Mac360 Twitter TweetsSponsorship and Advertising on Mac360Forums Member LoginRegister for Mac360 ForumsFrequently Asked QuestionsYouTube Video WatchDashboard Widget WatchPolls & SurveysMac360 Power Search Options
RSS FeedThe Mac360 Article ArchiveThe Cheap MacWhat's New!Mac Tips & TricksMacintosh User ForumsMac360 Reviews

iPod Shortage? Not in Hawaii, Or The Apple Store.

Is it possible that Apple is selling so many iPods this holiday season that the iPod will blow through even inflated sales projections? That’s what it’s beginning to look like with only days left before Christmas.

The iPod is the hot gift giving gadget for Windows and Mac users this season. Analysts said Apple may sell over 4-million iPods in the last calendar quarter this year, nearly double the number of the previous quarter.

Are there enough iPods to go around? Maybe not.

Here’s where you’ll have trouble finding some iPod models. Amazon, Best Buy, Target, J&R, Radio Shack, some CompUSA stores. The Apple iPod by HP is available at some Radio Shack locations and a number of other retailers but HP doesn’t sell the mini.

Here in Hawaii we have an Apple Store at the crowded Ala Moana Shopping Center (near the beach). iPods? Yep. We got ‘em. But the supply continues to dwindle with some models in short supply, and some iPod mini colors unavailable.

How about the online Apple Store? If you’ve got to have an iPod mini in goldyou won’t get it for Christmas as there’s already a 3 to 5 day delay. Estimated shipping on the silver, blue, pink and green is now 1 to 3 days.

That means if you order immediately, there’s still a good chance you won’t get the iPod mini in the color of your choice. And forget laser engraving. It won’t happen before Christmas.

In fact, even iBooks, iMacs, and PowerBooks won’t make it from the Apple Store online to Santa to your place by Christmas morning—this year.

Apple does say that all iPod models (except the gold mini) can make it to you by Christmas if you order by December 22nd, for delivery by December 25th.

How about the ultra suave and similarly expensive iPod photo? $499 will get you shipment the same day you order, and should arrive before Christmas.

Does that make you feel better about not believing in Santa anymore?

Even the Wall Street Journal headlined last week that the iPod would be in short, short supply the final shopping week of the season.

As of the beginning of the calendar quarter (October 1, 2004), Apple reportedly had shipped 5.7-million iPods in TOTAL worldwide. Some news stories say estimates show over 4-million iPods will be sold in the last quarter, beginning October 1 and ending December 31.

Is there life after iPod? Yes. Assuming you can’t find an iPod in time for the holidays this year, hold on to your money for a few weeks. Web and Apple prognosticators suggest that prices will be lower in January and Apple may introduce new, less expensive flash-based iPods at Macworld San Francisco early in the month.

What will people do with an additional 4-million or so iPods? They’ll buy music at the Apple iTunes Music Store. Already there’s been 200-million songs downloaded from iTMS.

It took Apple 11 months to seel the first 50-million songs on iTMS. Then it was four months for the next 50-million songs downloaded. Three months after that, another 50-million songs had been downloaded from iTMS (at 99-cents each). The most recent 50-million downloads only took two months.

Macworld San Francisco should be interesting. It’s only a few weeks away.

Post your own Comment.

Classy Mac360 PhotoBy Jack D. Miller | I work for a US technology company in Paris, France and switched from Windows PCs to the Mac 12 years ago. My wife said it would improve our marriage, give us more friends, and reduce stress. It did.

• Email This Article  •  Follow Mac360 on Twitter
• Posted in the Commentary Section

Off Topic Note: Need more Mac software reviews? Check out Page 2 for encore articles. Help support Mac360. Order your copy of Mac OS X Snow Leopard from Mac360 through Amazon. Snow Leopard is $29 for the Single User Upgrade, and only $49 for the 5 User Family Pack Upgrade.

Mac360 posts daily Mac updates on Twitter, too. If you Twitter, give Alexis, Bambi, or Ron a tweet and follow Mac360 on Twitter to get daily Mac tips and tricks.

Chrome
Do Mac users really need another browser that is 1990s ugly?
Tue Nov 10 - Full Article »
xScope
Are you really a graphic professional if you're not using this utility?
Mon Nov 9 - Full Article »
Utility
If you could have only one utility on your Mac, what would it be?
Fri Nov 6 - View Topic »
Flock
Flock is the perfect Mac or PC browser for the social networker.
Thu Nov 5 - Full Article »
Animate
Animation is the domain of experienced graphic professionals, right? Not.
Thu Nov 5 - Full Article »
Diary
Journal or Diary. Your life is worth remembering beyond photographs.
Wed Nov 4 - Full Article »
Snow Leopard
What's in the FORUMS?
Mac360 Link Farm