Piper Jaffray: iPod shuffle, Mac mini exceeding Apple\'s expectations

In a survey of all 98 of Apple's U.S.-based retail stores, the analyst said he found virtually 'no supply' of the new products.

"We believe initial demand for the Mac mini and the iPod shuffle has exceeded what Apple had been expecting," Munster said. In his report, he noted that the average waiting list for the Mac mini was approximately 18 people per store, while the iPod shuffle wait list extended to 120 customers per store.

"The majority of stores have no idea when they will receive product," Munster added. "Those stores that do have an indication of when they will receive product suggested that limited quantities of the Mac mini and iPod shuffle will be in stock within 2 weeks."

Munster said that most Apple retail stores expected to have ample supply of both products by the end of February. However, he said that 'virtually every Apple store we spoke to' suggested that customers place orders for the Mac mini and iPod shuffle online instead of adding their names to an in-store waiting list.

Speaking to AppleInsider anonymously, reliable sources on Tuesday quoted Apple inventory and sell-through data which shows that, over the last week, wait times for the Mac mini have increased from 3 days to approximately 3 weeks. Meanwhile, the same data shows that the wait time for an iPod shuffle has surged from 4 days to more than 4 weeks.