[TechnologyTwitt]

First off, I'll say that it's been almost 7 years since I bought an Apple computer... my 2011 Air has been doing just fine, but it's time.

So I started tinkering around with configurations on Apple.com for an i7 iMac 21.5, thinking I can pick it up the next day, maybe two at one of the local 3 Apple stores.

No...

Almost 2 week wait time?!! I played with a few different configurations, thinking I was ordering something totally unique (it's their selections though, how unique could it be). Same wait time...

Kind of disappointed.. are my expectations that far off?

[Rob Phillips]

For a custom configured computer two weeks isn’t all that long of a wait. They only carry a few different configurations in the stores and I think they’re all i5 models.

[TechnologyTwitt]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the reply. I guess that's where I'm questioning my expectations. Is choosing their given selections really custom configured??

For a custom configured computer two weeks isn’t all that long of a wait. They only carry a few different configurations in the stores and I think they’re all i5 models.

[Rob Phillips]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the reply. I guess that's where I'm questioning my expectations. Is choosing their given selections really custom configured??

Kind of. Apple keeps very tight control of inventory so it’s possible they produce certain configurations on the fly.

[Just_Me_D]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the reply. I guess that's where I'm questioning my expectations. Is choosing their given selections really custom configured??

Although I agree with Rob, I am surprised that Apple can’t have a custom config available within 24 to 36 hours, especially at an Apple Store where they have people troubleshooting smart devices and computers.

[Rob Phillips]

Although I agree with Rob, I am surprised that Apple can’t have a custom config available within 24 to 36 hours, especially at an Apple Store where they have people troubleshooting smart devices and computers.

The problem with that is custom configs aren’t built at the Apple Store, they’re manufactured in a facility and shipped to the buyer or Apple Store. I’m assuming it’s because the cost to manufacture in a facility versus in a store is much less. Of course this is all just conjecture though. Understanding the true cost (cost of goods sold) in an organization the size of Apple is a thousand times more complex than the general population understands.

[TechnologyTwitt]

Pretty excited, can't wait