigned aluminum remote control matching the iMac’s design and a re-engineered Mighty Mouse with an all touch-enabled casing are also believed to be in the works.

Geek member “davethejackal” hopes for an ATI Radeon 5870 build-to-order option, while we keep our fingers crossed for a high-end 30-inch iMac model. What do you think Apple has in store for new iMacs? Will they adopt Intel Core i7 in the upcoming revision or is it too early for that chip? What about the GPU, will Apple stick with Nvidia’s 9400/9600 GPUs? Please, chime in with your comments below.

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