demand, incredible or otherwise, can't alone explain these delays.

If we are believe Apple, there must be some serious flaw in their order-taking and order-promising procedures. It must be decentralized, so that when say 1000 orders come in from 1000 customers at the same time, the apple store computer checks the availability, let's say 500, and sees that each order is less than 500, so an early delivery date is promised. Only later is it recognized that there's a problem.

but does this make sense for one of the most tech savy firms around? Nope. I think we have to look elsewhere for an explanation. Maybe IBM problems, maybe a huge institution or institutions bumped us regular folk to the back of the queue...but regardless, I think we deserve an explanation that doesn't insult us.

I'm shocked! Shocked! I can't believe Apple missed a shipping date! And then to do it a second time! Luckily for all these customers, they'll be getting their computers in a week. I say that with certainty because we all know Apple couldn't missing a shipping date a third time! No way that could happen.

Oh, and don't forget that Apple has already publicly stated that they'll be announcing a new G5 iMac next month, which means more constraints on an already constrained chip (either that or their just announcing it, with usual Apple flourish, and then not have it available for delivery until November, just like Apple sells everything). But, I hear Apple has lot's of eMacs available for you all, if you don't mind built-in screens. Maybe if you all are lucky, you could get it by Christmas. Or you can call dell, get just as fast and good computer for half the price delivered to your door in a week. Sure, not as good and all, but at least you'd be able to, oh, I don't know, USE it sometime this year, rather than just being able to stare at an ever-changing delivery notice.

Hmmm, tough choice...

Maybe apple can do another one of those "We're a supercomputer" ads, saying something like "The new G5 from Apple, so powerful we don't sell it to anyone!" Or how about a slapstick one. You know, showing Apple's shipping department, people drinking, falling all over the place, tripping carrying your computer around, seeing the pieces all over the floor, voiceover starts to read "We at apple computer really enjoy our job, even if it means shipping things a little broken and a little late. But its OK, because we have 90-day free phone support and a one year warranty." Or a promotional one "Be one of the first G5 owners whose computers work consistently out of the box, and win a free .Mac subscription". That promotion could last until next year the way their supply and QA is going.

the same guy who wrote this release probably also wrote the 'skip free iPod' blurb, which is also quite a stretch of the imagination for those of us who run with the device.

Apple are legendary at spin doctoring things; at making bad news sound positive. I prefer honesty myself. If they just said "A supplier has been unable to meet projected delivery dates and orders will be filled in the order in which they were received", I'd think better of them. But maybe Wall Street wouldn't....

none of you are surprised by the move, yet you all write multiple paragraphs about it? please. as soon as they announced the dual 2.5 wouldn't be shipping with the other two models you should have known there would be delivery problems. i find it quite amusing that #2 is talking about doing and getting a Dell because you have to wait longer for your G5 - yeah that's a great idea. do you realize that some people need these computers for their job? so far this thread is making me sick. just keep your pants on and wait for the machine - i'm sure then you won't be poo-poo'ing Apple you fair weather freaks.

I walked into a local Toronto store - CPUSEd yesterday, and walked out with one - love it. What an easy install process to move stuff from the old system. I wonder how many people are, like me,d eciding at the last minute that the price difference between the 2.5 and the 2.0 is (relatively) low enough from a business perspective to justify the higher end purchase, resulting in the shortfall...

It's like deja vu all over again.

Seriously -- just substitute 2.5 GHz for 2.0 GHz and this post could just have easily been made on this date in 2003.

Does Apple ever learn?

Either IBM is short on processors or NVIDIA is short on video cards. This shouldn't be news to anyone. At least Apple is throwing in a $150 video card free for the delay. Can't complain about that. If you're going to fly on the bleeding edge (2.5 & 6800) you should expect delays. Same goes for any other electronic item, not just those from Apple.

i find it quite amusing that #2 is talking about doing and getting a Dell because you have to wait longer for your G5 - yeah that's a great idea. do you realize that some people need these computers for their job? so far this thread is making me sick. just keep your pants on and wait for the machine - i'm sure then you won't be poo-poo'ing Apple you fair weather freaks.

Well, I do understand people need these computers for their job. I also understand they CAN'T DO THEIR JOB if they don't have the computer! Waiting sounds so great. Yes, I'll just sit here waiting for my computer to come in. No, I'm sure I'm not losing my business to those who actually have computers to do their job.

And let's not forget that there's going to be a whole boatload of people trying to buy before the end of their fiscal Q4 to get their money out (esp. the gov't). You think they're going to use that on Macs? I wouldn't. I couldn't trust them to get me a delivery before October 1, and wouldn't be able to get the expense on this years taxes.

But that's OK. I'm waiting...waiting...waiting...waiting...

If you are going to be losing business over this.. you need business 101.. buy a Dual 2.0Ghz... do the work.. when a Dual 2.5 is out there easily to be picked up... sell the Dual 2.0.. then buy a 2.5.. that easy.. what have these people been using before they put their DUal 2.5 order in!?!? Some people are so stupid. I went from a Dual G4 1Ghz.. to a Dual 2Ghz.. I couldn't wait for a new Dual 2.5.. so for the past 4 months I have been extremely product.. happy.. and even playing games... Motion runs faster than I need it to be.. I am not making money using the machine.. but instead of being stuck on a machine that wouldn't be able to run the high end programs I wanted to use.. I have been using them.. and getting ahead of the game when I ready to upgrade to the next step..

While you've all been screaming that you need your 2.5GHz G5 for your business or you'll have to buy a PC, I've been using my DP2.0GHz G5 for nearly the past year... Don't know what you've all been doing with your time, but I managed to get a year's worth of amazing productivity done... all while you've been waiting and whining (and apparently not getting any work done).
Those who complain the most, need it the least.