Mac fans wait for 17-inch PowerBook

Daily Newsletters

Sign up to ZDNet UK's daily newsletter.

NEWS
Mini Me may have his 17-inch PowerBook, but the rest of the world is having to wait as Apple Computer is apparently having problems ramping up production of the extrawide notebook. When Apple chief executive Steve Jobs announced the world's largest laptop at January's Macworld Expo, he promised that the machines would be available in February. However, early customers -- even some who ordered the day the giant laptop was introduced -- say they are still waiting. Reports of the delays are chronicled extensively on the Mac laptop site PowerBook Central. Some who say they ordered right after Jobs' keynote speech say they are being told they might not get their machines until 24 March. But Apple is remaining silent, with a representative refusing to say whether any machines have shipped or when the laptops might be broadly available. Apple's online store lists a three- to five-week wait for new orders, while a worker at Apple's retail store in Emeryville, California said that the outlet has no machines in stock, nor does it have any idea when they might arrive. Apple has advertised the machines extensively with a TV commercial that shows the diminutive actor Verne Troyer, who played Mini Me in the Austin Powers movies, using the 17-inch model as Yao Ming, the 7-foot-5-inch Houston Rockets basketball player, uses the 12-inch model. One independent Apple dealer said he has been given no new estimate of when the machines will reach independent stores, but said he is hoping they arrive by the end of the month. According to the dealer, initial orders were strong, with the large laptop outselling the 12-inch model by four-to-one in the first two weeks. "It seems a lot of the pro people (i.e. graphic designers) really want that 17-inch screen," the dealer said. However, orders have slowed as the 12-inch model has shipped and the wait for the larger model has mounted, the dealer said. That increases the risk that the early demand may wane before Apple has a chance to convert interest into sales. Apple's flat-panel iMac was initially in short supply, but shortly after Apple caught up with the initial demand, the company found interest had somewhat waned.
What will Apple come up with next? For full Mac OS coverage, see ZDNet UK's Mac News Section. Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom.

Post your comment

In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.

You can also log in with Facebook. Log in or create your ZDNet UK account below

  • Login

Will not be displayed with your comment

By signing up for this service, you indicate that you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and understood our Privacy Policy. Questions about membership? Find the answers in the Community FAQ

Get ZDNet UK's daily newsletter

Enter your email address to sign up

ZDNet UK Live

45283

I think WinRT is fantastic. I just wish it was an option for people that didn't want to go through Microsoft's App Store with its attendant...

15 minutes ago by 45283 on Why Windows 8 needs architectural hygiene for WOA
Burn-IT

Nine people? £30m? Who's back pocket is that lot going in? And IF they say it is for new buildings, what about all the ones the government has...

1 hour ago by Burn-IT on Police set to launch three £30m e-crime hubs
ewallace

Just to be clear, nobody knows what is in the text of ACTA, here is a photograph of the text of ACTA http://twitpic.com/8h9iju as submitted to the...

1 hour ago by ewallace on ACTA: Facts, misconceptions and questions
fgvrg56

Unfortunately main issue is that ASUS is refusing to accept that they make some mistake on this version of asus Transformer prime. 1 - GPS sensor...

3 hours ago by fgvrg56 on Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime Wi-Fi & GPS problems?
Ben Woods

@Marcus A fair question. Just talked with Archos which said it was working on an announcement for next week....

4 hours ago by Ben Woods on Archos confirms G9 Ice Cream Sandwich update schedule
Marcus Karlsson

Any update on this, considering the claimed "first week of February"?

5 hours ago by Marcus Karlsson via Facebook on Archos confirms G9 Ice Cream Sandwich update schedule
apexwm

Bill Goodrich : Just as al_langevin pointed out, with Windows Server 2008 there is no Services for Macintosh anymore. It's gone, not available....

13 hours ago by apexwm on Windows Server 2008 drops the ball for Mac compatibility
txtrainguy

Replying to an old topic that I'm currently facing with my CEO (who is on a Mac). Our servers are primarily Windows Servers, office is about...

20 hours ago by txtrainguy on Windows Server 2008 drops the ball for Mac compatibility
k0tcs3

Sure, that makes perfect sense. Pay wrong-doers money and thank them for breaching your security and pointing out your flaws, that would surely...

20 hours ago by k0tcs3 on US indicts Romanian over NASA climate change hack
Random_Error

I think he's referring specifically to Android apps, as Apple do regulate their App Store, but Google seem to let any old crap onto the Android store!

20 hours ago by Random_Error on RIM: BlackBerry will keep 'garbage' apps out of store
Paul Fezziwig

Keep the crap apps out?! How will they compete with Android and Apple's claim to fame of having so many life changing apps? I wonder if the media...

1 day ago by Paul Fezziwig via Facebook on RIM: BlackBerry will keep 'garbage' apps out of store
Aigars Mahinovs

It has been shown time after time that if there is an author store that sells the songs at even 1$ per song and gives you a high-quality digital...

1 day ago by Aigars Mahinovs via Facebook on Copyright isn't working, says European Commission
awbMaven

""As a result of Butyka's alleged conduct, researchers were unable to use the computers for more than two months while NASA removed the malicious...

1 day ago by awbMaven on US indicts Romanian over NASA climate change hack
subhorup

It simultaneously worries me and uplifts me that a self-proclaimed group of internet activists name themselves after Indian mythical figures....

2 days ago by subhorup on Anonymous activists release PCAnywhere source code
naviathan

It's actually far easier to work anonymously on the internet than you think. With tools like Tor bouncing your traffic around the world before...

2 days ago by naviathan on Anonymous activists release PCAnywhere source code
Agnostic_OS

1000272134 and bluedalmatian with you both there but then I'm still in 10.04 land (and happy with it)

2 days ago by Agnostic_OS on Ten factors that make Ubuntu 11.10 a hit
apexwm

Interesting article and definitely see your points on the products mentioned. One of the top products for our Help Desk (approximately 20% of all...

2 days ago by apexwm on Ten flawed products that derail productivity
Paul Hutchinson

Absolutely - this should obviously not be handled my isp - but handled by their hosting operator. What's been suggested here is that my isp police...

2 days ago by Paul Hutchinson via Facebook on MPs urge ISPs to take down terrorist material
Techs UK

Looks like a great phone. I don't notice any deficiencies in WP7. used IOS before, that's pretty good. I don't spend much time in Apps, all i need...

2 days ago by Techs UK on Nokia pins US 're-entry' hopes on Lumia 900
Larry Bloggy

Now with the help of these apps you are always synced with MS outlook while on the move. Just download apps like xobni or outlookreflex and get...

2 days ago by Larry Bloggy via Facebook on Outlook Social Connector beta 2 and the LinkedIn connector