Apple inventory update: iMacs, iPods in strong demand

Data reveal strong demand for Apple's iMac G5 and iPod products as the holiday shopping season kicks off.

PowerBooks and eMacs are approaching the end of their life cycle, recent Apple inventory data has revealed. Stock of both product-lines remains high, while demand for the computers almost ceases to exist. Both products are likely to see refreshes in early 2005, sources said.

Meanwhile, demand for Apple's new iMac G5 and iBook G4 is far exceeding the available supply of units. However, the demand for iBooks pales in comparison to the demand for iMacs by an approximate 1 to 5 ratio.

With the exception of the dual 2.5GHz Power Mac G5, Apple has successfully leveled supply and demand for its Power Mac G5 line of computers. The company's Cinema Display LCD flat-screens are also approaching an demand/supply equilibrium.

Moving on to music players, source data shows that iPod minis remain very popular as 2004 comes to a close. Demand for all 5 models is strong, led by sales of the silver and blue-colored players. Strong demand for pink, gold, and green models follows, respectively.

And while Apple's white 20GB iPods have been met by a supply/demand balance, company's black and red U2 iPod is slightly more popular and harder to come by. The remainder of Apple's iPod offerings, including the iPod photo, are in high demand, currently exceeding the available supply, sources said.

Today (Nov. 26) Apple is offering over $100 off select iMac G5 models and over $20 off all iPod models and select accessories.

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14 Comments

kenaustus

said about 19 years ago

While supply and demand are fairly well in balance going into the holiday buying season the next 2 - 3 weeks can see significant changes in this balance. I believe that, especially in the 2 weeks before Christmas, some of the better selling products like the iPods will be very hard to find in the US and even more difficult to find overseas. Supplies of the 20" iMac will probably be limited to direct purchases from Apple in the near future and, if it's a BTO, then delivery may well be after Christmas.

shatfield

said about 19 years ago

I went to the Apple Store at the South Park mall the other day and they didn't have any iPod minis in stock. I went there today and they had more than 50 of them, and that was near the end of the day!

There were a LOT of people in the store, all smiling and playing with the gadgets and stuff.

I predict that this is going to be a great year for Apple.

Go Apple!

-Steven

twinbrook46636

said about 19 years ago

"PowerBooks and eMacs are approaching the end of their life cycle, recent Apple inventory data has revealed. Stock of both product-lines remains high, while demand for the computers almost ceases to exist. Both products are likely to see refreshes in early 2005, sources said."

So, um, why don't they drop prices on the PowerBooks then?

shatfield

said about 19 years ago

Excellent point. I wonder why they don't drop prices dramatically on older hardware... that would raise their marketshare dramatically, one would think.

OTOH, I guess it makes sense NOT to lower the prices of old product in order to preserve sales of the new product. Imagine if Apple announces a G5 PowerBook in January and they lower the prices of their existing G4 PowerBook line for the Nov-Dec shopping season. They flood the market with G4 PowerBooks, then announce a G5 PowerBook -- which nobody buys because they just bought G4 PowerBooks.

I think Apple's whole sales and marketing process is flawed, though. They really need to take a look at what the car manufacturers are doing.

The car manufacturers have been doing what you and I propose for decades. Lower the cost of the existing inventory in order to beef up their marketshare (and clear the dealer lots) and then release the new stuff for people who decided to wait and then charge a premium for it.

For example, the year before they release the new stuff, they show exactly what they'll be releasing (exciting new Ford Mustang for 2005, for instance)... so if people are really interested in the new Ford Mustang GT, they'll wait, and not buy the older model. But with Apple's shrowd of secrecy regarding new products, they can't do this -- therefore their marketshare (and our wallets) suffer.

r3dx0r

said about 19 years ago

Quote:

Originally posted by SHatfield

For example, the year before they release the new stuff, they show exactly what they'll be releasing (exciting new Ford Mustang for 2005, for instance)... so if people are really interested in the new Ford Mustang GT, they'll wait, and not buy the older model. But with Apple's shrowd of secrecy regarding new products, they can't do this -- therefore their marketshare (and our wallets) suffer.

hrm, i'd love to know what will be released a year in advance but i don't think it will happen. this would probably kill sales 3 or 4 months before the new hardware is released. so apple would sell a lot right after the product release and then almost nothing until the next revision.
it seems to me that apple does not want the customer to know when new stuff comes out for several reasons. apple likes the hype/surprise that macworlds create (and we do too, don't we?). people would complain a lot more if products were officially announced and then delayed (whatever the reasons may be). ...
imho, the technology found in pcs/macs evolves pretty fast (faster than cars), so quite often plans have to change and it would be wrong to deliver what sounded good some time ago.