Apple Improves 27" iMac Ship Time, Raises Cap on 3G Downloads

Following Apple’s recent troubles with its 27″ iMac and a wait time of up to three weeks, AppleInsider is reporting that the company has dropped the ship time to five to seven days, suggesting that the company has managed to address the video issues that haunted the desktops. The change applies to both the Core 2 Duo and Core i5 powered versions of the computer.

Early adopters of the big-screen iMac have seen a number of hardware issues pertaining to the screen, with reports of flickering and yellow discoloration. The company released two software updates to fix the issues, and also reportedly offered some customers a 15 percent refund for their troubles.

Supplies of the 27-inch iMac have been constrained for months, with Apple in December even apologizing for delays, citing considerable demand form consumers. When it first launched in October, the new iMac was the best-selling desktop machine for the month. The 21.5″ iMac came in first place, while the 27-inch iMac took third in overall sales.

In other news, Apple quietly doubled the download limit for files from the iPhone App Store and iTunes via 3G. Users can now download files up to 20MB in size from a wireless carrier’s data network. The previous cap was 10MB for “over the air” downloads.

In addition to applications, the new limit also applies to multimedia files, such as podcasts available through iTunes. The update expands beyond AT&T in the U.S., with international reports stating the 10MB cap has also been lifted.

If you’ve played around with the new limit, let us know.


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Apple improves iMac ship times, 3G iPhone download limit doubles

New 27-inch iMac purchases direct from Apple now have a shipping wait time of 5 to 7 days, suggesting the hardware maker has addressed issues that plagued the desktops. Also, the file size limit for iPhone App Store and iTunes downloads over 3G has increased to 20MB.

27-inch iMac shipping times now 5-7 business days

Both the Core 2 Duo and Core i5 powered versions of Apple's latest 27-inch iMac desktop now have an estimated shipping time of 5 to 7 business days. Apple adjusted the shipping times this week after months of supply issues.

Early adopters of the big-screen iMac have seen a number of hardware issues pertaining to the screen, with reports of flickering and yellow discoloration. The company released two software updates to fix the issues, and also reportedly offered some customers a 15 percent refund for their troubles.

Earlier this month, Apple denied a rumor that it had halted production of new models. At the same time, ship times that had lingered at three weeks for months improved to two weeks.

Supplies of the 27-inch iMac have been constrained for months, with Apple in December even apologizing for delays, citing considerable demand form consumers. When it first launched in October, the new iMac was the best-selling desktop machine for the month. The 21.5-inch iMac came in first place, while the 27-inch iMac took third in overall sales.

3G downloads via iPhone now available up to 20MB

Apple this week quietly doubled the download limit for files from the iPhone App Store and iTunes via 3G. Files up to 20MB in size can now be downloaded from a wireless carrier's data network, while the previous cap was 10MB for "over the air" downloads.

In addition to applications, the new limit also applies to multimedia files, such as podcasts available through iTunes. The update expands beyond AT&T in the U.S., with international reports stating the 10MB cap has also been lifted.


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27-inch iMac display issues cause European replacement panel drought, Apple to refund customers

In the wake of widely reported yellowing and flickering display issues on Apple’s line of 27-inch iMacs, rumors have it that Apple has halted production until they get to the bottom with the problem.

Apple’s denied the production halt, but if a UK-based Apple Authorized Service Provider speaking to Gizmodo is to be trusted, the situation’s a lot more dire than Apple is letting on.

Writing to Gizmodo’s Mark Wilson, who has an iMac afflicted with the display issues himself, the reseller said:

The short of it is that apple doesn’t have any 27″ LCDs in Europe and there is a backlog of 230 machines that are waiting on this part, with no eta on shipping. So to keep customers happy(ish) they’re paying them. That’s right apple is now (quietly) offering people a full refund and 15% of the price extra, and they are arranging a free pick up of your machine. I’m not 100% if this is the case in the US, but it’s happening over here in the UK.

As far as i know it’s both Apple stores and 3rd party retailers, but the refund itself comes from Apple not the 3rd party retailer. We’ve had two customer that have both gotten there machines’ refunded plus the 15%.

Another authorized Apple tech commenting at Gizmodo says that 27″ LCD panels are also out of stock in Wisconsin, with no ETA available.

Is the problem so bad and the solution so out of sight that Apple’s now paying afflicted customers off? Maybe not, but clearly this problem isn’t entirely being blown out of proportion: there are very real issues with the 27-inch iMac that make waiting for Apple to fix the problem once and for all before purchasing one a no-brainer.


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The Faulty iMac Saga, Chapter 4: Apple Buying Out Customers

In this week’s iMac update, we talk to an Apple authorised Service Provider/Reseller from the UK. And what does he tell us? Apple is so short on 27-inch displays that they’re paying customers 15 per cent to simply return faulty iMacs.

Can You Safely Buy a New iMac Yet?
Nope.

Why?
The yellow screens have yet to be fixed. The flickering screens have just been addressed with a second firmware update, but we can’t tell whether or not this update fixed the problem. (Write to submissions@gizmodo.com to let us know your experience).

What’s Being Done?
27-inch iMacs are still being delayed in what is allegedly a complete halting of their assembly line, though Apple has denied it. The three-week delay of last week has shifted to a two-week delay (but such is to be expected, as we’re a week later in whatever fix Apple appears to be working on). Of course, if Apple’s screen issues are in any way related to believed supplier LG’s production methods, these delays might not help. LG-sourced Dell displays are having colour issues, too.

What’s With the Apple Payouts??
An UK-based Apple authorised Service Provider/Reseller shared some interesting information with me. First, the UK appears to be totally out of 27-inch panels to repair iMacs (which makes sense if Apple’s assembly lines are halted). Here’s what he said, after sharing inventory lists with me:

The short of it is that apple doesn’t have any 27″ LCDs in Europe and there is a backlog of 230 machines that are waiting on this part, with no eta on shipping though the GSX system. So to keep customers happy(ish) there paying them. That’s right apple are now (quietly) offering people a full refund and 15% of the price extra, and they are arranging a free pick up of your machine. I’m not 100% if this is the case in the US, but it’s happening over here in the UK.

As far as i know it’s both Apple stores and 3rd party retailers, but the refund itself comes from Apple not the 3rd party retailer. We’ve had two customer that have both gotten there machines’ refunded plus the 15%.

In real numbers, that’s an apology of $US300 or more on Apple’s part.

Quote of the Week
“The 27-inch iMac has been a huge hit with customers and we are working to increase supply to meet up with strong demand.”

- Apple spokesperson


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