View this article at: http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/10/06/carphone.to.sell.macs/

Monday, Oct 06, 2008 11:10am

Carphone Warehouse rumored ...

Apple computers may be sold thorough UK phone reseller Carphone Warehouse this holiday season, rumors suggest. AppleInsider is reporting that sources close to the retail company have discovered placeholders in the reseller's inventory system, indicating that some outlets may start carrying Apple computers and accessories for the 2008 holiday shopping period.

A variety of Apple products are said to be showing up as new, but not in stock, in inventory listings. These include MacBooks, MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs, as well as power adapters and replacement batteries, AirPorts, Mac minis, and iMacs in both 20- and 24-inch editions.

Carphone Warehouse's investment in US electronics chain Best Buy may be the spark for the new product launch. Both retailers are apparently preparing big-box locations in Europe, expanding into computers and TVs, with Apple-authorized training for employees being among the upgrades. The 800 locations maintained by Carphone Warehouse would represent an 8 percent jump in worldwide Mac retail availability. According to sources, inventories should be filled in around one month's time, per past practices.